[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[AJW]

nicko

any news on barry ferguson? i know he is a sore subject with most rovers fans , but some papers are saying he can leave for as little as 2.5m and newcastle are keen....again ( i have cousin in newcastle reckons big sam wanted him couple of seasons back , got no joy from rangers and signed joey barton instead, probably just local tickle tackle)

[nicko]

Rangers want Ferguson to go, they need the money and he has been offered around.

No takers yet.

Newcastle were looking at taking him on loan as well as Mendes and a few others.

The game has gone.

[AJW]

didnt exactly cover himself in glory last time he was in england ....then again albert riera.....

[thenodrog]

So QPR are the second richest club in England?

I just call in to Radio 4 to complain.

in the world I'd think.

[John]

Sam on Rovers World says we have several targets but not close (or as close as he would like) to signing anyone.

Said the Santa Cruz situation is not a simple one and their bid was unacceptable.

[tcj_jones]

Surely Ferguson would end up home-sick again if he came back to England? Not sure how that situation would change two years on. Funny how fickle footballers can be. If it truly meant that much to him, he's join any number of Scottish teams who would gladly take him. If it were so important that you were close to your family, you'd drop your wages.

[DeadlyDirk]

I'd rather have Roberts than Beattie but for £2.5 million I'd take him as well, especially if Rocky goes which however is looking less likely now.

Zoro is an interesting one, strange he hasn't been playing but like others have said, better players ahead of him and Samba was a similiar case. It is odd how West Ham didn't want him, how long ago was he there, they have had a lot of defenders in and out of the door in the recent couple of years.

[cruz]

Beattie has found his level and is best left alone

[Fylde Coast Fan]

I'm not even thinking about Zoro yet - if he signs then in Sam we trust, if not he joins a very long list of unimpressive triallists in recent years.

Nicko, any chance you could write a load of ###### about Spurs wanting MGP, who could be available for as little as £10m? It'll either spark a bidding war or scare Boro into selling Downing on the cheap, and either way is good for us

[nicknj72]

I'm chuffed for your sakes you haven't signed Beattie. I don't think he'd be what you need, tho he is good in the air. I think he likes the pop a bit too much and he isn't very mobile. After seeing a Villa forward line of slow players (Kachloul, Angel, Allback, Crouch), it was depressing to see we were never a threat at scoring. In comparison now, with bags of pace, we look lively. I think Rovers need a bit of the same. I'd definately echo the shout for Doyle from Reading. We have been linked with him a few time and i think he is a good player. He knows our league, unlike some foreigners, and he grafts. I still think MON might be in for him, but I think he'd be a good player for Rovers. Re a right winger, I don't like the chap but would Pennant be available on loan for the remainder of the season? I'm sure i read something about Wigan trying to get him.

Niko - is Michael Johnson (Man City), available? I understand he has a bit of an attitude problem but i think he'd be great in Rovers midfield. Come to think of it, I'd have him at Villa !!

[FeedTheHare]

I'm chuffed for your sakes you haven't signed Beattie. I don't think he'd be what you need, tho he is good in the air. I think he likes the pop a bit too much and he isn't very mobile. After seeing a Villa forward line of slow players (Kachloul, Angel, Allback, Crouch), it was depressing to see we were never a threat at scoring. In comparison now, with bags of pace, we look lively. I think Rovers need a bit of the same. I'd definately echo the shout for Doyle from Reading. We have been linked with him a few time and i think he is a good player. He knows our league, unlike some foreigners, and he grafts. I still think MON might be in for him, but I think he'd be a good player for Rovers. Re a right winger, I don't like the chap but would Pennant be available on loan for the remainder of the season? I'm sure i read something about Wigan trying to get him.

Niko - is Michael Johnson (Man City), available? I understand he has a bit of an attitude problem but i think he'd be great in Rovers midfield. Come to think of it, I'd have him at Villa !!

I wouldn't want Johnson at Villa, nor would I wish him on Rovers. He's a pisshead with a phantom injury. A promising career looking like it's going down the pan.

[nicko]

I wouldn't want Johnson at Villa, nor would I wish him on Rovers. He's a pisshead with a phantom injury. A promising career looking like it's going down the pan.

You beat me to it.

[The Rover of Finland]

Amazing we aren´t linked with Geremi. He´s willing to leave Newcastle and can play many possensions. Acctually just the possensions we are looking for. And BS made him captain at Newcastle. He hasn´t been performing very well lately but is still very decent player. Must have high wage though. Would anyone go to Newcastle any reason than money?

[roversmum]

Silly. It's Big Club, don't you know

[EwoodGlory]

Would anyone go to Newcastle any reason than money?

I doubt it, looks like they have no money to spend unless they ship people out.

If Ferguson is forced out of Rangers, then it's only a 90 minute drive to Newcastle, so it could happen.

Still can't believe Rangers are trying to get him, Boyd and Mendes out when they have the likes of Lafferty and Velicka on the books.

I would take Mendes in shot, an ideal replacement for Tugay.

[DeadlyDirk]

I doubt it, looks like they have no money to spend unless they ship people out.

If Ferguson is forced out of Rangers, then it's only a 90 minute drive to Newcastle, so it could happen.

Still can't believe Rangers are trying to get him, Boyd and Mendes out when they have the likes of Lafferty and Velicka on the books.

I would take Mendes in shot, an ideal replacement for Tugay.

I guess they are on a lot higher wages, Mendes would be a good option, relatively cheap I would have thought if they need to offload and a position we are short in especially with injuries to Dunn and Reid, Grella who is unproven and always injured (Hopefully he can be a good player though), Tugay ageing as you say and then the others not being good enough.

[EwoodGlory]

£1.5m is the rumoured fee they want.

It seems Harry didn't want him to leave Pompey either.

“I think his wages might have been an issue for Rangers but the biggest problem is that with Muntari going I will need Pedro in my team.

“He played his way back into our side for the FA Cup Final - he’s a terrific player and a really good lad - and now Muntari is leaving I need him to stay.

“Pedro is not a player I want to lose.”

"He played at Wembley last week and would definitely have been in my team at Chelsea," said Redknapp.

"It was a necessity. It wasn't too good an offer, Pedro is probably worth more than that.

"I'm sorry to lose him because I loved him as a fella and as a player.

"But I had to get some money in. You've got to balance the books.

Rangers Sale

[Kelbo]

I doubt it, looks like they have no money to spend unless they ship people out.

If Ferguson is forced out of Rangers, then it's only a 90 minute drive to Newcastle, so it could happen.

Still can't believe Rangers are trying to get him, Boyd and Mendes out when they have the likes of Lafferty and Velicka on the books.

I would take Mendes in shot, an ideal replacement for Tugay.

Mendes is mint, great ball retention, always available and a good pro. Too good for a micky mouse league, he scored a few for Pompey too, betterthan Barry Fergusen

Nicko,

There have been rumours of Gary Neville as player coach, any thoughts on this as he is a mint player, would be great asset for Rovers for one or two years!!

[nicko]

11 o'clocker...early.

Ex-Rovers was Beattie, chunky chap who is set to go to Stoke. Deal not done yet but likely. He wanted to go to Rovers but no interest shown.

Bellamy - looks like Man City at around £10 million and bits. Sparky slowly getting his mates together.

Ben Haim - stating the obvious but Bolton areout of it. Spurs are interested but not as interested as Ben Haim is in them.

Givet - progress being made.

And as a total tease...naming the right back they are watching in the Sunday People and keeping it back for then.

Good night.

[imy9]

That is a bit of a joke, £10 million for Bellamy and the roughly the same offer for RSC who is three years younger.

[hawkiiz]

That is a bit of a joke, £10 million for Bellamy and the roughly the same offer for RSC who is three years younger.

only difference is they wont get rocky for 10m...

[imy9]

only difference is they wont get rocky for 10m...

True but I hope we flog RSC now as I think £18 million is incredible money for someone who can feesibly be a one season wonder.

[The Rover of Finland]

11 o'clocker...early.

Ex-Rovers was Beattie, chunky chap who is set to go to Stoke. Deal not done yet but likely. He wanted to go to Rovers but no interest shown.

Bellamy - looks like Man City at around £10 million and bits. Sparky slowly getting his mates together.

Ben Haim - stating the obvious but Bolton areout of it. Spurs are interested but not as interested as Ben Haim is in them.

Givet - progress being made.

And as a total tease...naming the right back they are watching in the Sunday People and keeping it back for then.

Good night.

You naughty teaser..sounds like it´s not Finnan (no need to check). But after that Fowler episode (couldn´t wait till Nicko´s "interesting news" wash published) I´ve been very pessimistic with these ones. Good night everyone and let´s make it double against Fulham tomorrow!

[brfcs5359]

There's not much you can say or do...

I would personally have leaked the low figures and made Man City look stupid.

But that's why I am not a chairman or chief exec.

I think Big Sam may have got your message.

He has come out and stated City's bid at £12m after initial rumours (I take it from City) of an £18m bid. It would appear Sparky adds 50% to the truth. I presume including all the add on's City would pay but that is not the offer to Rovers is it? If stripped back it is £12m then BFS is playing Sparky at his game.

Considering it is £20m or thereabouts to get the ball rolling on this move, considering Hughes position results wise, the negativity with players and Abu Dhabi, the £50m cap and all the other players they are after (like priority = defenders not attackers), I am not sure Rovers and City will do a deal.

[AJW]

can we be sure the bid for bellamy is genuine , rather than a double bluff aimed towards rovers? "take the offer or we'll look elsewhere?"