[Archived] Nikola Kalinic

[67splitscreen]

I meant to write playing off a Sutton-type of player.

Sutton never played up front on his own for us as we always had a front two but he easily could have done.

Tell me how Kalinic is anything like Sutton, I can't see it...

IMO he's closer to Sutton than Jansen, It's just I see him more in the Sutton type role than an out and out striker at the moment.

If Sam changes things around then maybe I will see him differently.

Maybe even in a three with the likes of Olsson and Dindane he may flourish.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Quite a few folks have compared him to Matt Jansen in his style of play - in his first full season with us (in the league below) he scored 4 league goals in 30 games but we all knew from the way he played that he had bags of talent and would come good. Like Matty he's a young lad only he's also come to a new country and a whole new style of play too. He does have plenty to prove but if you can't see the potential there, or are comparing him with the likes of Dickov who was much older then you're missing the point entirely.

He has no potential in the system the manager plays and constantly tells us is the only system worth playing these days. He may well come good playing in a different system, but what use is that to us? I think it far more likely that Allardyce will change the player up top rather than change his system and, by implication, the entire midfield.

And Jansen couldn't carry an attack at the top level either; he was pants alongside Grabbi until Cole was signed.

[JAL]

Cannot for the life of me see why fans keep repeating, will Sam play with two upfront next season. All I can say is you've had all season to see how Rovers play, not only the first team, but the reserves and the youth team aswell.

Only at the end of certain games do we go two upfront FFS.

[Rovermatt]

Kalinic is clearly a good player but any time I've watched him recently, he simply has nowhere to go on the rare occasions that he gets the ball. Even when the ball is played to his feet he is forced to hold it up and look for support (which is rarely forthcoming). He never once finds himself in space or with time - he's either fighting to hold off a defender or is attempting to control a poorly delivered pass. Such is the deficiency of our attacking play, Kalinic rarely - if ever - faces goal when the ball is at his feet. I feel sorry for the guy.

[DP]

Exactly Rovermatt. Hence my point earlier in the thread in that under Sam at Rovers, Niko's future here looks to be a frustrating one. I can't see Sam reverting to playing Kalinic off another striker, so I don't think we'll get the best out of him.

Others say that he'll improve... well I hope he does but if Sam gets his way we'll sign another, more suitable but not necessarily better, striker who will take on the lone striker role.

And then, where does that leave Nicko?

[DeadlyDirk]

Am I the only one that thinks Kalinic and Di Santo could have worked as a pairing if they were actually given the opportunity. Pretty sure they started 2 games maximum together, not certain it was even that many.

A few games to go, maybe it's worth a try now we have little to play for, if it comes off then we might be able to get him relatively cheaply and if it doesn't come off then we have little to lose.

I know Di Santo didn't exactly set the world on fire earlier in the season but that was at a time when the whole team was struggling and every chance he missed was magnified. I think if Di Santo played as the ball winner and target man with Kalinic playing slightly further forward that we might see the best of both of them.

I think both can play the lone role to a certain degree in terms of holding up the ball and bringing other players into play but if they are doing that with their back to goal then they are not going to come up with the goals as well.

The lone striker role against top premiership defenders is a very difficult one. The likes of Rooney and Drogba can do it but they are world class strikers and have great players around them.

[patrickvalery]

Exactly Rovermatt. Hence my point earlier in the thread in that under Sam at Rovers, Niko's future here looks to be a frustrating one. I can't see Sam reverting to playing Kalinic off another striker, so I don't think we'll get the best out of him.

Others say that he'll improve... well I hope he does but if Sam gets his way we'll sign another, more suitable but not necessarily better, striker who will take on the lone striker role.

And then, where does that leave Nicko?

I've pondered this myself DP. Its clear to me the lad has got talent beyond the side he's currently playing in. Not the club i must add. Just surrounded by inferior players such as dearest Keith Andrews and the like.

But i wonder if he'll be the spear head of our attack next season. Our 4-5-1 system at the moment needs to evolve and become more fluid next year. I've thought for a while that the wide positions are going to be key areas for us. If we can allow more forward thinking players in to the side to, on occassions, make it a 4-3-3 then the front man will have more joy. I'm not suggesting Kalinic could play as an out and out winger, but i do wonder if he could do a job from deeper. At Bolton Sam used Davies out wide and Anelka through the middle. On paper thats quite unorthodox. But it could be an option for us. Kalinic' ball retention is second to none in our squad and his technique is also one of the best we boast. As a wider outlet he could retain possession and as a trained forward he would instinctively look to make things happen. Coupled with an out and out goal scorer through the middle with raw pace, it could be an option worth exploring.

We'd have to allow him a degree of freedom to get into the box too. His movement (ala the goal against Chelsea in the cup) is very promising. This could also be utilised better if he arrived later in the box. I think it is a shame to have to deploy him like this because in a side with better service in a 4-4-2 i genuinely think he could go far. But maybe its an option worth exploring for us next year.

[LeChuck]

If Kalinic can only play effectively as part of a 4-4-2 formation then he's never going to progress to clubs challenging for top honours, which of those teams play with that system now? Any top striker/goal scorer needs to be able to play as a lone striker.

I actually think Niko is more than capable with the right midfield behind, unfortunately ours is slow and devoid of creativity. Thankfully Sam recently admitted as much, so there is hope that next season we'll see more support, particularly from the wide areas.

[DanLad]

Just wandered past Niko whilst he was strolling from one posh shop to the next.

Sorry to sound like one of those tabloid 'Spotted!' columns...

[Bobby G]

in Central Manchester?

[DanLad]

in Central Manchester?

Yep.

[Pedderz0912]

That is where he has been - Why was he not in squad v Arsenal?

I hope he starts and scores (again) v Villa and get him a good pre-season under his belt and a few goals.... With the right partner/supply he will prove his worth next season

Niko Kalinic, Niko, Kalinic, Niko....

[67splitscreen]

Exactly Rovermatt. Hence my point earlier in the thread in that under Sam at Rovers, Niko's future here looks to be a frustrating one. I can't see Sam reverting to playing Kalinic off another striker, so I don't think we'll get the best out of him.

Others say that he'll improve... well I hope he does but if Sam gets his way we'll sign another, more suitable but not necessarily better, striker who will take on the lone striker role.

And then, where does that leave Nicko?

You forgot to add and then sell him on at (probably) a loss.

[bluebruce]

That is where he has been - Why was he not in squad v Arsenal?

I read he was injured.

[Majiball]

Another chance to see our young hotshot in action.

Kalinic to play for Croatia U21's

[RibbleValleyRover]

Another chance to see our young hotshot in action.

Kalinic to play for Croatia U21's

"The omens looked bad for the home side as Nikola Kalinić was forced off injured midway through the first half"

Fingers crossed that its nothing serious.

Croatia 1-1 Slovakia

[Brfcrule1]

yeah was surprised he went off on 23 mins as said hope it's nothing serious and he gets back to action soon.

[67splitscreen]

No doubt it will be the same one that kept him out at the end of the season.

Bring him back and wrap in cotton wool.

[Blue n White Rover]

Just a few weeks left before the start of the season. Currently, Rovers only have 2 strikers. Kalinic really has to step up to the mark next season or else Rovers will be really struggling for goals.

What expectations do you have for Kalinic for next season?

[RibbleValleyRover]

Just a few weeks left before the start of the season. Currently, Rovers only have 2 strikers. Kalinic really has to step up to the mark next season or else Rovers will be really struggling for goals.

What expectations do you have for Kalinic for next season?

None really. The more and more I think about it he's not going to fit in here, not with the personnel around him and the manager's tactics. I could see him leaving in a season or two after no major impact and being a star somewhere else.

Its really frustrating because I think he has the talent but its not being utilised by the manager to get the maximum out of him.

I hope I am wrong because I want him to succeed, I really do.

[JAL]

Just a few weeks left before the start of the season. Currently, Rovers only have 2 strikers. Kalinic really has to step up to the mark next season or else Rovers will be really struggling for goals.

What expectations do you have for Kalinic for next season?

Fully expect Kalinic to be the same as he was last season.

Why would he be any better just several months on especially when hes got Andrews, Grella, and Nzonzi, dare I say, passing to him. Its as we are for the coming season.

[Steve Moss]

Hell make a dramatic improvement. He'll have 'bedded' in, become comfortable with Sam and the squad, and, more importantly, he'll be available for a full season. 12+ goals.

[den]

None really. The more and more I think about it he's not going to fit in here, not with the personnel around him and the manager's tactics.

If he's good enough, he's good enough. Nowt to do with tactics or the players around him.

[RevidgeBlue]

Like a poster above said, there's a huge amount resting on Kalinic's shoulders this season. If he can find 12-15 goals this season we've a good chance of staying up, if not, it doesn't really bear thinking about, I don't think we can automatically rely on Dunn notching 10 league goals again.

Hypothetical question: What would everyone's reaction be if someone came in with a 6m money back offer for Kalinic?

[Steve Moss]

Hypothetical question: What would everyone's reaction be if someone came in with a 6m money back offer for Kalinic?

No. It's a bit of a gamble, but it looks like Kalinic may be the goods. Selling him just as he is finding his feet would be a waste.