[Archived] January Transfer Window 2014

[J*B]

He used the Liverpool interest to put Rovers into a terrible position, claiming he wanted to move to play Champions League. We gave him a chance from nowhere and devolped him as a player, then once he WAS a good player, he put us in a position to either sell him way beneath his value or give him away for nothing.

In reality, even though Liverpool offered him Champions League AND a pay rise, when push came to shove he moved to West Ham, battling relegation, simply for the money. That is more than enough evidence for me that he is exactly the sort of player we DONT need.

[Mani]

He used the Liverpool interest to put Rovers into a terrible position, claiming he wanted to move to play Champions League. We gave him a chance from nowhere and devolped him as a player, then once he WAS a good player, he put us in a position to either sell him way beneath his value or give him away for nothing.

In reality, even though Liverpool offered him Champions League AND a pay rise, when push came to shove he moved to West Ham, battling relegation, simply for the money. That is more than enough evidence for me that he is exactly the sort of player we DONT need.

Do you KNOW any of this? Or is it your interpretation of what happened?

[arbitro]

He used the Liverpool interest to put Rovers into a terrible position, claiming he wanted to move to play Champions League. We gave him a chance from nowhere and devolped him as a player, then once he WAS a good player, he put us in a position to either sell him way beneath his value or give him away for nothing.

In reality, even though Liverpool offered him Champions League AND a pay rise, when push came to shove he moved to West Ham, battling relegation, simply for the money. That is more than enough evidence for me that he is exactly the sort of player we DONT need.

That is my point. How many footballers (and workers in general) would want to maximise their earning potential. Freedom of contract allowed him to do what he did. I don't blame him at all.

I argued with many Rovers fans at the time who actually thought he was over rated. I told them if that was the case they should be glad to see him go.

[FGS5635]

Is he a CB these days? How would he be a good replacement for Dann? No way should he be playing for us a RB hindering the experience and progress of Henley

[Bucksrover]

Don't think he is big enough to be a centre-back, or quick enough to be a full-back, which probably explains why he is scratching around for a club.

I don't think we should go near him - even if Dann leaves. If Dann leaves we should have a look at that youth player (Jack O'Connell I think) to see if he is nearly there, in which case he can back up Killgallon and come into the team if and when ready.

Not saying I want Dann gone - just saying if he does.

[FGS5635]

Didnt they extend O'Connells loan recently?

Songo according to the ultra reliable insagram in off to scotland on loan

For me 2+2 = dann isnt going anywhere or they definatley have a replacement signing lined up, or we'd be left will killa starting and marrow as the only other centre back option

[den]

Good full back was Lucas, but that seems a long time ago. Not fussed either way.

[Bucksrover]

For me 2+2 = dann isnt going anywhere or they definatley have a replacement signing lined up, or we'd be left will killa starting and marrow as the only other centre back option

You never know - we could find out that Marshall is great in another position!

[J*B]

Do you KNOW any of this? Or is it your interpretation of what happened?

He used the Liverpool interest to put Rovers into a terrible position, claiming he wanted to move to play Champions League.

He did many public interviews once he had 18 months left saying he wanted to play in the Champions League whilst Liverpool where interested, so that's pretty firm.

We gave him a chance from nowhere and devolped him as a player, then once he WAS a good player, he put us in a position to either sell him way beneath his value or give him away for nothing.

Refused to sign a new contract when we where offering him one. So the choice was obvious, take what little money we could get or let him leave on a Bosman/free.

In reality, even though Liverpool offered him Champions League AND a pay rise,

True

when push came to shove he moved to West Ham, battling relegation, simply for the money.

Can't prove it was simply money oriented, I don't know the guy. But why would anyone turn down a pay rise and a chance at champions league football to fight relegation? Either his family where in London and he wanted to be with them (not the case), or money, surely?

That is my point. How many footballers (and workers in general) would want to maximise their earning potential. Freedom of contract allowed him to do what he did. I don't blame him at all.

I argued with many Rovers fans at the time who actually thought he was over rated. I told them if that was the case they should be glad to see him go.

The problem isn't that he left. That's his choice. The problem was that all he banged on about for months was Champions League football and challenging himself at the top... Then moved to West Ham.

[FGS5635]

You never know - we could find out that Marshall is great in another position!

Good all around footballer. He probably could play CB in a pinch.

[Amo]

The problem isn't that he left. That's his choice. The problem was that all he banged on about for months was Champions League football and challenging himself at the top... Then moved to West Ham.

But as you admit, that was his choice. He probably did have aspirations of playing at a higher level, then West Ham came in with stupid money, the likes of which he wouldn't see again, and he grabbed the opportunity. Who are we to judge? I've got no ill will for Lucas. At least he was up front about his intentions and didn't string the club along.

[Leonard Venkhater]

I really don't get this. Neil was upfront with Rovers and told them he wouldn't be signing a new contract and that he would be leaving. He told them at the beginning of the season giving Rovers a decent notice period. He was exercising his right to go and earn more money. How many Rovers fans who took the moral high ground wouldn't have done that?

And yet Friedel is lauded whenever he comes back and fans hold him in high esteem. He asked to move during pre-season training and virtually forced a move to Villa for more money. He really didn't give a toss about Rovers.

Personally I wouldn't like either back.

Yep. I never got that either.He played for us for 5-6 years, never gave less than 100% and was up front when he wanted to move on. If he is fit, he is a leader and could add that bit of steel. Plenty of motivation with world cup as well.Only issue for me is fitness

[dave birch]

I don't begrudge Lucas for his actions then. He was, quite rightly, looking after his own interests, and so he should have been.

He was good for us at the time. He left us and has gradually sifted lower and lower.

Would I have him back?

Having seen him in a couple of WC qualifiers; no.

He's two yards slower, and that in itself, would be a problem. I wouldn't doubt his commitment, but, unfortunately age has caught up with him.

[RevidgeBlue]

It would not surprise me if they sign Lucas Neill should Dann go. In fact I'd go one further and say he eludes to it in that interview.

Would make sense as Rovers under GB often have deals lined up in the event of a player leaving...a few have back fired when they've bought before selling and the sale collapses eg Kilgallon and Dann in the summer.

Getting an extremely experienced player with a point to prove before the World Cup for nothing and a fraction of Danns wages...sounds like good business to me!

Stop winding people up you're worse than Mercerman.

Would be Danny Murphy mark 2 if he signed.

[Hekla]

Would be good to have him back in a short term role, the squad would be even better looking. Possibly the most attractive squad in the championship.

[ABBEY]

Now now Gav - plus if Rhodes is worth 12 million then Ings must be worth 13 million :-)

Ings ain't worth steam off me @#/?

[Parsonblue]

I'd be quite happy to see Lucas back here on a short term deal if Dann left. He's experienced, can play a variety of positions - something which Gary wants in players - and with him hoping to be playing in the World Cup it would be in his best interests to be as involved as much as possible at first team level. He would provide some on field leadership which is no bad thing. Personally, I can't see a problem with him returning to Ewood as I had no problems when he opted to leave. He went for more money - and so have more players than I care to remember over the past 50 years or so at Ewood. Maximising your earning potential is pretty normal behaviour I would have thought.

[RevidgeBlue]

I can't honestly think of a worse move tbh, Parson. We're trying to reduce the wage bill and have been doing a reasonable job of starting to get rid of the money grabbing leeches like Murphy Pedersen and Orr, why would we want to swell the wage bill again by inviting this parasite back on the premises?

Plus, on the playing side he isn't even a specialist centre back, wasn't particularly good at full back in his prime, and is now 34 so he isn't getting any quicker or better.

To suggest him as a potential replacement for Dann is utter madness. I hope Bowyer has more sense. If Neil hadn't played for the Club before, no-one would suggest touching him with a bargepole.

[SamDingle]

Ings ain't worth steam off me kean

Ings will leave for more money than you'll ever get for Rhodes, he's a far better player.

[McClarky]

On Lucas Neil, if a rival employer offered to treble my wages for doing exactly the same job I would be out the door so fast there would be scorch marks left behind. No probklem with him leaving at all personally and can't understand why anyone would have.

[Al]

Ings will leave for more money than you'll ever get for Rhodes, he's a far better player.

As long as he leaves that's OK.

[CapeTownRover]

On Lucas Neil, if a rival employer offered to treble my wages for doing exactly the same job I would be out the door so fast there would be scorch marks left behind. No probklem with him leaving at all personally and can't understand why anyone would have.

dont think it was the fact that he left us in a hurry for the cash, i think it was more down to how he went about it, and where he eventually landed up for all that money. Talk of Liverpool and champions league, ending up at West Ham instead..

[RevidgeBlue]

On Neil leaving, whilst he's perfectly entitled to run his contract down to maximise his earnings, my recollection of it was that far from doing the honourable thing and informing us in advance that he was leaving, he said absolutely nothing about his intentions, leaving us hanging on thinking he might sign a new deal, then of course wouldn't when push came to shove.

Partly the Club's fault as we should have fired him off down the road for some sort of fee long before it reached that point.

[G Somerset Rover]

Caught a live Lucas game while I was on secondment in Australia.

A fair few of you will be in for a shock if he does sign. He was beyond terrible. He'll end up getting sent off every week if he were to sign as he just can't hack the pace anymore. And that was the A-league!

[Bucksrover]

Getting away from Neil, I am a bit concerned that the longer the window goes on without us being able to offload one or two of the higher-paid fringe players, the more likely it is Bowyer may be tempted to sell off one of our decent players to finance some pay-offs.

I appreciate there is still 3 weeks of the window left and a lot gets done towards the end, but Bowyer doesn't say much in public unless he has to - so I am concerned that the statement about needing to reduce the wage-bill must be something he has to do - ideally by finding homes for Best and co but failing that whichever way he has to.