Milan, Ben and George, welcome to Oakwell..

Just watched each of their interviews on Player and as with Kiwomya last week, they come over so well, so enthusiastic and saying all the right things. Credit to Ben for describing us as 'massive', George calling us a big club, and Milan suggesting this club is Championship standard at least. Really good interviews, as was Kiwomya's. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can add to our squad in the coming weeks/months.

Waring is obviously the target we were in need of, another option, help us change things up. Pearson will no doubt displace Bailey who has had his chance and not really taken it, although I still believe he'd be better 'with' an holding midfielder next to him. We'll see on that. I just feel he's more to his game than he's been allowed to express. And then Lalkovic can play all across the forward line, as can Kiwomya and both should add much needed pace/guile.

With Phenix now available too and Super Sam a week or so away from his return, we look better equipped to tackle the second half of the season.

I'm guessing we've still a couple more to come and perhaps a few to go out? We could certainly do with another left back as I don't believe it's fair on Smith to be relied upon week in, week out, and neither would I move Nyatanga across as he's been our most consistent centre half. I'd like another attack minded midfielder adding too, someone in the Butterfield mould. I suppose that's what O'Sullivan may offer us?


All in all, I'm pleased with our business this past week but as ever, I'll reserve proper judgement until I've seen the lads and the team out there on the pitch.


You Reds, etc.

 

What you been told about talking common sense on here Whitey

 

Milan Lalkovic is insanely fast apparently so if Kiwomya and Phenix are also fast, we could be in for a treat of fast attacks

 

'Credit to Ben for describing us as 'massive''

Don't understand this bit....we are not and never will be 'massive'

We don't really want to start behaving like those wendys down at swillsborough do we?

We cannot call them deluded and start doing it ourselves ...it's hypocritical.

hth

 

I've actually seen Lalkovic play, I thought the name rang a bell. Saw him several times at Chelsea Academy on a Saturday morning. Stocky, not the tallest, but not easily shrugged off the ball and good balance. Remember him because he always had 2 or 3 of his relatives with him, possibly his dad or brothers and they looked like gangsters

 

your right were not massive

we are HUGE

 

HUGE, I blame the extra Christmas pudding for that !

 

I found it amusing. You can't expect em to say "aye, they're a small, tinpot club but I look forward to having to play for the **** basterds."

 

According to Danny in his Audioboo interview, Blackburn are not letting players go at the minute because they have a transfer embargo due to exceeding the maximum allowed losses under the Fair Play rules, so we may have to wait for O'Sullivan until later.

There is something about these loans. They do not have that feeling of permanence to me... obviously they are loans. Ben also says that there are offers out on three players and Danny says that there will be additions of both loan players and permanent transfers. I think that we may also find that the transfer window on permanent transfers closes before we have been able to do all the business that is necessary in order to build a squad that can challenge for promotion. Consequently, I would not be at all surprised if our rebuilding went on into the summer transfer window. The loan system seem to be being used as a way of giving extended trials to young players who will be offered permanent contracts if they show promise, as well as filling in holes in our squad with short term solutions. What concerns me a little is that the impatient, anti-Wilson brigade will perceive this to be his final chance, and push for his dismissal if he is not instantly successful. Young players are notoriously difficult to settle. I have long been calling for a Target Man, and at 6ft5in, Waring should certainly be that. I just worry about Waring more than the others because his touch and his strength may not be up to the job at such a young age, and he may be one for the future rather than now.

It is all very exciting though, with yet more to come. I look forward to seeing a selection these as well as Alex Kiwomya, George Williams and Mike Phenix on Saturday.

BTW - Danny also says that Super Sam is 2 weeks away from fitness.

 

What I find odd. How can a transfer embargo be placed on a club for players going outwards. They have overspent yes. ****ing barmy not letting them sell.

What have I missed here....

 

Let em. I'll be at the front of the pro-Wilson brigade pushing the club to stick with him.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I took from Red Rain's post is that Blackburn have an embargo on players coming in, therefore they're not getting rid of anyone just yet as they have no way of replacing them. I could be wrong mind, I don't know the terms of their embargo.

 

That is how I understand Ben's comment too.

 

Fair point. I read it as the fa had to agree it

 

Even if we are relegated?

 

The trouble with the anti-Wilson brigade is that they only see Mona Lisa's nose. In other words, they cannot see the bigger picture.

It will take at least 3 transfer windows to turn around the squad in order to produce a team that can not only get promoted, but can also stay in the higher division. We tried fixing the holes and papering over the cracks. The current direction represents a change in strategy, and that strategy is clearly to look for good value, younger but talented players and let them grow in experience and understanding together. By the time they are ready for promotion, there will hopefully be both a first team that is ready for the higher league, but also another batch of young player waiting to come into the team when first teamers are sold. This is the strategy that Southampton used and it worked brilliantly for them. The strategy may not work for us, who knows, but I support the attempt to make it work because it represents a change from what we have been trying over and over again since we were last promoted. I ask that you and your fellows are patient and wait for the long term strategy to play out one way or another.

 

Fair play to Danny for adding to the squad. I share the concerns about the continued lack of experience but those kind of players aren't available in January I guess. My other concern is that the loans are only for one month, which doesn't seem very long for young kids to settle into a tough league and have much impact. And let's be fair if we lose the next few games time won't be on our side. We'll be in another tough relegation battle.

Won't judge any of them until I've seen a few games though and wish them well...

 

A sensible well balanced post

 

The loans are rolling deals if all parties are happy.So if things work out the loanees could be here all season.

 

I have to say I'm really looking forward to seeing Ben and Milan genuinely exciting young players. No idea about George though he has a proper footballer name.