[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[RibbleValleyRover]

i concur...

money grabbing basta.....

Its not only just that (though thats a pretty good reason why we should stay well clear), i've never rated him as a player. He is a complete liability on the pitch in terms of fouls in dangerous areas and giving away stupid pens.

[nicko]

Apologies for lateness...blame Rab C Nesbitt.

BEN HAIM - Rovers definitely in the race for him...Man City will sell for £3 million...as it stands Bolton are probably favourites because they want him badly...Rovers see him as a signing if Ooijer goes or even a bid comes in for Samba...Sunderland also keen...Tottenham say they might be...his wages are huge, so that is stopping anyone doing it immediately...but I thinkl he will move...and Rovers may have to decide how badly they want him too...expect Bolton to make the first serious move.

MAN CITY - are shaking the whole market up...Toure looks like being next...maybe Bellamy next week...still nothing on Roque which makes me wonder if they have an even bigger name coming...that would explain why Roque keeps blethering about a move...but he could end up looking daft.

SPURS - have bid for Downing but are being messed about big-time...no Rovers relevance.

May have more info on the Roque contract clause but have to save that for Sunday. It explains the current situation and confusion over his fixed fee.

No progress on two foreign targets...one may have a chance of happening soon, the other isn't playing tomorrow so Rovers have called off their spying trip.

[Bobby G]

I agree that sometimes he is a liability with reckless fouls. But he never once gave less than 110% and was a solid defender for us untill his last few months...

[mattyboy6000]

If that about Lucas is true - I'll be happy.

mixed feelings, very good at times but also had an awful tendency to get sent off.

i'd have him at right back ahead of bert and andre though

he does look a bit of a ###### though after all his "big things" chat he came out with when he joined the hammers

[bennyboyt11]

Apologies for lateness...blame Rab C Nesbitt.

BEN HAIM - Rovers definitely in the race for him...Man City will sell for £3 million...as it stands Bolton are probably favourites because they want him badly...Rovers see him as a signing if Ooijer goes or even a bid comes in for Samba...Sunderland also keen...Tottenham say they might be...his wages are huge, so that is stopping anyone doing it immediately...but I thinkl he will move...and Rovers may have to decide how badly they want him too...expect Bolton to make the first serious move.

MAN CITY - are shaking the whole market up...Toure looks like being next...maybe Bellamy next week...still nothing on Roque which makes me wonder if they have an even bigger name coming...that would explain why Roque keeps blethering about a move...but he could end up looking daft.

SPURS - have bid for Downing but are being messed about big-time...no Rovers relevance.

May have more info on the Roque contract clause but have to save that for Sunday. It explains the current situation and confusion over his fixed fee.

No progress on two foreign targets...one may have a chance of happening soon, the other isn't playing tomorrow so Rovers have called off their spying trip.

cheers nicko!

shame you dont have any news on our foreigners but appreciate you taking the time none the less

[Bobby G]

nicko, when you say a bid for Samba, are you suggesting we could sell him?

[Mozzer]

the two foreign players being watched-do they play in the premierleague??

theres a rumour about lucas neill -you heard anything??

[RibbleValleyRover]

BEN HAIM - Rovers definitely in the race for him...Man City will sell for £3 million...as it stands Bolton are probably favourites because they want him badly...Rovers see him as a signing if Ooijer goes or even a bid comes in for Samba...Sunderland also keen...Tottenham say they might be...his wages are huge, so that is stopping anyone doing it immediately...but I thinkl he will move...and Rovers may have to decide how badly they want him too...expect Bolton to make the first serious move.

I can understand Ben Haim being sought as an option for Ooijer but Samba? Samba is in a different league of class to Ben Haim. Samba must not be sold at all.

[T4E]

Nicko - please could you dismiss the Lucas story in a convincing manner so that I can sleep tonight?

[Tom]

I'd be happy with Lucas back, screw politics and loyalties, we're in a battle and he could help us out.

He would have to calm down the penalty conceding fetish he has though.

any truth in it nicko?

[nicko]

the two foreign players being watched-do they play in the premierleague??

theres a rumour about lucas neill -you heard anything??

Both the foreign players are based abroad.

Lucas Neill is an interesting thought...but his wages are huge...I am suspicious of that too as his agent is Peter Harrison, who is not exactly on talking terms with Sam any more.

[philo]

That's it we knew about That

[Amo]

West Ham want to ship Lucas off the wage bill. It would be a controversial signing, and a feasible one, but is this rumour genuine? It is The Sun after all.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Have any of you watched Neill at all during his West Ham tenure? I've lost count the number of pens he has given away with his reckless tackling or given a freekick in a dangerous area resulting in a goal.

I can't believe that people want him back...

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Any chance one of the foreign players is Rosina from Torino?

[captainhaircut]

Two things Nicko. Can you confirm the state of play with Samba. I'm quite concerned he may go.

Secondly and somewhat linked, do you know whats going on with Shay Given? The money the barcodes get there could be put toward big Chris. Is it possible we secured a sell on clause?

[ebenrocks]

I can understand Ben Haim being sought as an option for Ooijer but Samba? Samba is in a different league of class to Ben Haim. Samba must not be sold at all.

are we watching the same Samba?

When we first got him he was amazing. Totally made our defence work but since he;s been pretty awful. I'm worried when he gets the ball in defence. Ok, he's alright with corners, gets a few goals but he is certainly not unsellable

[JAL]

nicko, when you say a bid for Samba, are you suggesting we could sell him?

ITs not a case of Rovers selling Samba but his agent prostituting his services to anyone and everyone to make a quick buck for everyone concerned.If Nickos has shares in the agency holding Sambas signature then maybe Nicko also wins indirectly on a Samba transfer.

[doctorryan]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle2090544.ece

I've had a feeling about this ever since WHU's "we're selling everybody" remarks came out. It would be really funny if it happened, but let's face it; emotions aside, a good football move short-term.

[Mozzer]

samba has started to look his old self under sam allardyce-i wouldnt even consider selling him..he is pacey, strong and chips in with the odd goal-plus hes only young-he should definatly be kept..

regarding ben haim-hes a solid centre back-albeit he is slow-but he would be a good replacement for andre ooijer..

[RibbleValleyRover]

are we watching the same Samba?

When we first got him he was amazing. Totally made our defence work but since he;s been pretty awful. I'm worried when he gets the ball in defence. Ok, he's alright with corners, gets a few goals but he is certainly not unsellable

Samba has been a rock under Sam, the back line is organised again and he is playing really well. The guy has pace, height and is still young (keep in mind centre-halves don't peak until their 30's). His reading of the game should get better as he gets older and i fully believe he will become a top class centre-half.

Theres no way i can agree that Ben Haim is better than Samba.

I think a defensive back four of:

Emerton Samba Nelsen Warnock

is far better than:

Neill Nelsen Ben-Haim Warnock

[Mc Love]

We cant have the pitiful man Lucash back here!!

[tony gale's mic]

Samba is very quick, very strong and is good in the tackle and excellent in the air. He has all the raw attributes to make a top class defender, but he's only 24 years old and central defenders don't start to reach their peak for another 2 or 3 years. Yes he'll have off periods, he's still learning but has looked great again recently and selling him would represent a massive mistake IMO as I think he'll be rated as one of the top defenders in the league by the time he's 28.

[John]

Nicko, apparently a few English clubs are in for Dacourt. I think Spurs are one of them, no BRFC interest as far as you know??

[Majiball]

Nicko - please could you dismiss the Lucas story in a convincing manner so that I can sleep tonight?

Lucash in your dreams what a thought.

Sam will not trade Samba for Ben-Hiam. Samba has pace he has height the other has neither, can you imagine his wages given Chelsea got him for nothing. Samba has all the credentials of a top centre half, once he gets more consistent he'll be awesome.