[Archived] Nickos (newer) Thread

[Lathund]

I don't want to lose Brad at all, but eventually we will. Whether it's now or in two years time. However in order to get rid now two things need to be in place:

a) A big enough bid

A good, younger, replacement.

If those things are in place now, but won't be in place two years from now (Of course, noone can know whether or not they will) then it would be the right decision to sell. However the fact that we're apparently looking at several keepers would suggest that it's not the case that there's a rare opportunity that we can't miss. I mean if there's an outstanding 25 year old keeper available for a reasonable price, an opportunity that's unlikely to present itself again, then we should go for it. But is there?

However I feel that what we'll be doing is taking a big risk on a player who could turn out great, or could lose us 9 points a season compared to Brad (i.e Robinson. Could be great, could be what he was this season), or a short-term solution (Cudicini). The ideal solution if Brad was to go would be that Brown, Fielding or Nielsen would be ready to step up, but I fear that's just wishful thinking.

[bluebruce]

then again if we get say 2.5 million for him. thats not too bad for a man with just a couple of good seasons still in him. i very much question the clubs chasing him though, and it does not sound like hughes to buy old players. he must think management for sure??

I can scarce believe what I'm reading there...Friedel makes an immense contribution to us which has surely many times in the past gained us 2.5 million a season in points saved raising our league placing and prize money. I don't see any sense in selling such an asset so cheaply if he has two more seasons like the one he just had or even close.

[nicko]

Bid for £19m from an English club turned down for Ashavin (Rumored to be Villa) If Lerner has opened the cheque book and wants the calibre of Arshavin, Bentley amongst the others they are being linked with they could be a VERY good side next year.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...3801115,00.html

'Mystery bidders' usually don't exist.

It's a ploy to get Barcelona at it.

Arsenal and Chelsea might take him, but the price is almost DOUBLE what Zenit were quoting Man City and Arsenal before Euro 2008.

[gumboots]

I can scarce believe what I'm reading there...Friedel makes an immense contribution to us which has surely many times in the past gained us 2.5 million a season in points saved raising our league placing and prize money. I don't see any sense in selling such an asset so cheaply if he has two more seasons like the one he just had or even close.

I think that letting friedel go at this stage unless the guy coming in is breathtakingly good (and he won't be because that costs too much) is managerial suicide for Ince. How to turn the majority of fans against you in one fell swoop. You haven't convinced us of anything yet and then you decide to get rid of Mr Popular himself. You might not like him but we do and we'll still be here when you have entered the Rovers history books. Probably a very short chapter. I understand the reasons why some are saying this could be a good time to sell but I don't think the majority of us believe tham.

[S15]

If Incey gets £2.5m for Friedel he can slap my face and slash in the memorial garden as T4E earlier suggested.

That's alot of money for hastening up the inevitable. Lets see if there is any takers for a £6m Tugay.

[imy9]

May I add that at the time Big Brad was signed we had an excellent keeper in John Filan playing for the club.

If memory serves me correctly a lot of Rovers fans were shocked by the decision to sign a new keeper.

If Ince wants to sell Big Brad- good luck to him.

I am sure he will sign an excellent prospect before he lets him go.

Nearly £3 million for a 37 year old Goalie- yes there are few better but how long can he carry on?? Do we want to remember how good he was or start slating him when he starts to make mistakes- this will happen!

Thanks Nicko for the regular updates, I look forward to reading The Mirror in the morning!!

[MancVillan]

Bid for £19m from an English club turned down for Ashavin (Rumored to be Villa) If Lerner has opened the cheque book and wants the calibre of Arshavin, Bentley amongst the others they are being linked with they could be a VERY good side next year.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...3801115,00.html

What makes you think it's Villa? Don't doubt we have the money, but it's a bit of a no-go really. He wants Champions League football unfortunately.

[Hughesy]

Arshavin bid is Arsenals. They want something daft like £24m for him!

Benitez has confirmed they are interested in Robbie Keane and Barry. Doesnt look like Bentley will be going there then!

[hawkiiz]

I can scarce believe what I'm reading there...Friedel makes an immense contribution to us which has surely many times in the past gained us 2.5 million a season in points saved raising our league placing and prize money. I don't see any sense in selling such an asset so cheaply if he has two more seasons like the one he just had or even close.

it all depends on the replacement. i dont want to sell brad, but i might have to deal with him leaving so im just trying to figure out the positives. after all we HAVE been extremely lucky with brad. he have only lost 45 mins the last 3 (or 4???) years. thats incredible! is it realistic he stays the whole of this season aswell? who knows.

the perfect thing would be to let brown take over gradually, not throw him in with no experience besides reserve games

blah. hopefully some good news tomorrow!!!

[gumboots]

May I add that at the time Big Brad was signed we had an excellent keeper in John Filan playing for the club.

If memory serves me correctly a lot of Rovers fans were shocked by the decision to sign a new keeper.

If Ince wants to sell Big Brad- good luck to him.

I am sure he will sign an excellent prospect before he lets him go.

Nearly £3 million for a 37 year old Goalie- yes there are few better but how long can he carry on?? Do we want to remember how good he was or start slating him when he starts to make mistakes- this will happen!

Thanks Nicko for the regular updates, I look forward to reading The Mirror in the morning!!

The John filan situation did cross my mind too but then Souness had one particular Keeper Brad in his mind as his number one. That's what he said at the time. He also didn't use scarce transfer fees to do it as Friedel was free, which Souness also pointed out. This is completely different in that we don't seem to have a definite player in mind to replace him and anyone we do bring in will cost far more than we are likely to get for Friedel.

[T4E]

If Incey gets £2.5m for Friedel he can slap my face and slash in the memorial garden as T4E earlier suggested.

That's alot of money for hastening up the inevitable. Lets see if there is any takers for a £6m Tugay.

I'd agree that it's good business, but still awful PR. He's painting himself in to a corner if the new keeper doesn't shape up. Unless he finds someone with 3 arms, he's likely to be in for a lot of flack.

[farhanology]

brad friedel underpins the unity of the squad, if he is really going then we should get someone that has experience, great reflexes, shot-stopping skills and especially handling one-to-one faceoffs. one name springs to mind: artur boruc, 28, but would invoke tons of dosh to prise him away from the hoops.

[RibbleValleyRover]

He wants Champions League football unfortunately.

As does Bentley

On the Friedal situation i feel he quite easilly has another season or two in him and to buy a new keeper that can cut it in the best league in the world for less than £3 million would be extremely hard to do. The keepers we have been linked to aren't better than Brad and i doubt we could afford any of them anyways.

[BRFC1995]

FRIEDEL = PRICELESS

SELLING FRIEDEL = UNFORGIVABLE

The fella has way more than just 2 good years ahead of him, he cannot be bettered. The thought of playing against him and denying our strikers with miracle saves is horrorfying, sack the board, sack the manager, sack everybody if this happens....he is to rovers what le tiss was to s'ton.

[RibbleValleyRover]

We don't have lot of cash to splash and its not set in stone that Bentley is leaving so we might not have more than £10-12 mill plus to spend.

Can you see us buying a top quality attacking mid and a decent right back if the reports are true and then using whatever is left to buy a top quality goalkeeper?

Keep Brad at least another season, strengthen the areas we have to improve on e.g. the midfield then reassess at the end of the season. Why make it harder for ourselves on the transfer front?

[hawkiiz]

FRIEDEL = PRICELESS

SELLING FRIEDEL = UNFORGIVABLE

The fella has way more than just 2 good years ahead of him, he cannot be bettered. The thought of playing against him and denying our strikers with miracle saves is horrorfying, sack the board, sack the manager, sack everybody if this happens....he is to rovers what le tiss was to s'ton.

he is. but we dont know whats the reason of him leaving (if he does). what he and ince says to the media does not have to reflect their true feelings. we just have to wait and see i guess.

what do you villa people think of friedel?? are we overrating him or should we gather up at facebook to stop him leaving?

[Mr. E]

Brad Firedel leaving would be my worst day as a football fan. Shearer and Duff were nothing compared to him.

[hawkiiz]

Shearer were nothing compared to him.

a little carried away are we?

[hawkiiz]

surely this doesnt mean benni will wear number 49 this year???

[cn174]

surely this doesnt mean benni will wear number 49 this year???

It'll be his squad number, they don't generally match up to shirt numbers

[BRFC1995]

agree totally.....perfect professional, brilliant at what he does, been here way longer than shearer the fella is top draw, no player at the club the fans have more affection for, this would hurt way more than shearer leaving as that always seemed inevitable....this is so out of the blue and appears so unnecessary. Pay him more he deserves to be the top earner, do whatever. The thought of robinson or some other mercenary in goal fills me with the same dread that i felt when McClown was linked with us

[LWX]

I would be sooooo sad if freidel left

[John]

Brad is a legend, surely not................

[LWX]

The affection is a two way thing, he has a very large soft spot for us too. If he were about to leave, then messages from us to him telling him what it is he means to us might persuade him to stay.... depending on the reasons for these rumours of course!

[Martin]

Whilst nothing is concrete yet it devastates me that Brad is nearing the exit.

I don't care if he's 37 and might not have many years left. He has been in the top 3 keepers in the permier league for 6 or 7 years and there is no reason for that to change just yet.

It's one thing to lose a good player, but to lose a good player who loves the club... Utter madness!

Friedel called Blackburn Rovers 'my team' not so long ago, I want to know what has happened.

Not happy.