Thursday 29 December 2011

Doncaster's Sharp or Huddersfield's Rhodes?

If you can believe the gossip, Leicester look set to sign Billy Sharp from Doncaster for £3m whilst Doctor Evil seems intent on spending the same amount on Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes. The question is, who would get the better deal?

Well to some extent it is academic because Sharp wants to stay close to his family in Sheffield following the loss of the new born baby, but I like the look of the guy. His 9 goals in 16 games for a very poor Doncaster team is an impressive return, and the guy's attitude can't be questioned given he played and scored within days of his son dying. He is strong, skilful and composed in front of goal, and at £3m looks a snip. However, he is 25 and hasn't yet had a shot at the big time. Prem clubs must have looked at him and seen something they don't like. I said Mucky-Smith couldn't be "all that" when Brighton signed him, and so it is proving. Decent - better than Piquionne certainly - but nothing exciting.

What about Rhodes? Well he is still young enough at 21 to have a future at a higher level, and 20 goals in 20 games suggest he is a natural goal scorer, but the question is, can he step up to the plate against better opponents? We would be taking a gamble in signing him and buying potential when what we need is a proven striker in our present situation. He has already failed once at Championship level because Ipswich let him go, and you have to worry about the guy's self belief given he opted to play for Scotland despite not having a drop of tartan blood in his body. At 6'2, he looks perfect for a 4-4-2 formation, with Baldock alongside, but what then happens to Cole? Most of us would see more sense in signing a rival / cover for Baldock rather than a replacement for Cole.

Then there is the question of formation. If Allardyce is intent on playing 4-5-1, how many centre forwards does he need exactly? We already have Cole, Piquionne and Carew. How many "traditional number 9s" can you squeeze into 4-3-3 / 4-5-1? And there is a boy called Montano scoring for fun in the lower divisions, and we don't have to pay £3m to sign him!

I suspect Leicester would be getting the better deal here. In any case, if we are sticking with 4-3-3, the priority should be wide men who can score, rather than the Sharp and Rhodes style of player.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

i like these blogs cause it should be called leicester loyal not whatever daft west ham name you have?

Anonymous said...

Who is Jason Rhodes?

Hammersfan said...

Brother of Jordan - much smaller tits but has a brain apparently.

Hammersfan said...

1228, your reply is odd given most Leicester fans claim I hate your club.

Lord Canning said...

Wow! Footballing potential from those hot-beds of soccer Doncaster and Huddersfield. Sharp? Rhodes?Never heard of either of 'em, you sure they're not from Rugby League, me old flower?

Hammersfan said...

White and English as well. Can't be any good! Still, they won't be able to read the small print on the contract!

Anonymous said...

yeah hot bed ov football in the same leauge as west sham me old cock sparra !

Anonymous said...

Rhodes would have no problem scoring goals in higer divisions. If better quality players feed the right balls he will put chances away. He is also a grafter and is a very level headed person who loves playing football and scoring goals. Huddersfield dont need to sell him at present but if we dont go up this year he wont be around!

PM24 said...

I'm more excited by Rhodes but that means absolutely nothing. Sharp is less of a gamble and will garantuee you goals in this league. But Rhodes has a more impressive record than baldock did in league 1. Baldock has no trouble scoring in this league so neither should Rhodes. Id be more than happy if we signed Rhodes

el martillo said...

Doncaster's Sharp or Huddersfield's Rhodes? Why not West Ham's Hall and Montano? We don't need to buy potential, we've already got it, if we do need a striker it should surely be someone with a credit rating.

How about Mammon from the French league? He's a big lump who's been successful all around the world and although he's getting on a bit he's showing no signs of slowing down. I reckon he could be tempted to the capital and big Sam's percentage football.

Hammersfan said...

Mammon would surely demand too much in wages Marty. Anyway, I hear he is a bit of a trouble maker in the dressing room. Isn't he a cousin of Lucas Neil?