[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[Bennisfromheaven]

am i the only one wondering why we didnt do a smash and grab on moses, with all the talk of buying players as an investment with resale value, hows the hottest 18 year old striker in the country for 2.5m?one good half season in the prem and he would be easily 4x that money

I gotta say I am wondering why more teams were not in for him at least!! It is a gamble but at 18 you are more than likely going to recoup your money even if he doesnt perform as expected!?! Strange!!

[OJRovers]

Who's going to start a 'BRING BACK NONDA' Facebook group...?

[Torgeir]

moan moan moan. thank god most on here live in some far flung place as ex pats and won`t be anywhere near ewood for our players to listen to your whiney tones. we have lost NOTHING AT ALL by not signing dindane, beattie or benjani, none of those players would have made us a better side, end of.

We lost a good finisher in Benni though. I see more PL teams are struggling in the transfer market but we have really failed to replace our best players now for a couple of years (at least). I'm glad we didn't sign Benjani, Beattie or Dindane but those are only three names - we always seem to leave our outgoings late and with not enough time to bring in suitable replacements.

[Brfcrule1]

Nicko thought we were going to have one last 11o'clocker?. Anyway also can't understand people defending Benni yes he may have been the most prolific finisher at the club but his attitude stinks and whatever went on however bad he wanted a move that was no excuse for going awol,and leaving your team-mates in the lurch. I have just a little bit more respect for RSC he may have wanted to leave but he would never have done such a thing and leave his team-mates in the lurch like that. In some respects he reminds me a bit of Zaki with his vanishing acts when things don't go their way. I think also what N.Quinn (sunderland chairman) says is right this Jan. transfer window is a sham and should be scrapped cos as you see by the time the Benni deal went through it gave us little or no time to get in a replacement. I am of the opinion the jan. transfer window should be scrapped that is why now not many deals go through and mainley it is loan deals that are done as is shown by this window,and whenever a permanent deal is done in Jan. the prices of players is sky high so I have to agree with Big Sam this Jan transfer window should be scrapped

[Miker]

Pretty sure our best finishers at the club this season have been Dunn, Pedersen and Kalinic, not McCarthy.

[saxo1man30]

We lost a good finisher in Benni though. I see more PL teams are struggling in the transfer market but we have really failed to replace our best players now for a couple of years (at least). I'm glad we didn't sign Benjani, Beattie or Dindane but those are only three names - we always seem to leave our outgoings late and with not enough time to bring in suitable replacements.

sam didn`t want benni to leave after west ham snapped up ilan from under his nose, but benni(the true rover that he was) petulantly refused to return to the club and forced the move anyway. unfortunatly there were work permit issues(just to make matters worse) and rovers couldn`t say for sure that they could sign anyone until the benni deal was 100 percent sealed as they had no money to play with otherwise. the benni deal went through but it was way too late then to bring anyone in.

those amongst our support that are complaining sam should have had someone lined up are ignoring the fact that he did, but west ham nicked the player. sam made the last ditch attempt to get dindane on loan with a view to permanant but i suspect lens wanted a permanant deal straight away and rovers wouldn`t commit. the right move imo.

[modes98]

Nicko thought we were going to have one last 11o'clocker?

To say what exactly.

Dindane: They wanted us to give them £4m in the summer, we told them where to go.

Benjani: Agent talk

Beattie: All talk and no action

Others: There weren't any

I'm all for being annoyed that we have lost the best finisher at the club and not replaced him, but I can't be annoyed at Sam for not picking up the 3 names above. I know it is rubbish thing to say but if the right player is not available at the right price then we have to move on.

The frustrating thing for me is Robbie Keane, he is now at Celtic on loan. Why didn't we at least make a phone call and see if Harold would let us have him on loan for a fee or even get the coppers out and try to buy him

We have enough to see us safe, but we need a decent level of investment in the summer or we could be in some serious trouble this time next year.

[saxo1man30]

To say what exactly.

Dindane: They wanted us to give them £4m in the summer, we told them where to go.

Benjani: Agent talk

Beattie: All talk and no action

Others: There weren't any

I'm all for being annoyed that we have lost the best finisher at the club and not replaced him, but I can't be annoyed at Sam for not picking up the 3 names above. I know it is rubbish thing to say but if the right player is not available at the right price then we have to move on.

The frustrating thing for me is Robbie Keane, he is now at Celtic on loan. Why didn't we at least make a phone call and see if Harold would let us have him on loan for a fee or even get the coppers out and try to buy him

We have enough to see us safe, but we need a decent level of investment in the summer or we could be in some serious trouble this time next year.

robbie keane = irish = massive celtic fan. he wouldn`t have moved to any other club.

[USABlue]

I can't believe all the fuss, Benni is well rid of, he played only when it suited him and he's been a drain in us since Moiurihno turned his head a few seasons back. Given the naff bandied around I'm glad we sat on our hands through this one. I just hope we stay clear of any serious injuries to DiSanto and Kalinic. I could care less about Roberts. We'll be alright given that Sam is only going to play one up front and hoof it up field anyway. THAT is my main concern, the way we are playing not the size of our squad.

[AndyR]

Not that we would have had the cash for Keane but to say he wouldn't have moved to any other club?

Wolves, Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool, Tottenham - do they all have irish links too??

[Blue n White Rover]

robbie keane = irish = massive celtic fan. he wouldn`t have moved to any other club.

I thought he was a Liverpool fan when he signed for them last Summer?

[saxo1man30]

I thought he was a Liverpool fan when he signed for them last Summer?

the southern irish are always celtic fans first and foremost, then usually man utd or liverpool in england.

Not that we would have had the cash for Keane but to say he wouldn't have moved to any other club?

Wolves, Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool, Tottenham - do they all have irish links too??

yeah ok whatever mate, sam missed a trick and robbie keane would have walked over broken glass to play for blackburn rovers. jesus h christ some fans are deluded. it`s embarressing..

[Miker]

sam didn`t want benni to leave after west ham snapped up ilan from under his nose, but benni(the true rover that he was) petulantly refused to return to the club and forced the move anyway. unfortunatly there were work permit issues(just to make matters worse) and rovers couldn`t say for sure that they could sign anyone until the benni deal was 100 percent sealed as they had no money to play with otherwise. the benni deal went through but it was way too late then to bring anyone in.

those amongst our support that are complaining sam should have had someone lined up are ignoring the fact that he did, but west ham nicked the player. sam made the last ditch attempt to get dindane on loan with a view to permanant but i suspect lens wanted a permanant deal straight away and rovers wouldn`t commit. the right move imo.

Why did West Ham sign 3 strikers? Don't they already have 3 or 4 strikers at the club? It seems like they have more strikers than Man City now, except they're all a lot more useless.

[Fife Rover]

Very very disappointed we failed to land a striker before the window closed, just hope and pray what we do have stay fit and that we don't get dragged back into the relegation mire due to it.

Shabani Nonda on a free anyone?

Right now I'd take that provided he could pass the medical, and preferably on "pay as you play" deal.

[saxo1man30]

Why did West Ham sign 3 strikers? Don't they already have 3 or 4 strikers at the club? It seems like they have more strikers than Man City now, except they're all a lot more useless.

i`m very suspicious of west ham`s dealings. sullivan and gold have issues with rovers over the savage signing in the past. why sign ilan when they don`t need him at all? it certainly screwed up rovers plans and i`m sure that will devastate mssrs sullivan and gold..

[AndyR]

the southern irish are always celtic fans first and foremost, then usually man utd or liverpool in england.

yeah ok whatever mate, sam missed a trick and robbie keane would have walked over broken glass to play for blackburn rovers. jesus h christ some fans are deluded. it`s embarressing..

I didn't say he would sign for us, I said to say he would only sign for Celtic was wrong. He would have happily gone to West Ham, Sunderland, us or whoever would pay him the money he wants that is how all footballers work. Just as Beattie wasn't waiting for the call from the Rovers anyone who would have offered would have signed him from Stoke.

Some fans are ignorant and a bit stupid in thinking it works any other way

[joey_big_nose]

I didn't say he would sign for us, I said to say he would only sign for Celtic was wrong. He would have happily gone to West Ham, Sunderland, us or whoever would pay him the money he wants that is how all footballers work. Just as Beattie wasn't waiting for the call from the Rovers anyone who would have offered would have signed him from Stoke.

Some fans are ignorant and a bit stupid in thinking it works any other way

He might have considered us but Spurs may well not have loaned to us. It seems a bit of a strange one as if it had been generally known that Keane was available on loan probably 10 Premiership clubs would have taken him. Seems like it was a bit flash in the pan, probably due to Pav staying.

[braddock]

robbie keane = irish = massive celtic fan. he wouldn`t have moved to any other club.

are you talking about journeyman robbie keane?

[Steve Moss]

He might have considered us but Spurs may well not have loaned to us. It seems a bit of a strange one as if it had been generally known that Keane was available on loan probably 10 Premiership clubs would have taken him. Seems like it was a bit flash in the pan, probably due to Pav staying.

Or maybe Redknapp wants to avoid strengthening EPL opposition?

[deftangel]

There is no way Robbie Keane was going to pick Rovers if he had a concurrent offer from Celtic. When he went to Liverpool, Leeds, Inter Milan etc. it is highly likely that an opportunity to go to Celtic wasn't on the table at the time.

Today, in 2010 it's no contest. I know some might be annoyed at a lack of replacement for Benni but use some common sense.

[bluebruce]

Strikers.

Michael Mifsud

I remember in 2007/2008 when he dumped us and Man United out of the FA and League Cups respectively, with two goals in each game! Lightning pace, still only 28. However, according to Wiki, a pretty poor goal record at Coventry in the Championship. It would be kinda interesting to see if he is capable of turning it on when he feels motivated by top flight opposition, and if he only gets his game going when he is in the brightest limelight...I'm NOT seriously advocating it though of course, as he's obviously fallen too far if the likes of Coventry have let him become a free agent at 28. Just pondering, thought it was a slightly interesting one.

Joseph Desire Mawaye

We just got rid of a player who desired his way too much!

Joseph-Désiré Job

Sounds too desperate, but a wonderfully ironic name for a free agent.

MacDonald Mukansi

Again, didn't we just get rid of someone with this description?

[neekoy]

Junior isn't a striker. Even if he was, four players, 5 goals.

Neither is Roberts but we counted him

[Pinch]

West Brom have signed of Feyenoord winger Andwele Slory on a free transfer. - Supposedly a target of ours at one point this season.

[RoversSG]

Just finished reading the last 15 pages and i can't believe how many people here think it has been a lousy window!

Let's look at what we actually did:

Positives:

- Basturk in (good deal)

- Linganzi (good prospect)

- Treacy out (good riddance, can't forget how he was complaining about not playing earlier this season)

- Benni out (good fee for a 32 yrs old who's not putting in effort)

- Dunn signing a new deal

- No panic buys (thank god no beattie or benjani)

Negatives:

- No replacement for Benni (But better no signings than beattie or benjani)

- No one in for Roberts

Unknowns:

- Not managing to sell Pedersen but if he can substain his current form, its probably better than getting a fee now

- Whether the money from Benni sale will be available.

[Eddie]

How can you possibly comment on Basturk or Linganzi? Basturk is an injury-prone midfielder who has barely played in recent seasons. Linganzi is a young player who has barely played at all. I've never seen him play and I've heard very little talk about him. Having spoken to some who know more about the French leagues than me and the youngsters coming through I get the impression that they think he's a decent prospect, but not one they think will be making an impact for us anytime soon. Reasonably physically imposing and has a decent engine, but he may well struggle with the pace of the league.