[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[mellison24]

The midfield isn't the only problem, but if we got that right it would play a huge part in getting us on the right track.

The defence was woefully exposed and made to look worse than it was last night by the gaps in midfield, and as for our striker(s) not taking their chances, well I can't honestly remember them getting that many to miss. Kalinic was begging for the early ball again last night and getting nothing, kind of reminded me of when we first signed Andy Cole.

A better goalkeeper would have seen the game finish 3-1 last night, instead of 4-1. Midfield is the absolute priority for me.

Thank you for saying competantly what I was ATTEMPTING to say, mate

[broadsword]

I don't give a ###### how bad a mood you are in. It doesn't mean my opinion will change. There are more pressing matters than the goalkeeper. He is very decent

He's pigging awful! he's 6'4", but 5'7" when he jumps.

"very decent" sounds like a phrase where you try to make something look as good as possible whilst knowing it's cack, and so being careful not to open yourself to ridicule.

Not a good signing.

[brian_gallagher85]

According to Gary Jacobs on his live window chat thing

"Does Stoke City have a chance at signing Ruud?

by Androo at 1/12/2010 1:32:53 PM1:32 PM

I'd be surprised - and his wages are large. So Real may have to pay some. Ruud to Blackburn would seem more realistic

by Gary Jacob at 1/12/2010 1:33:26 PM1:33 PM"

And also he says Rovers would like to sign Kenwyne Jones but he is too expensive.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6983749.ece

I think this just goes to show how out of touch with reality most pundits are

[mellison24]

He's pigging awful! he's 6'4", but 5'7" when he jumps.

"very decent" sounds like a phrase where you try to make something look as good as possible whilst knowing it's cack, and so being careful not to open yourself to ridicule.

Not a good signing.

Well I meant it for it's ACTUAL meaning. Which is.....decent. He may not be a good signing, but he's by no means a bad one. Which keeper could we have bought that is better for 3.5 million? (A genuine question, not having a go).

[Ricky]

Joe Hart

[broadsword]

I can't give you names as I'm not up on my goalies but I suspect we could've signed one just as good, if not better, for a whole lot less.

Does "decent" mean "good" then?

[mellison24]

Joe Hart

For only 3.5million? We really did make a mistake then. Come to think of it Cudicini as well?

[novella]

Having seen Leon Bests goal against pompey, sign him up. Scored against us last season so can cut it at prem level.

[Kelbo]

Yeh - attack, attack against one of the best and fastest counter attacking teams in the country - yeh that would have worked.

There has to be a balance - which is somewhere between attack, attack, attack and Sam negative tactics.

I can think of numerous matches where he missed punches etc. No goalie is infallible - just some are luckier when they make mistakes.

Brad was a great keeper but had his weeknesses which were exposed and still are, he cant organise or position his wall at free kicks, we conceced almost every free kick towards the end of his time here!!

[mellison24]

Having seen Leon Bests goal against pompey, sign him up. Scored against us last season so can cut it at prem level.

One of Allardyces tactics that doesn't work: The long throw. This is because Pedersen can't do it well enough. Leon's mate Aron Gunnarsson anyone? Can also play a bit and outshone our whole midfield last season.

[Ricky]

Joe Hart was available for loan and not needed at City when they signed Given. Going to be an England Number 1 without a doubt. Robinson doesnt have any spring in his step, completely flat footed, Tevez's shot was not in the top corner and he got nowhere near it. Not good enough!!

[mellison24]

Joe Hart was available for loan and not needed at City when they signed Given. Going to be an England Number 1 without a doubt. Robinson doesnt have any spring in his step, completely flat footed, Tevez's shot was not in the top corner and he got nowhere near it. Not good enough!!

You know as well as I do this is a game of opinions. While I don't think he is exactly awesome, I think he is decent enough while we have more pressing matters. As has been said, a better keeper would have meant it was 3-1 last night instead of 4. Midfield is still the higher priority. Didn't he also make a very good save to deny Robinho?

[brian_gallagher85]

I can't say that I have been overly thrilled with Robbo's performances during his time in a Rovers shirt, but he shouldn't be baring the brunt of the criticism when an opposition defender can run from his own box and score with out having to navigate even one attempted tackle along the way.

I actually feel sorry for Paul as he is having to be a one man defence at times this season.

[Kelbo]

Has Meriem and Lingonzi signed yet??

[owenrilla]

Hi all,

can Nicko let us know what is happening about Camel Merium the free agent released by monacoI know he was in talks and had a medical according to the mirror site and was due to sign a short term contract till the end of the season today does anyone know has he joined as yet am excited because he is susposedly a winger with pace and would solve our creativity problems and hell anyone would be better than Morten can't cross for toffee pederson!. I have look all over but no official confirmation yet anywhere

Don't know where you got that description from but if that is what you are expecting from Meriem you will be sorely disappointed. He isn't a winger by any interpretation of the word and doesn't have pace, not that he has lost it, he just never had any.

[mckenny16]

I must admit that it does make me smile when I read on here.

The amount of doom and gloom that is on this board over the last 24 hours would make one think that the world is about to end. So we got hammered, so what?

And the back-biting between board members is laughable. "I'm in a bad mood therefore I will pick apart everyone else's posts". Come on.

And to say that Robbo must go is a joke. I'm not saying he perfect and he's always struggled with long shots, but come on. He was Ince's best signing by a mile and he is a good keeper (I'm trying to avoid the "decent" statement due to the "arguement" about that).

Try taking a step back. We are not, NOT, going to get relegated and Sam needs more time to bring in some more good players. No-one can deny that N'zonzi hasn't done well. Same applied to Chimbonda, and Jacobson when needed. Kalinic is one for the future and Di Santo does a hell of a lot more that Roberts. Sam is taking us in the right direction and I'm sure he knows fully well that the midfield is weak.

And most importantly, for those who have been throwing hissy fits all day: grow up.

[mellison24]

I must admit that it does make me smile when I read on here.

The amount of doom and gloom that is on this board over the last 24 hours would make one think that the world is about to end. So we got hammered, so what?

And the back-biting between board members is laughable. "I'm in a bad mood therefore I will pick apart everyone else's posts". Come on.

And to say that Robbo must go is a joke. I'm not saying he perfect and he's always struggled with long shots, but come on. He was Ince's best signing by a mile and he is a good keeper (I'm trying to avoid the "decent" statement due to the "arguement" about that).

Try taking a step back. We are not, NOT, going to get relegated and Sam needs more time to bring in some more good players. No-one can deny that N'zonzi hasn't done well. Same applied to Chimbonda, and Jacobson when needed. Kalinic is one for the future and Di Santo does a hell of a lot more that Roberts. Sam is taking us in the right direction and I'm sure he knows fully well that the midfield is weak.

And most importantly, for those who have been throwing hissy fits all day: grow up.

DENIED!! He does VERY well!

[bluebruce]

Having seen Leon Bests goal against pompey, sign him up. Scored against us last season so can cut it at prem level.

You might want to do a little more research. Last season, he scored 2 goals in 31 games in the Championship. Disgraceful return for a striker. The year before was 8 in 34. Don't be conned by his 9 in 15 this year. Obviously far below the level we need.

[modes98]

You might want to do a little more research. Last season, he scored 2 goals in 31 games in the Championship. Disgraceful return for a striker. The year before was 8 in 34. Don't be conned by his 9 in 15 this year. Obviously far below the level we need.

Best is not even hot and cold. He has had a colder spell than MGP. I would much rather have just about any striker in the premiership and reserves over him, that includes Tommy Smith and Danny Webber.

[Jeru tha Damaja]

I must admit that it does make me smile when I read on here.

The amount of doom and gloom that is on this board over the last 24 hours would make one think that the world is about to end. So we got hammered, so what?

And the back-biting between board members is laughable. "I'm in a bad mood therefore I will pick apart everyone else's posts". Come on.

And to say that Robbo must go is a joke. I'm not saying he perfect and he's always struggled with long shots, but come on. He was Ince's best signing by a mile and he is a good keeper (I'm trying to avoid the "decent" statement due to the "arguement" about that).

Try taking a step back. We are not, NOT, going to get relegated and Sam needs more time to bring in some more good players. No-one can deny that N'zonzi hasn't done well. Same applied to Chimbonda, and Jacobson when needed. Kalinic is one for the future and Di Santo does a hell of a lot more that Roberts. Sam is taking us in the right direction and I'm sure he knows fully well that the midfield is weak.

And most importantly, for those who have been throwing hissy fits all day: grow up.

Chimbonda is rather suspect defensively and Di Santo has a frustrating habit of not even bothering to challenge for headers but wasting energy by chasing every ball that is passed back to the opposition goalkeeper, despite the fact that if he did miraculously block one it would probably only bounce away for a goal-kick.

I'm not calling for Allardyce to be sacked because I don't think there is a better candidate waiting to rescue us and the squad is clearly a work in progress, but there are some major problems with every area of the team that need to be addressed. Everyone has a different opinion on where to start getting us back on track, but on here people have a tendency to deal in their own version of reality rather than coming to terms with the absolutes that our manager has to cope with.

[Steve Moss]

I must admit that it does make me smile when I read on here.

The amount of doom and gloom that is on this board over the last 24 hours would make one think that the world is about to end. So we got hammered, so what?

I am also surprised. Most were predicting we would lose, so why the shock? We've been a Jekyll and Hyde squad all season. Nothing has changed (though it should). Here's hoping that the balance of January is more Jekyll and less Hyde.

And the fact that ManC's squad outperformed ours, considering the respective investment between the two, should come as no surprise. I reall had hoped for a point but the situation is no different than it was before ManC. The end of January position matters. I trust Sam will get us to where we need to be.

Kalinic is coming along very well. I'm waiting for Sam to give him a real start, with some backup.

Excepting Grella, the midfield is mostly healthy. And it looks like at least two reinforcements are on the way.

On the subject of reinforcements, I hope that Sam casts his eye in Stuart Holden's direction as he is currently just down the road and free. Holden refused to re-sign for the MLS for years, despite his obvious talent, in order to get to the EPL. This is an opportunity which won't come knocking again.

Our defense has prospects in the form of Jones and Olsen. Maybe we should sit a couple of senior players out for a game or three (to "rest" them) and give Olsen and Jones a steady run.

[Ricky]

Its down to the way we lost. City didnt have to get out of second gear and they had 7 or 8 players out.

[Steve Moss]

Its down to the way we lost. City didnt have to get out of second gear and they had 7 or 8 players out.

I agree. And I partially blame Sam for that. He's had time to identify the slackers and purge them from the squad. His constant going back to the 'experienced' but disinterested players is becoming incredibly frustrating. He'll claim it has to do with limited choices, but actions have to have consequences. Don't perform and they should spend time in the reserves, no matter their name or wage rate. After all, the kids can lose just as well but would put up more of a fight, making both you and me happier (if only because the pride remains intact).

And I'm hopeful that the other end of our yo-yo-like performance is upon us, and that the team that thrashed Aston Villa and Chelsea shows up for the balance of January (and, please, the year), and not the team that capitulated to Arsenal, ManU and ManC.

As an American, I can't do a whole lot except watch the games on television, buy the merchandise (which I do), and try to be positive on the board posting. So I'll keep doing that. But Sam needs to sort out his house. He has the ability, brains and experience. He really is the expert. All he has to do is find the will. Put aside his nice guy demeanor (which even his unhappy players acknowledge he is- maybe reinforced with his brush with his own mortality) and cut off a few heads, metaphorically speaking.

And if he likes, he can hand Stuart Holden a trial. He's in the north of England, waiting for a call from Burnley or Bolton. Let's steal a march on our relegation rivals and give him a look.

[bluebruce]

And I'm hopeful that the other end of our yo-yo-like performance is upon us, and that the team that thrashed Aston Villa and Chelsea shows up for the balance of January (and, please, the year), and not the team that capitulated to Arsenal, ManU and ManC.

We didn't 'thrash' Villa or Chelsea.

[Miker]

Its down to the way we lost. City didnt have to get out of second gear and they had 7 or 8 players out.

It wasn't like they were just walking through our defence, they outplayed us with their speed, trickery and strength. We were horrible, but City showed the gap in class between us. They have a team of superstars, we have a team of players assembled at bargain prices.

7 or 8 players out is a bit of a stretch. The team they played is easily good enough to be top of the table if played every week. The fact that they could bring on Santa Cruz and Robinho off the bench is pretty frightening.