[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[bats]

No major news, but a couple of small items.

Man City are still sure they are landing Roque...that is from a high-up.

However that will take Rovers finding a replacement at the right price. Plan B will be watched this weekend - sounds like Janko may be too expensive.

Found out that Sam's sulk on Friday was because he wanted to sign a player last week - for a fee and big wages - and was knocked back...

Oh dear.

Nicko, have we been linked wih the plan B roque replacement before?

[Billy Castell]

I hope Mr. 'Plan B' is not re-signing Robbie Fowler, or getting some clapped out numpty like Tore Andre Flo. You can only 'make do' for so long in the money dominated world of football.

Has Leroy Lita got an attitude problem? I wonder as he was brilliant a few seasons ago, did the business at Norwich, and yet no-one seems to want him. And who is up for looking at those strikers in League 1 a little closer? I mean Mackail-Smith, Fryatt and Lambert are all banging in the goals, and may be available for a trial at least. No harm in looking, as it worked out with Steadinho (sort of).

[Alan75]

The time to analyse that is when the window shuts.

It seems odd that Hull City can take a punt on Jimmy Bullard and yet Rovers seem unable to move without ANOTHER sale.

It needs to be explianed, but the trouble is it won't be until the window shuts.

Curious.

Its all well and good, fans complaining that there is no tranfer activeties but maybe the Rovers board/trustees are being cautious and business minded than here today gone tomorrow speculators.

More than one club have gone to the wall due to throwing away money that they dont have, signing journeymen and mercenaries.

Its not just the transfer fees, its the inflated salaries, which still have to be paid if a club is relegated and dare I mention the loyalty bonuses that players are expecting to recieve.

[hawkiiz]

well ince spent a fair part of our "10m" budget in the summer, so what have we got to splash right now?

i understand the board... we do have a good squad and if they perform as they can. if no goodies are available at a good price, why not wait untill the summer? our problem is we have no bentley on the right, but who could we sign that is as good as him at a bargain price?

[Cortez]

Its all well and good, fans complaining that there is no tranfer activeties but maybe the Rovers board/trustees are being cautious and business minded than here today gone tomorrow speculators.

More than one club have gone to the wall due to throwing away money that they dont have, signing journeymen and mercenaries.

Its not just the transfer fees, its the inflated salaries, which still have to be paid if a club is relegated and dare I mention the loyalty bonuses that players are expecting to recieve.

You have to speculate to accumulate. We are crying out for a right sided player and have been for some time. The unbalance in the team is there to see for even those with limited football minded brains. If we are not prepared to take a little bit of a risk to sort that out then we risk relegation from which I fear we will not recover.

I compare this to a time in the 80's when we were knocking at the door of the then first division. We were crying out for a decent midfield player but couldn't or wouldn't take a gamble. If it wasn't for Uncle Jack we would still be where we probably belong ........... with the Dingles.

Be brave and take this opportunity. As 'they' say, 'It isn't rocket science!'

[Billy Castell]

Surely there is a young, exciting right winger needing experience, or a slightly aging winger who can still do it if given a chance? Somewhere there should be a decent player that would be able to come on loan at least?

[my_name_is_Earl]

The time to analyse that is when the window shuts.

It seems odd that Hull City can take a punt on Jimmy Bullard and yet Rovers seem unable to move without ANOTHER sale.

It needs to be explianed, but the trouble is it won't be until the window shuts.

Curious.

I would imagine it has something to do with the fact that we don't know what division we'll be playing in next season. In fairness, that isn't Sams fault as we hit midway in very poor shape. I think it's a sensible decision by the board to wait to spend some money. Loan signings are what is needed before we put up the cash unless, obviously, a good deal comes along.

If the cash aint here in the summer, if we stay up, then that is the time when serious questions should be asked and not when the league is so wide open although I have every confidence that the club will stay up this year under BS.

Hull taking a punt on Bullard smacks of panic and fear and an effort to do anything they can to stop their decline down the table. Fortunately, our board are more steady and experienced in these matters.

[broadsword]

I would imagine it has something to do with the fact that we don't know what division we'll be playing in next season.

One fairlz good way to know which division you're going to be in is to spend no money at all i guess.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Surely there is a young, exciting right winger needing experience, or a slightly aging winger who can still do it if given a chance? Somewhere there should be a decent player that would be able to come on loan at least?

I'd honestly prefer Emo if thats the case. The great thing about Emo being there is that it really tightens up the midfield and we look solid defensively. I think clean sheets are more important than getting a skilful right winger in although I can obviously understand the argument in the long term.

The whole fact of the matter is that there musn't be a right sided midfielder out there who ticks all the boxes we need to tick. If there was i'm sure he'd be here. That includes fee, wages, ability etc.

One fairlz good way to know which division you're going to be in is to spend no money at all i guess.

Perhaps, or you could take a good look at a squad that finished seventh last year (lets not get into the Bentley, Brad situations) and say we are good enough to stay up as we are but unfortunately we need to prove it after a very poor start to the season.

I like your comment though

[duffbear]

No major news, but a couple of small items.

Man City are still sure they are landing Roque...that is from a high-up.

However that will take Rovers finding a replacement at the right price. Plan B will be watched this weekend - sounds like Janko may be too expensive.

Found out that Sam's sulk on Friday was because he wanted to sign a player last week - for a fee and big wages - and was knocked back...

Oh dear.

Nicko you say Sam was knocked back by the the club/player or the board?

Are you able to name that player?

Are you also able to name the player that is plan B yet?

[steverovers]

There is still time in this window for something to happen. If nothing does then I guess the right deal wasn't available. We can't afford to waste money just bringing anyone in, and don't forget that loans aren't free!

The current squad is good enough to stay up. Of course, ideally we want to fix the problem areas, but I wouldn't want to see a panic buy like Bullard. What would we be saying on here if we had paid 5mill for him?

[DanLad]

"Hull taking a punt on Bullard smacks of panic and fear"

I'd love a fearful, panic signing like Bullard.

That has just guaranteed Hull's place in the prem next season, IMO...

Exactly what we could have done with...

[Billy Castell]

I don't think he is worth £5m though. What qualities does he bring anyway? I haven't really seen him in action.

[roversmum]

Yes, he'd be good company for Dunny, Grella and Reid in the injury room.

And apparently his wage requirements are rather high.

No thanks.

[my_name_is_Earl]

"Hull taking a punt on Bullard smacks of panic and fear"

I'd love a fearful, panic signing like Bullard.

That has just guaranteed Hull's place in the prem next season, IMO...

Exactly what we could have done with...

Don't agree at all. Bullard is not the dogs ###### by any stretch of the imagination. He's a decent player, don't get me wrong but I think Hulls fortunes will be determined by how well the Hull squad can regroup after their terrible run. Hull are in a dogfight thats for sure and there is no guarantee that they will stay up, particularly as there are much better squads below them in the league.

If we had signed Bullard for £5 million on a £40'000 a week contract, I would be very disappointed with the board. you can buy much better quality than that with a bit of time and patience.

[Tom]

Always thought of bullard as over rated, headless chicken type who takes a good free kick. Poor mans Savage although thats not neccessarily a bad thing.

[Billy Castell]

Aren't Giovanni and Bullard both right wingers?

Anyway, lets get it back on track. Nicko is this Mr. Plan B worth getting excited about?

[stuwilky]

Jimmy Bullard is the very epitomy of the Sky Sports generation.

An average footballer overhyped.

[jim mk2]

Jimmy Bullard is the very epitomy of the Sky Sports generation.

An average footballer overhyped.

Robbie Savage was an average footballer but he was very effective. Most Rovers fans would be delighted if we had signed Bullard and Hull supporters must be delighted too.

I have to say that Rovers' lack of transfer activity for the third window in succession is very worrying. The team needs strengthening if we are to avoid relegation.

[Eddie]

Yep, three windows in a row is inexcusable. It is actually the board being irresponsible in my opinion. Sometimes players aren't available, sometimes it is smart to just stick to what you have, but 18 months of that has seen this club go from being one on the rise to one fighting for premiership survival.

[stuwilky]

Robbie Savage was an average footballer but he was very effective. Most Rovers fans would be delighted if we had signed Bullard and Hull supporters must be delighted too.

Robbie Savage was an entirely different proposition than Jimmy Bullard.

[hawkiiz]

oh how i miss Savage. that match against watford really was a turning point for blackburn rovers. did anyone realise how important he was before that terrible injury?

[thenodrog]

oh how i miss Savage. that match against watford really was a turning point for blackburn rovers. did anyone realise how important he was before that terrible injury?

Yes. Just about every opposition mega-bucks midfielder who liked nothing more than being able to put his foot on the ball, point his finger, spray passes and control a match. Sav just loved playing against them.

[doctorryan]

oh how i miss Savage. that match against watford really was a turning point for blackburn rovers. did anyone realise how important he was before that terrible injury?

Some of us did. He may have been average in terms of skills, but to opposing clubs he was an annoying gnat who bugged the living s#*t out of you. Unfortunately that kind of thing is hard to measure through statistics and therefore hard for simpletons (like most football supporters) to appreciate.

Found out that Sam's sulk on Friday was because he wanted to sign a player last week - for a fee and big wages - and was knocked back...

Oh dear.

So much for the Jack Walker Trustees getting stuck in, even a little. Hiring Sam was about nothing more than: "Please keep this property we want DESPERATELY to be rid of at least somewhat appealing to whomever might buy it."

[vyeo]

Another possibility is that Sam's plans may have been undone by his own (relative) success so far with us. It could well be that prior to Sam joining, the board were prepared to loosen the purse strings to fund a makeover of the team to get us out of trouble. This could probably be considered cavalier behaviour from our very very prudent board, but was necessitated by our position. However, six weeks on and now that Sam has got this squad playing like we know it could and picking up results, the board may have decided that it could be prudent and still survive. Only time will tell if this would be a miscalculation or not. But such behaviour is completely in line with our board's past behaviour - how they treated hughes by funding one big signing per season (ie: Grella for this year) and leaving the manager to wheel and deal for the rest.