Delighted at our last-gasp winner yesterday, but thoughts must turn to the future. Here's my promised report on how young Trotta did yesterday for Wycombe against my local side, Bournemouth. To be honest, it was a hard game to assess him on. Bournemouth dominated and their midfield controlled the game, leaving Marcello to be feeding on scraps for much of the time. He had a few half-chances, but nothing that it's fair to criticise him for not doing better with. There was one chance on the six-yard box that I thought he should have done better with, but I don't think he expected the ball to get past the defender in front of him. That's the only particular negative I had for him. What struck me was his confidence. He took on one shot from distance that many wouldn't have attempted. He was also directing his team-mates, telling them where he wanted the ball (and when he wanted it to go to someone else) which is impressive given his age and inexperience compared to his team-mates. He was also getting frustrated with the failure of team-mates to deliver quick balls when he had found space and was calling for a timely through ball. His movement looked good, and he did his share of running down lost causes to try (and in one case, succeed) to regain possession for his team. He wasn't Wycombe's best player on the day, but he was one of their better players in a 2-0 loss that should have been a lot worse for them. From what I saw he might be worth a try for us (he'd get better service than he did yesterday, which would certainly help), but would probably benefit more from going out on loan again. There are rumours that he's been lined up for a spell at Southampton once his Wycombe loan ends in a week or two. Much as I dislike Southampton, that would probably be a good move for all concerned. Incidentally, names to watch out for: Wes Thomas of Bournemouth - a vigourous, pacy striker with an eye for goal. Too soon to say if he's good or just lower-league good, but yesterday was the first time I've seen him and I was very impressed. He had a better game than Trotta, but was playing for a team that created a lot more for him.
Nice summary Captain. Nothing massively discouraging. I'd love to see him at Southampton, would be a real test for him.
Really good appraisal Captain, many thanks. All sounds encouraging, especially your view about his confidence.
In case anybody else is as boring as I am and is staying in on a Friday night, Wycombe vs. Huddersfield is being shown live on sky sports 1 tonight so if you want to see Trotta in action that's the place to be. Also keep an eye out for Jordan Rhodes for Huddersfield. Much sought after 21 year old striker. Been banging them in all season.
Watched the Wycombe v Huddersfield game as suggested,nothing impressed me about to nights performance from Trotta. But Jorden Rhodes,now he does seem someone to enthuse about. but I suppose the big boys had their scouts there. Of all the players bandied about from the lower divisions this one definitley interests me. worth a 2/3mil punt???.
Probably £4m rosc, but why not. Woy (remember we lost Long to him for the sake of a few quid) and Allardyce are chasing him. I didn't see tonight's game but by all accounts he's an outright poacher. Isn't that exactly what we need right now?
I would definitely take a stab at Rhodes, I know there is a big difference between League One and the Premier League, but his record speaks for itself. If we can get him for a similar fee to what we sell AJ for then we will have done well.
Bandit, I think you will find that Rhodes goes for a lot more than AJ, sky news reporting that there are 5 or 6 clubs interested.
He's a League One player, how much can he possibly be worth? There are top scorers in the Championship that we could get for under £5 million.
Southampton have an exceptional academy with the likes of Walcott and Bale coming from there in recent years which automatically ups the value of any highly regarded player. Southampton are also a Premier League standard club and have one of the richest Chairmen in football so didn't need money which Huddersfield may well need. OXO was also an England Under 21 international.
Rhodes is a Scotland U21 international and a full international and after watching a few Scotland U21 games he is by far their best player. If his price even comes close to what we get for AJ as Bandit suggests we will have done exceptionally well. His price will keep increasing the more he scores (he's on the way to 30 for the season at this rate) buy now and if he does move on we will have made a great profit.
Being an international for Scotland and being one for England are two very different things. Lets not forget the likes of Boothroyd and Beckford who both scored hatfuls of goals in the lower leagues but when it came to the big time both were left wanting. If Rhodes costs over £7 million then we should look elsewhere, especially considering Billy Sharp who has scored goals consistently in a better league would cost about 1/3 of that.
Summing up on Rhodes,I think this lad may be what we are looking for,ok what if he does not make it. Say we spend 3/4mil,and 3 years down the line,he proves to be a flop,"well" it would have cost us about a quarter of what we paid in fees and wages for,injury prone none scoring AJ
It doesn't matter what country he's from. Adebayor is a Togo international, Franny Jeffers was an England International. It doesn't make Jeffers any better, although being an England youngster would drive the price right up. All he can do is score at the level he's playing at and he's doing that, 27 goals in 22 games so far this season is more than impressive. Bothroyd and Beckford were a lot older. Rhodes has the quality and the potential to make it at the top level. Definitely worth the investment.
Okay I will give you an example of a lower leagues striker who has yet to cut the mustard and is around the same age as Rhodes. Connor Wickham.
Exactly, YET to cut the mustard. Wickham is 18, younger than our Frei. He has loads of time to prove himself. All I'm saying is I think Rhodes is worth the gamble.