[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[Hughesy]

Why Jacobsen? What about Salgado?

Either, or!

New rule -

As of next season clubs will be required to have a squad named of up to 25 players, of which no more than 17 can be over the age of 21 and not home grown," Scudamore said.

"The definition of home grown is trained for three years under the age of 21 by somebody in the English and Welsh professional system.

"Clubs will have to declare their 25 at the end of August when the window shuts and then again at the end of January."

Players who are aged under 21 are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad.

As for the new rules Kamy - how many do we have?

Doran, Jones, Robbo, Dunn, Fielding, Olsson, Gunning, Hoilett, Roberts, Andrews, Bunn, Judge, Treacy.

I make it 8 that should/ probably will be staying with another 5 who could leave + maybe the signing of Beattie making it 9.

Cant see it affecting us too much to be honest!

[The Rover of Finland]

Does ShefU want to but Tracey? Nicko? If we get £3M from Benni we shouldn´t think twice. That Holden seems interested one. Hope we sign him. Nicko, anything new on Dunn&Hoilett conract extensions? And does anyone know how seriously did Emo injured?

[RovertheHill]

Very clearly Benni's agent has made clear that Benni is happy to stay if he is playing, which is the case as of now.

I think Benni is simply a case of Allardyce not wanting him, moreso than anything else.

I can think of 5 other players who Id rather give away first, but that tells you something where there is a handful of clubs interested in Benni and none supposedly for some of the deadwood.

I'd say that it's in Benni's hands - if he trains and plays to the best of his abilities then he's our best player by a mile and will be in the team. If he doesn't, then he won't

[patrickvalery]

I accept what you're saying about Beattie but if we signed players up on the basis of their off field persona who would we sign ? One of the things that is turning me off modern football is the behavior of the players. Having said that I'd have Beattie over Roberts any day.

That is my point. Whether you, me or anyone else likes him is not important. Id take him if he scores us goals.

[Hughesy]

In light of the recent injury crisis again in midfield - please can we sign a central midfielder that is better than Keith Andrews

[Iceman]

Well id be happy if, Sam can jump ahead of the line and snap up Luca Toni. If Benni goes for 3 mill, plus his wages, then we can afford Toni who might be available on a free. Beattie in a swap for Roberts, and it will be good business. Stil worried about a left winger, and creative midfielder.

[Majiball]

3 prem clubs willing to pay the £3m asking price for Benni - Fulham & Pompey are two of them

£3m for Benni + removal of his big wages - what do people think of that deal?

Sounds like a good deal, 3,000,000 plus his 45K a week wages of the bill should give us some flexibilty in bringing in a player to replace him.

I do wonder if we could get a Ruud for 6 months, or someone similiar from a large european team, there's got to be something out there for that money thats better than what we have.

We should be OK with the new rules, but I'd still be looking to bring in a bit more strenght that fufills the quota, as I'm not too keen on seeing the likes of Doran, Jones, Gunning being considered first teamers yet.

[RIML]

Well id be happy if, Sam can jump ahead of the line and snap up Luca Toni. If Benni goes for 3 mill, plus his wages, then we can afford Toni who might be available on a free. Beattie in a swap for Roberts, and it will be good business. Stil worried about a left winger, and creative midfielder.

Belhadj is a target according to the Daily Mail.

[hi-jaq]

Dunno how much truth there is in this, but my mate at work who is a big Nob End fan, is saying Jason Roberts is goin their way, and it's a done deal???

If i can get more info I will, but if it happens, I'd be delighted!!!

(Apparently Roberts in to Nob End on loan & Lonergan is moving out to a prem club, dunno if he's moving to us & this has anything to do with it???)

[Bobby G]

I personally think Roberts desire has dropped significantly this season. He doesnt look as driven as seasons before. Maybe cause he knows he isnt first choice anymore.

[Amo]

I'd be fairly happy with Beattie & Belhadj in January. I'd love us to sign a playmaker too, but we've been saying this for many a window now.

[Hughesy]

Dunno how much truth there is in this, but my mate at work who is a big Nob End fan, is saying Jason Roberts is goin their way, and it's a done deal???

If i can get more info I will, but if it happens, I'd be delighted!!!

(Apparently Roberts in to Nob End on loan & Lonergan is moving out to a prem club, dunno if he's moving to us & this has anything to do with it???)

Id be suprised if PNE could afford the taxi to get JR there to be honest!

[den]

To be very honest, I just find some of the names we are being linked with very disheartening. As much as some people wring their hands every time a club comes in with a bid for our top players, it actually moves us bit nearer the trap door.

How we've fallen - James Bloomin' Beattie. Sign James and we will see some hoofball then.

Id be suprised if PNE could afford the taxi to get JR there to be honest!

Irvine said this morning it was very unlikely they would sign anyone in January.

[hi-jaq]

Id be suprised if PNE could afford the taxi to get JR there to be honest!

Thats what I thought, but if they sell their keeper they will have some funds & I dont reckon they would have to pay his full wages... my mate seems to be pretty adamant that its happening, sure we will find out in due course!!!

(Fingers crossed everyone!!!)

[FourLaneBlue]

To be very honest, I just find some of the names we are being linked with very disheartening. As much as some people wring their hands every time a club comes in with a bid for our top players, it actually moves us bit nearer the trap door.

How we've fallen - James Bloomin' Beattie. Sign James and we will see some hoofball then.

I remember you being disheartened when we were linked with Aaron Lennon, Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch in the past. We would be a far better side if we had any of those right now.

James Beattie is a decent player and a big improvement on Jason Roberts. So...not a bad move for me if it does not cost us much. Not special but on his day he can win games for us. Plus...he knows how to finish as well as being a presence up front. Until Di Santo and Kalinic come along then that could be invaluable.

Ultimately though we are shopping in the bargain basement bin for additions to midfield that could actually create anything.

Not sure why having Beattie must mean "hoofball". Particularly as the top teams use this as well. They manage to mix it up with other approaches. If we can mix it with other tactics that what is the problem? Perfectly legitimate tactic as long as we do not just rely on it alone all day long.

Irvine said this morning it was very unlikely they would sign anyone in January.

If that is the whole truth and not just downplaying theings then that is very worrying. When don't need a lot of numbers in but we do need a bit of flair and creativity added to the squad.

Perhaps we have to sell to bring anyone in. Worryingly We don't have many we can sell or who anyone will want and get along reasonably well without...

[RealMadras]

I believe Avram Grant likes to throw his money about at this time of year?

[RibbleValleyRover]

To be very honest, I just find some of the names we are being linked with very disheartening. As much as some people wring their hands every time a club comes in with a bid for our top players, it actually moves us bit nearer the trap door.

How we've fallen - James Bloomin' Beattie. Sign James and we will see some hoofball then.

What do you expect Den? We have no money!

Ideally i would like us to sell Roberts and the various other donkey's at the club and buy some quality, but i would be amazed if we got enough for them to buy some real standout players.

Signing Beattie isn't ideal but i believe he is a better player than Roberts.

[Amo]

The only way we could avoid all-out "hoof-ball" is if we had players who like the ball to feet. Quality players won't lump it whenever they receive the ball; it's not in their make-up. Sadly, our midfield is so poor that we don't have this kind of quality. Our wingers are past it, and our only playmaker is superglued to the treatment table. Until we shake-up the midfield and sign some pace/creativity, I wouldn't blame Sam for resorting to these tactics.

[den]

What do you expect Den? We have no money!

What do I expect RVR? It's what I and others have been warning against for many years. Sell your best players and you're invariably in the sh1t.

[den]

I remember you being disheartened when we were linked with Aaron Lennon, Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch in the past. We would be a far better side if we had any of those right now.

You're right Daren, I was disheartened. Just shows how we've fallen. BTW, is Jones still playing/scoring, because I haven't noticed him being mentioned recently. [He's sure to score against us now though, isn't he!].

Not sure why having Beattie must mean "hoofball".

Because invariably, when you have a big tall lad up front and his strength is in the air, you hoof it up to them, especially when you're under pressure. It's not necessarily the game plan, but for the players it's the easy way out.

When you have forwards who like the ball to feet, they demand you give it on the floor. Always been that way.

[RibbleValleyRover]

What do I expect RVR? It's what I and others have been warning against for many years. Sell your best players and you're invariably in the sh1t.

I totally agree, selling our best players and not replacing them whether that's down to not providing enough funds or being unable to find a good enough replacement is eventually going to see us relegated. I was quite vocal when Bentley left and i have been going on for years about our midfield not being strengthened.

I feel your pain i do, i was just saying that Beattie is probably the best when we can hope for considering our lack of investment. If was a choice between Roberts or Beattie (the only choices available) then I would pick Beattie every time.

[Iceman]

Its not that we cant replace those players, its the board that has to have that money to cover other expenses. Its a real shame, because if the board gave the manager all the money made from the sale of the player, then we would not be in this situation.

[den]

I totally agree, selling our best players and not replacing them whether that's down to not providing enough funds or being unable to find a good enough replacement is eventually going to see us relegated. I was quite vocal when Bentley left and i have been going on for years about our midfield not being strengthened.

I feel your pain i do, i was just saying that Beattie is probably the best when we can hope for considering our lack of investment. If was a choice between Roberts or Beattie (the only choices available) then I would pick Beattie every time.

I think most of us are at the stage where anyone other than Roberts is a good move?

Its not that we cant replace those players, its the board that has to have that money to cover other expenses. Its a real shame, because if the board gave the manager all the money made from the sale of the player, then we would not be in this situation.

It's a struggle to attract the same quality Iceman, with or without the money being made available.

[Iceman]

Dont agree with that Den. You cant expect to bank 20mill, and spend 2mill. With that you cant expect to replace quality with quality.

[only2garners]

Thats what I thought, but if they sell their keeper they will have some funds & I dont reckon they would have to pay his full wages... my mate seems to be pretty adamant that its happening, sure we will find out in due course!!!

(Fingers crossed everyone!!!)

Irvine has also said that Lonergan's going nowhere, in January at least.