Rene Howe ....

[Southampton Gull]

When exactly was that?

[yellowforever]

About 3 and a half years ago. As I said in my earlier post though, he probably (hopefully developed) since then.

[AndyC]

How can he have developed - he's been living in a caravan ever since according to Lord Ling. No good for the career that, apart from perhaps Greavsie

[yellowforever]

Maybe that's the lifestyle for him

[Southampton Gull]

That was my point mate. He was barely 21. Since then his record shows roughly a goal every three games. I'll accept that when you take our budget into account.

[Warwickgull]

Waiting for Brucies reaction to this signing lol.

[yellowforever]

True, hopefully regular football at a club where he'll be staying at will help him.

It's just that when we signed him (Peterborough back a few years) he came with a big price tag and a lot of promise, didn't do much and ended up on loan away somewhere (Rochdale?).

Back then he had a lot of hunger and determination, if he still has that in him, he could do well for us. Get him fit, get him some confidence and he could hit double figures this season easily. Howe on fire could be a tough prospect in this division. Can Ling and Taylor give him that? I sure hope so!

Oh and Brucie will love this...

[friendlygas]

Thats a fair point Southampton gull I can only comment on League 1 . I am not intending to down the bloke just giving an honest opinion. He may turn out to be brilliant in league 2-that is why Martin ling is a Manager and I a mere supporter. I can tell you a story from many years ago when a young Marcus Stewart made his League debut for Bristol Rovers and i said to my mate."That bloke wont make a League striker as long as he has a hole in his -ss" As you can imagine there are certain people who keep reminding me of this!! I always give an honest opinion but of course I stand to be corrected as I do over Rene Howe. I would say that the fans were mixed over howe,some thought he was good,others not so good.Some thought he was awful! This games all about opinions.

[Southampton Gull]

True, hopefully regular football at a club where he'll be staying at will help him.

It's just that when we signed him (Peterborough back a few years) he came with a big price tag and a lot of promise, didn't do much and ended up on loan away somewhere (Rochdale?).

Back then he had a lot of hunger and determination, if he still has that in him, he could do well for us. Get him fit, get him some confidence and he could hit double figures this season easily. Howe on fire could be a tough prospect in this division. Can Ling and Taylor give him that? I sure hope so!

Oh and Brucie will love this...

Again mate, that point is mute IMHO. Didn't he sign for you from Kettering? Out of non-league, a two division jump into a team pushing for promotion and filled with decent forwards. I'm not being argumentative, just seeing it from a different perspective.

Thats a fair point Southampton gull I can only comment on League 1 . I am not intending to down the bloke just giving an honest opinion. He may turn out to be brilliant in league 2-that is why Martin ling is a Manager and I a mere supporter. I can tell you a story from many years ago when a young Marcus Stewart made his League debut for Bristol Rovers and i said to my mate."That bloke wont make a League striker as long as he has a hole in his -ss" As you can imagine there are certain people who keep reminding me of this!! I always give an honest opinion but of course I stand to be corrected as I do over Rene Howe. I would say that the fans were mixed over howe,some thought he was good,others not so good.Some thought he was awful! This games all about opinions.

No worries mate, I've no problem with anything you've contributed since you joined, as I said above, I'm looking at it differently and with a bit of realism. He won't be the best thing since Robin Stubbs, but he does have a fairly decent scoring record overall and is still young and he was free. We can't be too picky in our situation. I'm sure we're building a squad that will keep us in the division and in Ling I think we have a manager that is building the team in the correct way with the limited funds available. Decent keeper - signed. Decent centre-half - signed. Midfield looks strong enough for me, all this suggesting that he's building from the back as all good managers do. It might take a season or two (or three) but I think we've taken two steps forward, this season is our step back and after that I can really see us progressing on and off the pitch.

[yellowforever]

Again mate, that point is mute IMHO. Didn't he sign for you from Kettering? Out of non-league, a two division jump into a team pushing for promotion and filled with decent forwards. I'm not being argumentative, just seeing it from a different perspective.

Yes he did, he was competing with Mackail-Smith and McLean who were on imperious form. Yeah, you can see from the outside which probably gives you a slightly clearer view.

[AndyC]

Wasn't Howe one of the Peterborough players we were quoted ridiculous sums of money for by Fat Barry a couple of years ago? Wanted a big loan fee as well so we looked elsewhere??

[royalgull]

We've been crying out for a big striker, we've got one. I'm happy with this signing, he'll need a good pre season and he's at an age now where he needs to really crack on with his career. Bet he scores more than that donkey Harrold that Rovers signed.

[yellowforever]

Oh by the way, he's not massive, he's about Zebroski's height at the most, but he's got a bit of strength.

[gullno4]

He was there tonight, sat with the players in the stand behind the dugout. Worryingly, ricey was also there :/

[exilegull]

Happy with this signing - very similar to the Rendell signing 2 years ago and I bet if I look back to the threads the comments would be the same. Despite a nomadic few years his scoring record in league 2 is pretty good and hes not been playing for world beating sides. Spells in league 1 have both been for struggling clubs.
Settling down permanently with us should help him and if he can chip in with 10 to 15 goals a season plus lead the line like Rendell did I'll be happy.