[Archived] Top Strikers For Rovers - Last 20 Yrs

[Mike E]

McCarthy. So good you named him twice.

[Madon]

From the ones that I watched live:

1. Bellamy

2. McCarthy

3. Jansen

4. Cole

5. Santa Cruz

[oldjamfan1]

My list was based particularly on the question being framed as top strikers for Rovers, as opposed to stop strikers period (Cole would definitely have got in) or potential top strikers (Jansen might have got in).

As it is, I'd class Jansen as a bracket below Bellamy, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Sutton, Gallacher, Cole (who in turn were all a bracket below Shearer). Jansen for me ranks alongside Rhodes and possibly the Yak as good Championship season/pretty good PL season. Its miles easier scoring goals in the Championship so taking off the nostalgic specs, I don't rate Jansen massively for that. 2001/02 he scored 10 in 35 in the PL, compared to Cole with 9 in 15 that season. Know Jansen was a number 10 so its not all about scoring but whilst very good, for me he doesn't rank alongside the others in my top 5-7.

If you were including top strikers period then, despite the fact that he was pants for us and his legs had gone, you'd have to consider Robbie Fowler.

[Give 'Em the Axe]

1. Shearer

2. Sutton

3. Santa Cruz

4. Bellamy

5. Benni McCarthy

6. Jansen

7. Gallacher

8. Newell

9. Dickov (Not much of a goalscorer, but an utter warrior!)

10. Stead (Just for the tail-end to that season)

[EgyptianPete]

1. Shearer

2. Sutton

3. Santa Cruz

4. Bellamy

5. Benni McCarthy

6. Jansen

7. Gallacher

8. Newell

9. Dickov (Not much of a goalscorer, but an utter warrior!)

10. Stead (Just for the tail-end to that season)

No Mention of Speeediieee

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

If you were including top strikers period then, despite the fact that he was pants for us and his legs had gone, you'd have to consider Robbie Fowler.

Yeah that's what I'm saying. I didn't include how good Cole was or how good Jansen could (probably would) have been. Nuno Gomes would get a shout in total as well I reckon.

[oldjamfan1]

Yeah that's what I'm saying. I didn't include how good Cole was or how good Jansen could (probably would) have been. Nuno Gomes would get a shout in total as well I reckon.

I would probably disagree with your assessment of Jansen. I agree that the accident meant that he didn't get to fulfil his potential, but I still thought he was a really top striker for us, and I certainly wouldn't let the fact that its easier to score goals in the second tier bump him lower down my list. I thought he was different class, even at premier league level. So I'm not sure I would mark him down - for want of a better phrase - simply because he had his career cut short and half his time at Rovers was spent in the second tier. There was a reason most people thought he should have gone to the world cup in 2002.

But that's the beauty of footie - we all see things in a slightly different way.

[AJW]

had a version of this debate when Jordan Rhodes left ...... £11m and would he even make into Rovers top 10 strikers over the last 25-30 years , me personally it would be hard because i could think of 9 straight away that were better and another 2 -3 who for one reason or another i could have put there

1) Shearer

2) Santa Cruz

3) Sutton

4) Jansen

5) Bellamy

6) Cole

7) McCarthy

8) Newell

9) Speedie

10) Garner / K Gallacher / Yakubu or Rhodes

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I would probably disagree with your assessment of Jansen. I agree that the accident meant that he didn't get to fulfil his potential, but I still thought he was a really top striker for us, and I certainly wouldn't let the fact that its easier to score goals in the second tier bump him lower down my list. I thought he was different class, even at premier league level. So I'm not sure I would mark him down - for want of a better phrase - simply because he had his career cut short and half his time at Rovers was spent in the second tier. There was a reason most people thought he should have gone to the world cup in 2002.

But that's the beauty of footie - we all see things in a slightly different way.

Oh yeah definitely, be boring if we didn't! Personally I'm really surprised Gallacher hasn't gotten more of a mention/featured higher up peoples' lists. Suppose he had a slow start and was somewhat blighted by injury but at his best for Rovers he was absolutely superb to watch. I'll always remember his goal at Old Trafford in 93/94 where he megged Pallister (I think it was), sent Schmeichel the wrong way and dinked it over him.

With Jansen I just get the feeling non-footballing reasons come into play a bit. He was immensely popular due to being a really nice bloke who played with a smile on his face (being good looking always helps too I think, gets the adoration from the female fanbase and that bleeds into the male fans opinion too, reckon the same happened with Nelsen). And then obviously with his accident he had the whole town routing for him to return and the immense sympathy with his struggle to. Purely on the pitch he doesn't quite measure up to the real class international-level strikers we've had, but then as you say football's all about opinions.

[Amo]

But that's the beauty of footie - we all see things in a slightly different way.

No we don't!

[JohnD]

Can't believe Speedie hasn't got a mention. Maybe not as technically gifted, but the impact he had in such a short Rovers career, was memorable.

Agreed

He carried us to promotion on his back.

That was over 20 years ago, so he doesn't qualify.

Frighteningly it's nearer 30 years ago!

Ooops

[Batman.]

1. Dickov

2. Amoruso

[Biddy]

I can't believe people are leaving out Grabbi.

[Bohinen 22]

No Ward, Blake or Egil? Or Nonda?

[Mike E]

1. Dickov

2. Amoruso

Blast from the past, where've you been? Post more often if you can!

[ABBEY]

shearer

rhodes

[K-Hod]

1. Shearer

2. Bellamy

3. McCarthy (initially)

4. Santa Cruz

5. Gallacher

[A cup of beans]

Shearer

Bellamy

Santa Cruz

McCarthy

Sutton

Feel completely absurd leaving Cole and Gallacher out but what can I say. We've been absolutely blessed as Rovers fans in the striking department.

I'd agree with your top 5, though i'd maybe change the order. Cole flattered to deceive for me (particularly in away games) after a great 1st 6 months.

Im sure I remember him scoring 6 gls a season for his final 2 campaigns for us.

83 apps and 27 goals according to Wiki. Not good enough, for a striker of his calibre.

[BlueMonday]

That was over 20 years ago, so he doesn't qualify.

Frighteningly it's nearer 30 years ago!

Seems like yesterday...

[A cup of beans]

I'd agree with your top 5, though i'd maybe change the order. *** Edit*** actually... no! I'd definitely have Jansen over Benni.

Cole flattered to deceive for me (particularly in away games) after a great 1st 6 months.

Im sure I remember him scoring 6 gls a season for his final 2 campaigns for us.

83 apps and 27 goals according to Wiki. Not good enough, for a striker of his calibre.

[BigUts]

1. Shearer

2. Bellamy

3. Santa Cruz (version 1 with Bentley)

4. McCarthy

5. Sutton

Cole was a great striker though and just missed out.

[tomphil]

Shearer

Sutton

Cole (he was very important at the time, helped us stay up, win the league cup & not just in the final. Also helped make Duffer)

Matty Jansen

Benni McC

Bellamy was class (as were a few others) but just misses out as the others contributed more by being here longer.

Wildcard: Jon Stead, far from the best but made a brief but massive contribution.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I would probably disagree with your assessment of Jansen. I agree that the accident meant that he didn't get to fulfil his potential, but I still thought he was a really top striker for us, and I certainly wouldn't let the fact that its easier to score goals in the second tier bump him lower down my list. I thought he was different class, even at premier league level. So I'm not sure I would mark him down - for want of a better phrase - simply because he had his career cut short and half his time at Rovers was spent in the second tier. There was a reason most people thought he should have gone to the world cup in 2002.

But that's the beauty of footie - we all see things in a slightly different way.

Jansen was a terrific player once Souey got him playing the right way. His work rate was tremendous off the ball, latterly he became a chaser of lost causes. He did most of the running for Andy Cole. Two footed and with a really good spring in him for an average sized guy. His close control made him lethal in a crowded goal mouth. I rated him very highly indeed. Who knows how good he could have become, his best years were in still front of him.

[VinjayV4]

Jansen was a terrific player once Souey got him playing the right way. His work rate was tremendous off the ball, latterly he became a chaser of lost causes. He did most of the running for Andy Cole. Two footed and with a really good spring in him for an average sized guy. His close control made him lethal in a crowded goal mouth. I rated him very highly indeed. Who knows how good he could have become, his best years were in still front of him.

Absolutely. I remember when he used to try and dribble round several players at once over and over. Think I can recall Jeff Stelling (perhaps) making fun of him for it!

Some people think Souness was a poor man manager stating his problems with Yorke and Dunn for being lazy, fat, always in the pub etc. Well in the case of Jansen it was Souness who put him straight and made him a team player. The day he made his debut he scored an excellent goal and we could see he had talent. It just took a while to live up to it. Even Duff had a difficult 98-99 season (and actually some think he was better in 99-00 than the promotion season) so its quite common with young players to take time reaching their potential. Duff was the most promising player at the club in 99-00 thought he had what it took to go all the way to the top then.

[Bohinen 22]

Jansen was top class. In a different league to Rhodes. He had it all; touch, pace, good in the air. Great team player. If it hadn't been for Grip and Sven picking Keown, he would have gone on to be even better.

Bellamy was the most influential IMO apart from Shearer. He dragged us to 6th spot in Sparky's first full season. The two goals at Portsmouth were superb. It was also the standards he expected from the rest of the team. Pure class and a leader. Nelsen hated him tho.