[Archived] Nickos Thread

[they_think_its_all_rover]

Nicko, you said scouts have been about watching midweek games, are they looking for any particular position? & are they Championship midweek games or Uefa midweek games?

Does it also mean Tom Soares isn't a definate option then?

And was just wondering about the comments regarding Craig Fagan from Derby to Hull... How far are the negotiations? because I read Hull want him back on loan... but Derby want to add "with a view to a permanant move" onto the deal... I don't get it!?! why would Derby be doing that, after buying him off HUll for £750k?

Plus, it was only a few weeks ago when Paul Jewell said Fagan was his most commited player and he wished the rest of the team was like him.

[nicko]

Nicko, you said scouts have been about watching midweek games, are they looking for any particular position? & are they Championship midweek games or Uefa midweek games?

Does it also mean Tom Soares isn't a definate option then?

I think there are plenty of options right now...and possibly a few places to fill in the squad come summer.

It will hopefully be lot busier and more interesting than the last one.

Personally I'm not one of the 'nobody signed but there was nobody to sign' cheerleader troupe.

[1864roverite]

Alan

seeing Sheff Weds are so perilously close to the trap door to oblivion is it right there may be problems with the supposed takeover ?

Being yet another division lower surely is not an attractive option to invest millions ?

Maybe the heads can turn to a real club with potential ie Rovers.

[nicko]

The Geoff Sheard/mystery foreign money mob are still on track, but taking a bit longer than expected.

If they don't do it before the transfer deadline - and sign new players fast - there is a big risk that Wednesday go down.

But it still seems an attractive club to most and even in League One they would get large crowds.

On the bid itself, I heard it was supposed to have been made ten days ago but there is still no sign of the money.

It has a familiar ring unfortunately...

[Ewood and I Would]

I think there are plenty of options right now...and possibly a few places to fill in the squad come summer.

It will hopefully be lot busier and more interesting than the last one.

Personally I'm not one of the 'nobody signed but there was nobody to sign' cheerleader troupe.

As long as the positions we have to fill aren't Right Wing and McCarthy's strike partner I'll be happy

[Russ]

Nicko,

Do you know anything about the Anthony Annand Deal that fell through? He is the African guy 'the next Essien' playing for Start.

A few weeks ago it came out he was set to join us but it fell through after a work permit was denied.

Since then Essien has been touting him for Chelsea, is there any chance we could still get him in the summer or do you think our chance has gone??

[nicko]

Nicko,

Do you know anything about the Anthony Annand Deal that fell through? He is the African guy 'the next Essien' playing for Start.

A few weeks ago it came out he was set to join us but it fell through after a work permit was denied.

Since then Essien has been touting him for Chelsea, is there any chance we could still get him in the summer or do you think our chance has gone??

The last I heard there had been bids for him from Germand and French teams...I don't know when the Norwegian season re-starts but I take it one or two will watch him shortly just to see if his ACN form was a fluke.

There was a Rovers link before but now his price is about £750,000 or so that might make them think twice. But it's one of several, I'm sure, that are being discussed.

[Russ]

The last I heard there had been bids for him from Germand and French teams...I don't know when the Norwegian season re-starts but I take it one or two will watch him shortly just to see if his ACN form was a fluke.

There was a Rovers link before but now his price is about £750,000 or so that might make them think twice. But it's one of several, I'm sure, that are being discussed.

I suppose I just live in hope he could be as good as Essien, if he is showing enough promise he must be worth a gamble even if we don't have a big budget??

We've obviously looked at him and tried to get him once, we showed interest first so you'd like to hope he'd be flattered by that and want to play for us.

Guess it doesn't work like that in the real world if the likes of Chelsea come sniffing!!!

[tchocky]

I think Mourinho's been slighty harsh on Wenger, as have you Eddie. He spotted world class talent in the likes of Vieira, Ljungberg, Henry etc. that other managers had missed, and after some work brought out that talent. More recently he's done it with Hleb, Adebayor, Flamini and Van Persie.

...

I agree that Wenger is great at nurturing talent. He doesn't really unearth gems though. Viera was brought in from AC Milan and Henry from Juventus - they just hadn't been given enough chances there. The others mentioned were already well known talents before they joined Arsenal.

[T4E]

But why can't the Liverpool/Man U/Tottenham/Chelsea reserve teams get to the Carling Cup semi-finals every season?

All these clubs are falling over themselves chasing prodigious teenage footy talent across the world. Liverpool snapped up great promise in Sinama-Pongolle and Le Tallec - but what became of them? Man U snatched Rossi and Pique from abroad to much consternation from their previous clubs but they didn't contribute much.

Wenger not only brings in quality youth players but for some reason, many of them develop and make an impression with the first team. This does not happen with other clubs who, in some cases, have more money. I don't know if it's the coaching, the club mentality, the opportunities they get, luck but Wenger's team is constantly evolving, with the young influx gradually rising to the top.

How much did Gael Clichy cost to replace Ashley Cole. How much did Ashley Cole cost to replace Silvinho? The way Wenger got rid of Ljungberg and Lauren when he deemed their successors more capable was ruthless but also impressively successful. This is in contrast to the way other manager's cling desperately to their rapidly fading 30 somethings.

You talk a lot of sense - I totally agree with everything you've said. If what Wenger does is so straight forward and easy then why don't all the big clubs do it? If you look through the players Wenger has brought for a relative pittance and turned in to top class players, it's really quite astounding.

The fact that he's untouchable at Arsenal despite a recent lack of silverware is probably down to his ability to find these players and keep Arsenal competitive while spending a fraction of the other "big 3". He's a chairmans dream.

[American]

All these clubs are falling over themselves chasing prodigious teenage footy talent across the world. Liverpool snapped up great promise in Sinama-Pongolle and Le Tallec - but what became of them?

I'm still disappointed we didn't sign FSP.

[S15]

Arsene Wenger is the best manager of his generation.

Mourinho only criticizes him as he is in awe/ or feels threatened by him in some insecure way.

[Claytons Left Boot]

The last I heard there had been bids for him from Germand and French teams...I don't know when the Norwegian season re-starts but I take it one or two will watch him shortly just to see if his ACN form was a fluke.

There was a Rovers link before but now his price is about £750,000 or so that might make them think twice. But it's one of several, I'm sure, that are being discussed.

Start were relegated last season and their new campaign in tier two starts (sorry for the pun) early next month. Whilst they may be tempted with a good offer - due to their relegation - at the same time I would expect them to be in the running for a quick return to the Norwegian top flight and therefore may feel the need to hold on to him. £750k seems worth a gamble to me.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

I agree that Wenger is great at nurturing talent. He doesn't really unearth gems though. Viera was brought in from AC Milan and Henry from Juventus - they just hadn't been given enough chances there. The others mentioned were already well known talents before they joined Arsenal.

I for one applaud Mourinho for pointing out what I have been saying for a while. The youth team at Arsenal does represent some of the best youngsters in the country - but at a considerable price. Think of players like Pennant - brought in for big money - but had to make the move to get established.

For me Hughes is doing a better job than Wenger. I can't think of a manager in Premiership history that has had such a high success rate with his transfers for such limited money.

The next few years will be interesting to see how the Arsenal youngsters develop - but everyone should be aware that Chelsea have also been trawling Europe buying up the best young talent - could be an interesting few years.

[S15]

I for one applaud Mourinho for pointing out what I have been saying for a while. The youth team at Arsenal does represent some of the best youngsters in the country - but at a considerable price. Think of players like Pennant - brought in for big money - but had to make the move to get established.

For me Hughes is doing a better job than Wenger. I can't think of a manager in Premiership history that has had such a high success rate with his transfers for such limited money.

The next few years will be interesting to see how the Arsenal youngsters develop - but everyone should be aware that Chelsea have also been trawling Europe buying up the best young talent - could be an interesting few years.

Pennant was a move rising to £1m depending on appearances.

I'm sorry but it just beggars belief how even the most blinkered Blackburn fan can even suggest Hughes is doing a better job than Arsene Wenger.

Wenger earnt his move to Arsenal, and now he has created a legacy, a style which will forever be refered to as 'his.' He has won top honours on numerous occasions, and through tough times has stuck to his principles and now is sees his new generation sat top of the Premier League and in the quater finals of the European Cup, having just become the first English team ever to win in Milan against AC.

When he took over Arsenal were on pretty level pegging with Rovers, having finished 12th and 6th in the previous two seasons compared to Rovers 1st and 7th. We also still had Jack Walker in the peak of his spending. Now Arsenal are on a different planet to us. Wenger has been questioned on numerous occasions having sold Paul Merson, Ian Wright, Emmanual Petit, Marc Overmars, Nicolas Anelka, Patrick Vieira, Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry. He has been proved CORRECT on EVERY occasion. Correct when so many 'expert' pundits and ex pros said he was wrong. He has then replaced the player in question for a mili fraction of the price (In the majority of cases) with a (usually) young player who has quickly gone on to be recognised as a better and more valuable player than the player they replaced.

Of course, this is easily comparable to a guy who has come in and created a mid table Premiership team on limited resources, a feat achieved by many managers over the past decade. I'm not dissing Hughes contribution to Rovers, but how somebody can sit and suggest he is doing a better job than AW is beyond me. People go on about how it's easier at Arsenal; Rubbish.

Hughes is under FAR less pressure. He could finish in a variety of places between 6th-15th and be safe for years and years, but believe me if Arsenal has gone any longer double figure points behind the leaders there would have been talk of moving him upstairs. The reason he is untouchable is because of the points I have raised. He has eart his 'untouchable' status. Something a jealous Mourinho never has.

[nicko]

He has been proved CORRECT on EVERY occasion.

Wenger has been brilliant, but let's not get too carried away.

Van Bronckhorst, Jeffers, Silvinho...he gets some wrong too.

What he is best at is bringing through talent and recognising it in the first place. That also means he can buy himself time in the process. If Arsenal fail it's because they are 'young.' But he does make mistakes at times in the transfer market.

As for comparing Wenger to Hughes that's just a waste of time. They are working at different levels and with vastly-varying budgets.

[1864roverite]

Van Bronkhurst did well at every other club apart from Arsenal, same with Silvinho. You dont pay for Barcelona if your mediocre.

Jeffers ? well it beggers belief how he lost his magic touch in front of goal.

[thenodrog]

I'm sorry but it just beggars belief how even the most blinkered Blackburn fan can even suggest Hughes is doing a better job than Arsene Wenger.

Be nice if we could have the luxury of keeping him for 12 years to provide a fair comparison.... but thats unfortunately unlikely to happen.

Maybe a better comparison is the job that Allardyce did at Bolton. imo he is right up alongside if not above the old RFW and Arsene. Surely Sam is one of the best managers in the history of the prem. Anybody think that those two could have emulated his feats over the same time period with such little money at Bolton?

[nicko]

Van Bronkhurst did well at every other club apart from Arsenal, same with Silvinho. You dont pay for Barcelona if your mediocre.

Jeffers ? well it beggers belief how he lost his magic touch in front of goal.

Both van Bronkhorst and Silvinho were quickly shipped out at Arsenal...Jeffers just flopped.

So his record is good, but let's not be making him a saint.

[nicko]

Be nice if we could have the luxury of keeping him for 12 years to provide a fair comparison.... but thats unfortunately unlikely to happen.

Maybe a better comparison is the job that Allardyce did at Bolton. imo he is right up alongside if not above the old RFW and Arsene. Surely Sam is one of the best managers in the history of the prem. Anybody think that those two could have emulated his feats over the same time period with such little money at Bolton?

Allardyce did a massive job at Bolton, but maybe that was the type of club where he is best at. Newcastle was just a bit too much for him to turn round and he had unfortunate circumstances when the chairman who appointed him was shoved out.

If Big Sam does it anywhere else then he will be better regarded.

It's the same with Curbishley. Great Charlton manager, but now turning West Ham into a new Charlton - boring and rigid tactically - because it's all he knows.

But again it's imporssible to compare any of these guys and say who is better than the other because they are/were doing different jobs at different clubs.

[John]

Nicko - any interesting Rovers news in the People tomorrow??

[nicko]

Nicko - any interesting Rovers news in the People tomorrow??

I've put some names to the midweek scouting missions, but I have got to stress these are players being watched rather than suggesting there are imminent bids.

The chief scout took in three major European games and I think I've found out who two of those under review were.

There was another game that was covered by two of the backroom team, but I'm not sure about who they were watching, so I've left that - for now.

I think we're at a stage where a lot of homework is being done and lists are being drawn up.

I thought it was interesting that Benitez admitted today he had TEN strikers on a list in case he didn't land Torres. You have to have that kind of knowledge and those type of options in the current market.

So although it was a shock to hear some of the games that your chief scout went to I can understand why...

[PAFELL]

Pennant was a move rising to £1m depending on appearances.

I'm sorry but it just beggars belief how even the most blinkered Blackburn fan can even suggest Hughes is doing a better job than Arsene Wenger.

Wenger earnt his move to Arsenal, and now he has created a legacy, a style which will forever be refered to as 'his.' He has won top honours on numerous occasions, and through tough times has stuck to his principles and now is sees his new generation sat top of the Premier League and in the quater finals of the European Cup, having just become the first English team ever to win in Milan against AC.

When he took over Arsenal were on pretty level pegging with Rovers, having finished 12th and 6th in the previous two seasons compared to Rovers 1st and 7th. We also still had Jack Walker in the peak of his spending. Now Arsenal are on a different planet to us. Wenger has been questioned on numerous occasions having sold Paul Merson, Ian Wright, Emmanual Petit, Marc Overmars, Nicolas Anelka, Patrick Vieira, Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry. He has been proved CORRECT on EVERY occasion. Correct when so many 'expert' pundits and ex pros said he was wrong. He has then replaced the player in question for a mili fraction of the price (In the majority of cases) with a (usually) young player who has quickly gone on to be recognised as a better and more valuable player than the player they replaced.

Of course, this is easily comparable to a guy who has come in and created a mid table Premiership team on limited resources, a feat achieved by many managers over the past decade. I'm not dissing Hughes contribution to Rovers, but how somebody can sit and suggest he is doing a better job than AW is beyond me. People go on about how it's easier at Arsenal; Rubbish.

Hughes is under FAR less pressure. He could finish in a variety of places between 6th-15th and be safe for years and years, but believe me if Arsenal has gone any longer double figure points behind the leaders there would have been talk of moving him upstairs. The reason he is untouchable is because of the points I have raised. He has eart his 'untouchable' status. Something a jealous Mourinho never has.

You raise interesting points, Arsene Wenger is a brilliant manager. But to be fair to Mark Hughes, Rovers is his first premiership club - In the short space of time that Hughes has managed Rovers, he also has done a brilliant job.

I also believe that in some respect Hughes is learning off Wenger. In his first season Mark Hughes put some steal into the squad, which is why they picked up the bully boy tag - this helped Rovers to stay up. Then slowly but surely he has added players to the squad - he has got the squad thinking in a very positive attitude, which is what they didn't have before. It has though he has said to the players, 'we might be considered by others as a small club, but so what, it is down to the players to turn a small club into a big club.' Lets be honest Arsenal have always be considered a big club, because they are in London - they can relie on their ticket income as they will always sell every ticket - Rovers are not in that position.

Wenger has done a very good job at Arsenal, but even he must have made errors before getting to Arsenal - but learnt by them. Mark Hughes is still learning the trade and will, like all of us, make big mistakes in his career as a manager (every Rovers supporter should expect Hughes to get things wrong sometimes)- but will learn by them.

To be honest it is very hard to compare both managers - because, basically one is just more experienced than the other.

Anybody know what was Wengers first club he every managed and how did he do by his 3rd or 4th season.

[USABlue]

I don't think the comparisons of Sparky and Wenger are fair. I see folks saying how would Sparky do with 12years and funds etc. More pertinent to me would be to raise the question how well would Wenger have done here in the same timespan? starting with what Sparky started with and having the same limited resources. Not too well I would dare to say. But as we can not know all we can do is offer opinions. My opinion is Sparky has done as big of a job for us as Wenger has done for Arsenal. Probably doesn't make much sense to people but that is the way I see it.

[JAL]

The chief scout took in three major European games and I think I've found out who two of those under review were.

I think we're at a stage where a lot of homework is being done and lists are being drawn up.

So although it was a shock to hear some of the games that your chief scout went to I can understand why...

Nicko,

When you say shock, is that because the quality on show is of the highest standard or the opposite and you cant quite fathom out what they'd acheive by taking on one of these individuals.