[Archived] Nikola Kalinic

[T4E]

I was referring to Jansen.

[BPF]

I was referring to Jansen.

My mistake! Apologies.

Would certainly agree with that then

[John]

Bilic on MOTD2, will hopefully discuss Kalinic.

[Hughesy]

Bilic on MOTD2, will hopefully discuss Kalinic.

I was thinking the same...whats the odds though?!

As for Kalinic - awesome again today, took his goal well and was fantastic at holding the play up, taking control of the ball and also creating himself space. Was it his shot which they just cleared in the 1st half too??

[joey_big_nose]

Kalinic genuinely brilliant today.

[braddock]

it's weird because if you look at his last 6 or so performances this was probably his 4th best. just shows you how well he's been playing.

a very good performance against bolton. if today was his average i'm be delighted, even without the goal.

[Hughesy]

Interesting that Bilic was at Brockhall this week, speaking to Sam and talking about Kalinic.

Talking him up and seems very confident the bou will 'explode' maybe next season.

Bilic "Next season or in the next few he will be ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THIS LEAGUE!"

[T4E]

I was thinking the same...whats the odds though?!

Discussed at some length. Bilic thinks Kalinic will explode next year, and says Sam thinks the same.

[roversfan99]

I hope he dosent literally explode

[braddock]

benni mac exploded

or at least his waist did

let's hope kalinic's doesn't

[roversfan99]

Interesting that Bilic sees him as a traditional number 9, whereas many have said hes more of a predator. Id say hes a mixture which surely is a good thing

[beerwins]

I was slightly sceptical about this guy when we signed him as I knew Pompey were after him and it seemed like all our other targets had failed so we signed him, but im happy to say I was wrong, this guy with his back to goal is great and also he knows when to go down down.

What makes him better for me is how clynical he is inside the six yard box, sure he has hit the post more times than he would care to but he knows when to be selfish and have a crack and I really like that in a striker, sure Bilic likes him but he can only tell us what we have seen for the last few games, doesnt stop you feel all warm and fuzzy inside that we have acheived yet another signing that so many have missed.

[Tom]

The touch and turn in the first half when he got fouled was Bergkampesque and it's no fluke either he's done it several times

He looks great every time he plays

[S15]

I smell a profit.

[beerwins]

I smell a profit.

Hmmm horrible but true

[Hughesy]

I smell a profit.

Hopefully the board dont for at least another 2 seasons!

Shame we couldnt afford Pavlechenko....they would be a great pairing!

[LeChuck]

Relative to the market, easily one of the best signings we've made. It's impossible not to like him for the effort he puts in too. I love some of the control he does, taking a difficult ball down then turning a defender.

He's the sort of player we can build a team around, especially as he's not injury prone like the other quality strikers we've had recently (Bellamy, Roque). I can't wait until he matures fully, look how long it took players like Rooney to blossom into 'main' strikers.

[Tom]

The fans seemed to warm to him early on though, part of it for me is he almost seems fragile in a way, not arrogant or cocky but a bit delicate almost.

He really is going from strength to strength now though lets hope he can keep it up and bag a few more this season to give us a few more pennies for someone to play alongside him in the summer

(prays for Bellamy those two together would be a dream alas it will have to remain just that)

[thenodrog]

Discussed at some length. Bilic thinks Kalinic will explode next year, and says Sam thinks the same.

We'd better start looking for his replacement then. If thats true then next Jan might easily see him on his way.

[Steve Moss]

We'd better start looking for his replacement then. If thats true then next Jan might easily see him on his way.

Wise words. Better, sell Roberts over the summer and bring in 3 brand new young (20-24) strikers (assuming Di Santo goes back to Chelsea).

[Mr. E]

We'd better start looking for his replacement then. If thats true then next Jan might easily see him on his way.

That's true if we allowed it to happen.

Personally I just would not be able to stand another departure like Bentley or Bellamy and Santa Cruz. The players need to see off their contracts and that's that. We cannot build a team if every single time one of our players starts doing well, they are placed in the center of transfer speculations for half a season until they eventually leave.

"Nothing we can do about it, happens to most other teams", whatever...there is just no room for improvement if this keeps happening.

Quite depressing really.

[Hughesy]

Relative to the market, easily one of the best signings we've made. It's impossible not to like him for the effort he puts in too. I love some of the control he does, taking a difficult ball down then turning a defender.

He's the sort of player we can build a team around, especially as he's not injury prone like the other quality strikers we've had recently (Bellamy, Roque). I can't wait until he matures fully, look how long it took players like Rooney to blossom into 'main' strikers.

I agree - £6m for him doesnt seem bad business now and it looks like Sam may well of found another gem. We really need to get him a top partner now.

Wise words. Better, sell Roberts over the summer and bring in 3 brand new young (20-24) strikers (assuming Di Santo goes back to Chelsea).

With what Money?!?

[den]

I was slightly sceptical about this guy when we signed him as I knew Pompey were after him and it seemed like all our other targets had failed so we signed him, but im happy to say I was wrong, this guy with his back to goal is great and also he knows when to go down down.

What makes him better for me is how clynical he is inside the six yard box, sure he has hit the post more times than he would care to but he knows when to be selfish and have a crack and I really like that in a striker, sure Bilic likes him but he can only tell us what we have seen for the last few games, doesnt stop you feel all warm and fuzzy inside that we have acheived yet another signing that so many have missed.

Well that's a different angle.

[Amo]

It's great to see Kalinic coming good. I could see the guy had something about him, despite so many who were quick to write him off. If we can get a stronger midfield behind him, there's no reason he won't fulfil all expectations.

I would still like to see him paired with Di Santo. His confidence could rub off on him, and then we'd have two promising young strikers on our books. It could be something to try away from home, where our form can only improve.

[BPF]

I'd much prefer we play him with a proven striker. That way we could have a very promising striker paired with someone that could help his game. Surely that is prefered to having a Chelsea reject learning from our promising striker?