Rosler joins on loan

30 October 2001

Albion have again moved into the loan market to strengthen their depleted forward line, and 32-year old former German International Uwe Rosler has joined from Southampton for a month. Rosler is probably best known to Albion fans for his performances against us with Manchester City, but has since had spells with Kaiserslautern and Tennis Borussia Berlin before joining the Saints last year. Despite the recent change of manager, Rosler seems to have had little chance to impress yet - and had been told by the previous gaffer that he could leave on a free transfer.

The Official Southampton web site, which has wasted no time in removing him from their squad list, describes Rosler thus:

"Signed from TB Berlin in summer 2000, the ex-German international found the return to English football a tough challenge. The early part of his first Premiership campaign was a frustrating time for the former Manchester City striker as he attempted to re-adjust to the Premiership's unique style."

"Rosler also carried a groin injury in that first period and underwent surgery. Upon his return, the striker found it impossible to displace James Beattie from the starting 11 and had to content himself with a place among the subs. "

"Having scored the last ever goal at The Dell in the friendly win over Brighton, Rosler looked impressive in pre-season, including two goals in the first ever game at The Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium and was given another chance to stake a claim for a starting place under former boss Stuart Gray."

"Whether another opportunity comes along, remains to be seen."

Rosler last appeared for the Saints as a sub for 8 minutes in last week's game against Ipswich and last played the full 90 minutes against Spurs on September 9th. The unofficial sites are, as you might expect for a striker who hasn't scored all that many goals for them, somewhat less complimentary (sorry, actually that should read any goals). Marching In describes him as follows:

"It speaks volumes for Uwe Rosler, that the only song the Saints fans could come up with was that his dad was a German, who apparently dropped a bomb on Fratton Park, which endeared him no end to the Bikeshed faithful for that reason alone. Rosler worked his balls off for the team, but it just wasn't happening. He was quoted as saying that he'd been made the scapegoat for the team's lack of goals, and it does make relative sense that since he was dropped, the team have scored a few. I do feel sorry for Uwe, but if the chants of "Uwe Rosler - Goal machine" had rung throughout St Mary's, he wouldn't be looking for a new club, and allowed to join on a free transfer."

Rosler facts (Southampton viewpoint)

Uwe Rosler

Squad No.    11
Position Striker Height 6' 1" Signed 05/07/2000 D.O.B. 12/11/68 Birthplace Attenburg, Germany

Career history

Season    Club            Apps   Goals 1988/89   1.FC Magdeburg    12      3  1989/90   1.FC Magdeburg    24     10  1990/91   1.FC Magdeburg    26      9  1991/92   Dynamo Dresden    33      4  1992/93   1.FC N?rnberg     28      0  1993/94   Dynamo Dresden     7      0            Manchester City   12      5  1994/95   Manchester City   31     15  1995/96   Manchester City   36      9  1996/97   Manchester City   44     15  1997/98   Manchester City   29      6  1998/99   Kaiserslautern    28      8  1999/00   TeBe Berlin       28      6  2000/01   Southampton       19      0  2001/02   Southampton        3      0
   

Previous Stories:

  27 October 2001:  Megson gets his man...again?

  24 October 2001:  Thompson to quit, say E&S

  21 October 2001:  Vultures still eyeing us up

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