[Archived] Potential Summer Transfers (2010)

[Hughesy]

4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 - it doesnt matter which, if we want our strikers to score goals then we need to create more for them & support them more when attacking.

When Roberts was on the pitch on saturday, the game became much easier for Niko as he had someone to aim for....hence the goal he set-up.

[unluckymorton]

I think it is unlikely Sam will go to 4-4-2 bext season, he already said that 442 is outdated and that most teams no longer use it. The most valueable players now are the ones who can link midfield to attack, which is what we need, I'm thinking Tevez or Rooney on a budget!!

It is highly unlikely we will go 4-4-2 next season because we are not good enough to go 4-4-2. Not many teams play 4-4-2 in the top flight, Man Utd went out against Man City at weekend as a 4-5-1 formation and have done for most of the season. What I think you will see next season is more attacking football providing Sam makes the signings he wants to make. You will see many different formations at Ewood but some will always be wearing blinkers and seeing 4-5-1 because there may be only one out and out striker in the starting eleven.

[CrazyIvan]

4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 - it doesnt matter which, if we want our strikers to score goals then we need to create more for them & support them more when attacking.

When Roberts was on the pitch on saturday, the game became much easier for Niko as he had someone to aim for....hence the goal he set-up.

And Niko was playing in the withdrawn position which is why he was in position to flick on the pass to Roberts to hammer one in. Play him in that role regularly (with a decent midfield that is) and we will see results.

[Exiled_Rover]

And Niko was playing in the withdrawn position which is why he was in position to flick on the pass to Roberts to hammer one in. Play him in that role regularly (with a decent midfield that is) and we will see results.

Erm, he was playing upfront, just Roberts was slightly higher upfield. That's how striking partnerships generally operate.

[den]

What chances exactly do they want? There have been, over the last few matches, plenty of crosses that no one has got on the end of (for whatever reason) and plenty of scuffles in the box, in which a toe poke on the ball could have sent it in the net.

Absolutely mum.

It's a myth that we don't make chances. We don't have anyone up front that remotely looks like scoring.

[Exiled_Rover]

What chances exactly do they want? There have been, over the last few matches, plenty of crosses that no one has got on the end of (for whatever reason) and plenty of scuffles in the box, in which a toe poke on the ball could have sent it in the net.

I blame Souey, it's his fault Lady Luck doesn't like us ...

It's tough for Niko to get on the end of said crosses when he's generally the one that's held up the ball and laid it off to the crosser. If he is in the box he's generally up against two centre halves.

As for the goal line scuffles - I don't consider lumping it into the box and hoping to pounce on a lucky rebound a chance. Any donkey can create those.

[RoyRover]

I think it is unlikely Sam will go to 4-4-2 bext season, he already said that 442 is outdated and that most teams no longer use it. The most valueable players now are the ones who can link midfield to attack, which is what we need, I'm thinking Tevez or Rooney on a budget!!

Sam is totally wrong when he says that teams no longer play 4-4-2. Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea don't play it, because they have good enough players that can a 4-3-3 formation that means that they have 3 attackers, not two, with the other players from midfield being able to support it. We play a flat out 4-5-1, where Kalinic is left up my himself to run after long aimless balls and where our midfielders just aren't good enough to know how to support him effectively. Tottenham, Man City, Fulham, Everton, Fulham, Aston Villa all play 4-4-2 more or less, as do the likes of Portsmouth and Wigan. I really think this the formation that would suit us best, would get us more results and be more pleasant to watch.

[den]

We play a flat out 4-5-1, where Kalinic is left up my himself to run after long aimless balls and where our midfielders just aren't good enough to know how to support him effectively.

So wouldn't going down to 4 midfielders weaken us even further? After all, that's where games are usually won and lost.

[budha]

Sam is totally wrong when he says that teams no longer play 4-4-2. Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea don't play it, because they have good enough players that can a 4-3-3 formation that means that they have 3 attackers, not two, with the other players from midfield being able to support it. We play a flat out 4-5-1, where Kalinic is left up my himself to run after long aimless balls and where our midfielders just aren't good enough to know how to support him effectively. Tottenham, Man City, Fulham, Everton, Fulham, Aston Villa all play 4-4-2 more or less, as do the likes of Portsmouth and Wigan. I really think this the formation that would suit us best, would get us more results and be more pleasant to watch.

Wigan and Everton certainly don't play 4-4-2.

[RoyRover]

As for the goal line scuffles - I don't consider lumping it into the box and hoping to pounce on a lucky rebound a chance. Any donkey can create those.

Exactly my thoughts. It such low percentage football. We lump the ball up the pitch in the general direction of Kalinic, let him run after it and try and put the defenders under pressure. From that we may win a throw in, which Pedersen will hurl into the box, and hope that Samba flicks on and maybe falls to one of our players, who then in a goal mouth melee is able to scramble into the goal. If that doesn't work, then hopefully a corner will come from it and which Pedersen will take again, with the same thought in mind from the throw in. Otherwise we look to win free kicks anywhere on the field, which can dropped into the box, again with the hope of a scramble and one of our players getting to it. Needless to say we have had very little success in terms of goals with this approach. We have scored from this game plan, but when that's all that we do, it's going to work out once or twice out of 30. Sam says that we haven't had the goal scorer to convert the chances we make. If we actually tried a different tactic of creating chances, other than when the oppositions box is full of defenders, we may be more successful. I'm not denying that we've missed some sitters when we've created the chances from open play, but surely it's a positive that we've made that clear cut chance in the first place?

[RoyRover]

So wouldn't going down to 4 midfielders weaken us even further? After all, that's where games are usually won and lost.

Wigan and Everton certainly don't play 4-4-2.

I wasn't saying that we are weak. If we had a two strikers up front, then there would be less onus on the midfield to support them, which they aren't good at anyway. We could actually keep the ball for longer in the oppositions final third, and allow us to build something. Most of the time, when the ball his humped forward, the isolated striker is unable to win it, the defenders do and they are in possession again and we are under pressure again. Fortunately we have a good defensive set up to deal with this. We have a very good goalkeeper and back four, we should be then looking to have an overly defensive midfield, if we are strong in these areas.

Wigan were playing it yesterday when I saw them. Tim Cahill plays right off Saha, and is constantly in support of him, unlike our midfielders. That's way I said 'more or less' in my post.

[LeChuck]

Wigan were playing it yesterday when I saw them.

Wigan are definitely 4-5-1, I'm not sure what game you were watching? Moreno has taken over from Scotland as the lone striker. Rodallega plays from the left and N'Zogbia from the right. Wigan fans have been complaining about the 4-5-1 system, like we have.

[budha]

Wigan were playing it yesterday when I saw them. Tim Cahill plays right off Saha, and is constantly in support of him, unlike our midfielders. That's way I said 'more or less' in my post.

From my TV is looked like Diame, McCarthy and Watson were the three midfielders, Rodallega on the left, N'Zogbia on the right and Moreno in the center. When Moses came on, he went to left and Rodallega to center. Not that it matters.

[roversmum]

It may not be 'creative' in the true sense of the word but if they aren't trying to score a goal why are they in the box in the first place? I love creative goals/play as much as anyone but if you need a goal to win a match I couldn't care less how it gets into the net

[gumboots]

It may not be 'creative' in the true sense of the word but if they aren't trying to score a goal why are they in the box in the first place? I love creative goals/play as much as anyone but if you need a goal to win a match I couldn't care less how it gets into the net

Me neither. If you got points for artistic impression, fair enough but a tapin from a flick on from a dodgy free kick counts exactly the same as a beautifully crafted flowing move and I jump to my feet if and when we score either kind and all types in between.

[RoyRover]

Wigan are definitely 4-5-1, I'm not sure what game you were watching? Moreno has taken over from Scotland as the lone striker. Rodallega plays from the left and N'Zogbia from the right. Wigan fans have been complaining about the 4-5-1 system, like we have.

The last 10 minutes of the Arsenal game, when they had two up front. Apologises, didn't realise that they were 4-5-1 team like ourselves.

[CrazyIvan]

Erm, he was playing upfront, just Roberts was slightly higher upfield. That's how striking partnerships generally operate.

You mean 4-4-1-1 which is what I was saying... Slightly withdrawn role...

[LeChuck]

To be fair, it is a different kind of 4-5-1, you only have to look at the goals/assists from the wide players (Rodallega and N'Zogbia) to see this.

If we had those two as our wide players I don't think we'd have a problem at all having Kalinic up there on his own. Our problems, in my opinion, are mainly because whoever we play out wide won't contribute goals, assists or just general support very well.

Wide men really are the key to making the formation work, and ours are useless. I actually think Dindane would be a massive improvement on what we have in that area.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Any news on the following Nicko:

Dindane in advanced talks with Panathanikos and Blackburn?

Dharmesh Sheth is reporting that Dindane is free to play for Portsmouth for rest of the season and FA Cup final and also linked him with Rovers.

[rovers1995]

Any truth in the rumour that we are after Andy Carroll of Newcastle Nicko?

Sorry if this has been mentioned before

[LeChuck]

Are Dindane and Lewandowski separate targets, or is one or the other? After seeing Dindane playing wide right for Pompey in the FA Cup, I can see why he'd like him on our wing.

Given Kalinic's (slightly) withdrawn role later on against Everton, I wonder if Sam could be looking at...

......... N'Zonzi . Grella

Dindane ... Kalinic .. Olsson

........... Lewandowski

That would be a pretty exciting midfield/attack!

[AJW]

whats more important is that players are playing in a position thats comfortable to them , chelsea were superb playing 1 up front under mourinho because they had the players that suited that formation ,like drogba, who has everything you need to be a lone strike , pace , power , the ability to either hold the ball up or (in most cases) win a free-kick and still get 20+ goals a season

[Mr. E]

Seems like we're being linked with a lot of strikers, but I hope we're not just searching for a name to fill a position, but will research and hold many talks with someone specific we have in mind. There must be a lot of work done to ensure we can get the right player.

[nicko]

Any truth in the rumour that we are after Andy Carroll of Newcastle Nicko?

Sorry if this has been mentioned before

I don't think that is likely.

But the manager and the Newcastle player have the same agent...

Any news on the following Nicko:

Dindane in advanced talks with Panathanikos and Blackburn?

Dharmesh Sheth is reporting that Dindane is free to play for Portsmouth for rest of the season and FA Cup final and also linked him with Rovers.

Dindane has been cleared to play for Portsmouth by Lens...which tells me they hope to attract a higher bid...

Maybe best for all parties. Pompey get the player, Dindane gets a game, Rovers can consider whether he is worth it...and there could be a rival bidder.

I don't see Panathinaikos outbidding Rovers, as it happens.

[tony gale's mic]

I really, really hope we don't get Dindane.