[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[Bobby G]

nicko has said that the player isnt involved in the Atletico game, so no not Garcia.

[The Prof.]

120m for Kaka means he's gone even if he doesn't want to go. That sort of money moves a club up a huge step an all fronts - the Italians are the only winners here imo. You could buy a whole Champions league first team for that.

[1864roverite]

Finnan failed a medical at Hull City NOT Fulham, a long standing injury possibly hip related.

Cant see Rovers taking up that option personally especially as Bert fits the bill for the right back slot.

[Bobby G]

nicko, could you expand a bit on the Gueye story, since its already been published?

Also whatever happened to Abd Rabo? The Egyptian player? I read on wikipedia that he supported us as a child and wanted to move here...

[donis1410]

thanks for all the info Nicko, brilliant as always. just wondering, what are the chances (not that all rovers fans would want or accept this) of big sam making a loan move for Bentley?

[thenodrog]

  donis1410 said:

thanks for all the info Nicko, brilliant as always. just wondering, what are the chances (not that all rovers fans would want or accept this) of big sam making a loan move for Bentley?

eh? Waggy's already thrown the towel in and nobody else other than Gav and gumboots are quite as self destructing so we may as well get on with it.

[donis1410]

I reckon its worth a punt til the end of the season?

[Hughesy]

Nicko - any news on the "midfield sitter" or has sam decided Grella can do that job??

[Lathund]

  modes98 said:

Derbyshire is a decent squad player. He will never be world class, but is a world class player going to be happy sitting on our bench?

When he comes on late in games he invariably scores.

He has a knack for doing that, so having him around could be useful, as he seems to have the right attitude as well. As long as we don't need him to start games, which is why it's a prudent move to bring in another striker.

[nicko]

  Hughesy said:

Nicko - any news on the "midfield sitter" or has sam decided Grella can do that job??

I have a feeling Samba will be tried out in that role against Sunderland - with Givet making his debut at centre half.

It's just a theory, but based on some info flying about.

The Cup tie is an ideal game for a few to get a run and one or two things to be tried.

I noticed that Carlos wasn't even on the bench yesterday. Said before, not a 'Sam player.'

[Hi Mack]

  Hughesy said:

Nicko - any news on the "midfield sitter" or has sam decided Grella can do that job??

Grella was quality vs Newcastle!

Looked solid and him and Dunn will do the job in the centre(injuries permitting)

Get rid of RSC he looked like he just didnt want to get injured yesterday.

Bring in a RB and play Ooijer in the centre, he is our best centre half and proved that yesterday!

Samba and Nelsen should be battling to play alongside him!

[Hughesy]

I hope Sam takes the FA Cup serious, im going to the game and wont be impressed if we play a similar team to the one at Blyth.

Also SAMBA is the best centre defender we have, by far!

Derbyshire stats to highlight the fact he just doesnt score enough goals.

PREM - 63 games (46 as sub) - 10 goals.

[Bobby G]

Samba has played as a defensive midfielder before I believe. Might have even started off as one in Germany IIRC.

[RibbleValleyRover]

  nicko said:

I have a feeling Samba will be tried out in that role against Sunderland - with Givet making his debut at centre half.

I can see disaster written all over if it happens. He's a great defender with huge potential, not a DM.

[Amo]

How much is Pongolle likely to cost??

[ztizan]

  RibbleValleyRover said:

I can see disaster written all over if it happens. He's a great defender with huge potential, not a DM.

i would like to see that happen. But it depends on who he plays alongside in the middle. if him and andrews lines up in the center it can be disaster

[RibbleValleyRover]

  ztizan said:

i would like to see that happen. But it depends on who he plays alongside in the middle. if him and andrews lines up in the center it can be disaster

Our best defender at the club should be in defence.

[Hughesy]

I can see samba working out well. He's big & strong and also likes to go on driving runs with the ball. If we could add abit more aggresion to his game then he could become a star player in there.

[budha]

  Topman said:

How much is Pongolle likely to cost??

Was £8M when Atletico bought him in the summer, so in that region probably as they probably wouldn't want to lose any money on him and he hasn't done much to justify a higher sum. Assuming that Atletico was willing to sell him.

[RoverRich]

  RibbleValleyRover said:

I can see disaster written all over if it happens. He's a great defender with huge potential, not a DM.

Can he be any worse than Aaron Mokoena???

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

You'll be pleased to know that you were right about Bellamy. He's not playing today, and probably won't ever again.

[RibbleValleyRover]

  RoverRich said:

Can he be any worse than Aaron Mokoena???

Probably no, but i'd rather see big chris who is a top class defender in my backline than at DM. If i was a Chelsea fan would i want to see Terry in defence or midfield? If i was a United fan would i want to see Vidic in defence or midfield?

I just don't think Samba has all the qualities to be a decent DM, especially in regards to his passing and distribution.

[Fife Rover]

Samba is a very good CB in the making. He has a couple of undeniably good attributes that none of the others have i.e. exceptional height and long legs, and speed over the ground, but that's it. Those are his only advantages over the others really. He needs to play alongside an older and wiser CB and IMO we have 3 of those, and in order of preference I would say Ooijer, Zurab, Nelsen. But any of them really as long as they are fully fit and on form.

With regard to the suggestion that he would make a good defensive midfielder: I am not too sure about that; where is the evidence? I am not dismissing the idea, but I still feel he more naturally suited to the CB role, and will one day be a top rated CB.

[bellamy11]

Samba has no real attributes that were any better than Rio Ferdinand a few years ago - who was a spectacular failure and shown up by Robbie Savage when he played DM against us in the 4-3 game.

[Amo]

I have a feeling Samba would just take up space in midfield.