[Archived] Rhodes To Boro

[A cup of beans]

I'll still be at Ewood when we play Fleetwood in League 1.

You were going to ditch Rovers and watch Fleetwood, a couple of seasons ago..

We all say things in the heat of the moment.

Glad you chose what was right and proper.

On Rhodes. Now the dust has settled, I can see both sides as to how it's going to impact positively and negatively.

It'll be one or the other. So strap yourselves in,either way.

[USABlue]

Well if you compare Danny Graham's last 27 Championship games he performs just as good as Rhodes last 27

Premier League form is irrelevant to the equation as you might as well compare a Leauge One player to Rhodes which would be unfair

It's his next 27 that matter.

[T J Hooker]

Unless we sign a goalscorer, we're @#/?. Anybody thinking the likes of Graham, Brown, Delfouneso or Watt are going to step up to replace Rhodes' goals is living in a dreamworld. We already know our midfield aren't going to step up.

The teams below us will be delighted with this news.

like another poster said further back, our forwards only need to find around 15 goals between them between now and the end of the season to match rhodes usual goal tally, we've been spoilt at this club in a lot of the time in past decades by having prolific goalscorers to score the majority of the clubs goals, its a squad game these days and everybody has to chip in with goals and at the end of the season the clubs 'goals scored' bracket will be no less than when you are relying on just having 1 or 2 payers to score the vast majority of the goals.

cant believe how much doom mongering is going on, yes Rhodes was a class goalscorer(at this level) and an excellent pro, but we've sold far better players in the past and just moved on, 1 player shouldn't make a team

[USABlue]

If we're expecting a team that plays with a modern high tempo, pressing from the front, win the ball back high up the pitch style then Rhodes hasn't got the tools to be part of that style.

What team works harder than Barcelona at winning the ball back in their opponents half ?

We're far from being a hard working team and sometimes players need leading by example. Could some of our players be thinking " He's on three times what I'm on, I'll start grafting when he does " ?

Absolutely, you know they are.

[Mike Graham]

At least Huddersfield will get peanuts from us.

The % to them is on profit over £8M and this does not include the two pptential bonus payments.

They will get srximatrly £250K.

[DE.]

like another poster said further back, our forwards only need to find around 15 goals between them between now and the end of the season to match rhodes usual goal tally

Only 15 goals? Well, considering how prolific we've been recently I can see I'm worried over nothing. Carry on.

[T J Hooker]

Sigh..........

[DE.]

Blackburn Rovers Stats

Top Goal Scorers

1. Rhodes 11
2. Akpan 2
3. Conway 2

[USABlue]

Unless we sign a goalscorer, we're @#/?. Anybody thinking the likes of Graham, Brown, Delfouneso or Watt are going to step up to replace Rhodes' goals is living in a dreamworld. We already know our midfield aren't going to step up.

The teams below us will be delighted with this news.

Singularly they may not but as a unit if each of Watt and Graham score one in 4 only that is better than Rhodes and who is to say they don't help the rest chip in.

No, clearly Lambert has seen what many other managers have.Jordan is a luxury we can no longer afford for the greater good

I hate that we are losing him and I am not so fully sold on Lambert's ability but this is the beginning of a new chapter.

Whether it is up or down is what scares me. It could be that this time next year we are all wondering Jordan who? As Jordan is warming Boro's bench in the prem becoming another ex Rover to not reach the heights they thought they might. I hope Karanka has a plan to get the best out of him.

Good luck Jordan and thanks, Watt Rhodes lead to Boro? Funny though has he actually agreed to go there yet?

[Stuart]

The doom merchants on here were repeatedly saying that we bought Rhodes in many instalments over several years. Saying in transfer window after transfer window that the club were struggling to make the next payment and we would have to sell Rhodes.

Now he is going it was all Balaji's money which the club wouldn't have had to worry about but the club won't get much.

Wonder what the truth is. One tale of misery can't be right.

Granted it's only a view, in terms of the maths, but (based on the limited info I've been privy to) it was always understood to be Balaji's personal money that brought in Rhodes. How that was structured in paying Huddersfield is anyone's guess but they did not want to sell so I imagine it was a good deal financially for them.

[DE.]

Singularly they may not but as a unit if each of Watt and Graham score one in 4 only that is better than Rhodes and who is to say they don't help the rest chip in.

No, clearly Lambert has seen what many other managers have.Jordan is a luxury we can no longer afford for the greater good

I hate that we are losing him and I am not so fully sold on Lambert's ability but this is the beginning of a new chapter.

Whether it is up or down is what scares me. It could be that this time next year we are all wondering Jordan who? As Jordan is warming Boro's bench in the prem becoming another ex Rover to not reach the heights they thought they might. I hope Karanka has a plan to get the best out of him.

Good luck Jordan and thanks, Watt Rhodes lead to Boro? Funny though has he actually agreed to go there yet?

To be honest, I don't really care how he does for Boro or any team in the future (except having a stinker when he plays us). My concern is how we replace the void in goals that is left behind. What about our style of play is going to be conductive to Graham or Watt scoring goals? We barely create any chances, so having a predator like Rhodes was necessary to finish off the very few chances we create. Granted Rhodes has struggled since Lambert came in, but so has the rest of the team. He was finally beginning to get back into a scoring rhythm and now he's sold, leaving us with dubious, unproven options.

If Watt and Graham is going to be our forward line, at least one if not two creative players are essential to create the multiple chances that will be needed for either of them to score. Our current team combined with our atrocious style of play has relegation written all over it.

[USABlue]

Its a tough one this, I've sat on the fence for months now but it has to be said this season has not been the most productive one of his career with us and it has looked for months that he was on his way.

The goalposts have shifted since he came. Then it was "Rhodes 30 goals a season will fire us to promotion" now its 'Rhodes 30 goals a season will save us from relegation". Venkys have a way of radically altering your expectations.

Seriously, how long could that go on? Having a multi-million pound player, earning 40 grand a week ,scoring 30 goals a season to avoid relegation while everybody around him is sold off and the squad gets weaker and the task gets harder every year?

Those who wanted Rhodes to stay also realised how weak the squad is and suggested 5/6 players are needed. We are getting them but the sale of Rhodes is paying for them! Venkys will put no more in, surely we all realise that now?

So Lambert's options were to keep him and continue Bowyer's practice of signing more and more dross in the hope that a couple would function (and then be sold of course) or to make the decisive step and remodel the team.

And there was no choice because what we had wasn't working.

Not wanting to defend the despicables but how the hell do you think the Got Lambert AND his team here, it wasn't free.

As I am calming down, slightly, this is just.the beginning of the rebuilding job that Lambert has to do. Maybe just maybe it also sends a message to the others that no one is indispensable, the team is first.

My problem is I am torn between whether to be excited or scared about the future.

[mustard]

I imagine all those who have been critical of Rhodes will be in for a shock. Having a player who scores 20+ goals a season despite "doing nothing" is what kept us in the league the last few seasons. Now we get to see what average strikers are like. When we are missing the few chances we manage to create, we might just be wishing we had JR there to finish them off...

[BlooBoy]

Its a tough one this, I've sat on the fence for months now but it has to be said this season has not been the most productive one of his career with us and it has looked for months that he was on his way.

The goalposts have shifted since he came. Then it was "Rhodes 30 goals a season will fire us to promotion" now its 'Rhodes 30 goals a season will save us from relegation". Venkys have a way of radically altering your expectations.

Seriously, how long could that go on? Having a multi-million pound player, earning 40 grand a week ,scoring 30 goals a season to avoid relegation while everybody around him is sold off and the squad gets weaker and the task gets harder every year?

Those who wanted Rhodes to stay also realised how weak the squad is and suggested 5/6 players are needed. We are getting them but the sale of Rhodes is paying for them! Venkys will put no more in, surely we all realise that now?

So Lambert's options were to keep him and continue Bowyer's practice of signing more and more dross in the hope that a couple would function (and then be sold of course) or to make the decisive step and remodel the team.

And there was no choice because what we had wasn't working.

How do you know PL simply did nt rate Rhodes and decided to cash in whilst someone was still willing to pay stupid money for him ?You say Venkys will put no more money in but on what basis ? We ve been in an embargo have nt we ? Could nt spend it if we wanted too. Venkys could quite easily have sold Rhodes at any time in the last 18 months and cashed in but refused to.Surely that was the easy option.

[RevidgeBlue]

Those that are saying the 3 newcomers only have to notch 4 goals each to match JR's tally are completely missing the point imo.

We are struggling desperately with JR's 12 goals and no-one else contributing!

We need a 15-20 goal a season man AND several chipping in at a rate of around ten a season to be successful. We've never had anyone other than Rhodes or Gestede

chipping in from other areas of the pitch. That's one of the reasons we've struggled as well as leaking goals for fun before this season.

[yorkblue]

I imagine all those who have been critical of Rhodes will be in for a shock. Having a player who scores 20+ goals a season despite "doing nothing" is what kept us in the league the last few seasons. Now we get to see what average strikers are like. When we are missing the few chances we manage to create, we might just be wishing we had JR there to finish them off...

The whole style of play needs to be altered if the loss of Rhodes isn't to be a complete disaster. The current "create the odd chance and hope Jordan is on form to score" has been shown to be useless up until the last couple games when he has netted a couple. With inferior finishers more chances need to be created for any hope that his goals can be replaced. Maybe Watt with his pace might be able to create more of his own chances but the whole attacking method and philosophy of the team needs to change if the plan is to share the goals amongst several players.

[BlooBoy]

I think people are getting a tad hysterical here. Look at Burnley.Sold Jay Rod..end of world ?no..bought Austin..sold Austin ..End of the world ? No .Bought Ings ..Sold Ings .End of the world ? No. Bought Gray ...and on and on..

We aint having to play all our remaining games with ten men you know. Its a blow yes but all strikers in the championship are replaceable.

As pointed out Huddersfield and Burnley suddenly didnt just disappear by selling their top goalscorer.

[RevidgeBlue]

How do you know PL simply did nt rate Rhodes and decided to cash in whilst someone was still willing to pay stupid money for him ?You say Venkys will put no more money in but on what basis ? We ve been in an embargo have nt we ? Could nt spend it if we wanted too. Venkys could quite easily have sold Rhodes at any time in the last 18 months and cashed in but refused to.Surely that was the easy option.

Must be a PL decision to sell Rhodes, it's a very poor price compared to previous offers turned down.

Unless being cynical, it's part of Venky's end game, parachute payments finish end of this season, last desperate roll of the dice employing Lambert to try and scrape into the play offs was an admirable effort but has failed, so they're just happy to get what they can for Rhodes in now in readiness for bailing out.

[Lancaster Rover]

I would put money on Rhodes being available for loan in 18 months.

Boro' will go up and his goals will contribute however once in the prem and sploshing around in the new TV money Rhodes will be on the bench. It's a case of them spending 11 million in order to guarantee about 80 million. Not a bad return.

[mustard]

The whole style of play needs to be altered if the loss of Rhodes isn't to be a complete disaster. The current "create the odd chance and hope Jordan is on form to score" has been shown to be useless up until the last couple games when he has netted a couple. With inferior finishers more chances need to be created for any hope that his goals can be replaced. Maybe Watt with his pace might be able to create more of his own chances but the whole attacking method and philosophy of the team needs to change if the plan is to share the goals amongst several players.

Personally I think it would have made more sense to create more chances for Rhodes to finish off but never mind. I don't believe we've ever brought out the best in JR. I think he's always scored in spite of the dross behind him.

[Spankus Munky]

Those that are saying the 3 newcomers only have to notch 4 goals each to match JR's tally are completely missing the point imo.

We are struggling desperately with JR's 12 goals and no-one else contributing!

We need a 15-20 goal a season man AND several chipping in at a rate of around ten a season to be successful. We've never had anyone other than Rhodes or Gestede

chipping in from other areas of the pitch. That's one of the reasons we've struggled as well as leaking goals for fun before this season.

Yes but we are not getting people chipping in without strengthening the squad and to do that we need money, keep Rhodes and there is no real money to do anything so we carry on as we are. By selling we lose a 20+ a season scorer (but get them goals back spread across 2/3 decent strikers) but strengthen multiple positions with proper signings so we are ultimately stronger as a unit. In a perfect world we keep Rhodes and strengthen but we can't have that so something has to give im afraid

[USABlue]

To be honest, I don't really care how he does for Boro or any team in the future (except having a stinker when he plays us). My concern is how we replace the void in goals that is left behind. What about our style of play is going to be conductive to Graham or Watt scoring goals? We barely create any chances, so having a predator like Rhodes was necessary to finish off the very few chances we create. Granted Rhodes has struggled since Lambert came in, but so has the rest of the team. He was finally beginning to get back into a scoring rhythm and now he's sold, leaving us with dubious, unproven options.

If Watt and Graham is going to be our forward line, at least one if not two creative players are essential to create the multiple chances that will be needed for either of them to score. Our current team combined with our atrocious style of play has relegation written all over it.

Maybe having Graham who can hold the ball and Watt who can run at players and keep possesion will help the ball stay up top and give the midfield a bit of time to get further forward, make more chances. Rather than have the ball come straight back because Rhodes can't hold the ball or win headers against big center backs thats how. Surely you see some of the reason Rhodes was not so prolific was in part due to the fact we were no longer creating chances with Lamberts game.

This is an evolution not revolution. I only hope he does well on a personal level he was a decent pro for us when others were throwing toys he carried on, when Bowyer started benching him he kept going. Choosing not to pull a Rudy. Let's not forget early in the season we were lauding improvements in his all round game, this ended as soon as Bowyer was replaced.

I love this club, seperated by many years and many miles at almost 60 I still get a Rovers tat. This club will go on in spite of the.chicken farmers.but I do fear Lambert is our last roll of the dice, if he fails we are in real trouble so this is

farbigger than JR

[yorkblue]

Personally I think it would have made more sense to create more chances for Rhodes to finish off but never mind. I don't believe we've ever brought out the best in JR. I think he's always scored in spite of the dross behind him.

That is my point. The question is why The performances have been based largely on hoof ball. Is that PLs style or has he adopted it because the players can't or ,if some are to believed won't ,do anything else. Signing a target man like Graham and a strong quick partner in Watts suggests that we might continue with the direct approach with hopefully slightly better suited players doing it....it may still be hoof ball but a better quality of hoof ball.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Those that are saying the 3 newcomers only have to notch 4 goals each to match JR's tally are completely missing the point imo.

We are struggling desperately with JR's 12 goals and no-one else contributing!

We need a 15-20 goal a season man AND several chipping in at a rate of around ten a season to be successful. We've never had anyone other than Rhodes or Gestede

chipping in from other areas of the pitch. That's one of the reasons we've struggled as well as leaking goals for fun before this season.

Rev - the opposite view is that Rhodes contributes little outside scoring goals - which means we struggle to hold the ball up front, have no pace for an outlet ball - and at times resemble a team playing with 10 men (not just my observation - but heard numerous commentators mention on the radio when we are playing away). Having a quicker player up front - or one that can hold the ball up well - may mean we operate better as a team.

I have always said that solving the Rhodes issue is central to any manager being successful at Rovers - either getting the playing style to accommodate the deficiences in Rhodes game, allowing him to concentrate on what he does best - or sell and invest the money elsewhere.

PL has gone for the latter option - only time will tell if he is correct - but personally I think it is the right decision.

[USABlue]

Those that are saying the 3 newcomers only have to notch 4 goals each to match JR's tally are completely missing the point imo.

We are struggling desperately with JR's 12 goals and no-one else contributing!

We need a 15-20 goal a season man AND several chipping in at a rate of around ten a season to be successful. We've never had anyone other than Rhodes or Gestede

chipping in from other areas of the pitch. That's one of the reasons we've struggled as well as leaking goals for fun before this season.

But Rev my friend, with all due respect is it not you missing the point. I could be wrong but this is not just losing JR. Lambert is in the process of re-inventing us. We will not sell Rhodes and just keep doing what we are doing (better not) we will be changing the way we play. We pretty much were in the position of if Rhodes did not score we did not. This had to stop. As I have indicated I am not fully convinced by Lambert to this point, I really thought he would get more out of this lot. I have no choice but to hope he will get it right that he has a plan, a vision for us that we are so far removed from what he wants to do he had to move JR on to rebuild this club.

I'll mis Jordan but we will be ok