Step back 2 years ago and ask for odds on Dobbie making 3 (possibly succesful) play off championship teams in succesive years.......if only!
I'm sorry Norway but I don't agree with you regarding Dobbie, he's by far a better striker than Moore and Lita put together, the boy is a goal scoring machine that has never been developed to his full potential at Championship level, let alone Premiership, and if he had the right manager, he would be top striker, he just lives for the goal, his hunger the likes of Lita and Moore could never understand, and neither does Rodgers, but then did he ever play the professional game? Sorry but we have squandered his talent in my view, the boy has been very unlucky with us, firstly expecting to team up with Scotland under Martinez, then his dream was smashed as Martinez departed to Wigan, then he gets stuffed with a sideways move to Blackpool, under Sousa, to finally get some football under Rodgers last season, where he acquitted himself well not only in the big moments of the play-offs, but his goal tally for the season was respectable too, with 9 League goals from 23 starts, and 18 sub, no we could have done better by this boy, and nobody will convince me any different! But I hope he goes on to fulfil his potential and dream, Martinez saw something special in him, and so do I.......................... please log in to view this image
Agree, Phil. Dobbs has had a rough deal down here but he did have his flaws and I believe the fatal one in Buck's eyes was his lack of work rate. It's no secret that Buck has modelled us on Barca and what they offer apart from brilliant individuals and superb football, is a quite phenomenal work rate to win the ball back when they lose it - Gary Lineker made reference to it on MOTD when he said there were similarities between our pressure to win the ball back and theirs. Now Dobbs is a talented footballer with a lot to offer but what he has never offered is a consistent work ethic which would not please Buck. In truth, it would not have pleased his team mates either and I know from experience that that sort of thing can unsettle a team, where the others realise that someone is not putting in a shift as per what has been demanded by the manager. I liked Dobbs a lot and would love him to stay because of what he has done for us and for what I believe he could offer us in the future. However, I have to concede that if I were the manager, keeping him would be conditional on him upping his work ethic to a level far above where it is now. I believe it is that, as much as anything, that will see him leave us permanently next season. It's a shame.
Dobbie has started 36 games ( and a fair amount of subs ) in the Championship for us & Blackpool . 16 goals & 9 assists . Not to shabby !!
Ivor! But I don't see that either from Moore or Lita, hell I can't even remember either of those two doing much in the way of the dirty work, or back tracking. When we talk of work rate Ivor, how the hell does Moore figure? Sorry but I think Dobbie puts in a bigger shift than any of those two!..................
I wouldn't be to disappointed if Lita and Moore goes in the summer, getting arrested and showing the club in a real bad light must be grounds for Lita to go. As for Moore he's a talent, but needs to go out on loan to get games and his work rate up.
I agreed with your post, Phil, just trying to second guess Buck's motives in letting Dobbs go. You are also right about Lita and Moore but I can see reasons (flashes) as to why he rates Moore. There's no question that Moore is outstanding at taking the ball and holding it up for others to arrive. Unfortunately, this was not one of Dobbs' greatest attributes and he frequently gave possession away far too cheaply.... then made little effort to win it back. The way we play, this is a luxury we can't afford no matter how good Dobbs looks going forward. Of course, another element to factor in is that Moore is Buck's signing, Dobbs was not. A manager is bound to be biased in that context. As for Lita, this is one of those situations where the guy is not getting games to find form and stake a place. He's obviously there for back up and he won't impress so long as he only plays a bit part. Not sure about him in any event and I think he will go when the situation is right for us.
I hate it when managers stick with a player against all odds, because it's their signing Ivor, but yes there is probably some of that in there, Moore I can live with, but Lita is not and never has been my cup of tea. Moore is technically very good, but his burst rate, or 0-60 is none existent, and the way I see it, he will give you the odd goal, and nothing more, sorry to go on about Borini, but to me he is the perfect striker profile, one which I consider the yardstick to measure others by, hence why Graham is the only one I would keep along with Dobbie!...................... please log in to view this image
If Rodgers has a weakness IMO , it seems to be the odd panic ,or impulse buy . I'd might be wrong but I'd classify Lita & McEachran this way . The McEachran loan is turning out to be a laugh really , great player but just not for us . That 900,000 keeper we bought was a bit of a stumble too .
Either he's just had a bad start Breezy, or he's no where near ready the way some Chelsea fans were making out!.............. please log in to view this image
