[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[sam_rovers]

I'd assume getting Eidur would require getting 2 players off of the wage bill (most prob Benni and Roberts) that would leave us with 3 strikers and one who is on loan.. also Eidur is 31..not exactly young... not too excited about this news

[John]

Easier said than done but would be great to get some (any) fresh blood in for the semi final matches, very unlikely though.

On Eidur, from Sam's comments, had the impression that he has been enquiring to see who we can get, in the hope that Benni/Roberts would move on. Just a pity that they are both our only experienced strikers therefore there is a higher risk factor letting them go.

[ABBEY]

frank worthington?

[Gav]

Gudjohnson has been on loan at Monaco and not scored a single goal, not sure he's the answer to our prayers.

A couple of seasons ago I’d have taken him, but I can’t see him offering anything different to what we’ve currently got and that’s saying something.

Could be worth a punt to try and freshen things up I guess, but on 40k+ a week?

[67splitscreen]

Found this press link from a few weeks ago.

Translation.

"The Canadian of F.C. Copenhagen is in the Englishmen's sight. Atiba Hutchinson's contract is expiring this summer, but the Canadian can leave the club already in January.

According to the information of sporten.dk, Premier League side Blackburn Rovers are interested in F.C. Copenhagen's strong midfielder and likely in the winter transfer window.

The Englishmen have in the autumn been to Parken Stadium several times to watch Atiba Hutchinson in action, and will also be there at tonight's match against Cluj.

- No comments, sounds it from the player's agent, Roger Ljung, about the Englishmen's interest."

[Steve Moss]

Some of the U.S. blogs (Big football, IIRC) have been talking about this for awhile. Like Hoilett, Atiba Hutchinson is a midfielder who can also play as a striker (or vice-versa in Hoilett's case).

At this point, I would be happy to gamble on Hutchinson, Holden, or any of the other names floated on this board, if it meant getting rid of some of our existing midfielders (MGP, EHD, Reid, Andrews). Its not as if the Rovers midfield would get any worse, so selling and making some purchases seems to me to be a no brainer. Then again, that thought is likely motivated by some frustration.

[ABBEY]

meant getting rid of some of our existing midfielders (MGP, EHD, Reid, Andrews). Its not as if the Rovers midfield would get any worse, so selling and making some purchases seems to me to be a no brainer. Then again, that thought is likely motivated by some frustration.

you say our midfield is bad but you predict us to win every game? im truly baffled.

[John]

At this point, I would be happy to gamble on Hutchinson, Holden, or any of the other names floated on this board, if it meant getting rid of some of our existing midfielders (MGP, EHD, Reid, Andrews). Its not as if the Rovers midfield would get any worse, so selling and making some purchases seems to me to be a no brainer. Then again, that thought is likely motivated by some frustration.

That is what I have been thinking like since last summer and previously. To improve on what we have currently got in midfield should not be that difficult, but obviously Sam and Sparky (at the end) find it quite tricky!

[Steve Moss]

you say our midfield is bad but you predict us to win every game? im truly baffled.

What can I say? I'm an optimist.

And our midfield is not per se bad. We have some decent to excellent midfielders in Dunn, Emerton and Grella. The problem is that they are only available about half the games (or at least it seems that way) and rarely all at once.

The bulk of our midfielders are either talented but inexperienced (Hoilett/N'Zonzi), talented but lazy/mental (EHD) or talented but detached/lazy (MGP) or not particulary talented (Andrews).

So when I predict the Rovers win every game (which isn't true as I have predicted the occassional draw- most recently against ManC next week), its more a case of what we are capable of doing but usually don't. The sheer number of draws we've accumulated is an indicator of this, as most of those draws could have been converted to a win with an ounce of more effort or creativity.

Our talented 'fit' midfielders (MGP and EHD) and strikers (such as Benni and Roberts) are complacent or are lazy. They appear to have no skin in the Rovers fight to survive. Maybe because they get paid anyway or are comfortable with their lives as is. I don't know what their problem is but they they don't appear to have any sort of passion, any sense of desperation and are increasingly detached from reality in what they view as 'professional' behavior.

I don't blame Sam for this. He has to work with what he has and he's done better than others with a flawed squad. Given time I think he'll sort things out. And as I don't think he'll be managing more than a couple of years more (with his health problems and all), I suspect that Sam is a prideful enough man that he'll leave a solid Rovers squad behind to whomever succeeds him, and will make a play for silverware (the Carling Cup this time around) as a consolation prize. That will be his legacy and I think he's smart enough to know it.

So with all of that as a foundation, I chose to cheer the Rovers on (from the comfort of the bar or my living room, depending- though I'm coming out for 2 games in March with my uncle), knowing that we'll have a bumpy year or two but hoping (not unrealistically) that immprovements to the squad are in process.

[thenodrog]

Now that would be an extremely decent replacement for Benni, delighted if it comes off.

He'd be a better replecement for Di santo playing alongside Benny perhaps. MacD's might even sponsor us too.

[American]

Slory is barely good enough for Feyenoord's bench. Avoid.

Signed him on FM! Not any improvement on MGP on there......

(I know, I know, it doesn't mean anything.)

[John]

Frederic Piquionne: Everton are open to a loan with Piquionne if his current agreement between Lyon and Portsmouth collapses, while Blackburn, Liverpool and Aston Villa are also interested.

[Tom]

Not sure about him, he's scored a few but missed a lot as well, Boetang if the standout of the Pompey lot for me.

[Hi Mack]

Looks like Nickos been busy today...............Wonder why?

[unleaded]

i Kenny believe It!

[Steve Moss]

Not the best source, but FansFC.com has upgraded to 'possible' a Benni McCarthy move to Celtic for 2.5 million.

http://www.fansfc.com/archive/Speculation.html

[47er]

Not the best source, but FansFC.com has upgraded to 'possible' a Benni McCarthy move to Celtic for 2.5 million.

http://www.fansfc.com/archive/Speculation.html

I'd prefer that to him going to one of our Premiership rivals.

[Kelbo]

i Kenny believe It!

I would get him on a long contract quickly at Rovers, If Kenny is involved, he is the best talent spotter in the world and if he thinks the lads good, he is good!!

[Bobby G]

At no point did it say his dad recommended him, did it?

[Kelbo]

At no point did it say his dad recommended him, did it?

'Dalglish junior is looking for new talent and is scouring the English market, with his team playing dad Kenny's Liverpool in a closed-door friendly to run the rule over some possibles.'

[Hughesy]

Newcastle favourites to sign Beckford for £2.5m - could we offer them a little cash + Jason Roberts in return!?

[hollowsr]

'Dalglish junior is looking for new talent and is scouring the English market, with his team playing dad Kenny's Liverpool in a closed-door friendly to run the rule over some possibles.'

Still doesn't say that Kenny had anything to do with it, just that the two teams are playing each other.

[67splitscreen]

Do we want shut of the lad ??????

Why if he is under contract or whatever he has with our academy would we allow him to go and trial for another team.

Is he not tied to the academy until we decide otherwise?.

[modes98]

Newcastle favourites to sign Beckford for £2.5m - could we offer them a little cash + Jason Roberts in return!?

I can't see him going for that much with his contract up in the summer, unless a few teams come in for him.

Equally can you see Roberts being happy to drop down to League One and the salary that comes with it.

[Hughesy]

I can't see him going for that much with his contract up in the summer, unless a few teams come in for him.

Equally can you see Roberts being happy to drop down to League One and the salary that comes with it.

Some papers saying £1.25 - some saying £2.5m. I agree I would imagine it will be the lower figure too.

He has pace, which is something we really lack - even if its just for the last 20 mins when teams are tired.

As for League 1 - that is probably only for another 4 months or so until they will be back into the Championship.... perhaps we can send Andrews back to that level?!