[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[nicko]

Sweet god not to Liverpool it's going to be another bloody summer of listening to the house full here gloating about signing our players again

If Liverpool make a proper offer then they will be taken seriously, I'm afraid. You have to hope Chelsea get a pro-Bentley boss and then it might become an auction.

Otherwise we are all in for an agonisingly long summer.

[alexanders]

Sweet god not to Liverpool it's going to be another bloody summer of listening to the house full here gloating about signing our players again

Same here.

And when the scousers steal our players they never perform and they start talking about how bad they are.

I bet Bentley will make a bad decision going there.

[Silencio]

Real Madrid are prepared to pay an estimated £150m to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. They will pay Man Utd £39.8m as well as offering Robinho, Sergio Ramos and Mahamadou Diarra in exchange and will pay the Portuguese winger £7.6m a year. (Daily Express)

This looks like total bullshit but if I was United I'd be snapping the hands off, no matter how good Ronaldo is...

[philipl]

Rovers had better get extra security from Liverpool about getting paid and I'm not joking.

Leeds have already set the precedent of taking an extra 15 point hit for not paying football debts and Luton have just done the same thing. Rovers lost out on a six figure sum on Matteo with the Leeds experience- its probably not written off but for sure its not going to be collected any time soon.

[nicko]

Real Madrid are prepared to pay an estimated £150m to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. They will pay Man Utd £39.8m as well as offering Robinho, Sergio Ramos and Mahamadou Diarra in exchange and will pay the Portuguese winger £7.6m a year. (Daily Express)

This looks like total bullshit but if I was United I'd be snapping the hands off, no matter how good Ronaldo is...

I believe the cash offer they will make is in the region of £60 million. The wages on offer to the player over £200,000-a-week.

If I was Man U I would be a little bit afraid at the moment.

It does make you smile though, they have bullied clubs in the past and now it's their turn.

[Silencio]

So the player exchange + 40 million is bull yeah? (I think most stuff in the Express is.)

If I was United I'd be taking Ramos, Diarra and Robinho and spending the 40 million on Benzema or Kun Aguero...

[thenodrog]

I believe Bentley has confirmed that there are no more contract talks now...does that mean I cen get my head out of the stocks?

All you can say about this is that the lad does at least speak the truth. He doesn't want to sign and thinks it's time to move on.

Yes, his head has been turned, but at least everyone now knows where they stand.

Liverpool obviously have made the £12 million approach and now it will be a case of getting the magic figure to the £15 million [or so] needed.

How can you say he's speaking truthfully, when since Christmas you were assuring eveybody that there was a trifling issue witrh his agents fees and that he definitely would sign?

Anyway...... Am i the only one to hate bloody international call ups for our players? From Fat Fred and Keith Newton thru the class of 95 to Bentley and prob Warnock now it always ends in tears.

Just make sure we

1. Get big money with oodles of add-ons for him.

2. Keep Hughes, reward him BIG for his abilities to unearth fresh talent and keep the production line running and then the jobs a gud un. Remember ...Thars gold in them there cities.... or alternatively Fools and their money are soon parted.

[Oklahoma]

I honestly think that these are more rumours than anything else. (in Ronaldo's case)

If I were a journalist, I could come up with some crazy transfer story now because anything goes, really.

I don´t think any of the big 4 will come for Bentley.

If they do, make them pay well and Hughes will have more money to buy good players.

[brian_gallagher85]

Yeah, I'm starting to think he's off (dreaming of it actually ) He loves being the centre of attention and he'll get that at Real .

How long before they come in for Torres then Nicko and give the Scousers some of their own medicine? (pity he played with Atletico )

[thenodrog]

If Liverpool make a proper offer then they will be taken seriously, I'm afraid. You have to hope Chelsea get a pro-Bentley boss and then it might become an auction.

Otherwise we are all in for an agonisingly long summer.

Hughes?

[EwoodGlory]

Any ideas if Arshavin would come to Ewood, if the money was right? or is he after European football.

If Bentley is to leave, we could get Pennant for the right, Arshavin for the centre, and I think the team could actually be stronger.

Would still leave plenty of cash for a quality right back.

[thenodrog]

If Liverpool make a proper offer then they will be taken seriously, I'm afraid. You have to hope Chelsea get a pro-Bentley boss and then it might become an auction.

Otherwise we are all in for an agonisingly long summer.

You know how you keep berating the Telegraph for reading your words of wisdom on here and the publishing?

http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=611647

They may as well cut out the middle man eh Alan?

[nicko]

How can you say he's speaking truthfully, when since Christmas you were assuring eveybody that there was a trifling issue witrh his agents fees and that he definitely would sign?

Because Bentley and his people were actively talking about a new contract for months - the player said he was settled and the figures were very high. The only stumbling block at that time was the issue of how the agents were paid. Links with other clubs at that time were irrelevant as nobody was paying the money and the player was not bothered.

In the course of the past few weeks there has been a change of attitude from the player. He has, basically, gone a bit big-time.

Now he doesn't want to sign and there are no more talks.

By publicising the fact that he wants out he has now gone to the next stage.

He IS speaking truthfully, he has just changed his point of view. He could have ducked the question, but he didn't. I quite admire that.

I think another reason for going public is to let Rovers know there is no going back - and they better sell him for the right price.

[nicko]

Hughes?

Bentley's sale would definitely give him an excuse to leave if he wanted one. But you have to have somewhere to go...

[nicko]

Any ideas if Arshavin would come to Ewood, if the money was right? or is he after European football.

If Bentley is to leave, we could get Pennant for the right, Arshavin for the centre, and I think the team could actually be stronger.

Would still leave plenty of cash for a quality right back.

Arshavin's price is £10 million. It would be absolutely inspired to sign him if he would come.

It does put Bentley's price into perspective...if you get £15 million you have won the pools.

Arshavin is a far better player and captain of his country.

[alexanders]

It does put Bentley's price into perspective...if you get £15 million you have won the pools.

I just hope as many teams as possible (Spurs, Lpool, Chelsea) start an auction over Bents contract.

If they pay silly-money I am happy to let him go and get in refreshments.

[brian_gallagher85]

Anychance you could raise this little idea with Mark the next time you speak?

[nicko]

So the player exchange + 40 million is bull yeah? (I think most stuff in the Express is.)

If I was United I'd be taking Ramos, Diarra and Robinho and spending the 40 million on Benzema or Kun Aguero...

The swap stuff is just talk. If Man U sell they will want the money to spend themselves.

Benzema isn't for sale - although that could always change.

Aguero likewise.

Chelsea desperate for those two as well. There could be a lot more spending among the Big Two this summer than for many years, especially IF Ronaldo goes.

[nicko]

Anychance you could raise this little idea with Mark the next time you speak?

He's probably just read it...

Usual 10 per cent please.

[brian_gallagher85]

Now to work on Roman!

[thenodrog]

He IS speaking truthfully, he has just changed his point of view.

Basically he lied earlier!

I think another reason for going public is to let Rovers know there is no going back - and they better sell him for the right price.

Tail wagging the dog methinks?

Have you changed your stance here? I seem to rem you suggesting that it was BRFC that allegedly called off negotiations and not Bentley?

I've a feeling that the best psychology would be for Williams to allow Hughes to play hardball here. Hughes will have his pride and his ambitions too and we do not need to p1ss him off unduly by cashing in on his star player. Bentley is a pawn in the game whereas Hughes is our Queen (if he doesn't mind me saying so ). Bentley might indeed want to go but we hold all the aces and are very much in the driving seat and any decisions should be Hughes's.

[mohelger]

Some news today concerning Anthony Annan. Annan reveals today in norwegian newspaper VG that he was on trial with Blackburn in 2005, and Rovers wanted to sign him. However, he wasn't able to get a work permit, so he went to Norway instead. The article also says that there shouldn't be any problems with obtaining the necessary work permit now. Annan says he expects to leave Norway this summer, with England his preferred destination.

[joey_big_nose]

Well I suppose Bentley is off if we get fifteen million then. Interesting that Liverpool started the bidding so high at 12m. I thought it would be lower than that considering how idiotic Benitez has been.

Nicko - do you think there is serious mileage in a 10m plus Pennant deal? If Liverpool sign Bentley then Pennant will not be any use to them. With our former Arsenal youth coaching staff, who Pennant will know, and the excellent examples of Rovers revivng careers in Bentley and Warnock for him to ponder on, plus our nearby location in the North West then it could be seriously attractive to the mildly criminal puffy haired one. Also in the Barry saga liverpool seemed to be very keen on player swap deals.

And, whilst not possessing the same quality of delivery as Bentley, he would have one crucial ingredient that we need - pace. He has also shown that when managed properly (neither of which Liverpool have provided) and given a run of games he can be a very very good.

In addition it would give us enough money spare to attract another top quality player (Farfan!) on top of our current planned summer expenditure.

I would like Bentley to stay but all is not lost providing we get the right deal.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Well I suppose Bentley is off if we get fifteen million then. Interesting that Liverpool started the bidding so high at 12m. I thought it would be lower than that considering how idiotic Benitez has been.

Nicko - do you think there is serious mileage in a 10m plus Pennant deal? If Liverpool sign Bentley then Pennant will not be any use to them. With our former Arsenal youth coaching staff, who Pennant will know, and the excellent examples of Rovers revivng careers in Bentley and Warnock for him to ponder on, plus our nearby location in the North West then it could be seriously attractive to the mildly criminal puffy haired one. Also in the Barry saga liverpool seemed to be very keen on player swap deals.

And, whilst not possessing the same quality of delivery as Bentley, he would have one crucial ingredient that we need - pace. He has also shown that when managed properly (neither of which Liverpool have provided) and given a run of games he can be a very very good.

In addition it would give us enough money spare to attract another top quality player (Farfan!) on top of our current planned summer expenditure.

I would like Bentley to stay but all is not lost providing we get the right deal.

Not a fan of Pennant, if we are going to sell Bentley i would take cash only.

I've consigned myself to the fact Bents will be gone in the summer. If he was to be sold i would be pretty selective on where he goes if i was Sparky. Liverpool and Chelsea i would allow as they are the teams that will challenge for the champions league spots and should in my opinion achieve them comfortably next season. I wouldn't allow Bents to go to clubs that will be challeneging us for the UEFA Cup spots, Spurs, Villa for example.

I'm fully expecting Bents to have a serious dip in form when he leaves, the rotation at a Chelsea or Liverpool won't do him any favours. But if he wants to go what can you do?

Does anyone feel the club could be heading towards a real cataclysmic point?

There’s a small chance that Sparky may get offered the Chelsea job and if he is offered it I cannot see him turning it down. Then there is our most creative player who might be leaving.

Worrying times indeed.

[thenodrog]

If it were down to me it would be cash only and thats that! You can swap players all you like but sometimes a perceived step down often affects the attitudes of some players and can act as a disincentive. If Liverpool want to swap it's cos they have little available money and (like us) need to offload before they can buy and do NOT want to lose face. So why the hell should we help them out of the hole of their making? Lpool want 10m for a reserve keeper, and 16m for a reserve striker ffs yet they offer us 12m for a young Englsih international player who was MoM on his full debut and is widely tipped to be the new Beckham! Tell em to sod off until they at least match the price that the last England winger sold for.... SWP.