[Archived] Nickos Thread

[Ewood and I Would]

What's the point?

A ) If he doesn't drop to his knees and confess his undying love for the club people will say he's leaving

B ) Like he'd tell a member of the public "shhh, keep it under your hat but I'm off tomorrow"

[gbax]

We can ask RSC himself at 2pm at the club shop for the launch of the new kit!!!!

I'm taking my daughter down this afternoon. It's the first time a shirt will be big enough to put her name on. She's (and me) are very excited!

I'll try and ask if we get chance...

[JohnS]

I usually find it better to count to ten when I am fuming...in this case it's about a million.

How any newspapers or TV stations can fall for the Roque story is beyond me. It is blatant propaganda from a club which is on the rocks because of their problems.

City employ a couple of spin doctors who brief the media to make it sound like everything is wonderful.

Remember Ronaldinho? Where is he?

The Sun ran a 'Hughes quits' story and then cosies in by taking the City-Roque 'bid' seriously.

The Independent's man is close to Joorabchian and his people who also want to make sound City like a force.

Quite pleased with the Spurs Corluka row story in the Mirror today...check that out to see what is REALLY happening.

And, by the way, City will sell one of their top players shortly to bid for a striker...but it will take more than that to buy Roque.

It is laughable.

Man City is like a time bomb, waiting to explode at any moment in my honest opinion. Any transfers that you reckon will be completed before the weekends games? Is Milner on his way to Villa, wouldn't mind him here to be honest.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Yeah if someone could ask him this aft then that would be good - would be good to see his reaction.

With £15-20m in the bank - there is no reason what at all to sell him. Unless someone is daft enough to offer us £30m of course.

The only reason he may go is if he doesn't suit the lone striker role. Remember last season when Hughes wanted to play 1 up front he tended to choose Roberts for his physical presence. Roque is more technical and likes to play a bit deeper,. Is Ince convinced he is the right man for his system???

Perhaps this is the reason we have been sniffing around Zigic.

Don't get me wrong, Roque is far and away the best striker we have and I'd be gutted if he left. It's just a thought......

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Nicko - call me paranoid - but I am starting to feel like the media have it in for Rovers. One night SSN report Warnock has put in a transfer request - the following RSC to go to City.

Some of the stuff in the media, just to grab headlines, is unbelievable. At least when you give us a rumour you qualify how valid you feel it is.

Headlines that Rovers are considering a £12m bid for RSC is absolute drivel - either these guys don't have a brain or it is a deliberate ploy to unsettle the club.

I really think now is the time for every Rovers fan to get fully behind Ince. He isn't everyone's choice - but I would prefer to back him than give into the media bullying that we currently seem to be receiving.

[gbax]

The only reason he may go is if he doesn't suit the lone striker role. Remember last season when Hughes wanted to play 1 up front he tended to choose Roberts for his physical presence. Roque is more technical and likes to play a bit deeper,. Is Ince convinced he is the right man for his system???

Perhaps this is the reason we have been sniffing around Zigic.

Don't get me wrong, Roque is far and away the best striker we have and I'd be gutted if he left. It's just a thought......

He played Roberts up front on his own when RSC was injured. When he was fit he was the first name on the sheet!

[Billy Castell]

Is the Grella story a goer, or a load of poop? Hopefully the latter, as he's not exactly been Essien has he?

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

The only reason he may go is if he doesn't suit the lone striker role. Remember last season when Hughes wanted to play 1 up front he tended to choose Roberts for his physical presence. Roque is more technical and likes to play a bit deeper,. Is Ince convinced he is the right man for his system???

Perhaps this is the reason we have been sniffing around Zigic.

Don't get me wrong, Roque is far and away the best striker we have and I'd be gutted if he left. It's just a thought......

I agree that Ince likes to lay with a lone striker - but for me RSC is by far the best striker we have to play this position - his ability to hold up the ball and bring attacking midfield players into the game being key. Also - lone striker is an extremely physically demanding role - so I would imagine we would need at least two players capable of playing that position - with one on the bench to add some fresh legs later in the game. Roberts is ideal for coming of the bench to take advantage of a tiring defence.

[nicko]

Nicko - call me paranoid - but I am starting to feel like the media have it in for Rovers. One night SSN report Warnock has put in a transfer request - the following RSC to go to City.

Some of the stuff in the media, just to grab headlines, is unbelievable. At least when you give us a rumour you qualify how valid you feel it is.

Headlines that Rovers are considering a £12m bid for RSC is absolute drivel - either these guys don't have a brain or it is a deliberate ploy to unsettle the club.

I really think now is the time for every Rovers fan to get fully behind Ince. He isn't everyone's choice - but I would prefer to back him than give into the media bullying that we currently seem to be receiving.

I can understand why you say that.

However you do have players who are wanted by other clubs. Take that as a compliment. I can think of some clubs have have NONE.

But you have just banked a lot of money and have no need to sell - unless players stamp their feet and demand to go.

What concerns me is that your squad is two, three or even four players short. That is more cause for worry right now.

Is the Grella story a goer, or a load of poop? Hopefully the latter, as he's not exactly been Essien has he?

It could be happening, but I've not heard it. Agreed, could do better.

[Hughesy]

Seems to me like everyone is trying to unsettle our club - they must simply see them as an easy target and a quick way to make a story.

The best thing the club could do is show some intent and make a big signing, or make a couple of good signings.

Nicko - Who are City going to sell? Richards?

[alexanders]

Nicko,

Which top-player is City offloading ? Are we getting him?

[JohnS]

Nicko- Is there any chance we could be in for Milner, we have the money, so we should at least place a bid, or if we negotiate a swap for Warnock. Minds in Overdrive!!!

[Billy Castell]

City can have RSC...................................................in exchange of Petrov, Richards and perhaps a youngster like Sturridge.

[nicko]

Nicko,

Which top-player is City offloading ? Are we getting him?

The Man City sale will hopefully keep for the morning.

That is one stick of dynamite best kept in a safe place at the moment.

Nicko- Is there any chance we could be in for Milner, we have the money, so we should at least place a bid, or if we negotiate a swap for Warnock. Minds in Overdrive!!!

Milner is £9 million. He is a good player but not THAT good.

Straight swap for Warnock? Maybe.

[Hughesy]

11pm then nicko please!

Anything else happening? Any news for Rovers or Everton?

[Billy Castell]

You're making it sound like its one of their top players like Corluka or Richards. Interesting. Hopefully that money will be swallowed up by their running costs, and not the key to a bid for RSC.

[joey_big_nose]

He played Roberts up front on his own when RSC was injured. When he was fit he was the first name on the sheet!

Not true, last five games of the season Roberts led the line and Cruz played either out on the right or in the withdrawn role behind Roberts. It worked well.

Roque isn't a target man. He is a skillful player who likes to be running towrads the goal and dropping deep. He is excellent at it! If we could get rid of Benni and bring in a quality man to hold the ball up and get physical it would be a major benefit however we play.

[Ewood and I Would]

You're making it sound like its one of their top players like Corluka or Richards. Interesting. Hopefully that money will be swallowed up by their running costs, and not the key to a bid for RSC.

Corluka is one of Tottenham's top players....

[BiggusLaddus]

Not true, last five games of the season Roberts led the line and Cruz played either out on the right or in the withdrawn role behind Roberts. It worked well.

Possibly why we looked at Zigic and don't seem to be busting a gut to sign a right winger?

[modes98]

What concerns me is that your squad is two, three or even four players short. That is more cause for worry right now.

It's been that way for a few seasons now Nicko. We have always lacked the ability to go out and buy players that do the job we require, instead seeming to go for players who haven't quite met their potential or ageing stars.

[nicko]

11pm then nicko please!

Anything else happening? Any news for Rovers or Everton?

I think quite a lot is happening...but nobody seems to be able to wrap up deals.

Why does everyone leave it so late?

Drives me nuts.

[Dan Furness]

I think there needs to be another statement with a firm hands off about Roque, just to put this to bed once and for all.

No-one followed up on what I posted from earlier in the Lancs Telegraph...

Nicko - do you think the signing we are closing in on is Andrews? just got the gut feeling so

[JohnS]

The Man City sale will hopefully keep for the morning.

That is one stick of dynamite best kept in a safe place at the moment.

Milner is £9 million. He is a good player but not THAT good.

Straight swap for Warnock? Maybe.

Bentley wasn't worth 17Million, but they paid it. But as you said yesterday Milners probaly on his way to Villa.

[nicko]

Nicko - do you think the signing we are closing in on is Andrews? just got the gut feeling so

If there is a 'long term target' close then it would either be Andrews or Pennant.

But as of last night there were still big differences in valuation in both cases.

[Ewood and I Would]

It's been that way for a few seasons now Nicko. We have always lacked the ability to go out and buy players that do the job we require, instead seeming to go for players who haven't quite met their potential or ageing stars.

That's Bolton isn't it? Can't remember the last person we signed that met that criteria (Fowler excluded). I suppose Benni Mac comes the nearest but I wouldn't say we have a reputation for it. I would say we have a better rep for uncovering hidden gems but then that was under Hughes....