January Transfer Window - Part One

[chaddyrovers]

Even if we had been sitting comfortably in mid-table the dealings this window would have been seen as a huge gamble. To be sitting in the relegation zone and put the emphasis on reducing the wage bill rather than strengthening the team is sheer madness. I'm sure it will be a great comfort to us next season travelling to Peterborough to know that we have reduced the wage bill.

I think this window demonstrates that Desai has no interest in Blackburn Rovers and that she has hung Kean out to dry with her lack of support. The manager has no credibility left with his claims that we would do our business early with players who would hit the ground running. Two players have been signed who are an unknown quantity in English football and who are going to need time to settle and adjust to the Premier League - time which we simply haven't got. We have also very kindly helped QPR to get rid of some of their deadwood to make room for their quality signings. Then there is the Nelsen departure to allow Wolves to strengthen their squad - you really couldn't make it up.

We still have no idea if Samba is going to play or if he does play how committed he will be. Hoilett is on his way out in the summer while Salgado, who wants to play, is told he can't by Desai. Still, we have Bradley Orr from the QPR reserve team to challenge Bruno for the right-back spot - or we would if Bruno wasn't one of the few Brazilians on the planet who is not terribly good at football.

In many ways I'm starting to feel desperately sorry for Kean. No wonder he is unmoved by the protests. Madam Desai seems to be far more effective in undermining him with her lack of support when it comes down to hard cash.

What a difference between the owners at QPR and the clowns in Pune. No wonder Hughes wouldn't come anywhere near this circus. Indeed, Kean is clearly going to have a job for life as no self-respecting manager would touch this club with a barge pole.

Deep in the relegation mire and the only thing Desai is concerned about is reducing the wage bill rather than strengthening to squad to ensure Premier League survival. One suspects that our Indian friends have completely given up on the club. I suspect a large number of season ticket holders are likely to give up on the club in the summer.

Good point. I agree with most of your post.

Mrs D has fail to back Kean in the last 2 transfer window.

Kean was told in the summer, we had 40 mil to spend then it change to free transfers then we had abit of money to spend but only from selling players.

This window, Kean wanted to sign players quickly but wasn't allow to.

Mrs D is at Fault for the position Rovers are in. we need to buy 4 quality playes instead we have bought 3 squad players.

I agree with getting rid Roberts and Andrews. I can understand letting Nelsen going with him being out of contract at the end of the season. we have saved about 100k a week in wages there whlist spend 30k a week on 3 squad players.

[Rover down South]

Yes he's been injured. But isn't any more it would appear. Nelsen or Hanley?

Experience, old head, captain on and off the field, been there done it, just what is needed in a relegation battle. If we were going to pay anyone up to leave then why not Grella??

Is the football club stronger or weaker with Nelsens departure, and I don't just mean on the pitch. There's only one answer.

Oh and for all those falling over themselves saying how great it is that we've reduced the wage bill I note that you're the same people who this time last year were proclaiming that Venkys were loaded. Despite the non sale of Samba that clearly isn't the case. I wonder what happened to the money ear marked for Ronaldinho etc? Then again, just like the last 14 months, that was all bull$hit.

Absolutely spot on Bob. Agree 100%

[adsfortheblues]

Economic situation and financial FairPlay taking a part in football now. Attendances dwindling now old Trafford, emirates, anfield, goodison(only 29,000 last night) all dropping and player sales fallen by around120% should we really be suprised in regards to rovers?

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

We have just let two decent frees leave...

Andrews going to a potential relegation rival too

We have also lost bags of experience in Nelsen, Roberts etc....

Also, we still have the problem of watching penguin feet waddling around tmrw night as first choice striker!

Nelsen and Roberts wouldn't have gotten on the pitch if they had stayed. The main reason for why its such a surprise Ryan left is that even if he was fit, he'd probably struggle to get into our first choice team. Roberts is useless. Andrews gone? Good. Not prem standard. I cant complain about the outgoings. The incomings are very poor but the silver lining is that we retained Hoilett and Samba. I dont think anyone on here expected that and if they had gone I doubt we would have been able to replace either with quality signings.

Very poor window, but we're not weaker from it, and that is the only consolation. It was a chance for Venky's to finally pump some money in and they bottled it. Forget Kean, he's been lied to as much as anyone. Venky's are complete scum.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Yes he's been injured. But isn't any more it would appear. Nelsen or Hanley?

Experience, old head, captain on and off the field, been there done it, just what is needed in a relegation battle. If we were going to pay anyone up to leave then why not Grella??

Is the football club stronger or weaker with Nelsens departure, and I don't just mean on the pitch. There's only one answer.

Oh and for all those falling over themselves saying how great it is that we've reduced the wage bill I note that you're the same people who this time last year were proclaiming that Venkys were loaded. Despite the non sale of Samba that clearly isn't the case. I wonder what happened to the money ear marked for Ronaldinho etc? Then again, just like the last 14 months, that was all bull$hit.

Yes Nelsen is experienced, but he wouldn't have played a game this season. Im sure having a leader off the pitch is important, but we need players who can make a difference on it. Nelsen, at 34, wouldn't be our first or second choice CB. Of course our club isn't stronger without him, but I think its a stretch to say that we're weaker to any serious degree. If Givet, for example, had left instead we would be far weaker. Its sad to see him go but I dont believe that we're losing that much to be honest. Same with Roberts. We have plenty of experience around the squad in Dunn, Gamst, Samba, Robbo, Givet, Nzonzi, Yakubu, Olsson, Grella and Salgado (still here?).

[47er]

I don't like the way we've treated some senior players. We were never like this and it doesn't bode well for enticing players in the future.

Nelsen was a player who cared and had the respect of every player in the dressing room. His presence alone could have been crucial in some relegation games. I seriously wonder if he was fit but had a "contractual issue". Why would Arry sign him otherwise?

The only bright spot I can potentially see from this window is if Orr can play well enough at right-back thus releasing a "tackler" in Lowe into mid-field. Even that's tempered by the certainty that Emerton could have played right-back and we gave him away.

[Parsonblue]

Economic situation and financial FairPlay taking a part in football now. Attendances dwindling now old Trafford, emirates, anfield, goodison(only 29,000 last night) all dropping and player sales fallen by around120% should we really be suprised in regards to rovers?

Clearly we are preparing for the new rules which come into force in the Championship next season. Outgoings cannot be greater than what the club brings in. In view of the anticipated drop in season ticket sales in the summer and the continued drop in the corporate side of things I suspect there will be a further reduction in the wage bill in the summer.

Without the Sky revenue and with parachute payments destined for Pune or the bank I think we may well have to get use to transfer windows like this. It will be just like the old days - untried youngsters and veterans well past their sell by date will be the order of the day.

The saddest part of all this is that it is self inflicted. After our appalling first half of the season it is amazing that we are still in contact with four other clubs. With a little bit of spending in January we might well have been in a better position to survive than we now find ourselves. I cannot believe how short sighted Desai has been and the fact that the wage bill has been the main concern this month suggests that she is not prepared to put any money into the club and that the Rovers are having to become self funding. That, as Jack found out, is not possible if you want to maintain top flight football at Ewood Park.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Taking to one side the ineptitude of our owners - this transfer window has made it is obvious that Rovers aren't the only team under pressure from the banks.

Overall we are slightly stronger than before the window - as we have shipped out players that weren't playing anyway. It is just a shame - as it was an opportunity to bring in some quality loan players - instead we have untried or average players brought in.

[Guest TheArtistFormallyKnownAsJB]

Why are some of you talking as if in previous windows we have spent loads?

It's obvious the wage bill needs reducing because it has never been sustainable without player sales. Therefore I am much happier to see a window like this, rather than ones where we need to sell our most valuable players.

Gotta commend our staff for getting rid of players who will make little or no difference to the first team. Just Salgado, Grella and a few more to go.

[braddock]

Why are some of you talking as if in previous windows we have spent loads?

It's obvious the wage bill needs reducing because it has never been sustainable without player sales. Therefore I am much happier to see a window like this, rather than ones where we need to sell our most valuable players.

Gotta commend our staff for getting rid of players who will make little or no difference to the first team. Just Salgado, Grella and a few more to go.

Indeed. Would have been nice for a surprise signing but we have kept all key players from this season and not broken up the team which should make escape a little bit easier as signings from other windows are coming to fruition. Had we signed someone half decent but lost Samba the board would be going even crazier.

Our wage bill has been a joke (perhaps a necessary one to keep us in the league given our size) and for years this board has been complaining.

It wasn't the perfect window but it's far from being a bad one all things considered.

[Mattyblue]

Well it wasn't a 'bad' window, in so much as that would have seen top stars leaving the club.

But, it certainly doesn't fill me with confidence that Venky's have any commitment to the club.

[rovers11]

Economic situation and financial FairPlay taking a part in football now. Attendances dwindling now old Trafford, emirates, anfield, goodison(only 29,000 last night) all dropping and player sales fallen by around120% should we really be suprised in regards to rovers?

I think you're spot on. Football is now being hit by the economic situation. Banks are no longer willing to finance clubs to the extent they once were. A lot of clubs are now operating a sell to buy policy (even spurs).

Not too disappointed about the outgoings. Squad players who have offered very little this season. And they are on big wages - I actuially think it makes sense to shift them out. Disappointed with the incomings - don't think they will make any impact. We desperately need new owners before the summer.

[braddock]

Well it wasn't a 'bad' window, in so much as that would have seen top stars leaving the club.

But, it certainly doesn't fill me with confidence that Venky's have any commitment to the club.

Well given the fans will never be confident an admittance that it wasn't bad is a good showing from the Venksters.

[rovers11]

Well it wasn't a 'bad' window, in so much as that would have seen top stars leaving the club.

But, it certainly doesn't fill me with confidence that Venky's have any commitment to the club.

As Kamy has said in the Venky's thread, I think Venky's are trying to bring finances under control in order to sell the club within 12 months. That is more likely if the debt is at a manageable level and wages are under control.

[Mercer]

Yes he's been injured. But isn't any more it would appear. Nelsen or Hanley?

Experience, old head, captain on and off the field, been there done it, just what is needed in a relegation battle. If we were going to pay anyone up to leave then why not Grella??

Is the football club stronger or weaker with Nelsens departure, and I don't just mean on the pitch. There's only one answer.

Oh and for all those falling over themselves saying how great it is that we've reduced the wage bill I note that you're the same people who this time last year were proclaiming that Venkys were loaded. Despite the non sale of Samba that clearly isn't the case. I wonder what happened to the money ear marked for Ronaldinho etc? Then again, just like the last 14 months, that was all bull$hit.

Spot on.

Difficult to believe that some people think window 'okayish' and finances back on track !!!

IMO, all we have been doing is baling out water to stop the ship sinking. I think you might find that the ship's hole will see us sink before the season's out.

The absolute folly of it all - new contracts last Jan. for Roberts, Nelson & Salgado and now club wants rid of them !!!

If anyone has any confidence in our owners, operational management or team manager then , IMO, it's grossly misplaced.

For over 12 months, IMO, supporters have been misled and there will be a heavy, heavy price to be paid for that with a substantial fall in gates, which we are already seeing.

I think window has been disastrous for us and it can't be hidden. If this was Walker Trust / Sam, MB would have been in meltdown.

[Mattyblue]

Well given the fans will never be confident an admittance that it wasn't bad is a good showing from the Venksters.

Aye, no money spent, but no top stars leaving is the best we can hope for from the Venksters.

Still, flogging off for nowt players that were given fat conracts just a year ago is certainly 'prudent'.

[Gamst]

I envy people's positivity regarding this transfer window. I think it is bordering on disgraceful. We are in the relegation zone and we have cut our wage bill and brought in 3 randomers, none of which I have particularly high expectations for. I'm sure Keano will be describing Orr as the new Roberto Carlos, but lets face it, he is a championship player. Kean keeps going on about 'what we're trying to do here'. What precisely are we trying to do? You can see why Samba wants to leave, we are just being lied to persistently! What is the master plan that we keep hearing about from Kean? I would feel sympathy for him if he were honest, but he is just a spineless puppet for the Venkys. How can any self respecting manager come out and say he is happy with the his dealings after the dross he has signed? Are we supposed to believe this stuff? How does the journeyman Orr fit into his master plan? Kean has a really tough job with very little support from Venkys, if only he was honest I don't think anyone would really have a problem with him. I just can't bare it when I'm repeatedly told that all is rosy in the garden when it so blatantly isn't. I despair.

[braddock]

Aye, no money spent, but no top stars leaving is the best we can hope for from the Venksters.

Still, flogging off for nowt players that were given fat conracts just a year ago is certainly 'prudent'.

Indeed. Though nobody is claiming they are geniuses. We've been giving out contracts to under performers for years now though. Maybe they picked that trick up from the previous lot?

In my eyes, better wage bill and a squad and manager capable of survival. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who disagree. I've got my eye on 15th though. Victory tonight, a win against Swansea when we play them and we are a meagre 3 points behind. I think they'll begin to slump very soon.

[jim mk2]

If club policy is to ship out older higher-earning players on the edge of the squad why is Grella still on the books and not been paid off ?

I'm wondering how much our younger players will miss Nelsen. A few weeks ago he spoke about looking forward to get back in training and teaching the youngsters a few tricks. Hope he comes back to the club one day when this farago is all over. He seems to have a genuine affection for the club.

The club has to be congratulated for keeping Samba. I just hope he forgets his disappointment at not securing a move and gets his head down and helps us avoid relegation (again). If he does that to be fair to him the club should let him go in the summer.

Never seen Bradley Orr play but we need a specialist right back and pushing Lowe into midfield should help to stiffen the defence. The lad needs to watch the yellow cards though.

[Exiled_Rover]

Spot on.

Difficult to believe that some people think window 'okayish' and finances back on track !!!

IMO, all we have been doing is baling out water to stop the ship sinking. I think you might find that the ship's hole will see us sink before the season's out.

The absolute folly of it all - new contracts last Jan. for Roberts, Nelson & Salgado and now club wants rid of them !!!

If anyone has any confidence in our owners, operational management or team manager then , IMO, it's grossly misplaced.

For over 12 months, IMO, supporters have been misled and there will be a heavy, heavy price to be paid for that with a substantial fall in gates, which we are already seeing.

I think window has been disastrous for us and it can't be hidden. If this was Walker Trust / Sam, MB would have been in meltdown.

The MB isn't in meltdown because the majority of us have accepted that we're ###### with the Venky's in charge. We've done everything possible as fans, but no change has come.

For the record I don't think off loading Roberts, Nelsen and Andrews is a bad bit of business - they're all shot. The problem is that we've brought nobody in. It's all well and good saying "Well at least Samba and Hoilett are still here", but that's a reprieve to the end of the season.

Either way we're doomed with this lot in charge.

[beatrix]

This transfer window illustrates one thing only, the venkys have realised now that they have made a big mistake buying the rovers and on top of that

making such a mess of the club since they took over. As kamy says they are probably preparing their exit strategy now knowing that they will never be

welcome or accepted at ewood park. The question is can kean get to grips with samba to help us avoid relegation, that will be interesting.

The positives are we retained samba ? hoillet, nzonzi, and have a reasonable squad to try and get results.

The big issue is financial, if we do get relegated our income will drop drastically and the owners will probably not put their money in under the

current circumstances. We badly need a change of ownership to a more local, realistic, fan based consortium/organisation whatever. We need to get back

to basics, we are a small town club with a relatively small fan base, we need prudent owners who can budget for our realistic situation to preserve

our history and heritage. I for one with over 50 years of following rovers look forward to seeing the back of the raos/venkys.

[ChesterRover]

I would imagine the only reason is that Grella's wages are covered by insurance.

It would be an eye opener to see his salary to minutes played, beggars belief he ever passed a medical.

[Hughesy]

Keeping our key assets + slashing 2.5m off the wage bill between now and the summer is good business for our operating levels. We have seen this happen before under our previous owners, but never have we managed to offload so many ageing or ineffective players.

Spot on - nothing new, however we have never been as successful at it in the past. We now really only have Salgado & Grella to move on.....+ average Joe's like Anderson & Ribiero.

How is that a shambles? Nelsen has been injured for the majority of the last couple of season. He's coming towards the end of his career, is a relatively high earner and, even if he managed to get fit for a sustained period of time, probably wouldn't merit a place in our first 11.

Spot on

Well it wasn't a 'bad' window, in so much as that would have seen top stars leaving the club.

But, it certainly doesn't fill me with confidence that Venky's have any commitment to the club.

Agree 100% - It doesnt fill me with any confidence either, however we have retained our best players and we have shifted players that offer us very little on the pitch. Go down or stay up, the financial aspect of our club MUST look abit better on the wage bill.

[Mercer]

Unbelievable - this man would try and sell ice to the Eskimos:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9505054.Kean_happy_with_Blackburn_Rovers_business/

[BiggusLaddus]

There was nothing wrong with the business we did, just the business we didn't do.

We removed 3 high earning, low transfer value reserves from the wage bill and replaced with 3 lower cost players, of which 2 will probably be involved in the first team. All good business and sensible.

We didn't address our biggest weakness so we are left hoping that Petrovic's recent improvement continues and that Yak carries on scoring.