[Archived] Nickos Thread

[nicko]

I wouldn't give up on Europe quite so quickly. Your fixtures are not the worst, you could pick up 15 to 16 points and go very close to sixth.

Mind you, with all this depression and global recession about I will meanwhile go back under the duvet...

[Mozzer]

were 4 points of portsmouth who are 6th-they play spurs next, we play wigan-europe isnt decided yet...

[Head Rover Heels]

were 4 points of portsmouth who are 6th-they play spurs next, we play wigan-europe isnt decided yet...

Precisely - Not to mention the fact that we're only three-quarters of the way through the season.

Why the doom and gloom everyone? It's not over with yet, and i'm pretty sure we're mathematically safe from relegation already.

[joey_big_nose]

Samba? Yes if we could turn the clocks back 6 months, but on current form I don't think too many would be interested in him.

I think people would be willing to pay 5 million for him. He is young and is clearly a good player. But I would say we should hold onto him.

I don't think anyone would pay 5 million for McCarthy. He ahs been very average, hasn't scored goals in open play, and is pushing 31. Not a chance, you would have to be a lunatic. If he was two years younger maybe, but not the wrong side of 30. Roberts could be saleable for 2.5-3 m if someone is desperate. But then who would we buy?

[S15]

When Samba arrived he looked like Amoruso during an alcohol fueled crack session.

Then he was above average for a couple of months.

Now he's back to the former.

In which case he's been poor more than good for us.

And £5m for Nelsen... Cracking one that is Hughesy lad. Go on, give us £7m for Pedersen whilst your at it... (Oh for the days when I used to get slated for suggesting £7m was OTT for MGP, when Man Utd/Spuds etc were supposedly after him.)

[thenodrog]

were 4 points of portsmouth who are 6th-they play spurs next, we play wigan-europe isnt decided yet...

Spurs being out of form whilst Wigan are on the top of their form.

[S15]

Pompey are a very good team, on paper and on the pitch.

We are a good average team on paper and a poor one on the pitch.

The europe race IS over as far we're concerned.

[Rathbone Market]

Nicko-Sorry to intrude n'all but am interested in our signing of this Nani guy as Director of Football. Do you believe that this could have any implications in the future of Curbishley and do you feel that more clubs will follow this move? What does a DoF do exactly? A bit confused. Cheers.

[tcj_jones]

Samba has all the attributes to be an excellent centre back. Right now, he is a good centre back but prone to making bad errors in judgement and silly mistakes. His desire to bomb forward, for one, often leaves us exposed. His physical attributes also compensate for weaknesses in other areas.

If he can become less error prone, I feel he will be a very good player indeed. Right now, he is definitely our best centre back.

[Fife Rover]

Nicko-Sorry to intrude n'all but am interested in our signing of this Nani guy as Director of Football. Do you believe that this could have any implications in the future of Curbishley and do you feel that more clubs will follow this move? What does a DoF do exactly? A bit confused. Cheers.

Hi there again Rathbone! Just wanted to say before you slip away and we dont see or hear from you until our two teams clash again that I hope that will not happen. We have now got a number of very civil and sensible fans from other clubs that have joined our site mainly to discuss their team's forthcoming match against us, and obviously you are one of these. It is always good to have a decent and sensible discussion with fans of other clubs ( I remember when we could do it during a match as there was no segregation then, and I miss those days now).

Anyway I am sure I am not alone in saying that you will be welcome on here any time; no need to wait till our teams are due for another match. All the best for now.

[nicko]

Nicko-Sorry to intrude n'all but am interested in our signing of this Nani guy as Director of Football. Do you believe that this could have any implications in the future of Curbishley and do you feel that more clubs will follow this move? What does a DoF do exactly? A bit confused. Cheers.

I don't think it threatens Curbishley. The idea is for this guy to be a super spy who finds players for the first team and coming through.

These days it's hard for a manager to go and scout players because of the demands of their own club, so it's understandable.

Curbs got fortunes for players when he came but most of them were targets he knew - and West Ham want to find some more and maybe cheaper ones so that there is better long-term planning.

The days of finding a team of home-grown kids is obviously gone although there is still bound to be a place for them.

[Rathbone Market]

Two very welcome replies, thanks very much gents. I've lurked for a fair while before posting. Now I've started I'm sure I'll carry on. Nicko- thanks for making that clear. Heard rumours that it might signal the end of Curbishley which I feel would be very harsh. Curbishley has never bought a foreigner of note that I can think of and the feeling from some is that the new owners want a bit more European flair/talent- i.e. not Curbs long term as that is just not his game.

[ABBEY]

What does a DoF do exactly? A bit confused. Cheers.

its short for lucash

DICK ON FACE

[thenodrog]

Pompey are a very good team, on paper and on the pitch.

We are a good average team on paper and a poor one on the pitch.

The europe race IS over as far we're concerned.

Comprehensively born out by the fact that there are 4 points seperating us after 30 matches. C'mon Shillitoe you need to develop a sense of perspective.

I must say Defoe appears to have re-vitalised them. He's a damned good player and the worst thing he ever did for his career was sign for Spurs.

[roversmum]

I must say, Rathbone, although we were sitting in the elevated disabled section at West Ham, surrounded by West Ham fans, we enjoyed our afternoon (apart from the result of course ) many went out of their way to come and say 'hello' and see if we were okay.

You don't know what happened to the poor fox do you? He was certainly the paciest runner of the afternoon!

Anyway, do stay around. I notice you are playing Everton this weekend and Portsmouth coming up soon. Now if you could just have a word with your lads and return the favour............

[nicko]

Comprehensively born out by the fact that there are 4 points seperating us after 30 matches. C'mon Shillitoe you need to develop a sense of perspective.

I must say Defoe appears to have re-vitalised them. He's a damned good player and the worst thing he ever did for his career was sign for Spurs.

You can say what you like about Old Harry, but he is the shrewdest transfer judge this season.

Took some balls to sell Benjani and sign Defoe. He did great business selling Taylor and signing Diarra.

Gambles like that could make the difference and justify the extra expense. Hopefully it makes others think who like to keep their hands in their pockets.

[PAFELL]

I think Hughes will be off shortly. He and his team seem ambitious and therefore he needs to go for his own sake whilst his managerial career is still on an upward curve. He has taken us as far as he could and more than we could have hoped with the resources available. No idea who would tempt him away as the big 3/4 will prob recruit from abroad as is the fashion. Clubs with far more resources such as Spurs, Villa and Everton seem settled, he would be mad to take the Newcastle job (surely soon to be available again) .... unless he can write his own terms as few other top managers will be tempted there. His options may well be in Germany or Spain where he will still be remembered.

I fear the combination of losing him and our reduced spending power coupled with the seemingly increased funding of our rivals may well see us off, out of the Prem and back to our more rightful position in the lower divisions for good.

Everybody has forgotton Chelsea - Hughes has said he would like to manage all the teams he has played for - chelsea is one of them - as a lad he was also a chelsea supporter - there is still mixed feelings towards Grant at chelsea

[broadsword]

I wouldn't rule out Hughes for Chelsea, but I think they'll go for Rijkaard myself. Just a hunch.

I'm guessing they'll want someone of stature after Grant, somneone who's previously managed in the Champs League.

[Rathbone Market]

I must say, Rathbone, although we were sitting in the elevated disabled section at West Ham, surrounded by West Ham fans, we enjoyed our afternoon (apart from the result of course ) many went out of their way to come and say 'hello' and see if we were okay.

You don't know what happened to the poor fox do you? He was certainly the paciest runner of the afternoon!

Anyway, do stay around. I notice you are playing Everton this weekend and Portsmouth coming up soon. Now if you could just have a word with your lads and return the favour............

Glad you were given a decent welcome. I sit in the Bobby Moore Lower (opposite end to the aways fans). As I was putting my customary pre-match bet on (I lost by the way- had Ashton to score first and 2-0 win) I saw the rather scraggy fox run through the concourse, in and out of the crowd and out the door! Very strange, although a similar thing happened earlier in the season.

Back to the football. I'm never confident playing at Goodison, never have been. Although I feel we are playing better now that Ashton is looking more like the player of old and he has Zamora as a partner, I will be more than happy with a point. Hopefully Johnson will be out and we need Upson back as we clearly lack his leadership at the back as your lot highlighted at the weekend. If he isn't fit I don't hold out much hope. But ya never know! I hope that now we have nothing to play for Curbs will opt to include some of our youngters like Sears, Tomkins and Collison on the bench. Will give the crowd something to be both passionate and interested about in a situation where the season could just fizzl out...I love seeing local lads who actually support the team come through and do well. The Sears lad lived mine and a fair few thousand grown men's dream at the weekend- utterly brilliant stuff.

[LeChuck]

Everybody has forgotton Chelsea - Hughes has said he would like to manage all the teams he has played for - chelsea is one of them - as a lad he was also a chelsea supporter - there is still mixed feelings towards Grant at chelsea

Good grief, you have to be looking through the darkest tinted blue 'n' white specs to think Hughes has achieved anywhere near enough to even be looked at for the Chelsea job. He wouldn't even make the final shortlist.

[tcj_jones]

He makes a good point in regard to Hughes's affiliation with Chelsea, but I agree that there is no chance in hell of him getting the job.

[S15]

Comprehensively born out by the fact that there are 4 points seperating us after 30 matches. C'mon Shillitoe you need to develop a sense of perspective.

I must say Defoe appears to have re-vitalised them. He's a damned good player and the worst thing he ever did for his career was sign for Spurs.

My sense of perspective is that we have been awful ever since we lost to Man Utd away (11.11.07)

4 months. If we start next season like this let's see how many points behind Pompey we sit after 30 games. I suspect it would be a similar number of points.

[Hughesy]

Nope, Eddie is spot on! When we first saw Samba he looked like a real bargain, now we can all see the reason we only paid 400k for him and he is more of a real-liability and a disaster waiting to happen. If anyone is willing to pay "good money" then take it..!!

So now Samba is only worth the £400k we paid?? Ha ha he was quality for our 1st half of the season - but like iv said before he cant do all the defending himself. The wingbacks dont offer much protection as a back four. Samba would easily fetch over £5m.

were 4 points of portsmouth who are 6th-they play spurs next, we play wigan-europe isnt decided yet...

With all the doom and gloom about how poor our team and players are, surely we cant be that close can we? Not after they spent so much money, as did City, West Ham, Tottenham etc.

When Samba arrived he looked like Amoruso during an alcohol fueled crack session.

Then he was above average for a couple of months.

Now he's back to the former.

In which case he's been poor more than good for us.

And £5m for Nelsen... Cracking one that is Hughesy lad. Go on, give us £7m for Pedersen whilst your at it... (Oh for the days when I used to get slated for suggesting £7m was OTT for MGP, when Man Utd/Spuds etc were supposedly after him.)

shillito15 - now we have heard it all. Samba is as bad as Amoruso! . Yeah ok!!

Last summer Pompey offered us £5.5m for Nelsen, rumours were that Harry would pay up to £7m, we wouldnt sell. Now do you think with his aging Sol Campbell in defence that he wouldnt still be interested in Nelsen??

[philipl]

awful?

frustrating, missed chances, too many players off-form/not gelling, one real stinker (Coventry), one or two selection/tactical mistakes... but awful???

Awful is hardly an apt way to describe a situation in which 12 Premiership clubs would be delighted/ecstatically happy to swap their results and performances since 11 November with the Rovers. Every club beneath us has not done as well and we have gained relative to Man City.

[modes98]

I wouldn't give up on Europe quite so quickly. Your fixtures are not the worst, you could pick up 15 to 16 points and go very close to sixth.

I would have agreed pre Fulham game. We are just not taking advantage when others slip up and that is criminal.

I don't think we have enough to make it count and having heard Everton's fixtures it's so frustrating we didn't just invest a little more cash in and allow Hughes to get in a midfielder he wanted.