[Archived] Nickos Thread

[nicko]

Scott Sinclair is going to Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea...totally the wrong club for him...Chelsea should be ashamed.

Stephen Pearson from Derby to Stoke on loan seems likely too.

No word on Roque's fitness, but it's a long flight back and he won't be getting treatment for a day or so. Think he would have to be a big doubt for Saturday unfortunately.

[rover6]

Scott Sinclair is going to Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea...totally the wrong club for him...Chelsea should be ashamed.

Is that because Palace play Hoofball?

This time next year, we could well be hearing of Premier League bottom side, Stoke City, loaning Liam Lawrence to Champ side Carlisle. Surely, Stoke will face the same ignominious fate as Derby if promoted?

[Ricky]

Seem to recall people saying the same about Reading when they first got promoted.

[LeftWinger]

Seem to recall people saying the same about Reading when they first got promoted.

Yes but Reading had walked away with the league and were far and away the best team in the division. There are no stand out teams this year - looking at the goal differences backs that up. Reading had a goal difference of +67 when they went up. Stoke have +12 now.

[USABlue]

Scott Sinclair is going to Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea...totally the wrong club for him...Chelsea should be ashamed.

Is that because Palace play Hoofball?

No, it's most likely that nicko wants him for the McDingles

[Mozzer]

nicko

blackburn enter bullard race according to this, and apparntly we will offer him the captaincy as part of the move hahaha

http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagen...p?newsid=182841

hes like a younger robbie savage-but bullard can take a free kick-so no thanks from me..

[Hughesy]

If we have serious top 6 ambitions then Bullard isnt the man for Rovers!

[Rathbone Market]

Any truth in the suggestion that Ashton is getting stick at U.P. RM?

He was getting a load of unwarranted stick. He looked really good when he first joined, got in the England squad and then had his ankle broken by Shaun W-P. Gutted. Was a bad break and was out all of last season. Unfortunately, too many dullards expected him to return like he had never been away. You could see he was carrying extra bulk and was not confident-apparently he had done a load of gym work whilst out and then had a 'disagreement' with the powers at be as to whether this extra bulk was a good idea. He didn't play too well and some were quick to moan. Having Carlton Cole play instead of him just made it worse as Cole, despite the fact he can't score, doesn't stop working. Therefore, some cited this apparent lack of effort as just cause to criticise him further. Curbishley did well in protecting him by only playing him sparingly. Ashton is also not at his best when playing completely isolated up front. He works much better with a smaller, quicker partner like Sears has shown or Bellamy (if he is ever fit!). He showed this last weekend when we subbed the waste if space Boa Morte for Sears and playd him up alongside Ashton. He was far more lively as a result.

Now Ashton looks back to something like he was prior to his injury. He looks leaner and more keen, as if he has had a moment of realisation that he can be as good as we all hoped. Last few games he has been immense, I really mean that. He is the best striker we've had in over a decade imo and if he proves his long term fitness should get in the England squad over the summer. He offers something that no other England striker can at present. I am a big fan I admit, he's easily our best player when fit and sincerely hope to see him fighting fit and playing alongside Bellamy next season. Those two could cause defences all kinds of problems.

I've heard we may well get Luca Toni in the summer via the links our new DoF Nani has. I hope that Ashton does not move on. I'd be one unhappy hammer if he does...

[b12_simon]

If we have serious top 6 ambitions then Bullard isnt the man for Rovers!

I think he ticks the "improves the squad" box.

As for top 6, we have the ambition, lack the budget but still have as good a chance as some clubs that have spent way more than we have.

[Rathbone Market]

He'll never pass the medical tough, surely?

[EwoodGlory]

If we have serious top 6 ambitions then Bullard isnt the man for Rovers!

Agreed, I would much prefer someone like Tom Huddlestone or Fabrice Muamba over Bullard

[Hughesy]

I think he ticks the "improves the squad" box.

As for top 6, we have the ambition, lack the budget but still have as good a chance as some clubs that have spent way more than we have.

I think next season it would be a poor choice and the current climate at our club is to "Improve our starting 11" not the squad. Id be disapointed if we spent £3m of our budget on bullard, especially when Benni cost less and Roque only £800k more than that! Id much rather we spent it on someone alot younger.

As for that sears fella - he looks a real prospect, really lively and quick. Something we could do with coming up in our youth set-up.

[LeftWinger]

Fabrice Muamba over Bullard

Muamba has plenty of energy, but all the football skills of the Axe. Bullard is ten times the footballer.

[American]

I think his point (he stated that he could not travel 8 miles to get to his local game) was that there are many people, who have basically a choice of watching football on TV or no football at all - due to age, infirmity, unable to travel, can't afford to travel etc.

Rover supporters are all over the country, who often cannot afford the travel costs to get to the games. When it comes to priority family or football - then family has to come first - another reason why many do not go to live games.

No, no, no, no, no, you just don't get it. I have no problems with him paying to watch games. I have problems with him telling people to wise up and turn their backs on the Premier League because it has gotten too greedy, yet he gives them his hard earned money, which goes right back into the game and helps fund the greed he is so against. He preaches at the rest of us to turn our backs, why won't he?

Fife, I have nothing personal against you, I'm sure you are a great guy, but either stop with talking down to everyone, or stop with doing exactly what you preach to us not to do, supporting and helping sustain the greed.

[philipl]

He was getting a load of unwarranted stick. He looked really good when he first joined, got in the England squad and then had his ankle broken by Shaun W-P. Gutted. Was a bad break and was out all of last season. Unfortunately, too many dullards expected him to return like he had never been away. You could see he was carrying extra bulk and was not confident-apparently he had done a load of gym work whilst out and then had a 'disagreement' with the powers at be as to whether this extra bulk was a good idea. He didn't play too well and some were quick to moan. Having Carlton Cole play instead of him just made it worse as Cole, despite the fact he can't score, doesn't stop working. Therefore, some cited this apparent lack of effort as just cause to criticise him further. Curbishley did well in protecting him by only playing him sparingly. Ashton is also not at his best when playing completely isolated up front. He works much better with a smaller, quicker partner like Sears has shown or Bellamy (if he is ever fit!). He showed this last weekend when we subbed the waste if space Boa Morte for Sears and playd him up alongside Ashton. He was far more lively as a result.

Now Ashton looks back to something like he was prior to his injury. He looks leaner and more keen, as if he has had a moment of realisation that he can be as good as we all hoped. Last few games he has been immense, I really mean that. He is the best striker we've had in over a decade imo and if he proves his long term fitness should get in the England squad over the summer. He offers something that no other England striker can at present. I am a big fan I admit, he's easily our best player when fit and sincerely hope to see him fighting fit and playing alongside Bellamy next season. Those two could cause defences all kinds of problems.

I've heard we may well get Luca Toni in the summer via the links our new DoF Nani has. I hope that Ashton does not move on. I'd be one unhappy hammer if he does...

Thanks for your posts RM- always very interesting.

Your owner is repeatedly saying there is no money available and with the Icelandic economy melting, it is not altogether surprising- has he changed his mind with the Luca Toni link?

I believe that Ashton is very unhappy "only" being on £20K a week- is that true?

There are many Rovers fans who have been big fans of Ashton since his Crewe days. I have grown to appreciate Ashton and I agree with you, he is England's best forward now other than Rooney. If there are money issues at West Ham, I would be delighted if we went for Ashton.

[they_think_its_all_rover]

Deadline loans Nicko?

[Grabbi Graeme]

Stoke have signed Shola Ameobi on loan from the Toon

[herbergeehh]

Good Championship player, will probably bang in a few in a league like that.

[philipl]

Agreed- I'd say that is Stoke promoted for sure.

[nicko]

Agreed- I'd say that is Stoke promoted for sure.

Fair play to Stoke for spending the money...

But it is an awful lot for a player who rarely plays.

Loan fee over £100,000 plus wages. Big gamble.

Still, it's better that than nothing.

[philipl]

Not in the least bit surprised at those numbers and I guess Newcastle have a rapid release clause as well given their relegation battle.

[nicko]

Not in the least bit surprised at those numbers and I guess Newcastle have a rapid release clause as well given their relegation battle.

No, he goes, he stays and it's £3 million if they go up. The move for Pearson at Derby failed because they would not commit to a similar deal.

[Rathbone Market]

Thanks for your posts RM- always very interesting.

Your owner is repeatedly saying there is no money available and with the Icelandic economy melting, it is not altogether surprising- has he changed his mind with the Luca Toni link?

I believe that Ashton is very unhappy "only" being on £20K a week- is that true?

There are many Rovers fans who have been big fans of Ashton since his Crewe days. I have grown to appreciate Ashton and I agree with you, he is England's best forward now other than Rooney. If there are money issues at West Ham, I would be delighted if we went for Ashton.

As I understand it, our owner still retains massive wealth. He is a billionaire after all and I believe any losses should not adversely affect the club. In fact his son is even more wealthy. The interest he has in West Ham all revolves around moving to a new stadium. The new stadium would include shops, hotel perhaps, banquetting facilities etc and that is where he will make his money back. There has been talk of expanding Upton Park instead as we could easily fill 50k imo. However, he won't recoup his outlay if he does this so a move is inevitable really- the Olympics coming to London adds extra spice as the price of land and development will sky rocket.

What people at West Ham and other clubs seem to forget (or choose to ignore) is that these rich owners haven't taken over the club because they are mad fans of the club. They want to make money. The only exception to this would be Chelsea but then there is a good argument as to why Abramovich has ploughed so much money into Chelsea and it isn't down to his excellent accounting skills...or maybe it is? I suppose you had a similar thing with old Jack Walker but at least he was a fan in many respects and hasn't the money dried up now??

Anyway, with our owners clear ambition it will be interesting to see whether Curbishley keeps his job beyond the summer. I get a feeling he may be replaced or sent 'upstairs' and a foreignor come in. I have a sneaky feeling that AC will be told thanks for steadying the ship, here's a nice severance package- see ya. Our DoF Nani has very good links in Italy and was instrumental in Luca Toni's progression and subsequent success. Toni recently said in an interview that he would like to play in England. I do not think this is a co-incidence. We'll see- I'd still like Curbs to be given a proper shot at it next year when everyone is fit. On paper, we could have a great team. As an aside, I understand Eggert Magnusson was given the old tin tack as he was responsible for the likes of Ljungberg getting contracts that are ridiculous. His OTT claims regarding Champs League football have created an air of over-expectation that has made life difficult this season when all we really want is stability. I just hope to see the likes of Sears, Tomkins and Collison getting some playing time as the season ends. We've got nothing to play for really and this is an ideal opportunity to give these young hopefuls some experience for the future. Alongside Ferdinand and Noble we should be proud of the latest crop of academy boys that have made it thanks to Tony Carr-long term academy director who is a legend.

Finally, before I bore you all to death, back to Ashton. There does seem to be a personality clash with Ashton and Curbs. Ashton came out and said early on in his return to action that he was ready to play fully, was very fit etc. His performances didn't match up to this and he ended up sitting on the bench and Carlton Cole played. Ashton is a real strange one- he has real particular routines that he must keep to before games or he gets stressed. Things like he wears two socks on one foot and three on the other. He also wants to wear the same shorts and cycling shorts all the time. In fact, he even rooms on his own when we are away. A real complex character. Anyway, the fact he was sitting out clearly gave him the hump and this wasn't helped by the fact that he was carrying a lot of extra weight. As I said before, it wasn't really fat- he had been on the weights. This severely restricted his movement. The club told him to shift it- he didn't think he needed to and there was a stand-off of sorts. Now he is looking leaner and playing really rather well. Curbs has admitted that he doesn't really know how good Ashton is as Pardew bought him and he has never been fully fit during AC's time. Ashton will not leave for money issues imo- he will leave if the rumours of his poor relationship with AC are true...

[broadsword]

As I understand it, our owner still retains massive wealth. He is a billionaire after all and I believe any losses should not adversely affect the club. In fact his son is even more wealthy. The interest he has in West Ham all revolves around moving to a new stadium. The new stadium would include shops, hotel perhaps, banquetting facilities etc and that is where he will make his money back. There has been talk of expanding Upton Park instead as we could easily fill 50k imo. However, he won't recoup his outlay if he does this so a move is inevitable really- the Olympics coming to London adds extra spice as the price of land and development will sky rocket.

Question for you ... didn't you spend an absolute fortune on re-developing Upton Park?

[Rathbone Market]

Question for you ... didn't you spend an absolute fortune on re-developing Upton Park?

The previous regime did. Three out of four stands were developed. The West is sometimes jokingly called the 'Rio stand' as that is what the money from his sale was spent on, allegedly. We have these horrid, cardboard-looking towers at the front. Should be changed imo.