Lukas Jutkiewicz.... is he worth signing?

[Pat from Poole]

Best physical centre forward I've seen this season is easily darius henderson (millwall). Made Fonte look very ordinary and was unplayable at times. Saying that we didn't have Jos then. More generally, Chopra, Austin and Miller (Cardiff) were all decent.

 

Isn't Henderson about to appear in court on an assault charge for a night-club incident ? (sounds familiar).

[shurlock]

Isn't Henderson about to appear in court on an assault charge for a night-club incident ? (sounds familiar).

 

That's right - still one of the most under-rated strikers in the championship IMO and would give us that out option with or without Lambert.

[SaintNeil90]

not sure what game you were watching at the Ricoh, but I didn't see him giving either centre back many problems at all. He dropped deep and collected the ball then sliced a few shots from range when he perhaps should have showed more composure and he scored unchallenged from a corner. But brushing them aside? Really?

 

If you want a striker that caused our centre backs problems then Miller at Forest is your man, he bullied our two CBs.

 

He was the only Cov player to cause us any problems. All their attacks came through him. He won the majority of long balls played up to him, he took his goal well and then caused problems with his strength for their 2nd.

[corky morris]

not sure what game you were watching at the Ricoh, but I didn't see him giving either centre back many problems at all. He dropped deep and collected the ball then sliced a few shots from range when he perhaps should have showed more composure and he scored unchallenged from a corner. But brushing them aside? Really?

 

If you want a striker that caused our centre backs problems then Miller at Forest is your man, he bullied our two CBs.

 

So thats me & SaintNeil at the same game. Where were you?? He (LJ) caused us no end of problems up there..........................In fairness so did Miller, but in a different way, but the thing that stood out for me with him was his constant moaning at his own team mates, opposition & the ref!!!

[shirleysfc]

heard he signs monday but probably bs

 

Anyone else heard anything about this?

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

heard he signs monday but probably bs

 

Anyone else heard anything about this?

 

I guess we should've asked the most obvious question too... source?

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Actually, thinking about it, it's gone rather quiet from those who have said they know someone who knows him... Maybe it's all gone quiet because that's the way we do our business? Or maybe it's because nothing is happening! Think it'll be an interesting week if we're looking for signings before Forest.

[shirleysfc]

Actually' date=' thinking about it, it's gone rather quiet from those who have said they know someone who knows him... Maybe it's all gone quiet because that's the way we do our business? Or maybe it's because nothing is happening! Think it'll be an interesting week if we're looking for signings before Forest.[/quote']

 

It's quite on the Coventry and Boro boards about him too. I think he has real potential and could do a job for us in the Prem too when we make it back there.

[Chez]

So thats me & SaintNeil at the same game. Where were you?? He (LJ) caused us no end of problems up there..........................In fairness so did Miller, but in a different way, but the thing that stood out for me with him was his constant moaning at his own team mates, opposition & the ref!!!

standing on the very back row, so perhaps your view was better than mine. But let me just say that I haven't been so calm at a Saints game since the JPT final. They had nothing as a side, and he didn't worry me at all. He may well have been their best player (not hard), but he was still very unimpressive and I came away disappointed as I knew we had been linked. Sluggish is the term I'd of used. They only looked to have any threat when Platt came on. He offered a genuine physical threat.

 

Miller on the other hand was a nightmare and if he hadn't gone off Forest may well have won that game. He had strength, pace and held the ball up well bringing others into the game well. Better players around will have helped I guess.

 

Opinions, opinions. I've seen LJ once live. If I was going to buy a striker for millions I'd watch him at least four or five times. Perhaps you've seen him more times than me. I hope he is brilliant if he's signing on Monday.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Didn't sign yesterday then, although a specific date for a Monday signing wasn't given...

[Saint Garrett]

It's always Friday....

[david in sweden]

heard he signs monday but probably bs

 

Monday, Monday ....which Monday ? ...Whit Monday ? ..or ...

(did it come from a good source, or someone at work ..or ?)

[david in sweden]

this has to be the LONGEST thread I've ever participated in.

 

When I wrote #1 on the 5th November, it was an enquiry ...when we were discussing the suggestion of a "loan player" to bolster the strike force.

the thread seems to have become a damp squib, as many of the early responses criticised that I'd veen voiced the idea..but it was only a question.

 

Now, two months later ...more people seem to think that we are going to sign him but we seem no further ahead...and all we need is a pronouncement from SMS to say that... we never were, or will ever be interested in buying LJ... (along the lines of the Sharp/Maynard statement thay made recently at least ..then we'd all know.

It's all become very frustrating ......and there seems no end to it...should the MODS close the thread ..or ?

[Crazy Diamond]

Sorry but where's the evidence to suggest we are definitely chasing him? I don't mean something from the Echo which is absolute hearsay, I mean concrete proof we've put a bid in, it's been confirmed by the club he's a target etc.

 

Genuine question.

[Bearsy]

Sorry but where's the evidence to suggest we are definitely chasing him? I don't mean something from the Echo which is absolute hearsay, I mean concrete proof we've put a bid in, it's been confirmed by the club he's a target etc.

 

Genuine question.

 

Nah mate, we only really know we're after a player when a) they sign or b) the big-mouthed selling club say we've been knocked back.

[david in sweden]

Sorry but where's the evidence to suggest we are definitely chasing him? I don't mean something from the Echo which is absolute hearsay, I mean concrete proof we've put a bid in, it's been confirmed by the club he's a target etc.

 

Genuine question.

 

well nice someone thinks so, I had become convinced there was nothing more the other... 315 contributors.. could write about on the matter.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Just seen a thread on Cov forum saying Jutkiewicz will be off by the end of the week although Boro is his likely destination. Shame if true, IMO, as I think he could do a job for us. That said, it's a rumour on a messageboard so it comes with the usual caveats!

[Saint Charlie]

I suspect we are targetting better.

[John B]

Sorry but where's the evidence to suggest we are definitely chasing him? I don't mean something from the Echo which is absolute hearsay, I mean concrete proof we've put a bid in, it's been confirmed by the club he's a target etc.

 

Genuine question.

 

We were definitely interested in him but according to people who know him he is off to Middlesboro

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Based on nothing other than my opinion, I suspect he is a backup target - someone who we may pursue if other avenues prove fruitless. Same with Sharp.

[thorpie the sinner]

Based on nothing other than my opinion' date=' I suspect he is a backup target - someone who we may pursue if other avenues prove fruitless. Same with Sharp.[/quote']

 

If we leave it too long, we may have to buy him from Boro lol

[Amesbury Saint]

I guess we should've asked the most obvious question too... source?

 

worst possible, mate of a mate.

but no taxi driver or steward involved which seemed a good sign!

[thorpie the sinner]

Lukas Jutkiewicz to join Middlesboro for £2m in next few days despite interest from other clubs. http://bit.ly/wNxqBP #boro #skyblues

[thorpie the sinner]

I am up for signing better potential players a la Hooper ( if it comes off) but I just have a feeling that Juke will come back to haunt us at the Riverside!! I would have had him

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Agree with this. I'm sure he'd do well for us. Can't shake the nagging suspicion that Jut will also have had the most reasonable wage demands amongst a pretty equal group of supposed targets, Hooper excepted, & if we're not willing to pay top dollar, maybe he represented our best bet.

[SuperSAINT]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7424439/Boro-close-on-Jutkiewicz

 

If we wanted him, we'd have gotten him IMO.

[Didcot Saint]

Watching him his control is poor and misses more chances than he converts.

[Nexstar]

Glad we swerved that one

[Window Cleaner]

Lukas Jutkiewicz to join Middlesboro for £2m in next few days despite interest from other clubs. http://bit.ly/wNxqBP #boro #skyblues

 

£2 million ?? Doubt if we'd pay that for Messi or Benzema...I think we're pretty frugal on outgoing transfer fees actually,doubt if we rated LJ as being worth anywhere near that.Incoming fees are something completely different.

[corky morris]

Glad we swerved that one

 

Could not disagree more!!!

[thorpie the sinner]

Could not disagree more!!!

 

Nor me!

[Appy]

Not devestated we aren't getting him, seems we are aiming for far better.

[Colinjb]

Won't be dissapointed if we are setting our sights higher (the scorer of a winning goal in an international tournament certainly indicates that) but I am convinced he would have served us proud.

[Crazy Diamond]

Time to put it to bed then, no great loss, he is NOT the only striker of that type in the world. If you find yourself disappointed by this, give yourself a slap.

[Chez]

Could not disagree more!!!

is Hooper better?

[Saint Charlie]

is Hooper better?

 

Much better.

[Norm]

Not devestated we aren't getting him, seems we are aiming for far better.

 

Your opinion based on what? Genuine question.

[Appy]

Your opinion based on what? Genuine question.

 

Based on making a bid for Gary Hooper, who is better.

[david in sweden]

Watching him his control is poor and misses more chances than he converts.

 

if you look at stats, you'll find most players do ...a conversion rate of 1 goal to every 4 shots is considered quite good.

[lillyflo]

He's having a medical at middlesborough after having bid accepted by coventry according to twitter.

[thornhill_saints]

He's having a medical at middlesborough after having bid accepted by coventry according to twitter.

 

We have never been after him!

[saintrich]

I think we perhaps choose Lee as a Lambert back-up over someone like Jutkiewicz, but are still after another striker to go alongside Lambert.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Meh! Not bothered, unless of course we get to February 1st and we haven't signed a striker.

[shurlock]

Even if he isn't the best player on the market, always felt like he was the easiest to go and get -and our game relies so much on hold-up play -LJ's biggest asset (more than his goals) that i wouldn't have looked at this gift horse in the mouth.

[beatlesaint]

I think we perhaps choose Lee as a Lambert back-up over someone like Jutkiewicz, but are still after another striker to go alongside Lambert.

 

I dont for one minute think Lee has been signed as a back up to Rickie.....I think he is the only striker we will be signing in January. Hope I'm wrong and that a big signing comes out of somewhere but i just have the feeling Lee is it !

[Window Cleaner]

Even if he isn't the best player on the market, always felt like he was the easiest to go and get -and our game relies so much on hold-up play -LJ's biggest asset (more than his goals) that i wouldn't have looked at this gift horse in the mouth.

 

But who needs a 2 million £ replacement,we have Rickie,we have Guly,we now have Lee,then there's Barney,Connolly and we need to give the young men a bit of game time as well, otherwise we'll never know if they're good enough. I'm sure that this would be our reasoning.

[Appy]

I dont for one minute think Lee has been signed as a back up to Rickie.....I think he is the only striker we will be signing in January. Hope I'm wrong and that a big signing comes out of somewhere but i just have the feeling Lee is it !

 

Then why would we bid for Hooper?

 

For poops and giggles?

[John B]

But who needs a 2 million £ replacement,we have Rickie,we have Guly,we now have Lee,then there's Barney,Connolly and we need to give the young men a bit of game time as well, otherwise we'll never know if they're good enough. I'm sure that this would be our reasoning.

 

I heard from somebody at St Mary's that we did offer £2m for LJ just before the end of the loan period but on the monday before the loan he was told that the move was off.

 

At about the same time I was told there was a Japanese player being shown round St Mary's

 

So I tend to think that there will be no other strikers coming in

 

But I still think we need another CB

[Saint Garrett]

I really hope Lee is the ******** then if we aren't to sign any other striker. Though personally I think we'll have another one brought in if the opportunity arises.

[shurlock]

But who needs a 2 million £ replacement,we have Rickie,we have Guly,we now have Lee,then there's Barney,Connolly and we need to give the young men a bit of game time as well, otherwise we'll never know if they're good enough. I'm sure that this would be our reasoning.

 

With the exception of Lambert, nobody can hold up play in the same way that LJ potentially can. We tried with Guly at Donny and nothing stuck. Connolly isn't that kind of player and Barney's untested. Good hold up play is the key to getting the best out of our impact players -whether playmakers like Lallana and Guly or runners from deep like Chappers. And of course a big man can get on the end of crosses - and most of our goals this season have come down the flanks.

 

Hopefully Lambert lasts the course. Even if he does, there's no reason why LJ couldn't also play alongside him.