[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[CAPT KAYOS]

With the amount of players we have had on trial , it looks like we have gone into partnership with HM

[nicko]

TAYLOR - Wigan won't sell unless it's silly money.

ZORO - Has not impressed.

ROQUE AND MAN CITY - Anyboy's guess what that club is doing right now...Roque could end up looking daft.

SEITARIDIS - See how he does tonight against Messi [if the wonder boy plays]...know more on that later.

[Majiball]

SEITARIDIS - See how he does tonight against Messi [if the wonder boy plays]...know more on that later.

I don't get this why would he swap european football and a team in the top 5 in spain, for us?

Especially if he's playing?

[novella]

I don't get this why would he swap european football and a team in the top 5 in spain, for us?

Especially if he's playing?

According to Nicko he isnt getting played that regularly.

[nicko]

Seitaridis has played nine games in La Liga out of 17 and was not a regular in the Champions League [as I remember]. He isn't their first choice.

See how he does before we get carried away.

[my_name_is_Earl]

I'm sure they would too Earl. Thing is it's a game. When any club puts a value on a player City set about bidding under the quoted figure and obviously seeking a compromise. By upping the asking price we are also upping City's base bid. Obvious really.

Sturridge or any cash + player is stupid. I don't know why people cannot think things through properly. Allowing the agents of any such lesser players in a deal thereby allowing them the opportunity to throw a spanner in the works of the central issue by demanding excessive remuneration is just daft and imo consigned to the pre Bosman days..

On the contrary, I think this is a great opportunity to capture an excellent young player with all the ability to succeed. Think about it this way, his value is low because his contract is expiring thus attracting our attention. Also, with all these strikers City are wanting to buy, the chap will be aware that he is going to have a very limited number of appearances this season. Possibly, another reason he may consider us is that we will have just shipped out RSC on the other half of the deal therefore weakening our own options allowing him with the opportunity to play premiership football week in, week out once he settles here.

In fact, I think NOW is a great time to try and get him.

Regarding, the spanner in the works of the Santa deal, as you mentioned, I don't think we can lose really. Either way we'd have a lump sum and a quality ready made replacement or Santa stays.

[Majiball]

Greek chap

Publicly disagreeing with your captain, smart move.

13 apps so far this year, not many.

[Oklahoma]

I mentioned Seitaridis last season as he was out of favor with his manager.

He still isn't a regular first team player, having played 14 games for Atletico this season (9 in La Liga, 3 in Champions League and 2 in Copa del Rey).

He might be available for a fee near the 4 million £ (according to some sites)

[ihateburnley]

I think if I was JW I'd be looking to bite the bullet over the whole Santa Cruz thing. I'm not saying we should necessarily sell him on the cheap, but perhaps asking for the £25m, even £20m, is pushing it a bit far. Maybe we should look for perhaps £17m CASH with Sturridge ON-LOAN for the rest of the season? That would mean we are not one striker down (arguably a player in the mould of Sturridge would make us stronger overall - pace to burn anyone?), we can use the cash generated to get a right-back, a right winger, and maybe even a couple more to strengthen overall.

We can then wait to summer to review the striker situation, instead of having to pay overinflated prices for a quick-fix in a matter of days. In my honest opinion, I know we are a business and don't want to become a selling-club if we haven't already, but we have got to be realistic and decide whether we want a want-away half-arsed player strutting his stuff in a relegation-threatened team, merely waiting for his summer cut-price dream move.

I'm sure JW and Allardyce will do the right thing for BRFC.

[thenodrog]

Sturridge is a highly rated, young English centre forward and as such is coveted by other clubs. Pre Abu Dhabi City resisted overtures from Chelsea and Arsenal who were keen to secure his services. Under normal circumstances Rovers wouldn't stand a chance and may still not if the kid dosn't want to come. However, we now find ourselves in a position where a newly mega rich City are seemingly desperate for one of our players. Why then is it "stupid" to use this position in order to try to attain the signing of such a highly rated player. I am sure that those who work on Rovers behalf would not let this muddy the waters in terms of the RSC fee.

Why is somebody suggesting we try for Sturridge "not thinking things through properly". What makes you the arbiter of what is thought through? Why do you feel the need to belittle the contribution of others?

We won't have a chance now C. I believe that Milans supporters are demanding that Sturridge is part of the Kaka deal.

[jim mk2]

I think if I was JW I'd be looking to bite the bullet over the whole Santa Cruz thing. I'm not saying we should necessarily sell him on the cheap, but perhaps asking for the £25m, even £20m, is pushing it a bit far. Maybe we should look for perhaps £17m CASH with Sturridge ON-LOAN for the rest of the season?

Agree : on balance Rovers would be better to sell at around £20m than keep an unhappy player who has not performed this season. Sturridge would be an excellent makeweight too and give the team the pace and width it desperately needs.

[gumboots]

I think if I was JW I'd be looking to bite the bullet over the whole Santa Cruz thing. I'm not saying we should necessarily sell him on the cheap, but perhaps asking for the £25m, even £20m, is pushing it a bit far. Maybe we should look for perhaps £17m CASH with Sturridge ON-LOAN for the rest of the season? That would mean we are not one striker down (arguably a player in the mould of Sturridge would make us stronger overall - pace to burn anyone?), we can use the cash generated to get a right-back, a right winger, and maybe even a couple more to strengthen overall.

We can then wait to summer to review the striker situation, instead of having to pay overinflated prices for a quick-fix in a matter of days. In my honest opinion, I know we are a business and don't want to become a selling-club if we haven't already, but we have got to be realistic and decide whether we want a want-away half-arsed player strutting his stuff in a relegation-threatened team, merely waiting for his summer cut-price dream move.

I'm sure JW and Allardyce will do the right thing for BRFC.

We're not actually expecting 25 million as was explained. they are bidding from below the prices you say on MHs targets (what that says about his future at the club is obvious) whilst steaming in big style on the players the owners want. We'll reach a point where let him go but if you start at a low point then you have to hold out for the full amount and that's hard as it leaves you no room for manoeuvre.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Unless it gets to a stage wereby we actually need the cash from the Roque sale to fund new arrivals, we should keep him imo. Its half way through the window and its clear no one wants to sell anybody, so what are we going to do with £20m?? If its a choice of keeping our best striker or having £20m sitting around without being able to spend it i think there is only one option. At the beginning of January fair enough, get rid, we have enough time to buy decent players with the money, but not now. Man City have waited too long i feel. If they want him it will have to be around £25m.

[rover6]

Isn't Michael Johnson out of favour at Man City (might be wrong but I thought I read something about his form being bad).

Cash and Johnson for Santa would be a deal to consider.

Any chance?

[nicko]

Isn't Michael Johnson out of favour at Man City (might be wrong but I thought I read something about his form being bad).

Cash and Johnson for Santa would be a deal to consider.

Any chance?

I don't think he is the type being chased at the moment - and he has problems getting fit.

Better to get the money and pick the ones you want.

And bid for Sturridge AFTER you trouser the City dough.

[Ewood and I Would]

ROQUE AND MAN CITY - Anyboy's guess what that club is doing right now...Roque could end up looking daft.

Makes me wonder how much truth their is in these Kaka stories. The price ranges from £100m to £175m depending on which rag you read. In reality they probably offered £15m

[hawkiiz]

if we got sturridge on loan untill the summer... how many goals do you think he will score for us if both we and city still are around the relegation mess?

either get him permanent or leave him with sparky.

[den]

Isn't Michael Johnson out of favour at Man City (might be wrong but I thought I read something about his form being bad).

Cash and Johnson for Santa would be a deal to consider.

Any chance?

Sam will be looking for battlers IMO. experienced battlers.

[Ewood and I Would]

And bid for Sturridge AFTER you trouser the City dough.

Are you mad? City don't want to sell him and insisting he comes as part of Roque leaving is the only way we'd have any chance of getting him. If we sold them RSC first they would never agree to sell no matter how much we offer (not like they need it is it?)

[socngill]

Are we to assume that any Man City bid would be all cash up front? Or would they still be up to their old tricks of add-ons and staggered payments etc...?

Because quite frankly, any bid for Cruz would have to 100% cash up front. Seeing as how rich City keep claiming to be I don't think they have any right to offer anything other than that.

[nicko]

if we got sturridge on loan untill the summer... how many goals do you think he will score for us if both we and city still are around the relegation mess?

either get him permanent or leave him with sparky.

Man City won't let Sturridge go on loan.

But if he refuses to sign a new contract they might sell.

However, with their money, they may decide to work on him for the rest of the season...

He is the best young English striker around. A top boy.

[hawkiiz]

Man City won't let Sturridge go on loan.

good. because if time goes on and it could be either us or city going down (yes it is possible...), and we have their players on loan, they wont help us stay up if it means city goes down.

[den]

I think if I was JW I'd be looking to bite the bullet over the whole Santa Cruz thing. I'm not saying we should necessarily sell him on the cheap, but perhaps asking for the £25m, even £20m, is pushing it a bit far.

Why? JW and the board have a duty to make sure we get maximum cash out of any sale. Minimising that simply means we have less resources to put quality players on the park.

Hughes has been a B*****d over thr Santa affair. Why should we sell him for less than his market value, which is whatever Man City will go to?

[modes98]

Man City won't let Sturridge go on loan.

But if he refuses to sign a new contract they might sell.

You also mentioned a while back that Chelsea were sniffing, I really find it hard to see him coming here. Only way would be because no other team would give him a first team slot at this moment. This kid is good, not just another promising youngster.

[The Prof.]

Well, this is the most optimistic I've felt for ages and it appears we have someone in charge at the club.

I like:

- The idea City have been told to get stuffed unless they give us a stupid amount. (Everyones telling City the same.)

- The targets appear to have upped a level or two in quality (will Sturridge ever play at City under Hughes if Bellend and Kaka arrive?)

- talk of not competing etc. has stopped

- Even the transfer budget appears to be more certain (I was wondering if we had one)

- The work behind the scenes seems to have started at long last - Taylor, Silly money or nothing in June - looks like he's had a chat to someone

Hmmm...... looking forward to football agian.

Why? JW and the board have a duty to make sure we get maximum cash out of any sale. Minimising that simply means we have less resources to put quality players on the park.

Hughes has been a B*****d over thr Santa affair. Why should we sell him for less than his market value, which is whatever Man City will go to?

Why sell him at all?