[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[nicko]

Manchester City are about to sign the Meixcan striker Nery Castillo from Shakhtar Donetsk.

You may recall they tried for him last summer but he went to the Ukraine because they were paying more to Olympiakos.

He is going there on loan with a view to a full-time moce, by the sounds of it.

The significance is that City were meant to be [a] loaded and one of the major bidders for Anelka.

So that's another club out of the race. Like I said last Sunday, you have a better chance of getting Anelka than you might imagine.

[Eddie]

West Ham have spent a fortune, unless they have an endless pit of money I can't see them going after Anelka.

On top of that, they are one of the few midtable sides who really don't need another goalscorer. Once Ashton and Bellamy are fully fit they have quite a few options upfront.

Have a look on this thread. Says that the new owner will pump in £30m. I don't know how valid it is (even though it's apparently from Sky Sports News) or when the cash will be pumped in (this transfer window or summer) but they certainly have some spending power there

Just to culminate a few threads... let's say we were left (roughly) with the following midfield and strike force if Mokoena and Roberts left in January:

STRIKERS

Santa Cruz, Derbyshire, McCarthy

MIDFIELDERS

Dunn, Bentley, Savage, Reid, Tugay, Pedersen

Apart from maybe another decent striker, we're not that badly off in the midfield department really, so you can see why Hughes may be prioritising a striker (including the off-chance that McCarthy left) over a midfielder.

We'd still have a big problem in the middle, which we have anyway even if Mokoena stays. Dunn is injury prone, Reid is as of yet unproven and is likely to pick up more injuries, Savage is getting on and picks up injuries as well and Tugay can't play every game. Not exactly a solid bunch to choose from.

[savage90]

Just to back up what i said about Huddlestone and how reliable my source is. Jason Roberts has handed in a transfer request , pretty soon after the team talk at full time against west ham. Lets just say Hughes didnt hold back on telling the lads how he felt.

You see, i know quite a lot of things going on inside Rovers, I no that Hughes team talk after West Ham contributed slightly to Roberts transfer request and the only reason i can think for Mokoena wanting to leave although i haven't heard too much about this is the possibility that huddlestone might be joining. As again i know for a fact the Huddlestone has told people inside rovers that he wants to join. Its now weather or no the two clubs can reach an agreement.

[Dunnfc]

Manchester City are about to sign the Meixcan striker Nery Castillo from Shakhtar Donetsk.

You may recall they tried for him last summer but he went to the Ukraine because they were paying more to Olympiakos.

He is going there on loan with a view to a full-time moce, by the sounds of it.

The significance is that City were meant to be [a] loaded and one of the major bidders for Anelka.

So that's another club out of the race. Like I said last Sunday, you have a better chance of getting Anelka than you might imagine.

I really really rate Nery Castillo, he looked good in the summer.

Nicko i will bow down to you if we get Anelka, hes quality hes a player ive always wanted here.

[nicko]

I really really rate Nery Castillo, he looked good in the summer.

Nicko i will bow down to you if we get Anelka, hes quality hes a player ive always wanted here.

I'm not saying you're going to get him - but he is top of the list and it's not as daft an idea as it might sound at first.

You can only write what you, you can't make it happen. That's down to the guys who run clubs.

[Eddie]

Do you know if we've actually approached Bolton yet? Or is Anelka simply top of the list?

[nicko]

Do you know if we've actually approached Bolton yet? Or is Anelka simply top of the list?

Bolton say they have had no approach - as of an hour ago - but that is actually good news because it suggests that none of the supposed 'big four' moves have happened.

There woud be no point in Rovers bidding and being used as part of an auction. Probably better to wait and see who does come in and then make a decision whether to match the selling price.

The ideal world would be for Bolton to get safe in January, decide to cash in at around £10 million and then leave Rovers with the choice of going in - and selling to raise the funds.

So, in other words, it's a waiting game - but one you could yet win.

It was similar with Bellamy. Wait until the silly money has gone and the big clubs are out of it and then strike. That worked.

McCarthy was different because it was a case that Rovers was the biggest move left for him at the time.

Roque was just a case of putting a better deal to him than Manchester City's ditherers.

[bluebruce]

The ideal world would be for Bolton to get safe in January

That's no ideal world of mine!

[bluebruce]

You see, i know quite a lot of things going on inside Rovers, I no that Hughes team talk after West Ham contributed slightly to Roberts transfer request

Think you could shed a little light on that? What did Hughes say, did he insult Roberts or something?

[thenodrog]

I know you have to stand up for your old pal...but the point is Roberts wants out, like I told you to cries of 'red-top tabloid' scorn.

I think you will also find that Keane fancies him as do a couple of others.

You won't find me backsliding - one of your favourite verbs - on the story.

Wrong yet again Alan! Old Lar di Dar Gunner Graham can't do with me as a rule. We are normally daggers drawn over all kinds of things until he inevitably ends up admitting that I was right all along.

Anyway you don't half get all huffy over a leg-pull. Not a good personality trait imo but I suspect a common one in your line of business.

[philipl]

I'm heartbroken. What's happened to my new pal?

[thenodrog]

Quote Savage90

You see, i know quite a lot of things going on inside Rovers, I no that Hughes team talk after West Ham contributed slightly to Roberts transfer request

He must have had a writing set or a fag packet in his kitbag then .... I understood the request to be handwritten.

[gumboots]

Didn't say he wrote it there and then though. Just that what Hughes said helped him decide he wanted to go.

[RevidgeBlue]

Of the players seemingly unhappy this is my view:

Mokoena: Only effective sweeping up as part of a five man midfield. As part of a four man midfield not, and never has been, Premiership quality. Start the car now and get him off the wage bill.

Roberts: really like him as a player and I think has a right to be upset about his lack of action given neither RSC nor Benni have scored in six games. Also his commitment on the pitch has never been less than first class despite what's happening off it. Guess it boils down to, can we do better elsewhere for 3m? Not altogether sure we can.

Savage: Again don't think he's done anything much wrong other than get injured and I think he has grounds for being upset with Mokoena and Tugay having played so badly. Reid's fitness isn't guaranteed yet, and Dunn seemingly struggles to get through 90 mins. I think we can ill afford to lose him personally.

I also think that Tugay at his peak must be one of the greatest players ever to wear the blue and white halves and whatever happens will be an all time Rovers favourite. Sadly, sentiment aside I think this is proving one season too far and it would be best to part Company.

[Mozzer]

if we do clear a few players out, we have to bring in better players to replace them...

sometimes i think tugay can be poor , but i think home games against teams like middlesbrough, wigan, and bolton he can be used well...

centre midfielder or 2, a striker and a right back possibly needed in january...

[Torgeir]

I also think that Tugay at his peak must be one of the greatest players ever to wear the blue and white halves and whatever happens will be an all time Rovers favourite. Sadly, sentiment aside I think this is proving one season too far and it would be best to part Company.

After the season, yes...but that was always going to happen anyway. He's still showing magic and I thought he was one of our better performers in our game against West Ham. I totally agree with everything else though, and that's why I think we urgently need another quality central midfielder that can support our strikers.

[USABlue]

There woud be no point in Rovers bidding and being used as part of an auction. Probably better to wait and see who does come in and then make a decision whether to match the selling price.

If in fact Man U are suitors of his I don't see much bidding going on do you?

[USABlue]

Pesonally a little saddened by the whole Roberts affair, I have been impressed with him from what I have seen of him this season. OK he may not be the best finisher but he has brought a direct approach when he comes on. He definately seems to unsettle defences with his approach. His work rate has been terrific, perhaps he is fuelled by anger or what I don't know.

Sparky needs to handle this situation with Axe and Roberts very carefully, I am sure the rest of the team are watching closely. Possible underlying unrest in the camp? reason for some of our lack lustre efforts of late?

Anyway, I think both requests should be granted and new teams pursued asap. Follow those moves with a quick speech by Sparky with a handful of transfer request papers in his hand for anyone else that does not want to be here.

[philipl]

Grant requests to those two then how can Hughes say no with conviction to someone he most certainly does not want to lose? Particularly if he has deliberately or otherwise not made himself popular in the dressing room following the unacceptable recent performances and they are all bruised and unhappy.

As it is these two have both very publicly put themselves in the shop window. I think we will find the Rovers have the financial strength to be able to buy before they sell and both these guys know that as well. There are no suggestions that the requests went in during the Hughes harrangue after West Ham game so they were made after some reflection/thinking time. In which case these transfer requests strengthen the view that starting XI forward and midfielder are on the January shopping list and messrs Roberts and Mokoena can only see themselves slipping down the picking order.

[thenodrog]

There's an old saying amongst football managers ...."If you don't get rid of bad players they'll get rid of you". I guess the adjective could be 'troublesome' just as easily.

Hughes will only allow any player to leave when it suits him and the club and not when it suits some tantrum based / agent inspired agenda. We saw this with Todd and Neill, both players were made to stay and honour their contracts until we had signed adequate replacements. I've said this many times in the past but so many successive managers have backed away from confrontation and allowed departing party poopers to effectively weaken the team. Hughes is the first to show that he is made of different stuff.

One thing I do know is that the chavs and intellectually challenged hordes on the Blackburn end will serve no good purpose by constant and mindless booing. They still will of course cos they know no different but we all now know that it never affected Lucas Neill one bit and in fact imo his resolve and mental strength to rise above it and do his work on the pitch properly probably increased his worth and bargaining power. We might not be so lucky with these two. Roberts will no doubt sulk and withdraw into himself whilst any booing might affect the Axe's first touch and range of passing.

[Roost]

Roberts is a cheeky get if you ask me - dont suppose he considered handing in a transfer request whilst recouperating down at brockhall. Perhaps in the early days of his long term injury he could just about summon up enough strength to go online and see if his salary was still being paid

See ya Jason - just another *'*/:+ footballer

One Love - BRFC

[Eddie]

I think that's unfair. He's put in good performances both at the back end of last season and whenever he's had his chance this year, I can understand why you would be frustrated not to get a chance in the team on the back of that. The team is playing poorly, we aren't scoring many goals, so you would have to ask yourself why you weren't getting a chance when so many players are underperforming.

[roversmum]

There's an old saying amongst football managers ...."If you don't get rid of bad players they'll get rid of you". I guess the adjective could be 'troublesome' just as easily.

Hughes will only allow any player to leave when it suits him and the club and not when it suits some tantrum based / agent inspired agenda. We saw this with Todd and Neill, both players were made to stay and honour their contracts until we had signed adequate replacements. I've said this many times in the past but so many successive managers have backed away from confrontation and allowed departing party poopers to effectively weaken the team. Hughes is the first to show that he is made of different stuff.

One thing I do know is that the chavs and intellectually challenged hordes on the Blackburn end will serve no good purpose by constant and mindless booing. They still will of course cos they know no different but we all now know that it never affected Lucas Neill one bit and in fact imo his resolve and mental strength to rise above it and do his work on the pitch properly probably increased his worth and bargaining power. We might not be so lucky with these two. Roberts will no doubt sulk and withdraw into himself whilst any booing might affect the Axe's first touch and range of passing.

Sadly last week's booing was right around the ground from where I was sitting in the JWL central. Wouldn't do it myself (save my boos for the referee ) but can see why some would feel the need. As far as Lucas is concerned, not so much his leaving but the fact that he opened his mouth a tad too much for the liking of some combined with the shocking events of the previous visit of West Ham.

Would like Big Jase to stay but not under force although it has to be said he was happy enough to sign his contract and should therefore honour it. As for Mokoena, he has a Flitcroft effect on me - not good enough, thanks and ta-ra.

[thenodrog]

he has a Flitcroft effect on me - not good enough, thanks and ta-ra.

Not the most gifted playmaker that the world has seen but I wish we had him in the squad now rmum..... and I bet Hughes would think likewise.

[ihateburnley]

Not the most gifted playmaker that the world has seen but I wish we had him in the squad now rmum..... and I bet Hughes would think likewise.

Nah a fully fit Savage now is better than a full fit Garry Flitcroft in my opinion. Flitty is a legend in his own way but he was a very average player.