[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[Eddie]

Enough play time for me- meetings to go to!

Three pointers

- the Chelsea job is a much better one than the Man U job.

That's purely a personal opinion.

[nicko]

A thought: If Hughes goes, do you think our owners would give the new manager more to spend than Sparky has in his transfer kitty this summer?

No. Unless they find a printing press.

As far as any takeover repercussions are concerned I don't think Chris Ronnie's team would have persuaded Sparky to stay - director or not - if one of the big ones came calling.

The only trouble here is IF Sparky goes and Rovers, looking for a buyer, have to look for a manager at the same time.

That is a bit of a nightmare thought.

[RevidgeBlue]

Five or six years is a lot of time in today's football.

A thought: If Hughes goes, do you think our owners would give the new manager more to spend than Sparky has in his transfer kitty this summer?

1) Agreed, but I think five or six years is erring towards the maximum lifespan of the Chelsea job, two consecutive trophyless seasons would surely result in the bullet.

2) Wouldn't have thought so. It still remains to be seen if there will be much money for our manager this summer despite rumours of 10m before sales being available.

[tony gale's mic]

Abramovich told Grant in Moscow last week that he was safe. A few days later, after the 'hawks' at the club told him he had to get rid he followed their advice.

Remember, this guy is no mug. He does listen and then acts fast and hard.

The problem here is that he is being pushed to go for Sparky by the same people who wanted Grant out.

And as Abramovich can't find a sexy name he will probably agree...

I know one very live front runner dropped out yesterday. It's not even in the papers. So the field is officially very small now.

Which live front runner?

[nicko]

Which live front runner?

Rijkaard.

[AndyC]

I wouldn't put it like that, things have been exceptionally quiet as regards us being linked to any quality players, so there's not really any good work to be undone as it were. Things haven't even got off the ground yet.

Do you honestly believe not much work has been done behind the scenes?

Every year this happens. The same message board members always berate the club, because we're not linked with loads of players.

I'm clearly as much in the dark as you are, but do you think hughes, williams and their scouting network are all sat around twiddling their thumbs?

Or is it yet another predictable dig at the club?

[AJW]

What chance alan shearer for rovers manager?

[Torgeir]

Rijkaard.

Is it because he isn't as sexy as Gullit?

[nicko]

What chance alan shearer for rovers manager?

One step at a time. But what an excellent thought.

[AndyC]

That's purely a personal opinion.

agreed.

although I suspect he's saying that because Chelsea have just had a trophyless season, so it shouldn't be difficult to change that next season with the team they have and the funds available.

Man u, meanwhile, will go through shock when fergie finally leaves!

[Bobby G]

Why did Rijkaard drop out? Wouldve thought he would jump at the chance...

Sparky should know that by becoming Chelsea manager he will most likely be ruled out of any chance to take over at United.

Either he will be successful at Chelsea and wouldnt leave them or he will be sacked within a year or two with his reputation damaged a la Sam Allardyce.

[dellinsert]

So worth laying on Rijkaard then?

[AndyC]

One step at a time. But what an excellent thought.

wonder what the fans reaction would be!

talking of former players - what's henning berg up to these days?

what about Friedal as player manager!!!

o.k. i'll stop being silly now!

[tony gale's mic]

One step at a time. But what an excellent thought.

Not really - it'd a total lose lose situation for us.

First managerial experience - he does badly, we slide down the league.

He does a good job with us, what with the perpetually revolving door at Newcastle it's only a matter of time until they come calling.

[EwoodGlory]

What chance alan shearer for rovers manager?

I was holding off the campaign until something concrete happened, but as when Sparky was linked with Newcastle.

Shearer for Rovers, Say NO to Big Sam

He would definitely be my first choice, but, as Nicko says, one step at a time.

[RevidgeBlue]

Or is it yet another predictable dig at the club?

Not at all, although it is clearly another one of your depressingly predictable digs at me.

I was merely responding to philip's fear that our summer was in danger of falling apart when nothing has yet developed far enough to unravel.

Obviously much work will already have gone on behind the scenes, equally a new manager would still look to bring new players in even if we lost Hughes.

[nicko]

Why did Rijkaard drop out? Wouldve thought he would jump at the chance...

I know why but that is going perilously close to revealing a very helpful source.

If you look at the current runners they are starting to fall bar one.

Rijkaard is a no. Hiddink works for the Russkies. Mancini is not exciting anyone. Eriksson is not in the running. Scolari is otherwise involved. Mourinho is a no.

[Iceman]

If Hughes does go,and Sven hasnt got a new job yet,then i wouldnt mind having him here.although,the swede did snub us once before.... otherwise Mike Newell anybody? i know he had a bit of hard time at Luton,but another ex player in charge would be nice

[tony gale's mic]

I know why but that is going perilously close to revealing a very helpful source.

If you look at the current runners they are starting to fall bar one.

Rijkaard is a no. Hiddink works for the Russkies. Mancini is not exciting anyone. Eriksson is not in the running. Scolari is otherwise involved. Mourinho is a no.

Hiddink is employed by the Russians yes, but doesn't Roman wield quite a large amount of power over that particular appointment?

[AJW]

Not really - it'd a total lose lose situation for us.

First managerial experience - he does badly, we slide down the league.

He does a good job with us, what with the perpetually revolving door at Newcastle it's only a matter of time until they come calling.

But in the mentime , he would get bums back on seats , and would probobly be more of an attractive name for players to come and possibly more important , investors, i agree about the lack of experience but he would certainly want an experienced no2 alonside him anyway

[modes98]

otherwise Mike Newell anybody? i know he had a bit of hard time at Luton,but another ex player in charge would be nice

No! As much as i would like an ex player in charge that would be an awful appointment. As bad as Sir Colin Hendry.

Hughes is still our boss and hopefully it remains that way for the foreseeable future. If not then Bowen would be right up there, only problem is getting him a good backroom team which we would have to do for him really.

[Bobby G]

I just want this whole issue with Bentley and now the Chelsea manager to finish up asap so we can move on with the summer while there is time to appoint a manager and sign some players.

Sickening start to the summer if Hughes leaves...But at least I can live with him being at one of the Big 4 rather than Spurs or Newcastle!

[RevidgeBlue]

so it looks like Big Sam to Ewood before the start of next season........

If the worst came to the worst and we lost Hughes I'd be quite happy with Allardyce, although the longer he is out of work the less attractive he becomes.

I really don't like discussing possible replacements when Hughes might not even be offered the Chelsea job. However Allardyce, Paul Ince and Alan Irvine would be on my emergency contingency list.

As for Shearer, that would be a huge gamble. I think at the very least he'd need an experienced right hand man. Dalglish?

Hopefully it will all be hypothetical.

[MarkBRFC]

I cant believe people would want Bowen in charge if Hughes left, appointing the departing managers assistant never works.

[AndyC]

Not at all, although it is clearly another one of your depressingly predictable digs at me.

I was merely responding to philip's fear that our summer was in danger of falling apart when nothing has yet developed far enough to unravel.

Obviously much work will already have gone on behind the scenes, equally a new manager would still look to bring new players in even if we lost Hughes.

my apologies then fella!