[Archived] Nickos Thread

[nicko]

I reckon Villa will win the last two games because they have to in their bid to catch Everton and that would see them finish ahead of Arsenal.

If you were offered 8s for Villa to beat Wigan at home and West Ham away you would take it.

On the new trialist...

He would be cover just now but possibly a first-teamer in a year or so.

Never mentioned before to the best of my knowledge.

[T4E]

It said on betfair that goal difference doesn't count and dead heat rules apply. (I'm not exactly sure what they are but sure someone will around here)

Anyone?

[LeftWinger]

A quick check on ladbrokes site suggests:

Dead Heats

Dead heat is a term that generally describes when two participants in an event tie for first and second place. If a "dead-heat" is declared on any event, half the stake is applied to the selection at full odds and the other half is lost. If more than two "dead-heat", the stake is proportioned accordingly

Although I'm not sure how that will work with Betfair.

[T4E]

Well, if 5 teams finish on 96 I guess you would get 1/5 of your stake paid out at the odds you got.

[EwoodGlory]

Interesting market, i've not seen it before.

I have it as finishing:

Aston Villa +32 - 65 - 97

Everton +31 - 65 - 96

Arsenal +13 - 83 - 96

Blackburn +35 - 61 - 96

Man City +40 - 56 - 96

Portsmouth +36 - 58 - 94

Villa are currently 9.2.

[all you need is duff]

It's hard to call who's going to win the betfair handicap but I think City are a good team to lay; I don't think they'll get any more points this season.

[Lurid Coat]

But might slip his name out after the footie tonight.

.... *cough*

[herbergeehh]

Seconded.

[nicko]

Ivelin Popov, Liteks Lovech, capped twice by Bulgaria and only 20.

Sounds a prospect.

We shall see.

[herbergeehh]

Thanks!

Loving this, from his Wiki:

Ivelin Popov (Bulgarian: Ивелин Попов) (born 26 October 1987) is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for PFC Litex Lovech as a right midfielder/supporting striker. He is known for his outbursts on and off the field, as well as womanizing ways.

On October 28, 2006, Litex Lovech ordered him to get married in order to curb his volatile temper. [1]

[roversmum]

Now there's a name that can cause the imagination to run riot.

Still, at least the various commentators should make a better fist of it than they do Ooijer.

[EwoodGlory]

EDIT: Beaten to it.

[T4E]

Thanks!

Loving this, from his Wiki:

Was just about to post that myself. No mention of his personal best 100m time.....

[herbergeehh]

http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/ki...sid=574802.html

Sounds exciting. How far has this come, Nicko?

[Fife Rover]

http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/ki...sid=574802.html

Sounds exciting. How far has this come, Nicko?

Sounds like a real test of Hughes' man management abilities. Also just wondering how this is going to help Rovers recent slight improvement in the way the rest of PL teams and supporters see us. To say nothing of the ref's and the media.

[EwoodGlory]

He was set for a trial at Derby in January according to this.

Meanwhile, boss Paul Jewell is looking to add more new faces to his squad, with Bulgarian Under-21 duo Ivelin Popov and Ivan Ivanov to fly in for trials with the Rams this week.

Linkage

Then this.

Bulgarian Under-21 internationals Ivelin Popov and Ivan Ivanov will not be coming on trial.

They were expected to arrive earlier this week but their flight from Bulgaria had been cancelled due to snow.

[herbergeehh]

I'm guessing they saw this:

20 Derby 36 -63 11

[EwoodGlory]

Or maybe the women weren't up to standard there.

[American]

To paraphrase an Austin Powers name: I. Humpalot.

[philipl]

Good article about the Premiership's good and proper criteria for owning football clubs. It spells out that the only people investing in the eddie sense (ie putting money in to lose it) are people buying political favour.

The debate from readers underneath raises some good points. The one pointing out that Thaksin cannot abide anyone who takes the limelight away from him is a very good one- he presumably thought that appointing SGE would put himself in a good light but the relationship between SGE and the British public through the media is a long and complex one. It was always going to be SGE's City even though the Swede played it is quietly and low-keyed as he always did.

[nicko]

http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/ki...sid=574802.html

Sounds exciting. How far has this come, Nicko?

I understand he has been here for a couple of days, I would imagine a few days more - with training and possibly even a closed-door game to assess him.

The fact he has made the full national side suggests he should be taken seriously. But I know nothing about him apart from his basic background.

[T4E]

A news article on Uefa.com actually corroborates the marriage order story. He looks like a real handful - could be fun!

On a side note, anyone know the reason for an increased Rovers presence in the Bulgarian market? Thats the second relatively unknown Bulgarian we've had in for trial in the last few months.

[tony gale's mic]

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.

Generous circumstances like having a load of semi-pro players at IFK and still winning the UEFA cup, League and Swedish cup in the same season you mean?

Or do you mean a succession of extremely generous circumstances at Benfica, Lazio and Roma?

He also did a good job at City in his first season, it's not like he was the only manager splashing the cash and was a litle unlucky with injuries etc.

[RevidgeBlue]

He also did a good job at City in his first season, it's not like he was the only manager splashing the cash and was a litle unlucky with injuries etc.

In my view the second half of the season exposed Sven as the extremely average manager he is, they didn't even look the part early on when they were somehow winning. What could Mark Hughes do with 50m?

I suppose next season will be the acid test after a full close season. Although if he survives and is given another 50m to spend I'd expect them to be knocking about top six tbh.

[nicko]

On a side note, anyone know the reason for an increased Rovers presence in the Bulgarian market? Thats the second relatively unknown Bulgarian we've had in for trial in the last few months.

Cheapov and Cheerfulski.