[Archived] Blackburn Rovers Transfer Topic

[RoverRich]

The Valencia line up: Cesar; Miguel, Albiol, Alexis, Moretti; Joaquin, Edu, Marchena, P. Hernandez; Michel and Villa. On the bench Curro Torres,Maduro, Albelda, Morientes, Angulo, Renan and Vicente.

The Athletic Club line up: Iraizoz; Iraola, J. Martinez, Amorebieta, Balenziaga; Susaeta, Orbaiz, Gurpegi, D. Lopez; Yeste and Llorente. On the bench Armando, Etxeberria, Muñoz, Etxeita, Eneko, Ion Velez and Toquero

From that line up for tonights game looks as though Javi Martinez, if it was him Sam, or in fact Neil McDonald, went to watch, played at centre back. Those line ups from the official athletic bilbao website as well. Final score Valencia 2 Bilbao 0.

[hi-jaq]

Is Javi Martinez not seriously out of our price range???

Maybe it was Iraola... quality right back... or maybe its Joaqin, now that would be special!!! (and again way out of our price range!!!)

[Saahil]

I watched the OL rennes game last night here's what i thought... that civelli looked good in defense he played as a CB and did OK and looked good at set pieces caused danger samba type. M'bami looked really bad. He gave away at least 8 free kicks and couldn't tackle or pass and had nothing going forward, he should have got at least 2 red cards but i think because it was the last game of the season the ref let it go. Mbai was as bad, he didn't get into the game at all and also should have got a red card for reckless conduct, both these players reminded me of the Axe, and i really don't think we need any maybe civelli that's about it.

In other news bojan looked good. but we can forget about that!!

[RoversSG]

Hi Nicko, i think i read somewhere a few weeks ago that Portsmouth (or could be some other PL club) is interested in Andrews. Was there any truth in that or just some made-up story?

I presume that even if there was some truth in it, they are no longer interested in light of their take-over?

ps - Thank god, we got rid to the axe to them before their take-over!

[jodrell]

Big Sam may have a harder job on his hands than he thought.

Benni McCarthy, Stephen Warnock and Chris Samba may go

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/3341...mba-may-go.html

[Guest benmaxwell]

ps - Thank god, we got rid to the axe to them before their take-over!

Wouldn't have made any difference anyway... His contract had ended, he was gone either way...

Think somebody from the News Of The World has got it in for us. In a article in todays paper some chump called Ed Reynolds has declared that their is going to be a "Mass Exodus" at Ewood Park, with Stephen Warnock (Spurs), Chris Samba (Man City) and Benni McCarthy (Athletico Madrid) all leaving. According to this person (wouldn't insult Nicko by calling Ed a journo), "He (Sam) will only get modest funds for replacements".

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/3341...mba-may-go.html

Edit: Damn beat me to it... Jodrell, the article is garbage. Don't worry about it...

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Other NOTW article today

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/3339...i-defender.html

[Guest benmaxwell]

Nicko's article in the People: http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

[Stuart]

Nicko's article in the People: http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

In the current age where the press run the country and the football scene, comments like "Santa Cruz has a £20m sale clause in his contract, but Rovers may struggle to get that much" will do us no favours.

Admittedly, I also doubt we will get £20M but we won't even get close with that kind of statement. We need things like "proven Premier League pedigree", "20 goals a season" just to get managers' minds ticking over about him being worth a gamble.

Perhaps a fit and determined Santa Cruz, staying at Rovers, might be the best option right now though - particularly if rumours of bank loan payments are true. At least he'd be determined to try to get a transfer in January so we might see some early season goals!

[Iceman]

3 of our best players, aint going to happen. Maybe 1 of them, but not all 3. If all 3 should leave then 30 mill for the 3 of them, but Sam will probably get 5mill to spend of it. Thus, Sam will know that and will not be keen to see that happening.

[Plastic Head]

Big Sam may have a harder job on his hands than he thought.

Benni McCarthy, Stephen Warnock and Chris Samba may go

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/3341...mba-may-go.html

The price of Samba for City is £70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Anyone else can have him for £3M.

[Guest benmaxwell]

Nicko also has us linked to Mahmoud Abdel Razek Fadlallah also known as Shikabala and Stoke's Abdolaye Faye: http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

Is Shikabala the mystery forward Nicko?

Can't say im to happy about being linked to Faye... £2 million for 31 year old seems naff to me...

[thenodrog]

Sam wont be going for Barton.

Sorry Gord, he would have been a step too far.

I suspect you may be right but you cannot be sure of that den. 'might have been a step too far' would have been closer. I guess that SA knows the nature of the beast better than us so if he's too dear or too risky or not good enough then it's OK by me. All I am saying is that at face value Barton could prove to be cheap talent.

Got to say...Joey Barton on loan at half-wages [£30,000-a-week] for a season is not a bad idea.

In terms of ability he is miles better than anyone you have.

And taking him on loan would cover you against any of his nonsense inside or outside the club.

There's a very good player there if someone could keep him right.

He was Man City's best man before he left and an England international.

Where else do you get one of them for £1.6 million-a-season?

Careful fatal err sorry... Alan! Despite completely unemotional, logical and sound reasoning you'll get no thanks on here for backing me up. Thanks all the same.

I'd rather go abroad and find some unknown talent than sign Barton, but if we do get him I will support him like anyone else. He would be a step up from what we've got anyway.

Careful what you wish for roverseas....... Rem Grabbi? Baggio? Marcolin? and some fat spanish waiter masquerading as a left winger?

Apart from Grella isn't likely to knife you if you go in for a soft challenge

You might like to ask Essien about that.

[Iceman]

Always in a cheerful mood eh Gord. Is there any player you would realistically like us to sign?

[G Somerset Rover]

Alan is there any danger that if Allardyce doesn't get the budget's that he'd hope he deserves that he could walk away from all of this? Can't help thinking that our club expect minor miracles to keep happening season upon season.

[thenodrog]

A rare moment of good sense on Mr Barton.

Heyup macca... it was my idea! I guess giving me any credit would never cross your mind eh?

Put it this way, if you wanted a cleaner for your house, would you want someone who can sometimes leave it spotless and smelling great, but usually 'borrows' jewellery and doesn't flush the toilet after having a poo?

Hey thats Sav you've just described!!!

[thenodrog]

Can you not see that nicko is winding people up? He is trying to see how many people he can convince that Barton would be a good signing. The Burnley fans would find it hilarious. We would move beneath them in one fell swoop.

No doubt you were against the signings of Sav, Bellamy and EHD too bucky?

[thenodrog]

Always in a cheerful mood eh Gord. Is there any player you would realistically like us to sign?

I'll have to think about that. In hindsight if sparky had signed Ireland last season it would have been a superb addition and replacement for DB. From the clubs going down? No one from the mags(except maybe Carroll), Brunt, Tuncay and even Greening would improve our lot although two are hardly all that inspiring from a supporters point of view. I think on a cost base our future signings have to be from abroad and I don't know or watch enough foreign football to even pass an opinion.

[nicko]

Sam's contract 'issue' should be sorted this week.

He isn't happy about the budget cuts, but he is talking about doing something about it - and NOT walking away.

There is definitely chatter about Chimbonda coming - I know another club asked about him and were told that. Spurs still appear to be the most keen on Roque. That has a long way to run, mind you.

The Egyptian lad is due to come over on trial - other clubs are in - but he might be worth a look. Thanks to the usual top researcher round here for putting me back on that trail.

However the Egyptian is NOT the mystery striker. Rest easy.

On other stories...the 'Rovers fire sale' is tosh...Andrews to Portsmouth is laughable...Faye to Rovers was a link in January - he wants a new contract so that may explain why that has come out.

The Burnley story in the People is worth reading.

In fact the whole paper is quite good this week.

[Guest benmaxwell]

There is definitely chatter about Chimbonda coming - I know another club asked about him and were told that. Spurs still appear to be the most keen on Roque. That has a long way to run, mind you.

Any chance we would want Darren Bent to in the deal? Or are we going to play with 10 defenders in the squad?

[BuckyRover]

No doubt you were against the signings of Sav, Bellamy and EHD too bucky?

Stop comparing competitve players with an "edge" to a convict.

There is no comparison.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Sam's contract 'issue' should be sorted this week.

He isn't happy about the budget cuts, but he is talking about doing something about it - and NOT walking away.

So History is repeating itself - yet again. When will the board ever learn?

[Iceman]

This might sound harsh, but its as if the board wants us to go down. The board has got alot of explaining to do, because year in and year out, its the same old story. We sell a player for a huge fee, and cant use the money to buy another quality player. Its insane and no wonder the managers complain about not being able to take this club any further.

[thenodrog]

So History is repeating itself - yet again. When will the board ever learn?

Watching the goings on at other Prem clubs (in particular NUFC and Pompey) is strengthening the boards stance and weakening yours baz.

This might sound harsh, but its as if the board wants us to go down. The board has got alot of explaining to do, because year in and year out, its the same old story. We sell a player for a huge fee, and cant use the money to buy another quality player. Its insane and no wonder the managers complain about not being able to take this club any further.

So come on Iceman lets not have blind criticism instead lets have your alternative financial plan for BRFC given the existing financial conditions and restraints.

[imy9]

Watching the goings on at other Prem clubs (in particular NUFC and Pompey) is strengthening the boards stance and weakening yours baz.

Surely there is a middle ground? When clubs like Derby have had more funds than us it highlights our issue. Spending stupidly like Pompey or NUFC is not the way to go but we are prime candidates for relegation again next year if this is not sorted.