[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[PAFELL]

Signing Beattie would be an utterly depressing signing, 30k a week, plus a signing on fee, aged 31-32 years of age, adding no value on the pitch and no value off the pitch.

After Robbie Fowler thought we'd learnt our lesson.

Must do better Rovers ! Must do a lot better than this Allardyce !

WHU are paying Bennie £50k a week and the same age as Beattie. The latter, may not be as skillful, but at least gives 100 per cent in a game. I agree I wish Rovers were able to do better - but you need money to do that.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

With Beattie i think you have to realise that there is probably no other option. Is it a lack of imagination? possibly, but its less of a risk then Gudjohnsen and with it being the january window i cant imagine that there are many top strikers going around for £2/3m. Even players with potential such as Kalinic cost £6m. Im in no way excited about Beattie but if its the best we can do then its the best we can do.

[RoyRover]

I would be pretty disappointed if James Beattie was signed. I don't see him improving the team, just another player who will become deadwood and a drain on the finances.

[ewoodnews]

I would be pretty disappointed if James Beattie was signed. I don't see him improving the team, just another player who will become deadwood and a drain on the finances.

Rather have bettie who will want to play and will give 100% than benni who wants as much money as possible because he wont play at west ham if they sign eidur

[Tom]

One positive I can think with Beattie is he had a big impact when he first went to Stoke, if he did the same here it could more or less guarantee survival giving us a platform to build on in summer

[nicko]

Any names come up for us nicko other than Beattie if he doesn't turn out to be a suitable replacement for McCarthy. Maybe it's just wishful thinking from my part. I really don't think at his age and given his current ability that he's the man to do it for us, not a lot better than Di Santo or Roberts as a target man, if at all.

Sorry, but no. I don't think it's the greatest signing, but there we go.

Been sulking for much of the day. Heard about Man U trying to hijack Smalling's move to Arsenal on Monday and didn't write it.

Must be losing my edge. Not happy.

[JAL]

I would be pretty disappointed if James Beattie was signed. I don't see him improving the team, just another player who will become deadwood and a drain on the finances.

Exactly Roy, there will be alot of disappointed people if this is the route Rovers go down.

It would definitely show up the peoples capabilities of running the club.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

With Beattie i think you have to realise that there is probably no other option. Is it a lack of imagination? possibly, but its less of a risk then Gudjohnsen and with it being the january window i cant imagine that there are many top strikers going around for £2/3m. Even players with potential such as Kalinic cost £6m. Im in no way excited about Beattie but if its the best we can do then its the best we can do.

We'd be better off with a loan signing till summer, see what the situation is with Di Santo's availability/price and whether or not Hoilett stays. Get shut of Roberts then rebuild the forward line around Kalinic.

Buying Beattie now on 30k a week makes little sense. That kind of wage (at a club like ours) needs reserving for a 'star' or 'impact player' as Sam was quoted as saying.

Only player that makes sense now IMO is Ibricic or perhaps some bid to bring Bentley back.

[Brfcrule1]

btw it seems Bentley has been linked with the hammers I have to say I agree with Big Sam this January window is more trouble than it's worth and should be scrapped and now it's coming home to roost as clubs are either acquiring players on loan or on low fees this has been the worst transfer window for us apart from Dunn signing a long term deal I would not be happy with Bentley coming back as he would probably want to leave when a bigger club comes along and I have to say not a lot of us are happy with Beattie signing me I have my reservations but after possibly losing out on Eidur,RVN I can't think of anyone experienced enough who we could sign who would have the same impact as Benni McDonalds so all in all Beattie is probably the only player we could hope to get and someone who will give 100% and want to prove a point to Mr Cappello so could be a good move.

[47er]

Exactly Roy, there will be alot of disappointed people if this is the route Rovers go down.

It would definitely show up the peoples capabilities of running the club.

Yesterday, those same people running the club had driven Dunn away--according to you.Yet you carry on regardless.

Di Santo does the same job as Beattie, only he's 10 years younger and much quicker. If we're buying Beattie I'd rather we put the money towards buying Di Santo instead.

As many have pointed out it's not the strikers that are the problem, it's the complete lack of service to them. Olsson looks useful on the left (amazing what a bit of pace and willingness to run at your man will do for a team), Hoilett could cause problems on the right (though shoe horned into the role, his pace would be a good outlet) - all the team is missing is a central midfielder that can get his foot on the ball and dictate play. Don't see us being linked to any of those though.

Agree with that. Roberts,Kalinic and Di Santo will do to the end of the season IF we strengthened midfield significantly.

[andyroversmad]

dont waste money on Beattie spend it all on the midfield.

[Steve Moss]

Wait and see!!

Gudjohnsen completes 1st part of medical at West Ham and McCarthy agrees 2 and a half year deal at West Ham.

Not looking good for Rovers!

Looking quite well. McCarthy has been more or less worthless, and Gudjohnsen is well past his sell by date. We ducked a bullet with both, IMO. Kudos to Sam and the board.

I would be pretty disappointed if James Beattie was signed. I don't see him improving the team, just another player who will become deadwood and a drain on the finances.

Beattie is more dead wieght. Sam and the board can, and will, do better.

[Brfcrule1]

in light of the recent developments have been thinking about possible people either on loan/permanently who would improve our team and would be decent additions

1. Fredrico Macheda on loan from Man U till the end of the season now before anyone dismisses this out of hand worth I think an enquiry if they say no we have lost anything and if you don't ask although I don't know how wages would work

2. Caecido- Man City permanently we could approach see what they say definitely young would add pace to our attack and knows where the net is and with all city's firepower will struggle to get in the side

3. Beattie- might be good as a last ditch attempt if nothing else comes off would be good for our youngsters development

4. K.Davies bolton permanently- now before people laugh experienced in the EPL Sam knows how to get the best out of past players scores some important goals in the air physically strong & has a habit of messing opposition defenders around I think worth an enquiry.

5. Kanu- Pompey with Pompeys perilous financial position would be worth taking advantage of this now I know people will laugh but he is experienced scores some vital goals not a bad record and you don't play for Ajax,Inter Milan,Arsenal without being any good also was the main reason West Brom survived in the prem a few seasons back and to a degree helped Pompey escape the drop and not a bad scoring record would be worth an enquiry might even get him on the cheap

let me know what everyone thinks these are only suggestions no need to shoot the messenger!

[Steve Moss]

Per Tribal, Stuart Holden has signed for Bolton.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/bolton-sign-usa-international-holden-601131

Maybe I have my U.S.A. blinders on, but I think the Rovers missed a chance at an above average midfielder on the cheap.

[Exiled_Rover]

Or lack of money these days. Rovers can only afford to buy a replacement for Bennie, who will have an immediate impact in the team. Somebody with experience of the prem. Imagination says take a chance on somebody - maybe not experienced enough. That could be costly for Rovers. We all have dreams and imagination, but reality is completely different. Rovers do not have the money to find a top class replacement. Bennie was on £35k a week, beattie is on £30k.

Beattie's rubbish though and even in the ridiculous world of football he's earning twice what he should. If we can't find a ready made top class replacement I don't see why a young, hungry kid who's willing to run his socks off wouldn't be a much, much better option. Failing that a journeyman who wouldn't cost money to acquire and would be on at the most £15k a week. Beattie doesn't tick any of those boxes for mine.

[RevidgeBlue]

What I don't understand is why we bothered extending Di Santo's loan if Sam didn't feel he was capable of filling a gap when McCarthy left. It was always on the cards Belly would be off and the mooted replacements aren't exactly ideal, a shed load of "dead money" needed to bring 32 year old Beattie in, or another half season loan job for Gudjohnsen.

We'll end up with none of our own players if we keep going down the short term loan route.

If Gudjohnsen/Beattie are the only two options I'd almost be tempted to persevere with Kalinic plus one of the other two strikers rather than spend money simply for the sake of it.

That would be risky as well though. Hopefully we can come up with someone not previously mentioned.

[Miker]

I think Sam wants 4 strikers, plus if Roberts leaves, we will definitely need to get someone else in. I do agree that we should just stick with Di Santo and Kalinic, but it would be nice to have a 3rd option better than Roberts and to replace McCarthy.

The creative midfield role is priority, so we need to get someone for that position ASAP. Ibricic would be ideal if he can play there and on the left wing.

[Lurid Coat]

Sebastian Eguren will sign for Lazio in the morning,so thats one off the list.

Hnnnnggghggnggh;,ham,ng,ang,m,ngng

OH FFS!!!!

Words cannot describe how sick and tired I am of the club being linked to exciting players that would improve our team tenfold, only to end up with some complete donkey instead - or not signing anyone

This was a golden opportunity to swoop for an excellent player, so of course we had to sit this one out! I know that central midfield - for some reason unbeknownst to me - isn't a priority this window, but this guy would've been a huge step up from the midfielders we already have. I bet we end up with Jason Dozzell and Nicky Summerbee on a free, selling Samba in the process in order to afford for their wages.

[/rant]

[Paul Mellelieu]

I'm not sure that it's a 'creative' midfield player that's a priority, but more someone who can dictate and dominate a game. A cut price Roy Keane would suit.

[beerwins]

Dont see where beattie fits in, Disanto does same job but with more legs, Kalinic looks good but what now? back to bench?

If we played 4,4,2 I could understand having 4 strikers but we dont Benni played the linking role if dunn is not fit who is going to do that now?

Worried that if we sign Beattie its a signing Sam will have made with blinkers on, if we made the signing of this Ibric or whatever he is called he could be perfect to add a bit of pace and can play as right of left midfiled or attacking midfield.

Dont like where this is going 1 bit, like people have said a loan signing till summer would be benefit us more than than another 30+ striker on 30+ grand a week for another 2 years, why not try take him on loan if he wants out at stoke then at least we can see how he is going to fit in.

[Kelbo]

One positive I can think with Beattie is he had a big impact when he first went to Stoke, if he did the same here it could more or less guarantee survival giving us a platform to build on in summer

Thats what I was thinking too!!

Had a big impact at all his clubs, then he went off the boil at them all, except Sheff U

[BPF]

Dont see where beattie fits in, Disanto does same job but with more legs

By this, do people mean that he fails to score also?

[G Somerset Rover]

With Beattie i think you have to realise that there is probably no other option. Is it a lack of imagination? possibly, but its less of a risk then Gudjohnsen and with it being the january window i cant imagine that there are many top strikers going around for £2/3m. Even players with potential such as Kalinic cost £6m. Im in no way excited about Beattie but if its the best we can do then its the best we can do.

I don't get the whole "there's no other option talk" - of course there is! It's not our job to mention players on here the club should sign, we have a scouting network which should have witnessed hundreds of decent strikers that could potentially do a job for a similar fee and wages to Beattie, be it from abroad or home.

I just can't get my head around that Beattie is the "only option". As I said yesterday you have to wonder if our shortlist can only contain one striker at a time.

[daveoftherovers]

Thats what I was thinking too!!

Had a big impact at all his clubs, then he went off the boil at them all, except Sheff U

New reports suggesting Beattie is injured anyway, at least a fortnight, so may not happen at all.

[thenodrog]

Signing Beattie would be an utterly depressing signing, 30k a week, plus a signing on fee, aged 31-32 years of age, adding no value on the pitch and no value off the pitch.

After Robbie Fowler thought we'd learnt our lesson.

Must do better Rovers ! Must do a lot better than this Allardyce !

Definitely. It is one thing signing 'has beens' like Brad and Tugay and quite another thing altogether in signing 'never has beens'.

Sorry, but no. I don't think it's the greatest signing, but there we go.

Been sulking for much of the day. Heard about Man U trying to hijack Smalling's move to Arsenal on Monday and didn't write it.

Must be losing my edge. Not happy.

Too many distractions this week with Bolton v Burnley and your own reputation in those parts higher in your list of importance imo.

dont waste money on Beattie spend it all on the midfield.

Correct. A serious run of injuries to our strikers and we can always shove Samba up top again.