ScotlandFanMuir Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Often overlooked, I think it's about time a case was made for Jordan Rhodes to be Scotland's main striker up front. After the recent decline of Steven Fletcher, it's pivotal we now replace him while there's still time to rescue this campaign. It happens all over world football, a striker stops scoring goals, the confidence goes and their impact on the team as a whole lessens. Fletcher offers more than goals however, his hold up play and technical ability has been there to see under Strachan's reign. I couldn't help feel though that with the loss of his place at Sunderland and first team football, he was blowing out his hoop during the last double header after the hour mark in both games. A striker losing their sharpness just doesn't have the same edge anymore. Everyone is aware he's struggling and has to step aside for these games. Who do we replace him with? Steven Naismith? Great wee player. Looks as though he's developed a football brain after moving from Rangers to Everton, clever on the ball and off it - scores some valuable goals too. Rather than see him isolated up front, I'd personally rather see him have the freedom to roam free and play off our main striker. Who does that leave? Leigh Griffiths, Chris Martin and Jordan Rhodes. Chris Martin bangs in the goals in the Championship, scoring 40 in the last 2 seasons in a relatively quality Derby side that have been pushing for promotion. Leigh Griffiths? God, he reminds me of Kenny Miller. Sorry Celtic fans, I might've caught the wrong game to watch, but at home to Hearts he missed a barrel load of chances. Celtic are a big fish in a very small pond. They'll create umpteen chances per game. Griffiths will maybe convert 1 of every 7 or 8 chances that comes his way. Scotland don't really create that amount of chances, we need someone more clinical. That brings me nicely to Jordan Rhodes. At 19, Rhodes spent 3 seasons at Huddersfield in League One, scoring 72 goals in 112 starts. Then he got a move to Blackburn in the Championship, where he's banged in 77 goals in 134 starts in the 3 seasons after his spell at Huddersfield. He's started off this season well too, scoring 5 in 7 starts. Apologies if you think this is wrong, but I'm going to make what I feel is a reasonable assumption that Rhodes won't get as much chances to score in a mediocre mid table Blackburn side than Griffiths will at Celtic. In season 14/15 Blackburn scored 66 goals, Rhodes got 21 of them. In season 13/14 Blackburn scored 70 goals, Rhodes scored 25 of them. I think his record speaks for itself, although he's not playing at the highest level he's still scoring goals in a team that ironically look like they struggle to score goals - a lot like Scotland. This punter feels that his goals should've earned him a chance in the starting 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisEDI Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Leigh Griffiths? God, he reminds me of Kenny Miller. Sorry Celtic fans, I might've caught the wrong game to watch, but at home to Hearts he missed a barrel load of chances. Celtic are a big fish in a very small pond. They'll create umpteen chances per game. Griffiths will maybe convert 1 of every 7 or 8 chances that comes his way. Scotland don't really create that amount of chances, we need someone more clinical. you don't have a career games to goal ration of 2 to 1 if you aren't clinical. 1 out of 7 to 8 chances is clearly not correct when you look at the stats 2006–2009 Livingston 47 (22) 2009–2011 Dundee 47 (21) 2011–2014 Wolverhampton Wanderers 26 (12) 2011–2013 → Hibernian (loan) 66 (31) 2014– Celtic 45 (28 Edited October 1, 2015 by LewisEDI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotlandFanMuir Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 My point about Griffiths is he'll get at least half a dozen chances put on a plate to him per game, given the nature of the position he finds himself in. He's playing in a side dominating games (usually). Rhodes isn't. Although both are scoring goals, my point was Rhodes will have less chances per game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_B81 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 There's been a case for Rhodes for the last three years at least and he's not been given a proper chance to stake his claim for a place in the team. People say he can't play on his own - Blackburn only play one up front. There are question marks over his ability to hold up the ball - if he's playing on his own at club level then he must be able to do this too. Above all, he's scoring goals which, no matter what people say about how the game's changed, is still a strikers priority. Don't think he'll start against Poland but, if we don't qualify, we should look to start him for a few friendlies to see for ourselves if he's up to the task of being our main striker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisEDI Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 My point about Griffiths is he'll get at least half a dozen chances put on a plate to him per game, given the nature of the position he finds himself in. He's playing in a side dominating games (usually). Rhodes isn't. Although both are scoring goals, my point was Rhodes will have less chances per game. I agree with you that currently this is the case with griffiths being at celtic but he has never played for teams that dominate games previously, he played in a stinker of a hibs team that would have got relegated without him and most of his goals were of his own making Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deecie Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 That case is more likely to score than Fletcher against the Polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisEDI Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 That case is more likely to score than Fletcher against the Polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Regardless of club form - the clues are there. Rhodes and Griffiths are just not international standard and never will be in my honest opinion. They are both due chances in the team (no doubt) but it is a sad indictment that this is the case that they are the best we have and they just aren't up to it. I think that alone displays why Strachan plays the style he does - rely on more potent attacking midfielders to weigh in with goals such as Anya, Naismith, Maloney and formerly Snodgrass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanpar Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Regardless of club form - the clues are there. Rhodes and Griffiths are just not international standard and never will be in my honest opinion. They are both due chances in the team (no doubt) but it is a sad indictment that this is the case that they are the best we have and they just aren't up to it. I think that alone displays why Strachan plays the style he does - rely on more potent attacking midfielders to weigh in with goals such as Anya, Naismith, Maloney and formerly Snodgrass. International standard? What a lot of rubbish. San Marino have a player in their squad with 8 goals (more than any of our strikers) albeit has about 70 caps. Is he international standard? Rhodes will be 100 times better than him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jock strap Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I like Rhodes. Should be minimum squad player. Only WGS can decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 International standard? What a lot of rubbish. San Marino have a player in their squad with 8 goals (more than any of our strikers) albeit has about 70 caps. Is he international standard? Rhodes will be 100 times better than him. I don't give a stuff about Sam Marino. My point is that those two players will not hack it for us as in I'd be totally gobsmacked if they were to become the answer to our goalscoring problem. Why do no top flight clubs see enough to sign them up? Ask yourself that. If they ooze quality they'd have been snaffled up by EPL clubs but neither have. Why? That is one clue. The other is my own experience of watching them in Scotland jerseys. Kenny Miller looks like Pele compared to them as his goals to games ratio shows for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Jordan Rhodes - he scores goals. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ormond Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Jordan Rhodes - he scores goals. That is all. Not if you are Caledonian Craig. He prefers his strikers to run a wee bitty to the side and that. Maybe touching the ball a couple of times with their head too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanpar Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I don't give a stuff about Sam Marino. My point is that those two players will not hack it for us as in I'd be totally gobsmacked if they were to become the answer to our goalscoring problem. Why do no top flight clubs see enough to sign them up? Ask yourself that. If they ooze quality they'd have been snaffled up by EPL clubs but neither have. Why? That is one clue. The other is my own experience of watching them in Scotland jerseys. Kenny Miller looks like Pele compared to them as his goals to games ratio shows for us. You don't have to play in the EPL to be "international class" I am sure Blackburn have had bids for him in the past but they turned him down. At the end of the day we don't have many options up front and Rhodes certainly knows where the goal is. Perhaps we should build the team round him rather than saying he doesn't fit WGS'S system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Actually it's not all. Rhodes Not if you are Caledonian Craig. He prefers his strikers to run a wee bitty to the side and that. Maybe touching the ball a couple of times with their head too. I wonder if the view that Rhodes cannae play up top on his own comes from actually seeing him play ? I clearly remember thinking that we had a proper striker on our hands when the u21's won 2-1 in Holland, Rhodes scoring early from a Forrest cross. The other 'forward' players that night being Wylde and Wotherspoon, so Rhodes was on his own and he played well. He has continued to do that on occasion at Blackburn, although the situation can be fluid with the likes of Gestede playing up beside him. I actually feel sorry for Steven Fletcher, as he would benefit from a partner. I would play Fletcher and Rhodes, with both rotating to supplement the midfield when we don't have the ball. Fed up seeing Fletcher winning headers but nobody running past him. Rhodes is a worker as well, and Blackburn fans will tell you how much running and closing down he does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jock strap Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I was told that Newcastle made an approach to Blackburn about a £9m move but was instantly told to get tae. Not sure if official or not but lad is well connected with Rovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 £12 million turned down from Boro just before deadline. Several EPL clubs told he is simply not for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Jordan Rhodes - he scores goals. That is all. Didn't against a tiring Gibraltar side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 £12 million turned down from Boro just before deadline. Several EPL clubs told he is simply not for sale. Sorry but I don't buy that. Blackburn don't hold or shouldn't hold pulling power to keep Rhodes. If an EPL club wants a player badly enough - especially from a lower league club then they will get him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Not if you are Caledonian Craig. He prefers his strikers to run a wee bitty to the side and that. Maybe touching the ball a couple of times with their head too. No not at all. I prefer a striker being up to international standard and Rhodes isn't. Surely, tae when given the chance (half an hour) against a tiring Gibraltar he would have prospered if he was so shit hot but no....nothing...zilch. And same with other times he has played for us. He started brightly netting early on in first couple of games but hasn't come close since. So if he isn't scoring and doesn't have the hold up play Strachan needs to implement his plan then the need to have him in the side is totally negated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Sorry but I don't buy that. Blackburn don't hold or shouldn't hold pulling power to keep Rhodes. If an EPL club wants a player badly enough - especially from a lower league club then they will get him. And yet Blackburn keep turning down bids....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hannibal smith Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Strachan probably remembers the last time he started him up front on his own and he looked way out of his depth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 And yet Blackburn keep turning down bids....... Must be a first. A Championship-side being able to hold on to a player with reams of EPL clubs calling. That doesn't wash with me. Either there are no such clubs calling or Rhodes is petrified to test himself at a higher level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Strachan probably remembers the last time he started him up front on his own and he looked way out of his depth So one game not scoring, or looking out of your depth means you are out ? Fletcher must have those pesky incriminating photos of WGS then..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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