[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Lots of rumors for so many players in this league...

One of the papers says Roque will move for 15 million. Im starting to get a bad feeling he might move for under 18 million which would be very very disappointing.

Relax it is just papers scratching around for figures. Depends on which journo on how much the release clause is.

[Iceman]

If Roque goes for 15 mill then i would want to see Elano or Tal Ben Haim included in that deal. Nothing less than 18 mill should be accepted in a straight cash offer.

[S15]

Elano in a relegation dogfight would be as useful as a broken condom.

[Iceman]

I know its only day 1 of the window being open,but its once again fairly quiet on the Rovers front. I suppose its a good thing,as we always seem to do things without nobody knowing who we are linked with. I got this bad feeling though,that we will be linked with Nigel Reo Coker. I like the idea of McGeady,Diouf,Luis Garcia, and Ben Haim being branded about. Those are all experienced players. Still want to know who is available as a proper right winger option.

[Guest Kamy100]

Sam Only Interested In Quality Players

Sam suggesting that he wants quality players and more importantly wants them as soon as possible so that the team can then focus on winning matches.

[Iceman]

Its good that Sam wants to get in players as soon as possible. Its no good getting in players, 2 days before the next league game. The sooner the better,as they can then start training and getting to know what sam wants

[philipl]

From the BBC

West Ham will also listen to offers for defender Lucas Neill, who is out of contract in the summer, and are willing to subsidise his wages at a new club. (Daily Mirror)

[AndyC]

has anyone actually seen mcgeady play?

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Daily Mail time Again - Today its Samba off to Barcodes [taken from BBC gossip column]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/default.stm

[rover6]

Sam Only Interested In Quality Players

Sam suggesting that he wants quality players and more importantly wants them as soon as possible so that the team can then focus on winning matches.

I don't know... Hughes and Williams were preaching something similar before and then we signed Bruno Berner.

I would be very surprised if Allardyce doesn't swoop for squad players. There's an argument to say we need them. Although, decent young squad players who are not here for a last pay-day would be nice.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

I don't know... Hughes and Williams were preaching something similar before and then we signed Bruno Berner.

I would be very surprised if Allardyce doesn't swoop for squad players. There's an argument to say we need them. Although, decent young squad players who are not here for a last pay-day would be nice.

the majority of the squad is made up of squad players. What we lack is some extra quality in key areas.

Sams comments is PR speak for 'don't expect many signings coming in'

[John]

Sam on Rovers World saying he expects to make just one signing if he can - he does not think we will sign more than that.

[T4E]

has anyone actually seen mcgeady play?

Yes, many times. Massively overrated.

[Iceman]

Just 1 signing? I cant believe Sam will sign just one player, when clearly we need a creative mid,right winger, right back and maybe even a left winger and striker. Sam might say 1 signing, but i dont think that will be the case,as i can see at least 3 players coming in.

[philipl]

Sam on Rovers World saying he expects to make just one signing if he can - he does not think we will sign more than that.

I find that very re-assuring on many levels:

1) We are going for quality- real quality which can make a difference in Premier League games

2) Sam must be reassured that the squad is basically the one that is a perenial UEFA Cup challenger rather than whatever Ince thought it was/made it into. I think it is not unreasonable to be confident that Sam's judgement is many times better than whatever might pass for a considered judgement in Ince's confused vapid weak-willed mess of a mind.

3) That signals a determination to keep RSC which I think is a case of needs must in the absence of any sign of players either being available or willing to come to Rovers of the quality and the quantity we need.

Of course, Sam might be playing an April Fool on the fans four months early.

[S15]

Philip, the reason he is saying that is because he only has enough to spend to sign one good enough player.

Spin it how you will, but it's not good news.

[philipl]

Philip, the reason he is saying that is because he only has enough to spend to sign one good enough player.

Spin it how you will, but it's not good news.

£10m?

I think he is saying it to get supporters off his back about signings and stop the computer game boys writing in with sell these 7 and buy these 10.

I will be surprised if there is only one new face but I wouldn't be surprised to see one major signing, a loan player and one or two Nelsen/Samba/Berner types just for the hell of upsetting rover6.

[thenodrog]

Elano in a relegation dogfight would be as useful as a broken condom.

He was useless last week.

[brian_gallagher85]

Yes, many times. Massively overrated.

Maybe not "massively", but yes he is very overrated and I feel he would struggle in the Premier League...although he is a better player than Liam Miller was at the time he went to Utd

[thenodrog]

Sam Only Interested In Quality Players

Sam suggesting that he wants quality players and more importantly wants them as soon as possible so that the team can then focus on winning matches.

That was Mark Hughes's mantra! I've commented on this before because Paul Ince's frequent claim in stark contrast was that he was bringing in players to 'strengthen the squad'. Doesn't sound far wrong but in effect it's a huge difference.

[Pugg]

Nicko mentioned that he was looking at a left back and midfield sitter, i'll be worried if the 'one signing' is in one of those areas.

Is 'one signing' dependant on keeping Roque? Surely it'll be more if he goes.

Does this mean that he does actually rate Vogel, Carlos and Andrews? And is relying on Dunn and Grella getting and staying fit, with Tugay playing until then? Does he rate Emerton as a right sided midfielder?

I presume if it is one signing, it'll mean moving Emerton to right back, relying on the midfielders we have until Dunn and Grella are fit and keeping Roque. Then the signing would be a right winger.

Any idea where the 'one signing' position is?

Argh so many questions.

[thenodrog]

Sam on Rovers World saying he expects to make just one signing if he can - he does not think we will sign more than that.

On the plus side ... Assuming that RSC stays that must mean Diouff or some other right midfielder, and that must mean that he is pinning his hopes on Grella / Vogel coming good to share Tugay's duties.

On the down side.. If we are only to sign 1 player though what happens if that player gets a serious injury early doors?

[Majiball]

I'd doubt he's been paid off yet.

Good.

Nicko any news on McGeady to rovers? seems like there has been a few qoutes and rumours flying around with McGeady coming here.

Would LOVE it! fast, tricky, can play on both wings... just what we need!

McGeady signing is going to really ###### me off, while we're at it lets get James McCarthy as well they can be put in stocks at Half-time so I can throw rotten fruit at them, traitors.

From the BBC

West Ham will also listen to offers for defender Lucas Neill, who is out of contract in the summer, and are willing to subsidise his wages at a new club. (Daily Mirror)

I'd only re-sign if he can join McCarthy and McGeady in the stocks

has anyone actually seen mcgeady play?

Yes many times, hot N cold, no loyalty and an ego to rival mine.

Yes, many times. Massively overrated.

What he said.

I'm acctually pleased with the whole only one signing. It means that we have dosh to get in one qualty player at present. I will assume without RSC's sale, so we have some dollar. Selling RSC will change the picture.

After being told Ince had only 5M to spend at least we know the board have added to it as much as they can.

When does our 3M from the trust come in? or is it included already?

[thenodrog]

From the BBC

West Ham will also listen to offers for defender Lucas Neill, who is out of contract in the summer, and are willing to subsidise his wages at a new club. (Daily Mirror)

According to Sky WHU will listen to offers for the entire squad! They are in deep doo-doo and it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch. Subsidising player's wages to get rid of em is serious sh1t and happened during the darkest days of LUFC when they subsidised our Robbie's move away from Elland Road.

All this stress and strain and the demise of his darling WHU might just see old Brooking off!

[The Prof.]

Ooijer - I think he could go if a right back is found...clearly not a long-term prospect and a free in the summer.

Roque - a bit puzzled that Man City haven't bid the cash yet...sounds like they may not be in agreement at that club...but it only take a call.

Targets - think there may be some progress with a left back/left centre half but that will have to wait a few days...may also be a midfield player being watched this weekend...things going on,,,but in a slow and steady way.

Warnock - somebody has got to bid...Tottenham and Newcastle have an interest but his recent displays have not inspired.

Can't understand the left back/centre half situation. Either the club have agreed with me that Warnock isn't up to it, in which case they should have sold when they got the chance. It's a pity as his last 3 displays suggest he can be a left back with guidance. I make it we have 5-6 tried and tested Centre Backs - if they are not good enough then heaven help us - get them off the wage bill - Zurab should have gone in the summer then. Just out of interest I remember someone coming up with stats suggesting we have a great points tally when he plays. Very odd.

We can be said to have watched or be watching any number of players this year but the end product never seems to arrive. We should surely know who can play by now or the scouts should be replaced.

Finding this very depressing and think we are lacking some imagination. 1 replacement won't keep us up and it won't be a £10m one. It'll be a loan.

£15m for RSC probably means £2.5m to replace him. We've gone back to the David Brown days.

The board have their manager BACK HIM!

From the BBC

West Ham will also listen to offers for defender Lucas Neill, who is out of contract in the summer, and are willing to subsidise his wages at a new club. (Daily Mirror)

All of which suggests this is the time to spend - but we won't. (How greedy is that man when the workforce at major industrial firms like JCB are willing to take a collective paycut!)

I don't know... Hughes and Williams were preaching something similar before and then we signed Bruno Berner.

I would be very surprised if Allardyce doesn't swoop for squad players. There's an argument to say we need them. Although, decent young squad players who are not here for a last pay-day would be nice.

"We're only interested in quality"

It's code for "We're tight!"