[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[T4E]

How many teams have a "Tugay-esque" player? Not very many - certainly not many at our level. He has been a fantastic luxury to have over the last 6 years but we do not necessarily need to replace him like-for-like.

Once the wee man goes we will need to adapt to play with a slightly different style to counteract the loss. Steven Reid with his energetic powerful running will be the perfect antidote - assuming this injury hasn't ruined him. If he's back to where he was a year ago, we've got a £10m midfielder coming back. No need to sign anyone else.

[HairwayToSteven]

Wonder if Reid can adapt to Mokoena's deep destroying role? Mokoena does what is expected of him in the deep defensive role but his distribution is awful and on yesterdays evidence worsening fast.

pre-season.

[herbergeehh]

Wonder if Reid can adapt to Mokoena's deep destroying role? Mokoena does what is expected of him in the deep defensive role but his distribution is awful and on yesterdays evidence worsening fast.

I'd rather see us try Savage in that role, Reidy is younger and a better allround midfielder.

[thenodrog]

Alan Nixon in the People...........

"Hughes said: "We're really happy to have Roque here. When I was a player you had to play well to keep possession of the shirt. It should spur on all our strikers." Rovers beat off Spanish and Portuguese rivals to get their man, and Hughes added: "You should not underestimate the football grapevine. People know what we are doing here and the word gets round."

Good point well made.

But......

"Miloseski lost the plot soon after in the 40th minute and elbowed Bentley. "

It was Warnock who copped the elbow. Unusual occurence for a left back to get sent off for fouling his opposite number.

[Saf]

nicko, do you think saprkys still looking or is our summer spending over. we had to strengthen up front and we ahve done that with the arrival of santa cruz, and rigters. reid looks like heel be back soon possibly even this saturday according to him onn bbc lancashire

[nicko]

An awful lot can happen in the next few weeks. We could all be stunned and amazed by events shortly, you never know what way it will turn.

After a pretty subdued spell you got the striker you wanted, slightly cheaper than expected and against some serious opposition. You also have the lad Rigters who will help the squad by the looks.

I suspect there is not much money left for a splash, but I have a funny feeling there could be some excitement to come.

If the takeover comes off I would think Dan Williams would want to bring in a gift or two. That is a space to be watched.

PS. Thought the Vetra lad had swung at Bentley in revenge for the earlier joust, didn't spot it was Warnock. Blood gushing from his mouth should have been a clue. Too busy watching the lad get sent off to check on his victim. How stupid can you get, by the way?

Under massive pressure now in all match reports.

[Alan75]

Warnock [?]

The only worry may be cover on the left side of defence with McEveley and Gray going.

Nicko make a note in your diary.......Andy Taylor

[Flopsy]

Is a very good prospect, and runs just like Craig Short did

[tchocky]

I think it's Warnock - Berner - Taylor as it stands. Then there 's Tony Kane and Eddie Nolan who also appear to be on the fringe of the first team defense.

[John]

From Hughes perpsective, we are in quite a comfortable position to be in.

The priority this summer was a striker and now we have got one. In addition, he got one at a very good price. I am sure there is money left for a quality player, if they become available.

Hughes comments at the end of the season, were that he would only be adding 2-3 players this summer.

[-foreverrovers-]

An awful lot can happen in the next few weeks. We could all be stunned and amazed by events shortly, you never know what way it will turn.

I suspect there is not much money left for a splash, but I have a funny feeling there could be some excitement to come.

If the takeover comes off I would think Dan Williams would want to bring in a gift or two. That is a space to be watched.

are you hinting at something there???!!!

whats the latest with the williams takeover?is there any chance whatsoever that a deal may be done before august 31st?

if not do you have any idea as to what kind of timeframe we are looking at???,it all seems to have gone a little quiet on the takeover front as of late.

[nicko]

What, me drop tips? Surely not...

I've said all along it is just down to an agreement on valuations and that just takes a classic British compromise.

The right investment now and in the future would keep things ticking along more than nicely.

The point remains that the Walker Trustees are looking for a buyer. I think they have found the right one, it's just a matter of time.

If Dan Williams pulls off his deal before the deadline I think there could be a 'bonus' and if not then there would be more cash in January.

And the fact is that you have an awfully healthy squad right now that just needs topping up from time to time.

When you see the way the new owners at Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City are scurrying around it is a very good time to be a Rovers fan.

And it could get even better.

[youandwhosearmy]

Nicko, you mentioned a big news story about newcastle, but wouldnt say more about it because it was so big

i never saw anything about it in the papers so im wondering if you could mention it now

cheers

[b12_simon]

Wonder if Reid can adapt to Mokoena's deep destroying role? Mokoena does what is expected of him in the deep defensive role but his distribution is awful and on yesterdays evidence worsening fast.

I remember seeing Reid playing that role I think against Portsmouth the season before last. I thought then he could grow into the Tugay role. He starts full training either this week or next so we shouldn't have to wait too long to see how much the injury has affected him and I, for one can't wait.

If Reid's still the player he once was that's better than any signing we'll make.

b12_simon: Steven Reid Appreciation Society

[nicko]

Nicko, you mentioned a big news story about newcastle, but wouldnt say more about it because it was so big

i never saw anything about it in the papers so im wondering if you could mention it now

It was the two-fold tale about lack of money and trying to sign Abdoulaye Faye.

Big Sam has a lot less to spend than he thought...and I mean a LOT less.

He asked about Faye, a Bolton player he wasn't even very fond of, so that told its own story.

As I say, there are worse places to be than Blackburn Rovers right now.

[roversmum]

This is all good stuff. I can see why Big Sam felt he was making a good move - all this will do his blood pressure the world of good. And hopefully there will be chances to goad the Bolton fans I have the misfortune to come up against occasionally in these parts; I'm sure that flock of crows that frequently hover over the Bolton Training ground are an omen!!!!!!!!

[philipl]

Boringly predictable

The only member of the press pack to talk about transfers out speculation after seeing 5 reports... is Alan Nixon

[nicko]

Boringly predictable

The only member of the press pack to talk about transfers out speculation after seeing 5 reports... is Alan Nixon

?

Lost me with that one.

Benni McCarthy says it's healthy competition but he won't be getting my place in a hurry.

Chelsea are still a clear and present danger as are West Ham - with lots of money, no striker and a volatile chairman.

Or does the transfer market not interest anyone? Last time I checked the 'views' figure it was 100,000 and rising.

I don't know what's in the other papers...something about Sheff U and James Beattie in some quarters.

Hmmm, when did that first come out?

[Fife Rover]

?

Lost me with that one.

Benni McCarthy says it's healthy competition but he won't be getting my place in a hurry.

Chelsea are still a clear and present danger as are West Ham - with lots of money, no striker and a volatile chairman.

Or does the transfer market not interest anyone? Last time I checked the 'views' figure it was 100,000 and rising.

I don't know what's in the other papers...something about Sheff U and James Beattie in some quarters.

Hmmm, when did that first come out?

I wouldn't worry if some can't understand that you are just doing your job Nicko. Personally I can't see a thing wrong in what the Mirror printed. Plain, unvarnished facts never hurt anyone.

[Rover 'til I die]

Chelsea are still a clear and present danger as are West Ham - with lots of money, no striker and a volatile chairman.

I disagree; West Ham can be written off as Benni would not go to a team that isn't even in the UEFA let alone the Champs League. They also have Bellamy, Ashton (who will be like a new signing), Zamora, Ephraim & Cole. Ok so the latter three are probably fodder but still, they have enough fire power.

In terms of Chelsea they said that Malouda was their last signing. Now they're saying Alves might be their last signing but either way it shows they have little interest in McCarthy and with the African Nations coming up the last thing Jose needs is another African player.

Hughes says he is NOT selling and to me that should be that, the media should accept it and move on (that is to the media in general not you nicko), and the only way Benni will leave is if 2 things happen...

1) A Champions League team comes in for him

2) He goes on strike unless we let him move on.

His recent comments sound really positive and I am 99% confident he will still be here next year. How many more times does Hughes have to say he's not selling McCarthy or Roberts?

[b12_simon]

His recent comments sound really positive and I am 99% confident he will still be here next year. How many more times does Hughes have to say he's not selling McCarthy or Roberts?

Add training in Vilnius to that. Benni really looked like he was enjoying himself, especially playing keepy-uppy with Roberts, Reid and Axe at the end. I'm confident he's staying.

[stuwilky]

I wouldn't worry if some can't understand that you are just doing your job Nicko. Personally I can't see a thing wrong in what the Mirror printed. Plain, unvarnished facts never hurt anyone.

I think its more that no one else cared...... There was only Alan's report in any of the papers - hence being boringly predictable.

[mike at picture]

An awful lot can happen in the next few weeks. We could all be stunned and amazed by events shortly, you never know what way it will turn.

After a pretty subdued spell you got the striker you wanted, slightly cheaper than expected and against some serious opposition. You also have the lad Rigters who will help the squad by the looks.

I suspect there is not much money left for a splash, but I have a funny feeling there could be some excitement to come.

If the takeover comes off I would think Dan Williams would want to bring in a gift or two. That is a space to be watched.

PS. Thought the Vetra lad had swung at Bentley in revenge for the earlier joust, didn't spot it was Warnock. Blood gushing from his mouth should have been a clue. Too busy watching the lad get sent off to check on his victim. How stupid can you get, by the way?

Under massive pressure now in all match reports.

We cant have spent up surely?

If we have it is a very worrying development. Although I am anti the proposed takeover we simply cannot survive in the Premiership if we are going to be comfortably outspent by the likes of Wigan and Fulham.

If this is the attitude of The Walker trust then I sppose a takeover is the only alternative.

The trust administrators need to take a look at themselves and their actions. I cant believe Jack would have wanted this.

[nicko]

There is some Beattie news...

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400eve...-name_page.html

It may sound familiar.

On Benni, I would only be sure he was staying at midnight on August 31.

[nicko]

On the budget front I would think there is a little cash available, but there would be more if there was a a takeover.

It's not a crisis and it's not been a handicap. But there is never any harm in having money in the bank and the choice of what kind of shopping you want to do.