[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[Paul]

From the Times Online:

the former Wales manager recognises that his coaching CV lacks a spell at a club of stature as well as Champions League football. Newcastle have the potential to offer him both, even if the prospect of the latter feels very distant.

[Exiled_Rover]

The bottom line in all of this is that there are not many good up-and-coming managers about.

Apart from Burnley and maybe Birmingham City - can anyone tell me who has made an inventive appointment lately?

I know who I would have hoped Rovers went for if Sparky left...but I have suggested all along that this might come to nothing.

So inventive is hiring Scottish then?

The loss of Hughes' backroom staff would hurt more than the loss of Hughes himself. It seems to me to be very much a team effort, with some of the best in the business being employed at Ewood (or Brockhall).

[nicko]

So inventive is hiring Scottish then?

Inventive is finding genuine quality in unexpected places and having the bottle to ignore old names who are pushed by football's mafia.

[LDRover]

Inventive is finding genuine quality in unexpected places and having the bottle to ignore old names who are pushed by football's mafia.

Like Venables?

I take great delight that no-one wants to employ that barrow boy. Over-rated media puppet.

[b12_simon]

Other then that he seems very clueless.

Once a barcode...

[nicko]

Like Venables?

I take great delight that no-one wants to employ that barrow boy. Over-rated media puppet.

Is there an icon that nods its head in agreement anywhere?

[philipl]

A brief scan of the newswires-

-The only BRFC "news" is the BBC and Sky re-issiung stories they ran yesterday within the last few minutes. ie no approach and Sparky keeping his options open.

Other stories are that Shearer is now physically back on Tyneside and that Houllier is talking to Mort (please let that be true).

There is a very realistic statement by Chris Mort on the mags official web site. Significantly he clarifies an English speaking as opposed to British manager is required and rules out NUFC as attractive to managers already competing in the Champions League.

Everton still not 100% comfortable Newcastle will not turn to Moyes according to the local rag.

LT calls for financial backing for Hughes

[nicko]

Mort's statement is interesting.

It also confirms that Newcastle WON'T appoint before the game tomorrow night.

[CircoWill]

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1215710,00.html

Following his work in France, Houllier stands a good chance if a reputation of developing youth talent is one of the main criteria.... might have to play slightly more attractive football than he did at Liverpool though!

[nicko]

I wonder if Newcastle United would rather have the game called off tomorrow night rather than have the punters telling Ashley and Mort what to do.

[vintageadidas]

Any news on the bulgarian kid since he extended his trial?

[Hasta]

I dunno about on betfair, but I would guess in the shops in the 'interest of customer service' they would pay out on both. Within a shop the max bet was £50, so thier risk isn't going to be too great.

Would depend on the circumstances. If for example Newcastle made it clear that Houllier is the next manager and Shearer is assistant manager Betfair would probably pay out on Houllier only. Part of the risk in backing Shearer is that surely you know he might not be number one.

If there was any confusion in the roles I would imagine dead heat rules would apply.

[1864roverite]

Mort's statement is interesting.

It also confirms that Newcastle WON'T appoint before the game tomorrow night.

English speaking

Plays football with flair

Has experience

Can cope with the pressure

Job description in the Newcastle programme for the FA Cup replay.

[cn174]

Would depend on the circumstances. If for example Newcastle made it clear that Houllier is the next manager and Shearer is assistant manager Betfair would probably pay out on Houllier only. Part of the risk in backing Shearer is that surely you know he might not be number one.

If there was any confusion in the roles I would imagine dead heat rules would apply.

Yea of course, I was talking about if they were 'joint managers'. In any case the bookies would work out their risks for paying out on one or both or dead heat, make a decision, probably change their mind three times, wait for a number of people to complain, then make another decision due to 'customer service'

[LeftWinger]

Yea of course, I was talking about if they were 'joint managers'. In any case the bookies would work out their risks for paying out on one or both or dead heat, make a decision, probably change their mind three times, wait for a number of people to complain, then make another decision due to 'customer service'

Betfair will pay out on who is responsible for picking the team.

[cn174]

Everton still not 100% comfortable Newcastle will not turn to Moyes according to the local rag.

imo Moyes would be even more mad to take the Newcastle job than Hughes. He's got a very good thing going at Everton at the moment, and to swap that for them jokers would be madness.

[RevidgeBlue]

imo Moyes would be even more mad to take the Newcastle job than Hughes. He's got a very good thing going at Everton at the moment, and to swap that for them jokers would be madness.

Indeed Clare, like us Moyes has a pretty strong first team, plus unlike us, he knows the Everton Board will back him when required with an occasional big money signing like Johnson or Yakubu to keep things ticking along.

[b12_simon]

Betfair will pay out on who is responsible for picking the team.

My money's on the season ticket holders, then.

[LeftWinger]

Has Hughes actually been offered another job while he's been here? Any ideas Nicko?

He's been linked with City, Spurs and Newcastle - but as of yet no offers.

If these clubs aren't making him offers - will he not be wondering if United will even consider him?

He's going to have to do something pretty special with Rovers - and without any money - you just wonder how.

If we can't back him - I'd expect him to go to the first club that offers him some money to spend - and further his CV for the United job.

[philipl]

You have to look down to the middle of this latest BBC news piece on the Newcastle position to find mention of Hughes.

Shearer's answer about managing Newcastle "one day, hopefully" is the stuff of nightmares for the current board and job contenders. He couldn't have made the situation more awkward if he'd tried.

[Mozzer]

nicko..anything in matthew etherington to blackburn??

someone on the other forum mentioned it was in the standard...

so looks like jason komous is a target for sure-wigan just want an replacement...

cheshire blue mentioned something in the other thread about benni mcarthy could be leaving soon, and with michael owen keen on coming back to north west he could come blackburn???

[joey_big_nose]

Indeed Clare, like us Moyes has a pretty strong first team, plus unlike us, he knows the Everton Board will back him when required with an occasional big money signing like Johnson or Yakubu to keep things ticking along.

I can't see how Everton are any less attractive than Newcastle. Big club in therms of crowds, now have money (when Moyes joined they did not. He has done a great job there- the team he got into the Championsleague was extraordinarily average), a great squad, and a stable board.

I think the majority of managers out there would rather manage Everton than Newcastle. Aston Villa are also quickly moving to eclipse the Geordie's in terms of pulling power. You have to ask whether O'Neill would have gone to Toon?

[LeftWinger]

nicko..anything in matthew etherington to blackburn??

cheshire blue mentioned something in the other thread about benni mcarthy could be leaving soon, and with michael owen keen on coming back to north west he could come blackburn???

I'd take Etherington - I think he'd be excellent. Put MGP under pressure - and he's quick.

Owen is not coming to Blackburn.

[Fife Rover]

Come on now Fife. I'm more than capable of realising that your suggestion was tongue in cheek. It is also obvious, however, that the underlying sentiment was intended. We should not need to persuade anyone to stay at this football club.

Mark Hughes allegedly told the squad a few weeks back that if anyone wanted to leave they could. That includes him.

Fine; and I actually agree that if anyone wants to leave their present employment then they should do it.

My problem is: Can anyone think of a better manager for Rovers than Mark Hughes? Taking all into account, his ability to find gems at little or no cost; his man management skills, his coaching and fitness team (who will either all or mostly go with him), and his knowledge of the game. None of these are totally irreplacable but at what cost? And this is not even mentioning the very likely loss of key players if he goes, and the difficulty/impossibility of getting equivalent or better to replace them.

No I definitely do NOT want him to go; but if it happens, it happens.

[joey_big_nose]

Bloody hell, not Owen Coyle!

I disagree there nicko, with the Trustees wanting out and refusing to back the manager, the whole operation at Ewood is teetering precariously on the brink of the expertise of Hughes and his coaching staff, and his ability (so far) to unearth bargains in the transfer market.

If he does leave he will take his staff with him and who then of any calibre will be prepared to put their reputation on the line with no financial support?

Anyhow, on the bright side my contact who is close to Ashley's family still thinks it will be Houllier for the job.

He is currently sunning himself in Cuba, but made a couple of phone calls yesterday and wanted me to put a tenner on for him.

Financially we need a massive turn around by the Walker trust in order to compete. Unfortunately there is no duty for them to do so. If they don't want to (I would say that is absolutely guaranteed. They actually withdrew the year on year 3 million funding this season) there is little we can do about it short of actually turning up at the stadium and paying the money to support the club which is, of course, massively inadequate compared to around half the teams in the Premier League.