[Archived] Blackburn Rovers Transfer Topic

[saxo1man30]

thats the only piece of business we can give ince a little bit of credit for, at the time every one ws moaning about letting friedal go, but he was 38 starting to crack a little, and we manager to get £2.5M for him and replace him with an England international, quality keeper no doubt approaching the age where goal keepers begin to peak, and has his best years ahead of him, and he's still ONLY 29, and he can only go one way which is up.

i noted something from robbo`s wiki page the other day. he`s 6 foot 3 in height! for some reason i always thought he was a small keeper, but he`s actually bigger than friedal. lots more to look forward to from him yet i reckon.

[rovertheworld]

nicko's mirror article

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Black...icle113931.html

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has told chairman John Williams to sign Spanish legend Michel Salgado - as he wins a battle for more cash.

Allardyce is laying down the law over the capture of the former Real Madrid skipper who came for talks and went without agreeing a contract because of an internal squabble over finance at Ewood Park.

And Rovers chief Allardyce let his money men know his heart is set on Salgado as he said: "Michel can be a Fernando Hierro type of player for us and bring up the standards in the dressing room.

"I met him and it didn't take him long to say 'yes,' it was two hours into a three-hour meeting, it was music to my ears. I could see his enthusiasm.

"One of my strengths is my judgement of character and I know he is just what we need. I want Michel not just as a player but as a person.

"He has got the potential of playing in one or two positions. I took Hierro as a centre half but he was too slow, but what a midfield player he turned out to be.

"Michel has had 24 days of training at Real Madrid and played a game and a half for them. Now it's about getting him here. I don't care what position we are talking about - just sign him."

Allardyce has had to push his board to get this deal through and he hopes it is complete over the weekend. He is also adamant that Stephen Warnock will not be sold to Aston Villa to pay for it.

He said: "I don't know what their interest is all about - there is no bid that we would describe as acceptable. Sacrifice him? Not really."

Allardyce hopes that landing Salgado would be his last business of the summer. He has brought in a handful of younger and less experienced players and thinks he would make up for that all by himself.

Seems pretty clear to me JW

By the way, good work nicko

[neekoy]

What is all this talk about Givet being a proven world class defender, the guy is good but he is no Thuram or Desailly

[PAFELL]

I have been recently in conversation with a friend of mine who is in contact with a Spanish coach and am told tht Selgado is in very good condition and could play at least another two years in the top flight!!

just out of interest!

................................

There are many on here who say this type of thing - I heard this and that, I have a friend here and there etc - just ignore such post and put it down to people who are nobody who want to be somebodies.

[saxo1man30]

What is all this talk about Givet being a proven world class defender, the guy is good but he is no Thuram or Desailly

he has played in the champions league(inc the final) and represented france on numerous occasions. that is a world class player. would you say for instance that alan shearer was not a world class striker? he only ever won the 1 title with us, but nobody would say he wasn`t world class.

[PAFELL]

Living in Phuket for most of the year, I can tell you this the only player anyone knows in our current squad is Benni.

That is about to change, Salgado aint going to sell thousands of shirts but it is sure going to be nice to have a player as respected around the world as he is/was. So there will be at least one shirt out there with his name on it.

If he can hold the rest of the MF together for a season or two, then just maybe get us challenging for Europe again with the likes of Kalinic and a couple of the other youngsters, we may look back on this signing as a turning point to better days, then again it may be a big flop, but if you don't try you never win.

Let's face it, most think Grella is a flop so what have we to lose. we may even get to sell Grella.

IMO he is worth the shot. What he will bring to the team and the youngsters is huge.

I envey you being in Phuket - as I go to penang in malaysia for a month every two years. But the same is there the only player they know of Rovers is bennie.

[dj54nna]

Nicko's article puts a much more positive spin on things for me. From watching the Sky Sports clip, there was absolutely nothing to suggest that Salgado WOULD actually be signed because Sam made it clear that there was ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY LEFT.

Saying that you 'want' someone in doesn't guarantee it really will happen, especially with lack of funds. I dread to think what'll happen if JW puts his foot down and we don't get Salgado in.

Personally, I'm looking forward to him a lot. I think he'll be a brilliant signing.

[BuckyRover]

he has played in the champions league(inc the final) and represented france on numerous occasions. that is a world class player. would you say for instance that alan shearer was not a world class striker? he only ever won the 1 title with us, but nobody would say he wasn`t world class.

I don't think 13 caps for France and a Champions league losers medal means he is a world class player.

Do we have any world class players? I save that term for the very best players (Ronaldo, Messi etc.)

[saxo1man30]

I don't think 13 caps for France and a Champions league losers medal means he is a world class player.

Do we have any world class players? I save that term for the very best players (Ronaldo, Messi etc.)

see you`ve avoided my comparison to alan shearer nicely there. so i`ll ask again, would you consider that alan shearer was a world class player? if so, explain why? notice how the players you`ve put as being world class are attackers, a lot of people only see football one way and are reluctant to term defenders world class, as what they do isn`t pleasing on the eye. that is a mistake though, defending is as much an art as attacking, it isn`t just players that weren`t good enough for other roles that play there, as some people think. a few players start out as defenders but aren`t good enough and are played in other roles, such as chris sutton and kevin phillips.

btw, we have benni mccarthy who is a world class attacker too.

[Veevs]

nicko's mirror article

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Black...icle113931.html

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has told chairman John Williams to sign Spanish legend Michel Salgado - as he wins a battle for more cash.

Allardyce is laying down the law over the capture of the former Real Madrid skipper who came for talks and went without agreeing a contract because of an internal squabble over finance at Ewood Park.

And Rovers chief Allardyce let his money men know his heart is set on Salgado as he said: "Michel can be a Fernando Hierro type of player for us and bring up the standards in the dressing room.

"I met him and it didn't take him long to say 'yes,' it was two hours into a three-hour meeting, it was music to my ears. I could see his enthusiasm.

"One of my strengths is my judgement of character and I know he is just what we need. I want Michel not just as a player but as a person.

"He has got the potential of playing in one or two positions. I took Hierro as a centre half but he was too slow, but what a midfield player he turned out to be.

"Michel has had 24 days of training at Real Madrid and played a game and a half for them. Now it's about getting him here. I don't care what position we are talking about - just sign him."

Allardyce has had to push his board to get this deal through and he hopes it is complete over the weekend. He is also adamant that Stephen Warnock will not be sold to Aston Villa to pay for it.

He said: "I don't know what their interest is all about - there is no bid that we would describe as acceptable. Sacrifice him? Not really."

Allardyce hopes that landing Salgado would be his last business of the summer. He has brought in a handful of younger and less experienced players and thinks he would make up for that all by himself.

Seems pretty clear to me JW

By the way, good work nicko

Yeah completely spot on with such a young squad (well new bunch of players) we need someone who is an inspiration to the team (hierro and Campo as past Sam signings spring too mind) and someone to add a bit of experience to the dressing room (if you can name another Tugay like player we have in the dressing room atm fire away, I am referring to history/personality not just style of play)..

[owenrilla]

This debate about whether certain players are or aren't 'World Class' is just a question of semantics as far as I am concerned. Since there isn't any statistic you can use to divide off 'World Class' players from the rest it is always going to be subjective. Personally, I would say there is a difference between good/very good international quality players and those who are 'World Class', which I would consider refers to the very best few players in a given position. As an example of a defender from recent times I would consider Paolo Maldini to have been 'World Class'. I certainly wouldn't put Givet on a par with him but would consider him (on the basis of last season) a good Premiership/international quality defender.

If your definition of 'World Class' includes Givet and Benni, not only would that mean there are a hell of a lot of 'World Class' players around but I also think you are using a very different definition of 'World Class' to most people.

[Veevs]

he has played in the champions league(inc the final) and represented france on numerous occasions. that is a world class player. would you say for instance that alan shearer was not a world class striker? he only ever won the 1 title with us, but nobody would say he wasn`t world class.

I reckon thats just a definition of the term world class mate..

Givet is not a starter for France.. Shearer was a guaranteed starter for England.. there is no comparison there. Givet is excellent there is no doubting that, but I would not class him as world class just yet.

[slough_rover]

I don't see how a debate over who is world class or not would constitute a transfer topic discussion. Take it elsewhere or the mods should ban these off topic numptys

[gbax]

I dont get the situation with Van Der Meyde - is he here for good or what?

99% chance. Just one minor issue to sort.

[Ronin]

Can i bring a sense of reality to this discussion.

What have we lost:

- Matt Derbyshire, exciting, but was he ever going to excell at 'this' level? Probably not.

- Roque Santa Cruz, more injury prone then a lemming on steriods. Yes he had one good season. But statistically, looking at his past. Was he ever going to have another good season? Probably not. £18 million? Laughing all the way to the bank.

- Andre Ooijer, was he going to have a good season this term? Questionable? He struggled toward the end of last season. The time was right to go.

- Tugay, the master had a on-off season last term. It was the right time to say goodbye

- Paul Ince, Ray Mattius and Archie Knox. Well worth the 4 million to get rid. Should never have happened. Life goes on. We are still in the Premier League.

- Aaron Mokoena, not worth mentioning!

- Loanies, should never be in the 1st team.

What have we gained:

- A first class manager and management team in Sam and his boys. Plus a brand new scouting network.

- A confident team that looking at the end of last term, had the quality for European fooball without the injury plagued players and newbies.

- Lars Jacobsen, a International RB for free!

- Gaël Givet, a World Class center back/left back

- Steven N'Zonzi, a World Class future midfielder i have no doubt!

- El Hadji Diouf, a quality Right Midfielder i have no doubt! For £1 million?!

- Elrio van Heerden, a quality Interational quality midfielder who can play anyway in midfield. Again for free!

- Nikola Kalinić, a potential World beater and only 21! Praised Internationally as the next big thing!

- David Hoilett, a very exciting pacey winger. Something we haven't had for ages to my recollection!

- Franco Di Santo, a tall pacey center forward with mass talent!

- Numerous acadamy signings who could become quality players in the future.

- A prospective world-class signing in Salgado on monday!

- The cheapest tickets our fans have seen in years. Plus the highest attendances at Ewood we have seen in years!

- Financial security. Not that can be said for about have the teams in our league!

- Edit, Numerous injury plagued stars nearing full fitness!

... and yet people are moaning on here about what we could have. Sam and JW have done a massive job this summer. Be glad and stop being gready. Look at it this way. Look at that sorry bunch down the road. Could be worse!

You can add to the 'what we have lost' list; that Downes fella who was in charge of the Academy. So hopefully with him now out the picture there, Rovers' Academy can finally make some huge steps and we can have the first wave of players pushing through and on the fringe of the first team. Although it seems like thats already starting to happen, which is good!

[roversmad95]

Can i bring a sense of reality to this discussion.

What have we lost:

- Matt Derbyshire, exciting, but was he ever going to excell at 'this' level? Probably not.

- Roque Santa Cruz, more injury prone then a lemming on steriods. Yes he had one good season. But statistically, looking at his past. Was he ever going to have another good season? Probably not. £18 million? Laughing all the way to the bank.

- Andre Ooijer, was he going to have a good season this term? Questionable? He struggled toward the end of last season. The time was right to go.

- Tugay, the master had a on-off season last term. It was the right time to say goodbye

- Paul Ince, Ray Mattius and Archie Knox. Well worth the 4 million to get rid. Should never have happened. Life goes on. We are still in the Premier League.

- Aaron Mokoena, not worth mentioning!

- Loanies, should never be in the 1st team.

What have we gained:

- A first class manager and management team in Sam and his boys. Plus a brand new scouting network.

- A confident team that looking at the end of last term, had the quality for European fooball without the injury plagued players and newbies.

- Lars Jacobsen, a International RB for free!

- Gaël Givet, a World Class center back/left back

- Steven N'Zonzi, a World Class future midfielder i have no doubt!

- El Hadji Diouf, a quality Right Midfielder i have no doubt! For £1 million?!

- Elrio van Heerden, a quality Interational quality midfielder who can play anyway in midfield. Again for free!

- Nikola Kalinić, a potential World beater and only 21! Praised Internationally as the next big thing!

- David Hoilett, a very exciting pacey winger. Something we haven't had for ages to my recollection!

- Franco Di Santo, a tall pacey center forward with mass talent!

- Numerous acadamy signings who could become quality players in the future.

- A prospective world-class signing in Salgado on monday!

- The cheapest tickets our fans have seen in years. Plus the highest attendances at Ewood we have seen in years!

- Financial security. Not that can be said for about have the teams in our league!

- Edit, Numerous injury plagued stars nearing full fitness!

... and yet people are moaning on here about what we could have. Sam and JW have done a massive job this summer. Be glad and stop being gready. Look at it this way. Look at that sorry bunch down the road. Could be worse!

great post, well done opens your eyes to what has gone on this summer.... if our CM get fit we have a great squad imo....

come on rovers!

[SamTheShrew]

Nicko I'm curious as to why Rovers haven't publicly come out and said that they rejected the four million bid for warnock?

I know MON keeps his cards very close to his chest, but I would have thought that someone at the club would have publicly acknowledged the stupidly small bid, and admonished it for what it is - a waste of time. We will not be bullied and all that

[Hughesy]

Maybe keeping it low key so it doesnt start a bidding war with someone like Spurs??

Interesting that Selgado has agreed to join and its now just down to the money men (which they will agree to). He has said Selgado can play right back, left back or centre midfield, but not to worry about the position because either way he is class and will put serious pressure on players in those positions.

[Kelbo]

Re Salgado,

The one thing people may have missed here is Presence!

Presence on the park is something which is difficult to explain, but this guy has a presence, Some players have it and some dont, it is not always linked to ability either, Shearer had a presence, Bobby Moore, Roy Keane, Friedel, they stand out in a game before they kick a ball or make a save!!

[kevinyip]

May be it is not related here. But I found that we bid too many foriegner. If we do have a chance to play in Europe in next 1 or 2 year, it may have problems because the nation cap is coming?

Even Arsenal have picked up some English Youth that is capable to fill up the squad but it seems that the English players is lesser and lesser in our team.

[philipl]

Can i bring a sense of reality to this discussion.

What have we lost:

- Matt Derbyshire, exciting, but was he ever going to excell at 'this' level? Probably not.

- Roque Santa Cruz, more injury prone then a lemming on steriods. Yes he had one good season. But statistically, looking at his past. Was he ever going to have another good season? Probably not. £18 million? Laughing all the way to the bank.

- Andre Ooijer, was he going to have a good season this term? Questionable? He struggled toward the end of last season. The time was right to go.

- Tugay, the master had a on-off season last term. It was the right time to say goodbye

- Paul Ince, Ray Mattius and Archie Knox. Well worth the 4 million to get rid. Should never have happened. Life goes on. We are still in the Premier League.

- Aaron Mokoena, not worth mentioning!

- Loanies, should never be in the 1st team.

What have we gained:

- A first class manager and management team in Sam and his boys. Plus a brand new scouting network.

- A confident team that looking at the end of last term, had the quality for European fooball without the injury plagued players and newbies.

- Lars Jacobsen, a International RB for free!

- Gaël Givet, a World Class center back/left back

- Steven N'Zonzi, a World Class future midfielder i have no doubt!

- El Hadji Diouf, a quality Right Midfielder i have no doubt! For £1 million?!

- Elrio van Heerden, a quality Interational quality midfielder who can play anyway in midfield. Again for free!

- Nikola Kalinić, a potential World beater and only 21! Praised Internationally as the next big thing!

- David Hoilett, a very exciting pacey winger. Something we haven't had for ages to my recollection!

- Franco Di Santo, a tall pacey center forward with mass talent!

- Numerous acadamy signings who could become quality players in the future.

- A prospective world-class signing in Salgado on monday!

- The cheapest tickets our fans have seen in years. Plus the highest attendances at Ewood we have seen in years!

- Financial security. Not that can be said for about have the teams in our league!

- Edit, Numerous injury plagued stars nearing full fitness!

... and yet people are moaning on here about what we could have. Sam and JW have done a massive job this summer. Be glad and stop being gready. Look at it this way. Look at that sorry bunch down the road. Could be worse!

At last a voice of sanity on the MB.

The major worry for me is we need at least two of Grella, Dunn, Emerton and Reid to hsve an injury free season AND get back to their very best. If that happens we could have an extremely good season.

If it doesn't we won't go down but it will be a season to forget.

The keymen are the doc and physios with this squad!

PS Eddie reckons Rothen is absolute rubbish

[Kelbo]

At last a voice of sanity on the MB.

The major worry for me is we need at least two of Grella, Dunn, Emerton and Reid to hsve an injury free season AND get back to their very best. If that happens we could have an extremely good season.

If it doesn't we won't go down but it will be a season to forget.

The keymen are the doc and physios with this squad!

And the manager, easing them in gently!!

[G Somerset Rover]

- Gaël Givet, a World Class center back/left back

- Steven N'Zonzi, a World Class future midfielder i have no doubt!

- Elrio van Heerden, a quality Interational quality midfielder who can play anyway in midfield. Again for free!

Don't get me wrong I liked the jist of this post. Compared to last year there are many more positives.

But I had to have a laugh:

1) Givet is quality, but he is not world class. I know there is no yardstick for this, but if he was he wouldn't have signed for us. As another poster mentioned, he is no Thuram or Desailly.

2) N'Zonzi has played a few pre-season games for us! If in a few years he is dominating the midfield against the best opposition for Rovers and France then he will be World Class. We have no idea how he'll turn out.

3) From the little I've seen of Elrio and given his injuries/form for previous clubs the jury is well and truly out.

I'm delighted with Givet, and optimistic with N'Zonzi but just amazed at the 'world class' tags.

As for Selgado, I am excited. I've always liked the man and would love to see him in a Rovers shirt - be it for a year or more. As Sam says, even if you are covered in his natural position, you make space for a player of his quality.

[RibbleValleyRover]

I call it how i see it, yes there are plenty of positives but at the same time in my opinion the main weaknesses that have been there for several seasons have yet to be addressed. Its clear to me that unless Reidy, Dunny and Grella keep injury free then our current central midfield is going to struggle, last season our midfield was one of the worst in the prem only our defence and forwards kept us up.

I feel as a fan its my job to give comments on the team, if i think the manager has done something wrong or a player isn't performing i point it out based on my opinion. It would be rather boring if everyone constantly looked at everything with blue and white specs and never gave their true opinions.

Nicko, is it true that Sheff Utd are keen to keep Bunn after impressing them? I personally hope not i'd rather get rid of Brown then Bunn. Bunn from all i've heard has decent potential.

[Kelbo]

I call it how i see it, yes there are plenty of positives but at the same time in my opinion the main weaknesses that have been there for several seasons have yet to be addressed. Its clear to me that unless Reidy, Dunny and Grella keep injury free then our current central midfield is going to struggle, last season our midfield was one of the worst in the prem only our defence and forwards kept us up.

I feel as a fan its my job to give comments on the team, if i think the manager has done something wrong or a player isn't performing i point it out based on my opinion. It would be rather boring if everyone constantly looked at everything with blue and white specs and never gave their true opinions.

Nicko, is it true that Sheff Utd are keen to keep Bunn after impressing them? I personally hope not i'd rather get rid of Brown then Bunn. Bunn from all i've heard has decent potential.

I do tend to agree about Bunn, the only downside I can see is his height, but by far the best keeper I have ever seen for Rovers was Roger Jones and he kept Shilton out of the team at Stoke!!! he wasnt too tall either.

I wouldnt like to part with Fielding either, looks like he is definately one for the future!