Jo..

[Ted Hughes]

Alright, we know he's the Brazilian Samaras & most of us would personally drive him to wherever (& pay for the fuel) BUT..

before we signed him, he was actually a highly rated player, not just by Frank's money launderers but by many in Brazil, & those of us who saw him play for the Russians, especially in Europe, were for the most part pretty impressed with what looked like a quality allround striker.

One of his absolute quality performances was against..Inter Milan. He was excellent & caused them all kinds of shit.

Question is: If you were Mancini, would you not want to have a good look at such a player pre season & try to figure out why it's all gone pear shaped, before discarding him?

[Wooders]

not got the heart for it, nor the talent - would say keep him on but with the 25 man rule he's a waste of a spot

[ross.mcfc]

A simple no for me. He has had two clubs in the premiership and been sent packing by both. Hughes and Moyles might not be everyones cup of tea but they are a judge of a good premiership style player and Jo didnt cut for us or Everton.

What you might see is him coming back, playing a few games have Mancini talk him up then ship him out for a better price than we might get right now. I remember Sven doing the same with Corradi.

[simon12]

If he could pass a ball like he passes nightclubs he`d be brilliant.

[ant london]

Alright, we know he's the Brazilian Samaras & most of us would personally drive him to wherever (& pay for the fuel) BUT..

before we signed him, he was actually a highly rated player, not just by Frank's money launderers but by many in Brazil, & those of us who saw him play for the Russians, especially in Europe, were for the most part pretty impressed with what looked like a quality allround striker.

One of his absolute quality performances was against..Inter Milan. He was excellent & caused them all kinds of shit.

Question is: If you were Mancini, would you not want to have a good look at such a player pre season & try to figure out why it's all gone pear shaped, before discarding him?

Now, hear me out.

I actually do still thing we could get some value back out of Santa Cruz but I would understand if we shipped him out (and, we would likely get an ok fee for him as, despite the fact that he didn't score in South Africa he looked largely quite talented and figured in a team that did well)

Jo, however, as things stand, is pretty much valueless with reference to what we paid for him.

If I were the club/Mancini, what on earth do I have to lose by saying to him that he has a clean slate and a chance to prove himself? Worst case we confirm him as a waste of space and ship him out for peanuts.....best case is that we get a "new" player who could potentially contribute this season.

That said, in order to be in the running for the second option he would have to look bloody magical in advance of the end of August. I don't think it's likely but I wouldn't close my mind to it

[Douglas Higginbottom]

If he could pass a ball like he passes nightclubs he`d be brilliant.

Hmm don't think you quite got that right but we know what you mean..
He can't pass a nightclub and can't pass a ball.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Alright, we know he's the Brazilian Samaras & most of us would personally drive him to wherever (& pay for the fuel) BUT..

before we signed him, he was actually a highly rated player, not just by Frank's money launderers but by many in Brazil, & those of us who saw him play for the Russians, especially in Europe, were for the most part pretty impressed with what looked like a quality allround striker.

One of his absolute quality performances was against..Inter Milan. He was excellent & caused them all kinds of shit.

Question is: If you were Mancini, would you not want to have a good look at such a player pre season & try to figure out why it's all gone pear shaped, before discarding him?

Now, hear me out.

I actually do still thing we could get some value back out of Santa Cruz but I would understand if we shipped him out (and, we would likely get an ok fee for him as, despite the fact that he didn't score in South Africa he looked largely quite talented and figured in a team that did well)

Jo, however, as things stand, is pretty much valueless with reference to what we paid for him.

If I were the club/Mancini, what on earth do I have to lose by saying to him that he has a clean slate and a chance to prove himself? Worst case we confirm him as a waste of space and ship him out for peanuts.....best case is that we get a "new" player who could potentially contribute this season.

That said, in order to be in the running for the second option he would have to look bloody magical in advance of the end of August. I don't think it's likely but I wouldn't close my mind to it

I don't agree with RSC but rest of your post is spot on. I think Mancini will take a good look at him at training. I mean what is there to lose anymore? It's not like his value could plummet anymore.

I saw him fair few times In European games and he was really really good. I also saw him in olympics and again he was brilliant. I mean really looked like top top prospect. And you don't get caps for Brazil as striker for being complete and utter joke. The talent IS there, that I'm positive off. However I do think he lacks the mental strength. Still, there is extremely distant possibility he might have sorted his head out and realised he needs to start working to get his career back on track. Granted, that is not very likely but that talent merits at least a look in training and perhaps in some preseason friendly.

[Wooders]

as I say I would normally agree but the 25 man rule stifles us somewhat

[ian494]

as I say I would normally agree but the 25 man rule stifles us somewhat

The 25 man rule only comes into effect at the end of August so we have 2 months to either get him to play or at least get him in the shop window.

I can see him being shipped out to someone desperate on the 31st August myself.

[john@staustell]

If he could pass a ball like he passes nightclubs he`d be brilliant.

Hmm don't think you quite got that right but we know what you mean..
He can't pass a nightclub and can't pass a ball.

Stan Bowles eh? 'If he could pass a betting shop like he could pass a ball he wouldn't have half the problems'.

I rated Jo very highly until I saw him play. If it's Torres, Dzeko, Ibrahimovic or Jo for the last striker spot I'll have to think about that one.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

as I say I would normally agree but the 25 man rule stifles us somewhat

True true

I have to say I'm not particularily looking forward seeing Jo fanny around the pitch for us.

[Grob]

Jo used to make me both angry and laugh hysterically at the same time which takes some doing. How he would halfheartedly run onto passes, not chase defenders down, had an awful touch, held the ball up terribly, no pace etc.

Frank either saw that game where he scored 2 goals against Inter once or used the transfer of Jo to launder money

I regard him as a comedy figure, in the same vein as Sibierki, Corradi and, in the end, Samaras.

[Nickyboy]

could he be useful in Waffa League?

People have already said he looked in Europe for Russian club

[mcfc1632]

Every game this season (our make or break) is important - there are only so many starting / squad places and there is no space for indulging anyone on a 'lets have a look' basis - every game should be taken seriously and the EL. CC games can be used to give a chance to those already in the queue.

We need a team ethos / spirit and players willing to align their skills with some effort

Jo had his chance and he showed his worth - Everton fans I know did not want him back - even on the basis that we paid the wages!!

Expensive lesson - or was it laundering - whatever - we have serious business to do this season and have no time for playing about with wasters