[Archived] Fans' Verdict: Sign JJ, Forget RSC And MBD

[Guest Wen Y Hu]

Published: Sunday, 29 May 2011

Fans’ Verdict: Sign JJ, Forget RSC And MBD

by Hughesy

Rovers have had three players at the club on loan this season — Mame Biram Diouf and Roque Santa Cruz from the two Manchester clubs filling the quota permitted on loan from fellow Premier League clubs and Jermaine Jones from German Bundesliga club Schalke 04. Opinion on their respective contributions to the team has varied over the course of the season, but now is the time when decisions have to made by the club as to whether we look to add any of these players to the full-time playing staff.

A poll conducted on the BRFCS forum asked Rovers fans whether we should buy any of the loan players. 288 members cast their vote and the views are pretty clear regarding all three players: it's a big "thumbs-up" for Jermaine Jones, a "no thanks" for Diouf and a "no way" for former Ewood favourite Roque Santa Cruz.

Jermaine Jones was instrumental in our survival and over the last part of the season he became a key player, giving his all with his energetic displays. He has soon become a fans favourite and this is amply demonstrated in the BRFCS poll, which had 98.26% voting that they would like to keep the big German-American midfielder next season.

In stark contrast, it is equally clear that Roque Santa Cruz is not wanted by the fans, with over 94% voting that they do not want the club to sign him. Fans seem concerned about the potential signing of RSC, who many feel offered very little on his return to the club this time. With a return of 0 goals during his loan spell since January and considering the rumoured transfer fee of £3m plus a reported weekly £90k wage, it is easy to understand why the fans do not want to see Roque play in the famous Blue and White once again next season.

Finally, the other player on loan was Mame Biram Diouf, who just 12.85% of fans would like to see us sign. This is twice as many as want RSC — probably due to the fact he is still quite young and does offer us a bit of a different dimension with his pace. However, once again the majority don’t want to see him return on a permanent basis.

* This article, based on a BRFCS poll, is published to the front page here.

[chocky]

Sounds about right to me. We can pay the wages to much better footballers...

[damo100]

I just hope Steve Kean looks at these posts!!! He's Cuckoo!!!

[cruz]

I wonder how much Benjani is on and whether the reported offer of a contract extension is due to us only having two other strikers on the books? (Roberts and Kalinic)

[RoversFanUSA]

I'm all for the signing of jones. Not because I'm American and would love to see another yank playing for us but because he worked his butt off and helped us stay up this season. As for the other two I'd say they'd have to go. If we could get MBD on a free or low TF then by alleans let's sign him as he is young and could turn out a good buy for the right money.

As for strikers I feel the money were spending paying RSC's wages could go toward making our squad much stronger in both midfield and where it's most needed...up front. I hope that the powers that be at EWood feel the same way and we get one or two out an out strikers that produce. I also feel the midfield could use a little help. I heard Adams wants a stay in the PL maybe we could give him a ring?

[Hekla]

For me I would actually sign RSC but only on a cheap deal if this is possible. I agree that Diouf is no longer needed. My verdict would be to give RSC a final chance and to sign JJ.

[davulsukur]

Depends on the budget. Mixed rumors and reports flying around at the moment. If our budget is only £5million, as some are saying we couldn't afford all 3 anyway.

If our budget is higher, i would hate to waste our first resonable budget for a few years by signing 2 players who were part of our biggest problem last season. Scoring goals.

If Baby Diouf was available dirt cheap, and i mean stupidly cheap, then fair enough, as long as it did not hurt our budget.

Santa Cruz did not do an awful lot at all on his return and was eventually benched in favour of Jbob. A striker who cannot displace Roberts in the the starting 11, should not be given crazy wages or a full time contract with us.

I would let them both go back to manchester and move for other targets.

JJ was decent and actually did plenty in his loan period with us to warrent a full time contract. Sign.

[Amo]

Diouf's bobbins. I think some people only want to keep him 'cos they can't think of anyone else. Leave that to the scouts.

[Fife Rover]

Diouf's bobbins. I think some people only want to keep him 'cos they can't think of anyone else. Leave that to the scouts.

No MB Diouf is not "bobbins". He is simply not the right player to solve our striker problem.

[Amo]

No MB Diouf is not "bobbins". He is simply not the right player to solve our striker problem.

3 goals in 27 games says otherwise.

[Hughesy]

3 goals in 27 games says otherwise.

How many full games? And how many as a striker?

[Amo]

How many full games? And how many as a striker?

17 starts.

That's still a poor return for a striker/attacking midfielder. Emerton scored more and he isn't renowned for his prolific goalscoring.

We didn't score enough last season, so Lord knows why people want us to take a chance on the same strikers who failed last season.

If this guy had come from League One, would anyone be interested?

[47er]

17 starts.

That's still a poor return for a striker/attacking midfielder. Emerton scored more and he isn't renowned for his prolific goalscoring.

We didn't score enough last season, so Lord knows why people want us to take a chance on the same strikers who failed last season.

If this guy had come from League One, would anyone be interested?

I worry that Kean wants to keep people he knows well and is afraid of signing new players he might not be able to manage.

Obviously speculation but how else to explain wanting to resign the same crew he held responsible for us being in the relegation dog-fight and likely to involve us in one again?