[Archived] Summer Transfer Topic

[BRFC1995]

Sorry, but you don't know what he'll be on and for 2.5 million we can't afford to be fussy. Heskey should be able to hold the ball up well for our other attacking players to get forward. I'm not blown away by this potential signing, but quite frankly we couldn't hope for much more.

I just hope our owners get their ###### together and get this takeover completed. Whatever happens the fact is right now Blackburn Rovers need Sam Allardyce a damn sight more than Sam needs rovers.

you honestly think he's on less than 50 at villa and would take a pay cut.

don't need to see his accounts but an england international for 10 years needs a woeful agent to be on less, i thought i was guessing on the low side to be honest. There are strikers i consider a bag of ###### like nugent that i would hate to see here but rate more than that lazy dope.

The problem is entirely with the manager and the scouts if scouring the globe results in nothing better than a player that would make us a laughing stock.

im sure betfair will have a market on how many he'd score...........id hazard less than 5 confidently. I can hear the commentry "Pedersen tries to cross but only heskey to aim at" as the every person in the crowd groans

[sparkspakespoke]

I'll politely disagree. Dunn willmost likely miss half the season with niggly little injuries, whilst the other midfielders just don't score any goals. Heskey cannot find a player when he heads the ball, as shown by the recent world cup, and he is as bad as Roberts with goal scoring opportunities.

He may be as bad as Robets when it comes to goal scoring but the rest of his game is a hell of a lot better, thats everyone loves toplay along side him, he hels others score. You're right, it does depend a lot on Dunn staying fit and also kalinic pushing on and turning potential into actual goals. Its a risk but who ever we get for 2.5 million is going to be a risk and I think Heskey is a Sam player.

[RibbleValleyRover]

The big question here is Sam going to play with 2 strikers.

If he is then Kalinic + Heskey could work. If he opts for Heskey and players supporting him then i can't see us doing much better on the goal front than we did last season- something we had to work on this summer.

For those that go on about Sam's time at Bolton, i would strongly argue that their support to the lone man was better that what we have right now. Take away Dunny and there is no consistent goal threat whatsoever from midfield in this side.

I just can't see a 3-5-2 working in this league not with our soft central midfield and Salgado as our wing back.

[beerwins]

If Sam continues to play the lone striker long ball game we need a target man plain and simple, last year was embarrasing watching Kalinic try to play this role but yet we still achieved.

Heskey was used by Capello in the world cup as a target man therefore by that right he was the best target man in England at the time, now he can be bought for the price of 2 mill, I would say its a great deal for us as it is exactly what we need if we play the same football.

I am no huge fan of Heskey nor am I a fan of a striker that doesnt score many goals but he can hold the ball, he can head a ball, he can link up play and furthermore which will suit Sam to a tee is that he can win free kicks.

If we decide to sign an out an out target man like Heskey then training Kalinic to become a player that plays in the hole or to play off a target man is a lot easier than to train him to become a target man and it also gives us great cover for Dunny's injury woes.

I dont see many negatives with signing Heskey if I am being honest with myself, Sam will not change his playstyle and we dont have millions to blow on a gamble.

I suppose to some its sad but to some its reality.

[patrickvalery]

Last season kalinic we needed him to be a target man. If we sign heskey we don't need him to be one. We need him to be a goal scorer. Personally I think kalinic has better attributes to be a target man. Thus me wanting us to sign more of an out and out striker.

Well i can't argue with you over an opinion. You're more than welcome to have one. I however, respectfully disagree. We need a target man at the club. Jason Roberts could have filled the role but unfortunately i believe he doesn't see himself as a target man. He seems to have the selfishness of a proven 20 goal a season striker. Continually looking to run the channels and get into positions to score goals. Not a bad trait to have as a striker i guess. But when he can't his a cows arse with a banjo it become a pointless exercise. If he learnt to hold the ball up better and bring others into the game we wouldn't need another target man. But sadly i don't think he wants to / is capable of learning to do this. He still believes, because of his lower league exploits, he can be our 20 goal a season striker. Emile Heskey knows what he is and has learnt to be a very very good target man. Its no fluke that O'neill, Houllier, Bruce, Eriksson and Capello have liked him. In the circumstances he would be a decent purchase. One which could bring out better in the likes of Diouf, Pedersen, Olsson, Dunn and Kalinic.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Personally I'm taking Sam's threats to leave with a pinch of salt. He and Williams seem to have been each briefing their tame journos for a while now, which has made me wonder about their working relationship. Sam throwing a strop is just another club in his bag. But it seems to have been needed. Anyone who claims that we're better off under the trust might want to explain why we are having the worst pre-season in living memory: no signings, no budget, crap results.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Heskey was used by Capello in the world cup as a target man therefore by that right he was the best target man in England at the time, now he can be bought for the price of 2 mill, I would say its a great deal for us as it is exactly what we need if we play the same football.

I am no huge fan of Heskey nor am I a fan of a striker that doesnt score many goals but he can hold the ball, he can head a ball, he can link up play and furthermore which will suit Sam to a tee is that he can win free kicks.

If we decide to sign an out an out target man like Heskey then training Kalinic to become a player that plays in the hole or to play off a target man is a lot easier than to train him to become a target man and it also gives us great cover for Dunny's injury woes.

Heskey had the likes or Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard et al to support him. Whilst most of those England players are overrated they are far better than anything we have to offer.

Heskey might get the ball and lay it off, but who is going to score the goals? Dunny? Maybe but unless he is in top form and injury free (not often) he won't bang in the goals. Diouf? Doesn't score many. Hoilett? Hasn't really shown he can finish yet. Pedersen? No comment. Super Keith? Works hard but can't see him scoring a load of goals. N'Zonzi? More of a defensive sitter than a box-to-box midfielder. Olsson? Likes to get forward but we don't know if Sam views him more as a wing back.

Heskey + top class midfield full of goalscoring midfielders = goals.

Heskey + mediocre midfield of non goalscoring midfielders= not many goals.

Kalinic isn't that sort of player, i think with a partner doing the donkey work and letting him have the freedom to link up and get into the box would get the best out of him. But we all know Sam won't play two strikers, even if he tries it with this 3-5-2 and we get raped in the league (which we will) it will be straight back to a 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1.

[roversnick]

I'm surprised by the massive negative (over)reaction on here, but then again the negativity on this board never ceases to amaze me.

Heskey - I'm pleased. I think he would do a good job for us.

Hopefully his experience will really help Kalinic develop into the player we all know he could be.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Nicko, we've been linked with a lot of strikers over the past few months and we haven't really got anywhere due to various reasons. Now that Big Sam has had showdown talks with the board, is Heskey very likely to join or is he just one of a number of players we're now interested in and it's just a case of getting one of them in.

Also, say for argument sake we get Heskey, would we also gamble on another striker maybe on a freebie just so we've got more strikers in the squad or will it be a case of Rigters being our 4th choice striker unless we get more money from somewhere.

[beerwins]

Well i can't argue with you over an opinion. You're more than welcome to have one. I however, respectfully disagree. We need a target man at the club. Jason Roberts could have filled the role but unfortunately i believe he doesn't see himself as a target man. He seems to have the selfishness of a proven 20 goal a season striker. Continually looking to run the channels and get into positions to score goals. Not a bad trait to have as a striker i guess. But when he can't his a cows arse with a banjo it become a pointless exercise. If he learnt to hold the ball up better and bring others into the game we wouldn't need another target man. But sadly i don't think he wants to / is capable of learning to do this. He still believes, because of his lower league exploits, he can be our 20 goal a season striker. Emile Heskey knows what he is and has learnt to be a very very good target man. Its no fluke that O'neill, Houllier, Bruce, Eriksson and Capello have liked him. In the circumstances he would be a decent purchase. One which could bring out better in the likes of Diouf, Pedersen, Olsson, Dunn and Kalinic.

Absolutely spot on, being a target man requires more than training a player to play there, it's more a state of mind thing, if the striker believes himself to be an out an out striker there is no way he will willingly train to become an unselfish player who links up play and enjoy contributing to the team rather than being the main focus of attention and hitting the back of the net.

In saying that I did think to myself where Kalinic would fit into Sams football when he signed him as even from the first game to me it was evident he was more of a poacher than a target man, but in thinking back how did Sam play Anelka and Davies?

[Mc Love]

Heskey and Roberts = the new Shearer and Sutton!!!

[Mr. E]

People on this message board have accused me of being overly negative. But if we sign Heskey, I'll jump in the river. I'll blow my frakking brains out. I'll drink oil.

Heskey is a plague that will not only cost us games, he will destroy anything that could even remotely be considered attractive football. If I was a player like Olsson that wanted to actually play football I'd be bolting out the door, new contract or not. How does he offer anything that could even be considered on par with Roberts? Neither can score. But Roberts at least has speed, power and determination. Heskey does not know what any of these words are.

People go on about how Heskey "holds up the ball well" or "puts pressure on the defense"....what? When? 10 years ago? Because he showed absolutely nothing of that for England. And absolutely nothing of that for Villa - that's why he can't get a game. These delusions that Heskey does anything that could even remotely be considered positive exist only in Capello's sick fantasies, and apparently a few people here. SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE FOR WHY THIS IS NOT SO. SHOW ME VIDEOS WHERE HESKEY IS SUDDENLY THIS SUPER TALENTED PLAYER SOME PEOPLE THINK HE IS.

Please God protect us from this tragedy. Merciful God please don't let this happen. Please. Please.

[beerwins]

Heskey had the likes or Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard et al to support him. Whilst most of those England players are overrated they are far better than anything we have to offer.

Heskey might get the ball and lay it off, but who is going to score the goals? Dunny? Maybe but unless he is in top form and injury free (not often) he won't bang in the goals. Diouf? Doesn't score many. Hoilett? Hasn't really shown he can finish yet. Pedersen? No comment. Super Keith? Works hard but can't see him scoring a load of goals. N'Zonzi? More of a defensive sitter than a box-to-box midfielder. Olsson? Likes to get forward but we don't know if Sam views him more as a wing back.

Heskey + top class midfield full of goalscoring midfielders = goals.

Heskey + mediocre midfield of non goalscoring midfielders= not many goals.

Kalinic isn't that sort of player, i think with a partner doing the donkey work and letting him have the freedom to link up and get into the box would get the best out of him. But we all know Sam won't play two strikers, even if he tries it with this 3-5-2 and we get raped in the league (which we will) it will be straight back to a 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1.

I totally understand where your coming from I really do, I believe our midfield has been woefull for too many seasons now, the only basic point I am making is that Heskey will make a better target man than any player we have in our squad.

Last year we did ok even though a lot of our attacks and long balls were totally useless and we didnt have an out and out target man playing, I just see Heskey a good addition to the squad and in all honesty I dont see many better options with our budget.

[Ricky]

Didn't he set up gerrard with a great pass for England against USA in the world cup? I'm sure he had a pretty decent game.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I'm not a huge fan of Heskey but I can understand why coaches and fellow strikers rate him so highly. Sadly for him he's become an easy target for the media and a section of the football public(once every two years England fans)perpetuate this.

We could do a lot worse with the pitiful amount of pocket money the boss has to work with.

If we sign Benjani I may drink the venom of a Box Jellyfish.

[BRFC1995]

I'm surprised by the massive negative (over)reaction on here, but then again the negativity on this board never ceases to amaze me.

Heskey - I'm pleased. I think he would do a good job for us.

Hopefully his experience will really help Kalinic develop into the player we all know he could be.

I'm not relying on kalinic for anything. I don't know why people are so blinkered he's young and we want him to do well but I don't see it happening.

Regardless of age, speed, physique we need composure upfront more than anything. Can't believe we are so skint it's come to this but Kevin philips would do miles more for us at 35 with no pace than heskey could dream of doing...we rarely creat a many chances and now and then it would be nice to have confidence when it falls to the strikers feet as opposed to the resignation of the last year that nothing will happen beyond a feeble attempt into the keepers hands.

[beerwins]

People on this message board have accused me of being overly negative. But if we sign Heskey, I'll jump in the river. I'll blow my frakking brains out. I'll drink oil.

Heskey is a plague that will not only cost us games, he will destroy anything that could even remotely be considered attractive football. If I was a player like Olsson that wanted to actually play football I'd be bolting out the door, new contract or not. How does he offer anything that could even be considered on par with Roberts? Neither can score. But Roberts at least has speed, power and determination. Heskey does not know what any of these words are.

People go on about how Heskey "holds up the ball well" or "puts pressure on the defense"....what? When? 10 years ago? Because he showed absolutely nothing of that for England. And absolutely nothing of that for Villa - that's why he can't get a game. These delusions that Heskey does anything that could even remotely be considered positive exist only in Capello's sick fantasies, and apparently a few people here. SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE FOR WHY THIS IS NOT SO. SHOW ME VIDEOS WHERE HESKEY IS SUDDENLY THIS SUPER TALENTED PLAYER SOME PEOPLE THINK HE IS.

Please God protect us from this tragedy. Merciful God please don't let this happen. Please. Please.

I really dont understand why people think you are over negative

As far as I am concerned Heskey was one of the better England players he played his role very well and gave his all, did I want him to start? Hell no, as far as I am concerned Heskey wasnt needed at all with the ammount of strikers England could have took.

The problem was is that the tactics didnt match his football where as ours do, we cried out for a player like this last season and I dont expect our tactics to change much this season, in your opposition of signing a player of this style you obviously do expect them to change.

As for Olsson why the hell would he be so upset by this? If as I suspect he will be spending most of the next season on the left wing he will get more chances than most if he uses his pace to get forward and link up play with the forwards.

[patrickvalery]

.......... but in thinking back how did Sam play Anelka and Davies?

From memory Sam played Anelka through the middle and Davies wide right. I couldn't see Heskey playing the wide role for us. But i posted in the Kalinic thread months ago that i could see him dropping deeper or slightly wider. The boy has the technique and intelligence to make things happen off a front man. I know many are sceptical of his ability, but i truly believe we'll see what a good player he is this season.

I really cannot understand the negativity surrounding this rumour. Its plain to see that his goal scoring record isn't good. But does anyone think Sam, who pays so much attention to statistical analysis, sees him as our main goal scoring threat? Its just plain stupid to buy in to that notion. He wants a big presence up front. Someone to let our technically better players have a greater affect on the game.

And yes he did lay on a great pass for Gerrard in the USA match. In fact i thought he had a very good game. Typically this was forgotten when he missed his one on one chance against the Algerians and when he got the nod to replace Defoe when we needed 3 goals against the Germans.

[Mr. E]

I really dont understand why people think you are over negative

As far as I am concerned Heskey was one of the better England players he played his role very well and gave his all, did I want him to start? Hell no, as far as I am concerned Heskey wasnt needed at all with the ammount of strikers England could have took.

The problem was is that the tactics didnt match his football where as ours do, we cried out for a player like this last season and I dont expect our tactics to change much this season, in your opposition of signing a player of this style you obviously do expect them to change.

As for Olsson why the hell would he be so upset by this? If as I suspect he will be spending most of the next season on the left wing he will get more chances than most if he uses his pace to get forward and link up play with the forwards.

What "style" does Heskey possesses? Does "useless turd" count as a style? What does he do? What are his strengths? Because all that about him "holding the ball up" is complete and utter nonesence. Give me evidence for this. It is the same if I say Pedersen can dribble past the entire Spanish team and score against Casillas. It is insane, just because I say it does not make it true.

I can not think of a single thing Rovers can do that would be worse than signing Heskey. Not one. Signing David James would not be worse. Bringing back Coraddo Grabbi will not be worse. Replacing half the team with Burnley's will not be worse. This is it. This is the one. The absolute worst signing in all of football. Emile Heskey.

I promise not to complain about a single thing all season, if only we do not sign this man. Beattie, Benjani, no one at all - it would all be a huge sigh of relief now.

[patrickvalery]

....Bringing back Coraddo Grabbi will not be worse....

I'm not sure we could afford it Mr E!

And i'm intriuged by your use of the word "will".

[Tom]

Mr E in moaning shock! Who would have thunk it?

At least you could have something else to moan about should this happen.

I understand being upset when things don't go well but it does seem like 95% of the time you are negative and I can't quite understand as to why?

If he was to sign and it's still a big if, would you not give him a chance before writing him off?

What "style" does Heskey possesses? Does "useless turd" count as a style? What does he do? What are his strengths? Because all that about him "holding the ball up" is complete and utter nonesence. Give me evidence for this. It is the same if I say Pedersen can dribble past the entire Spanish team and score against Casillas. It is insane, just because I say it does not make it true.

I can not think of a single thing Rovers can do that would be worse than signing Heskey. Not one. Signing David James would not be worse. Bringing back Coraddo Grabbi will not be worse. Replacing half the team with Burnley's will not be worse. This is it. This is the one. The absolute worst signing in all of football. Emile Heskey.

I promise not to complain about a single thing all season, if only we do not sign this man. Beattie, Benjani, no one at all - it would all be a huge sigh of relief now.

I think this needs quoting for posterity

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

What "style" does Heskey possesses? Does "useless turd" count as a style? What does he do? What are his strengths? Because all that about him "holding the ball up" is complete and utter nonesence. Give me evidence for this. It is the same if I say Pedersen can dribble past the entire Spanish team and score against Casillas. It is insane, just because I say it does not make it true.

I can not think of a single thing Rovers can do that would be worse than signing Heskey. Not one. Signing David James would not be worse. Bringing back Coraddo Grabbi will not be worse. Replacing half the team with Burnley's will not be worse. This is it. This is the one. The absolute worst signing in all of football. Emile Heskey.

I promise not to complain about a single thing all season, if only we do not sign this man. Beattie, Benjani, no one at all - it would all be a huge sigh of relief now.

Dont be stupid. Heskey, at this level is more proven then Beattie and Benjani. We cannot afford anyone better. We're bringing in Heskey because we cannot spend more then £2.5m or so. There are no better strikers out there for that money. Does that mean Heskey is a great player? NO. No one is saying that Heskey is their dream summer signing, however under our financial constraints I dont think you can complain if Heskey is brought in.

And before you bring it up, RSC's and McCarthy's do not languish in every European league. They're singings of a decade and seemingly have set the bar far too high in some supporters minds when it comes to bringing in names with limited funds. Heskey will do a job. And right now thats more then any of our other strikers can do.

[Steve Moss]

Robbo

Samba Nelsen Givet

Hoilett Nzonzi Pedersen Olsson

Dunn

Heskey Kalinic

When Heskey plays for a club of our current stature he seems to excel and has earned him some big career moves, he must have something.

I made one change to your formation.

heskey??????????? for the love of god............even in dire times you need people in charge to do better than that, losing the will to care right now.

. . . who the hell wants ridiculing for buying a shirt with heskey on the back.

I'd buy a Heskey shirt. Thought he was one of the few on your national team trying to do his job.

Heskey works hard, is physical, experienced and seems to play with a bit of a brain. Overall, he'd be plus for the Rovers.

I do worry about his wages.

[Seedstral]

Who cares what we think its the manager that has to get the best out of these players!! Everyones going on about sign this player and sign that player well i'm sorry but get a grip of yourselves we cant afford them and as much as we would like a stellar signing it just isn't going to happen. Yes Heskey's not everyones cup of tea and isn't prolific but will do a job for us but we cant go out and spend £10-£20 million on a player as the moneys just not there yet many on here are living in fantasy land and believe it is. Remember Portsmouth went way beyond their means and look where they are now yet some people want money (which at the moment isn't there and no guarentee in the future that it will be) thrown into buying a star player and everything will be great. Guti, Morientes and the like would be great but the finances are just not there and people need to understand that. Yes its a boring window but be grateful we still have Premier League football to look forward to next season!!!

[modes98]

Heskey could be a decent signing if used in the right way, and that is not on his own up front!

If he is the marquee signing then we have issues.