[Archived] Transfer Talk

[the original david brent]

In the transfer gossip column of today's sun, Bobby Zamora has been offered a deal by Pune FC. I stand to be corrected but don't Venky's have some involvement with them? I obviously recall the 'prestigious' friendly back in the day! If Venkys are involved with Pune FC, perhaps they ought to prioritise signing a player like Zamora for Rovers!

[davulsukur]

Or perhaps sign them for Pune FC and then loan them to us for free?

[the original david brent]

Well that did cross my mind Davur but then I thought it would be far too clever for Degsy et al to conjure up!

[T J Hooker]

Im keen to see where dunn traps up for pre-srason training, accy stanley is the obvious choice, but i personally still think he could offer something at a slightly higher level, i imagine he will be looking to stay in lancashire though, maybe he might fancy linking up with his old muckers flitcroft and jansen at choli.

[davulsukur]

Well that did cross my mind Davur but then I thought it would be far too clever for Degsy et al to conjure up!

You're probably right. I'm not sure if Watford closed that loophole a couple of seasons back anyway?

[tomphil]

This division is very unpredictable and we are getting weaker every season and now FFP has turned us into a proper lame duck. The way I see it there is absolutely no logical reason for us to do better next season than we have the previous two, and plenty of logical reasons to see us do worse and even struggle.

FFP hasn't quite turned us into a lame duck just yet. We are still operating with a fair sized and decent squad put together well before the embargo. What it needs is keeping together, be organised and motivated to the max and every last drop squeezed out of it and there is still an outside chance of a play off spot. As it stands smaller weaker squads out performed us consistently last season.

[JBiz]

In the transfer gossip column of today's sun, Bobby Zamora has been offered a deal by Pune FC. I stand to be corrected but don't Venky's have some involvement with them? I obviously recall the 'prestigious' friendly back in the day! If Venkys are involved with Pune FC, perhaps they ought to prioritise signing a player like Zamora for Rovers!

Free season long loan :-)

That would be a lovely way round FFP. Surely not...

[LewisF]

"I think Rhodes plays better with a playmaker in behind him like Cairney or Marshall, sliding balls through for him to run on to."

Personally id rather us play with two wingers (not central mids shoe horned into the side as wingers Mr Bowyer).I think two wingers getting to the by line or in front of Rhodes is ideal for him.

Rhodes is at his best and most dangerous with the ball in front of him. His hold up play is awful and anything slid through which isnt perfect he will never get to due to his lack of pace. But Rhodes coming onto crosses and cut backs he will be in his element in front of goal..

Play Marshall and Olsson as wingers (Spurr back at full back). That just leaves the three in midfield ..hmm...this is when it all goes wrong with the players at our disposal .. A little steel and craft definetely required there.

Can Cairney be a consistent play maker ?

I'd play Olsson and Conway as wingers with Marshall filling in the hole behind Rhodes

[yoda]

Im keen to see where dunn traps up for pre-srason training, accy stanley is the obvious choice, but i personally still think he could offer something at a slightly higher level, i imagine he will be looking to stay in lancashire though, maybe he might fancy linking up with his old muckers flitcroft and jansen at choli.

That would be too low a level I think

[TBTF]

I'd play Olsson and Conway as wingers with Marshall filling in the hole behind Rhodes

Another one not in his chosen position and we are only in June!!

[Josh]

I always maintained I would remain on the board as a 'lurker' so as not to get involved with the nonsensical arguments, but I have to ask "what's happened to Anton Forrester". Not a mention anywhere when people are discussing our potential striker shortage (& lack of pace). Has something happened to him I've not heard about, or is it a case of everybody maoning & groaning & losing sight of players (possible important) who are actually on our books. I know all about his injury, but I suspect he'll be fully fit for pre-season & should be a very useful member of the squad. Low wages as well.

After the injury he suffered, I doubt he'll be back to even 75% of what he was, and nobody even knows what he was like before that

[perthblue02]

In the transfer gossip column of today's sun, Bobby Zamora has been offered a deal by Pune FC. I stand to be corrected but don't Venky's have some involvement with them? I obviously recall the 'prestigious' friendly back in the day! If Venkys are involved with Pune FC, perhaps they ought to prioritise signing a player like Zamora for Rovers!

Don't think Venky's are involved with them apart from maybe being sponsors of games etc, Pune FC are owned by this lot http://www.ashokpiramalgroup.com/ and this bit from the club website confirms that the V's are not involved in running it ""One of the most professionally managed clubs in India""

[chaddyrovers]

Bowyer no plans to replace Baptiste in the squad. Will use Lowe and Marshall at right back if needs most

http://m.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13333645.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_Gary_Bowyer_has_no_plans_to_replace_Alex_Baptiste/

[Stuart]

Bowyer no plans to replace Baptiste in the squad. Will use Lowe and Marshall at right back if needs most

http://m.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13333645.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_Gary_Bowyer_has_no_plans_to_replace_Alex_Baptiste/

"BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer says he has the personnel to cope with the loss of loan star Alex Baptiste."

He really really doesn't. This is going to be a crap season, isn't it.

[Julian Barker]

I have no reason to promote Forrester, but I'm just bemused as to the fact he doesn't get a mention, whilst everybody complains about Brown being our first choice striker if we lose Rudy & Rhodes. As for "nobody knows what he's like", he played several games for Everton U-21s as an 18 year old (they included a sell-on fee in the agreement when he signed for us). He's scored 6 goals in 10 games for our U-21s (including 2 on his comeback match this year). He was Bury's top scorer before his injury & was well-regarded there (still only 19 when he joined them on loan). As for him only being less than 75% of the player he was before, players now recover completely from cruciate injuries - I haven't noticed Theo Walcott for example, losing any of his pace. Also if he's not the player he was, why has he been offered a new contract.

Time will tell, but if fit, I think he could be a very handy player for us, & could save us from bringing in a similar striker which is never easy.

[JBiz]

"BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer says he has the personnel to cope with the loss of loan star Alex Baptiste."

He really really doesn't. This is going to be a crap season, isn't it.

Duffy, kilgallon, Hanley CB

Spurr, Olsson LB

Henley, Lowe RB.

You also have spurr and lenihan who can do a decent job at CB. I think we've got plenty.

[Rover_Shaun]

Quality. Not quantity is needed.

The same can be applied to the appalling defensive coaching (based on the facts of the Bowyer era where the defence has not improved at all under his regime*)

*yes the defence has been poor for years but currently Bowyer is the man in charge and the buck starts and ends at his feet,

[cesus]

Duffy, kilgallon, Hanley CB

Spurr, Olsson LB

Henley, Lowe RB.

You also have spurr and lenihan who can do a decent job at CB. I think we've got plenty.

Have you ever noticed how many of our players get injured in a season? It's ok Bowyer talking about Marshall and Lowe covering right back but fails to identify that we actually don't have anybody to cover them in midfield if we move them there. According to the above telegraph article Lenihan still hasn't signed a contract, does anybody know if he is going to?

[blueboy3333]

Have you ever noticed how many of our players get injured in a season? It's ok Bowyer talking about Marshall and Lowe covering right back but fails to identify that we actually don't have anybody to cover them in midfield if we move them there. According to the above telegraph article Lenihan still hasn't signed a contract, does anybody know if he is going to?

If he doesn't then serious questions need to be asked. The wording doesn't sound hopeful:-

The club is...keen for the versatile Lenihan, who broke into the first team at the end of last season, to commit his future.

The LT used similar wording about King for weeks before he did the inevitable and left. Or maybe i need to get out more

[pick32]

I Think Henley was one of our better players second half of the season he should be first choice right back

[Rover_Shaun]

With FFP it puts the youngsters in a funny position because after 5 appearances they are added to our list of established players. I can see why they would be jittery about signing a deal for a man who is unwilling or unable to give them game time.

[Tom]

Baptiste was far better in the centre, the worry should be cover there not right back.

Very concerning that Bowyer doesn't even seem to recognise that fact.

[McClarky]

If Marshall gets back to anywhere near his best you wouldn't want to be sticking him in defence if Henley is injured, he's about the most creative player we've got. I think we need a better contingency than moving people into positions which harm the team. Wem clearly need an experienced defender, probably on loan, who can improve the defensive unit and show some leadership.

[cesus]

Baptiste was far better in the centre, the worry should be cover there not right back.

Very concerning that Bowyer doesn't even seem to recognise that fact.

I agree, 3 recognised and experienced centre halves is not enough. Between the 3 of them they probably missed a seasons worth of games last season, tied in with Duffy still on the road to recovery (how well the recovery is going I haven't heard). It's not even like we can hope Yann Songo'o comes good anymore

[blueboy3333]

Baptiste was excellent at CB last season, and did a good job at RB. However in Kilgallon, Hanley and Duffy we have 3 CB's who, if they play to their potential, are more than good enough for this division. Unfortunately last season Hanley was pretty awful and Duffy was going that way before he had his injury. This season may be different, a good pre-season and return of confidence/form and Baptiste will soon be forgotten about. Never pine for a Trotter!

Maybe Bowyer's been reading this board and absorbing the expertise available. There's no point in having a 'bloated' squad and signing people for the sake of it.