[Archived] Rhodes To Boro

[den]

.

[Reedy You're A Star]

Wayne Wild of BRAG is not happy...

http://www.roverstrust.com/2016/02/02/rhodes-leaves-a-premiership-sized-hole-in-rovers-playing-squad/

The page isn't there any more. What was the gist of it?

[philipl]

Just had a conversation with a colleague in Middlesbrough and he has been told that the deal was called off on Sunday due to Rhodes' agent asking for £750k for himself after the deal had been agreed. Gibson baulked at this and walked away. Although my colleague isn't involved in football he is well connected in the business world and his past information has proved to be correct.

Hmm, Rhodes had rejected personal terms as the pretext for letting the agent get up to whatever he was getting up to.

That means on Monday, they had to agree personal terms all over again. I wonder if that is the reason why Rhodes was so thoroughly miserable arriving at Boro and his Dad and not his agent was driving him into the training ground?

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/paul-lambert-2936251.aspx

Can't help but think Lambert is having another dig at Rhodes in his comments here.

"It’s been a massive month for the club. It's about building a squad. The club is bigger than any player and I'm delighted with what happened on deadline day."

It reads to me as though Lambert's issue with Rhodes went beyond his contribution on the pitch. Lambert seems to be suggesting he's delighted that Rhodes left.

I find it odd that he's talking about his squad 'taking shape' when Gomez, Graham, Watt and Jackson are actually only here to the end of the season.

I think Lambert is sending out a clear message to players and agents.

[tomphil]

I've seen it said that his Dad is one of his agents but maybe he has had to take quite a pay cut in the end. For a guy so set on the move he's come across and looked a bit downbeat about the whole thing.

[philipl]

Might not be at his instigation but rejecting a transfer he had agreed to because of personal terms blots Jordan's Mr Clean reputation more than somewhat.

[arbitro]

I've seen it said that his Dad is one of his agents but maybe he has had to take quite a pay cut in the end. For a guy so set on the move he's come across and looked a bit downbeat about the whole thing.

His dad is not his agent. I am assuming his dad would have been at Sheffield Wednesdays training ground until Monday afternoon in his role as their goalkeeping coach. That could explain the time lapse between Rhodes leaving Brockhall and arriving in Middlesbrough.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

You would have to assume then that Rhodes has or will kick this greedy fecker into touch.

You can't lay any blame at Gibson's door if this is true, most of us would have done likewise and refused to deal with the rotter again![/

Sorry, I assumed Rhodes agent was his dad.

[chaddyrovers]

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/paul-lambert-2936251.aspx

Can't help but think Lambert is having another dig at Rhodes in his comments here.

"Its been a massive month for the club. It's about building a squad. The club is bigger than any player and I'm delighted with what happened on deadline day."

It reads to me as though Lambert's issue with Rhodes went beyond his contribution on the pitch. Lambert seems to be suggesting he's delighted that Rhodes left.

I find it odd that he's talking about his squad 'taking shape' when Gomez, Graham, Watt and Jackson are actually only here to the end of the season.

Looking forward to spending the money in the Summer is Lambert?

Plus he has done a mini overhaul of the squad this transfer window.

Clearly Lambert wanted Rhodes out. Didn't Rhodes met with Lambert on deadline day and Lambert told him to sort out his move to Boro? Think Alan Nixon said on Monday's BBC Lancs sport show

[ChrisyG]

The page isn't there any more. What was the gist of it?

I noticed it had been taken down too, which is good as it was unprofessional and I'd expect better from an organisation such as the Rovers Trust.

I didn't read it in great detail but it was a general Venkys slagging off. Going on that we'd just sold our last true premiership quality player for peanuts and this is just the start of Venkys exit strategy etc.

It also undermined the current players and management and made Wayne Wild sound like a bit of a spanner, IMO of course.

Perhaps other posters can elaborate on it's content more.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Hmm, Rhodes had rejected personal terms as the pretext for letting the agent get up to whatever he was getting up to.

That means on Monday, they had to agree personal terms all over again. I wonder if that is the reason why Rhodes was so thoroughly miserable arriving at Boro and his Dad and not his agent was driving him into the training ground?

I think Lambert is sending out a clear message to players and agents.

If he is it's a message that's long overdue in my opinion. The club has been a laughing stock for too long. It's time to shape up or ship out, and that applies to anyone at the club.

I noticed it had been taken down too, which is good as it was unprofessional and I'd expect better from an organisation such as the Rovers Trust.

I didn't read it in great detail but it was a general Venkys slagging off. Going on that we'd just sold our last true premiership quality player for peanuts and this is just the start of Venkys exit strategy etc.

It also undermined the current players and management and made Wayne Wild sound like a bit of a spanner, IMO of course.

Perhaps other posters can elaborate on it's content more.

I think you've more or less covered the salient points. They've not enhanced their reputation with that statement and they've probably realised that belatedly.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Jordan Rhodes..

“There’s an overwhelming desire to have people who want you and I’m looking forward to getting started."

Can't help but get the feeling Lambert and Rhodes simply did not see eye to eye.

[LDRover]

His dad is not his agent. I am assuming his dad would have been at Sheffield Wednesdays training ground until Monday afternoon in his role as their goalkeeping coach. That could explain the time lapse between Rhodes leaving Brockhall and arriving in Middlesbrough.

Have it on good authority that his dad finished early in order to accompany him to boro.

[cesus]

Does anybody know if Boro have paid in full for Rhodes? I know the vast majority of deals are paid in instalments, I'm just curious as if it is in instalments that could rule out Venkys selling him as part of an exit plan as the rest of the payments would come to BRFC not them.

[RevidgeBlue]

Surely the Rhodes sale and Shaw leaving are not unrelated?

The timing of both suggests a plan from someone higher up than the MD.

And there's no word from the owners, as far as I know, to confirm Lambert will get any of the Rhodes cash to invest in the squad.

That's my worry. Maybe Shaw had done his job in offloading our one last remaining major asset and isn't needed anymore.

Maybe WW is completely off the mark but I have to say my spider sense is tingling too. Parachute payments end in summer, all saleable assets apart from maybe Hanley disposed of, only 6 players contracted beyond the end of summer 2017.

If Venky's were planning a rapid exit strategy I'd imagine this is roughly how they'd go about it. They've always hung onto Rhodes for grim death in the past and don't need the money.

Of course it could be an absolutely brilliant strategy by them, clear the decks of all the out of contract deadwood in readiness for a spending splurge once FFP has been relaxed. But if that's the the case and there's loads of money available in summer, why sell Rhodes now when it's too late to replace him? You'd keep him as insurance.

Doesn't add up for me.

Does anybody know if Boro have paid in full for Rhodes? I know the vast majority of deals are paid in instalments, I'm just curious as if it is in instalments that could rule out Venkys selling him as part of an exit plan as the rest of the payments would come to BRFC not them.

May be complete horlicks but rumours were we'd agreed to let Boro pay nothing now with the full amount payable in the summer.

As if anyone would do that. Unless.......

[Dean]

That's my worry. Maybe Shaw had done his job in offloading our one last remaining major asset and isn't needed anymore.

Maybe WW is completely off the mark but I have to say my spider sense is tingling too. Parachute payments end in summer, all saleable assets apart from maybe Hanley disposed of, only 6 players contracted beyond the end of summer 2017.

If Venky's were planning a rapid exit strategy I'd imagine this is roughly how they'd go about it. They've always hung onto Rhodes for grim death in the past and don't need the money.

Of course it could be an absolutely brilliant strategy by them, clear the decks of all the out of contract deadwood in readiness for a spending splurge once FFP has been relaxed. But if that's the the case and there's loads of money available in summer, why sell Rhodes now when it's too late to replace him? You'd keep him as insurance.

Doesn't add up for me.

Sacking Bowyer and replacing him with Lambert doesn't really add up either in that scenario though. Neither does bringing in some expensive Premier League loans with some of the cash. Nor the Watt deal, which, if the reports are true, we were able to do because we offered more money than other clubs.

We did replace Rhodes by the way - we brought in three strikers before agreeing to let him go.

[RevidgeBlue]

Sacking Bowyer and replacing him with Lambert doesn't really add up either in that scenario though. Neither does bringing in some expensive Premier League loans with some of the cash. Nor the Watt deal, which, if the reports are true, we were able to do because we offered more money than other clubs.

We did replace Rhodes by the way - we brought in three strikers before agreeing to let him go.

Unless Lambert was a last desperate roll of the dice to try and get in the play offs this season and it's accepted that's failed.

As JH says all the lads on loan go back at the end of the season leaving us with nowt. So I agree with him I can't see how it can be said the squad is shaping up nicely.

[Jimmy612]

That's my worry. Maybe Shaw had done his job in offloading our one last remaining major asset and isn't needed anymore.

Maybe WW is completely off the mark but I have to say my spider sense is tingling too. Parachute payments end in summer, all saleable assets apart from maybe Hanley disposed of, only 6 players contracted beyond the end of summer 2017.

If Venky's were planning a rapid exit strategy I'd imagine this is roughly how they'd go about it. They've always hung onto Rhodes for grim death in the past and don't need the money.

Of course it could be an absolutely brilliant strategy by them, clear the decks of all the out of contract deadwood in readiness for a spending splurge once FFP has been relaxed. But if that's the the case and there's loads of money available in summer, why sell Rhodes now when it's too late to replace him? You'd keep him as insurance.

.....

And yet they've just sacked Bowyer who was on a rolling contract and appointed Lambert (probably on a substantially larger wage) on a 2.5 year deal and signed players such as Gomez and Graham (both on a percentage of healthy prem wages) .... and taken Tony Watt on a first option this summer.

Surely if they were jumping ship all of that would be pointless?

May be more likely that Lambert did indeed see the value of selling Rhodes to build a stronger squad with both the wages and the transfer fee itself, and that the decision on Shaw had been made and it was a matter of putting the finishing touches to the transfer window which of course did drag on till Monday night.

EDIT - apologies, just seen the above comments. Still think it more likely Lambert didn't want Rhodes - he's just bought in 3 players and I bet their combined wages doesn't add up to the absurd wedge he was taking home.

[islander200]

Unless Lambert was a last desperate roll of the dice to try and get in the play offs this season and it's accepted that's failed.

As JH says all the lads on loan go back at the end of the season leaving us with nowt. So I agree with him I can't see how it can be said the squad is shaping up nicely.

Signed Bennett and ward permanently.Watt transfer already agreed at the end of loan deal.Graham is out of contract at the end of the season so for all you and I know a permanent move could have already been agreed.Jackson on a short term deal but if he impresses I'm pretty certain we would have no problem getting him to sign a contract

[Mike E]

Unless Lambert was a last desperate roll of the dice to try and get in the play offs this season and it's accepted that's failed.

As JH says all the lads on loan go back at the end of the season leaving us with nowt. So I agree with him I can't see how it can be said the squad is shaping up nicely.

Is it not understood that Watt will be made permanent in summer, while we also have first dibs at Graham in summer?

If Lambert believes the squad 'is shaping up nicely', I'd take that as having agreements in place with at least a couple of our loan boys.

[JAL]

Jordan Rhodes..

Theres an overwhelming desire to have people who want you and Im looking forward to getting started."

Can't help but get the feeling Lambert and Rhodes simply did not see eye to eye.

It says to me, I'd loved to have carried on playing for Blackburn Rovers but they at the club wanted or needed the money for me.

If this transfer is so public then why can't the breakdown in all monies paid out to who and how much from this sale be made public ?

[Iceman]

And rightly so imo. Lambert has come to the conclusion we'll be better off without Rhodes so if that proves not to be the case then he must accept the blame.

The worst part about it for me is not just the sale per se but the timing. I totally get he isn't a Lambert style of player and that Lambert thinks he can successfully introduce a different style of play but he was sold at a point where it was too late to reinvest any or all of the sale proceeds in the team. I'd have kept him until summer to insure against the threat of relegation. To use an extreme example, if you've got four strikers and Chris Brown to choose from you're still stronger than if you've got four strikers. (Admittedly only just.)

The 9m sat in either ours or Boros Bank until summer will be little consolation if we are relegated.

seriously Rev? Rhodes has looked like he wanted out for a long time now, way before Lambert came in. The fact that his performances have dropped, and that he seems disinterested is a reason for Lambert to pull the trigger. We really cant afford a sulking Rhodes, who gives less than 50%, and who contributes very little if he doesn't score

[islander200]

It says to me, I'd loved to have carried on playing for Blackburn Rovers but they at the club wanted or needed the money for me.

If this transfer is so public then why can't the breakdown in all monies paid out to who and how much from this sale be made public ?

Rhodes wanted to leave the football club.Look at his comments in the summer when we wouldn't give him permission to speak to boro.

As for the money recieved are we Not better waiting until the summer and seeing how much is re-invested before we start with the conspiracy theories

[JBiz]

If this transfer is so public then why can't the breakdown in all monies paid out to who and how much from this sale be made public ?

We all know that football is inhibited by the gravy train brigade - to answer those questions, do some investigating on the internet.

It's not that people here don't care, but only 1 or 2 would have any real knowledge. It's sickening the amount of pockets lined by our debt but ultimately it's not something the average fan knows the answer to.

After you've found some info on it, I'd love to here more about what you've discovered. In the mean time though, it's possibly pointless to keep asking those questions on here!

[perthblue02]

Sounds like Rhodes just wanted a cuddle, good Job Uncle Steven kept in contact with him to let him know how much he was wanted in Boro (tapping up?)

Wonder if he would have stayed at Rovers for 15 k a week less if PL implemented a group hug scheme for poor unloved Jordan

“It’s taken some time to finally get here but having known my uncle Steven, who is assistant manager here, we have been in frequent sort of phone calls, and I think they have expressed their desire to bring me here.

“That’s what comes across – a more overwhelming desire to have people that want me, and it’s a real lovely feeling to have people that want you, and I’m looking forward to getting started.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/sport/14248578.Jordan_Rhodes_will_be_able_to_make_Middlesbrough_debut_against_Blackburn_Rovers/

The bit about Uncle Steven's phone calls seems to have been missed out of the Boro site story

http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/middlesbrough-boro-jordan-rhodes-2933932.aspx

[onlyonejackwalker]

We all know that football is inhibited by the gravy train brigade - to answer those questions, do some investigating on the internet.

It's not that people here don't care, but only 1 or 2 would have any real knowledge. It's sickening the amount of pockets lined by our debt but ultimately it's not something the average fan knows the answer to.

After you've found some info on it, I'd love to here more about what you've discovered. In the mean time though, it's possibly pointless to keep asking those questions on here!

I don't think they have Google were Jal lives!

Sounds like Rhodes just wanted a cuddle, good Job Uncle Steven kept in contact with him to let him know how much he was wanted in Boro (tapping up?)

Wonder if he would have stayed at Rovers for 15 k a week less if PL implemented a group hug scheme for poor unloved Jordan

“It’s taken some time to finally get here but having known my uncle Steven, who is assistant manager here, we have been in frequent sort of phone calls, and I think they have expressed their desire to bring me here.

“That’s what comes across – a more overwhelming desire to have people that want me, and it’s a real lovely feeling to have people that want you, and I’m looking forward to getting started.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/sport/14248578.Jordan_Rhodes_will_be_able_to_make_Middlesbrough_debut_against_Blackburn_Rovers/

The bit about Uncle Steven's phone calls seems to have been missed out of the Boro site story

http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/middlesbrough-boro-jordan-rhodes-2933932.aspx

I'm glad he is happy at last! To be fair, I wouldn't have wanted to play at the Rovers this last few years. It must have been toxic at times. However, all that glitters isn't gold and I wonder how this move will ultimately be viewed by him in the future.

Obvious he would stay in touch with his family / Boro and that link has always been prevelant in any transfer news for Rhodes. Pleasingly he wasn't my poster boy and I wasn't a huge fan, so have not been in anyway upset by him leaving.

Onwards and upwards. I have believed for a while this sale would be necessary to balance the squad and improve our overall fortunes.