[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[RevidgeBlue]

Simon, as you say, its god knows what time in the morning.

Nowt has yet happened, as stated.

And unless you've got a crystal ball, I would suggest that neither of us know what will happen.

The deals are reportedly done unless something unforseen happens.

Not sure why you're trying to split hairs on a technicality.

[stuwilky]

Not sure why you're trying to split hairs on a technicality.

Quite.

Goodnight.

[bigbrandjohn]

How did he try to screw us over? By telling the truth that he was going to leave when his contract was up and then staying on without complaint when asked to stay until a replacement was found? By missing few matches and always being reliable? He was very honest with his intentions - we could have sold him much earlier for more money, but the choice wasn't his.

Is he the best right back in the league? Not at all. Can he do a good job and be reliable? Yes.

Good post. He is the first right back we have had since the last right back which was him. :!:

[thenodrog]

Lucas Neill. He still has a home in the Turton area I believe.

I've defended his exit and subsequent move to WHU against the embittered and churlish members on here to the end, but if we are talking 60k+ pw then I'd have to say 'thanks but no thanks' to Neills return. He's massively overpaid and thats why he signed for WHU so no prob there at all, but we don't need a player on that amount upsetting the others. RSC's money was easy to justify cos he scored lots of goals and has apparently had an 18m rider put into his contract so we have to reimburse him like an 18m player. Paying Lucas similar will just cause upset imo.

[American]

I don't understand why people don't get this, since we got to the Premiership he's the only player I can think of who tried to run down his contract for his own personal gain so he could leave on a free.

Total lie. Mark Hughes allowed his contract to run down. He made his intentions quite clear well before he was sold. Hughes wanted to keep him until he found his replacement.

Yet you'd bring Craig "I have no clause" Bellamy back.

Oh, and Stu, one of the Wigan players has made his move permanent and it was done this afternoon, as he got a new work permit allowing him to play tonight.

[RevidgeBlue]

Total lie. Mark Hughes allowed his contract to run down. He made his intentions quite clear well before he was sold. Hughes wanted to keep him until he found his replacement.

Neill could have had a new deal any time he wanted.

[Eddie]

Players demand transfers all of the time, what Neill did was far better. He simply stated that he wouldn't want to be signing a new contract, something which I'm sure clubs deal with regularly (Bentley anyone?), but instead of then demanding a move said that he was willing to honour his contact and see it out. In other words he actually treated the club with respect and, rarely for a footballer, saw that a contract actually means something. I would have liked to have seen him stay, but the manner in which he left was not terrible. The way it was messed up is that we should have sold him sooner, which simply would have turned him into yet another footballer who wanted to move for money/play for a bigger team.

[47er]

Players demand transfers all of the time, what Neill did was far better. He simply stated that he wouldn't want to be signing a new contract, something which I'm sure clubs deal with regularly (Bentley anyone?), but instead of then demanding a move said that he was willing to honour his contact and see it out. In other words he actually treated the club with respect and, rarely for a footballer, saw that a contract actually means something. I would have liked to have seen him stay, but the manner in which he left was not terrible. The way it was messed up is that we should have sold him sooner, which simply would have turned him into yet another footballer who wanted to move for money/play for a bigger team.

This is bullshit. He announced that he was going to let his contract run out so that prospective clubs knew there would be no fee.You can call that honouring his contract if you like but you're naive if you believe it. This was intended to widen the range of potential interest and increase the salary offers and had absolutely nothing to do with loyalty to us. He was interested only in himself. Thank goodness Hughes was able to offload him 6 months earlier and get us the fee for Warnock.

[philipl]

are we in for Lucas? It seems Galatasarray are moving for him.

All I was saying is that it is premature for posters to be getting on Sam's back for a lack of signings as there are no ink dried incomings in the Prem as far as I am aware yet

[dingles staying down 4ever]

are we in for Lucas? It seems Galatasarray are moving for him.

All I was saying is that it is premature for posters to be getting on Sam's back for a lack of signings as there are no ink dried incomings in the Prem as far as I am aware yet

I'd heard the Turkish giants were after him and willing to pay top dollar wages for him as well, but we'll see.

[Bobby G]

Gala were linked with him months ago...Kewells already there you see.

Based on some powers of deduction, the two foreign players nicko is linking us with play in Spain, France or Portugal. One of them wont play today according to him, and he could be a Mallorca player, an Atletico player, a Sporting player or possibly a player for any of the top French teams.

Could nicko give us some more clues like the good old days

1) What positions do they play

2) Their price brackets

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Gala were linked with him months ago...Kewells already there you see.

Based on some powers of deduction, the two foreign players nicko is linking us with play in Spain, France or Portugal. One of them wont play today according to him, and he could be a Mallorca player, an Atletico player, a Sporting player or possibly a player for any of the top French teams.

Could nicko give us some more clues like the good old days

1) What positions do they play

2) Their price brackets

He said the other day that both foreign players were expensive but one could be available on loan. He did not give any further information

[Mc Love]

Lucash is a money grabbing whore if i am to be totally honest, i cant believe the staunch defence some people are putting up. He had a chance to play champs league footy with one the club he supported as a child for a relegation fodder Scum West Ham team for more money. Joke!

[philipl]

Ok just seen the Sun are linking us with Lucash.

A while ago, I watched a West Ham game and thought to myself that he'll be leaving soon and recalled him being a good player for us. Then Neill dived in and conceded a needless freekick on the edge of the area and I dismissed the thought!

The last time we took a player with the disposing club so desperate to be rid, it paid a chunk of the wages was when we took Mateo from Leeds. As a warning about doing similar business with WHam, I think we are still on some Leeds creditor list waiting to be paid!

Returning to the here and now, City going to pay £11m and £80k a week to a Chelsea reserve who, unbelievably, is already 28 (Bridge has perennially been the bright young fullback with a bright future) whilst Lucash is not two years older and might cost £0m and £50k a week. Seriously, we need a much better option of fullback than we have at the moment and getting Neill could well be by far the best deal going in THIS WINDOW when we are facing relegation full in the face.

And I'd far rather keep Ooijer as a substitute than let him go to AZ for a bit of cash now.

[alexanders]

Players not playing for Atletico tonight because of different reasons;

- Maxi Rodriguez

- Maniche

- Banega

- Bernabe

Couldn't find anything else.

[American]

Player could be from the German league. Aren't they on winter break?

[alexanders]

Player could be from the German league. Aren't they on winter break?

I think he said that the scouts cancelled their trip, because he wasn't playing tonight and Bobby G Stated that it was Spain, Portugal or France

[Bobby G]

German league not in action tonight. Only major leagues in action are the three above ones, and not all the teams are playing in those leagues either. France has the most teams playing cause its the Coupe de France round.

Could it be Maxi? I cant believe that cause he is Atleticos captain but he is a rightwinger.

[Zulu]

German league not in action tonight. Only major leagues in action are the three above ones, and not all the teams are playing in those leagues either. France has the most teams playing cause its the Coupe de France round.

Could it be Maxi? I cant believe that cause he is Atleticos captain but he is a rightwinger.

Denis Law's not playing tonight - and he's played in Italy! Jesus, get a grip.

[alexanders]

German league not in action tonight. Only major leagues in action are the three above ones, and not all the teams are playing in those leagues either. France has the most teams playing cause its the Coupe de France round.

Could it be Maxi? I cant believe that cause he is Atleticos captain but he is a rightwinger.

I think the prize range will be £10m and I really don't think atletico would sell him in the middle of a season.

[nicko]

LUCAS NEILL - West Ham want a fee and are even talking about a new deal for him, so he won't be going to Rovers for nothing. I think that story is a wind-up to get Hammers to give him a rise. He is their skipper after all.

ROQUE - Talks too much. Plays too little. I may be able to explain the price clause, his slice of the fee and what it all means in the soaraway Sunday People.

TARGETS - One is a very good player who may be available on loan with a view to a buy. He is a left-sided defender. The other was due to play this weekend but is not. He is expensive and can play as a defensive midfield enforcer.

BEN HAIM - As stated last night. Full runners and riders and extent of interest. Sorry it wasn't 'news' in some eyes. Funny that...

[dingles staying down 4ever]

LUCAS NEILL - West Ham want a fee and are even talking about a new deal for him, so he won't be going to Rovers for nothing. I think that story is a wind-up to get Hammers to give him a rise. He is their skipper after all.

ROQUE - Talks too much. Plays too little. I may be able to explain the price clause, his slice of the fee and what it all means in the soaraway Sunday People.

TARGETS - One is a very good player who may be available on loan with a view to a buy. He is a left-sided defender. The other was due to play this weekend but is not. He is expensive and can play as a defensive midfield enforcer.

BEN HAIM - As stated last night. Full runners and riders and extent of interest. Sorry it wasn't 'news' in some eyes. Funny that...

Nicko,

Any developing news on Spit the dog?

[AJW]

The other was due to play this weekend but is not. He is expensive and can play as a defensive midfield enforcer.

marcos senna??

[Bobby G]

You really think Senna would reject Man City and choose us instead?

Interesting that a left back and defensive midfielder are the two main targets seemingly.

[nicko]

Nicko,

Any developing news on Spit the dog?

I put my hands over my ears and talk loudly to myself at the mention of his name...