[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[alexanders]

Anything in this Nicko or are they desperately trying to find him a new club?

Torosidis

[Bobby G]

Id be disappointed at 18 million unless it all stays with us, especially considering that they paid over 10 million for a left back, who hasnt done anything to justify that price.

[alexanders]

Surely he would come to Blackburn if he is going to Cologne?

12.03 Cologne look to be making progress in their bid to re-sign Germany international striker Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.

[Bobby G]

If any team like Man City or Spurs make a bid he is theirs.

Id like him here, as I dont think he is good enough for the top top teams and he would be more appreciated here.

I believe it will take 10 million Euros, according to Bayern.

[novella]

Santa Cruz for 15 million, podolski for 10 million..... business with bayern in the past....

*nods* would be a great shout.

[herbergeehh]

Surely he would come to Blackburn if he is going to Cologne?

12.03 Cologne look to be making progress in their bid to re-sign Germany international striker Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.

He'll still cost between 5 and 10 million pounds. We're still in the relegation mire. Cologne is still his home.

[Bobby G]

Bayern have stated not a dime less than 10 million Euros.

[nicko]

Anything in this Nicko or are they desperately trying to find him a new club?

Torosidis

I believe Rovers have a couple of other right backs in mind, but the Greek guy was watched in the summer so he is not out of the picture as an option.

From what I hear Sam rates the views of the chief scout Barry Whibtread - so any players scouted under Paul Ince will be considered if the background work said they should. Some of the trialists who came in were not good enough, but some of the 'big money' targets may still be.

[Oklahoma]

Nicko, any news on free agents Helguera and Appiah?

Both would be great for Rovers, if fit.

[Bobby G]

If Roque leaves, we should bring in at least 3 players. A quality forward, a right winger, and a central midfielder.

Disappointed we blew about 4 million pounds on Grella, as it was a couple million too high I reckon.

[No Nay Never]

Why don't people just let Nicko put the names he has heard forward if and when he hears them, If you chose to believe them then thats good if not then thats not Nicko's problem. All this are we in with a shout of X player and wheres Y players going is getting a bit tedious.

[LeChuck]

Nicko, any news on free agents Helguera and Appiah?

Both would be great for Rovers, if fit.

Appiah is training with Spurs trying to earn a contract there. Harry Redknapp said he watched Ghana a few times and considered buying him for Portsmouth but Juventus wanted £14 million, therefore he got Muntari instead. If he's fit then he'll end up at Spurs.

No idea about Helguera but he seems like a stereotypical Allardyce signing...

[Bobby G]

Helguera wouldve been good for Bolton but our squad and players are much better than Bolton of a few years ago. They pushed weigh above their ability. This squad has more potential but hasnt reached it. If Sam can get our players to play at their maximum or more as was the case with Bolton, then we can get out of our predicament, without doubt.

So in a word, no, to Helguera for me.

[alexanders]

Why don't people just let Nicko put the names he has heard forward if and when he hears them, If you chose to believe them then thats good if not then thats not Nicko's problem. All this are we in with a shout of X player and wheres Y players going is getting a bit tedious.

It's the transfer window. It very exciting.

It's tiring out my f5 button.

[Pugg]

It's tiring out my f5 button.

Put down your keyboard and step away from the F5 button.

[No Nay Never]

I don't find it that exciting these days tbh with you. Gone are the days when we were smashing transfer records left right and centre and I dont expect that to happen this time. I honestly can't us doing a lot of business this January. The only way we might is if Roque goes which I am not 100% he will. If he does then we might spend 4 million on a player and then a couple less than a million each. Football is a business.

[waggy]

bfs has been here a few weeks and must know by now the squad is very bare,we need players now,midfeilders like today,defenders like yesterday,come on williams release the purse strings

[DeadlyDirk]

I don't mind Roque leaving, if he doesn't want to play for the club anymore then I don't want unhappy players who are not performing to their full potential. Were better off taking the money while we can.

However, it's vital we have a replacement lined up before we finalise the transfer, we cannot make the mistake we made with Bentley when we never managed to find a replacement.

Failure to replace Roque would leave Roberts and McCarthy as our two front line strikers with Derbyshire for backup. From what I've seen of Derbyshire this year he hasn't quite been at his best and seems more of an impact player from the bench, not ready to be regularly starting matches which is what would have to happen if one of Roberts and McCarthy were injured which also leaves no forwards on the bench.

There's also the fact that one of them could suffer a loss of form, we need to make sure we have 4 good strikers and although a massive fan I'm not sure if even Derbyshire comes under that bracket on current form in a relegation battle.

I guess there is always the option of BFS reverting to his favoured 4-5-1/4-3-3 tactic but I can't see Benni playing the main man on his own, although Roberts probably could. Benni would be a waste on the bench though given current form and would be out of position on the right. (Pedersen being the obvious choice for the left.)

So in short, if the money is right then let him go but not until a replacement is lined up. I'm not worried about cash because of the over inflation of players anyway, I think your better off with the players so I'd be happy with Ireland and Sturridge in a straight swap.

[AlanSheppard]

Surely he would come to Blackburn if he is going to Cologne?

12.03 Cologne look to be making progress in their bid to re-sign Germany international striker Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.

Cologne was where Podolski grew up, he came through their youth system and only left for Bayern when Cologne got relegated. Cologne are now back in the Bundesliga and mid-tableish I think. He still retains a lot of affection for Cologne (think Dunn with us) so if they're in for him then he'll probably return there.

[mohelger]

Disappointed we blew about 4 million pounds on Grella, as it was a couple million too high I reckon.

Ince was quoted in an interview referring to Grella's price as "4 million euros", which at the transfertime was closer to 3 million pounds... So that helps, but I totally agree that the price feels to high.

[alexanders]

But we need to give him a chance.

He was oustanding in the WC 2006 and is a very good holding midfielder. (by far better than Moko)

[Gally]

I don't see people's problem with Grella, other than his fitness so far.

He's looked tidy in possession, not afraid to put a tackle in, and can pick out a player from distance.

Of what I've seen, I don't think he's going to set the place alight, and at 29, is not a long term fix, but he looks like he could be a good signing non the less.

[gazsimm]

I don't see people's problem with Grella, other than his fitness so far.

He's looked tidy in possession, not afraid to put a tackle in, and can pick out a player from distance.

Of what I've seen, I don't think he's going to set the place alight, and at 29, is not a long term fix, but he looks like he could be a good signing non the less.

i agree he looks a decent player, but sadly we have not seen enough of him, i still agree that ince paid over the odds for him though in the summer, he is only worth around £2m, not the £4m that Ince payed for him.

[Oklahoma]

Helguera wouldve been good for Bolton but our squad and players are much better than Bolton of a few years ago. They pushed weigh above their ability. This squad has more potential but hasnt reached it. If Sam can get our players to play at their maximum or more as was the case with Bolton, then we can get out of our predicament, without doubt.

So in a word, no, to Helguera for me.

I disagree.

Not even God could make our centre midfield that good.

We have Dunn (too many injuries), Grella (hope he recovers totally to see how he plays), Mokoena (useless), Vogel (last option for any manager we had), Tugay (a true legend but too old), Andrews (championship player), Reid (always injured), Villanueva (on his way out).

[BlueMonday]

Clause is not effective till the summer.

There is no clause right now but since he will not ask for a transfer, we have to pay him something over "loyalty".

OK. So no clause forcing us to listen. Roque not resquesting to leave means he stays for the season and repays us for reviving his career by scoring a shed load of goals.

Football should be that simple, but sadly isn't ! City are playing games. If anything they should be starting north of £18m if they are serious about getting him.

MUPPETS.