[Archived] Nikola Kalinic

[G Somerset Rover]

Regarding Kalinic's heading ability in my experience of football your either a good headerer of a ball or not. Yes you can teach a player how to get more power etc, but chances are if he's pretty average at it now (21) and hesitant to challenge the big boys in the air and attack the ball then he won't get any better.

Lets hope he kicks on from bagging his first goal.

[LeChuck]

but chances are if he's pretty average at it now (21) and hesitant to challenge the big boys in the air and attack the ball then he won't get any better.

I don't think he's hesitant at all, he's just not strong enough yet. When the ball bounced up in the Chelsea area on Saturday, he had no hesitation in jumping to compete with Terry for it. He's willing enough but just needs a stronger physique to compete better.

[den]

Not strong enough? That's nothing to do with heading ability LeChuck. Heading a ball is about timing. Got to agree with Somerset Rover here, he'll never be a good header of the ball, if he isn't now. Jones can head it and he's only 17. Di Santo can head a ball and he's younger than Kalanic and around the same build.

This "strength" thing is being overplayed IMO. He's 21 and a big enough lad as it is.

[LeChuck]

It's a mixture of strength and timing surely, you can't tell me Kevin Davies' heading ability is all about timing. Either way, I'll take a lot of convincing that a player can't be taught to time a header correctly. Darren Bent is a good example of someone who has massively improved their heading ability since the age of 21.

Di Santo is 6'4, compared to Kalinic at 6'1 he does have a pretty good head start.

[G Somerset Rover]

I don't think he's hesitant at all, he's just not strong enough yet. When the ball bounced up in the Chelsea area on Saturday, he had no hesitation in jumping to compete with Terry for it. He's willing enough but just needs a stronger physique to compete better.

Maybe I shouldn't have said 'hesitant' as he is willing - he just doesn't look threatening in the air.

Strength isn't everything. The perfect example that I can think of is Roberts. I would imagine that every coach who has worked with him is at a loss as to how a guy who is built like he is can be so useless in the air. If Roberts was a decent headerer of the ball then he probably wouldn't be playing for us now. Matt Jansen wasn't strong but had a fantastic leap.

I'm hopefull that Kalinic will be a decent player for us, but I can't see him ever being effective in the air. This brings us to January, so it will be interesting to see what Sam does when Di Santo leaves us.

[den]

One of the best headers at the club is Pedersen. That's down to timing of the jump and timing of the header. Nothing to do with strength.

[Muddboy]

Bloody hell!

Why don't people leave Kalinic alone and let the lad just get on with the job in hand.

Sam knew he needed a significant amount of time to find his feet when he bought him in and I trust Sam's judgement that he has the attributes to make it at this level. Okay, £6million is a big price tag but Sam obviously feels it will be money well spent when he starts banging the goals in.

I think we all need to remember the guy's young and moving to the Premiership is an absolutely massive step.

I was at the game last night and I think he did okay. He wasn't stunning but it's all a question of building up his confidence ad giving him the strength to make the next step.

A couple of people around me last night were shouting 'what a bloody waste of money' and 'six million pounds for that donkey' and to my mind they're completely missing the point.

We're not the kind of club that can afford to go out and spend tens of millions on a proven goalscorer at this level. Therefore, we have to take a bit of a risk here and there and put the hard work in to develop players like said Kalinic.

It's a strategy that's worked in the past and will work again – if some 'fans' stop getting their knickers in a twist.

[modes98]

How can he be progressing well Modes? It's his first start.

Den keep it quiet but its actually his 3rd start. He started the previous 2 league cup games as well He has also made 4 sub appearances in the premiership.

So he is progressing well

[den]

Den keep it quiet but its actually his 3rd start. He started the previous 2 league cup games as well He has also made 4 sub appearances in the premiership.

So he is progressing well

Is it?

oh Sorry Modes, my mistake then. So how good was he in those games?

[LeChuck]

Not as good as last night - hence 'progress'!

[den]

Was you there last night Modes?

[joey_big_nose]

I am usually a positive poster on here but I was disappointed with Kalinic's performance against Chelsea, which was against the majority here. Glad to here he got a goal and played dececently yesterday.

One thing about him for me is that, even if he gets stronger, he does not seem to be a lone striker for my money. the way he plays seems to be more about playing off someone than neing the intial focus of attacks.

A way to progress him would be to start Di Santo and use Kalinic as a sub around the hour mark, shifting to 442 and playing with Di Santo.

Whichever way it goes I think we will need to sign another target man when Di Santo goes. Kalinic is not going to take that role.

[John]

One of the best headers at the club is Pedersen. That's down to timing of the jump and timing of the header. Nothing to do with strength.

Used to be one of the best headers, but from the matches I have seen this season he has been mis-timing loads. Plus, more so than ever, he is ducking out of challenges.

[Hughesy]

If we are not too bothered about the threat in the air from our forwards then the perfect striker to hold the ball up and link players is sitting on our bench - Benni McCarthy - he showed that again last night, he has so much skill and ability its unreal - he also does not miss simple chances like Roberts.

[modes98]

oh Sorry Modes, my mistake then. So how good was he in those games?

In the games I have seen him play he appears to be getting better and closer to scoring. Then he nabs an assist and a goal last night.

Was you there last night Modes?

I would of had it been at the weekend. Working a normal day then getting up to Ewood and back from the midlands would have been a bit to much, not that I haven't done it before. But I am also ill this week, not swine flu though.

Still I am sure that you are well aware that you don't have to be in the stadium to have an opinion or this place wouldn't exist.

As Le Chuck, and not just me says, he is progressing

Actually Kalinic has a better record than Roberts 3 starts 1 goal compared to 6 starts and 1 goal.

[joey_big_nose]

If we are not too bothered about the threat in the air from our forwards then the perfect striker to hold the ball up and link players is sitting on our bench - Benni McCarthy - he showed that again last night, he has so much skill and ability its unreal - he also does not miss simple chances like Roberts.

But he is useless leading the line, he ends up dropping deep and providing no outlet. Unless we go 442 I can't see how we use him.

[Majiball]

Curiously for those who went last night, when Kali was going for headers was he jumping and if so was it a jump you would expect from an athelete or a hop. He's been around for a while now and was tall even at 18 so I'm wondering if its done to that. If he's a tall kid especially when he's young he won't jump for the ball because he hasn't needed to previously, kinda like Crouch used to be. If his leaps seemed small to those observing then hopefully its something Howard and Co are working on improving. Crouch is very dominate in the air now but I definitly don't believe that always the case.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Bloody hell!

Why don't people leave Kalinic alone and let the lad just get on with the job in hand.

Sam knew he needed a significant amount of time to find his feet when he bought him in and I trust Sam's judgement that he has the attributes to make it at this level. Okay, £6million is a big price tag but Sam obviously feels it will be money well spent when he starts banging the goals in.

I think we all need to remember the guy's young and moving to the Premiership is an absolutely massive step.

I was at the game last night and I think he did okay. He wasn't stunning but it's all a question of building up his confidence ad giving him the strength to make the next step.

A couple of people around me last night were shouting 'what a bloody waste of money' and 'six million pounds for that donkey' and to my mind they're completely missing the point.

We're not the kind of club that can afford to go out and spend tens of millions on a proven goalscorer at this level. Therefore, we have to take a bit of a risk here and there and put the hard work in to develop players like said Kalinic.

It's a strategy that's worked in the past and will work again – if some 'fans' stop getting their knickers in a twist.

I do recollect that Englands second highest ever goal scorer - Mr Lineker didn't have brilliant first touch when he started at Leicester. Also accusations of body strength were made - but he was a natural goal scorer. Kalanic had shown in Croatia a genuine eye for a goal - and most importantly getting into the right position at the right time. He actually showed this in his debut against Sunderland - but his finishing was nervous to say the least.

People that say he can't be used as a lone striker should think again. I would agree that he would presently struggle if we continued with out long ball style. However, with Dunn just behind, I could see plenty of opportunity for Dunny to play him in - especially if Kalanic is making the correct runs and creating space for himself (which according to a few people that were on the match - he did last night - but people weren't passing to him at the right time).

It is probably an English thing - that a large number of people on this MB seem to be more willing to look on the negative with new players - rather than looking for the positive. It is almost as though they want them to fail - before they have even kicked a ball.

[Neil Weaver]

But he is useless leading the line, he ends up dropping deep and providing no outlet. Unless we go 442 I can't see how we use him.

Just commented on the post match thread jbn - he didn't play as an out-an-out striker for most of the game yesterday, much more like Dunny has been doing recently. Not quite the same admittedly, doing things like coming deeper to collect the ball and spraying it about. Thought he did the job excellently, though admittedly against the 10 men of a Championship side.

So it doesn't really answer your 4-4-2 question but on that evidence one possibility might be for Benni and Dunn to share that behind-the-main-striker job (when one is injured or knackered).

[roversfan1]

Saw Kalinic last night and whilst he wasnt 10/10 I honestly thought he did ok and showed enough to suggest that he will be a decent player but also that he is learning and getting to grips with football over here. He seemed stronger and more willing to close down and try and win the ball back as well as some decent touches and movement, especially for Benni's goal where he was not only unselfish but showed good awareness of who was around him and when to release the pass. Tried a few other things as well that showed that he has a decent brain and with more confidence those tricks will hopefully come off.

We should also remember that as much as he has to fit into the team and our style of play but the other players also need to learn about him and that takes time. I certainly think that he is getting closer to being ready for the first team and could yet have a big say in our season.

[den]

I would of had it been at the weekend. Working a normal day then getting up to Ewood and back from the midlands would have been a bit to much, not that I haven't done it before. But I am also ill this week, not swine flu though.

As Le Chuck, and not just me says, he is progressing

Fair enough, - I was never trying to suggest you weren't as good a supporter as anyone else. It's just that I keep reading from different people that he's improving and am interested if they really think that, based on watching him, - or want it to be that way. Two different things.

I've only seen him once Modes [apart from a sub appearance] and to be honest wasn't impressed at all. He looked very much like a lot of other young strikers who came through the academy and fell short. I didn't see anywhere near £6m worth. But that's only one game.

Oh and the discussion about his heading ability - I don't consider that to be necessary. I much prefer footballers.

[1864roverite]

He is 21 yrs of age ina foreign country, YES he did well.

His movement is there and with a more disciplined and creative midfielder he makes the moves that a Dunny type of player will see and pick out.

He clearly has a European stature about him and I was glad the weight of that first goal came off his shoulders.

I do think he will be a tremendous asset to Rovers in the long run.

Look at Eduardo and how long it took him to settle. I think NK will grace Ewood and make the centre forward slot his.

BTW wasnt it good starting with 2 up front ?

[Al]

I don't think JAL goes to the same games as me. Kalinic turned the man skillfully just inside the Peterborough half and showed him a clean pair of heels taking the ball up the pitch and then played a perfect ball to Benni for him to score. I'm not saying he is a world beater because he didn't do much else but let's give the lad credit for what he did do. He is obviously finding English football difficult and may not make the grade but let's hope that last night did him good.

[JAL]

I don't think JAL goes to the same games as me. Kalinic turned the man skillfully just inside the Peterborough half and showed him a clean pair of heels taking the ball up the pitch and then played a perfect ball to Benni for him to score. I'm not saying he is a world beater because he didn't do much else but let's give the lad credit for what he did do. He is obviously finding English football difficult and may not make the grade but let's hope that last night did him good.

Close call Al, the way you put it sounds good, everything in that movement unfolded in front of my eyes. Its that initial turn that worked out very well indeed for Kalinic, he then I agree with all the posters executed a lovely pass into Benni MaCarthy who equally executed an extremely pleasing goal. We must'nt lose sight of the covering defender who fell on his backside which was another key moment in that move.

[gumboots]

Close call Al, the way you put it sounds good, everything in that movement unfolded in front of my eyes. Its that initial turn that worked out very well indeed for Kalinic, he then I agree with all the posters executed a lovely pass into Benni MaCarthy who equally executed an extremely pleasing goal. We must'nt lose sight of the covering defender who fell on his backside which was another key moment in that move.

But defenders do fall over - it happens all the time. Sometimes their fall enables people to go through, sometimes they fall just because they slip and sometimes the fall is because they are under pressure from the forward. It's whether you can take advantage of any mistake, most goals come from some kind of mistake, and he did so why not give him credit. He got the ball, saw the opportunity and we scored