[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[AussieinUk]

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.

1. Emerging, you're having a laugh.. Remember, he is not 19-21, but 24! He has played over 7 years in Holland and got dumped by Feyenoord after being loaned

2. His scoring record is poor for a dutch-based player and has (49/185).

3. He is left-footed player and is not a right sided player.

4. He is a striker and always has been.. He would play the Timmy Cahill role for Aus, as Timmy is injured.

5. You have never seen him play, so please dont play him up!

[DingleBaiter]

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.

Cheers Nicko - as you say, it's a strange one. Maybe it's a case of balancing books with Oojer off wage bill, though I hope he stays - him & Zurab together were our best CB partnership last season IMO.

Then again, maybe there's silly reason none of us could guess. Ince is probably going to have a South American front line, an Aussie midfield, European defence and an English goalie. Dunny & Derbs as translators.

We could probably still afford a right winger too afterwards I hope? Can't believe we're going to have good crossers from the left in the squad and none on the right.

[nicko]

VALDO started in Espanyol's win.

PENNANT has been clear to talk to Stoke for a few days...the price was £5-5.5 million as part of a double deal with Sami Hyypia...although the signing of Sonko suggests Hyypia is not going.

[Fife Rover]

I would prefer it if people on here could just be honest in their opinions!!

I'd prefer it if they would be a little more accurate and detailed in their opinions!

[Mozzer]

could you see blackburn making a late move for pennant-or at 5million is it out the question??

obviously out of all the options joaquin is the standout option-but realistically i think pennant is a better option then the ones been mentioned..

[ScottishRover]

VALDO started in Espanyol's win.

He did start your right, i thought he was subbed on. Maybe he was subbed off??

[DingleBaiter]

could you see blackburn making a late move for pennant-or at 5million is it out the question??

obviously out of all the options joaquin is the standout option-but realistically i think pennant is a better option then the ones been mentioned..

Just playing Devils advocate a mo, why do you think Pennant is a better option? Cos he would cost less, be acclimatised etc? I think he's a safer bet - he'd cost less, and I think fans' expectations would be tempered somewhat as they're aware of him, his talent - and inconsistency.

Joaqin, at twice the cost, is potentially more than twice as good as Pennant IMO but arguably stands to disappoint even more - as fans would be quite excited by his signing, as opposed to 'oh well' if we got Pennant.

I think if I had to bet, I'd be plumping for Pennant - not that I rate him best, or he's the one I'd like at Ewood the most, just I think given all the factors - cost, manager's preferred target, relocation, known quantity etc. I reckon if Liverpool had crumbled earlier on their valuation, like they need to/will probably do, he'd already be here.

At least with the Aussie forward-type fella, we'd hope he'd be more consistent (at whatever level) than Pennant; they usually are.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

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.

If thats the case, I would prefer Derbs in that position on the evidence of the views of this Australian fellow.

[imy9]

1. Emerging, you're having a laugh.. Remember, he is not 19-21, but 24! He has played over 7 years in Holland and got dumped by Feyenoord after being loaned

2. His scoring record is poor for a dutch-based player and has (49/185).

3. He is left-footed player and is not a right sided player.

4. He is a striker and always has been.. He would play the Timmy Cahill role for Aus, as Timmy is injured.

5. You have never seen him play, so please dont play him up!

1. 24 is not an emerging talent? He has played most of his career in the Dutch top division has he not?

2. 49/185 for an attacking midfield player is an excellent record.

3. Being left footed is actually an advantage coming off the right and he can obviously play in a variety of positions.

4. Well he says that he is a midfield player, why would he say that if he is a striker?

5. You are right but he has just signed for a top Dutch side for a lot of money in Holland by one of the top managers in the world who is reknowned for developing players... surely you are not going to say that you know more than him!!

I am simply reserving judgement on the player... one question does he have pace?

[rovers1993]

i would prefer ireland to anyone else as he is young, and can provide plenty of creativity...

whats the price on ireland do you think nicko? any chance he will sign for us as man city has been splashing alot of cash around and they will have to balance the books now.

[Mozzer]

why i think pennant is better then the options mentioned-taking joaquin out the picture because i dont believe he was ever in it, i believe pennant is the best option..

pennant has been playing in the premierleague for years-he knows what it is about-so he doesnt have to adjust to a new language or anything..

he would offer us the pace we need in midfield-because other then emerton(when played in midfield)-we have a pretty slow midfield..

reading through liverpool messageboards-there fans are divided on him-one minute he can be a world beater-the next not soo good-maybe all he needs is games to be consistent..

ever since bentley went ive wanted pennant to replace him..you dont play for arsenal and liverpool if you dont have something about you..

[AussieinUk]

1. 24 is not an emerging talent? He has played most of his career in the Dutch top division has he not? And does that mean he is an emerging talent? I dont get your logic

2. 49/185 for an attacking midfield player is an excellent record. He has played striker for as all his clubs, so IMO, it is poor. Look at his time at Excelsior (39/134), NEC (10/51) & Australia (1/17).

3. Being left footed is actually an advantage coming off the right and he can obviously play in a variety of positions. Twist this what ever way you want.. He is not a right sided player. Q. what is better.. a right footed, right winger/midfielder or a left footed one?

4. Well he says that he is a midfield player, why would he say that if he is a striker? Beacuse that is the position he has played for both club(s) and country

5. You are right but he has just signed for a top Dutch side for a lot of money in Holland by one of the top managers in the world who is reknowned for developing players... surely you are not going to say that you know more than him!! And surely your not saying that you have? Van Gaal bought him in as cover for the strikers.

I am simply reserving judgement on the player... one question does he have pace? Yes, he does have some pace

Two questions for you..

1. IF, we are trying to sign him for Rovers, why would Van Gaal (in all his wisdom) consider selling him on, only two months after signing him and not playing a game for them? Not really developing him is he?

2. Bit off topic, but you love to argue, don't you?

EDIT: For arguements sake (as this conversation is going no where), I will accept he can play as an AM.. but his career to date, has been mainly as a striker - honest

[EwoodGlory]

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

I asked a Feyenoord fans opinion on him.....

He said he is a good player, and had a very good season with NEC last year, and he thinks Feyenoord shouldn't have led him go.

Trying to find out if he has played as a right winger in Dutch football.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

why i think pennant is better then the options mentioned-taking joaquin out the picture because i dont believe he was ever in it, i believe pennant is the best option..

pennant has been playing in the premierleague for years-he knows what it is about-so he doesnt have to adjust to a new language or anything..

he would offer us the pace we need in midfield-because other then emerton(when played in midfield)-we have a pretty slow midfield..

reading through liverpool messageboards-there fans are divided on him-one minute he can be a world beater-the next not soo good-maybe all he needs is games to be consistent..

ever since bentley went ive wanted pennant to replace him..you dont play for arsenal and liverpool if you dont have something about you..

You make a fair point about Pennant and like Bentley before him I think his career has come to a stand still. But I think the money the Scousers are asking is too much on a gamble of a player trying to rediscover form. I suspect that come January he will be probably be available for half the price.

[Berg04]

Another aussie here confirming that Holman is definitely a dud - well at least as a starting RM/W replacement or starter at all. Arnold started him all thru the asia cup (leaving players like Kewell, Bresciano and Cahill on the bench) and see how well that went. His rise at the national level was really down to Arnold trying to put his stamp on the team after Guus left and he duly got the ass for it. I mean even luke wilkshire looks dangerous on the ball compared to him ffs!

Maybe its a case of physically he should have been the perfect football player but he just cant realise that potential! Project player at best and and old project player at that.

[DingleBaiter]

why i think pennant is better then the options mentioned-taking joaquin out the picture because i dont believe he was ever in it, i believe pennant is the best option..

pennant has been playing in the premierleague for years-he knows what it is about-so he doesnt have to adjust to a new language or anything..

he would offer us the pace we need in midfield-because other then emerton(when played in midfield)-we have a pretty slow midfield..

reading through liverpool messageboards-there fans are divided on him-one minute he can be a world beater-the next not soo good-maybe all he needs is games to be consistent..

ever since bentley went ive wanted pennant to replace him..you dont play for arsenal and liverpool if you dont have something about you..

Can't fault your logic - apart from the fact if he's not found his feet at Arsenal or Liverpool it's questionable whether he will at this stage in the game for us. Always thought it would come down to money, 4 mill max isn't bad money for him to come and do and be able to do the job we need to do. Another whose talent isn't in question but application is.

I guess I'm same as you - want Joaqin as preferable, but likely it will be Pennant. We can afford to give him a season, he's better than what we've got, and then deal with it next season once everything else has settled down. I still would like to see how Haworth (if still around) may fare over the season too. Can't comment on the other Spaniard as don't know him; it's about time we got someone from Spain who could perform though.

I guess my secret hope is we'll get Kightly off-radar. He's good enough, fits the bill, gone on record as saying he welcomed our interest (when MH was after him) - though perhaps a ploy as he since signed a new contract. Then again, that doesn't mean he won't move - could just mean a bigger fee if he did. Think he would cost more in a fee but less in wages than Pennant and probably be a safer bet for the future, and there's an existing relationship with Ince I guess from his time at Wolves. I'd wager he would prove more consistent than Pennant for longer.

[EwoodGlory]

And the view of someone in Australia who watches the International games, I asked can he play right wing.

Nope, he's not a wide man. His best position is behind a striker.

He actually cops a lot of flack from fans when he plays for the national team.

I think he's a good player; great work rate and endeavour, with an eye for goal.

His concentration and decision making is wide of the mark at times though.

[rover6]

So Holman is a left footed striker with bags of pace but a shortage of skill?

Just what we need...?

[rovers1995]

I would like us to go for michael kightly of wolves. English with an eye for goal. Nicko is there any chance of this happening. Also, is it true what i read today that robbie fowler tried to go back to cardiff and rejecting rovers contract offer.

[AussieinUk]

And the view of someone in Australia who watches the International games, I asked can he play right wing.

I think you will find most Aussie posters on here, watch the Aussie Int'l games.. just like you would for England

I would like us to go for michael kightly of wolves. English with an eye for goal. Nicko is there any chance of this happening. Also, is it true what i read today that robbie fowler tried to go back to cardiff and rejecting rovers contract offer.

I am starting to warm to having Kightly at Rovers.

[jny]

Ince, if you are reading please buy kightly please, please, please

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Ince, if you are reading please buy kightly please, please, please

take that as don't rate this player then?

I thought the general view of the members of this web site is that we shouldn't sign players from lower divisions...it seen as a lack of ambition!

[imy9]

Two questions for you..

1. IF, we are trying to sign him for Rovers, why would Van Gaal (in all his wisdom) consider selling him on, only two months after signing him and not playing a game for them? Not really developing him is he?

2. Bit off topic, but you love to argue, don't you?

EDIT: For arguements sake (as this conversation is going no where), I will accept he can play as an AM.. but his career to date, has been mainly as a striker - honest

1. 24 is relatively a young age he is an emerging talent as he is going forward in his career not backwards, as shown by his big move to AZ for a lot of money (Holland standards) and his recent performances for Australia

2. So as stated playing an attacking midfield player as a striker meant his record is average at those clubs.

3. You tell me? Pires was a right footed player playing on the left, Milner and Young are two more examples, it means players can cut in and cross the ball.

4. attacking midfield is his prefered position and he wants to play there. As Ooijer after his horrific performance yesterday is he a right back or centre half, would you argue that Ooijer is not a good centre half?

5. Why would Van Gaal spend a huge amount of his budget for a player who is going to be cover for his strikers!!

Right your new questions:

1. Van Gaal has sold one of his best defenders and obviously feels this is an area where Ooijer is more of a priority than a winger, especially when he can make a profit of it!

2. A bit like the Aussies Seriously I like to see positives and like to look at things objectively, I have seen plenty of average looking players become excellent players at different clubs so like to judge players on their performances for MY club.

[AussieinUk]

Nicko - This looks like the Johnson deal (if there was one) is now scuppered..

Johnson will sign a new deal to stay at MCFC

[donis1410]

Lets sell benny and make a move for owen or Larsson