[Archived] Ins and outs

[DanLad]

Parker is class but strikes me as a bit of a home boy and wouldn't leave the capital.

This is 100% my character assessment, too.

[Torgeir]

Parker had the chance to leave in the summer but he was the only player the WH owners said wasn't for sale. Besides, he extended his contract as well. Whatever that is worth.

Sensible Soccer I used to play with KV Mechelen because they had a good goalkeeper. <--- don't remember his name.

[FourLaneBlue]

Anyone still want to say this squad is definitely strong enough?

Strong enough for what? A title challenge? Champions League? Probably not.

To avoid relegation? Yeah, I reckon so.

[Steve Moss]

Julio Santa Cruz (Roque's younger brother) apparently leaving the Rovers in July, allegedly as Sam doesn't rate him.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11981_6537704,00.html

On a much more positive note, Nick Blackman has done well at Motherwell (10 goals in 14 matches). As a 6' 2" 21 year old, he'd seem to be ideal for Sam. Is he due to be recalled in January? If so, why not give him a shot?

[philipl]

Well I think we know from Nicko's posts what Kentaro's advice is if the new owners care to ask them.

"Sack Sam, get rid of most of the squad and fill the club with our people."

They will need to have some pretty good reasons why City dropped like a stone and practically went bust when Anderson did something similar to them.

[PAFELL]

Well I think we know from Nicko's posts what Kentaro's advice is if the new owners care to ask them.

"Sack Sam, get rid of most of the squad and fill the club with our people."

They will need to have some pretty good reasons why City dropped like a stone and practically went bust when Anderson did something similar to them.

You've got me there. I have not noticed any posts from Nicko saying sack Sam, get rid of the squad and fill it with Kentaro people. I must of missed a few posts ........

[chaddyrovers]

That or its a reaction to the bloke from Espanyol scoring last night also that Witsel got a couple

Chaddy been watching the foreign highlights again it seems.

No I haven't watched any football this week apart from MOTD. Don't even know any of the foreign scores and scorers. But you do TCO, so have you been watching the foreign highlights???

[chaddyrovers]

Carew, Ngog, Larson and Adams.

Football manager 2010 not rating them anymore ?

Good players imo but just can't see us signing Carew due to wages demands and Ngog will probably cost about 8 to 10 million. Larrson and Adam are possible signings but it will be ALL decided by how much we got to spend yet again.

FM 2010, I haven't played it in months!!!

[Bobby G]

Nicko, what's your latest with Kentaro?

[nicko]

Nicko, what's your latest with Kentaro?

That is the big issue in the next few weeks as January comes round and the market opens...

And, for the hard of hearing, the squad ISN'T good enough.

You get a couple of injuries and people are out of position all over the side.

It was still November on Saturday when the team had a mix-and-match look because a couple were missing.

No room for complacency.

[broadsword]

It was still November on Saturday when the team had a mix-and-match look because a couple were missing.

It has a mix-and-match look when everyone's fit.

[bennyboyt11]

Have to agree with you there, Nicko, this squad has needed investment for a long while, we rely too heavily on certain players to be 'on form' and carry us through.

[47er]

We lost 7-1 Nicko---I don't think complacency is a problem!

[JAL]

No room for complacency.

Is that directed at SaM Allardyce and John Williams.

[Hughesy]

January is a tough market….and you pay over the odds for players, id rather we looked to the loan market more than anything, and maybe any players coming towards the end of their contracts

As for a couple out….a couple refers to 2, we had plenty more than that missing….Olsson, Givet, Gamst, NZonzi, Andrews, Grella, Mame Diouf, Kalinic, Benjani.

For comparison – take United….and remove Nani, Rooney, Berba, Evra, Scholes, Carrick….they too would have struggled against the top team in the league.

EVERYONE knows our squad needs more strength, but whether January is the best time to do it is another thing.

[robbo_rovers]

January is a tough market….and you pay over the odds for players, id rather we looked to the loan market more than anything, and maybe any players coming towards the end of their contracts

As for a couple out….a couple refers to 2, we had plenty more than that missing….Olsson, Givet, Gamst, NZonzi, Andrews, Grella, Mame Diouf, Kalinic, Benjani.

For comparison – take United….and remove Nani, Rooney, Berba, Evra, Scholes, Carrick….they too would have struggled against the top team in the league.

EVERYONE knows our squad needs more strength, but whether January is the best time to do it is another thing.

Out of those players Gamst is the only one in any kind of form. The rest haven't really played or are not in form. So using these as excuses doesn't wash with me.

[ada2020]

He was in the hospital then Ade

I had forgotten that actually.

[gumboots]

EVERYONE knows our squad needs more strength, but whether January is the best time to do it is another thing.

Problem is, we'll have to do a fair bit in Jan or we might be too late.

[Hughesy]

Out of those players Gamst is the only one in any kind of form. The rest haven't really played or are not in form. So using these as excuses doesn't wash with me.

Rooney & Berbatov havent been in form...does that mean had they not played they should have still scored 7??

The fact that Olsson hasnt played has been through injury, and Givet would have played if fit. As would one of NZonzi/ Andrews instead of goulon.

Problem is, we'll have to do a fair bit in Jan or we might be too late.

If you honestly believe so?! Personally I think looking at how we have done this season indicates we will be fine once again.

[broadsword]

If you honestly believe so?! Personally I think looking at how we have done this season indicates we will be fine once again.

The league is too tight this year to be complacent.

Yes, players are over-priced in January, but that doesn't mean that no-one will buy. I don't think anyone on here is advocating major surgery but a few judicious forays into the market to solidify the squad for a relatively modest outlay would calm a few nerves.

I doubt Venky's would want to take us over the year we got relegated, and i'd lay money that after seeing us get absolutely pasted Saturday they'll be happy to stump up the cash.

Even a manager capable of working miracles can keep a squad starved of investment up for so long. We've seen a lot of our best players go, and if they're not replaced that inevitably, finally, spells R.E.L.E.M.E.G.A.C.H.U.N.

There's no positive spin to Saturday, we got drilled good and proper and looking at our flimsy squad populated with too many journeymen, ne'er-do-well's and chronically out-of-form, it's no surprise.

[gumboots]

Rooney & Berbatov havent been in form...does that mean had they not played they should have still scored 7??

The fact that Olsson hasnt played has been through injury, and Givet would have played if fit. As would one of NZonzi/ Andrews instead of goulon.

If you honestly believe so?! Personally I think looking at how we have done this season indicates we will be fine once again.

How we've done is not the point. What everyone else might do in the window, even if they are currently saying they don't intend to do much, is a potential problem. Also there are areas where our squad does not have enough quality to start with and then injuries to the players we do have make us very vulnerable. I don't see how we can afford to not spend at least a significant (for us)amount. Loans are all well and good but fill your side with them and all you do is put off the problem even further. Some loan signings if we can get decent ones, yes, but cash will have to be spent. Saturday showed what happens when Pedersen and Givet are missing from our usual line up and I don't want to watch anything like that again.

[John]

Loans are all well and good but fill your side with them and all you do is put off the problem even further. Some loan signings if we can get decent ones, yes, but cash will have to be spent. Saturday showed what happens when Pedersen and Givet are missing from our usual line up and I don't want to watch anything like that again.

From their statements, our new owners have put such an emphasis on loans, or leasing, therefore think these type of deals are likely to happen. There might be some cash spent, but again from their statements, probably still a little amount in relative terms (compared to what other clubs will or have spent previously).

[Neil Weaver]

after seeing us get absolutely pasted Saturday they'll be happy to stump up the cash.

Bryan, that was something vaguely positive I consoled myself with after Saturday.

[Oklahoma]

Nicko, any possibility of getting Manuel Fernandes from Valencia on loan?

According to the spanish press, he is being loaned out and 3 turkish teams have shown interest in him. Maybe Rovers can get him on loan with a buy out clause?

Another rumour is that Tottenham want Hleb in January, even though he is on loan at Birmingham. Are Rovers interested in him?

[Commondore]

Nicko, any possibility of getting Manuel Fernandes from Valencia on loan?

According to the spanish press, he is being loaned out and 3 turkish teams have shown interest in him. Maybe Rovers can get him on loan with a buy out clause?

Another rumour is that Tottenham want Hleb in January, even though he is on loan at Birmingham. Are Rovers interested in him?

Good shout.