[Archived] Potential Summer Transfers (2010)

[47er]

One player I would love to see in our side is Tom Huddlestone. Fantastic passer of the ball who would get the best out of Olsson and Hoilett. We don't have many (any?) midfielders who can spot a pass.

Dunn?

[Amo]

Dunn?

He's a second-striker these days!

[RibbleValleyRover]

It says in the NOTW (not the best source I know) that Newcastle are after O'Hara and they think they can get him on the cheap (NOTW says as little as £3 million). He was on the ITV coverage of the Pompey Spurs game and was pretty vocal in support of Pompey (which could have irritated the hierarchy at Spurs). He has mentioned several times that he wants to move on from Spurs and is set for showdown talks in the summer.

I hope if he is available and for the price quoted that we take a look, he would be perfect for us. Nicko have you heard anything about his future at Spurs? I know Spurs have a history of asking a lot for their players but could he be available on the cheap?

[nicko]

Nicko have you heard anything about his future at Spurs? I know Spurs have a history of asking a lot for their players but could he be available on the cheap?

Spurs always ask for too much money...it's a rule.

I think the fee is in the £5 million range.

Somebody may pay it.

All the best with that one...

[Iceman]

Any more on Dindane Nicko? Are we moving on, or still after him?

[1864roverite]

I take it this isn't just based on the fact you saw him score a goal on tv tonight?

Or the fact he missed 3 one on ones with only the keeper to beat (Robertsesque)

[beerwins]

I know Sam wants a goalscoring forward but I cant help but feel without that quality in midfield to hold the ball and spot a pass I cant see any striker coming in and scoring a hatfull.

I still feel that the centre mid area is more important than any striker as is the player who links up play with the forward and midfield line, I think Kalinic would have scored a lot more if he hadnt been asked to play so deep on his own.

We look strong now at the back becasue we are playing so defensive I would like to see Sam throw a bit of caution to the wind against Everton to see how good we are attacking wise and then maybe we could make judgement about who needs to come and go.

[den]

I know Sam wants a goalscoring forward but I cant help but feel without that quality in midfield to hold the ball and spot a pass I cant see any striker coming in and scoring a hatfull.

Strikers make football teams IMO. No team is successful without a quality striker as we saw from Man Utd on Sunday.

United still have some great, creative midfielders, but without Rooney they were toothless. I can't go along with this idea that strikers must have the chances laid on for them or they wont score goals - because good strikers create things for themselves. I wouldn't like to go through another season watching Roberts, Di Santo and Kalanic again - even with a creative midfielder behind them. Not much would change there methinks. We still wouldn't score goals.

[beerwins]

Strikers make football teams IMO. No team is successful without a quality striker as we saw from Man Utd on Sunday.

United still have some great, creative midfielders, but without Rooney they were toothless. I can't go along with this idea that strikers must have the chances laid on for them or they wont score goals - because good strikers create things for themselves. I wouldn't like to go through another season watching Roberts, Di Santo and Kalanic again - even with a creative midfielder behind them. Not much would change there methinks. We still wouldn't score goals.

I see where your coming from but Berbatov had chances and failed we dont create enough chances for Kalinic to finish, the way we play enables wingers to attack more and goals can come from any positions from set pieces.

The lone striker is being used to hold up the ball and in most cases he is holding up play for others to arrive, from the chances Kalinic gets or the posistions he starts off in I dont know any striker who could make goals from those situations.

The only strikers we should be looking at if this is the formation we are going to stick with have to be real target men, if Sam has money and is able to twist an arm or two he could do no better than Cardozo from Benfica, great target man and very good at set pieces and striking the ball.

[Veevs]

Really suprised at people running on about a midfielder with the strike force we have.. most of them are the same people saying we should play 442.. Roberts less than 1 in 5, Rigters err right, Kalinic (a kid who will come good), Di Santo leaving.. and as for Hoilett, Spit, Dunn.. not strikers.

[Bobby G]

I think we need some proper creativity in midfield which will allow us to create openings for Kalinic or whoever is up front, as well as close the gap between midfield and attack.

Right now our midfielders are more defensively minded than otherwise, or at least they are set out to play that way.

We need a partner for Nzonzi in central midfielder and a good winger I would argue to replace Pedersen.

[67splitscreen]

I think we need some proper creativity in midfield which will allow us to create openings for Kalinic or whoever is up front, as well as close the gap between midfield and attack.

Right now our midfielders are more defensively minded than otherwise, or at least they are set out to play that way.

We need a partner for Nzonzi in central midfielder and a good winger I would argue to replace Pedersen.

Pretty much agree, Olsson surely for MGP, why spend money on the left side.

O'hara for the creativity also has a great engine, gets into wide positions, can cross a ball is good from set plays and can tackle.

[Hughesy]

We need a player in the mould of a fully fit, pre-injury - Steven Reid.

O'Hara has impressed this season & could be the answer - but for us he is probably too expensive.

[RoyRover]

I can't go along with this idea that strikers must have the chances laid on for them or they wont score goals - because good strikers create things for themselves. I wouldn't like to go through another season watching Roberts, Di Santo and Kalanic again - even with a creative midfielder behind them. Not much would change there methinks. We still wouldn't score goals.

The only strikers we should be looking at if this is the formation we are going to stick with have to be real target men, if Sam has money and is able to twist an arm or two he could do no better than Cardozo from Benfica, great target man and very good at set pieces and striking the ball.

I agree that the good strikers make chances for themselves, but the ones who do that on a regular basis are the likes of Rooney, Torres, Villa, Van Persie, Higuain and Dzeko. These are the elite and it's the very reason that they can make something out of nothing that makes them so good. But even then, they still have quality players around them to put the balls in the right positions for them to be so devastating. Most of the strikers that we and nearly every other team looks at, need decent service from the midfield. We desperately need to get rid of the some players, which may generate a bit of cash and use that along with the other money that the board has put aside (McCarthy transfer money, money from league finish) on transfers. The type of striker we could afford, will probably be unable to create is own chances regularly, meaning that we look to strengthen the midfield too. If we were able to splash out on a good striker, maybe bring in a Bosman like Marko Pantellic and a good creative midfielder, we would really benefit next season. And as much as I would like us to sign Oscar Cardozo, I'm sure Benfica would be asking £15-20 million for that guy.

[den]

I agree that the good strikers make chances for themselves, but the ones who do that on a regular basis are the likes of Rooney, Torres, Villa, Van Persie, Higuain and Dzeko.

Nah, don't agree that we can't afford anyone who does nothing but put away chances made by others. We've had loads of good strikers in the past, in all divisions who had the ability to create things for themselves.

The last one we sold had that ability and only cost £2.5m

[RoyRover]

Nah, don't agree that we can't afford anyone who does nothing but put away chances made by others. We've had loads of good strikers in the past, in all divisions who had the ability to create things for themselves.

The last one we sold had that ability and only cost £2.5m

I'm not saying that don't create their own chances, just that they don't it regularly enough to be reliable source of goals.

[Hughesy]

Im with Den on the striker debate - top strikers usually only need 1 chance to score..the likes of Roberts, Di Santo & even Kalinic have missed plenty of chances this season - a player with the finishing ability of Benni McCarthy would of put them away.

The problem is finding one player that can do that for the likes of £2.5m in todays market.

[unluckymorton]

Im with Den on the striker debate - top strikers usually only need 1 chance to score..the likes of Roberts, Di Santo & even Kalinic have missed plenty of chances this season - a player with the finishing ability of Benni McCarthy would of put them away.

The problem is finding one player that can do that for the likes of £2.5m in todays market.

That may well be the case but there looks to be a lot more solidarity in the squad now that Big Mac is no longer part of it.

[Hughesy]

That may well be the case but there looks to be a lot more solidarity in the squad now that Big Mac is no longer part of it.

No im not saying we need him back...im saying someone of his finishing ability

[beerwins]

No im not saying we need him back...im saying someone of his finishing ability

So was Kalinic 6 mill wasted then? Providing we are still going to play one up front I dont see where a goalscoring striker fits in, does Kalinic slide down the pecking order?

On many occasions I have seen Nzonzi in plenty of space with plenty of time and every time the ball is laid out square for a simple pass, we need somebody who could drive the ball forward, hold the ball up or pick out that killer pass, we need more experience in this area of the park.

I cant help but feel that a quality midfielder will only help to get Kalinic more goals and I certainly think the lad has goals in him, if we were looking for a plan b striker with a bit more impact off the bench then Dindane at 2 mill would seem a sensible buy.

Whatever striker you buy never guarantees goals but he certainly needs the chances first.

[MeanGreenMachine]

So was Kalinic 6 mill wasted then?

In short yes, im still struggling to see this fantastic potential many see. A young berbatov with far less skill spring to my mind.

If O'Hara is up for around 5million i would bust some balls to sign him, we have been waiting far too long for a proper centre mid. We thought we had it with Reid but injuries dictated otherwise. He would be a fantastic signing.

[den]

I cant help but feel that a quality midfielder will only help to get Kalinic more goals and I certainly think the lad has goals in him,

Wrong thread I know, but genuine question, what do you base that on, - just a hunch?

[OJRovers]

How much extra from televised games have Rovers made this year?

I think we went over our mandatory quota of live games a while ago because I seem to remember JW saying that we would get an extra £500k for a game which was televised a few months ago??? Does this mean we've had £1m+ bonus from the Burnley/Man U/Arsenal games being televised?

Will this see the light of day or window-dress the balance sheet for a potential sale?

[beerwins]

Wrong thread I know, but genuine question, what do you base that on, - just a hunch?

The main reason I think the lad will score goals is his movement and positions in the area, I rate him as a bit of a poacher like Van Nistleroy but unfortunately the role we get to see him in isnt his forte.

[67splitscreen]

We need a player in the mould of a fully fit, pre-injury - Steven Reid.

O'Hara has impressed this season & could be the answer - but for us he is probably too expensive.

I would hate us not to try for O'Hara, we are all aware of what has been said in the media recently, in an ideal world he goes back and plays but Harry has, Krancjar, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Jenas, Bentley and even Rose.

Spuds tend to play a 4 in MF, can't see him being guaranteed a starting role, which is what he wants, I think he has 2 years to run on his contract.

Any guesses what he would go for.