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MARK Hughes is ready to take a punt on Johann Vogel during the run-in after hailing the Swiss midfielder as the missing piece in his jigsaw.
The Rovers chief revealed he has spent several YEARS scouring the world for a specialist holding player to operate as an anchorman in front of the back four.
Now Hughes believes he has finally landed the perfect man for the job, after snapping up Vogel on a free transfer earlier this week.
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And although the 31-year-old former AC Milan star has barely kicked a ball over the last 10 months because he was in dispute with Real Betis, Hughes is toying with the idea of throwing him straight in at the deep end, as he seeks to revive Rovers' flagging charge for Europe.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's clash with Wigan Athletic at Ewood Park, Hughes even hinted his latest signing has an outside chance of being involved in some capacity against the Latics.
"Johann has been here a couple of weeks and the decision to offer him a contract now is based on the fact he looks strong, and he looks fit," said the Rovers chief.
"Obviously, he hasn't had games, so that's still a little bit of a concern.
"However, I felt it was important we did it now, because I feel he can be a player for us between now and the end of the season.
"He's vastly experienced and he brings a winning mentality because he has been used to success, certainly at PSV Eindhoven, where he enjoyed a very productive time alongside Andre Ooijer.
"He's got a wealth of experience at international level as well, so he's an accomplished player. He's played at a high level, both in the Champions League and with top clubs in Italy, and he's going to bring a lot to our team, and our squad.
"In the short time he has been here, he has shown that he is a player who can help and improve us, and that's what I'm always looking for when I bring new players to the club."
With many of the top Premier League managers now deploying specialist holding midfield players as part of a move away from the more traditional English 4-4-2 formation, Hughes felt it was vital to find someone who could perform that role for Rovers.
"I've been looking for this type of player for a number of seasons and I feel we've got the right man in," he said.
"Obviously, only time will tell but given his experience, and the fact he's very motivated to do well in the Premier League because a lot of top European players want to ply their trade here, I think he will be a success.
"The guys who play in that (holding midfield) role have to have the ability to retain possession for you because, on occasions, they have to receive the ball in key areas of the football field, and if you are not comfortable in possession then the opposition can exploit that and very quickly get at your back four.
"That's why we've been looking for a specialist who is in there for that."
Posted by: Robbie, Manchester on 12:57pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season,
this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested.
storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend.
a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers.
altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million
we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year
Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season,
this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested.
storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend.
a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers.
altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million
we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year
Posted by: Woody Riversider, Blackburn on 4:11pm Fri 21 Mar 08
I'm resinged to losing him Robbie.
I just get the impression he wants away,possibly only because we are not progressing as he would like.
Which as a young player & with his step up to the England squad seems the obvious thing.
Would like him to stay even if for one more season thus helping us get into Europe & then anything can happen?
Failing that then the $'s received for Bents would go along way to replace him with someone of equal quality(or two!!)
I'm resinged to losing him Robbie.
I just get the impression he wants away,possibly only because we are not progressing as he would like.
Which as a young player & with his step up to the England squad seems the obvious thing.
Would like him to stay even if for one more season thus helping us get into Europe & then anything can happen?
Failing that then the $'s received for Bents would go along way to replace him with someone of equal quality(or two!!)
Posted by: Jamie wrexham, wrexham on 8:24pm Fri 21 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Robbie[/bold] wrote:
Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season, this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested. storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend. a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers. altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year[/quote] Im glad to hear your happy yo let go of gally and Roberts, unless Juve are lining up bids for them I think your £15m figures are a bit off. The players Going will be 4 amongst Bentley, Roberts, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Tugay, Emerton, Mokoena & Zurab. Im assuming it will be Bents, Roberts, Emerton & Zurab.
If Rovers have got any sense they'll make thier major purchases before Selling Bents that way we wont look like were a selling club to potential signings plus other clubs wont b looking at the wedge we got for selling our best player.
If we sell Bents for £16m Sparky will get half and half from any other player sales ie Roberts £3m, Emerton £1.5 = £10m
thats where tha transfer money is coming from, as for gettin £2m for Gally (keep takin your pills mate)
Robbie wrote:
Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season, this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested. storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend. a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers. altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year
Im glad to hear your happy yo let go of gally and Roberts, unless Juve are lining up bids for them I think your £15m figures are a bit off. The players Going will be 4 amongst Bentley, Roberts, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Tugay, Emerton, Mokoena & Zurab. Im assuming it will be Bents, Roberts, Emerton & Zurab.
If Rovers have got any sense they'll make thier major purchases before Selling Bents that way we wont look like were a selling club to potential signings plus other clubs wont b looking at the wedge we got for selling our best player.
If we sell Bents for £16m Sparky will get half and half from any other player sales ie Roberts £3m, Emerton £1.5 = £10m
thats where tha transfer money is coming from, as for gettin £2m for Gally (keep takin your pills mate)
My reading of what the club are saying is that there is (for Rovers) a substantial transfer budget this summer and the club has no need to sell anyone to fund it.
The financial housekeeping has been done this year and so long as the club keeps within the £40m wages budget, the likely top half finish is going to spin enough cash off to fund the transfer spending.
The challenge will be to get the players without bursting the wages budget.
My reading of what the club are saying is that there is (for Rovers) a substantial transfer budget this summer and the club has no need to sell anyone to fund it.
The financial housekeeping has been done this year and so long as the club keeps within the £40m wages budget, the likely top half finish is going to spin enough cash off to fund the transfer spending.
The challenge will be to get the players without bursting the wages budget.
Posted by: Colzi, Ulverston Lakes on 9:55pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Jamie wrexham[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Robbie[/bold] wrote: Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season, this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested. storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend. a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers. altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year[/quote] Im glad to hear your happy yo let go of gally and Roberts, unless Juve are lining up bids for them I think your £15m figures are a bit off. The players Going will be 4 amongst Bentley, Roberts, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Tugay, Emerton, Mokoena & Zurab. Im assuming it will be Bents, Roberts, Emerton & Zurab. If Rovers have got any sense they\\\'ll make thier major purchases before Selling Bents that way we wont look like were a selling club to potential signings plus other clubs wont b looking at the wedge we got for selling our best player. If we sell Bents for £16m Sparky will get half and half from any other player sales ie Roberts £3m, Emerton £1.5 = £10m thats where tha transfer money is coming from, as for gettin £2m for Gally (keep takin your pills mate)[/quote] Course it's all spectulaion but.
Bentley wont leave unless he wants to. Sparky/club want him hear thats been made clear. Even if he slips through door 10+ is an outstanding return.
Roberts-ive been a fan since he was at Wigan along side the Duke! Been crying out for him to start ever since he arrivied! Power, passion skill pace-just needs gloss up on his finishing and he's the real deal. I love him-really want him to stay. Hope Sparky see's sense now! I cant see the point in selling him-who would u get for that 3m price-Santa Cruz!! lol
McCarthy- Im 50/50 on this guy, he doesnt seem to try n want the ball, yet he's got the got talent in him,-as seen last year. Also feel he's been given limited service from 1 flank ie MGP's.
Which Santa Cruz has handled well-mainly mind from Bentley's side.
Id keep -McCarthy, but he needs to try more. Unsure how Sparky feels mind. He may cash in.
Zurab-Keep for sure. Overall a fine player than does the job when called upon. Sparky will want to keep. Why sell ?
Mokoena-Will be the one to go. Good player but does 1 job pefect for the last 20-30 in a game or so. Im sure Sparky will want to keep him but the AXE will want oot due t limited chances which is fair enough!
Emerton- Quality in Holland. Can do it here, just never wants to make the effort. He's had what 3/4yrs now here to make an impact-thats more than long enough. Needs to go. 1/2m we'll get id say. Sparky get shot!
Tugay. Old legs-cracking character. Many a happy time watching him. However- If Vogal comes in , does the job in the next 2months then Tugays off. U can only be sentimental to an extent.
Anyways best for him t spend his last years in his native Turkey. He'll ave a cracking time thier!
Jamie wrexham wrote:
Robbie wrote: Lets hope he can do a job for us and help us kick on next season, this season has been a massive let down for me, to many of out players have been found wanting and have not been interested. storys seem in the press today seem to say we will have 10 million to spend. a few players will leave no doubt and i hope the money from that is put towards transfers. altho we would get about 15/20 million for him i think to sell bents would be a really bad idea, however i would sell both roberts for 3 or 4 million. gally 1 or 2 million we all know we sparky can pick up a bargin so with about 15 million to spend i am sure we will do ok next year
Im glad to hear your happy yo let go of gally and Roberts, unless Juve are lining up bids for them I think your £15m figures are a bit off. The players Going will be 4 amongst Bentley, Roberts, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Tugay, Emerton, Mokoena & Zurab. Im assuming it will be Bents, Roberts, Emerton & Zurab. If Rovers have got any sense they'll make thier major purchases before Selling Bents that way we wont look like were a selling club to potential signings plus other clubs wont b looking at the wedge we got for selling our best player. If we sell Bents for £16m Sparky will get half and half from any other player sales ie Roberts £3m, Emerton £1.5 = £10m thats where tha transfer money is coming from, as for gettin £2m for Gally (keep takin your pills mate)
Course it's all spectulaion but.
Bentley wont leave unless he wants to. Sparky/club want him hear thats been made clear. Even if he slips through door 10+ is an outstanding return.
Roberts-ive been a fan since he was at Wigan along side the Duke! Been crying out for him to start ever since he arrivied! Power, passion skill pace-just needs gloss up on his finishing and he's the real deal. I love him-really want him to stay. Hope Sparky see's sense now! I cant see the point in selling him-who would u get for that 3m price-Santa Cruz!! lol
McCarthy- Im 50/50 on this guy, he doesnt seem to try n want the ball, yet he's got the got talent in him,-as seen last year. Also feel he's been given limited service from 1 flank ie MGP's.
Which Santa Cruz has handled well-mainly mind from Bentley's side.
Id keep -McCarthy, but he needs to try more. Unsure how Sparky feels mind. He may cash in.
Zurab-Keep for sure. Overall a fine player than does the job when called upon. Sparky will want to keep. Why sell ?
Mokoena-Will be the one to go. Good player but does 1 job pefect for the last 20-30 in a game or so. Im sure Sparky will want to keep him but the AXE will want oot due t limited chances which is fair enough!
Emerton- Quality in Holland. Can do it here, just never wants to make the effort. He's had what 3/4yrs now here to make an impact-thats more than long enough. Needs to go. 1/2m we'll get id say. Sparky get shot!
Tugay. Old legs-cracking character. Many a happy time watching him. However- If Vogal comes in , does the job in the next 2months then Tugays off. U can only be sentimental to an extent.
Anyways best for him t spend his last years in his native Turkey. He'll ave a cracking time thier!
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