[Archived] Roque Santa Cruz Return - Done Deal

[philipl]

We have an embarassment of riches with 5 front line strikers now all fit.

RSC is the outstanding member of the quintet. Diouf's mobility would certainly contrast more than Kalinic but then having Kalinic and RSC running the channels would be a headache for every PL defense if the midfield now has the necessary bite to it.

[Teacup]

Am I the only one that thinks that Santa should play up front with Mame Diouf rather than Kalinik.

I would agree, the work rate of Mame alone would make me prefer him over Kalinik.

[dazmaz]

That's fine. Now I redirect you back to Mr. Santa Cruz's quote. "Everyone knows what Blackburn Rovers means to me."

He does not say "Blackburn Rovers were an important step in my career" or "I enjoyed my time here at Blackburn Rovers". He says "Everyone knows what Blackburn Rovers means to me." One does not use the latter language when speaking about a former employer. One uses it when they're trying to make the fans believe that the relationship is a bit more meaningful than employer - employee.

if i remember rightly Roque was rotting on the bench at bayern when we bought him. He came to ewood and restarted his career with us, to me thats what he is refering to when he says 'everyone knows what blackburn rovers means to me'

and with that knowledge I do believe Rovers means more to Roque than just an employer - empolyee relationship. also bear in mind how many players has said they loved their time playing for us.

I for one am very happy with the return of Roque, if he can stay fit and continue scoring goals like his first stint with us he will help with out climb up the table. and with 2 new CMs we could very well qualify for europe (at a push)

And if it was a choice between MB and 'kalinik' partnering Roque, well seeing as we dont have a player called Kalinik it would have to be MB

[Jonnolad]

Am I the only one that thinks that Santa should play up front with Mame Diouf rather than Kalinik.

Completely agree - I think they could be amazing together to be honest. It's still a "could" of course.

[Seggie]

Am I the only one that thinks that Santa should play up front with Mame Diouf rather than Kalinik.

Got a feeling all three will play at the expense of El Hadj Diouf. 442 with Roque and Kalanic up front Mame on the right wing perhaps which could easily convert to a 433 when needed with Kalanic in the Centre Roque on the left Mame on the right. If we are going to play creative positive football this signing is exciting, subject to fitness. Although the best thing about it is we have options now and if utilised correctly three very dangerous options, Mame can provide the creativity, Kalanic when not isolated and asked to play the Jason Roberts role has proved he can score goals when utilised correctly, Santa Cruz an ariel threat which as we have read already MGP is happy because finally theres a proven goalscorer to get on the end of his set plays.

I've not even thrown in Olsson and Hoillett either, Im becoming much more cautiously optimistic about the whole Sam affair now because I actually am starting to believe we have some decent talent to attack teams positively and you have to wonder why he never really utilised it more because when he did against L'Arse and Chelsea we gave them games unlike when we didn't against United.

We have an embarassment of riches with 5 front line strikers now all fit.

RSC is the outstanding member of the quintet. Diouf's mobility would certainly contrast more than Kalinic but then having Kalinic and RSC running the channels would be a headache for every PL defense if the midfield now has the necessary bite to it.

Hes feeling positive for once.

[BPF]

In case it's not been said yet.

He is number 18.

[Hughesy]

In case it's not been said yet.

He is number 18.

lol is that a dig at City for how much they threw at us?

[Al]

Got a feeling all three will play at the expense of El Hadj Diouf. 442 with Roque and Kalanic up front Mame on the right wing perhaps which could easily convert to a 433 when needed with Kalanic in the Centre Roque on the left Mame on the right. If we are going to play creative positive football this signing is exciting, subject to fitness. Although the best thing about it is we have options now and if utilised correctly three very dangerous options, Mame can provide the creativity, Kalanic when not isolated and asked to play the Jason Roberts role has proved he can score goals when utilised correctly, Santa Cruz an ariel threat which as we have read already MGP is happy because finally theres a proven goalscorer to get on the end of his set plays.

I've not even thrown in Olsson and Hoillett either, Im becoming much more cautiously optimistic about the whole Sam affair now because I actually am starting to believe we have some decent talent to attack teams positively and you have to wonder why he never really utilised it more because when he did against L'Arse and Chelsea we gave them games unlike when we didn't against United.

Hes feeling positive for once.

I don't think you can play all three plus Hoilett and at the moment I would rather have Hoilett in the side than Kalinik, who has still not convinced me. Can of course come on as a sub to change the tactics a bit. Nice to have the choice isn't it.

[BRFCS Content]

Roque Returns Home

[Seggie]

I don't think you can play all three plus Hoilett and at the moment I would rather have Hoilett in the side than Kalinik, who has still not convinced me. Can of course come on as a sub to change the tactics a bit. Nice to have the choice isn't it.

Well I wrote the first bit without even thinking of Junior who has been excellent recently and looks undroppable at the moment so that does put a bit of a spanner into the works as theres no way way can play all four. Realisticly Santa will play when fit I think thats a given however it all depends on how much they want to keep Mame at the end of the season as well, I'd be trying to get a deal done now personally but we don't have a bottomless pit of resources, I think if the intention is that Mame goes back to United at the end of the season its in our long term interest to see if we can pair Roque with Kalanic and get Kalanic confident and scoring goals and if that doesn't work we can resort to Diouf mk II. Then theres the little factor of Benjani who did well in the Liverpool game and proved when fit he can do the business and Roque and Roberts never did too bad as a Partnership either.

As you say nice to have the choice and all the choices seem nice at the moment Im just glad Im not the manager who wants the permanant contract having to make that choice to ensure its the right one.

On a side note Roque is already doing radio interviews, at least this ones in English and not gouing to get lost in translation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/9362181.stm

[Jackson]

Fairplay to the fella for swallowing his pride.

[Blue blood]

Good move, especially if we can get a 1st option deal on a transfer in the summer. Am liking that Kean is looking to set that up.

A loan's probably the best move I think, partly due to his fitness record, and partly because it's better to reassess and buy in the summer (plus we don't know who'll be manager then and won't want a large chunk of our resources). So a loan deal makes sense.

Not too sure I buy the rovers mean a lot to me - after all he spent the last 6 months harping on to get a move and shooting his mouth to every report in Paraguay - but then so long as he scores goals and stays fit, then I'm not unduely bothered by that.

There are lots of positives if he stays fit. Firstly he's a class act, and as others have said knows where the goal is. Second he's a target man and different to what we have. Thirdly I think he could really form a good partnership with Kalanic, infact a target man like Rocky could be exactly what Kalanic needs to play off. Fourthly he knows the club so should have no problem settling into Ewood.

A good move imo. Not earth shattering or spectacular but a decent bit of business.

[daveoftherovers]

Am I the only one that thinks that Santa should play up front with Mame Diouf rather than Kalinik.

F*** it, it's only Chelski, Let's play 3 up front

Now that would make a change LOL

[beerwins]

Am I the only one that thinks that Santa should play up front with Mame Diouf rather than Kalinik.

No your not on your own with that thought, Mame has more energy than Kalinic and defends from the front, if we lose his energy we will put too much pressure on the midfield.

[Flopsy]

Imagine saying that to your girlfriend. "You're special to me baby, but if there was this much more attractive girl walking down the street, whom I could use to get further up in society, I'll be gone. 99.999999% of guys would do the same thing. But you still mean a great deal to me."

Though I honestly believe a number of people on this board wouldn't see a problem with that either.

It's a job Mr E. A job with 10's of thousands of nutters demanding an irrational loyalty to your employer

[Amo]

No your not on your own with that thought, Mame has more energy than Kalinic and defends from the front, if we lose his energy we will put too much pressure on the midfield.

Really? Diouf often slacks off in his defensive duties.

[Steve Moss]

F*** it, it's only Chelski, Let's play 3 up front

[DE.]

To be honest, Santa Cruz's loyalty is an irrelevance to me.

Whilst it is easy to point to his paraguayan radio interviews etc, the fact is Rovers would have been delighted to get 18M for him and I imagine were just as happy to let him go as he was happy to leave. He'd had a torrid second season with us, plagued by injuries and very few goals. We got a great price for him and the move was shrewd business - no hard feelings from me in that regard, cheers for the cash Roque.

My concern in re-signing him stems solely from his terrible injury record and questionable form record after his initial fantastic first season with us. I'd love nothing more than for him to be a success again with us, but I still have my doubts and he'll have to win me over with some consistantly good performances & long periods without injury.

[Valois]

Imagine saying that to your girlfriend. "You're special to me baby, but if there was this much more attractive girl walking down the street, whom I could use to get further up in society, I'll be gone. 99.999999% of guys would do the same thing. But you still mean a great deal to me."

Though I honestly believe a number of people on this board wouldn't see a problem with that either.

Comparing the above scenario, with the RCS scenario screams desperation in trying to support a point. It did bring a little smile to my face though, so I guess I can at least thank you for that.

[Rovermatt]

Class player when fit. If he does well for us maybe he can move onto the next sheik-rich club.

[gumboots]

lol is that a dig at City for how much they threw at us?

Presumably it's because 1 + 8 = 9. He can't have 9 cos it's taken. But I do like the idea of a dig at City

[phildinio]

he's twice as good as before so he was 9 so now 18

[gumboots]

he's twice as good as before so he was 9 so now 18

Here's hoping!!!

[BlueMonday]

His games count will make interesting reading at the end of the season.

wonder how much that will cost.

[bennyboyt11]

The way I look at it is, would I rather finish January with a strike force of Roberts/Benjani/Kalinic/Diouf or would I prefer to add Roque to that list? I can't see the problem with him taking our last domestic loan option as who else would be looking at to loan? There isn't a lot wrong with this if he manages to bag us a couple of goals in some important games.