Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
By Deadly Submarine
August 14 2009
Tranmere Manager John Barnes has this morning completed the signing of former Bolton Wanderers and England striker Michael Ricketts on a one year deal just 24 hours after news from the Club confirmed that a work permit for Grenadan striker Kitson Bain had been agreed....
Tranmere have this morning completed the signing of former Bolton and England striker Michael Ricketts on a one-year contract in an attempt to boost Rovers' firepower in the current absence of Bas Savage who could remained sidelined by his Achilles injury until February.
Ricketts, 30, began his career with Walsall in 1996 before moving to Bolton Wanderers for £500,000 four years later. In his time at the Reebok Stadium he scored 46 goals in 112 games for Bolton, a record which eventually earned him an England cap.
Three years after joining Bolton, Ricketts signed for Middlesbrough for £3.5 million before moving on to Leeds United just a year later.
Having made more than 380 career appearances but scoring just 94 goals, Ricketts has spent the latter part of his career moving between lower league Clubs having spent time at Southend United, Preston North End, Oldham Athletic and more latterly Walsall where he was booed by Rovers Fans when facing Tranmere last season.
Speaking of his latest new recruit, Tranmere Manager John Barnes said.....
"Michael is an experienced goalscorer who I'm delighted to be able to bring to the Club.
"He is big and strong and will add something different to our attacking options."
Ricketts added......
"I'm pleased to have joined Tranmere. The lure of playing for John Barnes, who was an idol of mine, and the style of football he wants to play were big factors in me coming here."
Ricketts will be available for Saturday's home game against Gillingham which kicks off at 3.00pm.
Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Total Tranmere (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 10:33
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Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Philip Brown (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 10:43
So we've signed Michael Ricketts. A gamble that hopefully will pay off. Has the potential, just gone a drift for a while.
We also could be getting this Khitson Bain, so theres another striker.
Theres also Bas to come back, plus Moore, Gornell and CUrran.
THats 5 Stirkers, unless he has been refused Bain behind the scenes or has changed his mind. THough he did sound very positive on Bain.
I've a feeling young Terry could be sent out on loan again. Shame really, I like what I see with him,
However, I hope that Bas comes back fit and strong, as for me he is an excellent player, unpredicatable and creates problems for the opposition. I know he didn't score tonnes of goals, but last season he was a constant pain for opposition defences.
I wonder what will happen? I still hope we get that centre back in on loan, barnes is beginning to look like a Wheeler Dealer type.
Just out of interest I couldn't make the LIverpool friendly - what sort of attendance did we get?
I'm wondering if we've had an early does of much needed revenue - with cash for Taylor, a decent gate against liverpool, and hopefully a better than average gate against Bolton (though I can't see us selling out!).
I like the talk Barnes talk's at the moment, and I do think hes quite an astute guy, despite sounding bumbling from time to time, but I'm afraid I can't help but like the guy. I hope he really does well.
At least we are trying to play lovely football, I hope we can take a leap onwards from Grimsby, and put Gillingham away.
Unfortunately I'm working away about 8/10 weeks abroad, so I've only managed to get to a few friendlies, I'm itcing to get to PP.
We also could be getting this Khitson Bain, so theres another striker.
Theres also Bas to come back, plus Moore, Gornell and CUrran.
THats 5 Stirkers, unless he has been refused Bain behind the scenes or has changed his mind. THough he did sound very positive on Bain.
I've a feeling young Terry could be sent out on loan again. Shame really, I like what I see with him,
However, I hope that Bas comes back fit and strong, as for me he is an excellent player, unpredicatable and creates problems for the opposition. I know he didn't score tonnes of goals, but last season he was a constant pain for opposition defences.
I wonder what will happen? I still hope we get that centre back in on loan, barnes is beginning to look like a Wheeler Dealer type.
Just out of interest I couldn't make the LIverpool friendly - what sort of attendance did we get?
I'm wondering if we've had an early does of much needed revenue - with cash for Taylor, a decent gate against liverpool, and hopefully a better than average gate against Bolton (though I can't see us selling out!).
I like the talk Barnes talk's at the moment, and I do think hes quite an astute guy, despite sounding bumbling from time to time, but I'm afraid I can't help but like the guy. I hope he really does well.
At least we are trying to play lovely football, I hope we can take a leap onwards from Grimsby, and put Gillingham away.
Unfortunately I'm working away about 8/10 weeks abroad, so I've only managed to get to a few friendlies, I'm itcing to get to PP.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: MichaelTRFC (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 11:14
With the small wage budget I can't see Barnes being allowed to bring in Khitson as well, so maybe he has been refused a work permit but I hope I am wrong.
I don't really like this signing to be honest its not as if he has just dropped down from the prem and international level, he was at Wallsall last season and didn't really set the league alight.
A similar player to Bas me thinks.
I don't really like this signing to be honest its not as if he has just dropped down from the prem and international level, he was at Wallsall last season and didn't really set the league alight.
A similar player to Bas me thinks.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: bigmart (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 11:26
I cant say im impressed with this signing at all, he was at Stockport on trial in the summer and was deemed not fit enough for them so dont kno how he is suddenly fit enough for us.
I hope t be proven wrong but i doubt it.
I hope t be proven wrong but i doubt it.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 11:27
Bain is coming, he's got a work permitt, Rickets though.. only thing he finishes is his dinner.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: ivvy (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 11:49
Ricketts a similar player to Bas ?
I've read of Bas being missed ! By the time he gets past injury and fit to play, the season will be virtually over.
THerefore,Bas supporters should welcome Ricketts ?
Rickets has not played under John Barnes and may well do better than when at Walsall ?
Barnes is getting a proper footballing side together, something i always wanted and despared of ever seeing at PP.
Natural I suppose for Barnes to do so as he could not possibly settle for a kick and rush game he has not experienced.
I wonder also, if in instilling proper football into the players, he has a long term goal?
If that is applied to the youth at the club, the benefits may be great for a selling club.
It's vital to get a good hold in the league early on.
I've read of Bas being missed ! By the time he gets past injury and fit to play, the season will be virtually over.
THerefore,Bas supporters should welcome Ricketts ?
Rickets has not played under John Barnes and may well do better than when at Walsall ?
Barnes is getting a proper footballing side together, something i always wanted and despared of ever seeing at PP.
Natural I suppose for Barnes to do so as he could not possibly settle for a kick and rush game he has not experienced.
I wonder also, if in instilling proper football into the players, he has a long term goal?
If that is applied to the youth at the club, the benefits may be great for a selling club.
It's vital to get a good hold in the league early on.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: ming05 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 12:32
Got to give Ricketts a chance he should be getting plenty of good crosses and balls into his feet, so see how he does.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: mini_andy (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 12:34
Didn't See this one coming!
Can't say i like it or not as he hasn't played a game yet, so lets give him a chance!
It seems sensible finding a replacement for Bas, as he is out for most of the season, then he has to get his sharpness back!
I now feel we will have a home formation and an away formation. At home we will play the passing game and have Thomas-Moore up front with either Curren or Gornall
Away i think we will take a more direct route, and play a big may (Ricketts or Savage) with Thomas-Moore.
Bain willfeature this season IMO, he will need to learn the English games and will play in the reserves with a view to going out on loan at a later date. This should prepare him for next season! It's not like he will want much in terms of wages, so worth a punt!
Can't say i like it or not as he hasn't played a game yet, so lets give him a chance!
It seems sensible finding a replacement for Bas, as he is out for most of the season, then he has to get his sharpness back!
I now feel we will have a home formation and an away formation. At home we will play the passing game and have Thomas-Moore up front with either Curren or Gornall
Away i think we will take a more direct route, and play a big may (Ricketts or Savage) with Thomas-Moore.
Bain willfeature this season IMO, he will need to learn the English games and will play in the reserves with a view to going out on loan at a later date. This should prepare him for next season! It's not like he will want much in terms of wages, so worth a punt!
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: SWS (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 12:42
Not a fan of rikkets but give the lad a chance. I'm sure if uv. watched us recently ul agree we need something upfront were just too short an weak. Bas is out till possible new yr. Michael may do a job, let's wait an see. I just hope this is aswell as bain and not instead as I was lookin forward to him, he has the unknown factor an could turn out to be a gem if were lucky. It's very late but it appears were starting to add some depth to our squad
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: DevonExile (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 16:18
Oh dear, the classic he has failed everywhere else but he may come good here signing.This has echoes of the Summerbee signing, a player who was disliked by the supporters of all the clubs he had played for previously.In Ricketts case that has been the case since he left Bolton.Over that time his goals to games ratio is bettered by quite a few defenders so it is hard to buy into the proven striker argument.
I never understand the argument about not judging a player until he has played for Rovers for on that basis any signing is o.k.Ricketts has a track record and it is not unreasonable to consider that when forming a reaction to his signing.
Bains on the other hand does not and as such it is an interesting though uncertain prospect.Worth a punt because some of these sort of signing work out.In contrast how often have we signed a player with a career that has been in a premature and prolonged decline and found that it proved a good acquisition?
I never understand the argument about not judging a player until he has played for Rovers for on that basis any signing is o.k.Ricketts has a track record and it is not unreasonable to consider that when forming a reaction to his signing.
Bains on the other hand does not and as such it is an interesting though uncertain prospect.Worth a punt because some of these sort of signing work out.In contrast how often have we signed a player with a career that has been in a premature and prolonged decline and found that it proved a good acquisition?
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 16:33
And wheres the money coming from for a club with "financial constraints" to sign another striker when we have.. Moore, Curran, Gornell, MacAuley, Savage and Bain, and a club with "financial constraints" has to make do with what they've got and occasionally play players outta position, e.g Ash Taylor can play up front at a push, as could maybe Mahon, Barnett and Shuker.. if we're really struggling for money as much as we're told I don't think we'd of got him..
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: stemc (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 19:06
we got 400k there all on free dat pays wages
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Bigbazz (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 20:39
Apparently he's had trouble finishin his dinner since the illness.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 14/08/2009 21:48
400k is nothing for a club with falling attendances in debt, thats probably gone straight to cover losses such as the main stand which costs 500k a year to maintain.
Re: Rovers Sign Former England Striker Ricketts
Posted by: jonny e b (IP Logged)
Date: 15/08/2009 01:04
six weeks ago if i was told we was getting the players we have i would have been well happy so lets just get behind the boys and hope things go to plan i think back to a team of suprises ian muir john morrisey eric nixon but to name a few look what happend then maybe john barnes can do the same lets keep the faith and hope for the best instead of all the doom and gloom
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