[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[Valois]

Grella still surprises me, but there we go.

Joaquin is very real...Olic developping a bit too.

And there could be a lot more going on today.

There's a closed-door game featuring a couple of well-discussed names, Carlos and Robbie I believe.

Plus a top striker who has been invited in for a quick trial - but with a Premier League rival leading that race. I WON'T be naming him just yet.

All of the other stuff will have to be kept back for later unfortunately.

All very interesting. Like the look of olic, not sure on Joaquin, could be a huge gamble, assuming if we are seriously looking at another striker, we are seriously considering selling Benni. Not sure about this Grella, if Torino dont want him, not convinced he could be that good. What happened to Annan?

[budha]

Mr. Balague says Joaquin doesn't want to leave Spain.

http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=64

[nicko]

Mr. Balague says Joaquin doesn't want to leave Spain.

http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=64

I can only presume the agent who put him into Rovers heard different...and I can only presume Rovers checked this out too before they sent their chief scout over to watch him.

[donis1410]

Its looking like Incesy patience is paying off, I always said he needed time to make the CORRECT signings. I see the positives of fowler as he can offer so much to the younger players, just imagine if fowler can help develop derbs?

[Gally]

I think it's fair to say that a player of his stature isn't going to treat Rovers as a dream move, and probably would like other options particularly in his home country. But a club saying they wish to sell the player can often damage their pride or make them feel unwanted or whatever you want to call it. I think that if Valencia want to sell him enough, Joaquin will sign.

[DingleBaiter]

Well this proves why football is so great. Everyone has their own opinions. I personally don't think he is world class yet hence why he is playing for Liverpool. Will he become world class, yes he will.

Will he play for a better club, yes he will.

I've a wasp in my wig about the term 'world class', in that it's completely devalued - mainly by Scousers - as it's too often banded about as a superlative. Like when Schmeicel was often called 'best goalkeeper in the world' - it was often said by people whose football knowledge hardly surpassed 30 miles (let alone world 'soccer' as a whole), plus they were always biased.

Cripes, listen the Liverpool fans and they often say Carragher is 'world class'. Ferdinand only yesterday was classed as a pundit as 'the best number 5 in the world'. What piffle. I'm not saying they're not good, or excellent, but it's always difficult to pick the best of anything as everyone has their own opinions, differing criteria, bias etc.

To me, 'world class' means that said player is good enough to play independently for the best side anywhere in the world (national or league), fit in with the style of football, & excel. Taking Carragher for example, though he is very committed, tough, consistent etc. it's only IMO because he plays in a league where them strengths suit the football - I can't imagine him being as good in any league as Cannavaro for instance. Equally, English players in particular have a problem replicating their success in the national side - so if players (such as Carragher) aren't even good enough to be considered national class, what hope is there for world class? Also, how many sides in the world come in for our best players (even before all the money was around)?

[Veevs]

Grella still surprises me, but there we go.

Joaquin is very real...Olic developping a bit too.

And there could be a lot more going on today.

There's a closed-door game featuring a couple of well-discussed names, Carlos and Robbie I believe.

Plus a top striker who has been invited in for a quick trial - but with a Premier League rival leading that race. I WON'T be naming him just yet.

All of the other stuff will have to be kept back for later unfortunately.

Another top player we are looking at.. blimey.. what happened to Blackburn, we finally finished looking at all the options and are ready to spend on the correct players?

Thanks for the news Nicko.. you are certainly cheering up quite a few of us fans this week!! What a contrast...

[herbergeehh]

Guys, discuss this elsewhere. It has nothing to do with us.

*Repeat*

[Veevs]

I am guessing here.. but I presume that would mean that Keano threw in a bid of 8.5-9m and we are now seeking the replacements..

Or are we just adding some serious competition up front.. that would suprise me as our top target for most of pre-season has been CM (def or box to box)?

[Valois]

I've a wasp in my wig about the term 'world class', in that it's completely devalued - mainly by Scousers - as it's too often banded about as a superlative. Like when Schmeicel was often called 'best goalkeeper in the world' - it was often said by people whose football knowledge hardly surpassed 30 miles (let alone world 'soccer' as a whole), plus they were always biased.

Cripes, listen the Liverpool fans and they often say Carragher is 'world class'. Ferdinand only yesterday was classed as a pundit as 'the best number 5 in the world'. What piffle. I'm not saying they're not good, or excellent, but it's always difficult to pick the best of anything as everyone has their own opinions, differing criteria, bias etc.

To me, 'world class' means that said player is good enough to play independently for the best side anywhere in the world (national or league), fit in with the style of football, & excel. Taking Carragher for example, though he is very committed, tough, consistent etc. it's only IMO because he plays in a league where them strengths suit the football - I can't imagine him being as good in any league as Cannavaro for instance. Equally, English players in particular have a problem replicating their success in the national side - so if players (such as Carragher) aren't even good enough to be considered national class, what hope is there for world class? Also, how many sides in the world come in for our best players (even before all the money was around)?

talk about waffling on about utter nonsence

[Mozzer]

grella, joaquin, and olic-if we happened to get all these three players we would be better off from last season..

is it true blackburn turned down a 9million offer for mcarthy??

[Bobby G]

Nicko, when you say developing stories, does that mean we are talking to the clubs officially, or not yet at the bid stage?

[PLZ Blue]

Grella still surprises me, but there we go.

Joaquin is very real...Olic developping a bit too.

And there could be a lot more going on today.

There's a closed-door game featuring a couple of well-discussed names, Carlos and Robbie I believe.

Plus a top striker who has been invited in for a quick trial - but with a Premier League rival leading that race. I WON'T be naming him just yet.

All of the other stuff will have to be kept back for later unfortunately.

Hmmm... top striker being Saviola perhaps?

[den]

Latest that I can find on Joaquin:

LINK

Translates as:-

Joaquin will hope until 30

The future of Joaquin Sanchez is another one of the subjects that the Valencia will have to solve in the next days. The intention of Fernando Go'mez is to transfer to the gaditano, but whenever a supply superior to the 12 million euros arrives. In fact, today it will receive the agent of the interior, Eduardo Mirror, to transmit a proposal to him that has arrived at the Valencia of the Blackburn Rovers of 12 million plus other three by objectives, that Joaquin will reject. The one of the Port of Santa Maria will hope until day 30 to solve its future.

Which sounds to me as though Joaquin doesn't want to come to Blackburn.

Questions - What is Gaditano and what is Port of Santa Maria?

[vintageadidas]

I dont think he will come, but it is good to be linked with such a good player. I am more excited by Olic, i think he is a class player and remember searching for him on google while watching the Euro's.

The player coming in for a trial must surely be Saviola.

[spencey7]

Fantastic news about Joaquin - but disappointed to read Guillem Balague's comments on the situation; he tends to have his finger on the pulse when it comes to Spanish transfers. Nicko - Was this the "mystery right winger" you alluded to a few weeks back?

Grella? Meh. Not too fussed either way if we sign him. £4m certainly seems a lot.

The phrase "top striker" and "trial" doesn't fill me full of confidence, but I look forward to this one being named later...

I'd hate to see McCarthy go, but if he does leave then Olic would be a brilliant replacement. He's a bit like Roberts - except good. I can't help but think that Ince would look a bit of a turkey if we were to sell Benni though, after all these comments about how "NO-ONE will be leaving this club"..

Someone should tell Roy Keane that Benni's surname being "McCarthy" doesn't make him Irish. I suspect his interest would quell.

EDIT: Surely the "top striker" being invited for a "quick trial" can't be Saviola - Why on EARTH would we need to take a closer look at a Real Madrid forward and Argentine international! If other clubs are interested (Newcastle have been heavily linked) then get him signed NOW!

[donis1410]

I dont think he will come, but it is good to be linked with such a good player. I am more excited by Olic, i think he is a class player and remember searching for him on google while watching the Euro's.

The player coming in for a trial must surely be Saviola.

S&S Part Deux!!!!!!!!

[Mozzer]

trial for a player like saviola?? i find that really unbelievable..

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

What kind of top striker comes in on a trial?!!?

It's not Fowler is it?

[Oklahoma]

Den, close enough.

He will wait till day 30 to solve his future. But according to the news, he doesn't want to come to Rovers.

[imy9]

Maybe the "top striker" has had a serious injury so we want to see what he is like before signing?

Seems to me that a lot is happening today and hopefully there will be some finalised news later.

[Bobby G]

Is this the same paper that had suggested we bid yesterday?

It doesnt make sense that we watch him twice and possibly bid and he isnt interested in it at all...

[my_name_is_Earl]

If it is Saviola, which is just wild speculation at this stage, then i would imagine a trial is to assess the players fitness which isn't a bad idea if you're considering offering a large contract. In fact, it's nice to see such cautiousness by Ince if that is the case.

[joey_big_nose]

I'd hate to see McCarthy go, but if he does leave then Olic would be a brilliant replacement. He's a bit like Roberts - except good. I can't help but think that Ince would look a bit of a turkey if we were to sell Benni though, after all these comments about how "NO-ONE will be leaving this club"..

If Ince manages to get 6m + for a player who has been poor for just under a year now I don't think anyone would be too fussed. Especially if we get someone who seems as highly rated as Ollic.

[T4E]

Maybe the "top striker" has had a serious injury so we want to see what he is like before signing?

Seems to me that a lot is happening today and hopefully there will be some finalised news later.

Nonda, for example. You're probably not far off with that guess. But who matches that criteria?