[Archived] Nickos Thread

[nicko]

Anyone else find the timing of this news odd? The transfer window is around two months away etc, etc. Would this be connected to ST sales?

The 'timing' is down to a straight question being asked and a straight answer being given.

You want information - you got it.

I don't think your manager is a liar and my hearing is still working.

[John]

Straight answer to a question. Out of interest, please can you let us know what the question and answer was?

[nicko]

Q - Are you going to be spending some money this summer?

A - "I'm hoping to bring in other players. I think I will have money this year to go into the market place and get some players. They are not cheap, but there will be a certain amount I can work with and that will help us.

"It's important that we keep progressing. You have to sometimes change personnel and improve the quality of the first eleven - and that's where I will spend the money."

As I say, it's the most positive I have heard the manager - he doesn't do spin either - so take it as being the best news in that department for some time.

Did my own homework on the rest...

[nicko]

Excellent news. Any more news on Bentley nicko? I know you've answered this so many times but not many of the quotes are looking good.

All I really want is for us to tie him up one more year, until 2012. That would pave the way for him to cement a place in the England squad, hopefully play for England in South Africa 2010 and then we can trigger a bidding war across Europe for him. At the moment his current contract would make it likely he'll leave next summer if not this summer with the right offer.

This Bentley affair is like talking yourself into recession.

The lad is happily sorting out a new contract extension, the club are happily giving him a rise.

Being a bit of a free thinker - and sometimes speaking honestly when some shut up - his words can make people nervous. Don't worry about it.

In the end, contracts don't matter THAT much, if someone wanted to buy him then the picture changes. It would also have to be a top club and one where he would play. Right now, that club does not exist.

I have not heard of ANY club - apart from Manchester City - who are planning to move for him. And they probably/definitely don't have the money to match Sven's ambitions.

[AggyBlue]

"It's important that we keep progressing. You have to sometimes change personnel and improve the quality of the first eleven - and that's where I will spend the money."

Just the sort of statement I wanted to hear. Cheered me up this morning no end. I think we'll need a new thread

[bob fleming]

What the f**k is the problem?

Are you annoyed because I and one or two others have alarmed one or two of the locals that Pompey, and equal sized club to ourselves have overtaken us on and off the pitch over the past 9-12 months?

Are you annoyed because you like/d to pretend that perhaps it isn't true?

Everton and Villa have as well, will you get all touchy about this, or is it the same old pathetic 'hatred for all things similar' alot of Blackburn fans have.

So I will continue my great support, however much that may grate at you.

And maybe just maybe if we do spend the money Nicko has suggested next season we can maintain our european push until the end, having the momentum come the end of March, and win the FA Cup just to top it off.

It's blatantly obvious that Pompey have overtaken us over the last few months. They've bought well but have been fortunate to have the funds that our club seemingly doesn't. Defoe at £9m and Diarra at £5m added to our squad would have gone a long way to bridging the massive 4 point gulf between the clubs.

Similarly City, Villa and Everton - come to think of it probably every club - has spent more than us recently. Doesn't mean we're heading for relegation does it?

Your "great" support is to continually do down BRFC on this messageboard at every opportunity. Heaven knows there are enough people out there quite happy to do that without our own fans doing it. This culminating in the statement that we'll be playing in the Championship in 2010. That's "what the f**k is the problem".

[allrovertheworld]

I'd rather they hadn't told anyone we have more money. much easier to drive a bargain when everyone thinks you're skint.

Wouldnt mind splashing a bit on Bullard if Fulham go down, I know they were keen on Roberts at one stage so there could always be a bit of dealing done there.

I am with you on that one, he has been great for fulham since he has come back...great news about this money I trust Hughes will spend it wisely as he always does. If you look at where we are with the limited resources we have then if we can keep hold of Bentley and bring in one or two real quality players then we can surely progress.

[philipl]

West Ham's Curbishley has been told to bring the kids through because he hasn't got a transfer budget this summer. If they are all as good as Sears, they'll be OK though.

SGE asked for £30m spending money and been given £0m.

Stoke and West Brom might well spend if they come up but I cannot see any seriously big budgets close to the top of the fizzy pop.

So Rovers' pot (reported in the Mirror at £10m) might have fewer competitors for the target players than it would have had had it been made available in the last two windows.

I still keep watching what is happening with Huddleston at Spurs- not a regular starter which rather indicates there could be a question mark. All Ramos has said is there will be a big clear out but he hasn't finalised his list. One good thing for Rovers is that for any club looking for a winger, Lennon seems almost certain to be sold thus hopefully distracting eyes away from Bentley.

I would ignore the clear out at Chelsea because of the wages all their players are on but if Newcastle go down, there are about five interesting picks there worth looking at.

[Wild Irish Rover]

I can't speak for anyone else, but my first reaction to the news that there will be a £10 million transfer kitty was to wonder how the information might impact Hughesey's approach in the market. Personally I kind of liked the way he was able to size up opportunities and negotiate behind the scenes, regardless of the ticket price put on a player by his club. I know that £10m is a mere pish in the ocean compared to some clubs spending power, but I do hope that it doesn't mean a return to the days of "Oh it's Blackburn on the phone, slap another £3 mill on the transfer fee," that we had to endure in the old days under Kenny and Uncle Jack.

Looking forward to tomorrow and hoping the players restore equilibrium by scoring at least 2 goals more than t'pie eaters.

[den]

This thing with Man City having no money. - is it true and is it just a temporary thing until Thaksin sorts himself out?

What's the full story?

[philipl]

This is not definitive but whilst Thaksin was fubulously wealthy before the coup, billions of that got frozen and well-less than a billion seems to be the general concensus of the amount of money he has that is free and non-tainted by questions of corruption. He's probably got through the thick end of £200m on Man City already.

Now the political climate has changed and Thaksin is back in Thailand fighting to clear his name and return to politics etc., the "Abramovich" reason for needing an EPL club are much less. Furthermore, he is not in the UK enjoying the fruits and benefits of owning City and is presumably 100% focused on his trial and rehabilitation in Thailand.

Given Man City don't own Eastlands and have mortgaged a good proportion of their gate money, I think he would be very hard-pressed to find anyone to pay the money he has already spent on the club. From an investment stand point, any more spending at City would be either pure philanthropy or a rescue mission.

If Thaksin is genuinely a Liverpool supporter as he professed when sniffing around Anfield, what is there in it for him to put more money into City?

[Manchester Blue]

It's blatantly obvious that Pompey have overtaken us over the last few months. They've bought well but have been fortunate to have the funds that our club seemingly doesn't. Defoe at £9m and Diarra at £5m added to our squad would have gone a long way to bridging the massive 4 point gulf between the clubs.

Similarly City, Villa and Everton - come to think of it probably every club - has spent more than us recently. Doesn't mean we're heading for relegation does it?

Your "great" support is to continually do down BRFC on this messageboard at every opportunity. Heaven knows there are enough people out there quite happy to do that without our own fans doing it. This culminating in the statement that we'll be playing in the Championship in 2010. That's "what the f**k is the problem".

Great post Bob, and absolutely spot on.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

I still keep watching what is happening with Huddleston at Spurs- not a regular starter which rather indicates there could be a question mark. All Ramos has said is there will be a big clear out but he hasn't finalised his list. One good thing for Rovers is that for any club looking for a winger, Lennon seems almost certain to be sold thus hopefully distracting eyes away from Bentley.

And how is Spurs selling Lennon a good thing for rovers? Who do you think will be on Spurs’ shortlist as a replacement for Lennon? Sometimes I really wonder what planet you live on, it doesn’t take much to work out that if Spurs sell Lennon for big money they will come bidding big money for Bentley, he is also a Spurs fan and a London boy; he will be off in a shot.

So to sum-up, selling Lennon is probably the worst thing that could happen. Bentley would walk into their starting XI, they would pay for a large pay rise and most importantly could afford his transfer fee.

[philipl]

I appreciate the Express tells the Gospel truth but Capel and NZogbia seem to be the stronger links in that respect.

[roversmum]

Great post Bob, and absolutely spot on.

And, their season ticket prices are way above ours

interesting article about loaning players

I think the transfer chest news has been broadcast to maybe wake up the existing Rovers squad and get them out of the comfort zone.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

I appreciate the Express tells the Gospel truth but Capel and NZogbia seem to be the stronger links in that respect.

You really don’t have a clue do you? Diego Capel and Nzogbia are left footers. If they sell Lennon the will replace him with a player capable of playing right-midfield. And seeing that his has been Damien Comolli's instruction to buy British it is extremely likely that Bentley will be high on their shopping list, should Lennon be sold.

The Capel link comes about as Spurs have no natural left-footed midfielder (bale is a full-back), I highly doubt that Spurs would be able to get Capel in any case.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

And, their season ticket prices are way above ours

interesting article about loaning players

I think the transfer chest news has been broadcast to maybe wake up the existing Rovers squad and get them out of the comfort zone.

But their turnover is very similar

[frosty]

You really don’t have a clue do you? Diego Capel and Nzogbia are left footers. If they sell Lennon the will replace him with a player capable of playing right-midfield. And seeing that his has been Damien Comolli's instruction to buy British it is extremely likely that Bentley will be high on their shopping list, should Lennon be sold.

The Capel link comes about as Spurs have no natural left-footed midfielder (bale is a full-back), I highly doubt that Spurs would be able to get Capel in any case.

Ramos will know him from Sevilla, so there is a decent chance.

Good news about the improved transfer kitty, also good to hear that every one of our players is on trial from now until the end of the season. That should provoke a positive reaction from them in the games remaining.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Ramos will know him from Sevilla, so there is a decent chance.

Good news about the improved transfer kitty, also good to hear that every one of our players is on trial from now until the end of the season. That should provoke a positive reaction from them in the games remaining.

He is one of the hottest young talents in Spain , Seville are a bigger club who challenge for major honours week in week out and are financialy prudent. It would take a massive bid to even get Seville thinking about selling Capel.

Anyhow let’s not retract from the wisdom shown by Philpl. Selling Lennon is a good thing for Rovers, they (Spurs) will replace him with a left-winger and they wont even think about putting a bid in for Bentley, should all this come to fruition.

[Mozzer]

I still keep watching what is happening with Huddleston at Spurs- not a regular starter which rather indicates there could be a question mark. All Ramos has said is there will be a big clear out but he hasn't finalised his list.

i look out aswell seeing if he is starting for them or not..he seems to be on the bench alot(under jol i dont even think he was getting on the bench)...hes a good talent and we should move for him in the summer..

i see today cisse is saying he wants to return to the premierleaugue-he could be worth a shot aswell...

[ally]

any more news on nelson valdez coming over?? will be interesting to see what role Vogel will play although i like the like of bullard of fulham if they go down.

think the priority has to be get a good central defender in my view

[RevidgeBlue]

Q - Are you going to be spending some money this summer?

A - "I'm hoping to bring in other players. I think I will have money this year to go into the market place and get some players. They are not cheap, but there will be a certain amount I can work with and that will help us.

"It's important that we keep progressing. You have to sometimes change personnel and improve the quality of the first eleven - and that's where I will spend the money."

As I say, it's the most positive I have heard the manager - he doesn't do spin either - so take it as being the best news in that department for some time.

Did my own homework on the rest...

"I think" and " I hope" don't sound that definite nicko, but then again I wasn't there to witness Sparky's body language when he said it.

I think roversmum is probably spot on when she says it's probably a calculated attempt to gee up the team for the remainder of the season as well.

[RevidgeBlue]

Anyone else find the timing of this news odd? The transfer window is around two months away etc, etc. Would this be connected to ST sales?

Ooooo Paul, you old cynic you....................

[tony gale's mic]

£5 million of that will probably go on koumas though...someone who im not sure will improve our team.

[den]

"I think" and " I hope" don't sound that definite nicko, but then again I wasn't there to witness Sparky's body language when he said it.

I think roversmum is probably spot on when she says it's probably a calculated attempt to gee up the team for the remainder of the season as well.

I think we should just take it as it's said - there will be money available for players. I suspect that at a club like rovers, that amount isn't set in stone anyway. Hopefully, if a player becomes available, that is going to cost a bit more than expected, JW would go the extra mile to get him.