[Archived] Nickos Thread

[LeChuck]

Sidwell was pretty highly rated, nationally probably at about the same level that Bentley is now.

I'm sorry Eddie but that is not true at all, Bentley has received a lot of hype and attention (especially when he put in a great performance for England against the Swiss). Sidwell was seen as a decent player, but no-one was suggesting he should play for England or even get near the squad. The only reason he ended up at Chelsea was because he went on a Bosman, so Chelsea could improve squad depth without having to spend money (Pizarro and Ben Haim also joined for exactly the same reasons).

[Boz]

I could very much see Bents slotting into United's team. The closest British player in style to Beckham whose sale following his fall out, had an impact on United's subsequent performances. With Ronaldo on the left and Bents on the right, providing the ammo for Rooney, it sounds fairly tasty to me. Similarly Bents's ball retention is a major improvement to his game, something lacking for Man U last night as they continually gave the ball away. A good age, a British player, well connected between the managers and most importantly for franchise he sells shirts!

[philipl]

It is worth remembering that Sidwell who at 25 is two years older than Bentley also moved on from Arsenal for want of first team opportunities. If I remember correctly, Mclaren picked Sidwell in the England senior squad- certainly there was a clamour for him to be included.

At Chelsea, he has become the new Scott Parker and didn't even get nominated for Chelsea's 23 players allowed to be picked in Champions League games.

There is absolutely no sign of Man U having any interest in signing Bentley.

Eddie, there were other posters I had in mind when I was arguing against selling Bentley to buy identikit bottom 16 midfield replacements.

[modes98]

I could very much see Bents slotting into United's team.

The issue is whether they need him. Ronaldo, Nani, Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, Hargreaves, Carrick and you could probably throw Rooney in as a AM.

I agree he is the closest thing to beckham in a while.

[joey_big_nose]

The issue is whether they need him. Ronaldo, Nani, Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, Hargreaves, Carrick and you could probably throw Rooney in as a AM.

I agree he is the closest thing to beckham in a while.

To be honest in the United system he would play in the front three (theres no way he could be a water carrier in the middle three, he is a final third player) so he would have tocompete with: Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Park, Rooney, Saha or Anderson. Out of those he is only better than Park. I doubt he would get many games.

Plus he lacks pace which every forward player at Utd has. I can't see Ferguson being interested. But then he bought Carrick out of nowhere so you never know.

Liverpool for my money will be the ones interested. Chelsea maybe as well becuase they are daft but for his own sake I hope he doesn't go there and destroy his career.

[roversmum]

He'll not get £60,000 at Liverpool

[Dunnfc]

I could imagine Neill going skitz if he did though.

[Boz]

Which I'm sure Ferguson would not want a repeat of. Linking Bentley to Man Utd is just laughable to be honest.

I’m not linking Bentley to Man Utd.

Just commenting on an earlier posting stating that he was totally unsuited with them. In my opinion I could see him slotting in as described. But that is just my opinion, although also one shared with a number of associates who are big United followers. The main opinion is of course that of SAF and if he does show any interest then that is indeed where he will end up.

[rog of the rovers]

Isn't Lucash on his way out of the Boleyn Ground anyway?

[T4E]

Every player has their price. If you want to lose the most creative player for the sake of a few extra pennies a week, then fair enough but that doesn't follow along with Hughes' policy of trying to strengthen the team, rather than pull it apart.

Bentley will move on but he has a contract with us for 3 more years at his current wage. If we got him to sign a new 4 year deal at the higher wage it would put us in a much better position to hold out for a greater fee come summer 2009, when he will most likely look to move.

A few extra pennies? What sort of pay rise would you estimate £60k per week to represent to Bentley? Its a bit more than a few extra pennies.

Every player does have their price - which is exactly why many players are out of our reach - their prices are above our means.

[AggyBlue]

this is not about money.

its about playing in the champions league for a guy who has more ambition than any other player in our team.

You're right, to cement his England future.

Capello picked Bentley this year on the back of his PL performances for Rovers, not because of his contribution in any European competition. He doesn't need to move to get picked for England.

I thought Capello intimated he wants England players playing in European competions, ideally the Champions league.

I'm sure Bentley is desperate to be involved in the next World Cup Campaign.

[EwoodGlory]

Nicko, are Newcastle really close to getting Modric? I thought someone else, like Chelsea or Arsenal would have entered the race by now.

The paper up here says the fee will be around £20m! and he has already visited the club.

[nicko]

Nicko, are Newcastle really close to getting Modric? I thought someone else, like Chelsea or Arsenal would have entered the race by now.

The paper up here says the fee will be around £20m! and he has already visited the club.

Mike Ashley has the money if he wants to spend it.

Modric is a cracking player, so I can see why they want him.

Plus - if you are Modric and his agent - you would be happy to go to Newcastle for talks and make all of the other potential bidders and talkers come up with the dough.

It's obviously game on in that particular chase.

[EwoodGlory]

Thanks, it will be tough next season if teams below us are chasing / buying players like that.

I think he would fit in nicely at Arsenal.

[modes98]

A few extra pennies? What sort of pay rise would you estimate £60k per week to represent to Bentley? Its a bit more than a few extra pennies.

Every player does have their price - which is exactly why many players are out of our reach - their prices are above our means.

When you look at the numbers involved in football this is a small pay increase. Granted it's massive to us mere mortals but this is a world in which Bentley would easily get that wage and probably more if he moved. Plus I imagine a large proportion would be bonus/target related.

Get rid of Mokoena, his wages will fund it, after his bumper contract recently.

[bellamy11]

I also read that "He uses both feet to play", which is quite handy really as if you only played with one foot then you wouldn't really get far in my opinion.

Oh I don't know. John Arne Riise has won the Champions League!

[DanLad]

Ashley probably looked him up on Wikipedia (like I did just now) and was impressed with Modric's comment that "someone who can play in the Bosnian league can play anywhere". I also read that "He uses both feet to play", which is quite handy really as if you only played with one foot then you wouldn't really get far in my opinion. So yes, definitely worth the £20m

Oh! Woe! 2 feet you say? How can we compete?

;-)

[nicko]

It will be tough next season if teams below us are chasing / buying players like that.

I think he would fit in nicely at Arsenal.

It's a fair point.

If you look at the teams around Rovers I think there will be quite a bit of spending going on.

ASTON VILLA - James Milner, possibly Pascal Chimbonda, maybe Daniel van Buyten and a new keeper.

MANCHESTER CITY - any Brazlian going, Jo looks likely, don't write off the Ronaldinho thing.

PORTSMOUTH - three biggies they reckon, possibly including Peter Crouch.

NEWCASTLE - several if Kevin Keegan and Dennis Wise can agree. I'm sure KK knows nothing about Modric. I think they will get Gomis from St.Etienne who is a monster.

TOTTENHAM - many Spaniards.

I think EVERTON will have to rebuild but find it hard and WEST HAM seem in a bit of a cash crisis.

So a top-half finish will be a stretch and maybe even an impossibility without three or four new faces for the squad.

[EwoodGlory]

Lets hope we get some investment, and soon.

Do you think there is any chance of us going for Chimbonda?

I can't really think of any other decent right-backs we can go for.

[nicko]

Lets hope we get some investment, and soon.

Do you think there is any chance of us going for Chimbonda?

I can't really think of any other decent right-backs we can go for.

There was a chance to take Chimbonda in January, but it was passed up...

[philipl]

There was a chance to take Chimbonda in January, but it was passed up...

Thankfully

[Earlydoors]

There was a chance to take Chimbonda in January, but it was passed up...

Please God no...He's not a Blackburn player is he ? He wears gloves for f***'s sake.

Attitude is more important than ability and a lot cheaper too.

[EwoodGlory]

We should of took him in a shot. If I remember rightly, a few clubs could have had him on loan on deadline day?

Would have been a hell of a lot better than Ooijer or Emerton.

I'm not quite sure why he gets so much stick with regards to his attitude, it doesn't seem to effect his game.

[AggyBlue]

I'm not quite sure why he gets so much stick with regards to his attitude, it doesn't seem to effect his game.

Only using his right foot when picked to play left side certainly did effect his game.

Do we really need a player that makes these sort of jestures when picked out of position?

[LeChuck]

Only using his right foot when picked to play left side certainly did effect his game.

Do we really need a player that makes these sort of jestures when picked out of position?

Are you genuinely saying he is deliberately avoiding his left foot to make a protest about being played out of position?! I've scanned for sarcasm and I can't find any, but I apologise if I've missed it. If it is serious though, I'm flabbergasted. A lot of one footed players play on the 'wrong' side. i.e. Babel hardly ever uses his left foot but plays on the left.