[Archived] Nickos Thread

[BuckyRover]

I would love for us to sign Diouf. He can play on the wing or up front and has a bit of pace about him.

Exactly what we need. Him and Bentley could swap positions quite effectively.

We are in the market for quality players, not role models. Plus his behaviour seems to have improved.

[joey_big_nose]

The problem i would have is Huddlestone doesn't really get forward much from what i've seen. Having Vogel and Huddlestone in the same team would leave us too deep in central midfield. If we can find an attacking midfielder to play alongside the more defensive Vogel it would add a real balance to our team, plus i reckon it would benefit our strikers, especially if we play a 4-4-2 as they would get support from midfield centrally.

This depends on what Hughes thinks our future is with Reid and Dunn. Both of them are players who like to drive forward into the final third, indeed they are both pretty average if they are not allowed to do it. If Sparky feels both have a future at Rovers it would be sensible to sign Huddlestone or someone similar as we would then have two deep CMs (Vogel and Huddlestone) and two forward CMs (Dunn and Reid). If we signed Bradley then we would be looking at the possibility of losing Vogel to injury or suspension and having no replacement forcing us to, as with this season, keep players deep who don't like it. Or play the dreaded axe.

For my money I would like both Huddleston and Bradley to turn up at Ewood and to ship Mokoena out. Then we would have a great set of central midfield options. Add a (very) fast left winger/striker and we would be laughing.

Issue is, of course, money and whether we can fight off the enormous competition that will take place.

[joey_big_nose]

I could actually see us signing Diouf. Sort of person Hughes goes after. Bit of an idiot but undoubtably very talented.

Won't be popular with the fans though....

[nicko]

Toys back in pram, dummies back in mouths, sweat off brow...

Just checked with Bolton - and there is NO deal or contact from Rovers regarding Diouf.

[RibbleValleyRover]

This depends on what Hughes thinks our future is with Reid and Dunn. Both of them are players who like to drive forward into the final third, indeed they are both pretty average if they are not allowed to do it. If Sparky feels both have a future at Rovers it would be sensible to sign Huddlestone or someone similar as we would then have two deep CMs (Vogel and Huddlestone) and two forward CMs (Dunn and Reid). If we signed Bradley then we would be looking at the possibility of losing Vogel to injury or suspension and having no replacement forcing us to, as with this season, keep players deep who don't like it. Or play the dreaded axe.

For my money I would like both Huddleston and Bradley to turn up at Ewood and to ship Mokoena out. Then we would have a great set of central midfield options. Add a (very) fast left winger/striker and we would be laughing.

Issue is, of course, money and whether we can fight off the enormous competition that will take place.

I'd give both Reidy and Dunny the chance to play in a 442 where one of them is allowed the freedom to go forward and let Vogel sit back. It worked with Reidy and Savage when we made sixth. But at the same time i would like to bring someone in who can also do it, Bradley for me seems to perfect choice. I agree Mokoena has to go.

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Huddlestone as long as we don't play Vogel and Huddlestone together as i just cannot see it working effectively.

Midfield options of:

Reidy

Dunny

Vogel

Huddlestone?

Bradley?

Would be fantastic, but i can't see us getting either of them.

[thenodrog]

Says in todays paper that when his contract ends he will of cost liverpool the same as £155k per game

Good! The usual Liverpool tactic of hoovering up players on the cheap through dodgy contract issues (rem Bellamy?) saw them scam LUFC for his signature at a dodgily discounted rate. They thought they were the cat that got the cream until Kewell turned into a serial glassback and as the above figure shows it's since cost em BIG. Couldn't happen to a nicer club.

No doubt it's the long term effect of em getting stiffed by MacManaman and Real thats made them so eager to pay attention to the small print.

[Ronin]

With Everton being linked to every midfielder it seems and numerous other clubs looking to strengthen in midfield it looks like we may have to rely on another Sparky bargain or an unknown player. Thats if one is to be found of course

We've already found one in Vogel, so hopefully we can pick up another or so.

[LeftWinger]

Good! The usual Liverpool tactic of hoovering up players on the cheap through dodgy contract issues (rem Bellamy?) saw them scam LUFC for his signature at a dodgily discounted rate.

I agree. I remember at the time arguing that Duff was better than Kewell. People just said that it was hard to choose between the two, but Kewell was much better value than Duff. Turns out they were wrong on that too!

[RibbleValleyRover]

We've already found one in Vogel, so hopefully we can pick up another or so.

I hope so, though there is always the chance that some seasons it may be impossible for Sparky to find that hidden gem or bargain.

[Mozzer]

nicko..are we still interested in huddlestone???

how many central midfielders would mark hughes like to bring in???

[RibbleValleyRover]

Nicko any news on who is in pole position to buy the overrated Berbatov?

Apparently he didn't turn up to the new kit launch, so the press are of the assumption he is definately going.

[thenodrog]

Nicko any news on who is in pole position to buy the overrated Berbatov?

Apparently he didn't turn up to the new kit launch, so the press are of the assumption he is definately going.

Benny Macarthy hasn't turned up for anything recently yet he's supposed to have signed a new contract. Somebody on here said after the sulks of the WHU away match that he wouldn't start a match again this season.... looks like they were spot on.

[joey_big_nose]

Benny Macarthy hasn't turned up for anything recently yet he's supposed to have signed a new contract. Somebody on here said after the sulks of the WHU away match that he wouldn't start a match again this season.... looks like they were spot on.

I think that has got more to do with Roberts being excellent than McCarthy sulking.

It is a shame we did not make more use of Roberts earlier in the season.

[modes98]

I think that has got more to do with Roberts being excellent than McCarthy sulking.

Also that Benni picked up a hamstring injury in training. As I said before Roberts couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo, the ones he manages to get in are the ones he mishits or take deflections. Shame because other than that i really like his play, but imo not a viable long term option as a striker for a team looking at pushing for europe next season.

[LeftWinger]

What I don't understand is how some players can be as bad a finisher as Roberts is.

He trains every day and has been playing for over 10 years - yet for some reason when faced with a one-on-one he looks clueless.

It's not just Roberts - there are plenty of others out there guilty of it.

[USABlue]

Nicko am being told by a chap at work that a deal for Diouf is all but done but it hinges on sundays results, he claims to have this on very good authority and in fairness is usually right about these things any truth?

Rovers signing Diouf? I would be totally amazed...and that's in black and white to be chucked back at me.

And I would be totally sick, can't stand the bloke. Don't care how good he might be in this case I'd rather Rovers steer well clear.

[USABlue]

Kuyts awful at times, all he has going for him is that he's a workhorse, the fact they made him a winger because he had so little composure up front says it all.

If you believe rumours Liverpool are going a bit overboard with what they're offering us, I heard Peter Crouch and Yossi Benayoun for Barry...I know they want rid of one of them but still. To be honest I love Barry but Crouch and Benayoun wouldn't be a bad deal if the worst was confirmed and he asked to leave...obviously want to keep him though.

Not a bad offer if you ask me, big fan of Benayoun and don't think Crouch is half bad either.

[Hughesy]

I hope your right

Nicko am being told by a chap at work that a deal for Diouf is all but done but it hinges on sundays results, he claims to have this on very good authority and in fairness is usually right about these things any truth?

Agree totally, useful as a winger on either wing or in a hole behind the front 2 or even upfront if short. Dont like him as a person, but then again nobody liked Savage before he joined us.

I would love for us to sign Diouf. He can play on the wing or up front and has a bit of pace about him.

Exactly what we need. Him and Bentley could swap positions quite effectively.

We are in the market for quality players, not role models. Plus his behaviour seems to have improved.

[Eddie]

There's a difference between Savage and Diouf though, one is annoying, the other is simply not nice. Having said that, he's certainly a good player, I think we could still do better, but if we are limited in terms of options I wouldn't be horribly unhappy if we signed him.

[MarkBRFC]

I want us to sign Diouf, just to see the reactions of the drama queens on here "i wont ever go again while he's here" bla bla bla.

Could make for a entertaining summer

[Iceman]

at least if we keep Moko,and Diouf and Benni then im sure teams will be fearing us,with a few tough tackles going....lol

[Eddie]

Wouldn't class Benni as a tough tackler and Mokoena can't exactly put in the hard challenges from the bench...

[deryck guyler's spoon]

at least if we keep Moko,and Diouf and Benni then im sure teams will be fearing us,with a few tough tackles going....lol

Nicko posted at the top of the page to the effect that there is nothing in that odious creep coming to Ewood. That'll do me.

[Iceman]

Some awful looking kits here...

http://soccerlens.com/euro-2008-kits/5079/

[gumboots]

I actually always quite liked Savage in the way that I also like some of the bad boys at school. They are irritating but if you can get them on your side they work like mad for you. Diouf is like the one you are just waiting to see permanently excluded because you can't see anyone being able to get him on their side to the extent that he becomes a pleasant person. And no, I definitely wouldn't go to Ewood if he signed for us. Good job Nicko says it's not on the horizon as I don't want to have wasted £300!