[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[joey_big_nose]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4058162,00.html

we can forget swp then, wud this open the door for ireland or elano to leave?

To me it sounds like Ireland is on the cards.

I would like us to sign him instead of Andrews as an central player. If we do sign andrews then maybe there is less point in gertting Ireland as we really really need pace (not a single player in our squad with "genuine" speed. Only three or four with any pelt at all - Emerton, Warnock, Roberts, Derbyshire). Pennant and Joaquin are far more suited.

I would be worried if we went into another season with so little counter attacking potential.

Plus - what is the deal with McCarthy - not in the squad. Could he be going? I would let him leave for a modest fee if it was enough to bring in Ollic.

[DingleBaiter]

Talk****, in particular Stan Collymore and Danny Kelly have been slating us for offering a 'pathetic and disrespectful' pay as you play deal to a legend of the game i.e. Fowler.

crikey - they sound like Nicko when he talks about dissing these mollycoddled, over-sensitive players' ickle egos

Tough teats Mr Fowler - kudos to Incey I say. I'm quite chuffed with the business he's done so far in the transfer window, can't see him ballsing it up TBH. If he wants Andrews - and I can see the positives in in him doing so - then so be it. Grella seems to be just what we're looking for, and if we can cash a few players in to make up some brass I for one won't moan.

Okay Andrews may not exactly be inspiring, but then neither is Moko or Reid to name but two; and I reckon we'd cover the Andrews money in selling either of these. Also, considering the long Nicko-inspired seduction of this fella, he's been coming a long time with such surety it's been tedious - but at least Rovers aren't paying silly money. Don't forget expectation is often proportional to outlay, for a good reason.

Likewise the 'winger' - I'm probably as underwhelmed on Ireland as folks are with Andrews, but the logic still stands - if Ince picks him then so be it. Guess he's more consistent than Pennant and less of a gamble, and basically that's what Ince (or any manager) wants - to know what he's getting, and what they can/will do. Pennant, though more of a winger, will probably be more of a gamble - as would Joaqin et al.

It states on Sky:

Skysports.com understands The Toffees have secured Castillo's services initially on loan with a view to a permanent next summer.

huh? Is that not what we wanted but Castillo said no? Obviously Juventus and co did not come knocking and he has ended up at Everton!

desperation for both?

[steverovers]

If Fowler was worth more we would have offered him more.

Ince goes up in my estimations again.

[daren]

I have to say (and bearing in mind this is my opinion, etc.) that there is no comparison between Ireland and Andrews.

Andrews may work out, I'm happy to sit on the fence and see, but Stephen Ireland is a _very_ good player. Sure, the strange happenstance with us (Republic of Ireland) and the claimed to be dead granny was strange, but to be fair, there was a miscarraige and if anyone's been through something like that - well it can make a mess of your head so I can forget about that.

He has a good footballing brain, works hard and has a decent eye for goal and an accurate shot. I'd be very happy to see him at Ewood.

[LeChuck]

Stephen Ireland is a _very_ good player...

...He has a good footballing brain, works hard and has a decent eye for goal and an accurate shot. I'd be very happy to see him at Ewood.

I too would be very happy to see him here as a central midfielder, particularly if it was instead of Andrews.

However, I'd be equally unhappy if he came as yet another paceless winger who would want to drift inside.

A creative influence in the middle he is, a Bentley replacement he most certainly is not.

[daren]

Ah, fair point, LeChuck

On the other hand, he couldn't be slower than our other creative options on the right wing! He IS a central midfielder, though.

[roverfanuk]

Anyone see Roy Keane's interview on SkySports News? He's already talking about signing "bigger and better players" then what he's got for next season.

Wow, i bet people are really glad and encouraged to be playing for him!

[steverovers]

Anyone see Roy Keane's interview on SkySports News? He's already talking about signing "bigger and better players" then what he's got for next season.

Wow, i bet people are really glad and encouraged to be playing for him!

Well, it keeps all his players on their toes, if nothing else

[donis1410]

It will be interesting to see how well Carlos does against premier league opposition. I for one hope that he impresses once more and shines, just wish I could have been at the game to witness such a class act. But our midfield is definately looking a bit crowded at the min. Think incey will need to offload to also balance the books:

* THE AXE

* GALLY

* PETER

* BENNI MAC (Maybe??? not too sure as any sale of this man could back fire)

[simdohquo]

It will be interesting to see how well Carlos does against premier league opposition. I for one hope that he impresses once more and shines, just wish I could have been at the game to witness such a class act. But our midfield is definately looking a bit crowded at the min. Think incey will need to offload to also balance the books:

* THE AXE

* GALLY

* PETER

* BENNI MAC (Maybe??? not too sure as any sale of this man could back fire)

Gally? No - he played well last night even if only for a short time - perhaps he has found a niche on the right wing... he;s put a bit of bulk on too...

Time for him to be given a chance even if it is only in the cup side.

[briansol]

Anyone see Roy Keane's interview on SkySports News? He's already talking about signing "bigger and better players" then what he's got for next season.

Wow, i bet people are really glad and encouraged to be playing for him!

Amazingly the guy has spent something like 70-80 mill pounds since taking over Sunderland. He's wasted most of it, and now he wants more? He could actually bought our club for that money which would've been a much better value.

I'm glad Ince is a bit more careful in the transfer market.

[Esulx]

I bet Niall Quinn was screaming at the tv when he saw that last night.

[Cocker]

I bet Niall Quinn was screaming at the tv when he saw that last night.

Niall Quinn cant scream at any manager after his stint in charge

[laughatthedingles]

Nicko, those players who havent really featured much this season and werent even on the bench last night, could they be leaving before the end of the window?

As for Gallagher, he normally looks class against lower league sides, not last night he didn't!

What a pity the Spanish league didnt start when ours did, maybe some players would then realise where they stand and we could've stepped in.

[Esulx]

0930: Marca are reporting that Real Madrid may be about to make a move for Valencia winger Joaquin.

The Spain international has been heavily linked with Blackburn in recent weeks.

Paper Talk:

Daily Star - Australia international Vince Grella has joined Blackburn on a four-year contract. (bit late)

Daily Mirror - Bolton have rejected a £1 million bid from Blackburn for Ali Al Habsi. (old news)

Daily Mirror - Blackburn boss Paul Ince wants to bring in Czech star Michal Kadlec as competition for Stephen Warnock. (just joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan)

Dont you just love the tabloids...

Oh, and apparently Middlesbrough have revived their interest in US midfielder Michael Bradley.

[laughatthedingles]

0930: Marca are reporting that Real Madrid may be about to make a move for Valencia winger Joaquin.

The Spain international has been heavily linked with Blackburn in recent weeks.

Isn't Marca, Real Madrid's paper? if so, they would know!

Otherwise:

Madrid need a winger to replace Robinho + they're getting Ronaldo next year so only need 1 for a season = Cheap (for them) Joaquin

[den]

Here's the story. I read it earlier.

[Esulx]

Basic translation... apologies for those who are more fluent...

"If Real Madrid continue with their intention to make a signing to reinforce the right-wing position, in which they do not have a specialist, they may have to resort to the option of Joaquin. The player is mentioned in the "agenda of the Sport Direction" (???) as an alternative that has been looked at, although has never been considered a priority. After the failed attempts in the signings of Christian Ronaldo and Cazorla, the likely move would be for Joaquin.

The players is available for transfer, according to Fernando Colomer Go'mez, sport vice-president of Valencia. Joaquin is 27 years old, an age in which he has reached maturity and nobody doubts his quality, although last season he underwent a troubled time, like all players, with the instability of the club and the arrival of Ronald Koeman."

[Bobby G]

Forget about Joaquin.

We wouldnt go for him, as we are going for more of a budget...

[CornishRover]

Here's the story. I read it earlier.

Does he use that ribbon coming out of his head as a range finder or has he just been inspired by the Olympic gymnasts?

[LeChuck]

Forget about Joaquin.

We wouldnt go for him, as we are going for more of a budget...

Haven't you heard Bobby? We've got a transfer budget of £20 million just waiting to spent!

[RevidgeBlue]

Haven't you heard Bobby? We've got a transfer budget of £20 million just waiting to spent!

14m as we've spent about 6m on Robbo, Grella and Andrews (if he ever arrives)

Seriously, if Pennant also arrives at 5-6m I'd be delighted with that - it would roughly tie in with the net fee received for Bentley plus a bit of net compo left over from the managerial turn round, and hopefully leave us with a little spending power in January.

[LDRover]

I'll be very interested to know where the budget has gone IF we don't buy any players before the end of the transfer window.

On a side note, why does the transfer window always 'slam shut' when it is referred to, especially in the LT?

[Valois]

Im really hoping we sign this pinto fellow on loan before saturdays game. The only reason being he is bound to score against West Ham, given that Curbishley didnt even give him a trial after flying all the way to England.

Looks like the Andrews deal will finally go through today, the longest transfer saga in history i think.

Think we will try to bring in a defender on loan, a keeper, and if we can strike up the right deal for a right winger, if not we wiill just have to wait until January.

[T4E]

Forget about Joaquin.

We wouldnt go for him, as we are going for more of a budget...

Damn it Bobby!