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Ooijer Leaves The Exit Door Open

Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer was last week linked with a move to Feyenoord, their manager Bert Van Marwijk played this down but now Ooijer is leaving the door ajar.

Although 33-year-old Ooijer (who is out of contract at the end of the season) has not said that he wants to leave he is not ruling it out, and has basically said that if an offer does come in for him then you can never say never, which at the stage he is at in his career is a fair thing to do.

Ooijer told Radio Rijnmond: "I'm not in a position to talk officially about anything, but everything is under consideration.

"The moment that a concrete offer comes my way I will be able to reflect on the situation - and that applies to Feyenoord's case as well."

Ooijer did endure a torrid start to his Rovers career (I think we ALL remember the debut!!!) but soon grew into a major part of the defence but with Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba virtual certainties to start whenever they can, and Brett Emerton the preferred right-back chances appear to be limited for the Dutch International.

Meanwhile Rovers could be lining up a move to bring Roque Santa Cruz's fellow countryman (and International striker partner) Nelson Cuevas to Ewood Park?

Cuevas is a free agent, and is currently with Premier League rivals Portsmouth, training with them and using facilities as he recovers from s knee injury and could be offered a contract at Fratton Park, however, recent reports suggest Rovers are also said to be interested and having Santa Cruz here could sway him in favour of Rovers?

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Writer: Walker

Date:Monday November 19 2007

Time: 10:46AM

Your Comments

Personally I do feel sorry for Ooijer as I think that he is too good to sit on the bench but at 33 he needs to play regular football so if the right offer comes along I think it will be accepted. I can't see him signing a new contract though, so think he will leave in the summer if not before?!?! Cuevas has a fine pedigree but don't we already have enough strikers here?!?!

Hughes Da Man

What do we need another striker for!?!?!

MikeyGamst

As for Ooijer I am of the opinion we shoudl keep him.

MikeyGamst

Exactly Mikey (on the striker issue) as far as Ooijer goes it would be good to keep him but I'm not so sure he will want to stay, he needs to play regularly at his age and he might not get that here (even though he probably deserves it!)

Hughes Da Man

Well if a good player cant get in the team then thats a good thing for us??!?! I guess.

MikeyGamst

An old and extremely slow player. Emerton is better at RB, and Samba&Nelsen better at CD.

IsraeliRover

Yer is too good for the bench but with samba and the admiral, he will not get in last year he saved us alot when he got a run in the team, so i would like to see him playing first team and be happy, so a move would be good, plus a lil cash in jan is better than nothing in the summer.

roverjoy

good call that roverjoy but Hughes knows what he likes!!! lol

MikeyGamst

I think Ooijer should stay - he maybe ageing but we need a good squad and he is excellent cover for anyone in defence.

FreidelNo.1

I'd like to see Ooijer stay till the end of the season As for another striker, with McCarthy going to the African Nations and maybe Roberts leaving to find first team football, Cuevas may hit the ground running having already partnered Santa.

alpeck

I can see a loan signing but nothing permanent.

MikeyGamst

roverjoy - If Sparky thinks it is in Rovers best interests to keep Ooijer until the summer and pick up nothing for him rather than sell him in January and get something that is what will happen and the club will back him won't they.

Hughes Da Man

Maybe Cuevas could get a short-term deal, with a longer-term one in the offering if he impresses, which would be like a loan really anyway?!?!

Hughes Da Man

would be a loss to let him go, good solid player, whom you should(imo)try to keep

SMOKIEJACK

Oojier is a handy player to have around a club but at 33 he will consider that he needs to be playing reg football so u would understand if he wanted to head back to Dutch football which is relativley slower than the English game! The striker I have never heard of but if he was free and anywhere near Santa Cruz in ability then why not!

Clint

This is the probelm being a 'smaller club' keeping squad players who are good enough to start games for other teams. Whereas bigger clubs, a lot of players are happy to be a part of the squad as they know that they will play a few games and probably win a few trophies.

FreidelNo.1

I think there are good and bad points to keeping him/letting go. But I think age could play a big factor in the overall decision.

MikeyGamst

If Ooijer is to stay he will want at least a two or three year contract and assurances that he will be a regular in the 1st team. I don't think we can offer him either. He's 33 now and his 1st team oppertunities will be less frequent the older he gets. I say lets start looking for a replacement!

spinaker7081

needs to move along at his age and if you can raise a few bob at the sametime then everyone should be happy...........

ernshaw

Bit hasty that spinaker but come the end of the season I am inclined to say he may move on.

MikeyGamst

I do like Oojier. I have voted for him a couple for MoTM (to no avail!). He may not be quick, but his positioning is good, and rarely get caught out. Sparky seems to prefer him over Zurab, so I can't see him going until summer.

Decimus Poole

Ooijer will stay.....but only until the summer in my opinion, then for all concerned it is probably best that he move on. I think he is a great defender though, so I would like him to stay but at almost 34-years of age he needs to be playing regularly, just picking up a pay cheque isn't what it's all about for him is it.

Hughes Da Man

... and you have to admire that HDM - I'm glad we've got a player who's hungry to play - and I think he is a very good squad player - he is dependable when needed

FreidelNo.1

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