[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[philipl]

The ones where started lower to mid table in division one and within five years were PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS, each time coming closer than Rovers ever have.

You should try some, might remove those blinkers.

The statistics show that Bolton Wanderers' 7th in 2006/7 was their highest ever finish in the Premier League.

CORRECTION- Bolton achieved one sixth, one seventh and one eigth place under BFS. So UEFA Cup contenders.

[Cocker]

According to today's People:

'The priorities are a striker, a midfield general, a right back and a left winger as he looks to make his big push for the top four next season'

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

That's virtually the same as what we need

Very true but the difference is that Everton will probably get them where as we wont

[Ricky]

PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS, each time coming closer than Rovers ever have.

Ha Ha, that's the funniest thing I think you've ever written. Perennial champions league contenders and Bolton have probably never been in the same sentance before. Don't let the fact that they have never finished above 7th get in the way of that lol.

[Mc Love]

FECK OFF CHELSEA...say it aint true Nicko

[bonerdude]

The ones where started lower to mid table in division one and within five years were PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS, each time coming closer than Rovers ever have.

You should try some, might remove those blinkers.

that is funny...you seem to forget we have been in the champ league and won the premier league....something i cant see notlob doin for a very long time.

[thenodrog]

The ones where started lower to mid table in division one and within five years were PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS, each time coming closer than Rovers ever have.

You should try some, might remove those blinkers.

Didn't we do all that and much better in 1991 and subsequent years Shillitoe?

Point is Allardyce's managerial record is beyond question imo and you would have been better served if you had used the word 'European contenders'. He's done well at every club that he has managed except the Mags where he fell on the same managerial scrapheap that has engulfed the likes of Dalglish, Gullitt, Robson, Ardilles, Souness and KK himself in recent years.

[ffan]

Bentley 12 mill - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

Hughes to Chelsea - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

and interestingly enough Ashley set to sell Newcastle - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

Hughes chasing Zableta - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

[tony gale's mic]

There is no way in high hell Chelsea will go in for Hughes. Absolutely zero chance.

[thenodrog]

Bentley 12 mill - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

Hughes to Chelsea - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

and interestingly enough Ashley set to sell Newcastle - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

Hughes chasing Zableta - http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

1. Do you not have your own board to go to ffan?

2. Change newspapers to one that doesn't have red on the front page.

[ffan]

1. Do you not have your own board to go to ffan?

2. Change newspapers to one that doesn't have red on the front page.

Nah at work and extremely bored.

[DudeAbides]

Oh dear,

here we go again , hughes is goin here and there....

[nicko]

nicko any chance of sundays scoops now?

ROVERS TARGET - I believe it is Zabaleta at Espanyol who is the target. I heard that at the time when the boss watched Espanyol v Atletico Madrid and Rovers sent a top scout to watch him play for Argentina against Catalunya in Barcelona yesterday. He is a very good but expensive right back who can also play right wing. He also wants to move and is being offered around.

BENTLEY AND LIVERPOOL - Not mine, but there may something to that. Liverpool think they have the money in the bank from selling Crouch to Portsmouth - which should happen soon - and they will try to get Bentley on the cheap. Best of luck. Chelsea's change of manager should NOT affect the fact that he is not as high up the list there as his 'people' think he is.

BOLTON STRIKER TARGET - Elmander the Swede.

VILLA CENTRE HALF [just for Tom] - The Greek kid whose first name is Sokratis...and also wanted by Wigan.

[philipl]

So nicko's point about Rovers' scouts watching the Espanyol target yesterday was a red herring? Or was Zabaleta in action somewhere? Or is Zabaleta the red herring?

OOPS- SEE ANSWERS ABOVE!

Re Liverpool, Rafa reckons he is going to raise £50m cash from disposals of his cast-offs according to some press. The rejects include Arbeloa, Pennant and Crouch but Rafa will be doing well to receive half that figure net of transaction costs considering that he's not the only Prem manager trying to offload half a top-twelve finishing squad (Man City, Spurs and Newcastle come to mind).

Abramovich firing Grant and putting a huge ? over Ten Kate presumably means Roman himself is even more directly in charge of running the Chelsea sweetie shop. I guess that slips David Bentley's prospects of a move to Stamford Bridge down a notch or two not least with the Blatter 5+6 formula knocked out of play to all serious intents and purposes.

Must admit to having a horrible feeling that Rafa will eventually come calling for Bentley but it will be interesting to see if Villa set a precedent by retaining Barry which they have a decent chance of doing seeing as Rafa needs to sell to buy.

As for Hughes to Chelsea or Celtic- the former is far too sensible to happen and the latter is now a dead duck unless Strachan changes his mind about staying. Of course Sparky's house is for sale thanks to Bob the flipping builder Carrick.

[doctorryan]

The ones where started lower to mid table in division one and within five years were PERENNIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS, each time coming closer than Rovers ever have.

You should try some, might remove those blinkers.

The ones where started ?

Sounds like an acid-induced album title.

As for the rest of that........

Typical shilly17.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Not sure why Hughes is looking at Zabaleta, the price being banded around seems to be pretty much most of our budget if the reports are true.

I would have thought our number one priority this season is to get in a quality attacking midfielder.

[Silencio]

I'd take Arbeloa at right back in a shot...

[nicko]

Not sure why Hughes is looking at Zabaleta, the price being banded around seems to be pretty much most of our budget if the reports are true.

I would have thought our number one priority this season is to get in a quality attacking midfielder.

The Zabaleta price can always come down...and, who knows, you might have some extra cash shortly. He is a top-class player. I agree it is a lot for a right back/right winger, but there's no harm in having agood look.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

The Zabaleta price can always come down...and, who knows, you might have some extra cash shortly. He is a top-class player. I agree it is a lot for a right back/right winger, but there's no harm in having agood look.

Bentley's replacement?

Zabaleta reminds me of a younger Javier Zanetti, saying that i have propbaly only seen about 2 matches worth of him. looks a class act, possibly even a step up to Bentley.

[Silencio]

The Zabaleta price can always come down...and, who knows, you might have some extra cash shortly. He is a top-class player. I agree it is a lot for a right back/right winger, but there's no harm in having agood look.

Nicko, is he better in midfield or at the back? I haven't seen him play as there's no Spanish football in Korea but would he be a decent replacement for Bentley?

[philipl]

Sky reported that Man City met with his agent on 21 May and that the agent and Espanyol agreed he should either be moved by 1 August or will stay where he is.

Must admit to being confused as to where he plays- I have seen him described as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, right winger and a right back. Used to score quite regularly before his transfer to Espanyol.

[Tom 1]

I wouldn't be unhappy signing the greek guy, I've said a while it needs to be finely balanced who we bring in at centre back as we already have a great pairing in Martin Laursen and Curtis Davies. Davies is out until October/November though and we need someone to play other than Knight as first choice until that time. Knight's a good back-up player and his a Villa boy through and through but his not good enough for consistent first team. Am sure we'll prob go for someone more experienced as well, well hopefully.

Hope we get someone signed up soon, not to rush but just to get the ball rolling properly, we need a lot of bodies before our Inter toto match in July.

If Rafa is after Bentley than I hope his given up the ghost on Gareth Barry. Theres a rumour that Barry was seriously fancying Pool but has since changed his mind after speaking to Martin O'Neill and Randy Lerner in a meeting about their plans for the future of the club, who knows though, won't feel happy till his here well into the season.

[nicko]

Nicko, is he better in midfield or at the back? I haven't seen him play as there's no Spanish football in Korea but would he be a decent replacement for Bentley?

I've not seen enough of him to tell you, but he is a tough and seasoned campaigner already and still young. A worthy target.

[nicko]

Sky reported that Man City met with his agent on 21 May and that the agent and Espanyol agreed he should either be moved by 1 August or will stay where he is.

The bottom line is that Espanyol will sell and are trying to start an auction. Man City are being used by everyone just now...and probably deserve it.

[nicko]

Nicko, is he better in midfield or at the back? I haven't seen him play as there's no Spanish football in Korea but would he be a decent replacement for Bentley?

Just spoken to someone who was at the game - he is a better right back in his opinion. Loads of scouts there from the Premier.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Sky reported that Man City met with his agent on 21 May and that the agent and Espanyol agreed he should either be moved by 1 August or will stay where he is.

Must admit to being confused as to where he plays- I have seen him described as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, right winger and a right back. Used to score quite regularly before his transfer to Espanyol.

Not according to his stats- 6 goals in 60 odd games. As for his postion(s) he is in the mould of Javier Zanetti; he can play anywhere down the right -hand side & as a Defensive midfielder.