[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[Baggio]

How much is the Sidwell fee and whens it looking like hapenning? We need to get the ball rolling. As for Barry, it's disappointing but this is football and life goes on, no use moping and very few Villa fans I know of are doing so....the general view is 18m for Barry and we're doing very well for ourselves.

Sidwell is not Gareth Barry, he's a different player but he has a high tempo to his game and his comfortable with the ball....to me with or without Barry the team will be stronger, as other problems like defensively and goalkeeper and right back etc are areas which will be sorted. With or without Barry we have assists and goals....roll on the new season

Oh and we have your man Sparky first game, will be sure to smash his debut as their manager, the guy never has beaten MON since he came to Villa

I can't see how you can say it will be stronger, you may be improving on your right back position but to lose an influential player like Barry and replace him with an average player like Sidwell is going to be a set back.

[matt65]

Going back to Nicko suggesting that McClaren wants to bring with him an ex rover, iv'e not seen this name

mentioned but could it be Don Mackay,he was at Boro from 2001 to 2007 as the chief scout.

[Paul]

Well I've woken up this morning feeling especially cynical. The club say they have 40 applicants, which we take as a positive thing. Of those 40 just 3 appear to have been considered worth interviewing:

Ince

Allardyce

McClaren

Another, Shearer, is the club chasing a dream. I don't blame them for trying but I'm not sure it was the right idea. Ten Cate appears to have more to do with Nicko's betting instincts than anything concrete. Martinez (just found out who he is) isn't interested - we are already considering a 4th Division manager, do we also need to think about a 3rd Division one? Should we chuck Darren Ferguson into the ring as well, I have a friend who supports Peterborough and speaks highly of his ability?

For me this demonstrates the current poverty of the game and simply goes to underline why Hughes was such hot property. We don't have a single exciting, interesting or worthy candidate in the picture. When you think about it the same applied to the England manager's job. I fully accept we only know of the media speculation but if it's come to a choice between Ince, McClaren or Allardyce there is a wider problem in the game than our next manager.

I was talking to a young Rovers fan last weekend. He was telling me how he's thinking of watching a Championship side next season. He's fed up with players who mean nothing / have no connection with the support, the poor atmosphere at Ewood, the attitude of fans around him, the thought that chasing a UEFA spot represents success for most clubs, the idea of being managed by Allardyce and the lack of competition in the PL.

Personally I'm clinging to the thought John Williams will come up with someone totally unexpected. I just refuse to believe our club is going to be managed by the likes of Ince, Allardyce or McClaren. I don't have an axe to grind with them but none excite me in at all. For me one of those three will be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders..............

[Alan75]

I was talking to a young Rovers fan last weekend. He was telling me how he's thinking of watching a Championship side next season. He's fed up with players who mean nothing / have no connection with the support, the poor atmosphere at Ewood, the attitude of fans around him, the thought that chasing a UEFA spot represents success for most clubs, the idea of being managed by Allardyce and the lack of competition in the PL.

And these are the supporters that the club should be targetting.

As Ive stated in a previous post, a wrong appointment at this time could have serious repercussions for the future of Rovers.

Whilst losing games can result in financial loss due to relegation, the club need a WAW factor, they need to bring excitment back to the terraces. The game is about passion, passing tackles goals thrills and spills. its about bringing fans up on their feet in anticipation when certain players get the ball, players need to be allowed to express themselves. (on the field not in the papers) .

Are the club brave enough to bring in a manager who wants to play, to coin a phrase "sexy football" or are they going to go with the fear factor of the tried and tested manager whose sole object is to set team formations soley to stiffle out the opposition.

[Mc Love]

Well if we dont get HTC, then it has to first prefernce BFS and 2nd preference WWTB

[John]

Deja vu.

Last time (before Hughes was appointed), I had a nightmare about Dowie taking over.

Last night, I had a nightmare about Ince taking over.

Nooooooooo

[Mc Love]

Thanks John, I will be having nightmares in a few hours now while i am sleeping

[Eddie]

I can't see how you can say it will be stronger, you may be improving on your right back position but to lose an influential player like Barry and replace him with an average player like Sidwell is going to be a set back.

I personally think Barry is overrated and overpriced, so they could be stronger. If Sidwell plays like he can then he will be a more than adequate replacement and they'll have money left-over to invest in other areas of the team.

[Guest Kamy100]

Looks like the Lancashire Telegraph have been lifting stories from here again. They report today that McLaren was interviewed yesterday and that John Williams is flying out to Europe to interview a "mystery target", they believe that "mystery target" is Ten Carte.

[Torgeir]

Well I've woken up this morning feeling especially cynical. The club say they have 40 applicants, which we take as a positive thing. Of those 40 just 3 appear to have been considered worth interviewing:

Ince

Allardyce

McClaren

Another, Shearer, is the club chasing a dream. I don't blame them for trying but I'm not sure it was the right idea. Ten Cate appears to have more to do with Nicko's betting instincts than anything concrete. Martinez (just found out who he is) isn't interested

Those three, plus Shearer, have probably been interviewed so far - Shearer because he was first choice and the others because they weren't too far away. I wouldn't put too much into Martinez' comments, they were pretty standard for a manager who would like to keep his job if he doesn't get another one he would like more. As for Ten Cate: It's funny how you found out everything while sleeping, while nicko is actually out there doing journalistic work - I wonder which one of you are right.

[cravenblue]

where is nicko this morning with the news!!! i've got to go to work soon

[RoverFIN]

Maybe "new name" ?

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/blackburn-rov...ink-746384.html

[bonerdude]

hes airport hopping to see whos flying in/out....

just got back from download festival yesterday and not had a chance to catch up with posts....i get the jist of us still not having a new manager and bentley publicly stating he wants to go(we already knew that). but has there been any developments on the takeover front....

by the way...KISS ROCK

[CAPT KAYOS]

Whilst losing games can result in financial loss due to relegation, the club need a WAW factor, they need to bring excitment back to the terraces. The game is about passion, passing tackles goals thrills and spills. its about bringing fans up on their feet in anticipation when certain players get the ball, players need to be allowed to express themselves. (on the field not in the papers) .

Alan75 , wow what a post - don't agree with some things you post but to nail something on exactly what it should be IMO.

Well done my son!!

[rovers_rob]

I was talking to a young Rovers fan last weekend. He was telling me how he's thinking of watching a Championship side next season. He's fed up with players who mean nothing / have no connection with the support, the poor atmosphere at Ewood, the attitude of fans around him, the thought that chasing a UEFA spot represents success for most clubs, the idea of being managed by Allardyce and the lack of competition in the PL.

Personally I'm clinging to the thought John Williams will come up with someone totally unexpected. I just refuse to believe our club is going to be managed by the likes of Ince, Allardyce or McClaren. I don't have an axe to grind with them but none excite me in at all. For me one of those three will be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders..............

I have a season ticket and I go to quite a few away games but when I don't I watch local championship clubs and believe me the atmosphere is no better, the football is not the same quality as the premiership and the fans moan even more than they do at ewood.

It might do some people good to pay MORE money to watch teams like blackpool, accy stanley, pne and burnley just to see what it is actually like.

[rover6]

Are the club brave enough to bring in a manager who wants to play, to coin a phrase "sexy football" or are they going to go with the fear factor of the tried and tested manager whose sole object is to set team formations soley to stiffle out the opposition.

In an ideal world I would be 100% behind that. I want my team to play football that's exciting to watch.

But I look at the Premier League for role models for Rovers and I see a club like Everton. Despite spending millions upon millions and having one of the most highly-rated managers around - their game is still based around direct football, with goals from set-pieces a particular penchant of the Blues.

IS it possible for a financially weak club to play open, attractive football and survive in the Premiership, let alone compete? I'm not sure. Perhaps if we got in a unique manager but there's not many great managers lining up at Rovers' door.

[thenodrog]

I wouldn't put too much into Martinez' comments, they were pretty standard for a manager who would like to keep his job if he doesn't get another one he would like more.

Obviously not applicable in the case of Mark Hughes.

[Jolly Giraffe]

Elie Baup = A Blue Pie

Is this a match made in heaven?

[thenodrog]

IS it possible for a financially weak club to play open, attractive football and survive in the Premiership, let alone compete? I'm not sure.

Not for long imo.

[AggyBlue]

hes airport hopping to see whos flying in/out....

You think he'd invest some of his winnings on a Blackberry phone then he could keep us updated while he's out and about.

[thenodrog]

Well I've woken up this morning feeling especially cynical. The club say they have 40 applicants, which we take as a positive thing. Of those 40 just 3 appear to have been considered worth interviewing:

Ince

Allardyce

McClaren

Another, Shearer, is the club chasing a dream. I don't blame them for trying but I'm not sure it was the right idea. Ten Cate appears to have more to do with Nicko's betting instincts than anything concrete. Martinez (just found out who he is) isn't interested - we are already considering a 4th Division manager, do we also need to think about a 3rd Division one? Should we chuck Darren Ferguson into the ring as well, I have a friend who supports Peterborough and speaks highly of his ability?

For me this demonstrates the current poverty of the game and simply goes to underline why Hughes was such hot property. We don't have a single exciting, interesting or worthy candidate in the picture. When you think about it the same applied to the England manager's job. I fully accept we only know of the media speculation but if it's come to a choice between Ince, McClaren or Allardyce there is a wider problem in the game than our next manager.

I was talking to a young Rovers fan last weekend. He was telling me how he's thinking of watching a Championship side next season. He's fed up with players who mean nothing / have no connection with the support, the poor atmosphere at Ewood, the attitude of fans around him, the thought that chasing a UEFA spot represents success for most clubs, the idea of being managed by Allardyce and the lack of competition in the PL.

Personally I'm clinging to the thought John Williams will come up with someone totally unexpected. I just refuse to believe our club is going to be managed by the likes of Ince, Allardyce or McClaren. I don't have an axe to grind with them but none excite me in at all. For me one of those three will be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders..............

And these are the supporters that the club should be targetting.

Don't take Paul so seriously Alan. He becomes the board equivalent of Marvin the Paranoid Android when Black Dog occasionally turns up at his side. Look on the bright side and rememeber that the last time but one when England were looking for a new manager two of our candidates were 1st and 2nd choice by the FA.

Anyway.......... I doubt the kid can afford to watch lower division football.

[nicko]

Off the radar all day today...don't read too much into it...if there's anything to report it might be later.

Ten Cate in the LET, the stuff in the Mail and the Sun?

Makes you wonder at times.

[Esulx]

Couple of newspapers this morning claiming that Villa are targeting Bentley for £15m... is that Nicko's big secret?

As far as I'm concerned, he can go but am glad that JW has spoken out and said Bentley's future is in the hands of the new boss (whoever that will be...)

[leftfooter]

In an ideal world I would be 100% behind that. I want my team to play football that's exciting to watch.

But I look at the Premier League for role models for Rovers and I see a club like Everton. Despite spending millions upon millions and having one of the most highly-rated managers around - their game is still based around direct football, with goals from set-pieces a particular penchant of the Blues.

IS it possible for a financially weak club to play open, attractive football and survive in the Premiership, let alone compete? I'm not sure. Perhaps if we got in a unique manager but there's not many great managers lining up at Rovers' door.

At the end of the day, who are we trying to please?

Certainly the Rovers fans. We want to see attractive football, but not at the cost of becoming a soft touch.

Certainly not the snipers in the media who would just love us if we were plucky losers in the mould of Barnsley and West Brom.

[Bobby G]

Nicko, so what was the thing for the morning from last night???