[Archived] Nickos Thread

[they_think_its_all_rover]

Any further interest in Santa Cruz from Man Utd?

Just read on a forum today, someone saying "Just been on Sky, Man Utd are after Santa Cruz".

Any Swedish people on here?

possibly be able to tell me if there is any truth in Hull City looking at Jan Tauer from Djurgardens, and if he's any good?

[OJRovers]

A lot of people have been talking about us signing a central midfield player, and I agree that we could do with one quality player in there (either Huddlestone or Sidwell if we possibly could).

I personally think we need someone to put MGP under pressure for his place - he has played every game even though his form has been poor to average at best. I'm also part of the pro-Diouf side too, although I don't like him, I think he is a tricky player and would give us a bit of pace which we lack in midfield/attack.

[LeChuck]

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.

It really puzzles me as well. Although having said that, obviously the BBC disagrees:

Jason Roberts' one-on-one attacking 'masterclass' video.

I can't recall using many things from that video in a match, especially his 'rounding the keeper' tricks.

[Ronin]

Any further interest in Santa Cruz from Man Utd?

Just read on a forum today, someone saying "Just been on Sky, Man Utd are after Santa Cruz".

Any Swedish people on here?

possibly be able to tell me if there is any truth in Hull City looking at Jan Tauer from Djurgardens, and if he's any good?

Saw this morning on SSN the short interview they had with Santa Cruz, said he's more than happy with being at Rovers and not looking to move away. I'm not worried, especially as I consider that Berbatov will be off to OT than Santa Cruz.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Saw this morning on SSN the short interview they had with Santa Cruz, said he's more than happy with being at Rovers and not looking to move away. I'm not worried, especially as I consider that Berbatov will be off to OT than Santa Cruz.

Can't see Santa Cruz leaving either. I would be suprised if Berbatov goes to Man United as he doesn't really fit into their playing style. I would have thought United would be looking for a pacey striker like Benzeama.

[Ronin]

True, but I guess it'd be a case of RFW believing the hype about Berbatov. The off season will be an interesting couple of months once again, as to who goes where.

[Eddie]

United are obviously in the hunt for a centre forward of some type. I still think a lot of teams would be put off by Santa Cruz's injury record. He's made it through this season pretty much unscathed, but spending big money (and he's have to be at least 10 million now) for a player of only 26 with a list of injuries like the one he has would be slightly foolish in many ways, at least I'm hoping that is how people see it.

[Eddie]

True, but I guess it'd be a case of RFW believing the hype about Berbatov.

I don't fully understand why some on here seem to think Berbatov is overhyped and overrated. He hasn't had a great season, but I would say that is mainly down to his heart not being in it, his skill cannot be doubted. He would do very well at a club like United, the only thing for me is that I don't think he would justify the price-tag, but then I don't believe that any player is worth the amounts of money being quoted.

[RibbleValleyRover]

United are obviously in the hunt for a centre forward of some type. I still think a lot of teams would be put off by Santa Cruz's injury record. He's made it through this season pretty much unscathed, but spending big money (and he's have to be at least 10 million now) for a player of only 26 with a list of injuries like the one he has would be slightly foolish in many ways, at least I'm hoping that is how people see it.

I could see Roque picking up injuries quite often if he moved to United or another club where he spent a large amount of time on the bench. I think its been proven this season what playing week in week out has done for Roque especially when you consider his record at Bayern Munich.

In terms of Berbatov being overrated, i can't speak for anyone else but i do believe his is overrated. He has talent i give you that, but his workrate is poor and his attitude on the pitch stinks. For two seasons running he hasn't been near the top scorers in the prem and yet he is being hyped as a £30 million pound player. Both Roque and Benni scored more than him in their first season.

I certainly wouldn't swap him for Roque, who i believe has very similar qualities to Berbatov but a far better workrate and ethic.

Would Berbatov be a good signing for United? Well i don't think he will be happy spending a great deal of time on the bench. Plus the way united are set up they don't seem to favour having a strong natural striker, thats why they got rid of van nistlehorse. They are better off having a pacey striker, unless they want to make drastic changes to their formation.

[Eddie]

I'm going to knock on wood for the next hour and also say that I hope, hope, hope, hope that I am wrong, but I fully expect Santa Cruz to break down at some point during his time here. Hopefully it will only be one season where he misses a couple of months, but given that he appears to have at least some type of knee trouble, it is unrealistic to expect him to withstand the strains of Premiership football, especially for someone of his size and the amount of pressure that must be put onto his knees. I hope I'm wrong, but I do think it will happen.

[Martin]

Saw this morning on SSN the short interview they had with Santa Cruz, said he's more than happy with being at Rovers and not looking to move away. I'm not worried, especially as I consider that Berbatov will be off to OT than Santa Cruz.

I saw RSC on SSN this morning too. A really good interview.

Interesting to know he spent the first two months alone in a Manchester Airport hotel. His impact in the early season is all the more remarkable when this is taken into account.

He also speaks 6 languages.

[Lathund]

I don't think we have to worry about Roque leaving for another season at least. Partly because "one swallow does not a summer make"; He's been great this season, but was injured a lot and hardly scored for the 7-8 seasons before that. Other clubs want to see that it wasn't a "fluke" before they spend big money on him. And it's not far fetched to think that Roque himself wants to see that.

And secondly because I think he's genuinely grateful for the opportunity he was given to resurrect his career, and want to repay MH. Now you could say the same about Bellamy, and people did and were wrong, but keep in mind that he was highly rated before joining us, Roque not as much.

[Eddie]

He also speaks 6 languages.

Spanish, German, English...?

[gumboots]

I don't think we have to worry about Roque leaving for another season at least. Partly because "one swallow does not a summer make"; He's been great this season, but was injured a lot and hardly scored for the 7-8 seasons before that. Other clubs want to see that it wasn't a "fluke" before they spend big money on him. And it's not far fetched to think that Roque himself wants to see that.

And secondly because I think he's genuinely grateful for the opportunity he was given to resurrect his career, and want to repay MH. Now you could say the same about Bellamy, and people did and were wrong, but keep in mind that he was highly rated before joining us, Roque not as much.

And there was a clause in his contract whereas nobody has even suggested there might be one in Roque's. Brad said on Sunday he's a really genuinely humble guy so i don't see him wanting to leave us and since he's said he doesn't I'm not going to get worked up about this one.

[RibbleValleyRover]

I saw RSC on SSN this morning too. A really good interview.

Interesting to know he spent the first two months alone in a Manchester Airport hotel. His impact in the early season is all the more remarkable when this is taken into account.

He also speaks 6 languages.

Wasn't it Hargreaves who taught him English? Pretty sure i read somewhere he did.

[T4E]

Spanish, German, English...?

From Wiki -

Can speak 6 languages. English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and his original dialect Guarani

[DanLad]

From Wiki -

Can speak 6 languages. English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and his original dialect Guarani

I throught Guarani a kind of chocolate bar!

[LDRover]

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.

Just read Ian Holloway's autobiography and there's a piece in there about how when he first signed for Bristol Rovers, Roberts couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. To remedy this the striking coach Gary Penrice decided he had a problem with his focus and spent a session with him shooting from 18 yards. During the session he abused him, telling him he was useless and would never make a player, his family and said all sorts of unsavoury stuff about what he would like to do to his mother and hey presto by the end of it he was hitting the top corner with every effort. He never looked back after that and won the Golden Boot for that division the year after.

So now, we all know what to do when we see him bearing down on goal...

[RibbleValleyRover]

Nicko, Sky Sports claim that according to his agent, Bradley favours a move to Germany rather than England

Can you see any truth to that or is it a ploy to get more interest/money?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_3533302,00.html

[Martin]

Just read Ian Holloway's autobiography and there's a piece in there about how when he first signed for Bristol Rovers, Roberts couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. To remedy this the striking coach Gary Penrice decided he had a problem with his focus and spent a session with him shooting from 18 yards. During the session he abused him, telling him he was useless and would never make a player, his family and said all sorts of unsavoury stuff about what he would like to do to his mother and hey presto by the end of it he was hitting the top corner with every effort. He never looked back after that and won the Golden Boot for that division the year after.

So now, we all know what to do when we see him bearing down on goal...

I think we have to accept Roberts is not a 'natural finsiher'. His workrate has so far compensated for missed chances....

...however, if Villa fail to win at West Ham and Roberts is one on one with the Birmingham keeper in the last minute and he fails to convert you can bet your life his workrate won't seem so important!

[thenodrog]

I could see Roque picking up injuries quite often if he moved to United or another club where he spent a large amount of time on the bench.

Splinters? Piles?

[Hammer it home]

This is my first post on the site although i have been reading it for a while as a Blackburn fan friend told me that reliable transfer news is posted on here, and like any football fan I’m always curious to know who’s buying who.

Anyway i thought i'd better share some information that i come across regarding you lot. I don't know how reliable it is but i was talking to someone within west ham who told me, whether or not he was humouring me i don't know and i'm sure nicko will put me right if he was. What i will say though is that he told me Sunderland were interested in Cole which is reported in the mirror today. Anyway i was told Bobby Zamora is leaving us in the summer with Blackburn being one of the main contenders. We are having a clearout of deadwood and bobby falls into that category. The price is supposed to be £3million+, with Reading and Fulham both wanting to get him as well we are trying to get the most money.

As i've given you some information maybe nicko could shed some light into west hams plan this summer. Remember i don't know if the bloke was pulling my arm or what but i thought i might as well tell you as he told me about Cole which is now in the press.

[Sandiway Blue]

This is my first post on the site although i have been reading it for a while as a Blackburn fan friend told me that reliable transfer news is posted on here, and like any football fan I’m always curious to know who’s buying who.

Anyway i thought i'd better share some information that i come across regarding you lot. I don't know how reliable it is but i was talking to someone within west ham who told me, whetehr or not he was humouring me i don't know and i'm sure nicko will put me right if he was. What i will say though is that he told me Sunderland were interested in Cole which is reported in the mirror today. Anyway i was told Bobby Zamora is leaving us in the summer with Blackburn being one of the main contenders. We are having a clearout of deadwood and bobby falls into that category. The price is supposed to be £3million+, with Reading and Fulham both wanting to get him as well we are trying to get the most money.

As i've given you some information maybe nicko could shed some light into west hams plan this summer. Remember i don't know if the bloke was pulling my arm or what but i thought i might as well tell you as he told me about Cole which is no in the press.

Don`t take offence at this but Zamora isn`t worth anywhere near £3m+,and besides he is nowhere near the calibre of player we want or need.

[nicko]

Quite big news.

Huddlestone is available. He has been offered in a swap to a Prem club - full story in morning.

Anyway, the point is he can move. I think Rovers will be aware of this. If not they will be reading it now....

There are several agents pushing Bradley...so expect all sorts of nonsense coming out.

[Dunnfc]

Does it not say anything Zamora leaving West Ham as dead wood, hmmmmmm

Reading, Fulham are the sort of clubs to be looking at him, we could do much better. No offence.