Often Partisan

Blues looking at Dutch striker?

Reports in the Netherlands suggest that Birmingham City are interested in Heerenveen striker Henk Veerman. The 24-year-old signed for the Eredivisie club from Volendam in February but according to Soccerbase has only made one start for the Friesian side since his move.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports that Veerman is interesting both Blues and NAC Breda but Heerenveen management do not want to let the striker go as they believe he will fulfil his potential at the Abe Lenstra stadium.

Veerman signed for Heerenveen from Volendam in February 2015 having scored 22 first division goals in 46 games; however he has only netted twice in the Dutch top flight. He is contracted to Heerenveen until June 2017.

I can’t speak for the veracity of this report – it could be an agent trying to drum up business but Blues have definitely been looking more at continental players this window – as we’ve seen with the signing of Maikel Kieftenbeld and the trial for Peniel Mlapa. At 24 Veerman would be of the right sort of age but I don’t know enough about him to know if he would be any good for us at Blues.

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60 Responses to “Blues looking at Dutch striker?”

  • Graham Richings says:

    We deffo need another striker , is he a tall lad? think we need more height up front so Gray & Cottrill can deliver decent balls into the box , his scoring record seems ok but not sure about the standard over their .

  • alan says:

    Looks a good striker tall and strong with good pace bit like Ziggy but better control and knows where the net is i would love to see him playing for Blues

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Henk Veerman at 1.99m (6’6″) reminds me of Nicola Zigic, but looking at him on Youtube he has greater pace and mobility than our former favourite.

  • barry frys blue and white army says:

    he certainly knows where the goal is some very instinctive finishes on youtube vid

  • rhees says:

    Never totally trust these reports agents stirring and all that.
    But nice to be linked with players again of decent standard

  • Needs to improve his passing otherwise a decent striker .

    • Adam True Blue says:

      Not to bothered about his passing ability, as long as he has good 1st touch and as good finishing, would be nice for to have a striker that can keep hold of the ball before putting it away. But as already mentioned this is probably only a rumour drummed up by an agaent. Kro

  • Tony E says:

    Always wary of making judgements based on YouTube clips, but looks decent. Although of similar build to Zigic seems to be a different style of player. I await possible developments with intetest..

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Looking at the player on YouTube, what struck me most is not the fact that he’s a goalscorer (which is good obviously) but the way he scores them. A lot of those goals were one-on-one with the keeper and he never seems to panic. He seems to instinctively know how to beat the keeper. That’s priceless for me.

  • ian ambrose says:

    I saw youtube Henk Veerman is good shoot low ball and feet skill If wonderful join to blues and blues fans bring on here!!! Good luck to GR

  • Chris allen says:

    He definitely looks like he knows how to finish.some great goals on you tube.the standard probably isn’t as good as the championship but he looks strong enough to handle it. Also he looks quite pacey for a big lad.if there is any truth in theses rumours it will definitely help that we’ve just signed a Dutch fella and a good one at that.

  • Mitchell says:

    Not sure if big CF are vogue these days. They are normally awkward and take ages to turn etc. Give me little ‘uns like Philipps and Shane Long anyday. In fact I predict that the big old fashioned CF will be a forgotten item in the future..the Horsfields and Lamberts etc. However GR knows his onions..talking of which is there any little french strikers out there!

  • Blue lizard says:

    Built like a brick shithouse..not going to get bundled off the ball,Tall lad but Can he head it? who knows..(ziggy couldn’t)…We are skint ..we need a striker and only 24, this could fit the bill.worth a punt in my eyes

  • Engleman says:

    Valued about 1/4 of a million, I’d take him if true 24 goals

  • Dave Mann says:

    Looks a good player and might be just what we need but if he’s willing to warm the bench when Donaldsons fit and well then great get him in !! Kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      If he did come in and scored goals, it could be The Don getting splinters. It would be a good situation, 2 players battling for the one spot? Donaldson needs a genuine contender for his place.

    • paule says:

      Why not have two up front? i thought Donaldson terrorised Reading but tired at about 70 mins due to the amount of work he put in, why not have both of them terrorise defences in this league and let other teams start to worry about us!! We just need to get more balls into the box no harm in playing direct if it gets points on the board.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I think a lot of us would like two up top, but I can’t see it happening.

        • Shirley Blue says:

          Yes we really need a change of formation. GR has used 4-2-3-1 for 33 league games when he has been in charge in which time we have won 15, drawn 10 and lost 8 which has accumulated 55 points. Over a 46 game season that would be 77 points which is play off form. Why on earth would he want to change a system that has been so successful? He would have to be mad.

          With two holding midfield players the three attacking midfielders have less defensive responsibilities so going two up top doesnt necessarily mean you will be more attacking or score more goals.

          If we get another striker similar to Donaldson then one can run his knackers off for an hour or so to be replaced by a similar type of player who can do the same for the remainder of the game without having to change the formation.

      • Dave Mann says:

        I think a lot of us would like to see two up front but rowett is stubborn in is formation and will not change it unless we’re chasing games and then he might go 4-4-2 , if we continue winning 2-1 every game I don’t think any of us wound have a problem with how our manager sets is team up ! Kro

      • atko says:

        Because we can only have 11 on the pitch at one time & GR has his formation which he is sticking to. The players GR has at his disposal he has handpicked for the system he has set out so bringing a player in to change the formation is counter productive as all the other players may then have to play out of position in a role they were not brought in to play. Who ever we bring in will only be a ‘replacement’ for Donaldson when GR feels the need to rest him or heaven forbid he got injured.

        • Hillfield Blues says:

          So no plan B then. Surely a squad needs to be able to adapt to different formations and systems to combat different scenarios when we play different teams. That’s the beauty of bringing somebody in like this kid who can offer us something different don’t you think?

          • Tony says:

            This system of one up top may have reaped rewards but I don’t like it it puts too much pressure on Donaldson to work his cobblers off, lets not forget at his age he will run out of gas.
            Cant see the point in getting this guy in just to warm the bench, we should play with two up top that way we could put pressure on the opposition. The way we are playing at the moment is on the counter attack ok it will work on occasions, but on others we will will get a walloping. Since Rowett has arrived I have not uttered one word of criticism, not going to start now, he’s doing fine.
            Incidentally what happened about the German guy? its all gone quiet.

  • tmsblues says:

    This seems like it could be an agent stoking the fire. He’s not getting first team footie so he’s putting pressure on his current club for a chance to start whilst also having another Dutch team supposedly interested… mmm? This looks like the scenario described re Mlapa recently where Blues interest is just used to raise the price or pressure. He’s contracted to 2017 and if he is supposedly rated and wanted by current club what kind of fee would be needed??
    Having said all that he looks good and just what we need !

  • A need to be quick with this one , as another striker option a good signing as good for his size,…against rovers last night the squad showed their strength of depth is getting better , 8 shots on target , 2 goals good performances , ….perfick

  • Mitchell says:

    Ironic isn’t it. Moment we let Edgar go..Morrison gets injured ! In last nights game.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Blues game against Brentford has been postponed. The Football League are allowing them to re-lay their pitch… only two games in. Been rearranged for Tuesday 29th September.

    • Blue lizard says:

      they had all closed season to sort this out like many other teams did… As far as I am aware we haven’t had s**t weather that would merit this suddenly…don’t suppose it’s anything to do with injuries and as said by manager a “little unrest in the camp”…if you can’t fulfill your fixtures you lose points…. I now have a days holiday booked and no game to go too(I have to give 28 days notice for hols)

  • Richard Granfield says:

    The De Telegraaph article says Heerenveen will not sell Veerman under any circumstances, so we will have to wait and see.

  • Hillfield Blues says:

    What Rowett did when he inherited this squad was utilise it according to its strengths which with two good wingers and a tireless foreward was counter attacking football. I don’t necessarily believe that that’s his system of choice and although it’s served him well he may well be looking at an alternative with a big guy up front on his agenda it seems.
    Donaldson can’t just run till he drops every game and our over reliance on him is going to get us into trouble sooner or later.
    Does anyone know what formation he used at Burton?

    • Shirley Blue says:

      Most teams play only one out and out striker these days. We just need someone to do a similar job who can replace Donaldson after an hour and he will be fine. If we are chasing a game then the option is there to go two up front. I don’t get the clamour to go two up front from the start. We are performing to play off standard with the 4-2-3-1 over a fairly long period of time now. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

      • Dave Mann says:

        Exactly , let’s start educating yes ? Kro

        • Shirley Blue says:

          I don’t think Gary Rowett and his team have received enough credit for what they have done. To take an absolute shambles of a team to where we are now in such a short time is incredible, spending next to nothing in the process. Attendances are on the up and people are coming back after the dark, desperate two years previously. It isn’t easy getting the right players in with our finances – it’s very much a waiting game because there is no point bringing them in unless they are better than what we have already got.

      • Hillfield Blues says:

        Im not necessarily bothered about the two up front so much. It’s who and how your going to replace Donaldson when he has a layoff. In the market we are in I think we’ll struggle to find an equivalent tbh. Novak and Thomas can run all day but they are no real substitute .

  • Engleman says:

    I believe this interest from Blues is genuine (targeting div one performance) but by the sound of it Heerenveen ain’t gonna let the striker go so I like op think it’s a non-starter

  • Dave Mann says:

    Never mind , we’re get over it me thinks. Kro

  • bluenoseneil says:

    Watched 45 seconds of Veerman’s showreel and saw enough to know he bears little resemblance to Ziggy, other than the fact he’s 3″ shorter.
    He can hold the ball up better, has a consistently good first touch, can go ROUND and/or through a defender or two.
    I can go on but I won’t.
    At the risk of bad mouthing a former League Cup and club legend (not always for the right reasons) we don’t need another inconsistent anti-hero figure, we need one who can stick the ball in the net and do something different to the Don, as well as complimenting the squad.
    Veerman may be that player, but if this is the measure of the kinds of Strikers Rowett is scouting then I care not whether it’s him or any other as I trust us to find the right man.
    Novak and Thomas WILL continue to contribute but I fear Thomas may be bit part player if he doesn’t work out where the net is soon. Shame, as he can hold up the ball and invite others into the attack.
    Let’s see how it pans out.

  • bluenose52 says:

    Heerenveen have this week brought in two strikers. Luka Zahovic from Maribor & Mitchell Te Verde from Feyenord. May be Veerman is surplus to requirement.

  • Jazzzy786 says:

    Pass to the Dutchie on the left hand side.

    Lets hope this is true

  • Steve Wood says:

    Just had a Text from Tom Ross. Apparently Blues are not interested

  • Bluenose_Andy says:

    Veerman played 17 times for Heerenveen last season after joining, 14 in the league scoring two goal

  • Stephen says:

    Does anyone know what the latest is on Devante Cole?? Is he still on trial??

    I’d like to see him signed up as he has bags of potential & is a good Young British lad.

  • jim says:

    Without trying to sound negative this player scored two goals in the dutch league last season, although he scored a few in the dutch second division.

  • Bluey says:

    Just gossip and tittle-tattle. Personally never pay any heed to anything unless there is proof that something could be happening. If we signed all the players we`ve been linked with we`d have 200 players by now.

  • David L says:

    Apologies if I’m being slow, but is Bradshaw at Walsall out of our price range?

    Lots of goals last year, leads the line well, hat trick vs Forest this week including a hold-your-nerves injury time winning pen

    If we could afford, surely he’d see it as a step up…maybe we could even do a swop deal with one of our strikers going the other way?


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