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Sourcing Striker Replacements
News broke after the 1-0 defeat to Charlton that striker Clayton Donaldson has a groin injury that will keep him out of action for six weeks. It’s a blow for Blues who now only have Nicolai Brock-Madsen as a recognised fit striker in the squad and with the loan window ending on Thursday it makes for what could be a nervy week.
I’m not going to go into the Charlton game; I was following updates via twitter while stuck waiting in Toronto Airport for a flight that never came and as such it’s impossible for me to say with any reason at all anything about that match. It’s worrying we’re not scoring at home; it’s worrrying we lost again to that we should be beating on paper but I couldn’t tell you why we are doing so based on that game.
The immediate problem is striker cover. Donaldson, who played 62 consecutive league games is the lynchpin in Blues attack and it was always going to be hard for Brock to step into those shoes. What is more concerning is that we have absolutely no cover after him; Alex Jones is on loan at Grimsby and cannot be recalled until the first month of his loan has elapsed (league rules); Wes Thomas is at Swindon and cannot be recalled until January (league rules); Lee Novak is at Chesterfield and cannot be recalled until January (league rules) and Denny Johnstone is at Morton – I’m unsure as to whether he can be recalled at all.
Of course, there are the shrill voices saying that the lack of activity in the transfer market is due to lack of money and ambition from within BCFC but this is not true. I have been assured repeatedly there is money for players (note the plural) and I hear that Blues have missed out on at least two Premier League strikers due to their clubs not wishing to let them leave on loan. The problem I think is more to do with leaving it so late; the availability is not there and teams seem to want to hold onto what they have until January when they can sell players should they want to. As much as I love Gary Rowett I have opined in the past about how Blues speed with respect to transfers could be a problem and it appears now that it has bitten us on the arse.
Also – for the record as I’ve seen this floating about too – I can say with 100% certainty no money from BCFC has gone to Ernst and Young. The problem just isn’t money.
I have to be honest, I don’t even know who is available as a striker on a loan. I figure we would be looking for a Premier League squad player who isn’t getting match action – no Championship side is going to lend a player to rivals for a playoff spot. We could look at a youngster from the top flight but then it would be the same issue as Nicolai Brock-Madsen; would they be ready to be thrown into the first team? Answers on a postcard to BCFC…
The next four days are a very important test of Gary Rowett’s credentials at being able to find and bring in a player who can do a job.
146 Responses to “Sourcing Striker Replacements”
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how about kramaric from leicester on loan hes not getting a game or carlton cole if hes still free
More likely to sign me
I think the problem is we could bring a player in on loan from the prem for all are budget that we have no chance of keeping or wait to jan and buy a player for the same money that will want to play for are club
agree 100%. it was a massive ask to expect brock to fire on all cylinders after bench warming the first 3rd of the season. i would certainly agree that speed is a key factor in having a backup in place, and we need that right now. so speed is key. i would also recommend someone else taking the corners as demarai is obviously not a corner taker. if we can get some pedigree backup in before the brighton game then i believe we can push for cementing the 6th spot at the least.
I actually thought BM played alright yesterday considering it was his first start & given a run in the side can only improve
He chased the ball well, harassed defenders and was involved in play that led to chances; however, he didn’t have a go at proper go at goal himself. It could be nerves, inexperience or just that maybe he’s more of a Heskey than Forsell. Regardless of this, I feel as though we need a striker to come in with a bit of pace, bit of confidence and bit of experience. It’s all well me stating the obvious but like Rowett says, it’s a tough market if you’re not willing to pay more than all of your competitors then the only thing you can do is be patient.
Very worrying but let Gary Rowett do his job .. He’s not let us down yet , generally speaking and he will sort it out .. Some fans need to give the players and manager a chance . Kro
Dave. GR wanted a small squad and this is what he has. His choice. I would consider giving Lowry a shot at CF. Remember Kiddy pre season. Whole hearted Vince Overson type who would have Stans.approval and support. GR needs to be brave and if it fails then so be it. Have seen Brock a few times- but sadly no. Lowry doing nothing at the moment so why not – and you never know. Small squad used to its full use as per GR philosophy.
Mitchell , he has his reasons and you or me are not qualified to argue with them yes !! Kro
You look at the bench each game and you can’t really see many game-changers. At the end of the day, the manager took a huge risk and obviously knew that. Unfortunately, it didn’t come off. Now it’s his job to sort out the problem. I’m happy to let him get on with it. I’ll start to worry a little if, come Friday, we don’t have any additions to the squad… because that means the only option would be to promote from within. Is there anyone, attacking-wise, who could make the step up?
Too right Dave, we must all remember that Rowett is still doing the job with one hand tied behind his back. Despite stories about him having money to spend, his situation is , like someone out of work trying to shop in Harrods. The players he has will do very well to finish in the top ten. Until Ernst and Young finally get someone to buy BCFC , our club will not move forward. We have had some good results this season, but we have to keep our feet on the ground and realise, that the shadow of Carson Yeung and his cronies, still hangs over the club.
It was rumored the other day (just before Rowett’s story broke regarding missing out on a few deals) that Kyle Lafferty was close to a move to a championship club. However, It seems that Norwich took a U-turn and prevented the move away. However interestingly, there may still a glimmer of hope as the Northern Irish manager as endorsed a loan move away…
Might be something in that. I believe Norwich will probably only want to sell him tbh
I think it was Leeds that was linked with him
GR said on friday that they had been working really hard during the international break to bring in a couple of players on loan & was very close on a couple but they collapsed for whatever reason. I imagine he’ll be working just as hard over the next few days to try & do a deal or two. GR was with the sky boys today doing the Burnley v Brighton game & have to say he looks absolutely shattered.
I thought he looked rather dashing and cool to be honest ChrisG but then you no best mate :-) kro
What do you mean I know best?, I was just making an observation Dave
Nothing personal Chris it’s just my wife thought he looked rather sexy .. Sorry if I upset you mate .. We still ok ? Kro
No probs Dave, just thought you meant I was a know it all which i’m not. Ye he looked smart in his 3 piece in fact if he had a shave he could double for that bloke off that tv show The Mentalist!!
Bring back name is Kieftenbeld number 6 put in middfield he good passed ball around on pitch…Rubbish middfield name is Davis!!!
Ian – there don’t seem many of us who prefer Kieftenbeld to Davis in midfield.
Joking aren’t you. Kieftenbeld a much better player than Davis and should have been in the starting 11 on Saturday. Davis hasn’t got any vision at all, okay he can tackle but that’s about all. He let the bloke get the cross in for Charlton’s goal instead of closing the lad down
First option has to be to explore a recall option on Johnstone. However to throw one name into the hat – Victor Anichebe??
Ian you obviously dont go to many games. Davis is the only ball winning midfielder we have, Kieftenbeld pulls out of every 50/50 tackle, Davis will go in for them when there 60/40 in the other players favour. Kieftenbeld may be a good passer but youve got win the ball first
Yesturday lost 0 -1 without Kieftenbeld well…Important Kieftenbeld put in midfield and best 4 4 2 will be next to win every game ???
With respect Ian, we didn’t lose because of Davis. We lost because a) we couldn’t put the ball in the net and b) because our central defenders, once again, couldn’t cope with a cross into the box.
We’ve tightened up a lot since Davis came back into midfield.
Sorry Ian but we’ve lost a few games with Kieftenbeld in the side, Davis battles for every ball & seems to be the only one who can win a header in midfield
I see a football brain with Kieftenbeld and a headless chicken with Davis
Nicola -Brock Madsen still young 22 year old only but not good enough one strike on front impossible, Best 4-4-2 cos need good partner with who strike on front and more score?? Without donaldson will be out for 6 weeks :(, Needing bring new player centre half good partner with Morrison is strong side..Important and midfield Kieftenbeld is good pass ball and skill same type Before good player name is Tesche and Fabbrini…Good luck to GR
I’ve no idea what the answer is. As OP said, we’ve left it a bit late now
I wonder if Chelsea could recall Patrick Bamford from his loan at Palace? He’s getting no game time – only about 50 league minutes total so far this season. Can’t see Chelsea being too happy with that. Probably way out of our league, but he’s the type of player we need.
If no loan striker is forthcoming I would play VSO up front. He is quick, strong and mobile and as long as the ball is played on the ground to him rather than booted up in the air from the back 4, he is as good as anyone.
It could work. Do you think he’d cope with that kind of pressure though? With the players we have, I can’t see us NOT lumping the ball up to him. It’s been that way with every striker since Jerome’s days here. If in doubt, launch it.
Tend to agree Richard. How many ‘gems within’ do clubs have and yet never take the plunge. VSO is ideal. Pace,strength to name but two.
Yesterday was all about what might have been, we created numerous chances and the ball just would not go in. Another day we could have scored 3 or 4 fair play to Charlton they took there only real chance from a great ball into the box.
If you had told me at the start of the season we would of been sixth after a third of the season I would of laughted at you. Let’s get real whilst we all know we require a forward of two we can only afford what’s available within our limited budget and whilst we continue to get such poor support this is likely to continue with us shopping at the basement end of had market. The forwards we have allowed to go out on loan would not of improved yesterday’s result.
The poor support will continue until firstly GR puts out a team that plays exciting football creating plenty of goalmouth activity and secondly Carson disappears off the scene . I’ve been going since 1967 and go to all the games including preseason friendly usually between 55/60 per season. The last 3 years been the most boring football at St Andrews in all my time.
Dan’s belief that money was not the problem seems to be at odds with
Rowetts observation that we cant compete financially in the loan market, he has stated as much.
If we want a quality striker then we have to pay upwards of 20kper week toward his wages, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys which is largely what we have.
The strikers we have allowed out on loan were of poor quality but at least Novak is scoring goals,hes not much good but he is better than nothing that brings us to the question of why they were allowed to go I could understand it if they had been replaced with better players but that has not happened, its not as if this was unexpected Donaldson had to get injured at some point.
GR knew this or should have known it and it is a major failing, maybe he doesn’t fancy a big name in his squad, especially if he has played at a higher level than Rowett ever did.
There is no doubt in my mind this is because of lack of money, Rowett himself has said he needs to talk to the club as a natter of urgency. YOU BET HE DOES
Tony
You can take this or choose to ignore it, but you’re wrong. :)
Novak and Thomas wanted to play regularly and compromised team spirit because they could not.
Yes they should been allowed to go on loan but we should have had 24 hour recalls in place in case of such an emergency as the present situation. I haven’t read anything about GR saying need to talk to club as a matter of urgency, just that Pavos been to HK to see about financial position. Anyway Gary should have got another striker in before the transfer window closed in August.
Obviously we need a temporary back up for the one up front, but I would like to know if Brock did a reasonable job. Give him more games. The problem is not there, it is the home tactics and lack of scoring. Earlier the problem was in the final third now it is only the final strike. That’s progress. If we had scored two goals then Charlton’s goal would have been their consolation. So first we need the accuracy from the attack as a whole and we need that big centre back.
It is so exciting to have all the youthful players in there. I hope they are the start of a big history that GR is fathering and perhaps a real promotion grab next season. I fear the breaking up of a well adjusted, tight knit group at the end of the season but playoffs and even promotion would be nice..
Tony , bully for you . Kro
I do believe there’s money available, not as much as we’d like, but enough for a couple of players. I think the reason it’s not been spent so far, is that Mr Rowett doesn’t want to waste what bit he has by bringing in players that won’t improve us. Whether he needs to just trust his own judgement a little more and take a punt, I don’t know… but he’s now left it as late as he possibly can to take the plunge. Otherwise, it’s keep our fingers crossed and go with what we have until January.
Tbh I think GR was hoping Donaldson would go the whole season without getting injured, what we need to bring in more than anything now is someone with experience, you really notice the difference when Robbo plays as he seems to have a calming effect on the younger players. I’m all for bringing players thru the acadamy but you need that mix with older heads. I wouldn’t mind if GR brought in a couple of players in their 30’s that just want to play footie and can make a contribution to the team. If we were to bring in a younger player i’d love to see Duncan Watmore of Sunderland, he came an as sub for the England U21s the other week & totally turned the game.
I like the idea of Anichebe. Similar to the Don. Experienced. Probably out of our price range though.
I think it is a good bet that Demari will be going in the summer, so, why not use him a a pawn in setting up a good loan move with one of the top clubs and also agreeing a 1 or 2 year loan back deal to keep him at St Andrews where he can continue his development. Just a thought.
This might be controversial but if Demarai goes I don’t want us to loan him back – why should we develop him for someone else after we have sold him?
Because he is better than what we have, if he stays another year we are still developing him for someone else. This way we get some money upfront, get a good loan player and still get to enjoy him for another year. He will go eventually so aren’t we developing him for someone else anyway????
If he goes, he goes. Good luck to him. But I’d rather have our own players tbh. I’m sure any fee we get from him would more than compensate with new players.
according to radio wm on sat – GR had agreed to sign a forward only for the player put out at the last minute – again according to radio wm he would have played on sat – could be a number of players anichebe was on the bench for wba and may his chances of getting some games there as they will be selling berincho –
Andros townsend anybody !! and I see forsell was looking for a club a few weeks ago.
Forssell has gone somewhere in Scotland hasn’t he? Also, he has no knees.
He was supposed to sign for Dundee Utd last month, but he hasn’t appeared in the squad and doesn’t seem to be listed at the club at all, so who knows.
On one of my rare visits to the UK I went to the Chalton match with my entire family (8 of us) -and sorry to say it was a bitter disappointment.
Far to many passes going astray,lack lustre forward line and very poor finishing.
Based on this performance we are a long way off challenging for promotion.
Having said this – it was great to be back at STA .
I think the player GR almost got last Friday was Lambert from WBA. Apparently Pulis keen to bring in Crouch from Stoke.
i see messi was on the bench for barca at weekend if he was injured then even a half fit messi is better than what we got …………… LOL ……….. but we can wish for early xmas prezzie !!!!!!!!!!!
Messi’s left foot on its own is better than our whole squad but I am informed that is favourite team in England is Birminghsm city … Being serious though I think Anichebe would be s great replacement for us, he’s only down the road and we do have good relations with our Baggie neighbours , is wages would be an issue but something could be arranged surely but then it’s up to the player .. Ps Birmingham city not Birminghsm city .. Plonker :-) kro
The news that Clayton Donaldson is out for a longish period leaves us in some what of a semi-crisis up front. Brock-Madson is not in the same class yet which is why I believe GR was desperately trying to get a striker in on loan who could have played on Saturday. I also think David Cotterill being out is a worse blow that many people think. I believe the loan window finishes on Wednesday – he has got to get someone in if we are going to have any chance of sustaining the current league position. Next two away games are Brighton and Boro and despite our recent away form I think its unlikely we are going to pick up any points from those games.
Was David Davis injured on Saturday because I didn’t really understand him being taken off – he was our best player by a mile, GR mentioned the fact he had three 19 year olds on the pitch at the end – did he really have to be in that situation?
I think Davis is this season’s whipping boy. He always seems to be the one to make way for a sub that rarely improves us. I know his passing isn’t great, but he gives 100% every game and without him, our midfield is toothless. Sorry, but I’d play him over Kieftenbeld every time.
As for strikers, I’d take Matt Smith all day long… but I doubt Fulham would loan him to a rival. He only seems to be used as a sub there these days. What a waste.
I think gleeson should be the one to lose his place out of the three as i think hes inconsistent. as for matt smith that would be good and his family would like that but we have little chance methinks of getting players in from championship clubs, they’d want extortionate money.
Brighton and Boro will be tough away games for sure especially without Donaldson more so than cotterill because we didn’t miss him when we nailed Fulham 5-2 but we’ve gone to Burnley and got a point , won at Bolton and have the best away record in the league , Brighton and Boro will give us more space and our counter attacking style is ideal against them as it was Fulham , Ime a bit more p optemistic than you Shirley that we will pick up points from those two games , we will get a couple in by Thursday Ime sure and it might just be the buzz we need , we played ok Saturday with 22 shots but again couldn’t score like against Blackburn but then we went to Fulham and look what happened there . Kro
Boro and Brighton are much better teams than Fulham or Bolton or Leeds. I am thinking back to the Hull game in terms of a comparison.
… and others. This is why our away form is likely to take a dip
I’m a long way from the action but when I see 21 shots, 7 on target but no goals; that tells me some striker intensive training is needed. It’s 24 feet across and 8 foot high. Get the f&*^%g ball in there!
I know, I know; it’s not easy but when was winning ever supposed to be easy?
AussieBlue , I reckon we have the smallest goals in the country at St Andrews because away from home we don’t have a problem scoring .. Looking forward to Brighton because there goals are massive !!! :-) well I hope so !! Kro
I think we can get a draw out of both away games, but, without Cotterill and Donaldson, I can’t see us winning either tbh (unless we get a decent striker in.) I watched Brighton against Burnley yesterday and wasn’t that impressed… although, we’ll have to work very hard to get anything from their defence. We’d really have to sit and park the bus to get anything at Boro, but it’s do-able.
I would be happy with 2 points from 2 games… but we could easily go for the win at Brighton and see if we can get anything at Boro. 2 points is better than none, but 3 points is even better.
Brighton have to loose sometime and Saturday looks like the day for me , Boro will be tougher even though Brighton are top of the league so 2points would be good from those games but 4 looks better and that would do nicely . Kro
This was going to happen and is no real surprise as it was a case of when not if. Getting rid of novak AND thomas was not wise, they may not be the best strikers but we still know what were going to get with them and would of at least bagged a few.
But of course the absence of don did not hamper us saturday as we had enough chances to outscore charlton. So to be honest there lots of players that could be improved within the team and we need better quality of but we wont get them. This is where we are.
I know I bang on about it a bit, but I really feel that our front 3 need to step up with a few goals to help out the striker and the rest of the team. Gray has 1 goal in 17 starts, Toral 3 in 10 and Maghoma 1 in 8. Add to that Cotterill’s 2 in 11 and Donaldson having scored in only 3 games out of 17, and you can see where our main problems lie. Not scoring goals puts the pressure on the defence and, with us rarely keeping a clean sheet, it means we have to score at least 2 goals per game to even have a chance of winning (we’ve only won 1-0 once this season.)
Because of our good start, we’re surprisingly still in 6th place, but, the teams above us are starting to pull away and the teams below us have just about caught up. Another couple of defeats and we’ll start to drop places. But, there’s nothing there that we don’t already know.. but it’s certainly a problem that needs to be solved.
Totally agree Staffs – I’ve been saying this for weeks also. The supporting 3 attacking midfielders/ wingers need to be more clinical and contribute far more goals if we are to keep the play-off challenge going. Gray has all the promise but rarely an end product, and Toral blows hot & cold in front of goal – he was blumming freezing on Sat! KRO!
I guess it all comes down to opinions. The jury is probably out on Thomas as his pace and physical presence meant he could have an impact at Championship level. Novak was simply just not good enough – a plodder.
Thomas isn’t the best striker we’ve ever had down St Andrews, but he’s certainly better than any other striker we have, apart from Donaldson. I would have been more confident of us pulling that goal back against Charlton with him coming on, than anyone we had on the bench on Saturday imo.
Yeah , 6th in the championship , not bad hey ! Kro
another thought might be to play dimmi as a false 9
I have had a similar thought, but with Maghoma as the ‘false 9’ with Gray, Shinne/Toral, and VSO supporting. KRO!
I note that VSO is wearing the number 9 (centre forward) shirt for the Dev. Squad vs Hull today.
Does that mean Gary is taking my advice and thinking of playing him there for the first team?
I don’t think VSO is quite ready to be our main striker. Its asking a heck of a lot of him.
If GR can get Lambert in for 6 weeks loan and guarantees him every start-it will do me. Good for him and us. Bit of the Horsfield. About him.
I think any decent striker that comes in is more or less guaranteed to start every game, at least for the next 5 or 6 weeks. That’s why I thought Bamford would be ideal. If we could do a deal with Chelsea, I’m sure they’d be happy to know he’d play regularly whilst here. If it has to be a loan, then bringing one in until January will suit us.
We’ve got till thursday to sort something out and after Saturday’s missed chances I think our manager will deliver and we will be wondering what all the fuss is about , lambert , Anichebe , Bamford would all do the job for me , anyone of them is fine but Gary might have something else up is sleve , he seems to be calm and in control of the situation , let’s wait and see . Kro
Hmm – we have a reserve striker, we’ve paid money for him and given him a 4 yr contract – but as soon as his chance comes you want to bring in a short-term replacement?
What will that do to the lad’s confidence?
What does that say to our thoughts on GR’s knowledge of a good player?
I think #’44 did OK on Saturday, and although it may pain some of his supporters on here, I thought Gray was a more major culprit in our “0”. He has trickery. He has speed. Can he reliably put in a telling cross or deliver from a dead ball situation….hmmmm. I think Cotterill is a much bigger loss in context than Donaldson.
Sure, can’t fault the Don for effort and threat – but if no-one’s supplying the ammo, we’re not likely to score so many. Feel free to quote Fulham at me, but then I’ll reply with swallows and summers.
Even if Brock-Madsen was given a 6 week run, we’d still need a striking option on the bench. No matter who plays, we need that option and, at the moment, we don’t.
It is a strange one David I must admit… Brock did OK Saturday but nothing stuck and your right that Demari Gray who is looking better is not a winger for me and should play in that no 10 role … Soloman playing as a loan striker .. Interesting , very interesting with Gray behind him but what formation ? Not so sure .. I will leave it to the manager . Kro
I think that if he doesn’t manage to get another striker in, he’s going to have to stick with Brock-Madsen for a while, to at least justify the half million he paid for him. Whether he needs to tweak things a bit to provide extra support for him, who knows.
I think VSO should be left to be a winger playing the lone striker role is a specialist role and for a yougster to be asked to do it when they have only just started to break into the 1st team squad as a winger is a big ask…. i think we need to find a replacement for the Don Brock is not the answer at the moment and i think we need an experienced player who has done it at this level it would be a gamble to go for a young player… i think Anichebe, lambert, Lafferty are good shouts, what about kermorgant at Bournemouth, dont think he is getting a game and not sure but dont think he is injured,….i know it is a bit late but why we never took a look at Vaz Te when he was available i never know? he would have been a decent backup at least until Jan…..
Charlton are looking to bring Kermorgant back to the club on loan.. that’s why I didn’t mention him.
maybe your right that Brock- madsen will get a run but as you’d point out we still need to get another striker in for support or to take the Donaldson job on , let’s not forget that at least we’re creating plenty of chances at home but not taking them , a bit different from the Clark days when we never had a shot in anger . Kro
Whether you play one striker or two Dave, you have to provide support for the main striker. That is supposed to be the No.10’s job, but at the moment, that isn’t working, whether it’s Toral, Shinnie or Gray. Someone has to get closer to support him.
Maybe a natural No 10 is what’s needed then more so than another striker , we know it’s only one up front so the support as to be better but because cotterill is injured Dimmi will play out wide to balance maghoma so Toral is the only option if we don’t get anyone in but I think we will . Kro
Mr Rowett isn’t daft, he’s well aware of what we need. Whether he’s decisive enough to go out and get it, well we’ll see.
Top scorers in the division at the moment is Gray(Burnley) Blackman(Readind) Rhodes(Blackburn) and Martin( Derby) . Hardly big guys which makes you wonder why Toral,Shinnie,Gray,Maghoma can’t score more. Even Arthur could challenge some of them with his pace. Perhaps it is not so much a big CF we need. I am now starting to doubt my own feeling regarding a big man upfront. Look at Brentford- they have got their talisman leader back and scoring for fun- midget leading the line in Judge. I can remember Cloughie going barmy if his strikers dared to go a few games without hitting the target. We talk about inches wide- but it may as well be yards. Fulham I accept was the exception.
Couldn’t agree more. Target practice wouldn’t go amiss.
Look at Jamie Vardy, he’s taken the prem by storm & he’s only 5’10
My all time favorite striker is the Giant Michael Owen, I believe that if wasn’t for injury he would easily have broken all records, if he was still playing I would sign him up for Blues tomorrow..
And nearly 29 and a non league player until he was 25 !! Shows you can be a late developer and make it to the premier league and international recognition , it gives everybody belief . Kro
Charlie Austin is another… and to a lesser extent, DJ Campbell. The gems are there if you can be bothered to look.
In our case it will be experienced players we get in if needed ..we have our share of young talent . Kro
Maybe 352 at home ,keeps us solid in the middle of the pitch but with 2 up top
I suggested that months ago, but I can understand those who say that we would have to have wing backs, which would negate the need for the likes of Gray, Cotterill and Maghoma. The only formation I can think of which would utilise two wingers and two strikers… is 4-4-2.
We need players who can hit the target, whatever position they play in.
When we did that in the first half at Reading it was evident that Caddis and Grounds were not wing backs.
I play that on computer games but in real life 3-5-2 let’s see .. Kuszczak, caddis , Morrison, grounds, maghoma, Gleeson , kieftenbeld , Davis, Gray, Toral, Brock – madsen .. That’s for now with injuries and as it stands .. Interesting !! Kro
I see Kyle McFarlane scored a couple for us today in the U21s and could have / should have scored a couple more, worth a shot in the main team?
I know where you are coming from Dave- but that team gives me the shudders. We always knew injuries come come, but blimey that’s a reality check. Thank heavens we already have 28points. Cotterill,Don.and lack of form from MK and Gleeson pulls us down. However,like you I feel the Brighton bubble will deflate on Saturday. Purely because we are blues and we never know what is going to happen- thank goodness.
us away fans no best Mitchell not the home brigade …I get bored with telling fans were two different teams but we are .. But ofcourse they no best . Kro
Does going to away games make you a better fan then Dave?
I don’t think it’s anything to do with being a better fan Dan I think it’s more a case of showing a bit more support and caring that little bit more and not over reacting to circumstances that aren’t as bad as one thinks. …. There are many better fans as you call it than me and a lot of them go on our coach so with there input and my experience of games a better situation of the position were in is looked at in a more valid way , just my opinion :-) kro
Daniel. Dave is Dave-he intends no disrespect. He like all of us get a bit frustrated by only ‘home support views’.Away games are so different it is untrue.
For all the good GR has done I think he’s got this one wrong.Despite what opinions fans have of them,clearing out all 4 strikers on loan with no recall was always risky if Donaldson got injured.Thomas at least should have been retained and the problem now is that we are competing with a lot of the other championship sides for new blood before the deadline on Wednesday.Hopefully he’ll get a bit of luck and something will come off.
Anyone know Arsenal player Alex Iwobi. Loan target apparently.
Zigic is the fall back position for Thursday
Good shout Julian.
A word of controlled caution here regarding the chase for Iwobi. Reading and ourselves fighting for him with i would imagine will favour Reading for many reasons- so before the great clamour of searching questions as to why he will select elsewhere- remember our current financial situation and therefore reality check etc. If he favours GR then great and well done him . If not let’s not batter ourselves.
Scored a hat trick fir Arsenal against Stoke and been in there champions league squad .. Only 19 same as Soloman so though he’s an arsenal player is age and experience is a worry but he will get game time so why not if he wants to come . Kro
Imo, if we’re going to loan a player, we need to go for experience. As you yourself said Dave, if he’s not good enough to walk into the team, why bother? If we want to throw a kid in, we have one or two of our own we can try.
Let’s hope Jon Toral is a close mate!
What’s going on ? GR’s odds reported shortening dramatically for Fulham job
Looks like the Villa player Libor Kozak is now top of our wanted list, I have never seen him play but looks a bit of a bruiser so could fit in well in this league. Has the experience by the sound of things and I hear quite a few Vile fans want him to be given more of a chance in their team. Who ever we get is going to be somewhat of a gamble I guess.
34 hours left and counting….
Maybe our manager as is sights on another vacancy than another striker ?? Kro.. 8/11 on for Fulham job .. Concerning to say the least , no smoke without fire and the bookies aren’t normally far off .. Pray it’s rumour and wrong ! Kro
Rowett would have to be living on Planet Zog not to be aware of this speculation. I always think that, if a manager came straight out and said that it’s all just paper talk and he’s not going anywhere, then fans could relax. There’s absolutely nothing stopping a manager doing that. The fact that they don’t just leads me to one conclusion I’m afraid… even if it isn’t true. A quick statement on bcfc.com would do .
8/11 is pretty convincing Dave. Nothing but nothing surprises me and if this is to be the case then so be it. BCFC is bigger than any manager and that includes Mourino to Karl Robinson.
Fulham fans seem to think its a done deal! Can not see it personally, why move from Blues to Fulham? Not going to happen me thinks, especially after all of GR’s comments about him being happy and having a lot more freedom than people think, something he definitely would not have at craven.
Forget about the new striker. We as BCFC want clarity on GR. Daniel if you have any info.then please share. Gary should also confirm or deny- and I mean today. Bookies are fairly certain an appointment will be tomorrow if GR agrees.
Centre half , striker or Gary Rowett .. Any intelligent Blues fan will tell you 100 per cent it’s our manager .. Absolutely no argument what so ever !! Kro
Agreed and ofcourse it’s worrying but as you say we’re bigger than any manager .. My misses loves him and she might take some calming down if he was to leave .. Me and my son are a bit more calculated and let’s just hope it’s just rumour . Kro
If the worst did happen, the only unemployed manager I’d take at this moment in time, would be Nigel Pearson. Any employed manager would cost us money we don’t have.
GR won’t be with us. Time to start looking for a new manager in afraid, sad day.
Speculation I know staffs but if the worst happens then Pearson for me definitely , and with the vile not even considering him it would be some consolation with them getting a nobody in Garde and us getting Pearson .. Though its Rowett for me every time . Kro
I am going to stick my neck out here and risk a lot of wrath- but in my view GR will not be worthy of being our manager if by later tonight he doesn’t give any assurances or clarity to Blues fans worldwide as to today’s news. Don’t give me paper talk or social media-this is vastly different with not only bookmakers but with Fulham supporters et al. If he intends speaking to Fulham then that’s fine,but do not drag this out. Also it would be nice to hear from Daniel-a respected fellow bluenose who surely must have a feeling in his water.
If any manager asks to talk to another club, he can pi$$ orf as far as I’m concerned. He’s already gone in my eyes. I can’t understand why Reading let Clarke keep his job.
Mitchell – I’ve been on holiday. Surely you’ve seen where I’ve mentioned being in Canada? Anyway – as I’ve said elsewhere, can’t see Rowett going anywhere.
If it’s all speculation then Rowett should just steady the ship, if it’s not is own doing then come out and say what the situation is , simples! Kro
Nailed it!
Not isolated pockets of speculation anymore. Plenty of tweets to Free Radio( Tom Ross) and Bham Mail reaction etc. if GR making no comment by later tonight then I would expect Panos to come clean. Silence will not be golden here nor will it be acceptable.
Blues have said there’s been no contact with Fulham about Gary Rowett .. If that’s the case then we have to take that on board .kro
Yes Dave, that’s exactly what we wanted-an early response and we got it. Pressure from the ‘little likes’ of people like us do make a difference.
We just need the man himself to confirm it .. We’re waiting!! Kro
The club have issued a statement and GR has recently given an interview on the speculation.surrounding him.I would fall over backwards if he went to Fulham as its a step sideways at best and apart from a few extra quid why would he bother.The bookies have been given some duff info.
Hope you have something soft to land on Hillfield Blues.
I’m 99.99% sure Rowett is going nowhere
I hope your right .kro
It has been mentioned the club is bigger than any manager. Absolutely right. If he goes or if he stays-and I really hope he stays- then the best way we can show how much the fans are part of that “bigger “statement is to get a 20000 plus crowd at the next home game to show how much we are behind GR ( hopefully still here) and the boys in blue. We cannot do much about the lack of productivity coming out of HK but we can help end the home drought by roaring the team to victory and show how ” big ” we are in importance and influence in supporting the club .History,culture, the ups and downs,some great moments- once it’s inside you it’s there for life, unlike everything else that is part of or surrounds football clubs.. GR and his team however seem to have a great fit with the fans and I really hope he stays for a brighter and more stable future however distant it may appear.
Daniel. I did know you are away in Canada. However when you came back quickly yesterday on Dave Mann’s comments- I assumed you were keeping ‘active’. However,genuinely hoping you are having a great time.
If you read my article today, you’d know I’m home now… ;)
You got love him ain’t you mate , really, great personality kro
I can’t see as we missed out on anybody if they wasn’t up for grabs in the first place , I mean we could have had Rooney . ????????
try someone else up top it worked for Arsenal look at Henry lol come on now bring one of the youngens through.