[Archived] possible transfer targets summer 2013

[patrickvalery]

He was good at the start but abysmal in the second half of the season, maybe due to limited chances but he's not going to be first choice so would struggle for consistency

His performance against Millwall was the worst of an awful bunch he didnt find one five yard pass

I think you hit the nail on the head Tom. The guy couldn't get a kick and at 36 (?) he needed match fitness. I felt he was dropped just when he was starting to show signs that he might be good for 10-15 goals over the season. Still, he's on his merry way and i wish him good luck. I don't think anyone would say he was anything other than a model pro at Rovers.

[had.e.nuff]

looks like murphy is coming

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23096926

[chaddyrovers]

Would Luke Murphy mean David Jones not coming?

Maybe so. Maybe Bowyer has got fed up with waiting for Jones to decide who to sign for.

we cant wait for Jones all summer to decide which teams he wants to play for

Nuno Gomes has terminated his contract after a chat with Bowyer. That's one of the higher rollers gone ... Keep up the good work.

Gomes was a great player for his country and has had a good career. Pleased to see that Gomes didn't just want to get paid and sit on the bench BUT wants to play football. shame more footballers aren't like this. Pleased to see this guy in a Rovers shirt

Delighted if we can pull off the Luke Murphy signing. Exactly what we need in the middle of the park from the little I've seen of him. Signing the best talent from League 1 is not a bad ploy - they're hungry, determined, and not afraid to get stuck in.

agree SR. I want to see players who want to be here and Luke Murphy was one of the best players in League 1

Hope so, i really like the look of murphy, of all the lowet division players we've been linked to i think hes one that could progress to be a prem quality player.

He looks really good Centre midfielder in 2 or 3 games I've seen him play on TV

thats awesome news re Luke Murphy... now to get rid of the other Murphy, and we will be getting somewhere

I agree. Hopefully Luke Murphy is coming in to replace Danny Murphy who will leave this summer

A move to Ewood Park would link Murphy up with his old youth coach at Crewe Terry McPhillips, who is now number two to Gary Bowyer

Read more: http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Crewe-Alexandra-Championship-club-moves-Murphy/story-19420183-detail/story.html#ixzz2XXPD1upH

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[Boylerhaus]

From a quick look at Crewe forums, they seem to rate Murphy as highly as Westwood who has done well at Villa since leaving. There's usually arguments about whether he is good enough for a jump straight to the PL but they all seem to agree he'd be at ease in the championship - and likely to go further with that experience

[blueboy3333]

From a quick look at Crewe forums, they seem to rate Murphy as highly as Westwood who has done well at Villa since leaving. There's usually arguments about whether he is good enough for a jump straight to the PL but they all seem to agree he'd be at ease in the championship - and likely to go further with that experience

Just had a look at their forums and rumours of Leicester & Wigan interest now.

[JWUpper]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23097684

Crainey signed for Wigan so we can cross him off the potential list...

[Baz]

i like the policy of bringing in the young hungry star performers from league 1. better than signing older duds from prem clubs. that`s not dismissing the possibilty of bringing in someone from the prem who can make a differance though(like hughes and berkovic did for us way back when)

bowyer is impressing me at the moment, just hope it works on the field where it matters, rather than on paper..

Signing league 1 players is fast tracking arrival in league 1. If the player is exceptional fair enough, but i dont get that impression from either Judge or Murphy. If he has been looked by premier league clubs then also he has been passed over by premier league clubs. £1m is next to nowt for half the premier league clubs.

We need to get rid of 10-15 full time professionals quickly, or we will be looking at administration. Thats the priority.

[Guest Norbert]

The whole clearout thing is a bit of a conundrum. If we focus everything on clearing out the squad, then many good players might pass us by, and then we could be rplacing like for like ability wise. However, as many have mentioned, there are many who really do need shifting ASAP. It's tricky getting the balance right between adding to the wages, and trying to get rid of players on big contracts. And some won't have people wanting to take them off our hands.

As for Judge and Murphy not being good enough. Let's just see how they do. I'd rather bring them in on Bosmans etc. than clapped out ex-Premier League players on a last payday. Our last ex league 1 player didn't do too badly after all.

[Mike E]

Signing league 1 players is fast tracking arrival in league 1. If the player is exceptional fair enough, but i dont get that impression from either Judge or Murphy. If he has been looked by premier league clubs then also he has been passed over by premier league clubs. £1m is next to nowt for half the premier league clubs.

We need to get rid of 10-15 full time professionals quickly, or we will be looking at administration. Thats the priority.

I will continue to use this point:

Friedel was a Liverpool reject. Tugay was a Rangers reject. Samba was a Berlin b-team reject. Nelsen came from the MLS before it was even half-decent.

Who's to say that we're buying L1 standard players just because they are from that league? Judge them on how they play here.

[Majiball]

Murphy is a decent signing, if he comes.

[cesus]

Signing league 1 players is fast tracking arrival in league 1. If the player is exceptional fair enough, but i dont get that impression from either Judge or Murphy. If he has been looked by premier league clubs then also he has been passed over by premier league clubs. £1m is next to nowt for half the premier league clubs.

We need to get rid of 10-15 full time professionals quickly, or we will be looking at administration. Thats the priority.

Keeping Premier League players was very nearly a fast track to league 1 so I'm happy with the club changing tact. Premiership players tend to find the Championship a world of pain, forget all links to the Premier League please as the championship is poles apart.

[Stuart]

The whole clearout thing is a bit of a conundrum. If we focus everything on clearing out the squad, then many good players might pass us by, and then we could be rplacing like for like ability wise. However, as many have mentioned, there are many who really do need shifting ASAP. It's tricky getting the balance right between adding to the wages, and trying to get rid of players on big contracts. And some won't have people wanting to take them off our hands.

As for Judge and Murphy not being good enough. Let's just see how they do. I'd rather bring them in on Bosmans etc. than clapped out ex-Premier League players on a last payday. Our last ex league 1 player didn't do too badly after all.

I completely see where you are coming from but Judge was the League One player of the season and Murphy was Crewe's player of the season. Crewe are well known for rearing quality players.

Maybe these two are exceptional and ready for a step up. But if the worst happens, and we are relegated (not unrealistic considering the last two years, at least we are going to be equipped to compete. IF we can rid our wage bill of the keanites.

Cutting our cloth is a necessary evil thanks to Venkys.

[Ricky]

Was just going to say the same as Stuart. The two league 1 players we are talking about are two of the best players in the league from last season.

[donnermeat]

I completely see where you are coming from but Judge was the League One player of the season and Murphy was Crewe's player of the season. Crewe are well known for rearing quality players.

Maybe these two are exceptional and ready for a step up. But if the worst happens, and we are relegated (not unrealistic considering the last two years, at least we are going to be equipped to compete. IF we can rid our wage bill of the keanites.

Cutting our cloth is a necessary evil thanks to Venkys.

Matt Ritchie won League One player of the year last season, Alan Judge won Notts County player of the season. I don't think that invalidates your point in any way, I'm just saying because I've seen it written a few times and its niggled me.

[Ricky]

Yep, judge was second and Murphy was fourth in the poll for player of the year.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20130328/league-managers-vote-for-players-of-the-year_2293338_2745549

And Rhodes didn't even get in the top 10 of the championship players.

[donnermeat]

Not exactly bad acquisitions IMO, didn't know Judge came second either (probably wouldn't have said anything if I had known that!)

[Stuart]

Matt Ritchie won League One player of the year last season, Alan Judge won Notts County player of the season. I don't think that invalidates your point in any way, I'm just saying because I've seen it written a few times and its niggled me.

Wow. Could have sworn I'd read somewhere official that he was League One POTY.

Maybe the LT picked it up off here and made it 'official'...

[Bundesburn]

Yep, judge was second and Murphy was fourth in the poll for player of the year.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20130328/league-managers-vote-for-players-of-the-year_2293338_2745549

And Rhodes didn't even get in the top 10 of the championship players.

Can understand why Rhodes isn't in the top 10, as it's voted for by managers and a few mentioned Rhodes purely because of his transfer fee. Presumably people were bitter.

[beanie]

Wow. Could have sworn I'd read somewhere official that he was League One POTY.

Maybe the LT picked it up off here and made it 'official'...

He was in league one's team of the year so perhaps thats where the confusion comes from.

[LeChuck]

Can understand why Rhodes isn't in the top 10, as it's voted for by managers and a few mentioned Rhodes purely because of his transfer fee. Presumably people were bitter.

Bitter about what?

Rhodes justifiably didn't make it. He might do this year if he continues the improve showed at the tail end, but he can't be anonymous for 99% of the time and expect recognition.

[beanie]

Bitter about what?

Rhodes justifiably didn't make it. He might do this year if he continues the improve showed at the tail end, but he can't be anonymous for 99% of the time and expect recognition.

I'd still say Rhodes is a better player than Murray,Wood,Whittingham and Bridcutt

[sparky12]

Andrews was a League Two midfielder when we signed him, not League One. And we were in the Premier League. So he jumped three levels, not one!

i know im only chucking the bait out.. i didn't like him as much as everyone else however would have taken him in a heartbeat last season

[blueboy3333]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10516553.Murphy_keen_on_Blackburn_Rovers_move/

[LeChuck]

I'd still say Rhodes is a better player than Murray,Wood,Whittingham and Bridcutt

Murray scored more goals last season though, and his all round game is far better. Whittingham is a fantastic player - one for the fantasy teams next year because he'll get a lot of points.

Rhodes doesn't get to start for Scotland and he doesn't make team of the year ahead of those you mentioned. It's not a conspiracy or anything, he's just not as good as many on here believe he is.

Cardiff and Swansea have both just bought £8-10 million strikers. Neither looked at Rhodes. I don't think any PL club will at the moment.

[T.J.Newton]

Rhodes scored his goals at a club in turmoil, under 5 different managers surrounded by mostly average players and battling against relegation