[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[ada2020]

Prove transfer fee's are on the way out, Christ your like a broken record......

[Hughesy]

But the whole point is that our model as a club, under Souness, Hughes and Sam, has been to get players on the cheap who have turned into huge assets; either as big club cast offs or little known signings from abroad.

There's no reason why that shouldnt stay as our model, especially as (very) early indications are that Mame Diouf may just be another example of this.

Im not saying dont sign for cheap...id be gutted if we were paying £18m + Ireland for Milner or £25m for Balotelli for example. But my point is this summer...ideally we would have signed a midfielder & 2 strikers...as we have found the really good potential dont come cheap

We've competed in this league against teams who have vastly outspent us, and yet suddenly we'll be needing a £10m player every season? Trust me, an extra £5m per year PLUS the money saved on wages and player sales would be a significant boost to our transfer kitty, and means we would've been able to sign our original targets like Lewandowski, without going nuts and signing players well above their valuation.

Not saying a £10m player every season...just abit of freedom to move in the market....i.e this summer if we had the funds we would have signed Ledwonski (sp), Jelevic & probably a midfielder....there is easily £10m fees + wages.

The money saved on wages? We havent saved anything...

[RibbleValleyRover]

Having extra money to spend each season should mean that there is a greater range of players to choose from. Having a significant increase in the transfer budget doesn't always mean we should spend all of it on a player, prudence has to play a role.

Even with a larger budget we should stick with the model that's been successful for us i.e. looking for players that are cheap, perhaps out of favour and potential for a profit. If we can't find them then having a larger budget gives us the opportunity to look elsewhere/look at slightly more expensive players. If the quality is for there for a cheap purchase then you should always take that option over an expensive one, no matter your finances.

[tomphil]

But the whole point is that our model as a club, under Souness, Hughes and Sam, has been to get players on the cheap who have turned into huge assets; either as big club cast offs or little known signings from abroad.

There's no reason why that shouldnt stay as our model, especially as (very) early indications are that Mame Diouf may just be another example of this.

With the extra money though we should:

a) Try and go for £4-5m targets rather than the £1-2m targets we can afford now

and b ) Look to supplement our side with the occasional established player signing, but even then we should be expanding our scope a lot more than two former Rovers player and an established Premier League player.

I also don't think we should necessarily hang onto our players just because we have more money, selling has often worked well for us in the past.

For example as good as Phil Jones a player could well be, if he gets to be a big Premier League star and we get offered around £20m for him (like other top young defenders have been), the £20m could still be of more use to us.

[Hughesy]

Taken from the LT article for anyone who hasnt seen it....

• The groups aim is to 'make Blackburn Rovers a title contender once again'
  
• Syed's PERSONAL wealth is estimated at £7bn
  
• Cash for transfers will be SUBSTANTIAL
  
• Jean-Claude Darmon signed a consultancy agreement with WGA last week
  
• Syed & his team will be at Ewood TOMORROW to sign the 4 week agreement
  
• Mr Syed's family is decribed as one of the most prominent business families in Hyderbad of the last 150 years
  
• He is the sole Heir to the familys wealth
  
• The Family Business is said to have its origins in the East India Company, which was set up in 1600 to handle all of Englands trade with India
  

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Its without doubt that this guy is the real deal and has some serious financial clout,I really do hope the powers that be make an impression tomorrow at Ewood...would have them cleaning the stadium right now in fact!

[Amo]

Not saying a £10m player every season...just abit of freedom to move in the market....i.e this summer if we had the funds we would have signed Ledwonski (sp), Jelevic & probably a midfielder....there is easily £10m fees + wages.

The money saved on wages? We havent saved anything...

I wasn't talking to you about the £10m, that was another poster. If we're taken over, it's important we don't stray too far away from our current model. We should still be looking at your Nelsens, Sambas, Bentleys, Nzonzizs, etc. It's very easy for a manager to start overlooking bargains like that when he has £20-30m at his disposal.

As for the wages, refer to my first post. I'm talking about rescaling the wage bill, because right now it's far too high at 91% wage to turnover ratio. Think of the millions we'd save without players like Zurab, Grella, Roberts, Andrews earning far above their worth. Hopefully, with some serious backing behind us, it'll be an end to bending over backwards to keep players like Pedersen at the club because "we can't afford any better."

[Tom]

To say we should sign a £10 million man a season is just daft.

Once you go down that road you end up with over priced average players a lot of the time.

As someone said stick to the current model but put a bit extra in to allow us to go for the Lewodanskis and Dzekos (when we were looking)

[Gumbi]

If it does go through, I wonder what the chances are of having an Indian based sponsor once the Crown deal ends?

[Bobby G]

I wasn't talking to you about the £10m, that was another poster. If we're taken over, it's important we don't stray too far away from our current model. We should still be looking at your Nelsens, Sambas, Bentleys, Nzonzizs, etc. It's very easy for a manager to start overlooking bargains like that when he has £20-30m at his disposal.

As for the wages, refer to my first post. I'm talking about rescaling the wage bill, because right now it's far too high at 91% wage to turnover ratio. Think of the millions we'd save without players like Zurab, Grella, Roberts, Andrews earning far above their worth. Hopefully, with some serious backing behind us, it'll be an end to bending over backwards to keep players like Pedersen at the club because "we can't afford any better."

If we want to sign quality they will cost wages. Yes we can replace 3-4 of those players, but to replace them with 1 or 2 quality players would give us the same wages again if we are looking to shift up a level. Our wages to turnover ratio will be similar unless we increase turn-over, cause you can as much as bank on it that reducing the wage bill will mean the club taking a step back.

[RevidgeBlue]

Dreaming mode on:

IF it goes through and IF Mr. Syed does have plenty of liquid funds at his disposal I wonder if he would consider one real mega marquis signing just as a signal of intent and to try and get the Ewood Park revolution mark 2 up and running?

Remember when Uncle Jack went in for Lineker?

It would be hellishly funny for example if Mr. Syed completed our takeover then approached the Royal Bank of Scotland and obtained an indication as to what they would be prepared to sell Torres for for an all the money up front deal.

The term "whinging Scouser" would take on a whole new perspective.

[Mattyblue]

Over the last few years, I have had a constant fear that the club was rowing against the tide and the inevitable would happen.

The Ince debacle showed just how fine the margins are, financial oblivion was not too far away.

Just to be able to strengthen the squad every year, to keep hold of our best players and continue to invest in the academy would be such a boost.

Christ, let's hope it's the real deal.

[1864roverite]

I think its time for the reality pills to be dished out to a lot of people.

Investment in Blackburn Rovers is required, it is a fact and it appears to be happening. The off field issues are relatively simple. We(BRFC) own our own ground, we have our OWN training facility and we have a very well run academy which at this present time appears to be showing a remarkable turnaround in fortune compared to the past 5 years or so.

Lets take a look at matters On the pitch. How does a club like Rovers progress ? Well, for me and it is only my opinion, Rovers under Sam Allardyce and his team, supported by John Williams and the board, have made significant strides in 2 years. Under Hughes and his team Rovers enjoyed tremendous success, we enjoyed success under Souness. However, when Ince came along we flirted dangerously close to oblivion.

Now we have seen what some might say is a fantastic recovery and we have a team that the big 4 are frightened to death of (once more), we have a team that the middle of the road clubs envy and we have a team that the ne'er do too wells would love to be like. This is down to the management of the club from top top bottom.

We are short of money and wse have seen our "stars" sold to balance the books - Bentley, RSC and Warnock. We are now no longer required to sell our best playing staff and we see how the youth system is reaping rewards. Alot of supporters thought Samba would go, he hasnt and he has committed himself, the same for MGP. So, the evidence is there that the club is being run in the best manner. You can now see the deadwood being prepared for leaving which will streamline the club even more. Its all part of the management plans.

On the pitch, Rovers have no need whatsoever to go and buy 3 or 4 players for £20m. That is not required with this current squad. We have a base from which to work from and which doesnt require wholesale changes. Look at how Everton have done over the past 4 years. They have invested, waited, tinkered and now have a quality squad, but take note, our own club, very much run similarly, out witted them and out battled them on Saturday. Top go and suddenly put 4 players into the squad would upset the current balance of the team, it needs to be done slowly but surely.

The current team needs a central midfielder and a main centre forward as permanent signings and maybe a loan option for up front.

our defence is finally showing signs of being comforatable, Givet, Jones, Samba, Nelsen and Hanley is a decent set of players and can only improve, added to Chimbonda, salgado and olsson and we see the quality there is. That set of players is a versatile lot who can all play in different positions.

Once the central midfield slot is sorted, the middle of the park is sorted for now. Undoubtedly, this is an area which over the next two years will need to be improved upon. Dunny cannot perform week in week out. NZonzi will be quality, MGP is steady and supported by the likes of MGP, Emerton and Diouf we have the making of a strong central set o options. if we added a NRC or a Sidwell, then how good would that midfield become ? For me that would be a huge improvement and outside of the top 5 its a set up many clubs would want themselves.

Up front, I have no doubts about Kalinic becoming a good goalscorer BUT we need another class striker, someone who does nothing but score. Its going to be a costly outlay but why not go for a young up coming striker who, if he makes good, will go for huge money. Why not splash out on a Bellamy type player ?

So, for me, thats the way forward for Rovers. I would be ecstatic with another top 10 finish and maybe another good cup run this season, I would be over the moon if we could replace brum in the top 10. It then makes it far easier for next season to go that little bit further.

The potential new owner of our club is not going to come and and demand a top 4 finish straight away, there wont be pressure to finish in the top 7. If you read the comments attributed to the company then you will know its a project long term. Its not a Man City we want we get failure type sort of project otherwise he wouldnt have made his money the way he has. So folks, prepare for a ride that might take a season to start going because, as we found out when a certain Mr Walker came into the club, once that ride began it was a fantastic journey that we are still enjoying today. That ride appears to becoming to an end but with the potential investment looming, it may well be the rollercoaster that is BRFC may well be picking up momentum and who knows where it will take us.

[Amo]

If we want to sign quality they will cost wages. Yes we can replace 3-4 of those players, but to replace them with 1 or 2 quality players would give us the same wages again if we are looking to shift up a level. Our wages to turnover ratio will be similar unless we increase turn-over, cause you can as much as bank on it that reducing the wage bill will mean the club taking a step back.

Pedersen, 29 this year, will cost us over £8m for four years. Now, consider if we had enough in the kitty to take a chance on a younger midfielder for less money and less wages? Throw in resale value as well, and we'd be stupid not to do that.

[BuckyRover]

As someone said earlier, we need to go for the Lewandowski, Dzeko (when cheap) type players.

Let the mugs pay the big money.

[PAFELL]

Taken from the LT article for anyone who hasnt seen it....

• The groups aim is to 'make Blackburn Rovers a title contender once again'
  
• Syed's PERSONAL wealth is estimated at £7bn
  
• Cash for transfers will be SUBSTANTIAL
  
• Jean-Claude Darmon signed a consultancy agreement with WGA last week
  
• Syed & his team will be at Ewood TOMORROW to sign the 4 week agreement
  
• Mr Syed's family is decribed as one of the most prominent business families in Hyderbad of the last 150 years
  
• He is the sole Heir to the familys wealth
  
• The Family Business is said to have its origins in the East India Company, which was set up in 1600 to handle all of Englands trade with India
  

Jack Walker provided for Rovers after his death, via the trust. would this same bloke do the same. If not, then what? therefore not wise for Rovers to go out and splash the cash. Steady spending and prudent spending would still have to be the way.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Pedersen, 29 this year, will cost us over £8m for four years. Now, consider if we had enough in the kitty to take a chance on a younger midfielder for less money and less wages? Throw in resale value as well, and we'd be stupid not to do that.

Gamst is very versatile, works very hard and, as shown yesterday can provide for all those around him. He is not the player who needs replacing.

[Kelbo]

I think its time for the reality pills to be dished out to a lot of people.

Investment in Blackburn Rovers is required, it is a fact and it appears to be happening. The off field issues are relatively simple. We(BRFC) own our own ground, we have our OWN training facility and we have a very well run academy which at this present time appears to be showing a remarkable turnaround in fortune compared to the past 5 years or so.

Lets take a look at matters On the pitch. How does a club like Rovers progress ? Well, for me and it is only my opinion, Rovers under Sam Allardyce and his team, supported by John Williams and the board, have made significant strides in 2 years. Under Hughes and his team Rovers enjoyed tremendous success, we enjoyed success under Souness. However, when Ince came along we flirted dangerously close to oblivion.

Now we have seen what some might say is a fantastic recovery and we have a team that the big 4 are frightened to death of (once more), we have a team that the middle of the road clubs envy and we have a team that the ne'er do too wells would love to be like. This is down to the management of the club from top top bottom.

We are short of money and wse have seen our "stars" sold to balance the books - Bentley, RSC and Warnock. We are now no longer required to sell our best playing staff and we see how the youth system is reaping rewards. Alot of supporters thought Samba would go, he hasnt and he has committed himself, the same for MGP. So, the evidence is there that the club is being run in the best manner. You can now see the deadwood being prepared for leaving which will streamline the club even more. Its all part of the management plans.

On the pitch, Rovers have no need whatsoever to go and buy 3 or 4 players for £20m. That is not required with this current squad. We have a base from which to work from and which doesnt require wholesale changes. Look at how Everton have done over the past 4 years. They have invested, waited, tinkered and now have a quality squad, but take note, our own club, very much run similarly, out witted them and out battled them on Saturday. Top go and suddenly put 4 players into the squad would upset the current balance of the team, it needs to be done slowly but surely.

The current team needs a central midfielder and a main centre forward as permanent signings and maybe a loan option for up front.

our defence is finally showing signs of being comforatable, Givet, Jones, Samba, Nelsen and Hanley is a decent set of players and can only improve, added to Chimbonda, salgado and olsson and we see the quality there is. That set of players is a versatile lot who can all play in different positions.

Once the central midfield slot is sorted, the middle of the park is sorted for now. Undoubtedly, this is an area which over the next two years will need to be improved upon. Dunny cannot perform week in week out. NZonzi will be quality, MGP is steady and supported by the likes of MGP, Emerton and Diouf we have the making of a strong central set o options. if we added a NRC or a Sidwell, then how good would that midfield become ? For me that would be a huge improvement and outside of the top 5 its a set up many clubs would want themselves.

Up front, I have no doubts about Kalinic becoming a good goalscorer BUT we need another class striker, someone who does nothing but score. Its going to be a costly outlay but why not go for a young up coming striker who, if he makes good, will go for huge money. Why not splash out on a Bellamy type player ?

So, for me, thats the way forward for Rovers. I would be ecstatic with another top 10 finish and maybe another good cup run this season, I would be over the moon if we could replace brum in the top 10. It then makes it far easier for next season to go that little bit further.

The potential new owner of our club is not going to come and and demand a top 4 finish straight away, there wont be pressure to finish in the top 7. If you read the comments attributed to the company then you will know its a project long term. Its not a Man City we want we get failure type sort of project otherwise he wouldnt have made his money the way he has. So folks, prepare for a ride that might take a season to start going because, as we found out when a certain Mr Walker came into the club, once that ride began it was a fantastic journey that we are still enjoying today. That ride appears to becoming to an end but with the potential investment looming, it may well be the rollercoaster that is BRFC may well be picking up momentum and who knows where it will take us.

What a top, sensible post this is, well thought out and one which if observed by prospective new owners will lead to a degree of success, I read with interest that the owners are happy with both Sam and JW and so we retain continuity and the family club atmosphere all the players refer to.

1864, thanks for the post, arte et labore

[MarkBRFC71]

Gamst is very versatile, works very hard and, as shown yesterday can provide for all those around him. He is not the player who needs replacing.

Of course, given your username you wouldn't be biased at all.

Which is it, man-love, or are you actually MGP?

I'd say the only midfielders that DON'T need replacing are N'Zonzi and Dunny when fit - the rest are way below what's required to mount a challenge for the Europa League which should be what we're aiming for. Without Dunny we are totally bereft of creativity and unpredictability.

[Amo]

Gamst is very versatile, works very hard and, as shown yesterday can provide for all those around him. He is not the player who needs replacing.

Given the chance, he IS someone that needs replacing because there's no way he's worth £40-50k p/week. Of course, don't let that disturb you and your rather quaint username.

[thenodrog]

Given the chance, he IS someone that needs replacing because there's no way he's worth £40-50k p/week. Of course, don't let that disturb you and your rather quaint username.

Depends how you look at it. MGP touch wood seems very resilient and so his cost to us is 40k per match, on the other hand lets suppose for arguments sake that Dunny's on 40k pw too.... if he plays one in three as is likely then it's 120k per game! Now apply the same principle to Grella and he'll prob be on more per appearence than Kolo Tourre!

[MarkBRFC71]

Depends how you look at it. MGP touch wood seems very resilient and so his cost to us is 40k per match, on the other hand lets suppose for arguments sake that Dunny's on 40k pw too.... if he plays one in three as is likely then it's 120k per game! Now apply the same principle to Grella and he'll prob be on more per appearence than Kolo Tourre!

MGP has a future as a squad member as he is versatile and injury-free, however after the takeover and January's transfer window I would be disappointed if he gets further than the bench. 3 midfielders, a good striker and left-back should be top priority ....

[Amo]

Depends how you look at it. MGP touch wood seems very resilient and so his cost to us is 40k per match, on the other hand lets suppose for arguments sake that Dunny's on 40k pw too.... if he plays one in three as is likely then it's 120k per game! Now apply the same principle to Grella and he'll prob be on more per appearence than Kolo Tourre!

Come on, Gordon, if you compare him to the two biggest crocks at the club he's bound to look like value for money!

[thenodrog]

MGP has a future as a squad member as he is versatile and injury-free, however after the takeover and January's transfer window I would be disappointed if he gets further than the bench. 3 midfielders, a good striker and left-back should be top priority ....

Thats a likely cost of 60m over and above the current squad cost over the next 3 years. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you mark.

[BuckyRover]

MGP is not going to get replaced anytime soon. A valued and loyal member of the team.