[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[roversnick]

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.

cheers for the update nicko

[Majiball]

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.

Curiously the change of formation comment is that an opinion/deduction or did the friends you went to visit say something?

[nicko]

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?

Thanks for reminding me that sitting on stories can sometimes be a mistake.

I can't name the other guy as he has not been watched for the conclusive time yet...and that could be overtaken by other events.

There could be a few things going on this week that occupy our minds anyway.

Man City have to buy Roque by the weekend - or Sparky might not be around for much longer.

I wonder if he would be out by now if City had not pulled it back to 2-2 at Ewood.

Curiously the change of formation comment is that an opinion/deduction or did the friends you went to visit say something?

I could see Sam doing without a right winger if he thought Emerton could play in a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1.

The friend I was seeing was more concerned with getting a team out for tomorrow's game at Tottenham...

[T4E]

You been at City this morning then? Whats the crack? Are they still going to let someone who they are thinking of sacking spend their cash?

EDIT: Obviously not Other questions still apply though.....

[alexanders]

I wonder if he would be out by now if City had not pulled it back to 2-2 at Ewood.

I think he would.

[joey_big_nose]

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.

I am suprised that we are not putting right wing as a prioirty. Under Sam both Emerton and Pedersen have looked good, especially defensively, but they are priarily work horses rather than suppliers. Currently we are always looking to play down the middle and really lack width. It helps us keep it tight, but if we are looking to score goals it is going to cause us problems.

[PAFELL]

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

The problem with yours and Dens opinion is that Rovers do not have the cash to splash on a replacement before selling RSC. Therefore they would need to sell first. Of course if Rovers were ok for money wise, the ideal situation would be to get a replacement first.

But who to replace RSC with, even with £15million burning a hole is Sam's pocket. There is Kris Boyd of rangers, he seems to be scoring ok and may want to try the prem. James Beatee may want the chance to prove himself again in the prem. The problem would be finding any replacement bearing in mind Rovers league position. It is just not having the cash or not - but who to be the replacement.

[Hughesy]

I dont see why we would need a right winger if we got Diouf - surely he is the number 1 choice in big sams eyes. And probably pretty cheap too.

[joey_big_nose]

I could see Sam doing without a right winger if he thought Emerton could play in a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1.

The friend I was seeing was more concerned with getting a team out for tomorrow's game at Tottenham...

I am not sure Emerton could play wide right in a 433/451 - not pacy or tricky enough, or good enough in the air if you use it as a Bolton style aerial route. Plus, more importantly, we would need a high quality target man to form the point of the attack. Roque can do it to an extent, but if he goes we have nobody.

[nicko]

I dont see why we would need a right winger if we got Diouf - surely he is the number 1 choice in big sams eyes. And probably pretty cheap too.

If you get Diouf all you will need is the road map for Norwich and Ipswich.

[Hughesy]

Bolton didnt.. why should we?

[nicko]

Bolton didnt.. why should we?

I really hope you can find someone better than an attacker who doesn't score goals, can't be risked in away games when it gets tough and would start a riot in a phone box.

[Hughesy]

I also hope we find someone better... but going off previous viewings of him, id be happy with Diouf as an extra option in our squad. Big Sam will know him best so if he wants him... il trust his judgement.

However if you can get someone like Joaquin interested in Rovers as a better option then please do.

[PAFELL]

I dont see why we would need a right winger if we got Diouf - surely he is the number 1 choice in big sams eyes. And probably pretty cheap too.

I doubt Diouf would be Sam's number 1 choice - if he was then the deal would have been done by now as sunderland would probable be thankful for him to go. After all, sure they have other players to sit on the bench. Rovers can do better than Diouf. Kris Boyd of Rangers would be a better forward than diouf for Rovers. Mendes also of Rangers would also be a handy buy for the midfield. Rovers struggle for attendences now, Diouf would scare the kids away.

[BuckyRover]

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.

That doesn't really help the Ince is a terrible manager argument.

Ince had to cope without Roque during his entire tenure. Does that mean if you think he is so important to our cause that the fact the Ince didnt have him meant he was doomed from the outset by circumstances out of his control?

Just a thought.

IMO we don't need another striker, we can cope with Roberts, Benni and Derbyshire. 18m will allow us to strengthen other areas and that is what we need at the moment. 4 striker without any service is not much use to anybody

[gumboots]

The problem with yours and Dens opinion is that Rovers do not have the cash to splash on a replacement before selling RSC. Therefore they would need to sell first. Of course if Rovers were ok for money wise, the ideal situation would be to get a replacement first.

But who to replace RSC with, even with £15million burning a hole is Sam's pocket. There is Kris Boyd of rangers, he seems to be scoring ok and may want to try the prem. James Beatee may want the chance to prove himself again in the prem. The problem would be finding any replacement bearing in mind Rovers league position. It is just not having the cash or not - but who to be the replacement.

You don't have to buy before you sell though. You can get a fairly clear picure of who you're taking and whether the deal is likely to be done before you sign off on Santa cruz. I just feel that without possible signings lined up it's folly to get rid and hope. It's simply the "sell immediately and spend the rest of the transfer window looking but not getting" mentality that I don't think is right. It's what happened with Bentley and nobody wants it to happen again.

[Majiball]

IMO we don't need another striker, we can cope with Roberts, Benni and Derbyshire. 18m will allow us to strengthen other areas and that is what we need at the moment. 4 striker without any service is not much use to anybody

What would we do if one gets injured we would have no option from the bench. Do you really trust them to score enough goals to keep us up? What happens if Benni goes off-form again?

Every team should have four strikers.

[beerwins]

My greatest concern atm is the amount of rumours (or lack of) about central midfielders, its been rovers weakest area for a long time and the backbone of the team, we need creativity and a fighter in this area, this area must be looked at for prem survival.

Im hoping the amount of stories about defenders and such are smoke to set press in wrong directions.

[braddock]

hmmm henrik larsson?

a long shot i know but cheap and can do a job for half a season

but still a long shot

would be good

[67splitscreen]

hmmm henrik larsson?

a long shot i know but cheap and can do a job for half a season

but still a long shot

would be good

He said a couple of weeks ago when he was linked with someone. He wanted to stay in the Nord/homeland.

[den]

You don't have to buy before you sell though. You can get a fairly clear picure of who you're taking and whether the deal is likely to be done before you sign off on Santa cruz. I just feel that without possible signings lined up it's folly to get rid and hope. It's simply the "sell immediately and spend the rest of the transfer window looking but not getting" mentality that I don't think is right. It's what happened with Bentley and nobody wants it to happen again.

Correct on all accounts Gumboots. It wouldn't be the first time a selling club has agreed a fee with another one, but wont finalise it until the replacement is set up. A bit like exchanging contracts on a house - everything is in place, then the contracts are done simultaneously.

[joey_big_nose]

Correct on all accounts Gumboots. It wouldn't be the first time a selling club has agreed a fee with another one, but wont finalise it until the replacement is set up. A bit like exchanging contracts on a house - everything is in place, then the contracts are done simultaneously.

It gets complicated though, especially becuase Roque seems uncertain about his future, probably won't be salivating that much at the prospect of Man City, knows he has 5million in the pipeline somewhere, Man City's management situation is suspect, and we need a replacement.

The attitude may be look for a replacement independently of this deal as it is too complicated and let Roque go should the money be right. We have McCarthy, Roberts and Derbs - the first two are playing so well Cruz would not get back in the team anyway.

Providing Allardyce is confident of his targets he will have three weeks to bring them in.

[braddock]

It gets complicated though, especially becuase Roque seems uncertain about his future, probably won't be salivating that much at the prospect of Man City, knows he has 5million in the pipeline somewhere, Man City's management situation is suspect, and we need a replacement.

The attitude may be look for a replacement independently of this deal as it is too complicated and let Roque go should the money be right. We have McCarthy, Roberts and Derbs - the first two are playing so well Cruz would not get back in the team anyway.

Providing Allardyce is confident of his targets he will have three weeks to bring them in.

since when has roberts been playing well?

i like him but he's not be doing well

[BiggusLaddus]

Correct on all accounts Gumboots. It wouldn't be the first time a selling club has agreed a fee with another one, but wont finalise it until the replacement is set up. A bit like exchanging contracts on a house - everything is in place, then the contracts are done simultaneously.

Just like we did with the Friedel and Robinson deals in the summer. Fair enough, a lot of people were and are not happy with Brad leaving or the choice of replacement, but the way it was done was spot on. Why we couldn't do something similar with Bentley I don't know.

[den]

since when has roberts been playing well?

i like him but he's not be doing well

If we're relying on Roberts' goals to keep us up, we're in bigger trouble than I thought.