[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[ihateburnley]

I think there is a clear conflict here between those of us who have accepted the future of BRFC, and those who have not. In my opinion, the way forward and the only way we are likely to compete successfully, is to buy cheap and sell while the stock value is high. I'm surprised we aren't putting more emphasis on youth to supplement this plan, but maybe that is in the pipeline.

If we are selling players on for 3/4/5 times what we paid for them, then we are onto a winner providing we don't compromise the quality of our squad too drastically. Some may take the view point that Roque is a quality player (which is undoubted) and that selling him now would be foolish given our league position - but I would disagree with that. By selling him now for top dollar, we are making vital steps towards securing our financial future, and I for one do not believe that his loss would be so devastating to our divisional survival.

Our other strikers are good enough to see us through to the end of the season, and to those that say "what if one of those gets injured?" - I would ask "well what if on February 3rd Santa Cruz gets a bad injury? Then we have no chance of getting half of what is potentially being offered now, we will have the same strikeforce as we would have if we had sold him, and in the long-term he would possibly need replacing.

Rovers cannot afford to reject anything above £18m in my opinion. We'll find a replacement eventually, no doubt for a lot less than that!

[philipl]

Quick reminder folks.

We can go 19th tonight. And Stoke apparently have just missed a golden chance to take the lead.

ihb is correct re tactics.

BUT

Relegated clubs sell at the wrong time, successful clubs sell at the right time. Selling RSC on 28 Jan 2009 is the wrong time.

End of.

[BuckyRover]

I agree, we need to sell him a few days earlier. Good point phil

[John]

Completely agree with Phil on the Santa Cruz subject.

Looks like Big Sam also agrees....

[AJW]

nicko

what do you think the budget is to sign a replacement fot RSC ?

[spencey7]

nicko

what do you think the budget is to sign a replacement fot RSC ?

Free transfers only I think.

The transfer budget seems to go solely towards sending scouts and coaching staff to game after game rather than putting bids in for anyone.

I won't believe we're signing the Egyptian lad until I see him in a Rovers shirt - Remember Segundo Castillo? I seem to recall he "thought he was coming" too. And Tore Reingusson.

If Man City were serious about Santa Cruz he should have moved there much earlier in the window. Much too late for all this now.

[nicko]

nicko

what do you think the budget is to sign a replacement fot RSC ?

It's not about cost, it's about value for money.

Some of the players being watched are not worth the fees on their heads.

The longer it goes the less likely there will be a signing...and if there is no signing there is no sale of Roque.

[HemelRover]

Quick reminder folks.

We can go 19th tonight. And Stoke apparently have just missed a golden chance to take the lead.

I agree with the rest of your post but, assuming all the games go in our favour rather than against us we could go up to 16th on goal difference with a win tomorrow (assuming 1-0 losses for all the teams we need to lose[sunderland/Middlesbro/West Brom/Stoke]. newcastle would stay above us on goals scored).

Lets put a positive spin on things shall we?

[philipl]

I agree with the rest of your post but, assuming all the games go in our favour rather than against us we could go up to 16th on goal difference with a win tomorrow (assuming 1-0 losses for all the teams we need to lose[sunderland/Middlesbro/West Brom/Stoke]. newcastle would stay above us on goals scored).

Lets put a positive spin on things shall we?

Yes,

There is absolutely NO way Roque can leave in this transfer window.

Gosh, I feel really good now.

[BigNuts]

Nicko, is it possible that City may decide to offer Sturridge on loan, to push the deal through, if no other option meets Rovers criteria?

[nicko]

Nicko, is it possible that City may decide to offer Sturridge on loan, to push the deal through, if no other option meets Rovers criteria?

No, Man City won't let him go just now and the boy wants to stay at Man City.

Think that one came and went as a Rovers suggestion about two weeks back.

Not an easy deal from any angle...but probably the dream choice as a replacement for Rovers.

[Blue n White Rover]

I agree with the rest of your post but, assuming all the games go in our favour rather than against us we could go up to 16th on goal difference with a win tomorrow (assuming 1-0 losses for all the teams we need to lose[sunderland/Middlesbro/West Brom/Stoke]. newcastle would stay above us on goals scored).

Lets put a positive spin on things shall we?

I was thinking we could go 13th. We'd go above Bolton and Pompey if we win,and if we win 3-0 and Sunderland fail to win today then we'd go above them aswell. With City beating Newcastle aswell.

I'll stop dreaming now

[philipl]

No, Man City won't let him go just now and the boy wants to stay at Man City.

Think that one came and went as a Rovers suggestion about two weeks back.

Not an easy deal from any angle...but probably the dream choice as a replacement for Rovers.

Depends how determined Sparky is to get Roque.

Let's say Rovers get them into "doable" territory on price but are forced to say "you've had seven and a half months to do this deal and at 10pm on 2 Feb its a bit late for us to find a replacement- its Sturridge and x from your squad or no deal."

[disgruntled]

Depends how determined Sparky is to get Roque.

Let's say Rovers get them into "doable" territory on price but are forced to say "you've had seven and a half months to do this deal and at 10pm on 2 Feb its a bit late for us to find a replacement- its Sturridge and x from your squad or no deal."

If they try to do a deal at 10pm on Feb 2nd I'm sure everyone would be delighted. Deadline is at 5pm

[Hughesy]

Ok so City come in on the last day:

"We give you £20m + Sturridge on loan" - what would you do?

Id sell. It would also give us the chance to work on Sturridge to sign a deal in the summer.

[hawkiiz]

No, Man City won't let him go just now and the boy wants to stay at Man City.

Think that one came and went as a Rovers suggestion about two weeks back.

Not an easy deal from any angle...but probably the dream choice as a replacement for Rovers.

i understand it wont happen, but lets say we did get stirridge on loan.

how would that work out if city and rovers are still in the mess after 36 games, both can go down. i dont think it would be vice to rely on a loanee from city at that point? after all he would like to go back to city, and he would not want them to go down while saving rovers? the whole idea seems to me.

[LeChuck]

Pennant is looking great on the right for Portsmouth, if we are keeping Santa Cruz then we need someone like him to provide ammunition, because Emerton can't do it on a regular basis.

[BuckyRover]

i understand it wont happen, but lets say we did get stirridge on loan.

how would that work out if city and rovers are still in the mess after 36 games, both can go down. i dont think it would be vice to rely on a loanee from city at that point? after all he would like to go back to city, and he would not want them to go down while saving rovers? the whole idea seems to me.

Simple. Just make sure we leave the "Can play in matches against own team" box unticked.

[Hi Mack]

Ok so City come in on the last day:

"We give you £20m + Sturridge on loan" - what would you do?

Id sell. It would also give us the chance to work on Sturridge to sign a deal in the summer.

Ok Ok Sturridge is a decent "prospect" nothing more..............yet!

He has done nothing to prove himself at this level............yet!

If we sell RSC i would prefer someone to come in with premier experience, or International experience!

Theres a reason City want RSC, Sturridge isnt ready yet.

[alexanders]

Pennant is looking great on the right for Portsmouth, if we are keeping Santa Cruz then we need someone like him to provide ammunition, because Emerton can't do it on a regular basis.

Are you serious?

Imo he has made a lot of mistakes and looks uninterested

[Majiball]

Ok Ok Sturridge is a decent "prospect" nothing more..............yet!

He has done nothing to prove himself at this level............yet!

Could be a good option off the bench.

I'd have him if he'd come.

[hawkiiz]

Simple. Just make sure we leave the "Can play in matches against own team" box unticked.

what good is that going to do?

lets say we are on 36 points each. two games to go and one of us is deffo going down. we play west ham and pompey and they play fulham and newcastle. would you want a loanee from city to be our "santa" then? i sure dont want a city insider at the club. we cant afford to give away any secrets or unmotivated players to our relegation rivals. all our players have to be 100% committed to saving our club. maybe dunny and derbs will be vital at the end... if they are fit...

[Hi Mack]

Could be a good option off the bench.

I'd have him if he'd come.

Yes i see what you mean but RSC is our No. 1 striker, To replace him with a bench option isnt ideal.

By the way i dont have an ideal candidate to name, so not shooting anyone down! Sticky situation!

[alexanders]

Nicko - will there be an 11 O'clocker tonight?

[modes98]

Relegated clubs sell at the wrong time, successful clubs sell at the right time. Selling RSC on 28 Jan 2009 is the wrong time.

The key for any deal is making sure you have secured a replacement. To me it wouldn't matter if it were the last second of the transfer window, if Sam had secured a replacement he was happy with then the deal should be put through.

I definitely agree with the right time and wrong time sentiments, however it is all personal opinion as to when that time is. Mark Hughes having a job in the summer will decide if we ever see this size of bid for Rocky again and after all nobody is irreplaceable.