[Archived] Nikola Kalinic

[Amo]

I was asking him if he was mentally ill. There's a difference. I know people who can help him if he is, and you for that matter. There's all sorts of treatments for delusional disorder these days.

I doubt that. It wasn't worked for you.

I hope Kalinic can come in from the cold, because we're hardly firing on all cylinders, but I would imagine he's burnt his bridges at the club and will move on asap. That's two managers now who have shunned him and wasted his talent. He's our most expensive player for some time and someone we should have built the team around. I've always maintained that the guy has talent and a lot of potential, but it will never be realized when he's so poorly man-managed.

[imy9]

I was asking him if he was mentally ill. There's a difference. I know people who can help him if he is, and you for that matter. There's all sorts of treatments for delusional disorder these days.

Back to football matters.

Once again your post manages to miss the point entirely. Statistics can be very useful but if you are incapable of using them, they become useless.

Case in point: Jason Roberts 8 starts, 3 goals. Two of Jason Roberts three goals this season came as substitute appearances. Conveniently not counted in your "8 starts" list. Niko on the other hand scored all his goals in games he started in.

Someone quoted a stat saying Niko scores a goal every 180 minutes or so this season. Seems about right, sending off vs WBA, substituted a few times etc etc. Do you think Roberts has managed that? I can't be bothered finding the figures (I'm sure I could somewhere) because it's so blatantly obvious to anyone who's watched Rovers that he hasn't.

Of course you are right, mods didn't think so however.

I deal with little kids on a daily basis and know plenty of people who are trained in conflict resolution and can 'get kids to talk to others with a little respect'- options there for people who need it.

Back to football matters.

I stated that if you compare starts to goals then Roberts' stats would be comparable to Kalinic, which part of that statement was incorrect? Looking over the course of their careers, you can clearly see that Roberts is the more effective striker in the PL- this wont be as clear in the stats but if you watch them IMO Roberts provides more as a forward with his link up play, power, pace etc.

[tony gale's mic]

Of course you are right, mods didn't think so however.

I deal with little kids on a daily basis and know plenty of people who are trained in conflict resolution and can 'get kids to talk to others with a little respect'- options there for people who need it.

Back to football matters.

I stated that if you compare starts to goals then Roberts' stats would be comparable to Kalinic, which part of that statement was incorrect? Looking over the course of their careers, you can clearly see that Roberts is the more effective striker in the PL- this wont be as clear in the stats but if you watch them IMO Roberts provides more as a forward with his link up play, power, pace etc.

It's incorrect because in those 8 starts, Roberts only scored one goal. The other two were from substitute appearances. It really isn't difficult to understand, yet somehow you manage to make a hash of it again.

Everyone knows Roberts is best used as an impact player. Kalinic didnt have a great season last year because he needed to adapt to the league, but this season he's started most of the games he's played and averaging out a goal every 180 minutes is pretty good given the circumstances.

And Roberts is 33, a lot of the raw attributes which made him half useful at times are fast fading. Only you and your blind support for all things Kean and Venky's can't see this.

[imy9]

Was Kalinic dropped by Sam last season and more importantly this season? Blind support of Kean and Venkys? Ironic really when you consider your stance on Sam. You should change your avatar to SAM Sam Allardyces Mic, apt really.

How do Venkys enter the equation when neither were signed by them?! For the record Roberts has had the support of Hughes, Ince, Sam and now Kean, Kalinic no one.

[Majiball]

Erm Sam was trying to force Roberts out the door all season, he was being touted around all summer and beyond.

[tony gale's mic]

Was Kalinic dropped by Sam last season and more importantly this season? Blind support of Kean and Venkys? Ironic really when you consider your stance on Sam. You should change your avatar to SAM Sam Allardyces Mic, apt really.

How do Venkys enter the equation when neither were signed by them?! For the record Roberts has had the support of Hughes, Ince, Sam and now Kean, Kalinic no one.

No imy, "blind" support is when you stick up for someone despite the fact they're useless. See - your support of Ince until near enough the bitter end, your current angle on Steve Kean etc. My support of Sam was based on solid facts - he's been a successful manager throughout his career, did a fantastic job at Rovers, was harshly sacked and with him in charge we'd be a whole lot better right now.

Whereabouts is the irony there?

Kalinic was only dropped by Sam in mid November after he went through a poor run of not scoring for 7 games, after which Sam rightly thought it was time to give him a breather and give another combination a go. He would have featured again, this goes without saying.

Kean dropped Kalinic after the Villa game, despite him scoring in that game and scoring 4 of the previous 6 games. He's now not even in the matchday squads.

There is a world of difference here.

[booth]

Kean dropped Kalinic after the Villa game, despite him scoring in that game and scoring 4 of the previous 6 games. He's now not even in the matchday squads.

The most important part to read for anyone who thinks Kean is right to freeze out Kalinic.

[imy9]

No imy, "blind" support is when you stick up for someone despite the fact they're useless. See - your support of Ince until near enough the bitter end, your current angle on Steve Kean etc. My support of Sam was based on solid facts - he's been a successful manager throughout his career, did a fantastic job at Rovers, was harshly sacked and with him in charge we'd be a whole lot better right now.

Whereabouts is the irony there?

Kalinic was only dropped by Sam in mid November after he went through a poor run of not scoring for 7 games, after which Sam rightly thought it was time to give him a breather and give another combination a go. He would have featured again, this goes without saying.

Kean dropped Kalinic after the Villa game, despite him scoring in that game and scoring 4 of the previous 6 games. He's now not even in the matchday squads.

There is a world of difference here.

1. Stick up for them? I have stopped talking about them due to the number of posters who cannot seem to have a rational debate on the subject without you getting "stick" for it.

2. Ince gave him a chance but he lost my support after the Wigan game- funnily enough he lost the backing of JW and the board after that too.

3. I have supported Sam too but he has GONE, let me repeat it for you, he has GONE he is not coming back so why continually bring him up? Will it change the situation if you repeat his managerial record hundreds of times? Ironic because TGM EVERY current thread that you appear on, eventually gets to "Sam is great and should never have been sacked" (funnily enough in the Kalinic thread you have repeated the same thing, AGAIN), why dont you check my posts I dont post anything about Kean, Venkys, Anderson now so how I am accused of being blinded by them is interesting dont you think...

4. He would have featured again? A fact I suppose? Sam played ONE up front, so what were the chances of Niko getting ahead of Benjani, Roberts, Diouf, all of whom play that role better?

Sam dropped Kalinic last season because he was not scoring enough goals, he was again dropped for the same reason, I ask again what qualities does he possess as a front man that means that he would get in front of Roberts (power, pace, hold up play), Benjani (power and hold up play) and RSC (hold up play).

Someone ask Kean the question, why is Kalinic not playing if he is fit? There is just a lot of guesswork on here.

Erm Sam was trying to force Roberts out the door all season, he was being touted around all summer and beyond.

He still played Roberts Maj so what does that say about the other strikers?

[JMillZz]

Imy9 I respect everyone has an opinion but Niko scored 4 in his previous 6 games before being dropped and RSC, Roberts and co have not put in a decent shift between them.

The argument is that Niko should be in the squad and getting a game, considering the poor form and lack of goals, particularly from RSC. Kean is clearly picking the team on favouritism.

I do not see how you can argue my post.

[RibbleValleyRover]

4. He would have featured again? A fact I suppose? Sam played ONE up front, so what were the chances of Niko getting ahead of Benjani, Roberts, Diouf, all of whom play that role better?

Sam dropped Kalinic last season because he was not scoring enough goals, he was again dropped for the same reason, I ask again what qualities does he possess as a front man that means that he would get in front of Roberts (power, pace, hold up play), Benjani (power and hold up play) and RSC (hold up play).

Roberts, Benjani and RSC may do the donkey work better than Niko but they don't score goals (Niko does a decent enough job at holding up play and linking up with midfielders who get up to support him- especially when playing the ball to his feet). If you have a striker who doesn't score then you need someone else to, looking at our midfield we don't have anyone who will bang the goals in on a consistent basis.

Niko has shown he is a better finisher than all three this season, hence why he is our top scorer and has been scoring goals at international level. Rovers are in deep ###### and need goals, he should be playing.

[Majiball]

He still played Roberts Maj so what does that say about the other strikers?

When he had to yes. Once Sam realised that Roberts was playing well because he had a point to prove, he played him more. I could at this point highlight man management.

We have a poor selection of forwards not one of them can play the lone role and yet we continue to do so. Roberts is far from the worst either, but for me time seems to have caught up with him a little these days and he certainly didn't seem to be the all running Roberts I know yesterday.

[imy9]

When he had to yes. Once Sam realised that Roberts was playing well because he had a point to prove, he played him more. I could at this point highlight man management.

We have a poor selection of forwards not one of them can play the lone role and yet we continue to do so. Roberts is far from the worst either, but for me time seems to have caught up with him a little these days and he certainly didn't seem to be the all running Roberts I know yesterday.

Depends on the formation that we are going to play, were we playing two upfront yesterday to begin with? In a front two I would play Niko but as the lone front man I don't think he is up to it. To sum up I would like to know the reason why Niko is not playing as he should be on the bench at least.

Imy9 I respect everyone has an opinion but Niko scored 4 in his previous 6 games before being dropped and RSC, Roberts and co have not put in a decent shift between them.

The argument is that Niko should be in the squad and getting a game, considering the poor form and lack of goals, particularly from RSC. Kean is clearly picking the team on favouritism.

I do not see how you can argue my post.

I'm not going to, should be on the bench (at least), but as I said above depends on the formation whether he starts or not IMO.

[Majiball]

Depends on the formation that we are going to play, were we playing two upfront yesterday to begin with? In a front two I would play Niko but as the lone front man I don't think he is up to it. To sum up I would like to know the reason why Niko is not playing as he should be on the bench at least.

Yesterday we started 4231 and then when Nelsen went off we shifted to 442 with the central midfielders deep to start with and then well more of a flat 4 when it was MGP Dunn Jones Emerton.

Niko's not up to the lone role and no one else looks like they are either. For me at present we need one victory so I'd gamble a bit against Everton and play the two and like yourself I'd play Kalinic and most likely RSC. Everyone worries about our central midfield but for me even playing the three doesn't seem to help. When we play the three it means a lot of the ball goes through there when we have possession and for me we don't have a player who can make something happen in there, so why bother. It's not one of our strengths and yet we try and use it, so I'd be playing as below. Most down the flanks and using Jones and Jones to switch the ball or when we need to retain the ball. They can both just sit. But when you play like this you need your front men to move to create a ball and you also need them to keep it when it gets there. Roberts and Benjani are technically awful its not the role for them for 90 as was shown against Brum as neither really moved at all to give the defence a decent way out. But direction from the technical is needed to get them doing this as if I could use one word to sum up yesterday performance it would be static, we never really moved of the ball yesterday.

Robbo

Salgado Samba Nelsen Givet

Jones Jones

Hoillet----------------Olsson

Rsc Kalinic

[imy9]

Yesterday we started 4231 and then when Nelsen went off we shifted to 442 with the central midfielders deep to start with and then well more of a flat 4 when it was MGP Dunn Jones Emerton.

Niko's not up to the lone role and no one else looks like they are either. For me at present we need one victory so I'd gamble a bit against Everton and play the two and like yourself I'd play Kalinic and most likely RSC. Everyone worries about our central midfield but for me even playing the three doesn't seem to help. When we play the three it means a lot of the ball goes through there when we have possession and for me we don't have a player who can make something happen in there, so why bother. It's not one of our strengths and yet we try and use it, so I'd be playing as below. Most down the flanks and using Jones and Jones to switch the ball or when we need to retain the ball. They can both just sit. But when you play like this you need your front men to move to create a ball and you also need them to keep it when it gets there. Roberts and Benjani are technically awful its not the role for them for 90 as was shown against Brum as neither really moved at all to give the defence a decent way out. But direction from the technical is needed to get them doing this as if I could use one word to sum up yesterday performance it would be static, we never really moved of the ball yesterday.

Robbo

Salgado Samba Nelsen Givet

Jones Jones

Hoillet----------------Olsson

Rsc Kalinic

You want to apply for 1st team coach Maj, talk a lot of sense.

[Steve Moss]

You want to apply for 1st team coach Maj, talk a lot of sense.

Its not the first time he has, either. He's got a good brain, a good set of eyes and cares about the Rovers. Maji, you have my vote to replace Kean.

[Majiball]

Thanks for the compliments guys, it's appreciated.

[steo]

Yesterday we started 4231 and then when Nelsen went off we shifted to 442 with the central midfielders deep to start with and then well more of a flat 4 when it was MGP Dunn Jones Emerton.

Niko's not up to the lone role and no one else looks like they are either. For me at present we need one victory so I'd gamble a bit against Everton and play the two and like yourself I'd play Kalinic and most likely RSC. Everyone worries about our central midfield but for me even playing the three doesn't seem to help. When we play the three it means a lot of the ball goes through there when we have possession and for me we don't have a player who can make something happen in there, so why bother. It's not one of our strengths and yet we try and use it, so I'd be playing as below. Most down the flanks and using Jones and Jones to switch the ball or when we need to retain the ball. They can both just sit. But when you play like this you need your front men to move to create a ball and you also need them to keep it when it gets there. Roberts and Benjani are technically awful its not the role for them for 90 as was shown against Brum as neither really moved at all to give the defence a decent way out. But direction from the technical is needed to get them doing this as if I could use one word to sum up yesterday performance it would be static, we never really moved of the ball yesterday.

Robbo

Salgado Samba Nelsen Givet

Jones Jones

Hoillet----------------Olsson

Rsc Kalinic

Exactly the starting line up we should go with for the remainder of the season but seriously doubt that idiot Kean will even put Niko in the squad,Roque up front on his own just isnt working.

[Brfcrule1]

yeah I agree get that Maj signed up hopefully Mr Kean will stop being so pig headed and pick our top scorer for the remaining games

[DanLad]

Majiball, that is the player/formation combination that 90% of the fans think we should play, but we don't seem to play it. If it's so obvious to so many people, why is it not obvious to the manager (head coach)?

[beerwins]

Majiball, that is the player/formation combination that 90% of the fans think we should play, but we don't seem to play it. If it's so obvious to so many people, why is it not obvious to the manager (head coach)?

Because managers pick the team by players mindsets of that week or who has trained well or how to contain the other team and stop them from winning, I agree that Maj's team is the best we have on paper we just dont know the ins and outs everyday running at the club.

[joey_big_nose]

I am not a big fan of Kalinic. He is lightweight, loses his footing, lacks pace, can't beat a player except on the turn. However he can finish and I do think against Birmingham he should have got a chance. We got the ball into the box a lot and that is where Kalinic could have really benefited.

However seeing as he was not in the XVI I think something serious must be up. This is a real problem as we need all hands to the pumps.

[den]

I am not a big fan of Kalinic. He is lightweight, loses his footing, lacks pace, can't beat a player except on the turn. However he can finish and I do think against Birmingham he should have got a chance. We got the ball into the box a lot and that is where Kalinic could have really benefited.

However seeing as he was not in the XVI I think something serious must be up. This is a real problem as we need all hands to the pumps.

Baffled.

[thenodrog]

Baffled.

Just a wild wild guess and I'm almost apologising already for rumour mongering but it's so baffling that it's almost like he (and N'Zonzi earlier) had failed club blood tests or similar and we daren't play them till they were 'clean'.

[Roost]

Just a wild wild guess and I'm almost apologising already for rumour mongering but it's so baffling that it's almost like he (and N'Zonzi earlier) had failed club blood tests or similar and we daren't play them till they were 'clean'.

You might not be that wide of the mark, as I cannot think what else would keep him away from the squad, let alone the team.

Bizarre.

[Gav]

I am not a big fan of Kalinic. He is lightweight, loses his footing, lacks pace, can't beat a player except on the turn. However he can finish and I do think against Birmingham he should have got a chance. We got the ball into the box a lot and that is where Kalinic could have really benefited.

However seeing as he was not in the XVI I think something serious must be up. This is a real problem as we need all hands to the pumps.

I’m really not sure he can finish joey, we’ve seen numerous times his inability to score from open play, as you say he is lightweight, loses his footing, lacks pace, can't beat a man and simply for me on that evidence alone isn’t good enough.

People compare him to Roberts in terms of deserving a place, but for all Roberts failings, and he has many, at least Roberts puts himself about and gives defenders something to think about, Kalinic doesn’t even offer the team that.

Nobody wants him to be a success more than me, but he’s not up to it, Allardyce alluded to it when lambasting the strikers at the club, and Kean is seeing it now.