[Archived] Nickos Thread

[philipl]

What a nonsensical take on things.

We're 5 points off a Champion's League...if ever there was a case for bringing in a couple of quality players, it's here and now.

It seems like Tottenham are going to be a strong force again next season, and Man City will probably bring a lot of quality players. Truth be told, this could be our only opportunity to have a crack at the higher places, I can't see how we'll be in a better position next season to challenge at the level we are so why hold back the money until then?

Not arguing with your reasoning but "a couple of quality players"- go on then who?

I don't think any existed during this window with the exception of Anelka.

[philipl]

Can I ask Nicko. If this "Striker Circle" as i've named it does go ahead. Then will Spurs possibly turn to Benni you think?

Yes, so long as they move quickly enough for us to do the long predicted last day swoop for Anelka whom we are in with a realistic chance of signing......

[LeChuck]

Not arguing with your reasoning but "a couple of quality players"- go on then who?

I don't think any existed during this window with the exception of Anelka.

To be honest I can't name any...

But I think we're a couple of midfielders short; a defensive player in the centre and a creative player on the left. Sidwell is the only player that springs to mind, maybe Chelsea will be more open to selling him now that Mikel and Essien will be back in the near future.

[neekoy]

Not arguing with your reasoning but "a couple of quality players"- go on then who?

I don't think any existed during this window with the exception of Anelka.

Landzaat, Maduro, Carlos Alberto on a loan, Baros on a loan, Cesar Delgado (admittedly 7.5 million) (and Woodgate)

All quality players who most probably would have improved our first team and squad.

[Alan75]

What a nonsensical take on things.

We're 5 points off a Champion's League...if ever there was a case for bringing in a couple of quality players, it's here and now.

It seems like Tottenham are going to be a strong force again next season, and Man City will probably bring a lot of quality players. Truth be told, this could be our only opportunity to have a crack at the higher places, I can't see how we'll be in a better position next season to challenge at the level we are so why hold back the money until then?

OK then, are you prepared to return to the Kidd, Woy, days of throwing inflated transfer fees for second rate players. Are you ready to welcome players of the calibre of Blake, Dailly, Ward etc. because thats whats on offer as clubs battle to retain their prize assets.

I know there are weaknesses in the team, however can you name one player available at price that wouldnt break the bank, not to mention the salaries being quoted. With very little to play for in the eyes of the walk on fan, there is very little prospects of increased gates, over the remaining 7 home games, that would sustain the increased wage.

Whilst you have to speculate to accumilate, you dont invest where there is no profitable return.

[Hughesy]

Come on Nicko - share your gossip for the day. The site appears to be back up and running

[Mozzer]

why dont man city just go for jermaine defoe instead of benjani..benjani is quite average to be honest..before this season he would of gone down as the worst striker in the league...

beckham left out of england squad aswell-i think its right, hopefully bentley will be picked..maybe even stephen warnock..

[Kai]

why dont man city just go for jermaine defoe instead of benjani..benjani is quite average to be honest..before this season he would of gone down as the worst striker in the league...

Probably because Sven doesn't rate him? How many times did Defoe play for England? Besides that, Defoe's well overpriced just for being English. Figures being banded around are £5m for Benjani (who's on fire this season) or £9m+ for Defoe. I don't blame him for going after Benjani at that price.

[Flopsy]

is this the bod from Pompey who hasnt scored since about October

[LeftWinger]

is this the bod from Pompey who hasnt scored since about October

Benjani? The same one that got a hat-trick about 2 weeks ago?

[speeeeeeedie]

I'm with Alan. Why do we need to buy anyone now? The transfer window system is a farce, clubs buying usually pay over the odds for players who aren't top calibre (there are exceptions of course, Anelka being 1).

I am getting tierd of people saying we need to invest, we need to spend money. As the table stands today, and will do until the end of the season, West Ham up can claim 4th. If we put a decent run together, starting with hammering the Toffeee's on Saturday, we'll shoot up the table. Our run in looks pretty good but I don't think we'll make 4th having lost 9 home points to the Hammers, Villa, and Pompey, but I also don't want to spend silly money on someone who won't get us those points back.

Look at the table; we are 8th having spent a pittance. Our players and staff have performed miracles, yet we have fans complaining that we're not splashing the cash. I'd rather have a stable club that gets the odd cup run than be Fulham, Sunderland (£4 million for Andy Reid!), or even Newcastle. We have a hardcore support of 12,000 fans, that cannot support massive transfer expenditure. We already have to pay players more than other teams to attract them to Ewood, why ruin stability becasue the rest are donig it. We're not owned by a billionaire who can shell out whenver he needs to, so we have to be prudent. Enjoy what we have, luckily the fans don't run our club.

[alexjw]

I'm with Alan. Why do we need to buy anyone now? The transfer window system is a farce, clubs buying usually pay over the odds for players who aren't top calibre (there are exceptions of course, Anelka being 1).

I am getting tierd of people saying we need to invest, we need to spend money. As the table stands today, and will do until the end of the season, West Ham up can claim 4th. If we put a decent run together, starting with hammering the Toffeee's on Saturday, we'll shoot up the table. Our run in looks pretty good but I don't think we'll make 4th having lost 9 home points to the Hammers, Villa, and Pompey, but I also don't want to spend silly money on someone who won't get us those points back.

Look at the table; we are 8th having spent a pittance. Our players and staff have performed miracles, yet we have fans complaining that we're not splashing the cash. I'd rather have a stable club that gets the odd cup run than be Fulham, Sunderland (£4 million for Andy Reid!), or even Newcastle. We have a hardcore support of 12,000 fans, that cannot support massive transfer expenditure. We already have to pay players more than other teams to attract them to Ewood, why ruin stability becasue the rest are donig it. We're not owned by a billionaire who can shell out whenver he needs to, so we have to be prudent. Enjoy what we have, luckily the fans don't run our club.

£4m for Andy Reid sums it all up really. Maybe we could get the same for Moko ?

[Eddie]

Some clubs pay over the odds, some don't. I think there have been a few very good deals this window, probably the same percentage as there will be in the summer. Why buy now? We have obvious areas of weakness within the squad. We are close to the top 4 and it is possible that a single signing could change the entire future of this club, it's unlikely, but how often is that really even a possibility?

[Hughesy]

£4 million for Him is pathetic! £5 million for Cahill was bad!

Realistically without us spending £5 million + we wouldnt get a half decent player in. Not worth it!

Rumours still flying round that Roberts may be off to Bolton today. Anyone been up to Brockhall, is he knocking around?

Id still like to see us test Spurs for Huddlestone

[bob fleming]

I've not been able to log in all morning. If someone could do a concise list of the signings we've made I'd really appreciate it.

Meanwhile, has Hughesy tried to gazump Sunderland for Fat Andy Reid yet? Surely a measly £5m would do it?

The worlds gone mad. Or at least Roy "Keano" Keane has. Keep out of it I say.

(EDIT - bloody telephone - 3 minutes and someone brings up Fat Andy Reid before me.)

[LeftWinger]

I've not been able to log in all morning. If someone could do a concise list of the signings we've made I'd really appreciate it.

Here you go:

[EwoodGlory]

Bolton are desperate for a striker, I wonder if they might be willing to pay over the odds for a late Roberts deal?

Maybe £4m-£5m will be too good to turn down, even though we won't have time for a replacement.

Just a guess as nothing else seems to be happening

[Hughesy]

If offered £4 million or more then regardless of if we can get a replacement I would say we should sell.

Id rather we gave Derbyshire/ Gallagher more chances than miss out on £4 million for him.

[Mozzer]

yeh 4-5 million would be too good to down for roberts, but we must have a replacement ready..otherwise we would be short in the striking departmen too..

[philipl]

Landzaat, Maduro, Carlos Alberto on a loan, Baros on a loan, Cesar Delgado (admittedly 7.5 million) (and Woodgate)

All quality players who most probably would have improved our first team and squad.

Sorry not convinced- all of those would be a huge gamble. And they are not all midfielders which is the focus of attention, quite rightly.

A question to Nicko, are potential players put off coming to Rovers by the quality already at the club? It is one thing to "drop" to a medium-sized club to be sure of getting regular football, another to go their and be at big risk of sitting on another bench.

It is a very different squad from the barely-Premiership bunch left here when Souness departed.

[bob fleming]

Here you go:

Cheers. Just Tugay's mate then.

[Hughesy]

A question to Nicko, are potential players put off coming to Rovers by the quality already at the club? It is one thing to "drop" to a medium-sized club to be sure of getting regular football, another to go their and be at big risk of sitting on another bench.

It is a very different squad from the barely-Premiership bunch left here when Souness departed.

I think you may be right there, because we constantly state that we are only interested in players who can improve our first team. Any ideas who our two 'long term' targets are? 1's a midfielder and 1 a striker.

[Hughesy]

Chimbonda ungergoing a medical @ Villa.

Crouch apparently the target of Harry Redknapp, along with Patrick Berger.

[doctorryan]

from Andy Neild this morning:

"...........Williams and manager Mark Hughes have been inundated with phonecalls from agents offering them a host of players over the last few days but, at the time of going to press, none were deemed exciting enough to follow up."

We live in hope I guess.

[farhanology]

if bolton are seriously pursuing Roberts, maybe we could raid their first team for options in midfield in a loan/swap deal? andranik/dzemaili would be a shrewd deal.. and i dont think either clubs are willing to splash out beyond 2mil pounds especially on dateline day..