Transfer Window - COMPLETE. Where’s Gregg?

[CoconutGrove]

Steven Caulker wouldn’t be a bad signing. 

Wages will be relatively low, no fee and has turned his career around since he was open about his depression and gambling addiction.

He’s been a top performer in Turkey over the last few years (so much so he got a move to Fenerbahce which didn’t work out for whatever reason).

Experienced, played at a higher level than this previously and has something to prove when over here.

I’d prefer someone like JPvH on a permanent but that’s obviously unlikely so can see the merits in this.

[AspRover]

I'd be happy with caulker as an 'and' signed - ie. At the end of the window you get a report that reads 'Blackburn rovers have been busy in the transfer window with the late signings of X,y,z and also picking up veteran journeyman Caulker on a free as defensive cover...'

If he's the headline then I withold comment on the grounds the mods have enough to be getting on with

 

[CAPT KAYOS]

Anybody know where Gary Cahill  has gone  -possible  short term solution /wages too much or pay as you play?

Edited August 26, 2022 by CAPT KAYOS

[neophox]

Van Hecke deal on hold...shambles going on at Sunderland...Neil in talks with Stoke.

[J*B]

Caulker is an absolutely terrible signing. Wes Brown 2.0. Quote me on it. 

[Guest]

If we go from the two vans to Caulker and Hyam...

[davulsukur]

4 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

Don't see why.

Ayala, Wharton, Hyam & Carter with a backup body in Caulker is not excessive given Ayala's record.

Phillips should be kept around and used sparingly and cautiously while he gains experience.

Depends on if we are playing 2 or 3 cb's?

Reports suggested that Phillips wants assurances over playing time before signing a new deal (or signing one and then going on loan), thought Carter also said he wants regular football, either here or elsewhere if needs be.

Ayala's injury record is a concern (although he was basically fit for the whole of last season)

[JBiz]

43 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

If we sell players and don’t use the proceeds to improve the squad then that tends not to end well….

Captain obviously, but don’t devalue the importance of selling players to fund renewals for any players developing - the Travis, the Buckley’s, the Whartons.

[Sweaty Gussets]

2 minutes ago, J*B said:

Caulker is an absolutely terrible signing. Wes Brown 2.0. Quote me on it. 

He's just played 100 games in the Turkish top division over the last 3 years. 

He can't be that bad. Any comparison with WB is just a bit lazy. 

[JonJonTheDon]

I don’t mind the Steven Caulker deal one bit, surely a squad player and adds quite a bit of experience considering how young our squad is. Not the most exciting but could do a job short term.

[jim mk2]

Just now, Mellor Rover said:

If we go from the two vans to Caulker and Hyam...

 Poundshop Rovers

[Tom]

I’d take Caulker if we had managed to get Van Hecke on a permanent but hope it’s not an alternative 

[JBiz]

2 minutes ago, J*B said:

Caulker is an absolutely terrible signing. Wes Brown 2.0. Quote me on it. 

He’s 30 not 36 and he’s played nearly 100 times in the championship. When you’ve got players like Barnes, Carter and Phillips - surely someone with experience is a good thing? 

[K-Hod]

I’m not totally against the Caulker signing, seems like he’s turned his career around over in Turkey. Having said that, we would still need another centre half, given his injury record. We don’t need two Ayalas…

[Lucimo]

21 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Tells me they've been rebuffed on multiple targets if they've settled on him.

He will have been way down the list.

Disappointing signing on the face of it.

The only way this is anywhere close to acceptable is if he's happy to be a squad player. Many we've been linked with will want to play and I wouldn't want Wharton dropped. Plus we have to keep Phillips sweet so he signs up. 

Edited August 26, 2022 by Lucimo

[Sweaty Gussets]

1 minute ago, Tom said:

I’d take Caulker if we had managed to get Van Hecke on a permanent but hope it’s not an alternative 

It can't be an alternative to someone who wasn't an option. JPVH doesn't want to come back by all accounts.

[J*B]

1 minute ago, JBiz said:

He’s 30 not 36 and he’s played nearly 100 times in the championship. When you’ve got players like Barnes, Carter and Phillips - surely someone with experience is a good thing? 

You don’t want his experience around young players!!

[rog of the rovers]

Caulker in as experience and as a back up on the depth chart (to steal an American Sportism) is fine with me.

Ayala - Wharton

Phillips - Carter

Caulker - (Hyam/van den Berg/van Hecke)

Solid 6 to choose from

[Tugayisgod]

5 minutes ago, J*B said:

Caulker is an absolutely terrible signing. Wes Brown 2.0. Quote me on it. 

Will do 👍

[Torgeir]

Wonder what kind of wages Caulker is on

[smiller14]

I can get on board with Caulker if accompanied by someone like Hyam and if we don't flog Carter!

Leaves us with 5 centre backs, 1 of which is injury prone and 1 very young. We might also want to play 3 centre backs on occasion and gives us the depth to do that. 

 

[Sweaty Gussets]

I'm absolutely certain that everybody writing Caulker off has not been following his career in Turkey, where's he's just spent 3 years playing regularly in their top division.

Should be judge him if/when he plays? I know, a novel approach!

[JBiz]

2 minutes ago, J*B said:

You don’t want his experience around young players!!

Wouldn’t be the first or last to have issues and come back from them. May be a good example.

Youre welcome to write him off mind but as always I’ll happily get splinters. 

[alexanders]

Caulker Even has an England cap. Crazy.

Is he like Hyam? A ball-playing CB who can play in a 3? 

[Theaxe15]

3 minutes ago, J*B said:

You don’t want his experience around young players!!

A little harsh to judge someone based on their past issues/mistakes. Lad seems to have got his career back on track since. If anything he can point that out to younger players as an example of what not to do.