[Archived] Nickos Thread

[Eddie]

This Annan thing almost makes me feel slightly sick.

[PAFELL]

Just imagine the outcry if Ince has a similar start to Hughes. A win in the first game (Jansen) then 9 games without winning (including consecutive 0-4 defeats) and a cup exit to Bournemouth What division were they in and coventry what division were they in when the battered rovers out of the fa cup - hence all this negative talk about Ince and Andrews is really pathetic. It has been shown time and again that many lower division players are better than the position / division their clubs are in. Which is why I am prepared to wait and see what happens with regards to Ince and Andrews if he comes. How many on here were raving the other week about the signing of Carlos Villinevue? Ince signed him -this week the same people are sticking the knife into Ince.

What had Mark Hughes achieved as a manager before Rovers? He managed Wales - did they win anything NO. yes they improved as a national side - but nothing else. Do we not remember that alex fergerson was nearly sacked at Man utd when he first took over - but. JW and Rovers have to be commended for giving Ince a try and I suggest supporters should have the same courage. I believe the dirst thing Ince is looking forward too is not Everton away, but the closing of the transfer window. ( I once hated the transfer windows, but now I see the benefits - for when it closes it means peace from harressment from other clubs after Rovers players)

[my_name_is_Earl]

Nicko, i don't believe anyone has asked you this yet so I will. Reports are suggesting that Nelsen wanted to stay at the olympics but Ince didn't get back in touch with him after he had asked. Is there any truth in this as far as you know?

[mattjansen]

Many people on here take his rumours as fact and I think often they adopt his opinions too that's all I'm saying. In fact I've seen many people specifically ask for Nicko's opinion on various topics and although he's free to make them (good or bad) my original point stands that if he does judge Ince to make a mistake then we should remember who is the man who's been there and done it (albeit in Div 4).

So you can ask a question but if you dont like the fact or opinion that Nicko states its his fault?? Get real!! Lighten up a bit and enjoy the amazing input Nicko is giving us instead, if you dont like it ignore it!

[nicko]

Nicko, i don't believe anyone has asked you this yet so I will. Reports are suggesting that Nelsen wanted to stay at the olympics but Ince didn't get back in touch with him after he had asked. Is there any truth in this as far as you know?

No, it was pre-arranged to play for two games and then return.

[Silencio]

BTW - I don't blame Nicko, I blame folks who believe whatever tripe they want to justify their agendas & prejudices. Maybe you'd like to offer what criteria - if any - Ince would have to achieve for you to swallow your prejudices?

I'd like him to ditch Fowler for starters (there is NO excuse for him training with our players for 6 weeks, the youngsters can learn from RSC).

I'd like him to not give players a two day trial and the promise of a decision and then move the goalposts like he did with Annan and Castillo. Annan and Castillo are not a kids, They are highly rated international players (unlike Keith Andrews.)

I'd like him to come out and say "we are not interested in Keith Andrews" because if we are then it's a travesty. If it is only a rumour then why hasn't Ince shot it down? It's a rumour that's damaging him if it is only a rumour so he might as well say it...

I'd like him to bring in a coaching team suitable for coaching and training Premiership players.

If he signs a good replacement for Bentley and strengthens the midfield with quality (ie not Julie Andrews) then I'll cut him some slack. At least they would be some positive things could do...

[nicko]

Nicko often gives his opinion on Ince's decisions. He was highly critical of how the Annan saga (according to him) was handled by Ince and if I remember correctly there were even a few posters on here who disagreed with his view on it. Ince showed "lack of respect" or something wasn't it Nicko?

Many people on here take his rumours as fact and I think often they adopt his opinions too that's all I'm saying. In fact I've seen many people specifically ask for Nicko's opinion on various topics and although he's free to make them (good or bad) my original point stands that if he does judge Ince to make a mistake then we should remember who is the man who's been there and done it (albeit in Div 4).

You seem to be lagging behind again.

I said the manager had every right to decide against Annan and to choose Andrews. He had worked with both.

I said it was a 'lack of respect' to players to bring them on trial and then change your mind in a hurry. This was the case with Castillo and this was the case with Annan.

You may want to check these quotes from your club again to see that the Annan affair has been badly handled.

JOHN WILLIAMS - LAST THURSDAY MORNING: “Anthony has done very well. I don’t think we can be any more positive on how well he’s done.

“He’s a regular Ghanaian international and Paul really likes what he sees in him.”

PAUL INCE - LAST SATURDAY EVENING:

“He came to the club for a couple of days, but it wasn’t enough in helping me make a decision and to consider how much we were going to pay for him."

ps...Sorted out that 'two loans only' rule yet?

[my_name_is_Earl]

Nelsen wanting to stay at the olympics

Sorry I forgot the source. It's a bit disappointing if true don't you think? Though I've never been sure of the accuracy of the LT stories after Peter White.

[BlueMG]

It wouldn't surprise me in ths slightest if the next bit of Annan news is a move to City.

Hughes was the one who showed original interest and the Ireland trouble could be an indication of his departure with Annan slotting in.

[PAFELL]

Anyone know how much money Sparky is on over there?

I think it is bits of paper with the letters I O U written on them

[nicko]

Nelsen wanting to stay at the olympics

Sorry I forgot the source. It's a bit disappointing if true don't you think? Though I've never been sure of the accuracy of the LT stories after Peter White.

If he said that he is out of order.

[my_name_is_Earl]

If he said that he is out of order.

That's what I thought. I'm just surprised so many of the anti-Ince brigade have not used it as more firepower. In my opinion, I think it shows a lack of respect on behalf of Nelsen and possibly shows that Ince doesn't currently yet have the full dressing room though I'm still sure Ince will do a good job in the years that he is here.

[alexanders]

I think the Annan thing is agent talk. He isn't that good.

[briansol]

I'd like him to ditch Fowler for starters (there is NO excuse for him training with our players for 6 weeks, the youngsters can learn from RSC).

I'd like him to not give players a two day trial and the promise of a decision and then move the goalposts like he did with Annan and Castillo. Annan and Castillo are not a kids, They are highly rated international players (unlike Keith Andrews.)

I'd like him to come out and say "we are not interested in Keith Andrews" because if we are then it's a travesty. If it is only a rumour then why hasn't Ince shot it down? It's a rumour that's damaging him if it is only a rumour so he might as well say it...

I'd like him to bring in a coaching team suitable for coaching and training Premiership players.

If he signs a good replacement for Bentley and strengthens the midfield with quality (ie not Julie Andrews) then I'll cut him some slack. At least they would be some positive things could do...

Can we please keep this in the do "Do you approve of the new manager" thread. It's getting tiresome.

[sparkspakespoke]

If he said that he is out of order.

Ince just cant seem to catch a break at the moment. He was lucky to go at all, for him to come out like this after Ince helped him out is out of order. Poor timing form our club capt.

[Fife Rover]

WARNOCK - The Newcastle thing has resurfaced, but the story going round yesterday was that he had asked for a transfer. That is NOT the case.

ROQUE - Somebody is revving up that there is a problem with him...but the Man City rumour has to be one of the stupidest I have ever read. I can't believe that made print.

I have to say that your club is leaking like a sieve at the moment and several people in there need to sharpen up their act. I spend more time chasing stupid rumours coming from the place than I want to.

I could go further but I will bite my lip on this at the moment.

This scenario is the very thing I have been sounding off about for the last week or so. What has happened to the normal levels of security that are established good practice in ANY company? What has happened to "Commercial-in-Confidence"? Rovers have never before to the best of my knowledge been afflicted with the problems of employees at any level leaking information to the press or anywhere else. This does indeed need a thorough investigation and action ASAP.

This does not mean I am blaming Ince or anybody else, for the simple reason that I have absolutly no means of knowing WHO is to blame. It may be just one individual or it may be multiple leaks. That is for the club to find out.

[my_name_is_Earl]

I have to say that your club is leaking like a sieve at the moment and several people in there need to sharpen up their act. I spend more time chasing stupid rumours coming from the place than I want to.

I know I'm cheeky asking this but if you never ask, you never know...

Could the people leaking all the stories be members of the board who were unhappy with the appointment of Ince?

Or is it possibly members of the new regime who are yet to understand the nature of the press at the highest level? (eg Ray Mathias etc.)

I ask about these because these are both sources who could easily close their mouth and watch what they're saying....

[DingleBaiter]

Many pundits are predicting us to struggle if not go down this year - and now we are given the tag of BARKING BUYS

Firstly, most pundits fall into two categories - either they flopped as managers, or didn't have the guts/talents to become managers.

Secondly, I'd generally trust bookies rather than pundits. Interesting to see that, on the whole, bookies are playing it safe with regard to Rovers. Not much money to be made at either end of the market - success or failure. I've seen them 6/4 to stay in top six, probably based on our record over several seasons. Equally I've seen them shortish odds to be relegated, which given the facts - two big players leaving, fabulous manager/backroom staff leaving, no players incoming & an inexperienced manager with only 18 months worth of game time in lower leagues.

Lastly, the problems with these pundits, and many people in the media, is they hardly stick their neck out or acknowledge when they call it totally wrong. Remember "you don't win anything with kids"? Look at McInally - he wasn't much kop as a player & will always be remembered for a naff nickname than anything he achieved in football. Cripes, he was that bad even we wouldn't sign him at the time. Anyways, seeing Bent's amount of goals pre-season it's not exactly a big shout (for him or Capello) to suggest he MAY be a success this season. Let's not forget Spurs paid an extravagant amount of money for him compared to similar players, & he's almost certain to play more games than last season being that his club are likely to have shipped 3 players that were in front of the pecking order.

Lest we forget, Spurs were highly tipped this time last season, they've got a fantastic manager in since plus several flair players too. Methinks they will be the Newcastle though (they're another side with too many friends in the media) - doesn't their new goalie have a reputation for clangers? Was listening to reports yesterday that he was being harangued in Portuguese by Tim Vickery before one of their pre-season games. Them ears must be classed as having an unfair advantage surely - they must cover some area each side of him.

[nicko]

I know I'm cheeky asking this but if you never ask, you never know...

Could the people leaking all the stories be members of the board who were unhappy with the appointment of Ince?

Or is it possibly members of the new regime who are yet to understand the nature of the press at the highest level? (eg Ray Mathias etc.)

I ask about these because these are both sources who could easily close their mouth and watch what they're saying....

None of the above...just some people talking rather too much at the moment.

[PAFELL]

Ince just cant seem to catch a break at the moment. He was lucky to go at all, for him to come out like this after Ince helped him out is out of order. Poor timing form our club capt.

He may have only been expressing a desire that it would have been nice to have been able to stay longer -' but I gave a commitment to Paul Ince that I would play for 2 games.' He therefore considered asking Paul Ince for permission to stay longer'. Lets be honest with ourselves if we were in Nelsons situation playing for our country in the olympics we would have wanted to do the same. Therefore there was no harm in asking for permission to do so. But as he received no reply he has returned to Ewood Park.

[my_name_is_Earl]

None of the above...just some people talking rather too much at the moment.

Cheers Nicko, pleased to hear this actually as it suggests the prima donnas are the ones with the big mouths and not the management structure which would be terribly amateurish and naive. To be fair to Ince at this stage, whenever a new boss comes in, there's always a couple of idiots who have to much to say simply because of their loyalty to their former boss.

I'm sure once the season starts to develop and we are in a decent position, things will quieten down and we can just get on with it.

[sparkspakespoke]

He may have only been expressing a desire that it would have been nice to have been able to stay longer -' but I gave a commitment to Paul Ince that I would play for 2 games.' He therefore considered asking Paul Ince for permission to stay longer'. Lets be honest with ourselves if we were in Nelsons situation playing for our country in the olympics we would have wanted to do the same. Therefore there was no harm in asking for permission to do so. But as he received no reply he has returned to Ewood Park.

I agree with what you say here, however why then say that Ince hasnt called him back? Fair play he's bound to be enjoying it out there and to want to stay is natural. Just dont think he should have spoken about Ince not calling him back to the papers, it paints Ince in a bit of a negative light. Again.

[my_name_is_Earl]

I agree with what you here, however why then say that Ince hasnt called him back? Fair play he's bound to be enjoying it out there and to want to stay is natural. Just dont think he should have spoken about Ince not calling him back to the papers, it paints Ince in a bit of a negative light. Again.

Totally agree, yet another small but compounding little criticism that Ince could do without.

[Ewood and I Would]

I said it was a 'lack of respect' to players to bring them on trial and then change your mind in a hurry. This was the case with Castillo and this was the case with Annan.

Um do you know the meaning of the word "trial"? You seem to have a trial mixed up with a contract offer because as far as I'm concerned you bring players in on trial and then at the end you decide whther you want them or not, where's the lack of respect? A trial becomes pointless if you attach some kind of obligation to buy on them...

Then again what am I saying, the concept of a trial seems to cause confusion with you as is evident from your Arsenal reports (Have you actually decided on whether they're buying him, having a look or taking him on trial yet?).

You may want to check these quotes from your club again to see that the Annan affair has been badly handled.

JOHN WILLIAMS - LAST THURSDAY MORNING: “Anthony has done very well. I don’t think we can be any more positive on how well he’s done.

“He’s a regular Ghanaian international and Paul really likes what he sees in him.”

PAUL INCE - LAST SATURDAY EVENING:

“He came to the club for a couple of days, but it wasn’t enough in helping me make a decision and to consider how much we were going to pay for him."

Firstly they are discussing two different subjects, JW who is talking about Annan's quality and Ince who's talking about whether the time he had was enough to assess his valuation, apples and oranges.

I also notice that you conveniently left out this line from Ince's interview (cherry picking is a standard Journo trick so I'm not surprised).

“But he showed in those two days that he’s a very good player."

But then we wouldn't Ince's comments corroborating with JW's now would we? People might start thinking they talk to each other!

ps...Sorted out that 'two loans only' rule yet?

See David "signing his contract soon" Bentley scored twice for Spurs t'other day.....

[92er]

Nicko, i don't believe anyone has asked you this yet so I will. Reports are suggesting that Nelsen wanted to stay at the olympics but Ince didn't get back in touch with him after he had asked. Is there any truth in this as far as you know?

It's in today's LT.