[Archived] Nickos (newer) Thread

[Blackburn Ender]

For those who haven't seen this article from April's Guardian, it gives an interesting insight into Paul Ince's management style. It addresses the point about whether certain skills can be improved or not:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ap.../sport.comment1

I wish I'd read that a week ago.

Certainly the best feature on Ince to date. He comes across extremely well.

Wouldn't surprise me if JW had read it, too.

And if he comes across in person like he does in this interview then I'm not surprised he got the job.

Well done Don McRae of The Guardian for predicting Ince would be in the Premiership sooner rather than later.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Anyone else remember Donis bombing down the wing- mostly leaving the ball behind and almost always with no end result? For Lennon, think Donis but shorter and with less end product.

I remember Donis making his debut against Spuds - skinning their left back time and time again - sending over cross after cross. Unfortunately Newell and Sutton were injured and Shearer had just left. IMO Donis could have been a star for us - if not for the turmoil that followed Shearer's exit.

[Exiledfan]

Don't think Lennon would be a bad signing, but, as I said yesterday, I don't see it happening. He seemed to be on the up a few years ago with a crack at a regular England place, but it's not really happened for him.

[MarkBRFC]

I remember Donis making his debut against Spuds - skinning their left back time and time again - sending over cross after cross. Unfortunately Newell and Sutton were injured and Shearer had just left. IMO Donis could have been a star for us - if not for the turmoil that followed Shearer's exit.

I remember the said game, infact he had a few real good games when he first came to the club.

The fact that all he had to aim for was Graham Fenton let him down.

[PAFELL]

Just that the two priority positions are right back and attacking midfield.

And that there are no plans to sell Bentley and Roque unless the money is silly.

So if there is £10-15 million for two players that should guarantee a good one...

That's how it stands just now but the whole market has yet to kick into action.

Article in the star today is saying that Platini wants to stop clubs with huge debts, xuch as the English top 4, entering the chapions league. Could that be done? It would be interesting if this was done - or even attempted to be done. Imagine a season with, for example man u, chelsea, arsenal, liverpool in the top 4 - but being in 'huge' debt not being allowed in the champions league. So the next 4 teams below them would qualify.

I just cannot see UEFA being able to impliment this.

[Bazrakats]

Nicko just an odd question here but did Steve Stone actually become a wrestler after he retired?

some on said that to me dismorning and i just wasnt sure.

[yoda]

Article in the star today is saying that Platini wants to stop clubs with huge debts, xuch as the English top 4, entering the chapions league. Could that be done? It would be interesting if this was done - or even attempted to be done. Imagine a season with, for example man u, chelsea, arsenal, liverpool in the top 4 - but being in 'huge' debt not being allowed in the champions league. So the next 4 teams below them would qualify.

I just cannot see UEFA being able to impliment this.

The problem Platini will have is defining the debt,

Technically you are in debt if your liabilities are greater than your assets,

Most of the big clubs could argue that their assets far out weigh their liabilities

[PAFELL]

The problem Platini will have is defining the debt,

Technically you are in debt if your liabilities are greater than your assets,

Most of the big clubs could argue that their assets far out weigh their liabilities

I can see Platini's point about clubs who are, say 500million in debt, going out and paying another 20million on another player. Should this be allowed? After all it only takes a very bad season of injuries - illness etc for a top 4 club to fall down the league, fail to qualify for the cup competitions etc etc. The bank balance and assets would be effected then.

[krislu]

When we first signed Bentley on a loan deal he did pretty much nothing. A few years later he is in the England national team. Whats all the rubbish about players "can not" improve?! Lennon has the potential to be great, and reading those "you can never learn a player new things" is just plain stupid in my opinion.

Sure, a slow player can never be fast but other than that you can pretty much improve on everything in your game.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

When we first signed Bentley on a loan deal he did pretty much nothing. A few years later he is in the England national team. Whats all the rubbish about players "can not" improve?! Lennon has the potential to be great, and reading those "you can never learn a player new things" is just plain stupid in my opinion.

Sure, a slow player can never be fast but other than that you can pretty much improve on everything in your game.

For me that is the key - we can't make a slow player fast - but I think you can improve a player with pace and some talent. Duff improved hugely in his time at Rovers - I have seen a drastic improvement in Walcotts game at Arsenal. Lennon will never have the delivery of Bentley - but his pace will possibly get him into positions that Bentley never would. I think as well - you can't ignore the impact that somebody of Lennon's pace would have on our overall team pattern. Our lack of pace has meant that teams can push up on us - knowing that we have little threat behind their defence. Lennon would help address that.

[Manchester Blue]

Nicko just an odd question here but did Steve Stone actually become a wrestler after he retired?

some on said that to me dismorning and i just wasnt sure.

Now you mention it I think he did....Stone cold Steve or something...a play on his name if you like!!! I think he was quite good for a while.

[Antgrad]

Now you mention it I think he did....Stone cold Steve or something...a play on his name if you like!!! I think he was quite good for a while.

Yeah that's right and he went from this

to this

NOT!!

[nicko]

Nicko just an odd question here but did Steve Stone actually become a wrestler after he retired?

some on said that to me dismorning and i just wasnt sure.

Steve Stone became a radio pundit.

The only wrestling he does is with the English language...

[RibbleValleyRover]

Its good to see that we are looking to strengthen in these positions as its been obvious for some time we need a decent attacking midfielder.

On the right back issue i don't see the harm in looking for someone to compete with Emerton for the place. Emerton for me does a pretty good job at right back, in particular Bentley benefits from an attacking full back allowing him to push up further up the field.

[broadsword]

On the right back issue i don't see the harm in looking for someone to compete with Emerton for the place. Emerton for me does a pretty good job at right back, in particular Bentley benefits from an attacking full back allowing him to push up further up the field.

Maybe my memory is playing tricks, but doesn't he have a problem heading the ball?

[nicko]

Nicko, an out-of-the-blue request if you don't mind... As a sports journo, for one working day, can you give us a "day in the life of nicko"? I'd find it an interesting read and others might too, unless of course you're saving it all for your autobiography.

Get up - check e-mails - check Betfair - check brfcs.com - go out for papers - curse, swear, vow never to work for those 'Cockney b******s' ever again - drink coffee - calm down - pick up a couple of stories you had not cracked - curse when the mobile phone goes to answer - get a break - write a tale - tease brfcs.com punters - hope it keeps - find out it doesn't.

And so on and so on.

In the 'off season' you are just making call after call, learn to type with one finger from the other hand. It's also a good time because few others can pull stories they are not handed, so anything you get is likely to be better than the other guy.

In the season you are at pressers two or three times a week and as many games as you can handle. That's about 120 a season plus the same if not more on the telly.

And, by the way, today has been a VERY good day. But for that you must wait until Sunday...

[Bazrakats]

On Emerton , i think he has a problem with keeping his cool to many silly rash challanges.

thanks for clarifying the steve stone issue. Just won me a fiver.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Maybe my memory is playing tricks, but doesn't he have a problem heading the ball?

Every player has weaknesses. I of course wouldn't mind another right back coming into the club, but at the same time don't think Emerton playing there is as big as a weakness as some people believe. You also have to keep in mind there isn't a great abundance of quality wing backs in the game, you tend to see good ones go for a lot of money.

Put it this way i think they are areas that need to be improved first and that are more important.

[Jim J]

And, by the way, today has been a VERY good day. But for that you must wait until Sunday...

Oooh, you tease

[Bobby G]

Nicko a very good day for us?

Is there anything you can tell us about the Lennon and cash for Bentley deal?

Id be happy for Lennon for Bentley and a top quality right back and attacking midfielder and possibly replacing Roberts with another good striker.

Do you think Roberts will be staying and if not are we looking at any strikers?

[4ever&ever]

Get up - check e-mails - check Betfair - check brfcs.com - go out for papers - curse, swear, vow never to work for those 'Cockney b******s' ever again - drink coffee - calm down - pick up a couple of stories you had not cracked - curse when the mobile phone goes to answer - get a break - write a tale - tease brfcs.com punters - hope it keeps - find out it doesn't.

And, by the way, today has been a VERY good day. But for that you must wait until Sunday...

I'm pressuming that you don't do all that in order because that means by 10.38 am today you have - Got up - checked e-mails - checked Betfair - checked brfcs.com - got papers - cursed, swore, vowed never to work for those 'Cockney b******s' ever again - drank coffee - calmed down - picked up a couple of stories you had not cracked - cursed when the mobile phone goes to answer - had a break and writen a tale before you just teased us.

[Eddie]

I'd like to see Emerton moved into central midfield and an out-and-out right back brought in.

[Bobby G]

Its worth an experiment to move Emo to central midfield...He had a couple of good games there last season.

[broadsword]

Don't want any frickin' Emo's on my frickin' team.

[DannyKeg]

I was thinking about the link in the press between RSC and Arsenal, it doesn’t sound right to me.

One of the main strengths with RSC is his ability in the air (in fact that was the main reason Hughes gave for bringing him in.) But Wenger doesn’t have Arsenal playing balls in the air, they don’t cross into the box, that isn’t their style of play.

So you have to question if there really is anything in this at all ?