[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[thenodrog]

Personallt I can't see Hughes selling a player like Ireland in order to get in a fading star.

[grizfoot]

Ireland vs Pennant.

If ANYONE picks the latter they are clinically insane as far as I'm concerned.

Ireland for £3.5m would be fantastic, and I can't see him sticking around if Man City sign Wright-Phillips.

Fingers crossed on this one...

Agree 110%

Ireland is a far superior player than Pennant. Only worry would be that Ireland isn't really an out and out right midfielder and likes to cut in and get involved in play which could leave our midfield looking a bit narrow. Although he's the sort of player we are lacking at the moment someone capable of creating chances.

[JohnS]

The press are linking us with Al Habsi, Bolton reserve keeper. Don't know why he would come here as a reserve if he's already there as a reserve, but were a BIGGER club.

[philipl]

Al Habsi is not bad at all.

Press has Everton, City and Pompey after SWP at £9m so his agent is busy.

Stoke going for Pennant and Finnan apparently- I guess desperation all round.

City have already off loaded Bianchi and Castillo is going to Real Bettis so they are selling players quite rapidly.

Ireland at under £4m would be an excellent move. Brockhall will be an appropriate place for him...

[imy9]

QUOTE (J*B @ Aug 26 2008, 00:54 ) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd be happy to spend 8m on Ireland, he's a good quality CM player.

Can anyone clarify is Ireland a CM or RM?

RM is the position we need to strengthen first of all and the figure of around £4 million would represent excellent value for money, £8 million seems excessive!

[JohnS]

Ireland ain't worth 8Million in my opinion. Anyone remember his hair do last year lol! Castillo isn't Man City's player anyway.

[RoyRover]

Stephen Ireland is a very talented player. Even though Sven spent a massive amount of money last year on new, flashy players, Ireland was an ever present in the team. He is a creative midfielder, rather than an out and out right winger. He could play on the right of midfield, but he wouldn't be your stereotypical winger like Bentley was. However, I see him being at his most effective from the centre of midfield. He is very intelligent player, great passer and pitches in with a few goals. If we could get him for £4 million, then he would be a bargin. He has had a bit of troubled past, namely that whole episode with the Ireland team, when his girl friend had a miscarriage. But I would be a lot happier with him coming, than the constant underachiever that is Jermaine Pennant.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Ireland would be a great signing (if under £4mil) and certainly provide a less injury prone alternative to Dunn (in the middle) but I don't quite see how it solves our problems. We still need some pace in the team and a decent ball winning/forward passing midfielder. Must agree with some on here - I felt Vogel did very little wrong when he played the role.

The more I read of Pennant, the less I like him. Not the right mentality for BRFC me thinks. Bellamy was a loose cannon, but he had a fantastic work effort and wil to win. Pennant seems to have neither.

[ScottishRover]

Surely we watched Ireland on Saturday as an option for our centre mid. I mean did anyone at Rovers know he was going to play RM that day

[PLZ Blue]

Can anyone clarify is Ireland a CM or RM?

RM is the position we need to strengthen first of all and the figure of around £4 million would represent excellent value for money, £8 million seems excessive!

I think he means Championship Manager

[joey_big_nose]

Thing is we do need width.... Pedersen is a narrow player on the left and we have a numbere of players already who can play narrow on the right (Dunn, Derbyshire, Emerton). For balance it would be useful to have a touchline hugger like Joaquin or even really Pennant.

Genuine pace would be handy too.

Im not against Ireland - he is a talented player - he just seems not the exact type of player we need now. Didn't we sign Carlos to play that attacking midfield role?

[thenodrog]

Didn't we sign Carlos to play that attacking midfield role?

Carlos? I think we must have signed him as a 'phantom' striker to 'hide' away on the wings before 'ghosting' past his marker on the 'blind' side.

....... He seems bloody good at it too!

[nicko]

Not much new in the papers...

SWP for Man City seems to have a chance. In which case Ireland will be more available.

Two weeks ago he was being sold - so it would be no surprise if that one came round again.

I heard Rovers would pay £3.5 million if they had the chance, I don't know what Man City would accept. Maybe if it was offered up front it would help.

The Man City cash injection is close - they think - so that is a changing scene.

Pennant and Stoke? I don't think so. Sounds like a Liverpool leak to get Rovers at it. Linked with a £3.5 million offer for him...there's that figure again. Liverpool desperate to sell to help pay for Riera who is costing them more than they wanted.

Still waiting on Andrews, Grella and Fowler. Pinto and Israeli keeper updates later.

[JohnS]

What about Al-Habsi? Is that a potential transfer Nicko? Also no news about my favourite player Milner, who in my opinion would be a better option than Ireland. Also there are rumours, that Man City are in talks to sign Bellamy, thats two people to boo when they come back to Ewood.

[Lurid Coat]

Old Rovers favourite Bellamy in talks with City, apparently?

[leftfooter]

Not much new in the papers...

SWP for Man City seems to have a chance. In which case Ireland will be more available.

I heard Rovers would pay £3.5 million if they had the chance, I don't know what Man City would accept. Maybe if it was offered up front it would help.

The Man City cash injection is close - they think - so that is a changing scene.

Would Hughes be willing to sell his better players to Rovers, considering that we wouldn't do business with him for RSC?

Did the good Dr. buy City with his own money, or was that also also securitized loans? If so, how on earth can they gamble with money for SWP that hasn't actually yet been raised?

[Bobby G]

Id take the Bellamy that played for us in a snap but since then he has played only 9-10 competitive club games which says a lot...

Imagine a fit Bellers with Roque up front...

[nicko]

What about Al-Habsi? Is that a potential transfer Nicko? Also no news about my favourite player Milner, who in my opinion would be a better option than Ireland. Also there are rumours, that Man City are in talks to sign Bellamy, thats two people to boo when they come back to Ewood.

Rovers asked about Al-Habsi but were told no.

Milner is still alive for Villa...but it's hard work.

Bellamy to Man City? It would not be a surprise.

[Martin]

Bellamy to Man City? It would not be a surprise.

At least it keeps Hughes in his comfort zone.

[broadsword]

is the betting money on Man City getting themselves out of a hole with Daubai (rather than dubious) money, or is the situation still too clouded?

Wouldn't the DIC people attach some strings to whatever money they'd give to Taxi boy? Or are they buying him out in part? would they just be clearing the decks for Thaksin for a percentage of future revenue (akin to mortgaging their TV payments)?

I'm confused how they can suddenly look like a suitable detsination for Bellamy.

[T4E]

Bellamy to Man City? It would not be a surprise.

That's worrying - I'd put that right up there with the best realistic signings City could make. We all know what Sparky can get out of Bellamy.

[joey_big_nose]

is the betting money on Man City getting themselves out of a hole with Daubai (rather than dubious) money, or is the situation still too clouded?

Wouldn't the DIC people attach some strings to whatever money they'd give to Taxi boy? Or are they buying him out in part? would they just be clearing the decks for Thaksin for a percentage of future revenue (akin to mortgaging their TV payments)?

I'm confused how they can suddenly look like a suitable detsination for Bellamy.

Well it might be more of a case of West Ham throwing Bellamy out rather than City being that attractive. The Hammers are desperately lowering their wage bill.

[Cally]

Pennant on his way to Stoke today.

Your loss.

[Paulsman]

The Milner thing will be resolved tonight. If he plays, he's cup-tied, therefore less likely to leave.

[nicko]

is the betting money on Man City getting themselves out of a hole with Daubai (rather than dubious) money, or is the situation still too clouded?

Wouldn't the DIC people attach some strings to whatever money they'd give to Taxi boy? Or are they buying him out in part? would they just be clearing the decks for Thaksin for a percentage of future revenue (akin to mortgaging their TV payments)?

I'm confused how they can suddenly look like a suitable detsination for Bellamy.

Man City think they will have their money guaranteed by the weekend.

Shinawatra thinks he has done a deal - involving DIC - and that is why he went to the game and showed his face. It will be partnership NOT a takeover.

It will be interesting to see where they say the money is coming from as DIC seem wary about being linked in public. There could be a 'front' or it may just be claimed that a 'mystery investor' is involved. Watch that space.

If they get money - around £70 million - it won't ALL go on signings but it would give them breathing space.