[Archived] Nickos Thread

[S15]

I don't care what any of those 5 sites say.

If either Alan or Lee remembers a different version of events I would appreciate being enlightened. I've not the fragile ego of some others. In the meantime you keep Googling shillito.

I think anyone and everyone recalls it been £17m.

I could have put 20 souces all giving that figure. Not one quoting £17.7m. He had a release clause for £17m, and that's what he left for. You talk about negotiation, it pretty much came down to every offer being rejected until the clause figure was met.

I'd find it odd if every related souce on the internet, combined with most peoples collective memory was wrong, and you were right.

With regards to the Bentley story, while always greatful for any potential inside information Nicko, if I'd read the story whilst not aware of your contribution to this site, I'd take it with a pinch of salt. I'm not dismissing it in anyway, and I'm in no doubt you know more than me, however, would it be possible to give an indication to where it came from?

Not that I'm naive enough to suggest Hughes and Williams would always be totally insightive to the press, but the story certainly goes against all the noises the club have been making. And it seems odd that the club may feel Bentley may want to leave this summer or more like next summer (2010 WC the following summer) yet they are desperate to give him an extra £30,000 a week, especially when he has plenty of time left on his current deal.

[Alan75]

More important events this afternoon that transfer gossip.

No offence Nicko, but the Bentley sign or else, is a rehashed story.

[Scotty]

Good grief, what a pathetic non-story. I'm absolutely sure that's not the way Rovers will conduct negotiations with any of their players, let alone one of their most valuable ones. And as for the Bentley mouthing off to fans that he's leaving line - when has he done that? Don't remember reading anything about that anywhere.

And, of course, because a tabloid hack decides to print a load of rubbish in a "news"paper, we then get some of our wonderful supporters asking whether we should start booing our own players. Because that's bound to help the team isn't it?

Bentley's got 3 years left on his contract. If he wants to leave then someone is going to have to pay an awful lot of money to get him. Personally, I can't see that happening and I think he'll still be a Rovers player next season. What I can guarantee though is that we'll have to put up with hundreds of non-stories like this over the summer as the tabloids desperately try to fill their column inches.

[Beta Ray Bill]

I think anyone and everyone recalls it been £17m.

I could have put 20 souces all giving that figure. Not one quoting £17.7m. He had a release clause for £17m, and that's what he left for. You talk about negotiation, it pretty much came down to every offer being rejected until the clause figure was met.

I'd find it odd if every related souce on the internet, combined with most peoples collective memory was wrong, and you were right.

With regards to the Bentley story, while always greatful for any potential inside information Nicko, if I'd read the story whilst not aware of your contribution to this site, I'd take it with a pinch of salt. I'm not dismissing it in anyway, and I'm in no doubt you know more than me, however, would it be possible to give an indication to where it came from?

Not that I'm naive enough to suggest Hughes and Williams would always be totally insightive to the press, but the story certainly goes against all the noises the club have been making. And it seems odd that the club may feel Bentley may want to leave this summer or more like next summer (2010 WC the following summer) yet they are desperate to give him an extra £30,000 a week, especially when he has plenty of time left on his current deal.

There was something very odd about the final figure quoted at the time - it was definitely £17.7m or thereabouts. £15m + VAT @ 17.5% was even mentioned as the rationale for the strange figure.

[AggyBlue]

we then get some of our wonderful supporters asking whether we should start booing our own players. Because that's bound to help the team isn't it?

It was bait thrown to illicit some amusing responses, shame it wasn't given time.

Thanks for the wonderful remark though, I'll get you a pint inside the ground today

[Ewood and I Would]

Good grief, what a pathetic non-story. I'm absolutely sure that's not the way Rovers will conduct negotiations with any of their players, let alone one of their most valuable ones. And as for the Bentley mouthing off to fans that he's leaving line - when has he done that? Don't remember reading anything about that anywhere.

And, of course, because a tabloid hack decides to print a load of rubbish in a "news"paper, we then get some of our wonderful supporters asking whether we should start booing our own players. Because that's bound to help the team isn't it?

Bentley's got 3 years left on his contract. If he wants to leave then someone is going to have to pay an awful lot of money to get him. Personally, I can't see that happening and I think he'll still be a Rovers player next season. What I can guarantee though is that we'll have to put up with hundreds of non-stories like this over the summer as the tabloids desperately try to fill their column inches.

I agree. Bentley has never had anything but praise for Rovers, it was only the other week he was championing Mark Hughes and he always claiming how he's great mates with "Dunny", I've never heard him slag off the club or heard any other Rovers fan claim that he has.

[philipl]

For what its worth, my recollection is that it was £17.7m- hence my rounding to £18m when I wrote it down for comparison.

As for the nicko story- well I only hope some ###### up Rovers don't start at Bentley when a mishit cross sails out of play at 1-0 down.

[gumboots]

I agree. Bentley has never had anything but praise for Rovers, it was only the other week he was championing Mark Hughes and he always claiming how he's great mates with "Dunny", I've never heard him slag off the club or heard any other Rovers fan claim that he has.

Glad there are others annoyed by this story. The worst I've ever heard anyone admit to Bentley's saying is "We'll have to wait and see won't we" or words to that effect. I'm still not sure what's going to happen and i wouldn't put my money on his staying or going, because I think there are still far too many factors to be taken into account, but I wish you'd kept this one out of the papers for another 24 hours as I don't see it being helpful to anyone at this stage.

[JAL]

Rovers need David Bentley to stay not only as one of their more creative players, but as a marketing tool to grow the brand of the football club for me its absolutely essential that he stays and that he makes progress on the football field and goes on to play in a successful England team.

One man isnt bigger than the club but he is at this moment in time an essential part of the total sum of the club, if he goes its a massive lost opportunity for Rovers, so sad when you see all the hard work that as gone in over the years in trying to brand the club with limited success.

[philipl]

Well said JAL.

Would be interesting to know what happened to the situation where nicko said it was all agreed except for lumping Bentley's agent's tax into the wage.

I would guess Chairmen etc talk about wages between themselves so Rovers know exactly where they are pitching whatever they are offering Bents relative to the current market.

The figure of £15m fee is the point at which Nicko's story really does not ring true at all though when Nicko to all intents and purposes puts that number in the mouth of Blackburn Rovers by saying Chelsea doubt Bentley's value at that number. Interesting that the BBC gossip column which have not been slow in trying to flog off our players has not picked up this story at all as yet.

Elsewhere though they have Thaksin now approaching Rijkaard.

[nicko]

Interesting reactions...

I think Rovers are right to take a stand here. Their contract offer is excellent and they do not want to be messed around all summer with this one. I expect the withdrawal of the contract offer to be confirmed very shortly.

I also know that Bentley's camp think that Chelsea want him. I have good contacts at Chelsea and they tell me he is being watched but is not first or maybe even second choice.

Still, the player believes what he wants to believe. In this case he thinks he is moving.

Bentley has also been making some big-time remarks. I could tell you when and where he was telling people he was joining Liverpool a few weeks ago, but I kept that quiet at the tme because I thought it was just cheap talk and knew Liverpool did not have him as first choice either.

I would also like to thank a couple of posters for their PMs on similar Bentley comments which have been kept back until they were relevant.

And as for a 'rehash'...if you can find another story saying Rovers would withdraw their contract offer I would be somewhat amazed.

[nicko]

£15 million IS the fee. All interested parties know...if more than one comes in it could go higher.

[tony gale's mic]

Interesting reactions...

I think Rovers are right to take a stand here. Their contract offer is excellent and they do not want to be messed around all summer with this one. I expect the withdrawal of the contract offer to be confirmed very shortly.

I also know that Bentley's camp think that Chelsea want him. I have good contacts at Chelsea and they tell me he is being watched but is not first or maybe even second choice.

Still, the player believes what he wants to believe. In this case he thinks he is moving.

Bentley has also been making some big-time remarks. I could tell you when and where he was telling people he was joining Liverpool a few weeks ago, but I kept that quiet at the tme because I thought it was just cheap talk and knew Liverpool did not have him as first choice either.

I would also like to thank a couple of posters for their PMs on similar Bentley comments which have been kept back until they were relevant.

And as for a 'rehash'...if you can find another story saying Rovers would withdraw their contract offer I would be somewhat amazed.

Do you think it's likely that he'll leave?

What if Rovers withdraw the contract offer but noone comes in with a good enough offer this summer?

[AggyBlue]

Elsewhere though they have Thaksin now approaching Rijkaard.

We don't want disusting scumbags like him involved in our game.

We are just about to rid ourselves of one spitter, Diouf, we don't need a worse one.

Mind you, it would be interesting to see him spit in Fergies face after the derby.

[philipl]

I think Rovers can thank McLarean for failing to get England into the Euro 2008 as Bents would surely have shone at that tournament and become the centre of really intense media interest. As it is he'll have a couple of friendlies alternating with goldenballs and Walcott.

Re-reading nicko's article, I think on balance it puts Rovers in a decent position if you ignore the subbed headlines.

[nicko]

Do you think it's likely that he'll leave?

What if Rovers withdraw the contract offer but noone comes in with a good enough offer this summer?

1 - Possibly, but still not probably.

2 - Then Bentley maybe comes to his senses...which I think the club would ideally like.

I think the overall feeling is that this can't keep rumbling on. If he is going, get the money in and spend it fast. You don't want to go on fretting about the subject until August - that's when it becomes genuinely disruptive.

[McClarky]

Classic case of 2 bob journalism here. Sit in the pub matching players to clubs and eventualy you will get 1 right to justify your expense bill. The People have even got Yaya Toure going to Wigan......is that 1 of Nicko's too?

When you think about it, why should Bentley sign a new contract? He's got 3 years left on his old one. There is a good chance that he will leave in the summer because he is a good player and big clubs want good players. This "article" doesn't say anything that's not been said before and doesn't change anything at all. The only way clubs won't be after buying our players will be if they play badly so as long as we get a good fee, and £15M is a great fee, then I say fair enough. If you don't want to lose your best players from time to time we should maybe buy some off Derby, noone wants them.

Hope people don't start booing him. All that will do is ensure that he leaves.

[tcj_jones]

As expected, Rovers fail to qualify for Europe, Bentley is off. We all knew it was going to happen.

[Darth Paul]

Nicko,

First of all let me say I find your insight valuable so I am not being critical in asking these questions but one thing I don't understand is when you say £15m IS the fee.

Who actually says that? I can't see how his agent would be in a position to dictate the fee and also why would the club let that figure be known if he is to be sold as surely it only weakens our position as sellers, especially if there is only one bidder. Without necessarily revealing your sources, have you been told this categorically by an official source or have you had to do a bit of digging, and if so how would the club feel about the figure being touted, if it is accurate?

Also why would the club want this information out today after all this time, before a critical point in the season, which may influence the performance of bentley, the team around him and the fans.

None of this makes sense...

[philipl]

darth,

The £15m figure is rubbish but it won't be confirmed or denied- just a flat reiteration that Bents is not for sale and there are three more years on his contract.

If, as expected, there are no immediate serious offers from CL clubs, there can be no argument from Bentley's agents that you priced our man out of the market can there?

[nicko]

Classic case of 2 bob journalism here. Sit in the pub matching players to clubs and eventualy you will get 1 right to justify your expense bill. The People have even got Yaya Toure going to Wigan......is that 1 of Nicko's too?

When you think about it, why should Bentley sign a new contract? He's got 3 years left on his old one. There is a good chance that he will leave in the summer because he is a good player and big clubs want good players. This "article" doesn't say anything that's not been said before and doesn't change anything at all. The only way clubs won't be after buying our players will be if they play badly so as long as we get a good fee, and £15M is a great fee, then I say fair enough.

1 - No, but Camacho is...

2 - As for the rest of your ramblings, I won't bother replying. You may have missed that Rovers have been offering Bentley a contract at MORE than double his money. Maybe you want to check what's in the story before mouthing off. There's plenty new.

[USABlue]

Just another player who has had his career salvaged at Rovers when it appered to have completely stalled. Player then turns into a big time charlie and thinks they are too good for us. Great stance by the club, and as for him mouthing off about Liverpool, have fun on the bench.

My take is Bents is a player a few of the top clubs would like to have but I think they deem him not quite good enough. He's off though.

On the Duff thing 17 MIll it was, I remember it like yesterday and I fail to see how any Rovers fan could not remember. The "clause"

Oh, and to add, I hope the "ultimatum" does not cause an ego thing on Bents part and cause him to dig his heels in and be all stubborn in a "I'll show them" sort of way

[nicko]

The £15m figure is rubbish but it won't be confirmed or denied- just a flat reiteration that Bents is not for sale and there are three more years on his contract.

£15 million is the figure that interested clubs have been told is the price.

[nicko]

Who actually says that? I can't see how his agent would be in a position to dictate the fee and also why would the club let that figure be known if he is to be sold as surely it only weakens our position as sellers, especially if there is only one bidder. Without necessarily revealing your sources, have you been told this categorically by an official source or have you had to do a bit of digging, and if so how would the club feel about the figure being touted, if it is accurate?

Also why would the club want this information out today after all this time, before a critical point in the season, which may influence the performance of bentley, the team around him and the fans.

The story HASN'T been leaked by the club.

However I would expect that the withdrawal of the contract offer - the 'news' and point of the story - will be confirmed at some stage this week.

As long as someone asks the right question.

[EwoodGlory]

Good move by the club, the situation needs to be sorted so we can plan for next season, that comes first.

Bentley stays - Excellent

Bentley leaves - £15m extra in the pot for Sparky to invest.

It's not the end of the world.

I would rather he stays, but if not, I'm sure we will see a decent replacement.