[Archived] Nickos Thread

[rover6]

Bottom line with relevance to Rovers...it leaves Man City short of a striker and finishes their top-six chances. Shocker.

Or it is a blessing in disguise - as Sven's failure to recruit a big money goalkeeper gave Joe Hart a chance. Daniel Sturridge has scored two in two.

Regardless of who Sven signed, his team's tendency to reflect him (i.e supine, superficial and exorbitant) was always going to make it unlikely that they'd finish in the top six unless the competitors messed up - which could still happen.

[only2garners]

There is a way. If the clubs can prove that the move was in process and there was a genuine reason for it not happening then it can happen.

Portsmouth need the money, Man City need the player.

Money talks.

Birmingham signed Walter Pandiani in very similar circumstances two years ago...

It sounds to me more like Man city have changed their mind. They seem to be saying that he did not sign (and surely they should know). Presumably it takes all sides to want the deal to do a Pandiani....

[philipl]

Who is Benjani's agent?

The player should NEVER have been left on his own. Having seen the lengths agents go to in the music industry to make sure their precious artists turn up, I cannot believe the agent in this case did not look after Benjani. I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye.

My hunch is the Thaksin spending machine has stopped and the best way of saving face is yesterday's little farce.

As for jim getting stuck on stickiness...

[USABlue]

Benjani will be asked some awkward questions and the explanation should be good.

I think it was just last week I saw on SSN that if Benjani scored another hat trick Harry would buy him Fish and Chips for life. Perhaps Benjani is just very fond of the Fish and Chips in Portsmouth.

[LeftWinger]

My hunch is the Thaksin spending machine has stopped and the best way of saving face is yesterday's little farce.

It sounds more like Benjani is at fault than City though. Why would he have missed two flights if it was City who wanted to pull the plug on the move?

[USABlue]

Or it is a blessing in disguise - as Sven's failure to recruit a big money goalkeeper gave Joe Hart a chance.

I'm sort of keeping an eye on him, he looks a cracking young keeper, good potential there.

[nicko]

I think it was just last week I saw on SSN that if Benjani scored another hat trick Harry would buy him Fish and Chips for life. Perhaps Benjani is just very fond of the Fish and Chips in Portsmouth.

I think he will get battered very shortly...

[Eddie]

Who is Benjani's agent?

The player should NEVER have been left on his own. Having seen the lengths agents go to in the music industry to make sure their precious artists turn up, I cannot believe the agent in this case did not look after Benjani. I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye.

My hunch is the Thaksin spending machine has stopped and the best way of saving face is yesterday's little farce.

As for jim getting stuck on stickiness...

I met Benjani's agent in a bar in Paris a while ago, he didn't seem like the typical agent. If he has the same one then I could probably understand how he could have messed it up, he really only had clients in France, mainly Africans, and at the time Benjani was his only client in England. That might mean he isn't as focused on Benjani as other agents might have been.

[Fife Rover]

it's ok everyone. Andy Burton exclusive:

"I've got the text through, Deal done, long term contract, undisclosed fee. There you go you heard it here first."

This would almost make sense if we knew who Andy Burton was, and also what the heck he was talking about!!!!!

[nicko]

This would almost make sense if we knew who Andy Burton was, and also what the heck he was talking about!!!!!

Trust me, none of it makes sense...it was a bit 'in' but pretty funny all the same.

[nicko]

There could be some real trouble over this Benjani business.

Man City tried to pull the plug because of worries about a knee problem when he eventually got there for his medical...but Portsmouth are claiming the deal had gone through and want their money.

This is one of the biggest bust-ups ever.

Anything could happen now...

[brian_gallagher85]

...while Rovers walk into a 6th place finish...at worst.

Love it when there's massive fall outs between clubs like this

[Flopsy]

Permission to laugh loudly and heartedly?

[brian_gallagher85]

Granted...just get into the Q

[LeftWinger]

This is one of the biggest bust-ups ever.

Unlike a journo to sensationalise anything

[Cocker]

Man City tried to pull the plug because of worries about a knee problem

I didnt know he had a knee problem? He isnt injured at the moment is he?

[unleaded]

Nicko how is it that a player like Felipe Caicedo can get a work permit?

[Fife Rover]

Hard to believe but true department.

Benjani missed two flights from Heathrow to Manchester - he's going to have to explain that one shortly - and could not get a medical done in time.

He had been told the deal was on after the game at Man U on Wednesday but chose to string it out...again he is the only one who can say why.

Sky had been saying Benjani was in Manchester having a medical from lunchtime. That was because Portsmouth had told him to go and thought he was there.

Man City were convinced they were getting him - confirmed that to me as late as 7pm.

There are NO conspiracy theories here. Man City wanted him, Pompey wanted to sell. The player may just have been having second thoughts.

Bottom line with relevance to Rovers...it leaves Man City short of a striker and finishes their top-six chances. Shocker.

Benjani is going to be very popular with 'Arry and Co. when he gets back to Pompey. Wonder how he is going to like not even making their bench for the rest of the season?

[nicko]

Unlike a journo to sensationalise anything

No, this is unbelievable stuff. I have never heard of a transfer row quite like this.

A club wants out of a deal they have apparently signed up for...the selling club has called in the Premier League.

And we are talking £9 million here.

The Premier League have got as big a mess on their hands here as they had with the Tevez-Mascherano affair last season.

[Rob of the Rovers]

This is brilliant! I prefer the version that he didn't fancy going to City so deliberately missed two flights.....I've got an image in my head of Sven stood in arrivals holding his "BENJANI" card

[rovers_rob]

There could be some real trouble over this Benjani business.

Man City tried to pull the plug because of worries about a knee problem when he eventually got there for his medical...but Portsmouth are claiming the deal had gone through and want their money.

This is one of the biggest bust-ups ever.

Anything could happen now...

Looks like there is trouble at boro as well : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...3099800,00.html

This has been a messy tranfer window !!

[nicko]

Nicko how is it that a player like Felipe Caicedo can get a work permit?

Now that really is a good question.

Caicedo played for the full Ecuador side in the Copa America and as he has just made the team his recent record of caps is up to standard.

Mind you, if Man U can get Anderson in...

[LeftWinger]

This is brilliant! I prefer the version that he didn't fancy going to City so deliberately missed two flights.....I've got an image in my head of Sven stood in arrivals holding his "BENJANI" card

HA HA! I've got that image now too!

[nicko]

This is brilliant! I prefer the version that he didn't fancy going to City so deliberately missed two flights.....I've got an image in my head of Sven stood in arrivals holding his "BENJANI" card

It makes you wonder why he took so long to get there. Did he know there was a problem with his knee? Did Portsmouth know?

This is all quite staggering.

[LeftWinger]

It makes you wonder why he took so long to get there. Did he know there was a problem with his knee? Did Portsmouth know?

This is all quite staggering.

You can see him struggling with his bags as he limps towards check in