[Archived] Nickos (newer) Thread

[Cocker]

There is one club in particular who are willing to pay for Brad...

Its Villa isnt it.

[EwoodGlory]

Does this court ruling (subject to an appeal) have any wider implications for the way football agents conduct themselves? This particular agency does seem to have been linked with murky dealings a number of times in the past (I'm thinking specifically of some Newcastle links that came up a couple of years ago).

I remember hearing that they had an office at St James, around the time that Newcastle we're linked with Rooney, but I can think of any 'murky dealings' involving Newcastle.

Its Villa isnt it.

Thats who I was thinking.

[spencey7]

It [the Brad story] is all very unexpected. I can't get my head round it.

It's astonishing. The only player in our team MORE important than Roque and Bentley - and we're selling him.

With Brad we will finish three or possibly four positions higher in the league.

If this is an indication of Ince's dealings in the transfer market, I am officially worried.

[nicko]

THE EXTENSION IS LOVELY, BY THE WAY.

Dare I ask???

Bricks and mortar rather than anything else...

The proceeds of the libel victory which make a very pleasant addition to Nicko Acres.

[robbojohnno]

Seen as it looks like theres a good chance we are going to be signing this Castillo fella, heres a chant I've come up with

Segundo wooooooooaaaaaaaaah!

Segundo wooooooooaaaaaaaaah!

He comes from Ecuador,

With his head he'll score!

Segundo wooooooooaaaaaaaaah!

Well it sounded good in my head

[bringdunnback]

If we sell Brad I will lose all respect and confidence in Ince and I was one of those who wante Ince all along, outrageous decsion to sell one of the best keepers in the league who has been a loyal servant to the club for many years and is the only memeber of the squad who deserves the title Mr Blackburn Rovers.

[nicko]

It's astonishing. The only player in our team MORE important than Roque and Bentley - and we're selling him.

With Brad we will finish three or possibly four positions higher in the league.

If this is an indication of Ince's dealings in the transfer market, I am officially worried.

I have to stress that no offer has been accepted...yet.

But I didn't anticipate this would even be an issue a few weeks ago.

[Eddie]

I'll throw a potential name into the "might be interested in Brad":

Arsenal.

It would be strange to see him on another team, but he'll need to be replaced relatively soon, the smart move, given the state of our finances, is to try and get money for him and bring someone in.

[gumboots]

I have to stress that no offer has been accepted...yet.

But I didn't anticipate this would even be an issue a few weeks ago.

No I don't think anyone really saw it coming in their wildest dreams or worst nightmares.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Rovers have been looking at keepers for the past few days - it puzzled me when the rumours started but it IS the case.

There is one club in particular who are willing to pay for Brad...and I suspect there will be another if a price is agreed.

It is all very unexpected. I can't get my head round it.

Perhaps Ince wasn't that friendly with Brad during their Liverpool days...

I'm finding it very, very hard to see the sense in possibly getting rid of probably one of the top three keepers in the best league in the world, who clearly isn't past it and still has a lot to offer.

I cannot see Brad wanting out, so it has to be that Ince doesn't rate him.

At a time where we have had a huge shock to the club with losing our manager and backrrom staff and there is all the speculation about Bents and Roque, i think the notion of Brad leaving has to be one of the most stupidest train of thoughts possible. Have people not considered the impact this would have on our players, Brad i'm guessing garners immense respect and admiration from the players. I can't see many players being happy at all if he is forced out.

[modes98]

so it has to be that Ince doesn't rate him.

Then hopefully Steele can knock some sense into him. Brad is consistently in the top 3 or 4 keepers in the league, we will have a big enough problem replacing him when he retires, never mind speeding that process up.

[Hughesy]

Who has mentioned him being forced out?? Maybe he is aware of a big club, with the chance of silverware (Arsenal?).

I think Villa has to be the more likely however.

Like I said yesterday at his age - £5m + and we would be foolish to not think about it.

[b12_simon]

It's astonishing. The only player in our team MORE important than Roque and Bentley - and we're selling him.

We're not. It's just filling column inches

I agree on Brad's importance to Rovers.

[mode_m]

Its Villa isnt it.

...Or Man City even.

[Hughesy]

Nicko already said that isnt the main interest

[gumboots]

Perhaps Ince wasn't that friendly with Brad during their Liverpool days...

I'm finding it very, very hard to see the sense in possibly getting rid of probably one of the top three keepers in the best league in the world, who clearly isn't past it and still has a lot to offer.

I cannot see Brad wanting out, so it has to be that Ince doesn't rate him.

At a time where we have had a huge shock to the club with losing our manager and backrrom staff and there is all the speculation about Bents and Roque, i think the notion of Brad leaving has to be one of the most stupidest train of thoughts possible. Have people not considered the impact this would have on our players, Brad i'm guessing garners immense respect and admiration from the players. I can't see many players being happy at all if he is forced out.

so why is nobody explaining it to Ince? It's not just players who might not be happy - it's fans. the guy already has a mountain to climb to persuade people he really is the right manager so why, at the very start do something that will alienate large numbers and get them on his back the first time your replacement keeper makes even the vaguest mistake. Brad was always going to be a hard act to follow at rovers but it will be impossible if he's forced out at the moment when he doesn't appear to want to go. I know new managers want to mould their own team but there are some things you don't mess with unless you have to, and I'll find it very remiss of someone at rovers if they haven't fully explained this to him. Perhaps he's not listening, but if not, he ought to be.

[Cocker]

Who has mentioned him being forced out?? Maybe he is aware of a big club, with the chance of silverware (Arsenal?).

I dont know where the article is but I am sure I read a couple of seasons ago that Man U wanted him and he rejected it straight off saying he couldnt really handle all of the champions league games and all and wanted to concentrate on the league with Blackburn - like I say I dont know where I read it but I am sure that was the case - can anyone back this up?

It is really sickening that we could be going into the new season without Brad/Santa and Bentley. I normally cant wait for the new season to kick off but I dont think I want this one to start.

Ah the doom and gloom - it wouldnt be the same without it

[Blue n White Rover]

Talking to a couple of Liverpool fans about Brad they say he is a very good keeper but he was under pressure at a "BIG" club and had to perform, he was unable to do that, that is why he was released by Liverpool.

He came to Rovers where there is less pressure for him to perform and he has been absoloutley outstanding. He did make a couple of errors last season and clearing the ball was a major worry for Brad.

However, he did make some outstanding saves as usual and I fully expect him to stay. He's a Rover through and through and personally I cant find a better keeper for Rovers than the great American himself.

If he does go it isn't the end of the world some fans saying they're going to be worried if he does leave, but we didn't question Sparky for spending £3.5 million on a striker that was only warming the bench at Bayern, or when he bought an "arsenal reject". Look how they turned out to be and Brad leaving may not be bad decision overall, but this does not mean I want him to go!

[RibbleValleyRover]

Who has mentioned him being forced out?? Maybe he is aware of a big club, with the chance of silverware (Arsenal?).

I cannot see Brad wanting out. I could have course be wrong but considering the fact he is a few years off retiring and he loves the club which was clearly shown by his use of no agent and signing a new contract over a hot beverage i am finding it difficult to take the view that he wants to leave.

Even if we got £5 million i wouldn't sell him. Brad is for me up there with Cech as the best keeper in the league. Robinson, Green and Cudichini aren't anywhere near his class.

[Hughesy]

Cudicini is a class keeper.

Take off the blue tinted specs and you will realise that Friedel is slowing down, he is still a top keeper, but he isnt as unbeatable as he was 2 years ago.

[Eddie]

He's slowing down and he's a keeper who has always relied on fantastic reflexes rather than real goalkeeping skill. If that goes, which it will, he will be terrible.

[spencey7]

Cudicini is a class keeper.

Take off the blue tinted specs and you will realise that Friedel is slowing down, he is still a top keeper, but he isnt as unbeatable as he was 2 years ago.

Rubbish - Brad is as good now as he's ever been.

How many costly mistakes does Cudicini make compared to Freidel??

[RibbleValleyRover]

Cudicini is a class keeper.

Not in Brad's league.

Take off the blue tinted specs and you will realise that Friedel is slowing down, he is still a top keeper, but he isnt as unbeatable as he was 2 years ago.

He still proved last season on numerous ocassions he is still a top keeper. The United game for instance was a goalkeeping masterclass.

[gumboots]

Cudicini is a class keeper.

Take off the blue tinted specs and you will realise that Friedel is slowing down, he is still a top keeper, but he isnt as unbeatable as he was 2 years ago.

No he's not and I don't want to be sentimental to the point where I think we should keep him regardless but i do think the guy deserves some respect for the service he's given us and it would seem that, if he's being pushed out now then it's not being shown. If we decide we don't want to extend his contract further that's a different matter but for the kind of fee we might get I can't see the value in selling him.

[Hughesy]

Yeah im not denying that he is still a top keeper and on his day can stop a bus, but for how much longer - that is the vital question!?!

Yeah Cudicini plays in the same league! Anyway we cant really compare him, he hasnt been given a chance for the last 3 or 4 years at Chelsea since Cech turned up.

What about Lillian Thuram to shore up the defence - free agent?