So near and yet so far away

I am generally enthused by the quality and potential of our new signings. However, I think that the effectiveness of these recent additions will be determined in some ways by our ability or inability to source a big, commanding central defender (a Burnsy type with mobility). It was evident last season that we lacked both a vociferous leader and an organiser on the park.
I fully accept that there is a dearth of this type of player, and that every club is looking for someone of this ilk. However this does not diminish our need. Without a strong spine in the team, our flair players will not have a chance to flourish. Perhaps moves are already afoot to address this situation, if so, great. I sincerely hope that the club are not tempted in to a ‘make do’ scenario such as Ventre or Keane. To be fair to both players they spared nothing in effort last time around but neither is a specialist central defender. Personally I would push the boat out to secure such a pivotal player, should one be on the horizon.
The fact that Blinkhorn and Amond are our only two strikers of any quality at present would be another cause for concern. I would welcome your thoughts

Peers is only one central defender. Great player, but he's not overly big, quick, or a leader. However he would be in my team every time, but he needs someone to play alongside.

who's Almond?

mis-type should read AMOND

hes a leader with everything he does. leads by example. he dosnt have to be captain to be a leader

would love to see us get Murray, need a right winger and right back tho imo

I think we are underestimating alan keane. anyone that appreciates our upturn in form in the second half of 2009 will recognise that him and gavin peers were central to our improvement. His performance in the brandywell was imo the best individual performance by a rovers player in a long number of years. he got caught out by a long ball in the wind in tallaght i agree but if you look at wes brown for united on 50000 sterling per week, these things happen to more distinguished man marking defenders. I dont think that any real rovers fan with a history of supporting rovers on here(ie non wums) would be disappointed with his signature.
And a nice guy as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sligored

I think we are underestimating alan keane. anyone that appreciates our upturn in form in the second half of 2009 will recognise that him and gavin peers were central to our improvement. His performance in the brandywell was imo the best individual performance by a rovers player in a long number of years. he got caught out by a long ball in the wind in tallaght i agree but if you look at wes brown for united on 50000 sterling per week, these things happen to more distinguished man marking defenders. I dont think that any real rovers fan with a history of supporting rovers on here(ie non wums) would be disappointed with his signature.
And a nice guy as well.

---

Nice guy alright and not a bad player but we should still be trying to get a better centre back then him if possible. Certainly not disappointed that he signed. After last season I think everyone should realise we need a decent squad and not just a 1 - 11

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redbuli

would love to see us get Murray, need a right winger and right back tho imo

---

The little we saw of Marshall last year excites me, could turn out to be a very good player. I think he'll get a lot of game time this season. McCabe plays there too yeah?
Should we sign the likes of Murray I'd imagine Keane would be first choice at right back (assuming boco doesn't come back). Danny would provide cover accross the back.
For me a left back is essential, going into the season with Butler as the only proven player in that position would be a huge risk.
Theres the guts of a very good team there, get another quality centre back in aswell as some strenght in depth and we should be in the top three...at least, might just win the thing...;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sligorover

The little we saw of Marshall last year excites me, could turn out to be a very good player. I think he'll get a lot of game time this season. McCabe plays there too yeah?
Should we sign the likes of Murray I'd imagine Keane would be first choice at right back (assuming boco doesn't come back). Danny would provide cover accross the back.
For me a left back is essential, going into the season with Butler as the only proven player in that position would be a huge risk.
Theres the guts of a very good team there, get another quality centre back in aswell as some strenght in depth and we should be in the top three...at least, might just win the thing...;)

---

Marshall is an impact sub imo, Remember when we were beating Pats 2-0 last season on his debut, came on and did very well against tired legs. Against Cork in the Setanta Cup he contributed little in the first half, But when the legs were tired he nicked the ball of yerman and scored. Very good player to have on the bench.

i think the signings of meenan and marsall are good, wont be on too much money, good squad players, both impressed me alot in both setanta cup matches. and i actually think meenan was one of our better players in the last 20 mins in the final.

heard a few names mentioned, no point saying much about and rumors until they get finalised really. always speculation. i think keanes a good defender, theres better ones out there, but we're no world beaters. we have to reman realistic. just because teams around us are losing players due to financial restraints dosnt mean we have to buy them all just because we seem to be okay money wise

all very well calling Deano an impact player but id like him given more starts to prove he can do it,with a good few games under his belt i think it will prove dividends,he has the speed and accuracy of crosses to frighten defenders

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blowin_Rover

he has the speed and accuracy of crosses to frighten defenders

---

Thats one thing he doesn't have,his end product needs a lot of work. Plenty of pace and potential but has a long way to go yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by roverandout

I am generally enthused by the quality and potential of our new signings. However, I think that the effectiveness of these recent additions will be determined in some ways by our ability or inability to source a big, commanding central defender (a Burnsy type with mobility). It was evident last season that we lacked both a vociferous leader and an organiser on the park.
I fully accept that there is a dearth of this type of player, and that every club is looking for someone of this ilk. However this does not diminish our need. Without a strong spine in the team, our flair players will not have a chance to flourish. Perhaps moves are already afoot to address this situation, if so, great. I sincerely hope that the club are not tempted in to a ‘make do’ scenario such as Ventre or Keane. To be fair to both players they spared nothing in effort last time around but neither is a specialist central defender. Personally I would push the boat out to secure such a pivotal player, should one be on the horizon.
The fact that Blinkhorn and Amond are our only two strikers of any quality at present would be another cause for concern. I would welcome your thoughts

---

Agree with a lot you say but there are several players to come in, there is still a good pool of players available and apart from Bohs and Shams, Sligo must be seen as the next best option for ambitious players. Playing that poor Spanish centre back last year will have shown the manager that he cannot end up with that type of player at the centre of defence again. If our financial position holds up, then I think it will be a very exciting season. Its tough times for everyone but supporting all the fund raising schemes is a must for us and especially those not linving near Sligo, they can be part of the weekly on line draw, paying 6 months for this in advance is a great help to the club.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sligored

I think we are underestimating alan keane. anyone that appreciates our upturn in form in the second half of 2009 will recognise that him and gavin peers were central to our improvement. His performance in the brandywell was imo the best individual performance by a rovers player in a long number of years. he got caught out by a long ball in the wind in tallaght i agree but if you look at wes brown for united on 50000 sterling per week, these things happen to more distinguished man marking defenders. I dont think that any real rovers fan with a history of supporting rovers on here(ie non wums) would be disappointed with his signature.
And a nice guy as well.

---

I don't care how "nice" he is, he cost us the European tie, the cup final and turned several wins in the league into defeats, a good player for 85 minutes a game, his stupid mistakes will always cost us, look at his marking for the second goal in Tallaght. He tries hard but if Cook can't find a better defender than him we will again have one of the worst defences in the league

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knappagh Red

I don't care how "nice" he is, he cost us the European tie, the cup final and turned several wins in the league into defeats, a good player for 85 minutes a game, his stupid mistakes will always cost us, look at his marking for the second goal in Tallaght. He tries hard but if Cook can't find a better defender than him we will again have one of the worst defences in the league

---

1) Keane atleast got us an away goal, but the 2 long range ones were far too easy for them, no one went in for a tackle, while we didn't take our chances either.

2)Keane didn't cost us the Cup Final, he was one of few players who actually was interested in winning. Keane,Peers,Doyle,Blinkhorn and Meenan were the only ones who played it like a cup final, the rest were just muck, not to mention the midfield battle was lost without O' Grady.

How will we have one of the worst defences in the league with Keane ? he'll most likely play right back if Boco dosen't stay with Rovers, and he would improve the right back position for us as Boco never really done much defensively, oh how I wish he got rid of the ball before it could be put in for Fingal's second :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knappagh Red

I don't care how "nice" he is, he cost us the European tie, the cup final and turned several wins in the league into defeats, a good player for 85 minutes a game, his stupid mistakes will always cost us, look at his marking for the second goal in Tallaght. He tries hard but if Cook can't find a better defender than him we will again have one of the worst defences in the league

---

I agree with a lot of what you are saying about Alan Keane.We need someone with a better concentration span he always seems to make a few boo boo,s in the course of 90 mins that are always costly.But the only thing i will say is Boco was terrible in the lead up to the second goal.First of all boco,s bad clerance straight into the middle of the park when he should have sticking it across the side line our even takling a touch. Then he lets Bayly keep the ball in play take about 5 or 6 touches cut back inside and cross for tere winning goal.But keane had enough time to get tight with O neill.If and i know its only an if! but if it was coleman.Bayly would still be still picking himself out of the stand.A lot of school boy mistakes have cost us a lot of points last season.And i just hope the manager brings in a few good defensive players!Like of Dan Murray our Jamie Harris would partner Peers well!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-8MP...eature=related

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by red metal

I agree with a lot of what you are saying about Alan Keane.We need someone with a better concentration span he always seems to make a few boo boo,s in the course of 90 mins that are always costly.But the only thing i will say is Boco was terrible in the lead up to the second goal.First of all boco,s bad clerance straight into the middle of the park when he should have sticking it across the side line our even takling a touch. Then he lets Bayly keep the ball in play take about 5 or 6 touches cut back inside and cross for tere winning goal.But keane had enough time to get tight with O neill.If and i know its only an if! but if it was coleman.Bayly would still be still picking himself out of the stand.A lot of school boy mistakes have cost us a lot of points last season.And i just hope the manager brings in a few good defensive players!Like of Dan Murray our Jamie Harris would partner Peers well!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-8MP...eature=related

---

Even if you want to show Boco made a bad clearance, you still shouldn't post that particular highlight :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by red metal

I agree with a lot of what you are saying about Alan Keane.We need someone with a better concentration span he always seems to make a few boo boo,s in the course of 90 mins that are always costly.

---

I totally agree with your sentiments and that's the reason I started this thread. There are some positions where you simply cannot improvise and central defender is one of them. It is imperative that the club finds someone to partner Gavin Peers at the heart of the defence. I have nothing against the likes of Keane and Ventre (they both play for the shirt), but in an ideal world (which I know it isn't) those two lads would be squad players at best.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rory H

I imagine Cook isn't happy with 13 players and one established central defender so safe to say we'll be signing another.

---

I sincerely hope you are right Rory H, but defenders of the type we require are like hens teeth. Also there must be a sizeable hole in the budget at this stage, given that almost every club in the League is cutting back.