[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[G Somerset Rover]

Anybody here see Huddlestone's ball for Keane's second goal yesterday? A world class through ball. I'd still have doubts about his ability to get around the pitch, but he certainly would be somebody with great potential.

[den]

Anybody here see Huddlestone's ball for Keane's second goal yesterday? A world class through ball. I'd still have doubts about his ability to get around the pitch, but he certainly would be somebody with great potential.

No doubt he's good on the ball, but did anyone hear Andy Grays comment about him being poor defensively?

Not much use at places like OT, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal etc, where the midfield have to dig in.

[LeftWinger]

No doubt he's good on the ball, but did anyone hear Andy Grays comment about him being poor defensively?

Hasn't he played centre-back before? I wouldn't read too much into Andy Grays comments myself. If anyone can get the best from a player its Sparky - and I think with a bit of work that Huddlestone can become absolutely top drawer.

[den]

Hasn't he played centre-back before? I wouldn't read too much into Andy Grays comments myself. If anyone can get the best from a player its Sparky - and I think with a bit of work that Huddlestone can become absolutely top drawer.

He hasn't got the build to do that. Same as Benni hasn't got the physique to suddenly become a Steven Gerrard.

Sparky can't work wonders.

[Mozzer]

if david dunn can be worked on doing defensive duties im sure tom huddlestone could...

also tugay doesnt really get stuck in does he, he lets players like savage and mokoena do the dirty work and he will pass it about...

[den]

You can work on anyone. Whether it makes any difference is to be seen. As for Dunny and defensive duties, they just don't sound right together, do they.

[philipl]

If Sparky wants him and Spuds have indicated they will let go, you can expect the media luvvies to explain how and why Spuds are making the right decision. Mind you, I suspect Man City's financial powering levering Berbatov out of WHL will command most of their attention this January.

Against Rovers, Huddlestone was dire and that is being polite. Coming on at HT yesterday, Huddlestone completely transformed a deeply lacklustre Spurs but it has to be said that when Brum came back into it and Spuds down to ten, Huddlestone was struggling.

[Silencio]

Huddlestone started playing for Derby at centre half when he was 15 and I'm sure could become a very good player sitting in front of the back four. For a 20 year old he has outstanding talent and potential...

[Mozzer]

Huddlestone started playing for Derby at centre half when he was 15 and I'm sure could become a very good player sitting in front of the back four. For a 20 year old he has outstanding talent and potential...

purely for that reason, i believe tom huddlestone for blackburn would be a top signing..

[modes98]

I watched him closely yesterday and he was on the top of his game. Some amazingly pin point balls into players runs. A top signing if we could get him.

[Mozzer]

nicko..have you heard anything about craig bellamy and when he is due to return from injury..hopefully not against us..

[they_think_its_all_rover]

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.

He did, I watched him as he went off, and he didnt look happy... think it's because he was taken off quite early-ish in the game and was probably annoyed by that, as he'd have wanted to prove the South African coach wrong for leaving him out the SA squad.

[OJRovers]

On Huddlestone, I think people are wrong to assume that he's a defensive-stlye midfielder. A Spurs fan at work says that everyone thinks this because of his build, but really he's not brilliant at tackling back, but is a good passer.

I'd rather give Steven Reid a chance to get back to his best, but at 20 y/o Hudd would a good one for the future - but why would Spurs sell him if they rated him??

[Tim Southampton Rover]

The only reason I can see him coming is if the new boss decides to bring in some spanish players who would play in his position.

Who would have thought Roque, Benni, Bellamy etc would have come to Rovers? We're a team where people want to come because we have a lot of ambition here and with the offer of first team football then it would be hard to not consider it.

[Mozzer]

some spurs fans some seem to rate him and others dont seem to..why i dont know, he seems to have the ability, maybe they expect to much from him..

hasnt ramos told huddlestone to lose weight or something???

[stuwilky]

Coventry have just announced they are going into administration.

[modes98]

Coventry have just announced they are going into administration.

BBC

Official Statement

10 working days (17th Dec) to do a deal or they will be deducted 10 points. Also interesting to note the odds are now down to 3/1 and 4/1.

Mifsud may be gone by the time we play them in the cup

[nicko]

I wouldn't count the cash just yet...it may gee up the people trying to buy the club. But at least there is a date when it has to be sorted out now.

[LeftWinger]

I can't see the point in buying them before administration personally. I just hope Ranson falls on a spike or something - he's doing nothing for our bets

[modes98]

it may gee up the people trying to buy the club. But at least there is a date when it has to be sorted out now.

It most definately is. How many clubs declare their intent to go into admin publically?

It has to be a message to Ranson and to Co-op. I would of thought that Co-op will come in with an offer to protect their debt (£19m) and then Ranson will try and just outbid them.

I doubt Co-op would get the vast majority of the money back if Cov went into admin, although they could buy it cheaper and plow short term cash in to try and create a return. It will be interesting but 2 weeks is not really long enough to get a proper deal in place.

[LeftWinger]

If Coventry go into Administration, no-one takes them over and they get relegated - maybe we could all buy them with our winnings

Also- just looked up Ranson on Wikipedia. I see he's twice failed to take over Villa, failed to take over at City and failed with a takeover of Southampton. Let's hope he fails again.

[nicko]

I heard that it would be easier for anyone buying the club to put a rescue package together AFTER administration as it means the debts have been lost.

Obviously that means minus ten points, but if it is done quickly then you can still stay up with half a season to get out of trouble...and without that money millstone around your neck.

Strictly from a betting point of view the idea would be to lay the minute the points come off and have a free bet.

[philipl]

Not received any 'phone call this time so read into that what you want.

I guess Saturday's result discouraged those who were dreaming that promotion this season was something they might all gamble on. I doubt Dowie will be wanting to go through what he did at Oldham and tough this one out if they lose the points and the inevitable other consequences of administration. Coventry is probably a pack of cards in that regard- Michael Mifsud will certainly be on his way in January if his connections get their way.

OC's job getting the dingles places they are not wanted just got a tad more difficult after Ipswich are taken over.

[modes98]

I heard that it would be easier for anyone buying the club to put a rescue package together AFTER administration as it means the debts have been lost.

Correct me if i'm wrong, my financial knowledge isn't fantastic, but wouldn't any offer include payment of a proportion of the debts off. That would still be better for Coventry City transfer funds wise but a chunk would still be going to the creditors.

[nicko]

Let's be hypothetical for a minute.

If you have £20 million to spend on a club and £18 million of that was to be spent on debt would it not be better to get the debts cut to maybe by offering 10p in the pound...costing about £1.8 million...then use the rest of the cash to build a new team.