[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[mjs]

But the question is will Savage see it like that. I can see him getting very frustrated with it all.

I also think Hughes may see him as less indespensible than perhaps he was in previous seasons.

[EwoodGlory]

If Sparky needs to raise some funds for new players then cashing in on Savage may be a good idea.

I would rather not lose him, but his wages are high and age wise it could be the last chance to get a decent fee for him.

[nicko]

Serious Alan?

Unless you've heard something more then I find the logic behind that very easy to follow. Hughes is simply keeping his powder dry. Given that we are weak in the midfield growler dept Hughes is surely playing Mokoena to avoid Sav picking up an injury and being unavailable when the Axe goes to play for SA. If anyone gets injured in Dec it's far better for the club that it's Mokoena.

Looks to me like a very professional and logical decision. If MH was playing Sav with the axe on the bench and Sav picked up a bad injury he'd be fully deserving of our criticism.

I'm not sure Sav sees it that way. He won't take being out of the side - not at his age. I thought Mokoena was poor and it was a bit odd to send on three subs and leave him on the bench.

I think the expression is 'watch this space.' And very closely.

[thenodrog]

One thing I would say from my observations is that Sav has not been the player that he was before he had his leg broken. Whether the problem is a confidence one in his head rather than his mended leg I can only speculate. In the media in the past he has been superb in his defence of BRFC.

[Cocker]

I'm not sure Sav sees it that way. He won't take being out of the side - not at his age. I thought Mokoena was poor and it was a bit odd to send on three subs and leave him on the bench.

I think the expression is 'watch this space.' And very closely.

I normally welcome your comments and find them interesting but your posts on the sav situation just seem strange. Can I check, are these just your personal thoughts or do have inside evidence.

Sorry, just curious?

[nicko]

I normally welcome your comments and find them interesting but your posts on the sav situation just seem strange. Can I check, are these just your personal thoughts or do have inside evidence.

Sorry, just curious?

Well, I wrote it in the People today - and I am very confident about it. Let's see what the next few days bring.

[Tris]

Well, I wrote it in the People today - and I am very confident about it. Let's see what the next few days bring.

If Savage decides his professional interests are better served elsewhere, I'd be astonished.

We already know he needs to be in easy reach of Wrexham. So if he leaves, Tranmere and Crewe must be early favourites, and I guess Chester and ... erm ... Wrexham come into play.

Of course Man Utd, Man City, Everton and Liverpool are in scope too. However I'm not sure any of them need Savage just now (although if Moyes wanted to swap him for Lee Carsley ... )

Which leaves Bolton and Wigan I suppose. If Savage decides that one of those two is a good career move rather than staying at Ewood as part of a squad capable of challenging for a bit of success - then IMO he's quite welcome to depart.

[Sandiway Blue]

Nice match report Alan,at last a well balanced article from the media (not a dig at you personally by the way!) that is hopefully changing their view on Rovers.I am glad to see as well that you gave Newcastle a bit of credit as in all honesty,they didn`t play badly,they just defended badly.

Imo they couldn`t really sack big sam off saturdays performance.

[Sandiway Blue]

If Savage decides his professional interests are better served elsewhere, I'd be astonished.

We already know he needs to be in easy reach of Wrexham. So if he leaves, Tranmere and Crewe must be early favourites, and I guess Chester and ... erm ... Wrexham come into play.

Of course Man Utd, Man City, Everton and Liverpool are in scope too. However I'm not sure any of them need Savage just now (although if Moyes wanted to swap him for Lee Carsley ... )

Which leaves Bolton and Wigan I suppose. If Savage decides that one of those two is a good career move rather than staying at Ewood as part of a squad capable of challenging for a bit of success - then IMO he's quite welcome to depart.

I think wigan may well be a good choice for him,especially as Bruce knows what he will bring to the club.

[philipl]

I think wigan may well be a good choice for him,especially as Bruce knows what he will bring to the club.

That was my reaction- could be a very expensive/cheap at the price to avoid relegation signing from Dave Whelan's £15m transfer budget Bruce has been given.

[laughatthedingles]

Nicko who's is the story in the mirror today claiming Chelsea want to sign Feyenoords striker Roysten Drenthe??

Surely he's at Real Madrid and is a full back/winger

[Cocker]

Nicko who's is the story in the mirror today claiming Chelsea want to sign Feyenoords striker Roysten Drenthe??

Surely he's at Real Madrid and is a full back/winger

Yeah I saw that - did sound a bit weird.

[nicko]

Nicko who's is the story in the mirror today claiming Chelsea want to sign Feyenoords striker Roysten Drenthe??

Surely he's at Real Madrid and is a full back/winger

Not mine...but the story says he is at Real and having a bad time. Chelsea were keen...so it's not crazy. I would sign him, he's top drawer.

[nicko]

By the way there is an interesting line in a couple of papers, which may well be true, that Benni McCarthy went off in the huff before full-time on Saturday.

It would not surprise me but is as yet unconfirmed.

[modes98]

I thought he played ok but obviously hampered by the injury and just not able to throw himself into it fully.

Hughes will sort him out, he always does.

[EwoodGlory]

I saw him go straight down the tunnel, didn't even seem to look at the bench, unlike Dunny who went and sat with the rest of them.

[roverthemoon]

Roberts went straight down the tunnel at the end of the match and didnt stop to shake hands with anyone.

[Paul]

I understand he's a mate of Cruz

From the Guardian on Saturday they became big pals at Bayern, to quote Roque:

At Bayern, the first player to greet him had curly hair and a strange accent. He has remained close friends with Owen Hargreaves to this day, and they now live a 10-minute drive from one another. "He helped me improve my English," says Santa Cruz, who is now fluent in five languages. "But the main thing was to learn German. I never had lessons, but I picked it up from the dressing room and listening to the people on the streets."

[Paul]

I would think it is now a certainty. The Robbie Savage situation is becoming serious. How he can be left out three games running and then on the bench again is amazing. I don't think he is going to take that.

I don't know who, but there will be an arrival in that area. Virtually certain of that.

To which I think we'd have to say tough whatsit! If Hughes thinks Savage should be on the bench and that he doesn't need to use him or that it is more important to give Reid some match fitness so be it. There was a period when we didn't look so good without Savage, on Saturday I was thinking if he comes on it would detract from the team perfromance. Newcastle were intent on playing at 100mph, all Savage could have done was chase around after them and I'm not at all sure this would have contributed to Rovers performance.

If Savage isn't happy about being on the bench he'll have to show he can improve our performances. On the basis of Saturday I suspect getting Reid in the side will prove more beneficial.

[LeftWinger]

The Robbie Savage situation is becoming serious. How he can be left out three games running and then on the bench again is amazing. I don't think he is going to take that.

I can't see it either. I think you're getting him confused with Robbie Williams.

[rover2u]

Ive heard that tom huddlestone is a virtually nailed on transfer that will happen in january. My cousin is friendly with matt derbyshire's grandad.

According to derbyshire's grandad huddlestone has already been at brockhall for talks after ramos gave his blessing for it. Derbyshire and huddlestone are quite chummy as they room together when away on international duty.

I think he would be a great signing for us and would ultimately push sav through the exit door at ewood.

[Exiled_Rover]

Ive heard that tom huddlestone is a virtually nailed on transfer that will happen in january. My cousin is friendly with matt derbyshire's grandad.

According to derbyshire's grandad huddlestone has already been at brockhall for talks after ramos gave his blessing for it. Derbyshire and huddlestone are quite chummy as they room together when away on international duty.

I think he would be a great signing for us and would ultimately push sav through the exit door at ewood.

I'd be delighted with that transfer, but we'll have to see if it actually comes off. The 'my friends, brother's, girlfriend's mate is the cousin of said footballer' rumours are always to be taken with a pinch of salt.

[Hasta]

I think Huddlestone does certain things quite well in a game which get highlighted and make him look very good. However every time I watch him for 90 minutes he seems to spend a lot of the game having the same invisible friend as Tugs.

[Al]

By the way there is an interesting line in a couple of papers, which may well be true, that Benni McCarthy went off in the huff before full-time on Saturday.

It would not surprise me but is as yet unconfirmed.

I came off the ground as soon as the final whistle went and Benni was already in his car in the Darwen end car park. He couldn't get away because the exit was blocked. His car was surrounded by Newcastle supporters shouting obsceneties at him.

I reckon he must have left the ground just before the end. Sulking? I don't know.

[Mozzer]

i didnt think benni mcarthy played well on saturday-too many tricks at the wrong time..

as for robbie savage-when everyone is fit , i personally dont see him getting in the team-i believe he is good for the dressing room, and helps the team spirit but as for playing on the field-i dont believe he is what we need..

as for huddlestone-at 20, i believe getting this guy is building for the future-i would be well pleased if we signed this guy-he obviously has ability, just needs the right manager,and im sure he could get huddlestone in the right shape..a welcome signing if you ask me..