[Archived] Nickos Thread

[FourLaneBlue]

Don't know if this has been posted already, but it was on the BBC 6 O'clock news that Sven is to be sacked this summer. Yes that is the word it used "sacked" not resigned, or parting by mutual consent or anything else.

One word for it.......DISGRACEFUL!!!

Sven? Sod him.

A bit over a decade ago he said he would be at Ewood managing Rovers but he managed to get out of it when a better offer from Lazio came along. Then while still at Lazio he agreed to become England boss when his contract there ended...he still had nine months or so on his contract. Finally while at England how many meetings did he have meetings about other jobs? Ferguson said it was all but a done deal for Sven to go to United until he changed his mind about retiring.

I don´t see too much evidence of Eriksson being so loyal to his employers so why should Shinawatra be loyal to him if he doesn´t want him anymore?

[philipl]

A plague on both Sven and Thaksin so far as I am concerned.

[only2garners]

I can understand the sympathy for Sven and it does seem a bit too quick, but just one thought.

When Jack Walker wanted to win the title he got ruthless and appointed Kenny Dalglish. He had given Don Mackay just a few weeks. It took everybody's breath away, but it worked and nobody criticised him for it when it did..

Spin forward 15 years or so and we have the same situation.

If Shinawatra HAS the money then he is entitled to go and spend it on a boss who can deliver...and he doesn't fancy Sven.

It's a hard game and money talks.

Then maybe Frank's mistake was not to act on his instincts in September when you said he had doubts. 7 months of doubt can't have been conducive to a settled club.

[Ozz]

Most City fans I know think it's a bonkers decision if he pots SGE. Made progress very well they reckon. And Noel Gallagher, out of Oasis and a Man City fan thinks Shinawatara must be "Trippin'"!.

[only2garners]

LeChuck, hasn't Benjani already scored three goals for City, one being a match winner at his former club?

He was a panic buy, but I don't think it was a particularly bad one. That said, he'll probably be fourth choice striker by the end of the summer and the imminent £50 - 100m spending spree.

As far as I can see he's scored 2. In the same time Santa Cruz has 6, for a third of the price.

[RovertheHill]

I can understand the sympathy for Sven and it does seem a bit too quick, but just one thought.

When Jack Walker wanted to win the title he got ruthless and appointed Kenny Dalglish. He had given Don Mackay just a few weeks. It took everybody's breath away, but it worked and nobody criticised him for it when it did..

Spin forward 15 years or so and we have the same situation.

If Shinawatra HAS the money then he is entitled to go and spend it on a boss who can deliver...and he doesn't fancy Sven.

It's a hard game and money talks.

True, true and true. And I have little sympathy for anyone in football - they get handsomely rewarded in return for little or no loyalty and it's a 2 way street. However, from a footballing perspective, they have more points than they've had for 15 years less than one year on from a truly awful team under Pearce and have a very strong foundation upon which to build. The way this relates to Rovers is of more interest to me.

1) Hopefully Sven and the players will be already on their holidays so that's one position higher for us = more prize money

2) Of concern is that if a new top name manager comes in and starts throwing money around it will further inflate the market and make it even harder for Hughesy to compete

3) Does anyone still want a foreign "billionaire" investor as a benefactor for Rovers?

[simcla]

Nicko, I don't think you can compare Sven with Don Mackay. One of the biggest problems Mackay had was not being able to spend the money available..... I don't think you could say the same about Svennis!

[gumboots]

It's not Sven I feel sorry for. I couldn't care less if they sack him and he must have enough money stashed away not to need to work again. However, it does just seem a ridiculous decision from a football point of view. The guys not brilliant but he's probably as good as it gets at this moment for City.

[FourLaneBlue]

Whether or not it is a ridiculous decision or not depends on who Shinawatra manages to bring in to replace Sven.

[they_think_its_all_rover]

Heard a fascinating - but true - line on this today...Shinawatra started thinking Sven was the wrong man after Rovers beat City 1-0 back in September.

He was shocked to see how bad Bianchi and Garrido were, sacked the agent who brought them in, and told people he feared Sven was not the man.

It might have been a snap judgement, but maybe he was right. Bianchi was a huge mistake and Garrido nearly as bad.

Quite pleased to hear he saw it that way, I remember giving City an almighty doing in my match report next day and was accused of being harsh by some in Man City blue.

Funny old game.

I remember watching the game on holiday in Faliraki and thinking "Where the hell has Sven got this numpty from!??"

the guy was useless that game.

...as for when Sven was about to join Rovers as manager, I remember reading the paper at the time, a double page spread Sven interview, talking about Rovers, as a club and a team and a paragraph about how he thought Colin Hendry was one of the best defenders he'd ever seen.

(You don't need good judgement to work that out Sven boy!)

[philipl]

If SGE is going, I think it is probably good news for Rovers.

SGE came into the City job with no experience of English club management and had to spend quickly in a market where too much money was chasing too little talent. Elano, Corlucka and Petrov were class signings by anybody's standards and brought a breath of fresh air to the EPL where too many signings are re-cycled mediocrity if we are honest.

Roy Keane and Lawrie Sanchez are both far deeper rooted in the English club game and look at what their tens of millions didn't get them. Even 'Arry at Pompey has bought an ageing team which will need a lot of money to refresh sooner than later. So its not surprising that in spending quickly, SGE would bring in a dud or two- at least he didn't buy a team full of duds.

He also managed to sort out Bianchi (not a dud but equally not an EPL player) and sold him for nearly as much as he paid for him. Defoe was already snaffled so Benjani was as good as was available in the January transfer market (all those moaning about Rovers' inactivity please note). At something between £5m and £7.5m, he was better value than most of Sunderland's purchases in the last 12 months for example.

SGE got his rag tag mob to play way above themselves for half a season and deliver a City supporters' dream results of a double against the Mancs. That alone should have been enough to keep him in the hot seat and I must admit that I would have been very fearful of what an SGE armed with a £50m+ war chest this summer would have achieved with a whole transfer window to work with. They would have been top 4 challengers next season.

As it is, if its Big Phil, City are getting another manager of vast experience but facing an EPL learning curve. No doubt he will buy a mix of inspired exciting signings and complete duds and it is a roll of the dice as to where City will finish. He also has a volatile temprament and I'd give his half life with Thaksin at about the same length as SGE's if nicko is correct and SGE was emotionally out of the door as early as Rovers away (they were out-played and out-muscled by Rovers but they were 2nd in the EPL at the time!!!).

[CAPT KAYOS]

Sven? Sod him.

A bit over a decade ago he said he would be at Ewood managing Rovers but he managed to get out of it when a better offer from Lazio came along. Then while still at Lazio he agreed to become England boss when his contract there ended...he still had nine months or so on his contract. Finally while at England how many meetings did he have meetings about other jobs? Ferguson said it was all but a done deal for Sven to go to United until he changed his mind about retiring.

I don´t see too much evidence of Eriksson being so loyal to his employers so why should Shinawatra be loyal to him if he doesn´t want him anymore?

Totally agree - funny how things turn about face

From a football point of view - will probably be good for Rovers fpr next season at least

[PAFELL]

I can understand the sympathy for Sven and it does seem a bit too quick, but just one thought.

When Jack Walker wanted to win the title he got ruthless and appointed Kenny Dalglish. He had given Don Mackay just a few weeks. It took everybody's breath away, but it worked and nobody criticised him for it when it did..

Spin forward 15 years or so and we have the same situation.

If Shinawatra HAS the money then he is entitled to go and spend it on a boss who can deliver...and he doesn't fancy Sven.

It's a hard game and money talks.

Lets be honest the situation was different only because SGE could attract players to Man City - but could Don Mackay have done the same thing for Rovers that Dalglish did. Most the players Rovers signed for the prem title did so because of Dalglish's reputation and not for Blackburn Rovers. That is reality - the same is happening now - players sign because of Mark Hughes - not because of Blackburn Rovers.

A sacked football manager gets paid more than I could ever earn in a lifetime - it probable pays better getting the sack than being successful - madness.

[nicko]

1) Hopefully Sven and the players will be already on their holidays so that's one position higher for us = more prize money THEY HAVE BEEN FOR MOST OF THE LAST 2 MONTHS.

2) Of concern is that if a new top name manager comes in and starts throwing money around it will further inflate the market and make it even harder for Hughesy to compete YES, THAT WILL HAPPEN.

3) Does anyone still want a foreign "billionaire" investor as a benefactor for Rovers? YES. I WOULD RATHER HAVE A BUNDLE OF MONEY AND THE ABILITY TO SPEND WISELY RATHER THAN NOT MUCH MONEY AND THE ABILITY TO SPEND WISELY.

[nicko]

Then maybe Frank's mistake was not to act on his instincts in September when you said he had doubts. 7 months of doubt can't have been conducive to a settled club.

Frank DID act after that game, he binned the agent who had brought in some of the players and brought in another 'favoured' wheeler-dealer instead.

Sven was just the next casualty - and he gave him more time to work with the players which did not really work out. Their stand-outs are still those who were there before he arrived.

But, I repeat, one season is not enough to judge a manager.

On the Don Mackay comparison...I was comparing Jack Walker's drive to get it right quickly to Shinawatra's.

It's not THAT different.

If the Thai brings in a top boss - no matter the cost - and it pays off it would actually be identical.

[LeftWinger]

As far as I can see he's scored 2. In the same time Santa Cruz has 6, for a third of the price.

He's scored three - United, Portsmouth, Fulham.

But you're right on Roque being the better value.

[Earlydoors]

When Jack Walker wanted to win the title he got ruthless and appointed Kenny Dalglish. He had given Don Mackay just a few weeks.

Fair point but I don't think this is comparable. Like everyone else I had sympathy for Don but unfortunately he didn't have the profile to attract the names that Jack Walker's money could buy. Remember being ridiculed on Fantasy Football about attempts to buy Lineker ? I don't know the inside track but Dalglish lifted the profile of the club and helped attract top players, I don't think Ericksson suffers from that.

I think its both crazy and brilliant that Man City are imploding. It was obvious that would happen from the moment Frank got involved. I just hope it doesn't motivate their players for the last two games of the season.

I'm no ethical saint but I don't think anyone likes to see Dirty Money being successfully spent.

Now any chance we can get Richards and Petrov off them ?

[JAL]

Most the players Rovers signed for the prem title did so because of Dalglish's reputation and not for Blackburn Rovers. That is reality - the same is happening now - players sign because of Mark Hughes - not because of Blackburn Rovers.

Agree with the Dalglish bit, but disagree with the Mark Hughes bit, Rovers and Hughes go hand in hand quite possible one is weaker without the other but the name of Blackburn Rovers is an established club amongst the footballing elite of this country.

The stakes as in cash in the game may have been raised significantly for the trustees to pass on but we are still a top ten team in this country.

For me Blackburn Rovers are bigger than Mark Hughes.

[rover6]

Sven has a wider knowledge of continental footballers than most British managers.

Other than that, he has nothing to boast of. Man City, assuming they appoint a half-decent replacement, will be better off without the man who challenges George Bush in pathetic rhetoric.

He took Walcott to the World Cup in a f u gesture to the British media and then didn't have the guts to use him. And to make it worse, Sven patronises the fans by suggesting that he never intended to use Walcott and the whole palarver was an opportunity to give the boy squad 'experience' which will benefit him in his further career.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, if it happens and if you ask me...

[tony gale's mic]

Sven has a wider knowledge of continental footballers than most British managers.

Other than that, he has nothing to boast of. Man City, assuming they appoint a half-decent replacement, will be better off without the man who challenges George Bush in pathetic rhetoric.

He took Walcott to the World Cup in a f u gesture to the British media and then didn't have the guts to use him. And to make it worse, Sven patronises the fans by suggesting that he never intended to use Walcott and the whole palarver was an opportunity to give the boy squad 'experience' which will benefit him in his further career.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, if it happens and if you ask me...

I won't even bother listing just how many trophies he's won throughout his career.

Sure...nothing to boast of...

[ABBEY]

Sven has a wider knowledge of continental footballers than most British managers.

Other than that, he has nothing to boast of. Man City, assuming they appoint a half-decent replacement, will be better off without the man who challenges George Bush in pathetic rhetoric.

He took Walcott to the World Cup in a f u gesture to the British media and then didn't have the guts to use him. And to make it worse, Sven patronises the fans by suggesting that he never intended to use Walcott and the whole palarver was an opportunity to give the boy squad 'experience' which will benefit him in his further career.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, if it happens and if you ask me...

Most controversial point is surely Walcott's inclusion ahead of Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe.

I'm with Sven (believe it or not). He's been bold and Walcott, from what we hear, has that extra special ability to run with the ball that Defoe and Bent don't have. I'm really happy to see Lennon in and Walcott could be the secret weapon.

.

I just hope that you and Abbey and the others will have the guts to accept that you were so wrong when the time comes. I will be if I'm wrong but I am pretty sure that Sven has made the right move in including Walcott.

You (and others) have fallen into the trap of expecting a squad of the best English players based on the records rather than thinking of a squad of players capable of winning the World Cup.

[BuckyRover]

I won't even bother listing just how many trophies he's won throughout his career.

Sure...nothing to boast of...

There is no need. I have listed them on the previous page.

His record is (a lot) better than most.

I wonder if he will become Chelsea/Liverpool manager in the summer

[T4E]

Abs - Rover6 said that Sven was gutsy in taking Walcott when we were all under the impression he would actually give him a chance. It's the fact that he took Walcott and then didn't give him a single minute on the pitch that caused him (and many others) to call it a bad move. I have to say I agree.

[Eddie]

ouch ouch ouch...that's gotta hurt rover 6.

[rover6]

Precisely, T4E. I applauded the bold decision to take Walcott to the World Cup because the reports were that the guy had something special in him - the sort of pace and close-control that might be very useful thrown on late in a game. I thought that Sven had, for once, displayed a bit of mental strength and defied his staff and the media to follow his own plan.

However, what bewildered me was that Sven took this unique but raw talent to the World Cup but then bottled out of using him. Which just made the decision to include Walcott in the first place a total farce. Now we see what Walcott has, it is possible he may have been useful with his tremendous acceleration - but we never found out.

The Walcott Affair is just one of a number of ridiculous Sven-isms witnessed whilst he was in charge of ENgland. In Euro 2004, against Portugal, when Rooney went off injured and we needed someone tall and brawny to come on up front to hold the ball up and relieve the relentless pressure on the defence, Sven opted for the mighty Vassell over Emile Heskey. Heskey, of course, had conceded that Zidane free-kick and simply because of this, Sven binned him for the rest of the tournament.

Sven has an impressive CV but imo, he is another one of those people who has been gifted by extremely generous circumstances. He must have something to him - I have to admit. But I just can't see what. Napoleon would've loved him as a general.