[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[gazsimm]

I sit in the family stand above the Blackburn End so i won't need one, the ball will be constantly at eye level!!

you will have one of the best seats in the ground then

[roverich]

james milner to liverpool for 7million is this true???

I hope so because they are the only club I could see Bentley going to. I don't think he'll move within England except to a Champion's League club and I don't think he's popular enough in Europe to excite any bigger European clubs. I can't see Chelski or ManYoo taking him because they both have better players in his position already and Mr Wenger is too proud to take him back to Arsenal. If Liverpool sign Milner they won't want Bentley too and I imagine he'll definitely be with us for at least another season.

[Eddie]

He plays some entertaining football but the squad rotation did quite a few Reading fans heads in. Remember some of the brilliant counter attacking goals reading scored where one minute they were defending their goal and the next they had 5 in the opponents area. How often this season had we seen rovers on a counter attack with most of the defence and midfield staying back? Brilliant scout too finding Doyle and some others. But you do get relegated for a reason and it usually falls down to management. If he got rid of his rotation policy then he would be a good option. I know many will now disagree with me!

He'd be my second choice out of the list of managers we seem to have.

Getting Reading relegated was no more of a failure than Arsenal not seriously being in the title race at the end, but we'd want Wenger wouldn't we? Coppell is in some ways a victim of his own success, Reading vastly overachieved in the first season, only having two or three players who we might possibly have been interested in, and then essentially found their level in the second season. He went from being touted as the next United manager to someone who we won't touch in 10 months? Good signings, good football, good guy.

[Clog Blue]

Just had a giggle about people questioning Ten Cate's temperament.

Sky TV just showing Scolari smack a Croatian player with a classic haymaker.

He is the next manager of Chelsea.

Nothing wrong with a bit of fire and passion.

It might rub off on the players and the fans won't object.

Not that I'm advising banjoing rivals, of course.

Anyone who banjoes John Terry gets my vote.

[Brownie]

Right, just had the info re Dalglish and The Last Drop made more specific.

They did not stay overnight ( sorry my initial info ws via a text and not specific)

My brother was on a course in the Last Drop and Dalglish and Thompson were in the next room.

My brother didnt actually see the pair of them, it was the speaker who told them that they had a couple of famous people next door. The meeting was apparently with a few other men who werent instantly recogniseable.

Probably nothing but just thought I'd share it with you .

[gazsimm]

Right, just had the info re Dalglish and The Last Drop made more specific.

They did not stay overnight ( sorry my initial info ws via a text and not specific)

My brother was on a course in the Last Drop and Dalglish and Thompson were in the next room.

My brother didnt actually see the pair of them, it was the speaker who told them that they had a couple of famous people next door. The meeting was apparently with a few other men who werent instantly recogniseable.

Probably nothing but just thought I'd share it with you .

you not trying to say that Dalglish and Thompson are intrested in the Blackburn job are you??? if you are i think you should go and see the doctor very quickly

[novella]

right now on betfair, allardyce and ince are pretty much even faves and ten cate is out in third place but has dropped in price today.

[percy]

Sky TV just showing Scolari smack a Croatian player with a classic haymaker.

.....

Not that I'm advising banjoing rivals, of course.

Nothing wrong with it, it's man's game afterall! Just appears that Joe Cole slipped through the net somehow.

[dr_awol]

why do people think that Allardyce and his boring football is a good match for us? it's insulting to say thats all where good enough for!!

Henk Ten Cate is the obvious man for the job, he has done it all and would be able to keep Santa Cruz here and maybe Bentley, if not he would attract players of the same quality.

what has happened to Advocaat, was he ever in the running?

[RevidgeBlue]

There is NO Man City approach...there was a third-party chat-up call about a month ago and the answer was no. Man City would have to go some to be more attractive than Rovers right now. So relax on that one.

Sorry nicko, checked back and you were right about consistently saying the Chelsea gig was between Hughes and Scolari.

It was Citeh you never saw coming!

[Kai]

He'd be my second choice out of the list of managers we seem to have.

Getting Reading relegated was no more of a failure than Arsenal not seriously being in the title race at the end, but we'd want Wenger wouldn't we? Coppell is in some ways a victim of his own success, Reading vastly overachieved in the first season, only having two or three players who we might possibly have been interested in, and then essentially found their level in the second season. He went from being touted as the next United manager to someone who we won't touch in 10 months? Good signings, good football, good guy.

I don't really fancy Coppell as our next manager. Last season with Reading, I just think that they got found out and Coppell struggled to adapt his team to cope. When he did 'tinker', they still got humped. (Against us, for example, although he did admit he only messed his tam around because he was bored or something (doesn't bode too well anyway!)).

I tipped them for relegation at the beginning of the season as well. Managers who come through the '2nd season syndrome' usually do quite well, but those that don't seem to fall by the wayside (e.g. Burley, Jewell, Pardew, etc.). While I do think Coppell is a great guy and is very honest, I just don't rate him very much.

[Brownie]

you not trying to say that Dalglish and Thompson are intrested in the Blackburn job are you??? if you are i think you should go and see the doctor very quickly

No I'm just being nosey as what they were up to.

[vyeo]

Initially, when hughes left, i had no gut feel as to who i wanted. Zero. The dearth of names this time was rather strange, but really, its not an exciting bunch to pick from. I rationalised it, and concluded that BFS would be a logical appointment despite all my reservations about the man. I still think that he would be a logical choice, but i still have a bad feeling about him.

then news broke that Shearer was the top choice, and I thought that I would be excited. The man was afterall, god, in his time with us. But i was apprehensive. Despite his stature, he doesn't seem to exude the poise the Hughes (or for that matter, Slaven) does, he doesnt seem to have that hunger to excel in management; there was just a niggling feeling that it wasnt right. Then the news broke that perennial number 2 man, Henk ten Cate had applied, and this dude caught my imagination. His experience is undoubted, his coaching methods are supposedly great, he's won the champions league, he's managed smaller clubs, he's pretty much done it all really. Barca, Chelski, Ajax. That's quite a list on any resume. The only short coming was his supposedly volatile nature; no doubt images of him falling out with one John Terry (whom i despise, by the way) contributed to that. Perhaps its also his appearance, since to me, he bears some resemblance to that wrestler, Batista. But i was won over, call it a gut feel or just a hunch, but ten Cate seemed to be the pick of the lot.

Then the weekend passed and it looked increasingly like Shearer would be our man. Shearer, I kept thinking. My colleagues (my cubicle's sandwiched between a pair of man u fans) couldn't understand why I would not want BFS. And then oblivious to their endorsements of BFS (which amounted to, he always fights hard against the big teams/he gets good results with crap players) I slowly warmed up to Shearer. A legend, a big name, it must be the romantic notion that did it for me.

Then this morning, the bombshell. There is to be no homecoming. And strangely, I honestly felt a sense of relief. I don't understand, I thought I'd be disappointed, but I really am not. Strange, this game of football. For me, it has to be that volatile dutchman now.

My choice:

1 Henk ten Cate

2 Ince

3 (VERY RELUCTANTLY) BFS

[rover_groo]

For the Rangers fans...Kenny Miller signs tomorrow.

Sorry, to divert away from the main topic, but does that mean that Lafferty is off to Celtic then?

It has been a messy transfer thanks largely to his agent and a reporter. Burnley are far from impressed with his comments.

Well at the end of the day, lets just say he seen sense, lol!!

[nicko]

Sorry nicko, checked back and you were right about consistently saying the Chelsea gig was between Hughes and Scolari.

It was Citeh you never saw coming!

I couldn't believe Man City would appeal to the manager...after he had been sounded out a few weeks before and said no. I mentioned that at the time.

If Ronaldinho and Jo don't join - and he is left with a bunch of players who they have been trying to sell - then there may be enough egg on face to make an ommelette.

[PAFELL]

Don't think he is anywhere in this...but you never know.

Roberto Martinez has emerged as a shock contender for the vacant managers job at Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Star)

Found this on the BBC gossip page - not that I pay attention to the daily star - wondering if is worth you checking out

[nicko]

Sorry, to divert away from the main topic, but does that mean that Lafferty is off to Celtic then?

It has been a messy transfer thanks largely to his agent and a reporter. Burnley are far from impressed with his comments.

Well at the end of the day, lets just say he seen sense, lol!!

Celtic's offer seems to appeal to Coyley, but I'm not sure that the player wants to go - he may prefer Wolves.

Could do with it being wrapped up it's become like a dog chasing its tail and going round in circles.

Wherever he goes it's a good move for the kid and a lot of money for the McDingles.

Just need to get five or six new faces and it's game on...

[nicko]

Roberto Martinez has emerged as a shock contender for the vacant managers job at Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Star)

Found this on the BBC gossip page - not that I pay attention to the daily star - wondering if is worth you checking out

Yup, about three days ago...and he is the name on a few important lips.

[Hughesy]

Liverpool have bid £15m for Barry and it’s been rejected. Villa are holding out for £18m.

That to me only confirms that Bentley is worth £15m minimum. He is younger and he is a good winger who can cross a ball well, which are much harder to come by than centre midfielders.

[Blue n White Rover]

I couldn't believe Man City would appeal to the manager...after he had been sounded out a few weeks before and said no. I mentioned that at the time.

If Ronaldinho and Jo don't join - and he is left with a bunch of players who they have been trying to sell - then there may be enough egg on face to make an ommelette.

You not trying to be Mourinho there are ya?

[RevidgeBlue]

If Ronaldinho and Jo don't join - and he is left with a bunch of players who they have been trying to sell - then there may be enough egg on face to make an ommelette.

Despite what he says publicly I suspect MH wouldn't be too disappointed if they fell through and would rather bring his own choices in.

[nicko]

Liverpool have bid £15m for Barry and it's been rejected. Villa are holding out for £18m.

That to me only confirms that Bentley is worth £15m minimum. He is younger and he is a good winger who can cross a ball well, which are much harder to come by than centre midfielders.

Barry is Villa's skipper and main man. He has played more times for England and looks a class act at any level.

Bentley is not the main man at Rovers. He still has a bit to prove and has question marks over him.

There's not much difference in valuation for him...but one side IS willing to pay £15 million for Barry but would only go to £12 million for Bentley.

[nicko]

You not trying to be Mourinho there are ya?

No, I just whisked up that idea...boom, tish.

[Hughesy]

I agree but he is one of our main men, and he is younger, and I would say more potential.

£15m+ please.

[Hughesy]

Nicko - have we actually contacted Hen Ten Cate??