[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[Veevs]

Nicko is there any word as to WHY blackburn are so unwilling to spend money from sales/trust money/tv money?

Us, Everton, WHU, ManU and Wigan are the lowest spenders in the league.. for goodness sake, Bolton, Stoke, NewC, Villa, Spuds, west brom, Sunderland, ManC have all spent more than double us this pre-season and thats without selling more than 16m worth of talent (9m Bents, 2.5 Brad, 4.5m Hughes and team)..

Been worried all pre-season but with less than 48 hours to go we appear to be mainly looking at the real low end of the market.. !!! last few games we have seen just how weak we are without RSC, Dunn and without a right winger (no a 3m left footed attacking mid/forward does not count).

With Lennon back in Ramos plans, Joaquin probably off to Roma or Madrid, SWP at city, Zabelta at ManC, Pennant not wanting to move to us, Milner at villa, Kightly doing well.. we are rapidly running out of half decent options

First impressions of Andrews seem pretty good all in all.. but we desperatly need someone creative in the side, a right winger and better backup for RSC... If this is a repeat of his pre-season injury is it likely to happen again?

Boy I hope something happens before transfer window closes..

[RoyRover]

Thanks for your patience...

The surprise right wing target is Brett Holman, an Aussie who plays for AZ Alkmaar in Holland.

There have been talks going in for the past couple of days, but it is both strange and complicated.

Strange because Holman has just joined AZ but COULD be available if they get a profit.

And complicated because AZ want Andre Ooijer in the deal.

As of right now the clubs are haggling over two lots of valuations...which are difficult as you can imagine.

I don't know much about Holman but he caught the eye as a sub for the Aussies aganst South Africa recently, a game that got Grella his move.

Got to say I didn't know he was a right winger - or seen as that by Rovers - but I am willing to be persuaded.

So we shall see if they can sort out the swap or even do a straight buy.

Valdo of Espanyol was also watched tonight, nod idea how he did.

Pennant is still an option, but I think Joaquin is too expensive as things stand.

It's a bit 'balls up in the air' but that is not unusual at this time.

If this is the guy who we think will bring the creative spark and pace to an established Premiership team, that is looking to finish in the top 10, after selling arguably their best player for £17 million, then it is a complete disgrace. The serious lack of investment, after receiving a considerable sum of money for Bentley, on top of the apparent £10 million that was available to spend in the first place, is so hard to stomach, when you look at other teams in and around us splashing the cash on good players. After we sold Shearer and Duff, the huge transfer sums were either frittered away on several useless players, instead of trying to bring in a quality replacement or was just put under the mattress and look where that got us. I'm afraid that may do this again. We really don't have a clue on how to use large amounts of money to bring in quality players.

[RoversFanUSA]

A sub? Thats the best we can do? A sub..? Did some one #### in Inces coffee thats got him buying players that are subs at best? I for one don't feel all that great about whats going on. Andrews didnt really do it for me today and am keen to watch him and see what progress's.

I agree with many of the people on this board that we need to go after creative players and not just "fill in" players that are not making the team stronger.

[Stoic]

I'll tell you the same thing all the other Aussie rovers fans will: we don't want Holman in the National team and we don't want him at Rovers. He's vaguely capable if you give him acres of space, but he has no close control and can't shoot to save his life.

[AussieinUk]

Brett Holman is total rubbish and is no where near an RM/RW..

This cant be happening.. can it?

[rovers1993]

well if we do sign this holman chap, this will mark the end of my support for ince as this is getting really ridiculous. we have more money than 3/4 of the premiership currently and we're looking at subs for the aussie national team? what is going on!?!? just because the scout went to see one game of australian's national team, is paul ince going to sign their whole national team??? jeez

[walk down bolton road]

Things are getting very worrying,this Holman guy it appears is not rated by this boards Aussie members who must have some idea how good he is.What the hell is going on,we have a abundance of central midfield players 4 of witch in my opinion should go,Carlos should play and Ince leaves him on the bench,Simpson is he or is he not capable of the 1st team.We need a quality right winger i suggest Kightly of Wolves things now may be to late for this transfer window so we have to wait till January. God help us if we are in a relegation dogfight.

[imy9]

Well we are now down to the following possibilities:

Valdo

Pennant

Jaoquin

Holman

Out of the above Joaquin is the best available right sided player but I would suggest Pennant is the next best option.

I have not seen Holman play but I seem to recall MK Dons spouting off about how Andrews will struggle in the PL and he is not good enough, well he looked just fine to me, so I will reserve judgement.

Aussie fans on here, what are his strengths and weaknesses?

[colbert]

not even the oz fans rate him that well, at best he is 'ok'

[philipl]

Well we are now down to the following possibilities:

Valdo

Pennant

Jaoquin

Holman

Out of the above Joaquin is the best available right sided player but I would suggest Pennant is the next best option.

I have not seen Holman play but I seem to recall MK Dons spouting off about how Andrews will struggle in the PL and he is not good enough, well he looked just fine to me, so I will reserve judgement.

Aussie fans on here, what are his strengths and weaknesses?

To summarise the Australian posts above your's, Holman is shocking, @#/?, total rubbish and not wanted in the Australian national team so why would they want him at Rovers?

Unless we sign some true Premiership ability, we are chucking millions away in placement prize money this season.

We are missing Bentley terribly and should never have sold him no matter how badly he wanted to leave.

[nicko]

Intrigued to hear the opinions on Holman...like I said, he was a new one to me.

Troubled at the suggestion he is left-footed and NOT right-sided.

However I can only tell you that the inquiries have been made over the past few days ad it's down to valuation.

AZ DID spend money on him - about £2 million which is quite a lot in Holland - so he can't be a total mug.

AZ have also let a defender go to a Premier club, so they obviously want Oooijer even more this morning.

We shall see.

[rovers1993]

nicko any other updates on the pennant front? or ireland so to speak?

[alexanders]

Nicko Rumours that Joaquin because of a possible move to another club didnt feature for Valencia agaiinst Mallorca last night.

[philipl]

Telegraph is reporting that Real Madrid are negotiating on both Capel and Joaquin. If they get one of them, Robinho's move to Chelsea gets sanctioned.

So if Capel goes to Madrid, do we get Joaquin?... one can dream.

[AussieinUk]

Intrigued to hear the opinions on Holman...like I said, he was a new one to me.

Troubled at the suggestion he is left-footed and NOT right-sided.

However I can only tell you that the inquiries have been made over the past few days ad it's down to valuation.

AZ DID spend money on him - about £2 million which is quite a lot in Holland - so he can't be a total mug.

Holman WAS meant to be a decent upcoming striker for Australia. Has been based in Netherlands for quite some time (7 years). As I said, he is not a winger - especially RM/RW.

Has just been picked in Oz squad (as a Striker) for Aus v Netherlands and for Uzbek in a week - He wont start for Aus, as he is down the pecking order. Fluffs as many chances, as he gets. Used to play for NEC and seemed to show some good form as a striker there. That season NEC finished above AZ and Gaal moved in for him.

Transfer of 2m to AZ, from NEC, also paid for Feyenoord's cut. I mean he only moved to AZ in June 08... two months ago!

Article from Oz on Holman and his preferred position

Honestly, he isn't worth the punt IMO - not by a long shot.

EDIT: Btw - Bresciano scored for Palermo yesterday (not that I am pushing him).

[Bobby G]

His scoring record there isnt even the best!

[DingleBaiter]

Surely, it's a 'chicken & egg' argument? Are we seriously expected to believe we're after this fella, and then the Oojer angle is a 'throw in', when it seems more logical (hopefully) for it to be the other way round? I'm hoping it's AZ after Oojer, using Holman as leverage, as it's a tad alarming otherwise. Hey though, single source story, wars have been fought for less.... (not doubting you,Nicko, know you're right in what you report mostly, just hoping this is a makeweight deal rather than a target)

Nicko - do you think it's just simply going to be decision time out of Holman - Ireland - Pennant - Joaquin - Valdo, or do you reckon there may other 'off radar' targets?

Not sure if this guy is still around @ Academy/reserves, but Andy Haworth's more of a winger than Brett, Reid, or even Judgey will ever be, do you know if Ince doesn't rate him, or injured, or has he moved on?

[nicko]

Surely, it's a 'chicken & egg' argument? Are we seriously expected to believe we're after this fella, and then the Oojer angle is a 'throw in', when it seems more logical (hopefully) for it to be the other way round? I'm hoping it's AZ after Oojer, using Holman as leverage, as it's a tad alarming otherwise. Hey though, single source story, wars have been fought for less.... (not doubting you,Nicko, know you're right in what you report mostly, just hoping this is a makeweight deal rather than a target)

Nicko - do you think it's just simply going to be decision time out of Holman - Ireland - Pennant - Joaquin - Valdo, or do you reckon there may other 'off radar' targets?

Not sure if this guy is still around @ Academy/reserves, but Andy Haworth's more of a winger than Brett, Reid, or even Judgey will ever be, do you know if Ince doesn't rate him, or injured, or has he moved on?

It was a Rovers idea to go for Holman...AZ asked for Ooijer.

Intrigued that he is seen as a striker, makes me think he could be a right-sided striker in a three and that a new formation is being considered.

Waiting on news. But I believe Holman is out of the AZ side today, so I suspect the next news could come from Holland.

[imy9]

Holman WAS meant to be a decent upcoming striker for Australia. Has been based in Netherlands for quite some time (7 years). As I said, he is not a winger - especially RM/RW.

Has just been picked in Oz squad (as a Striker) for Aus v Netherlands and for Uzbek in a week - He wont start for Aus, as he is down the pecking order. Fluffs as many chances, as he gets. Used to play for NEC and seemed to show some good form as a striker there. That season NEC finished above AZ and Gaal moved in for him.

Transfer of 2m to AZ, from NEC, also paid for Feyenoord's cut. I mean he only moved to AZ in June 08... two months ago!

Article from Oz on Holman and his preferred position

Honestly, he isn't worth the punt IMO - not by a long shot.

EDIT: Btw - Bresciano scored for Palermo yesterday (not that I am pushing him).

The article shows that he is an emerging talent who is improving, substantiated with a big money move to one of Hollands biggest clubs. His goal scoring is excellent for an attacking midfield/right sided player, he states he is like Cahill, so obviously not a striker.

I am baffled because AZ's manager is Van Gaal who is reknowned for developing young talent and is one of the best managers in the world.

[nicko]

So to sum up...

HOLMAN - talking about prices and/or a swap...he could be benched or dropped at AZ Alkmaar today.

VALDO - Watched last night, don't know how he did but he is obviously a 'starter' for Espanyol.

PENNANT - Available, over-priced at around £5 million and talking to Stoke City.

JOAQUIN - Available but got bigger ideas.

IRELAND - Man City definitely trying to sell players, but what is he going to cost? Would be my choice. Interesting to see if he starts today after SWP's arrival.

Who would be a manager?

[rovers1993]

so your suggesting that we might be playing like this:

------------------robinson--------------------

---emerton---nelsen---samba--warnock---

------------------grella-----------------------

------------adrews---dunn--------------------

------holman---santa cruz---villanueva-----

if it was this then i might be up for it but holman's strike rate is not excatly the best.

any ideas on the pennant front? reports suggesting stoke is signing him.

[Mozzer]

reports suggest pennant is signing for stoke for 4million??

i personally think we will make a last minute move for him-and at 4million you cant really go wrong-even at 5million-atleast he has done it in the premierleague..

[rovers1993]

nicko when will we know who the top target is? say after the games are done today?

[rovers1995]

Where does carlos fit in though he looked really impressive against grimsby

[ScottishRover]

VALDO - Watched last night, don't know how he did but he is obviously a 'starter' for Espanyol.

I think Valdo came on as a sub last night