[Archived] Nickos Thread

[unleaded]

Samba was "delivered" by his agent.........

Nelsen was "delivered" via Charlton.............

Matt Derbyshire was recommended............

Bentley was "deliverd +recommended " by Eddie "whatshisname"

I know the Rovers scouts kept an eye on MGP for long time before signing him in the end............Maceo Rigters Bruno Berner and Henchoz also come under this.......The conclusion is that the scouts at Rovers have not come up with 1 golden nugget yet but have come up with a few duds........

[nicko]

You might have a point, Unleaded, but I'd be interested to know the background behind the signing of players such as Samba, Nelsen and Derbyshire of whom almost nothing was known before their arrival. Also, the likes of Bentley and Warnock had relatively little playing experience outside of the reserves before we bought them and Pedersen was something of a raw talent, all be it a internationally capped one, when he came to Rovers. My point is that surely all of these players, who have had a massive impact on the club, must have been extensively souted. Or am I wrong in presuming that?

Chris Samba was brought in by an agent called Simon Conning who basically stuck him into Rovers in the hope of success...and it worked.

Ryan Nelsen was brought in by agents Lyle York and Tony Henry after going to several other clubs and being turned down...that worked too.

I don't think either were actually watched at their previous clubs, although that is understandable as Samba was a rarely-used sub and Nelsen played in the MLS.

Steven Warnock and David Bentley were ideal signings because they were at big clubs where they were being largely overlooked. So both of them were well-researched.

Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz are both 'names' with good CVs.

As for the rest...Friedel, Tugay, Reid, Pedersen and Emerton were found by the much-maligned Souey. Makes you think...

[deryck guyler's spoon]

An extra midfield player was needed, no question. Probably two.

If the club did not want to go the extra million or so - on top of the Sav money - to land one then that is something they are going to have to explain come the end of the campaign if they end up 10th or so.

The need for a new player in that area is being shown by Fortune's presence. There was also the Amdy Faye interlude. The squad is at least one short.

And I don't know what Wes Brown has got to do with that or Rovers. He was never going to be sold in January anyway.

The figures mentioned in the News of the World will include the agents fee which is now included in the player's wages. I said a few months ago that this will cause trouble - and it has obviously started.

Everything is fine at Ewood. I know because some posters told me so when I was taken to task for being concerned.

Try not to go "off message" Nicko.

[Fife Rover]

Blackpool 5 - Charlton 3?

Sounds like Blakpool and Charlton have gone back to 50's style football!

[Exiled in Toronto]

An extra midfield player was needed, no question. Probably two.

If the club did not want to go the extra million or so - on top of the Sav money - to land one then that is something they are going to have to explain come the end of the campaign if they end up 10th or so.

Explain to who? I don't get the impression that the trustees are particularly hands on when it comes to the football side of things. And since many on here believe that, despite a cumulative cash injection of a hundred million from Jack and at least the same again from Sky, we are really just Burnley/Preston punching above our weight, 10th will seem to be another gravity-defying performance.

This is the first year where I have felt we have failed to make progress under Hughes. Team spirit doesn't seem the same; fitness doesn't seem the same; the emergence of Bentley and RSC has been balanced by the demise of Benni and MGP; no good signings in January to spur things on, and we have had three abject surrenders in the cups.

[Exiled in Toronto]

An extra midfield player was needed, no question. Probably two.

If the club did not want to go the extra million or so - on top of the Sav money - to land one then that is something they are going to have to explain come the end of the campaign if they end up 10th or so.

Explain to who? I don't get the impression that the trustees are particularly hands on when it comes to the football side of things. And since many on here believe that, despite a cumulative cash injection of a hundred million from Jack and at least the same again from Sky, we are really just Burnley/Preston punching above our weight, 10th will seem to be another gravity-defying performance.

This is the first year where I have felt we have failed to make progress under Hughes. Team spirit doesn't seem the same; fitness doesn't seem the same; the emergence of Bentley and RSC has been balanced by the demise of Benni and MGP; no good signings in January to spur things on, and we have had three abject surrenders in the cups.

[nicko]

Explain to who? I don't get the impression that the trustees are particularly hands on when it comes to the football side of things. And since many on here believe that, despite a cumulative cash injection of a hundred million from Jack and at least the same again from Sky, we are really just Burnley/Preston punching above our weight, 10th will seem to be another gravity-defying performance.

This is the first year where I have felt we have failed to make progress under Hughes. Team spirit doesn't seem the same; fitness doesn't seem the same; the emergence of Bentley and RSC has been balanced by the demise of Benni and MGP; no good signings in January to spur things on, and we have had three abject surrenders in the cups.

The fans.

I think this was a season when a top-six place was there for the taking. There are some pretty ordinary teams competing for those positions and Rovers were as good as if not better than most of them until they took a dip.

Signing a player or two in January would have made a difference.

They hardly have to explain anything to the Trustees, seem like they have kept their hands in their pockets of late and might want to keep their heads down too.

[Eddie]

Explained to us, the supporters, their customers. Explained to the rest of the players. Try telling the likes of Bentley, Reid, MGP, Samba, Nelsen and Benni, all players we have tried to convince to stay here in recent months, that this club is really moving forward. Being totally honest, if I was one of them I'd jump at the opportunity to join anyone from the top 4 to the likes of Everton, Aston Villa or City, I'd probably even go for Newcastle or West Ham. We showed no ambition and really in recent seasons we've shown very little when it comes to the amount we have spent. Sooner or later we'll have to bite the bullet, but to build a good team we're going to have to spend some money. We're going to need to replace several players, that isn't going to be cheap, we already have gaps to fill, that isn't going to be cheap.

We have the makings of a good side, we don't need that many players, if we aren't going to spend money now and try and get somewhere then when are we going to?

[philipl]

OK guys, who have we missed out on?

[American]

But how much and on whom?

Is this freebie this summer value for money?

Wes Brown is holding out for £80,000 per week after turning down a £55,000 offer from Man Utd. (News of the World)

These numbers for Brown are even higher than the ones I suggested were the negotiating parameters a few weeks ago and got roundly criticised by somebody for being far too high in my guess. Brown is "only" asking for 90% of the value of Rovers' entire season ticket sales

You were criticised for being too high in your guess of what he makes now.

Just becuase he wants 80k doesn't mean he'll get more than 60k. Factor in the lack of transfer fee and it might not be a bad shout at that price.

[Exiled in Toronto]

OK guys, who have we missed out on?

Look at the current Rovers team. The vast majority of them would not have passed your ludicrous "who have we missed out on" test:

Freidal - damaged premiership goods

Emerton - unproven in England

Samba - who?

Zura - failed at Rangers, unproven in England

Warnock - didn't cut it in the Prem at Liverpool while surrouded by better players than we have

Bentley - failed at Norwich!

Dunn - crock

Reid - lower league and a crock

MGP - who?

Benni - lazy sulker

RSC - crock, can't score

People are being well paid to unearth players. If a list put together by you or I will suffice then perhaps we can get the Ewood wage bill down a bit.

[American]

I think we missed out on the Macedonian Gerrard (as I will forever refer to him now - especially since I forget his name), as it sounds like he's impressing. It might be a league down, but at this point, I'd prefer him over nobody.

[John]

Guys, things are so tight financially that we cannot bring in players for the sake of it. Hughes cannot afford to make mistakes in the transfer market.

Hughes is a good judge of player, especially after they have come in on trial. So, I am happy to trust decisions he makes in this regard.

[brian_gallagher85]

I think this was a season when a top-six place was there for the taking.

Signing a player or two in January would have made a difference.

4-1 says otherwise...but you can say it again when we give KK his 1st win next time out

[nicko]

4-1 says otherwise...but you can say it again when we give KK his 1st win next time out

I was there and the score doesn't tell the whole story. Well worth the win, but flattered by the margin. Big Brad kept the side in it for a spell.

The overall point is that is is very risky to sell a key player and not replace him...you might get lucky and it doesn't matter, but why let luck even play a part?

And the 'standing still' line is not right either. You always have to progress. Complacency leads to slackness and a slide that takes some stopping.

PS - you will hump Newcastle on that form.

[Eddie]

PS - you will hump Newcastle on that form.

Why did you say that?

[rovers_rob]

What did you think of Benni's performance today nicko ? I thought he was superb.

Do you think he will sign another contract or do you think he might leave in the summer ?

[nicko]

Why did you say that?

Because Rovers can last 90 minutes...and Newcastle can't.

[nicko]

What did you think of Benni's performance today nicko ? I thought he was superb.

Do you think he will sign another contract or do you think he might leave in the summer ?

I thought Benni was more committed and he takes a good penalty. But I am still not sure he and Roque are a great partnership. You could do with a bit of pace and neither have that in abundance.

Dunny had a big game and took some big hits, Friedel is just immense and it was good to see MGP playing his way back to a bit of form.

Have to go to Florida more often...

[revolutionrock!]

Pedersen

Played well for once, Benny looked very good.

Very pleased, just hope we win next week.

Sure something about a gap was mentioned earlier.

[nicko]

Pedersen

Played well for once, Benny looked very good.

Very pleased, just hope we win next week.

Sure something about a gap was mentioned earlier.

Yup...ninth and ninth.

Both five points and a few goals off where they want and need to be.

Case closed...

[Eddie]

Because Rovers can last 90 minutes...and Newcastle can't.

Thank you for the kiss of death. I've just stuck my savings on Newcastle to win it in the 89th minute.

[iamarover]

Yup...ninth and ninth.

Both five points and a few goals off where they want and need to be.

Case closed...

Well closed to a point but my feeling is that for the Dingles this is almost Last Chance Saloon. Failure this year to reach the Prem will hit a club very hard who are losing - so it seems - £80k a week. Come next season, the 2 ageing centre halves leave, so does Andy Cole. Elliott? Sounds like he is maneouvering for a salary hike and - like Andy Gray - you cant really blame the guy who probably has one last contract in him. When you look at recovering clubs like Wolves, Leicester, Cov City - next year, Norwich, and clubs like Forest and Leeds on their way back the other way - not to mention the Prem relegated clubs - it all looks increasingly bleak. I think this was a big big salary gamble for a club that is in a bit more of trouble than they are letting on. We hope

Why do we discuss Dingles so much? Well the truth is - 1. Emotion. We hate them. Goes all the way back to Bob Lord and him telling the press our relegation in 1970 would 'do them good'. And probably before. Even my dad hates them. 2. Economic. The presence of a successful Dingle side or even a PNE drains potential newbies from coming to Ewood. Accrington, Clitheroe Chorley and the Rossendale Valley are battlegrounds for future loyalty.

So heres to their demise. But Nicko, I have to say you have called them right so far. And the bit I have seen on Sky indicates that they do in the Tombola Champineship have a chance. Lets hope that chance goes. Emotionally and economically. And just cos they are so bluddy full of themselves

[nicko]

On promotion/relegation, here's a thought or twelve.

Derby and Fulham are going and Reading or Birmingham may join them which is mainly good news as they do not bring many.

Stoke would be followed by thousands on their travels if they come up, not so sure about Bristol City or Watford. West Brom's supporters also come in their numbers.

But only Burnley would guarantee a full house at your place.

Economically it would therefore be an advantage to see Stoke, West Brom and Burnley up...

Interesting take on next season in the Championship. But all of the 'big clubs' have been in financial troubles, so I don't see it being much harder. Derby will struggle at that level on current form, Fulham could implode. Swansea will not be a threat and Doncaster are pretty but will struggle.

So, I think your Doomsday prediction may be a tad optimistic. Anyway, as long as the Coyle man is there I have no worries... Especially when he gets more of his own men in.

[iamarover]

On promotion/relegation, here's a thought or twelve.

Derby and Fulham are going and Reading or Birmingham may join them which is mainly good news as they do not bring many.

Stoke would be followed by thousands on their travels if they come up, not so sure about Bristol City or Watford. West Brom's supporters also come in their numbers.

But only Burnley would guarantee a full house at your place.

Economically it would therefore be an advantage to see Stoke, West Brom and Burnley up...

Interesting take on next season in the Championship. But all of the 'big clubs' have been in financial troubles, so I don't see it being much harder. Derby will struggle at that level on current form, Fulham could implode. Swansea will not be a threat and Doncaster are pretty but will struggle.

So, I think your Doomsday prediction may be a tad optimistic. Anyway, as long as the Coyle man is there I have no worries... Especially when he gets more of his own men in.

Well Doomsday may not be that much of an exaggeration. A mate of mine in sport finance (no names but he is West Yorks and sadly a Dingle heritage in Youth) had a look at the time of the Flood deal. It is a disaster. Kilby is a fan. Fortuntately for Coyle, but is no real charitable Walker at any level. He wants the best for the club... However he has cleverly moved all the assets to his company - no Trust here. Burnley FC own almost no assets apart from the players (!). The optimist would say the move to build a shopping centre/business centre owned by Flood and Kilby is entirely co-incidental. They would also optimistically hope that the selling of long term contracted players and arrival of short term signings that improve the dire cash flow is also entirely co incidental.

Philip1. Any chance of a view of the Dingle FC accounts and review? As said previously they are a threat long term for this club.