Heretical thought

[BillyStubbsTears]

Just a thought for debate:

Is Brian Stock an unnecessary luxury?

Now, don't get me wrong, the bloke is a joy to watch. As cultured a player as I have ever seen in a Rovers shirt. But in cold, hard numbers, are we a more effective team when he plays?

This season, we have
17 points from the 14 matches he has played (1.21 per game)
27 points from the 20 matches he has not played (1.35 per game)

Last year was less of a difference, and tipped slightly the other way - about 1.26 points per game when he played and 1.20 when he didn't.

Seems to suggest that we certainly don't collapse when our talisman is out. And this season at least, we've been significantly better at picking up points without him.

So, is he a luxury that we could live without? If, for example, losing him this summer meant that we could afford Billy Sharp?

Discuss.

[BobG]

I'd let him go.

Love watching him, but that back injury is more than simply worrying.  If someone would give us half a million this summer, bite their hand off and spend it on Billy.

BobG

[Chris]

IF it allowed us to buy Sharp and/or Shackell then I would sell him if the fee was reasonable.

A part of me would be sad to see him go though. He's a great player and played a massive part in us winning promotion and staying in the Championship.

[RobTheRover]

Actually, let him go on a free, as long as Willo and Lewis go with him to fee up wages for Billy and Shacks! ;-)

[RoversAlias]

Stock is invaluable, our best player despite his injuries and I would be disappointed if he left, and even more so if it was for less than £2 million. If the money was used to sign Sharp & Shacks, that'd be great, but it still wouldn't replace Stock himself, would it? We still haven't really replaced Wellens, that battling, tenacious midfield general, and if we lost Stock too, I wouldn't be too chuffed as we only really have Wilson in that role now Fortune has gone.

[Snods Shinpad 2]

If it means the difference between signing Sharp or not, then definitely yes.

If it means the difference between signing Shackell and Gillett, maybe.

Otherwise no. It is interesting how easily SOD has managed to plug the gap though.

[Lesonthewest]

I really hope he stays, there are several other players we can let go to free up funds, & for me Stock would be the last. Saying that I do have serious doubts he will be here next season.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think we've lost the value that he would have commanded had he been fully fit in the January window.

I think Toshack was so impressed that he had Stock lined up as Captain of the Welsh team, but that's gone pear shaped. I don't think we'd now get the fee we'd want so, likely we'll keep him which, can only give us strength in depth.

As remarked before, we seem to move the ball forward much quicker without Stock (and Wellens), yet Stocky is one of the best passers on the ball, long or short, that I have ever seen in a Rovers shirt. And, one of the coolest penalty takers.

[CusworthRovers]

Stock is a fantastic player under Sean.

Put him in a team that's made for him (and that's not expensive to do, just look at last season) and he's the stand out player in the team and as good as any in this League.


He has without doubt got better with maturity, and better still improved his own all round game whilst at DRFC (including his past weakness's).

Whilst ever we have SOD/ROK here, IMO it's imperative we keep Stocky. He is the key player that will make it tick on and on and on and on.