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Vaughan Signs
James Vaughan has become the first signing of the winter transfer window, signing on loan until the end of the season with a one year permanent deal agreed after that. The 27-year-old former Everton man has failed to hit the back of the net so far for Blues in six appearances while on emergency loan but supplied the ball for Maikel Kieftenbeld to score the winner in the last home game against Brentford.
It’s good to see Blues have got their first signing over the line before the FA Cup tie on Saturday; Vaughan should have been registered by the noon deadline to allow him to be eligible for that game (and any replays). Although I’ve seen one or two grumbles about it showing Blues not having money to spend I don’t see it that way; for me the signing of Vaughan means that Blues have a forward in that knows the club well and who will be happy to be part of a squad that may see him sit on the bench sometimes. The Brentford game showed that Vaughan can offer us a different option going forwards and when supported by the wide men and attacking midfield can be part of a potent goal threat.
I do wonder if this signing does spell the end for Wes Thomas’s Blues career. Although Rowett has said that he isn’t loaning out players straight off until some come in I do think Vaughan will be the replacement to allow Thomas to be sent elsewhere. Wes was said to be unhappy at playing second fiddle to Donaldson and it’s understandable that he wants to play first team football; the way Blues are set up I don’t think he’ll get as many chances as he might hope for. His spell at Swindon turned somewhat sour as he became the player to miss out with Swindon having to choose which five of their six loanees went into the matchday squad and it can’t have helped him in to convince Rowett that he should be given a regular starting spot.
I’d like to see Blues sign another striker to allow them to send Nicolai Brock-Madsen out on loan. The Danish kid looked short of confidence (not to mention goals) in the reserve fixture I saw this week and I think a spell at a League One or even a League Two side could help him acclimatise to the English game. Vaughan offers Blues pace up front and if we are to bring in a further striker I’d like to see Blues look for a “fox in the box” goal poacher type; someone who maybe isn’t able to work as hard as Donaldson or be as quick as Vaughan but who has that unerring knack of being in the right place at the right time when the ball is in the box. Those strikers are hard to find though and I have got to be honest in that I can’t think of a name to suggest.
Realistically speaking, my personal opinion is that I’d like to see maybe another three or four signings; a left-back or left sided centre back being highest priority; a left-footed winger; the goal poacher kind of striker I’ve outlined above and maybe another option in the middle of the park who can retain and build possession. I’d like to see us go back in for Robert Tesche – I thought he was one of the main reasons we kicked on last season and it’s that kind of player I’d like to see in the middle of the park to be able to break down teams who are happy to play in front of us. Hopefully Blues will be in a position to at make acquisitions to excite and please fans.
61 Responses to “Vaughan Signs”
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I believe Tesche’s contract is up this summer and I wouldnt be surprised to see him come on a similar deal to Vaughan, esp if Gary Gardner goes back to Forest on loan
Very happy with that signing. His movement in the 18 yard box is exceptional. Keep him fit, and he can be a top, top signing.
I have heard Macheda is up for grabs from Cardiff – his last spell with us wasn’t too shabby. May be a £ issue though.
For a ‘Fox in the Box’, how about Bradshaw? I’m not saying we would get him, just that he’s that type of player from the bits I’ve seen.
Whilst I agree that type of player would be a good alternative, we have the same problem to which you allude above, in that we need to get one who is happy not to be a regular starter. That’s a big ask.
I think a LB and LCB are both necessary acquisitions if we are to have a crack at the play-offs; I accept we may not be able to do both, especially as a creative/attacking midfielder is required too.
I really don’t get how anyone could grumble at this signing, James is a 1 in 3 man in our league, a good age and very motivated to play for us. The only worry would be his injury record but hopefully he’s through the worst. It leaves the vast majority of whatever kitty we’ve got available for the other priority areas too. It’s all good.
Personally, to be honest, I havent seen ANY grumbles! Quality signing and youre right about his injury record
In an ideal world we would sign another striker, but given how we set-up,limitations of finances, and other areas of the squad in need of more urgent attention, I wouldn’t be pushing too hard. For me, a left-back & centre-half are the main priorities, followed by another midfielder (aka Tesche) and a left-footed winger. If we could bring in four decent, quality players to fill those requirements then I would eb a very happy Bluenose. I am realistic enough not to expect this, and would imagine 2-3 more players at most will be brought in. KRO!
Vaughan loan signing is welcome-but why commit to a further 1year permanent contract at this stage. Perhaps this is the only way to have his services but a little risky should he not be that successful with goals and fitness etc.
So what if he does fantastic for us which alerts other clubs. We’d be looking to replace him if other suitors come in. We’ve minimised the risks by having him on loan
With Donaldson and now Vaughan, a third striker would have to be a young up-and-coming striker. No one decent or experienced is going to accept third in line. To that end, why don’t we utilise Alex Jones?
I totally agree on the positions we need to strengthen. I would probably wait until the summer to sign another forward though. A left back, left footed winger maybe a left footed centre back would do nicely. I really like Tesche and that deal is probably doable. But obviously it would mean that 1 of either Gleeson or Kieftenbeld would be dropped. I think both have done well so you could argue that we don’t need him. Maybe Tesche could play in Torals number 10 role….
Big question is how is Tesche playing this season for Forest?
Well Dougie Freedman obviously is of the opinion that his not playing that well as he has been warming the bench. He showed it his spell with us that he has ability to unlock defences and score the odd goal. Whether the money should be spent in other area’s is an interesting argument,
That was the case when we originally signed him.
Unless we go three at the back Gleeson is in danger. Rowett was after Kieftenbeld simultaneously with Tesche and didn’t pull out of the latter when Maikel signed
I think we should get a more attack minded left back because I think Grounds could operate well as the left sided centre back. Tesche I think is on the cards with a similar arrangement to Vaughan. I like these deals with an option to make them permanent because they are not short-term and they feel like our players rather than someone we will just have for a few months. If Gray is not coming back on loan then we need a left sided attacking player.
I’d definitely give Grounds a go at centre back. It’s ok Mr Rowett saying that he could play there, but until you actually give it a go, we’ll never know will we? Move him across and play either Hancox or Lowry at left back. Until it’s tried, we won’t know one way or t’other.
Attack minded but disciplned, right Shirley Blue? Grounds has a tendancy to be caught out of position a lot especially in the few games where we do control the play. Mind you he ain’t the only one, I think that is a key problem with Blues, we are disciplined when we play in games that we don’t have a lot of possession & we counter attack but the games where we do i.e the MK Dons type game, we are not disciplined at all. We get caught with too many up the pitch & the likes of Grounds & Caddis are caught way out of position. There’s no holding midfielder, Morrison might have gone forward, say for a set piece & all of a sudden it’s half the opposition charging at Robinson. We need to be more disciplined in these kind of games. Just because on paper or our form or the league table says we are better than them doesn’t mean they can’t hurt us. A look at Blues form against sides near the foot of the table will soon clarify that one!!
I don’t understand the assumption that Grounds can play centre back. Even when Hancox has played Grounds hasn’t a look even in preseason
I wonder if we was to sign another striker making it 4(5 in Thomas) GR would maybe start playing 2 strikers starting as he frequently said we play to our strengths & previously wasn’t particularly strong in toward positions
I think his reason for not playing 4-4-2, is that our midfield isn’t good enough and would get overrun.
LOL Staffs. I think the main problem is as I just posted above, not so much overrun, more so not disciplined enough & poor at reading the game. Too many times Blues players lose the ball high up the pitch & half the team are out of position. The problem then is they allow the opposition to easily work there way out of their half to ours where 3 of them end up bearing down on Robbo or worse still just Kuszczak. It’s usually in games where we tend to have more possession than the opposition. The MK Dons type game. We seem to think they cannot hurt us yet history proves otherwise against teams we ‘expect’ to beat. A disciplined holding midfielder would be good but we also need a creative midfielder so maybe GR needs to give Gleeson & Kieftenbeld & kick up the backside & remind them that at least one of them needs to hang back, especially of the full backs are overlapping.
Ah, atko me old mukka…. I said HIS reason, not mine. ;) It’s what he has said himself in a couple of interviews I’ve watched.
Good point, Staffs. Yes you did ;)
Seriously though, although Gleeson and Kieftenbeld are his preferred choice, he obviously doesn’t think they’re good enough, or doesn’t trust them in a 4-4-2. I’m not sure Tesche would make that much difference tbh, becuase Rowett didn’t change the system to suit him last time.
Great news,I’m going to the game tomorrow, hope he plays some part
A player I would like to see at St Andrews is Aiden McGeady. He is a tricky winger who seems surplus to requirements at Everton. Still in his twenties (29) he would soon become a fan’s favourite.
Wages might be an issue but worth a punt.
Aiden McGeady would be a waste of whatever money we have. In the last few years he has shown no signs of being a player for the terraces to shout about
And he’s turned us down in the past. The only good reason to take him is that he needs to impress Martin O’Neill before the Euro’s.
Lezdkins, Spector, Morrison, Grounds, Lowry, Davis, Gleeson, Maghoma, Soloman, Shinnie, Vaughan…. My team tomorrow for the FA cup game , six changes to the team that will play Forest on Tuesday .. And yes staffs play Grounds at centre half , why not ? Kro
That team will do for me Dave.
I don’t think ideally we should risk Morrison, Grounds, Gleeson or Maghoma but I think that might be about right due to not having many other alternatives.
That’s what I was thinking when I picked my team . Kro
Having a small, tight squad is fine, if your back up is of the same quality as the first XI. Unfortunately, when it isn’t, you’re a bit strapped for changes.
L; S, M, Mb, H; D, G; SO, A, M; V
“Wycombe have named 46-year-old goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson on the bench for their FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa.”
Ahem… Mr Rowett, your boots are cleaned and ready.” :)
Good piece of work, played his best game for us so far on Saturday. Have high hopes of greater things to come.
Well done GR etc
Good Luck to Clinton Morrison tonight playing for Exeter against Liverpool. Wish we could find a player of his capabilities in this transfer window, he’s just the kind of player we need :)
Saw him on the Football League Show the other week. He’s still the same old cheeky chappie Clinton. Yes, good luck to him. I hope he finds the net.
Staffs. Cast your mind back to Mothering Sunday when Brucie was manager. Sunderland were already promoted- it was either us or Derby for automatic with two games to play. That Sunday Derby travelled to Palace and had to avoid defeat to take it to the last day. Clinton scored both goals in a 2-0 win and Blues were up! We didn’t need that last game. Morrison like Caddis absolute legends!.
Twas sweet. :)
One in ,and Buckley is close behind I hope , I hope we get chance to buy clause in loan if it goes through , kro…
I’ve seen comments that say Buckley has done nothing at Sunderland or Leeds.. but be honest, who HAS done well at those two basket-case clubs?
We’ve got players, coaches and fans who can coax the best out of him again.
Never really take any of the speculation that seriously but of all the rumours that are flying around I hope the Buckley one comes off.He was a proper player for Brighton before his move to Sunderland and there were a lot of clubs in for him.
If there’s a manager to help players rediscover themselves its Rowett and I think it would be a great signing for us.
If you remember, Adam Johnson was the best winger in the country and an England international when he went to Sunderland. He could barely beat an egg these days, let alone a full back. Some players are just not suited to some clubs. Doesn’t mean they’re bad players.
Correct.GR’s strength as a manager is turning average types into better players and you only have to look as far as Maghoma and what he’s doing for his career at the moment.
It’s that type of market that is GR’s forte and if he could get hold of a player like him and turn him into something like he was at Brighton then it would ba a real coup for me.
Couldn’t agree more!
I think a wingers career is shorter than your average footballers. Look at all the wingers over the years, there have been some good ones but they don’t last, they peak at a young age then it’s game over. Even one of the most popular in the Premier League, Ryan Giggs peaked young then never really showed the form he demonstrated in the first couple of seasons he appeared. Okay he was good & had good games but never really as outstanding as his first 2 seasons. Very few perform consistently at a high level. This is why I don’t get upset about the fees we receive for the likes of Redmond & Gray. There aren’t too many wingers that sell for a boat load of cash, probably beause they are an unpredictable brede :)
There have been so many great wingers over the decades. If I had to single one out… I would have to go for Derby’s Alan Hinton. The sweetest left foot I ever saw… and could beat the full back a put over a pinpoint cross on the run almost every time. He was the first player I remember wearing white boots too.
So Gary Gardner has signed for Forest on loan. This knocks Tesche even further down the pecking order. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tesche is again in a Blues shirt before long.
Let’s hope so.Getting him back would give the whole club a big lift.
If he did come here, it makes me wonder who will be left out to accomodate him.. Kieftenbeld or Gleeson.
A hard call but we’re just not strong enough in central midfield.Our home form and ball retention from both have been generally poor and Teche would bring some much needed authority in the middle of the park.In answer to your question though,Gleeson should make way.
As good as a lot of people say Gleeson is.. I just don’t see it. He makes the odd decent pass, but the opposition float past him like he isn’t there. He’s the weak link in centre midfield for me.
I’m starting to feel the same about gleeson . Fantastic free transfer but having steped up and scored a couple of important goals early in season he’s display at home against wolves was none existent and is not a leader , I’d love a Roy keane in the middle but who wouldn’t ? Fine balancing act but I’m happy and think we are fortunate with the players we have who basically have cost nothing . Blues 2 0 big loud crowd come on blues kro
BBC mentioned Blues are in for the Exeter left back Welsh lad with Italian sounding name Riberio
played well after long lay off
Yeah he’s as accurate as Grounds too when he pushes forward, lol! Will be interesting to see if we are actually going for him though :)
Tom Nicholls looked top class for Exerer in the FA cup.
Now there’s a player I wouldn’t mind. Reckon he would fit in well too. Thinking way out of our budget though after tonight. Bet there’s a few in for him.
That was in the summer
always concerned about flash in the pan players maybe he can prove us wrong…..history telling me
methinks not………