[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[Oklahoma]

Every single manager is waiting for Man City to improve the offers they make.

They have money and they are willing to spend it.

[Bobby G]

Its milk the Arab season...

Everyone knows it, and they have no friends in the football world. They still havent paid way over the odds as Chelsea had been years earlier though.

[Eddie]

Been asked to fill people in on Givet and M'Bami and all I can say is that I don't think we'd be missing out on much if we don't bring either of them in. Givet is a mediocre defender and I'm not sure how well he'd deal with the pace and physical nature of the premiership. As for M'Bami, he's talented, but again I'm not entirely sure that he is suited to the premiership. He's better than many of the options that we have now, but I'm also sure that there are better players available.

[tcj_jones]

I have to admit, £18m + Ben Haim would be fantastic business for Roque, especially seeing as we have shown that we can score goals without him. I don't think that he would be worth anywhere near as much at the end of the season or if Hughes were out of a job, which could very well happen by the end of May.

A slight concern is whether Ben Haim would settle for a place on the bench and also his wage demands. Another concern is whether he is being lined up as a replacement for either Samba or Nelsen because, while both have been pretty useless under Ince, since Sam came in, they've looked a fantastic partnership once more.

Bring in a good right midfielder this January and I am confident that we will have what it takes to be targeting a mid table finish come May.

[Bobby G]

Problem is Ben Haim is no better than Zurab in my eyes and I cant see him as the best option for right back in our team even, so where would he slot in?

[Majiball]

You do all realise that loans cost money, right?

Yes, but look at it this way. How hard is it going to be to persuade players to join us right now. We will only get chancers, journey men and so on. What if we go down? better players could be persuaded to come here to showcase their talents in the premiership for 6 months. It would also give us breathing space to make sure we are signing players that will suit our situation next season.

Buying players at present actually worries me who knows what could happen in the next 6 months footballing wise?

[den]

Not alot we can do at the end of the day. What is the use having a striker who will just sulk and not pull his weight?

You're just using that line to back up your argument to sell Rocky, for £15/18m - no matter what. You're saying that you would sell him before getting in a replacement are you?

The way I see it: The only thing that matters for the next four months, is that we get enough points to stay up. Getting top money in for anyone is of no concern. It doesn't matter. Rocky scored more than 20 goals last season. He hasn't done that this season because he hasn't been on the park. There is nothing, IMO, to suggest he wont score goals again this season, providing he can stay fit.

Now, having said that, if Allardyce can line someone up with a pedigree that pretty well guarantees goals before he sells Rocky, and would still leave him with enough cash to strengthen the squad elsewhere, then fair enough - take the money.

That isn't what's being said on here by many people though. They are saying take the money because he's not worth it, or because they believe he wont be the same player again for us. Sell rocky without an adequate replacement at our peril. Doing that would mean certain relegation.

[Bobby G]

I echo Dens thoughts.

[gumboots]

I echo Dens thoughts.

Me too. Plus i feel that to sell Santa Cruz without replacing him with someone with a bit of quality about them is to send out the wrong signals to any potential incomers. it also worries me that we would potentially be strengthening a relegation rival. Whilst we can't stop other clubs selling to City we don't have to help them ourselves. If we sell it has to be at a price and in conditions that suit us. we're not necessarily desperate to sell. they, however, are desperate to be seen to flash their wealth and get whoever they want. It's all about show for them now so make them pay and when, and only when, we are ready to sell

[Iceman]

Looks like we can add Chimbonda to Appiah, Diouff and MBamba who are not coming to Ewood.

The replacement for Roque will be a dumper truck full of £18m in used fivers at this rate!

every transfer window its the same with Rovers, hardly any activity until late on. What worries me is the Roque situation has still not been sorted out,and i can see us not having enough time to replace him. we will be sitting with 18 million,and not have anytime to sign anybody with it.

I reckon we will bring in players after tonight's game with Blyth, when Sam has seen the rest of the squad in action. Villanueva, if given a chance might just have an absolute brilliant game, and Sam's mind might change about him leaving. The Cameroonian guy is nothing special, sorry there are much better players from Cameroon than him. Anybody for Arouna Dindane or is it Arouna Kone? hmm always confuses me

[modes98]

Can we keep Santa Cruz talk to the Roque thread please

Only Nicko's Posts should be discussed here

[tchocky]

Speaking of which - long time no see. Any updates, Nicko?

[braddock]

i'd sell him without a replacement. i'd rather get a right winger in than another striker

i'd want to see a replacement at some point but i'd take the risk and let him go before we get someone else

santa going means certain relegation is a quite ridiculous statement

yikes, sorry, off topic

nicko, any news on these players you mentioned the other day?

[malk]

Certain relegation my arse. You're asking for a replacement that pretty much guarantees goals are you? If Shevchenko can't do that then no one can. Hell, even a player who does it one season can't guarantee anything the next, see McCarthy, Santa Cruz, Bent, Forsell, Johnson... and the rest. If the bid comes we have to take it. Santa Cruz guarantees no more than anyone else and in particular, no more than the guy who will inevitably be brought in to replace him.

[den]

Can we keep Santa Cruz talk to the Roque thread please

Only Nicko's Posts should be discussed here

Nicko has been discussing Santa Cruz Modes. Could you move the posts across then please?

[philipl]

I echo Dens thoughts.

Agreed

Nearly three hours since West Ham denied they will sell Parker in January and the only thing that has happened is Downing's transfer request!

That Guardian story getting weaker by the minute.

There are three false premises in the sell Roque now argument (as well as a missing transfer offer it now seems):

- Rovers will snap up three or four class players as replacements: Availability (only Diarra was any good amongst the players sold last January and could be on his own this January as well!), Willingness to come to Rovers, and the wages budget constraint all militate against that.

- Roque will sulk: Is he sulking or was he miffed at Pince? Is he off form or been carrying an injury? Was his lack of goals a function of Ince cutting off all his supply lines?

- Roque's price will fall: I think his price will be underpinned by being the number one player at the top country in the South American World Cup Group irrespective of the next few months at Rovers.

[thenodrog]

So if Ronaldo lets his contract run down and goes to Real for nothing, Manure should praise him for his professionalism?!!!! And not worry about losing 40M quid!

As long as he does the business and gives his all on the pitch then he has adhered totally to the terms of the contract that they put in front of him and thats that. It would not happen for a number of reasons but if they really wanted they could have offered him a 10 year contract instead of four. If he wants to renegotiate he can sign an extension if he doesn't want then he can leave, similarly if he's gone off the boil then MU are under no obligation to offer him another contract. We've seen this since McManaman walked out on Lpool to go to Madrid and Campbell left spurs for nothing to go to Arsenal. Have you no idea of the way contracts work?

To run down your contract in this way or to threaten to is to s**t on the club that's paying you a fortune.......

No it isn't. It's simply exercising your options just as clubs can do the same.

Sorry but I cannot understand how you can not comprehend the situation. My only objections are with players that sh1t stir and cause trouble at the club in order to force the club to release them from their contractual obligations simply because they have had a better offer elsewhere and their own club is not wealthy enough to force an unhappy player to see out his deal and 'rot in the reserves' . Personally I am amazed that so many clubs still pay money to other clubs in transfer fees. imo it's just dead money.

[den]

You're asking for a replacement that pretty much guarantees goals are you? If Shevchenko can't do that then no one can. Hell, even a player who does it one season can't guarantee anything the next, see McCarthy, Santa Cruz, Bent, Forsell, Johnson... and the rest. If the bid comes we have to take it. Santa Cruz guarantees no more than anyone else and in particular, no more than the guy who will inevitably be brought in to replace him.

Well to be precise, it will be Allardyce's decision as to whether the replacement will score goals. That's what he's paid for. But yes, preferrably I would like a replacement striker who can score goals.

Your view suggests that anyone would do as a replacement for Rocky. - Fowler?

[Iceman]

im just going to wait and see what happens, and who comes in.... i have no more hair left, everytime i check and see that we have signed nobody, a little more hair goes

[nicko]

Been out visiting some friends of yours...

GIVET - is one of the players I was mentioning...the plan is to bring him in for a 'test' this week...very good player but has not played all season as he fell out with the coach...could be a snip if fit...plays left back or left centre half...very handy.

M'BAMI - new one to me...been offered around for ages...not great...too small...could not crack it in Premier.

CHIMBONDA - available...Spurs might take him, but I don't think he is their first choice...think that story is a 'come on' for other cllubs to try for him.

ROQUE/BEN HAIM - both possible, but not sure it would be a swap as such...they could happen but because of complications it would probably be two separate deals...still not sure Man City are giving Sparky the cash...but hopefully we find out soon.

[roversnick]

thanks for the update nicko

do you know if sam is looking at any right wingers?

[modes98]

Nicko has been discussing Santa Cruz Modes. Could you move the posts across then please?

Correct he is, but then people have gone off talking amongst themselves, which may as well be with all the other Santa chat.

We are trying to keep the topic readable for people, so please help us by keeping the majority of your discussion to the appropriate topics.

[philipl]

Diouff angling for the move?

[nicko]

thanks for the update nicko

do you know if sam is looking at any right wingers?

I think he would like a right winger, but wants a good right back probably more. Then you can use Emerton on the wing - or change the formation which is always a possibility.

[savage90]

Great news and thanks Nicko, sounds like a top quality centre half. Nicko now that ones out the bag any chance you can tell us who the other is, as it seems inevitable that it will be reported elsewhere as with Givet?