Benni McCarthy insists he has to leave Blackburn to save his career after being singled out to do extra training at 7am by manager Sam Allardyce.

I am pro Benni and always have been - but reading that article I agree with what Sam is doing. He's telling him he's a top player, he's basically saying sort your fitness out and your a starter - only Benni can do that.

I actually thought the article was very positive for Sam and Benni isn't getting it. Benni's convicting himself out of his own mouth. He admits that:

1. Sam is a decent guy.

2. Benni hasn't met Sam's weight and conditioning goals and that it is his fault.

3. Sam is still playing him.

4. Sam is scheduling him for extra training.

From Benni's words, I get the impression that Sam values Benni, sees Benni's potential and is trying to get Benni to realize that potential. That Benni is whining about it shows a lack of professionalism on his part, not Sam's. Benni's paid 35,000/week (per one of Alan Nixon's recent articles). Forgive me if I fail to sympathize with him about Sam's demand that he report to training at 7 am.

Spot on Smoss

Todays news -

Meanwhile, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is also planning a £2m move for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.

Full story: The Sun

The unwashed wont accept that

Maybe not - but the last 3 goals have come via Diouf, Pedersen & McCarthy - perhaps Roberts is just thick and doesnt get it?!?!

Benny McCarthy desire hits right note

Interesting article - you have to ask if Sams being very clever to get some of his under-performing players hitting top note again.

Benni has improved and today the 2 goals came from the 2 players dropped most Pedersen (MOM) & Diouf

Inter v Chelsea &

AC Milan v United seem to be the tasty 2 of the draw.

Scousers potentially going back to Istanbull in the last 16 of the Europa too.

Anyone got any games on their chrismas lists!?

Cant access them sites at work - whats the game about? Is it available on PS3?

Press saying Beattie & Pullis have made up - hopefully thats the end of it then and we look elsewhere.

Remember who or what Benni is playing for... He's playing for a move away, he's put himself in the shop window already this season.

I don't think I'd have described his contribution as outstanding verses Liverpool but he didn't do too badly. Still a too many off-sides and too much waving his arms about.

How many times was he caught offside?

I dont believe Benni is angling for a move - yes his agent is, but I dont believe its Benni's desire - he simply wants 1st team football and to be honest with his ability its only fair!

If given the chance - he rarely lets us down to be fair - fitness or not, he always seems to make a difference.

Shame he didnt take his chance from the edge of the box which he snatched at.

Ha Ha - If Andy Cole needed four chances to score, there is no way Roberts takes 1 in 3!

Notice I said 'Might' - he might not either

Kalinic has a bright future. Di Santo too - sign him up and we have 2 very promising young strikers who could form a great partnership.

Its simple - give Benni a chance and he will take it...

Give Roberts 3 chances and he might just take 1....

For me the only player that should be let go (although not until summer) is Jason Roberts as he is not top 10 premier league class.

Benni showed his class tonight...very good.

2 very good penalties.....very good at holding the ball up and as usual a very calm finish with the offside goal

Anyone had a chance to watch Law Abiding Citizen?

Trailer looks decent, haven't heard any reviews on it though.

Yeah good film....enjoyed it. Not as good as Harry Brown but still a decent film

For sheer visceral thrills, little can beat the excellent Paranormal Activity - a short, sharp and ultimately very nasty shock.

Iv heard its poor.

Iv watched 2 DVD's this weekend - Orphan & Harry Brown....both good films

Harry brown 8.5/10

Orphan 7.5/10

I watched 'Law Abiding Citizen' the other night....its not out in pics until the 27th I think.

Good film...decent story line to it, and not what you would expect when watching it. 7/10

State of Play isnt a bad film....Oh and 'The FIRM' is awful.

Grella, Dunn, Diouf and Pedersen is a very static midfield. Sadly Dunn doesn't have the legs to play centre mid effectively anymore.

I agree but thats not what Id play.

Id go with Emerton--Grella--NZonzi--Dunn - A hard working midfield with Dunn just infront of those 3, and if supported by the full backs then it should do a good enough job to beat Bolton.

I know Dunn has done well in the hole - however I think he should now revert back to midfield, alongside Grella and be told to do some of the graft, and allow us to play with 2 strikers (Benni & Roberts) against Bolton.

Its a very winnable game and I just pray we take advantage of it!

He has only just joined stoke! They are not going to sell him for a reasonable price either.

Fallen out with Pullis though according to reports and set to leave in Jan.....

We should keep Benni until the end of his contract - he has the best goal scoring ability in our team and he still has alot of the blackburn end behind him. Unless of course someone was daft enough to pay £5m+ for him then I cant see how we could replace him with anything decent or better than him.

BENNI MCCARTHY!!!

Now that Emerton is back - Andrews looks like he will probably get some time on the bench. Im sure if Reid makes it back and Dunn stays fit then his chances will become even more limited. It all depends on them 3 staying fit!

Whether Benni runs around like a headless chicken or not does not matter - what matters is that he gives us a serious goal threat and he seems to have that natural goalscoring ability - something that we wont find around for cheaper.....BENNI Needs to be given another chance by Sam.

I think Tuncay could be either a quality signing or a p!ss poor one - yes there is no doubt he has talent but I sometimes doubt his desire, and the fact he has already fallen out at Stoke seems poor.

As for Benni - its the same as always for me - Give him chances and he will score...its as simple as that! I also think if we can keep Benni he will be great to improve the technical ability/ thinking of players like Kalinic.

I suppose January all comes down to other clubs and what they are willing to offer.....Its clear that offers for Benni, Roberts & Pedersen would probably be considered.

Benni speaking today to SA Press:

McCarthy said he would be looking for a transfer in January. "In my opinion I am better than what we have at Rovers, but unfortunately the manager (Sam Allardyce) prefers a different style of players.

"I am not the type of player he wants and that is why I am not playing."

He stressed, however, he had no hard feelings towards Rovers or Allardyce. He also said he was honoured to be linked with a move to Portsmouth.

"Portsmouth are going through a bad patch but are still a top side," McCarthy said. "I have discussed them with Aaron Mokoena (the Bafana captain who plays for Portsmouth) and at this stage it is still a rumour. There are other clubs in England and Europe that have shown interest in me."

Different class today - changed the game, showed Pedersen how to terrorise tour full back too.

Made a massive difference and deserved a goal, his assist for Roberts was inch perfect.

For all of the sentiment towards Benni it should be recalled that he wasn't fit enough when it counted last season and could not be relied on. The predecessor left him out too.

He bagged 9 goals when Sam came in last season. To RSC's 1, and Roberts 6.

Much as he is a real talent, do you think Chelsea would fancy their chances in the Premier League and Champions League if they had to use him for the seven or eight games when Drogba will be missing.

The kid is an asset for Rovers right now, but really would not make an impact at Chelsea this season.

I agree he might not make a massive impact for Chelsea - The Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Angola from January 10-31. They will still have Anelka, Sturridge and attacking midfielders like Deco, Ballack & Joe Cole.

Now no offence to the teams involved but Drogba & Kalou will only miss the following games:

Saturday, 9 January 2010 - Hull v Chelsea, 15:00

Saturday, 16 January 2010 - Chelsea v Sunderland, 15:00

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 - Chelsea v Birmingham, 19:45

Saturday, 30 January 2010 - Burnley v Chelsea, 15:00

Di Santo should stay!