[Archived] Nickos Thread

[Flopsy]

whats going on with Ashton? Has curbs started playing him?

[iamarover]

Betting on Celtic. Is Strachan really going Nicko? This story reckons O'Leary is in the frame (!?)

http://www.bettingpro.com/category/Footbal...anager-Betting/

More worryingly, Moyes is poised at No.3. Judging by the disastrous performance from Everton last night, he has a whole lot of work to do there to even repeat this years arguable over achievement. With a new ground looming, big cash must be in short supply, so he could be tempted by Champs Lge etc.

I say worryingly, because this would open up one of Sparky's ex clubs.

I think he would go.

All conjecture of course but would Celtic really go for O'Dreary ahead of Moyes should Strachan be bounced as the fans are demanding?

[rovers_rob]

The manager said that he would be in for Scholes and Giggs if they ever became available. He was asked a straight question and gave a straight answer.

It's not as crazy an idea as you might think. He played with both and will have their respect.

Scholes may get phased out next season, Giggs is also being squeezed a little by Nani and the like.

I think both are the type of pro who would not settle for just picking up a wage and doing nothing...

It's also a reasonable thought geographically as both have young families and are settled in the area.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it is certainly not something you would dismiss. It would also put bums on seats which has to be a consideration.

I could be way of the mark here but was Paul Scholes offered to us in a part exchange deal for Shearer just before he joined newcastle in 96 ?

[nicko]

On Celtic.

Benfica want Strachan. There has been an unofficial approach. It would suit everyone if this happened as I think he is fed up with the hassle up there and Celtic would not mind a change either. Whether he fancies Benfica remains to be seen.

Celtic and O'Leary has been buzzing around for a couple of days. I made a acouple of checks and know that O'Leary is close to the Celtic money men but is not so keen on moving to Glasgow.

If Strachan goes - and I woild think that is likely one way or another - I would imagine Mowbray, Moyes and Collins would all be in the frame.

However I would not dismiss O'Leary because of the Irish connections. Money was going on it yesterday and that makes me wonder too. Money talks in more ways than one.

[USABlue]

Scholes may get phased out next season, Giggs is also being squeezed a little by Nani and the like.

You think so nicko? When I've seen Scholes this season he has looked pretty damned good

[joey_big_nose]

I would say the likeliest order of midfield priorities just now is: Bradley if the manager gives it the go-ahead - Huddlestone a bit hard to get - Soares [maybe] but only as a squad option not a starter.

Some interesting stuff from the presser today. A couple of names got kicked around. Have to keep for the morning for obvious reasons.

I have to stress these two are in the 'would like to sign if they were possible' category and NOT certain targets. But you never know.

I we could buy Huddlestone and Bradley that would be sensational. But it would also probably be all of our budget....

Scholes and Giggs are decent shouts. Scholes is the sort of player who could go for a long time in his new deeper role. Really would be a genuine replcement for Tugay. On the other hand surely both their wages would be massive for players who would not be central to our team.

We shall see.

[nicko]

You think so nicko? When I've seen Scholes this season he has looked pretty damned good

Scholes is still excellent but the arrival of Anderson is the beginning of the end for him. I would take him in a minute if there was a chance. The quality of his play would bring out the best in others.

I'm stunned that anyone would even think twice about Scholes and Giggs, these are still world-class operators.

If - and it really is an if - they became fed up with their lot you would take them in a heartbeat.

[iamarover]

On Celtic.

Benfica want Strachan. There has been an unofficial approach. It would suit everyone if this happened as I think he is fed up with the hassle up there and Celtic would not mind a change either. Whether he fancies Benfica remains to be seen.

Celtic and O'Leary has been buzzing around for a couple of days. I made a acouple of checks and know that O'Leary is close to the Celtic money men but is not so keen on moving to Glasgow.

If Strachan goes - and I woild think that is likely one way or another - I would imagine Mowbray, Moyes and Collins would all be in the frame.

However I would not dismiss O'Leary because of the Irish connections. Money was going on it yesterday and that makes me wonder too. Money talks in more ways than one.

Hmm if I wasnt a Rover, a cheeky double on Moyes/Hughes would be a runner. You cant bet against your own though. Can't see Mowbray justifying the leap from Championship to Champions League, and Collins is green in more ways than one. Oh and Moyes has the right colour of hair.

Maybe a Moyes/Hughes/Shearer treble all by August. Would pay the poolside beers.

[nicko]

Mowbray is loved by Celtic on and off the pitch. He also has a major ally behind the scenes.

Moyes has got the CV now and might see it as a better move than trying to patch up an Everton team that I think is heading for problems.

Collins plays it the right way and is well-liked at Celtic.

Any one of those three would do the job...

I don't fancy O'Leary, never knew what he actually did at Leeds, but it's not really down to me.

[ABBEY]

had a txt off my scouse mate last night saying relegation beckons next season.....its not just us then haha

[Hughesy]

Relegation for who? If he means us, is your mate a retard??! Sunderland, Boro, survivor of Bolton/ Birmingham, Reading and the 3 that come up all will struggle before us.

had a txt off my scouse mate last night saying relegation beckons next season.....its not just us then haha

[philipl]

If Southgate is actually learning and improving, Boro could be pretty good next season with Alves and Mido back from injury and if he finds a way to accommodate Johnson and Downing.

[ABBEY]

Relegation for who? If he means us, is your mate a retard??! Sunderland, Boro, survivor of Bolton/ Birmingham, Reading and the 3 that come up all will struggle before us.

for them.....season ticket holder for many years...

[joey_big_nose]

for them.....season ticket holder for many years...

I don't understand. They lost against Chelsea and they are fifth in the table...

[philipl]

I don't understand. They lost against Chelsea and they are fifth in the table...

Its as rational as many of the hangdog posts on here.

[Mozzer]

if giggs and scholes ever became available we would have a damn good chance of getting them..

1 the mark hughes factor

2 neither player would have to move from their homes

anderson and nani are coming through-both look brilliant prospects, so you never know..it could happen..

[EwoodGlory]

If Southgate is actually learning and improving, Boro could be pretty good next season with Alves and Mido back from injury and if he finds a way to accommodate Johnson and Downing.

I agree, he's looking like a good manager already and if he improves next season they could do quite well.

Alves will be good, and if he can Mido fully fit for the start of the season they could bang the goals in, Aliadiere is a good player and Tuncay is a good backup for them.

Downing, Johnson, Arca and ONeil are all decent and I like Rochemback, but he might be off, plus the defence seems quite solid.

I mentioned it in the pub the other night, and all my mates who support Newcastle just laughed, so I have a £10 bet on with 4 of them that Boro will finish above them next year.

[joey_big_nose]

Scholes is still excellent but the arrival of Anderson is the beginning of the end for him. I would take him in a minute if there was a chance. The quality of his play would bring out the best in others.

I'm stunned that anyone would even think twice about Scholes and Giggs, these are still world-class operators.

If - and it really is an if - they became fed up with their lot you would take them in a heartbeat.

I don't know about that. THey are 34. They will be on massive money (it's not like Tugay who we can afford to only play a certain number of games). Both have never played outside of United.

I would say it would have to closely depend on the wages they were after and the length of the contract. Brilliant players certainly but the fall from the top of your game can be a quick and sharp one. Saying that Zola was excellent till he was 36ish, as was Bergkamp. Shearer was winding down at 35.

[Lurid Coat]

I have a feeling that Giggs and Scholes would rather retire than join Rovers (or any other club, for that matter), considering they're pretty much modern day United icons.

[Hughesy]

Id take Scholes any day, but not Giggs. I know quite a few Manc fans and he has come in for some real stick this season with his displays.

Many feel that Scholes and Giggs need to move on to allow the younger players to progress and to be honest I dont think they would miss either. Scholes for us could be a cracking player, but not for a big fee!

[deryck guyler's spoon]

On Celtic.

Benfica want Strachan. There has been an unofficial approach. It would suit everyone if this happened as I think he is fed up with the hassle up there and Celtic would not mind a change either. Whether he fancies Benfica remains to be seen.

Celtic and O'Leary has been buzzing around for a couple of days. I made a acouple of checks and know that O'Leary is close to the Celtic money men but is not so keen on moving to Glasgow.

If Strachan goes - and I woild think that is likely one way or another - I would imagine Mowbray, Moyes and Collins would all be in the frame.

However I would not dismiss O'Leary because of the Irish connections. Money was going on it yesterday and that makes me wonder too. Money talks in more ways than one.

Wee Gordon dosn't have "Sellick dna".

A mate of yours not a million miles away would "tick the right boxes" and might have been in with a shout had he not been saddled with a mediocre squad and a sh*t club.

[tcj_jones]

Scholes and Giggs would be on massive wages and with both still putting in top quality performances for arguably the best team in the world, I cannot see them being phased out for at least another season yet. By that time, they would be 35/36 and their fitness probably wouldn't allow them to play any more than 2/3 of the Premier League campaign.

I can see both having useful roles within the United squad right up until their retirement and can see them ending their careers with the club.

[Fife Rover]

Yeah, that would two on our subs bench!!

How old was Adrew Cole?

[Fife Rover]

Mowbray is loved by Celtic on and off the pitch. He also has a major ally behind the scenes.

Moyes has got the CV now and might see it as a better move than trying to patch up an Everton team that I think is heading for problems.

Collins plays it the right way and is well-liked at Celtic.

Any one of those three would do the job...

I don't fancy O'Leary, never knew what he actually did at Leeds, but it's not really down to me.

He seemed to do OK last time he was at Celtic.

[nicko]

How old was Adrew Cole?

He was 30 years and 2 months roughly when he joined Rovers.