Joe. Posted 21 July 2010 Posted 21 July 2010 Enigma Campbell determined to prove worth A lot has been written about DJ Campbell in the last three years. Before we go on, a lot of negative opinion has been written by myself on this very site about the striker, all of which has been justified and warranted up to this point. More recently internet forums have been flooded with discussions on the subject of the forward - will he, or won't he leave this summer? Do we even want him? It's fair to say that opinions are divided. Some believe he is the goal-scorer we need to help us get out of this division following his impressive exploits with promoted Blackpool, not only last season but the one prior to it too. Then are those who believe he has out-stayed his welcome, taken far too much money off of us and does not warrant another opportunity. Stubborn he has certainly been in the past, all boiling down to some obscene wages his agent is still wetting himself over. In a nutshell he's been out of favour with almost every manager since his arrival, not helped with a mixture of injuries and an allegedly questionable attitude. The opportunity to make a permanent move to Blackpool prior to their promotion was on the table, but the Seasiders could not match the striker's wage demands. Unsurprising given the fact he remains City's highest-paid player. It's been somewhat of a roundabout experience to date. For the player we were not so long back happy to accept next to nothing for just to offload him off the wage bill, a fee of £1.5 million was requested at the beginning of the summer. But do we even want to offload him anymore? Campbell certainly appears to be a firm part of new manager Paulo Sousa's plans, highlighted by three consecutive starts in pre-season so far. And with a return of three goals thus far in said matches, is DJ Campbell finally attempting to prove his worth at this club? I've been a sceptic since an early time on the former-Birmingham man, and I'm happy to admit that. I still am in many ways. But after watching Campbell's performance in pre-season at Rotherham yesterday evening, I am beginning to ponder the idea that maybe he does deserve another chance. But the point I have also stressed all along is that he should only get it if he really wants it. Was last night a message that he wants to put this right? Or was it simply an attractive showing for potential suitors? Either way, if DJ Campbell shows effort and sharpness like that I would accept him in a Leicester City shirt once more. Not only was he quite comfortably the best player on the pitch, he showed a work rate which was hugely refreshing for a player supposedly keen to leave this club. That's the botom line really. If DJ Campbell genuinely wants to fight for his place at this club then there is no way anybody can criticise. We've seen nowhere near enough from him in his time at the Walkers so far, hopefully he himself knows that, but with a year left on his contract he can put that right. Blackpool will almost undoubtedly come back for him this summer (Francis Jeffers is lining up for them in pre-season, god help them), but will we accept? A new-look Campbell could be the 'new signing' we need this summer to replace Martyn Waghorn up front. I should stress that I'm not totally convinced on the matter and there is still a lot left to occur I'm sure, but the early signs are certainly promising. Read more: http://www.leicester.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205622#ixzz0uKz66MQm
Cat Burger Posted 21 July 2010 Posted 21 July 2010 'Enigma Campbell determined to prove worth'... ?? Have the titles of two different articles been mixed up? It's a good argument but I'm pretty sure DJ is playing his way into some other manager's plans.
Joe. Posted 21 July 2010 Posted 21 July 2010 'Enigma Campbell determined to prove worth'... ?? Have the titles of two different articles been mixed up? It's a good argument but I'm pretty sure DJ is playing his way into some other manager's plans. On the main site the sub-heading is that exact question...
Cat Burger Posted 21 July 2010 Posted 21 July 2010 On the main site the sub-heading is that exact question... A-ha the lack of question mark did me, soz Joe.
Edmund Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 http://www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Paul-Gallagher-hopes-Leicester-City-DJ-Campbell/article-2441435-detail/article.html? Paul Gallagher hopes Leicester City keep DJ CampbellPaul Gallagher has urged Leicester City to keep fellow striker DJ Campbell, writes Rob Tanner. Campbell has been strongly linked with a move away from the Walkers Stadium this summer but has been in great form during pre-season, scoring three in three friendlies. The 28-year-old has not only impressed new manager Paulo Sousa and his team-mates, but the City fans as well. He was given a standing ovation and had his name sung by the 100 or so City supporters who travelled to the Don Valley Stadium on Tuesday night. Gallagher, who scored the first goal in Tuesday night's 2-1 friendly win over Rotherham United, said Campbell was a natural goal-poacher and he would love to play alongside him this season. He added he hoped none of his fellow strikers would leave this summer. Steve Howard has been linked with a move to Huddersfield Town but has also impressed Sousa. Gallagher said the new City boss had a wealth of striking talent to call on. "Last year when he (Campbell) was here he looked sharp and he is a poaching goal-scorer," said Gallagher. "He works hard so, if we can keep him, we will be delighted because he will get you goals, same as the other strikers we have – Matty Fryatt, Steve Howard and myself. We have goals in the team so, if he can keep us all together and fit, I can't see why we can't score goals. "Our attacking options are quite healthy. So, if we stay healthy, the gaffer will have a headache because he can't play all of us." Gallagher said the players were enjoying their pre-season, and he was confident they will be ready to face Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season in just over two weeks time. "It was enjoyable against Rotherham," he said. "I am just trying to get match-fit at the moment. "I thought we played some decent stuff. It was only our third game together so, the more we play together and work on that system, the better we will get. "The aim is to be up and running by August 7. That is why we have these friendly games, to try things. "Come August 7, whatever formation the gaffer plays, we will be ready. "It is the same team as last year, so the more we work together on the training ground, the more we will be raring to go. "The aim is to get that first three points under our belts at Palace."
Bugg Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 Doesn't look like everyone in the squad hates him now does it?
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 Doesn't look like everyone in the squad hates him now does it? Just about to post the same thing! He is rated by the fellow players which must be a good sign. Maybe he is kepping his head down and trying to further impress Sousa. Hope he is.
lcfc_sam_p Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 I heard he got a standing ovation at the Rotherham game? Glad to hear it if true
marbelladave Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 Doesn't look like everyone in the squad hates him now does it? Things change quickly in football but if he puts in the effort and the rest of the squad believe he is sincere, then, on the pitch at least all will be forgiven. If things go tits up then that could be a very different matter. You do not have to be best mates to play with anyone but a bit of professional respect helps a lot and if a player puts in the effort and does his bit for the team the respect will come.
TrueBlueLuke Posted 22 July 2010 Posted 22 July 2010 Keep him. it would take a bit more hard work to score goals in the league though. would be a good partner for fryatt !
zigire Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Hearing through the grapevine that we've finally decided to negotiate a fee. Shame that when your fans have woken up and realised he's actually pretty good that he's off! Good luck / see you next season.
Jimmy Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Hearing through the grapevine that we've finally decided to negotiate a fee. Shame that when your fans have woken up and realised he's actually pretty good that he's off! Good luck / see you next season. you're assuming we're still willing to sell, we have a new manager who might see D.J as 1st choice or simply wish to have him around so the price we want might of gone up now
zigire Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 He's got one year left on his high cost contract and wants to play for Blackpool in the Premier League. Blackpool offer £1m... what do you do?
DeclanMC Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 He's got one year left on his high cost contract and wants to play for Blackpool in the Premier League. Blackpool offer £1m... what do you do? You remember that he publicly dissed Leicester City and take the offer. I think after 2 seasons of DJ campbell not being a part of pearson's plans, him coming back into the fold and the subsequent love-in is people coming to terms with the fact that he is here, and we may as well get something out of him despite past indiscretions.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 He's got one year left on his high cost contract and wants to play for Blackpool in the Premier League. Blackpool offer £1m... what do you do? It's a tricky one, really, lots of if's and but's. You could take it, provided you're able to reinvest the proceeds in a replacement and you can find one that's any good, and end up with a player that's costing less and is under contract long term. However, if you keep him on you're paying out a lot of money and the only circumstance you're likely to get any back is if he signs another contract, and I don't think we'll ever be able to offer him one which he'll sign unless we're in the top flight. If we ever have that much money floating around we're more likely to be able to get decent replacements in anyway
Leicfox Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 http://www.fansonline.net/blackpool/mb/view.php?id=436482 Fan claiming DJ is defo off to Blackpool. His source apparantly Matt Williams, Club secretary .
Jon the Hat Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 He's got one year left on his high cost contract and wants to play for Blackpool in the Premier League. Blackpool offer £1m... what do you do? Try not to bite your hand off while taking the cash, and laugh all the way to the bank. This would make us £1.9M better off over the next year, and Dudley aint worth half of that to us. He might be to you. If there was no fee i would have kept him, but for a Million Milan will pay for the removal van.
Edmund Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Unfortunately for us Deej wants to play for Blackpool and in the prem. He has done ever since returning from his loan spell. He loves Holloway, the fans love him there and has been treated properly by the club. The lad deserves it and I say good luck to him, it's for the best.
The Padster Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 http://www.fansonlin...w.php?id=436482 Fan claiming DJ is defo off to Blackpool. His source apparantly Matt Williams, Club secretary . With an offer of 300K being around a third of the price that Leicester have dreamed up, it is expected that a compromise mid-way between the two will be struck sometime next week. Also on that site, a bit further down. For as much as I want this SAGA to be over and done with I can't help but feel that 300k is a bit of a piss-take.
Uncle Monty Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Also on that site, a bit further down. For as much as I want this SAGA to be over and done with I can't help but feel that 300k is a bit of a piss-take. Yeah he said on the interview after one of their pre season games that he thought the Blackpool chairman was making bids that were disrespectful, maybe he was talking about the DJ saga.
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 300K is a piss-take. Should be at least about 800K, thats the minimum he is worth.
1964FOX Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 If he scores again tomorrow the price may go up, so I am hoping he has a cracking game, if he goes we get money and release a high wage but if he don't go we have a striker who seems to be playing well for a new manager. Of course all the effort could be to show Blackpool what they might miss out on.
maddog Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 If Campbell and Kermo go that leaves us with a big hole up front.
Walshy5 Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Another reason I think we should get rid is because he played a big part in the season we got relegated so keeping him would be taking a step backwards where as we want to be looking to go forward and progressing as club.
davieG Posted 23 July 2010 Posted 23 July 2010 Another reason I think we should get rid is because he played a big part in the season we got relegated so keeping him would be taking a step backwards where as we want to be looking to go forward and progressing as club. We'll send Fryatt, Oakley and Howard with him then.
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