2008 January Transfer Window

[Jilleen]

A bit early, but some interesting Rovers' rumours coming out!

Apparently, we (and everyone else) is interested in a Paraguayan forward named Nelson Cuevas, who has served international duty with our Rocky. The rumour is that Rocky has convinced our side of Cuevas's ability and we are keen to have him in January.

Some Stats:

Nelson Rafael Cuevas Amarilla
Age: 27 years
Nationality: Paraguayan
Height: 5'7"
Position: Centre Forward

[Parrothead FC]

27, eh? and we're already a bit of an old squad. but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Revelian]

He seems tiny for a striker.

I'd buy a CB, and two CMs.

Revelian

[Jilleen]

However, it seems certain that we will get rid of Benni by next season. Hughes needs to get a replacement -- someone who would be a perfect compliment to Rocky -- who we all agree we want on the squad forever. It would make a lot of sense to pair Rocky with another Paraguayan. And, it seems that Rocky is the one who has been enthusing Cuevas. We can prolly get him quite cheap, too!!

[Parrothead FC]

Cuevas is currently with Club America, one of the eminent teams in Mexico's top flight, but no goals in 29 appearances over the last two years. prior to that, 17 goals over two years with Pachuca, another top-notch team in that decent league. so I'm not sure what it is about Club America that's not clicking for him, but my jury has to be out on this due to recent form...

[Revelian]

I've got the perfect complimentary striker for Rocky:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Creed

He always performs poorly against Russians, but on the whole, I pity the fool who discounts his genuine talent. ;)

Revelian

[Hypo-Luxa]

Ok we've been waiting two years for a central midfielder and this season has taught us how bare the cupboard really is in that area. If Hughesy doesn't address it in January (He might want to since Reid looks like he's further off and Mokoena will be out at the African Cup) we need something in the summer.

I think we're fine in central defense, but as for a readily available solid bacjk-up to Emertron we have none. I don't like/trust Ooijer in that role. The elite wingers would eat him alive. Emerton is a much better athlete and he still has a lot of trouble in that area.

Also I hope something shakes out with Gamst by January, whether we push him out the door, he decides to show up again or we stay content with having him as a black-hole on the left. My patience with him has run out. I know we don't have anyone ready to step in but Hughesy HAS to be on the look-out. If ManU or Totts want Gamst for a chunk of money let him go. I'm not saying he's worthless but he does seem to need a change in scenery or SOMEthing ebcause he obviously isn't responding to Hughes.

[Revelian]

I'd sell Gammy - just not to Spurs. For I hate Spurs. I hate Spurs so very, very much.

Revelian

[BlackburnRover]

I'd let him go too, before everyone else realises he's not worth much. He's a form player but unfortunately is more out of form than in it, a luxury I don't think we can afford.

But not to Tottenham "We're still a big club honest" Hotspur no, we'd never hear the last of it.

Not sure who we'd get to replace him though, and there might be the reason we keep him.

[superdave]

Central midfield.

Rovers blew a chance to get Shalrie Joseph to take Savage's spot. Shalrie, like Roberts, is Grenadian. And he's been the best midfielder in MLS, year in and year out, for the last 4-5 seasons. He was a teammate of Clint Dempsey, and helped his team more than Clint. So that lets y'all who live in England and only follow the Prem know how much quality Joseph has. I'm a huge Dempsey fan (I started the first "Dempsey for the national team" thread here, in May 2004 :D ), and even I would rather have Joseph than Clint. And they could have had him for probably $2-3M, at the most.

I like Tugay and Dunn, both are smart pieces of business, but I'd rather they be rotation/bench type players, with a really class player the regular starter.

What do you guys think of Derbyshire taking McCarthy's spot in the lineup when Benni gets sold? Premium strikers are so, so expensive, that to me, it's a choice between taking the Benni money and replacing him and addressing *1* of the other 3 (both central midfield slots, and defensive cover) holes, or promoting Derbyshire to starter and filling all 3.

[BlackburnRover]

Derbs is quality and coming on well. I don't think he's ready to be relied on week in week out yet though. I think he's been found out a bit this year by the opposition defences, he'll get past that if he keeps working at it but at the moment I don't think he's ready .... Although to be fair to him he's not had many opportunities to impress.

[SMUPlayer]

Central midfield.

Rovers blew a chance to get Shalrie Joseph to take Savage's spot. Shalrie, like Roberts, is Grenadian. And he's been the best midfielder in MLS, year in and year out, for the last 4-5 seasons. He was a teammate of Clint Dempsey, and helped his team more than Clint. So that lets y'all who live in England and only follow the Prem know how much quality Joseph has. I'm a huge Dempsey fan (I started the first "Dempsey for the national team" thread here, in May 2004 :D ), and even I would rather have Joseph than Clint. And they could have had him for probably $2-3M, at the most.

I hate Joseph. I hate seeing him at my stadium to play the MLS Cup final. I HATE it.

If he was on my team, I would love him. Joseph to Rovers!

[Revelian]

Derbyshire is a good player, and given more opportunities could become a regular first-teamer, should Benni do one in January or next summer. But, y'know, Mark Hughes has been so good at buying top players for chicken feed, if he were to do the same again, I would certainly be behind him all the way. I think it goes without saying that we would need to replace Benni, were he to leave, rather than relying on fewer strikers, and less choice.

Revelian

[JohnHolmesJr]

I'd sell Gammy - just not to Spurs. For I hate Spurs. I hate Spurs so very, very much.

Revelian

Please no. MGP is heart all heart I love his fiesty play.

I think he is our best setter on the set plays, who else would you rather take the free kicks?

Also, I thought everyone hated Tottenum. So that is a constant.

[rossgreen]

Although I wish he'd stay with my club, I know he won't. So that's why I'd like him to go to a team like yours -

Darren Fletcher?

[Revelian]

Please no. MGP is heart all heart I love his fiesty play.

I think he is our best setter on the set plays, who else would you rather take the free kicks?

Also, I thought everyone hated Tottenum. So that is a constant.

1) I'd get Benters into the practice of taking free-kicks from either side. Maybe Emerton too and Warnock too.

2) The fact that you hate Spurs as well brings us even close together.....brother. ;)

Revelian

[Revelian]

Although I wish he'd stay with my club, I know he won't. So that's why I'd like him to go to a team like yours -

Darren Fletcher?

Darren Fletcher is a utility player, like John O'Shea, but not not as good, or Phil Neville, but not as bad. To me, though, he seems like a Nothingman, and by that I mean, what are his strong points? I don't believe he has any. Lampard may be fat, but he has a strong shot on him, and his link up play sometimes is great. Hargreaves may be a crap shot, but his defending in front of the back four is wonderful. Fletch - he does a little bit of everything, but specialises in nothing, which is one reason why I wouldn't have him at Rovers.

Revelian

[magia]

Hi I´m paraguayan and I will tell you that Cuevas it´s not the kind of striker that scores a lot, but he has had some memorable games:

- The one in the 2002 WC when he scores 2 goals against Eslovaquia in the 3-1 victory of Paraguay that let us to pass to next round
- He was the one who make the goal in the victoy of Paraguay against Brazil (1-0) in the last game of Scolari with theverdeamarelha in a game that was holded in Brazil as a celebration for winning the world cup
-Hiddink wanted him in PSV after he saw him in the 2006 World Cup

But anyway I think he is too small to play in the Premier League

[Revelian]

Anyone can play in the Premier League. They just need time to adapt.

Michael Owen has never had a big frame, but can still run rings round defenders, when he's not injured.

Size doesn't matter. It's what you do with it that counts. Well, it's what my wife says, anyhow. ;)

Revelian

[superdave]

Yeah, but you should hear what she tells me about your size. :eek:

(Sorry, couldn't resist the open netter.)