Nikola Kalinić’s latest adventure in England put him exactly where we last left the young Croatian striker- close, but no cigar. Kalinić played the full 90 minutes in Blackburn’s first leg Carling Cup semifinal match against Aston Villa. After a quiet first half, Kalinić turned on the jets for a beautiful header that hit the post and moments later a nice one-timed shot to the lower right side which also hit the woodwork. It’s been the theme of Nikola’s time in England thus far.
Aston Villa ultimately won the match 1-0 with the return leg set at Villa Park for January 20th. Kale has constantly been inches away from great finishes in a Rover shirt. Is it mental or is it more? Regardless, he is showing great promise in England thus far and although he is not lighting up the scoreboard, I believe Kalinić is farther along than anyone would have originally thought five months ago when he signed with Blackburn.
He is not going anywhere…….he will get the benefit of the doubt for the remainder of the season and more will be expected of him at the start of next season. I've been down on Kalinic's form as much as anyone, but to say he will shipped and sold is dead wrong.
Kalinic Still Goalless. Blackburn had to rely on its defence to get them goals, Kali is not doing his job, I feel sorry for Blackburn Fans, He is even starting to bug me now,Damnn It !!!! GET A GOAL U LOOSER..If He does not get goals soon hell be shipped & sold in no time & probably spend his days playing in the K-league..
Also, considering that the Spanish National team has always had players that considered themselves Catalan/Basque/Spanish and still chose to represent one nation, I will openly call them Spanish.
Yes, I know it may be perceived as an insult. Simply put, I do not know all 26 members of that squad on a personal level, I do not know their politics and what they would classify themselves as. I am referring simply to their country of origin. I am not going start dissecting all the Basque boys from the Catalans and then even further from the Spanish Nationalists. I don't know any of there politics. They were all born in Spain, however, a large majority are Basque boys. All I know is the country of birth and then the region.
The reason I mentioned it is because in modern football where players bounce from club to club, country to country, its pretty cool to see a club that can embrace total football. Transfers are at a minimum, they have a very respectable youth academy. A few of the guys that have received caps this year are under the age of 18.
The Catalans have played a few International Friendlies, as far as I know, the Basques have not formed anything to date (as far as I know).
It is Athletic Bilbao that has had always leaned heavily towards the home grown Basque players from what I understand. I believe it was this year that for the first time ever they fielded a starting 11 that was completely Basque.
Peter, I hope you know that you just committed a mortal insult by calling Atletico's squad "All Spanish"- lol. (A bit like calling Yugo-era Dinamo "all Serb".) Actually, either Sociedad or Atletico has a long policy of only signing Basque players, no exceptions.(can't remember which one it is though).
As for Kalinic, his play is quite decent and constantly improving but a striker is judged by his goal tally. Luck has nothing to do with it- that's just an excuse. If he had the composure required of a striker he wouldn't habitually hit the post or head directly at the keeper. Still, the last two matches he's gotten favorable ratings (7.2 & 7.?) by the public, so it seems Blackburn fans think he's doing something right. If he can get some composure in front of goal he'll be a decent player.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1243808/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-eyes-super-striker-Mario-Mandzukic.html
Watched the Athletic Bilbao 1-0 win over Real Madrid this afternoon. You want to talk about a great footballing culture and a great organization. Athletic Bilbao has a side that from what I may see is ALL Spanish. Also, most of these guys are all home grown Basque boys. On a number of occasions this year their starting 11 has been all Basque players. I dont care who you support, something like that has to be praised. Great youth academy. Making a push for a spot in Europe next year. Plus, if Barca can exact some revenge on Sevilla right now, can make it a 5 point lead at the top of La Liga.
@ Zach,
As expected. He had to go back to Zagreb and grab his stuff and finalize some things with Dinamo. He hasn't even had a training session with Lyon or met his new teammates yet. Not to mention his French lessons.
Lovren not on today's roster
Kalinic is in at present as Allardyce has fallen out with McCarthy and Roberts and Di Santo was cup tied, but i think Blackburn spent money on Kalinic which they couldn't afford to spend. I think it might be best if they hope he scores a few goals and then they sell him on. For them to spend that kind of money and only getting 3 goals in return is disappointing. They could have spent it on loans and cheaper signings that prob would have done better job. ultimately Blackburn have to hope they can regain their money.
From Kalinic's point of view i dont see a major problem. Allardyce has given him a fair number of minutes during the season. He's only 21 and he had no experience at this level before arriving. He can just put the last few months down to gaining experience and fitness to play at this level as he never played a decent side with Croatia and never really with Hajduk. I thought Kalinic did okay, but you can't miss some of the chances he's missed in Premier League otherwise his team suffers. From Blackburn's point of view its bad business, but for Kalinic's it experience and confidence building and he has like 10 years of his career to build of this. Kalinic definitely isn't need at national team level till at least end of next year. Got plenty of options till then.
Thats True,he's as nervous as a Teen with a pregnancy test..
He needs to calm the hell down, & the goals will come..
I pretty much expected what he has done so far – not much.
The kid does have some talent, but he has to control his nerves. Right now he is shitting his shorts every time he touches the ball.
@ Ziva,
If you would have told me in September that Kalinic would be starting for the Rovers, I wouldn't have believed you. On top of that he has had his fair share of quality scoring chances. The majority of these should have been goals. However, he ran into some bad luck. How many goals have gone off the post, hit a defender square in the face or have been ruled offsides incorrectly?
All I'm saying is that he has exceeded expectations for the first half of the season. I imagined him in a Rukavina role coming off the bench in the last 5 minutes of a game. What did you think he would do?
he has 2 goals.
How is further along that people thought…..dude has one fricken goal all year and that is in a lesser competition.
He still has time and has far more potential than Rukavina.
Same Ole story for Kalinic again,He has suprised me with some skills i was unaware that he had,But If you aint got the Mitas touch then it aint gon get you far in the world ofg football as a Striker,He should see a Priest,Maybee some 1 has put a curse on him..