[Archived] Nikola Kalinic

[Mr. E]

I am not sure what the hell Kalinic was supposed to do today? Win the ball on his own, guard it against six men, go past them and find a way to score? Or what? Win the ball and lay it off to Diouf to "work his magic" ? I really, really would love to know the game-plan we had here.

[DE.]

I cant believe these posts on Niko and I think your understanding of Sams intentions are wide of the mark.

He has no intention of making Niko into a Davies. Currently if he needs a lone striker for a game there is no bugger else to pick! He knows Roberts is dog shoddy and that Di Santo isn't on form so what else is he supposed to do?

This is great experience for Niko andit will make him tougher.

Sam maybe many things to some of you but he isnt as stupid as many of you would like to think.

Might be a good idea to quote who you're speaking about - quite a few people on this thread have made various differing comments over Kalinic's role and Sam's intentions for him.

[Exiled_Rover]

The same Matt Jansen that scored a spectacular goal on his debut and became an instant favourite?

I remember screaming for him to be included from the outset. Took the manager an age to work out he was one of our best players.

[Dufflite]

Might be a good idea to quote who you're speaking about - quite a few people on this thread have made various differing comments over Kalinic's role and Sam's intentions for him.

I was commenting on those posts that state that Sam is moulding Niko to become a Kevin Davies. I could not have quoted all of them and thought my explanation was clear enough.

[Kelbo]

I am not sure what the hell Kalinic was supposed to do today? Win the ball on his own, guard it against six men, go past them and find a way to score? Or what? Win the ball and lay it off to Diouf to "work his magic" ? I really, really would love to know the game-plan we had here.

The game plan was pretty simple really, keep a tight back four, press the ball and frustrate the opposition, then when the opportunity arises, score the goal to nick a win!!

Very nearly worked didnt it?

[Stuart]

The game plan was pretty simple really, keep a tight back four, press the ball and frustrate the opposition, then when the opportunity arises, score the goal to nick a win!!

Very nearly worked didnt it?

I think that's exactly what it was. The irony is that that one opportunity was created by the one man who couldn't finish it.

The guy's an enigma.

[USABlue]

You have far too much time on your hands.

Im not going to start dancing around about Kalinic just yet, he's clearly a good player but i think he still needs time. He looks like a really good find but whether he'll be as prolific as the likes of Roque/Benni were we'll have to wait and see. Dont get me wrong Im not saying he wont do as well as those two, i just think that its early to get too carried away.

Our two one season wonders. I think this lad has the vision and skills to go with it to be a consistent scorer, season after season.

[DE.]

I was commenting on those posts that state that Sam is moulding Niko to become a Kevin Davies. I could not have quoted all of them and thought my explanation was clear enough.

I cant believe these posts on Niko and I think your understanding of Sams intentions are wide of the mark.

The "your" in the original post just made it seem like you were speaking to someone specifically, that's all.

I don't think Sam is trying to mould Kalinic into Davies, but I do think he's putting Kalinic in a role he's not really suited for. To be fair to Niko, though, he's making the most of it.

[den]

I don't think Sam is trying to mould Kalinic into Davies, but I do think he's putting Kalinic in a role he's not really suited for. To be fair to Niko, though, he's making the most of it.

I agree with that and although Niko is making the best he can of it, he will never in my opinion be able to play the lone striker role. Yes, he's played up front at home, but with players able to get close to him - which isn't a lone striker. To my way of thinking, the lone striker is something that has to be done away from home, where the rest of the team have their job cut out defensively and can't get close to him quickly. Strength or pace is needed there and he doesn't have that.

[mellison24]

I agree with that and although Niko is making the best he can of it, he will never in my opinion be able to play the lone striker role. Yes, he's played up front at home, but with players able to get close to him - which isn't a lone striker. To my way of thinking, the lone striker is something that has to be done away from home, where the rest of the team have their job cut out defensively and can't get close to him quickly. Strength or pace is needed there and he doesn't have that.

Yes it is. While he isn't 'alone' he is the only striker on the pitch for us and therefore 'the lone striker'. Stop trying to save face with a contradiction

[den]

Yes it is. While he isn't 'alone' he is the only striker on the pitch for us and therefore 'the lone striker'. Stop trying to save face with a contradiction

What on earth are you talking about Mellison? Have you any idea?

[mellison24]

What on earth are you talking about Mellison? Have you any idea?

Yes, I'm talking about you saying he isn't a lone striker when he has other players around him. yes he does get played as a lone striker because he is the only 'striker' played. The players supporting him are midfielders, which makes him a lone striker. He is also proving he CAN play the lone striker role after scoring a couple of goals in that position.

[DE.]

I agree with that and although Niko is making the best he can of it, he will never in my opinion be able to play the lone striker role. Yes, he's played up front at home, but with players able to get close to him - which isn't a lone striker. To my way of thinking, the lone striker is something that has to be done away from home, where the rest of the team have their job cut out defensively and can't get close to him quickly. Strength or pace is needed there and he doesn't have that.

A more attacking 4-5-1 almost becomes a 4-3-3, with attacking wingers supporting a striker going down the centre. I think this is ideally what Sam would like to play at home, and a role Kalinic could flourish in. He is technically a lone striker but he has support high up the pitch.

Away from home, however, we sit back far deeper. Kalinic becomes isolated and his role changes from becoming a poacher to becoming a hold-up man, a complete lone striker similar to Davies, something he's not really built for.

I think that's the jist of what you're saying, den? If so, I agree.

[mellison24]

A more attacking 4-5-1 almost becomes a 4-3-3, with attacking wingers supporting a striker going down the centre. I think this is ideally what Sam would like to play at home, and a role Kalinic could flourish in. He is technically a lone striker but he has support high up the pitch.

Away from home, however, we sit back far deeper. Kalinic becomes isolated and his role changes from becoming a poacher to becoming a hold-up man, a complete lone striker similar to Davies, something he's not really built for.

I think that's the jist of what you're saying, den? If so, I agree.

I would also agree, and add my apologies to den.

[den]

A more attacking 4-5-1 almost becomes a 4-3-3, with attacking wingers supporting a striker going down the centre. I think this is ideally what Sam would like to play at home, and a role Kalinic could flourish in. He is technically a lone striker but he has support high up the pitch.

Away from home, however, we sit back far deeper. Kalinic becomes isolated and his role changes from becoming a poacher to becoming a hold-up man, a complete lone striker similar to Davies, something he's not really built for.

I think that's the jist of what you're saying, den? If so, I agree.

Yep.

Can someone let Shillito out?

[joey_big_nose]

I agree with that and although Niko is making the best he can of it, he will never in my opinion be able to play the lone striker role. Yes, he's played up front at home, but with players able to get close to him - which isn't a lone striker. To my way of thinking, the lone striker is something that has to be done away from home, where the rest of the team have their job cut out defensively and can't get close to him quickly. Strength or pace is needed there and he doesn't have that.

I'm not sure it is as clearcut as that tbh. Niko could do well up there provided midfielders regularly support and get beyond him. Against West Ham we didn't do that at all which was a shame. Nicko has shown in the past that he can adeptly hold up and lay off the ball. His balance is a bit suspect, but if he sorts that I think he will prosper.

[Kelbo]

I'm not sure it is as clearcut as that tbh. Niko could do well up there provided midfielders regularly support and get beyond him. Against West Ham we didn't do that at all which was a shame. Nicko has shown in the past that he can adeptly hold up and lay off the ball. His balance is a bit suspect, but if he sorts that I think he will prosper.

I tend to agree with that, if alone up front, he must get good support from midfield, good post Joey!!

[patrickvalery]

I'm sure this will be a resounding NO.

But does anyone else see the similarity between Niko and De Niro in taxi driver? Before the mohican.

[Bobby G]

A lot of pressure on his young shoulders. Hopefully the players can provide him the service which has been so lacking most of the season. Id like to see Dunn back in soon as he plays closer to Niko than anyone else. At the moment, the gap between the midfield and the attack is a bit too much to get the best out of him.

[waggy]

this guy blows hot and cold,were was he on saturday,outmuscled and knowhere to be seen

[Amo]

this guy blows hot and cold,were was he on saturday,outmuscled and knowhere to be seen

He was let down by otiose tactics, waggy. Can't expect him to handle the Stoke defence single-handedly.

[Gav]

this guy blows hot and cold,were was he on saturday,outmuscled and knowhere to be seen

Not experienced/tough enough to play the lone role, lack of service doesn’t help either, but hes only young.

I’ve changed my mind on Kalinic, think he may just about make a player, but needs a different role for me.

[T4E]

Reminds me of Matt Jansen..a bit naff when he first arrived then became a star..

I can only assume "naff" is new-fangled internet vernacular for "f**king awesome".

[waggy]

the telewag are going overboard on there headlines these days,indide back page NICKO CAN BE OUR BERBATOV

[BPF]

I can only assume "naff" is new-fangled internet vernacular for "f**king awesome".

I very much hope that is the case and can seeing it becoming true.

But he has had two good games...let's wait a while before getting too excited...