Summer 2011 Transfer Window Part Two

[Ralfinho]

And as the Phil Jones saga shows Rovers are weak behind the scenes and lesser for removing experienced men.

We even sit here right now awaiting news on Robbo's life contract, Hoillets new deal (just delayed to focus on playing), waiting.

I would ask why are they waiting to sign? If I as a player had 100% faith in my management team & the club to fulfil their goals, then that for me would be a seriously tempting offer and I've had 9 months to work on them signing (persuasion). And yet we see our best and brightest either leaving or demanding (again Chris????, someone slap him), and no new contracts signed. They too most have had complete faith in the management & club, even if they are only waiting to see who signs, well that in it's self implies doubt in both the management and club's ambitions.

Did Rooney not stall in signing a new contract? Its not just our players who havent signed on the dotted line yet is it. I bet some people on here could make a massive list of players who stalled before signing a new contract. Also signing a new contract doesnt mean much really, take Samba for example!!

[Brfcrule1]

Nicko in an earlier article on the mirror site it stated Adebayor turned us & Zenit down reported David Anderson how true is this? Do you also get the impression players are being put off by the manager we have in charge? If true it would suggest to me having Kean around is not a big enough reason for big players wanting to sign by the way I hope this Cisse deal comes off sounds like a good player any update on when he is due for talks?.

[DE.]

I have been talking to Venky's PR this morning. Have been told that there is a "substancial" transfer budget but not £50 million yet, it may rise to that if players are sold. I asked whether this was being financed by any form of debt and was told that it wasn't (that is excellent news).

Cisse - as of this morning (2 hours ago) no official bid had gone in, his representative told me that there was interest from Rovers but until a bid is lodged and accepted this cannot move forward. Other Premier League clubs are also interested but are the willing to pay upto £12 million for him? The player wants to play in the Premier League but Rovers will need to convince him that they can match his ambitions. I don't know much about the player but it seems that he is very highly rated.

Good news if true. Unfortunately for Venky's PR the majority of us have come to take what they say with a large pinch of salt. Actions will speak louder than words!

[beanie]

Subs-

H.Lloris

E.Garay

S.Sakho

D.Zola

K.Kalstrom

F.Adu

M.Collis

What Do You Think?

selling yourself short there myles def a place for m anderson on that bench.

[RoverPedro]

I have been talking to Venky's PR this morning. Have been told that there is a "substancial" transfer budget but not £50 million yet, it may rise to that if players are sold. I asked whether this was being financed by any form of debt and was told that it wasn't (that is excellent news).

Cisse - as of this morning (2 hours ago) no official bid had gone in, his representative told me that there was interest from Rovers but until a bid is lodged and accepted this cannot move forward. Other Premier League clubs are also interested but are the willing to pay upto £12 million for him? The player wants to play in the Premier League but Rovers will need to convince him that they can match his ambitions. I don't know much about the player but it seems that he is very highly rated.

Did they mention any other players apart from

Cisse?

[Taggart]

I have been talking to Venky's PR this morning. Have been told that there is a "substancial" transfer budget but not £50 million yet, it may rise to that if players are sold. I asked whether this was being financed by any form of debt and was told that it wasn't (that is excellent news).

Cisse - as of this morning (2 hours ago) no official bid had gone in, his representative told me that there was interest from Rovers but until a bid is lodged and accepted this cannot move forward. Other Premier League clubs are also interested but are the willing to pay upto £12 million for him? The player wants to play in the Premier League but Rovers will need to convince him that they can match his ambitions. I don't know much about the player but it seems that he is very highly rated.

That appears liek really good news Kamy, but playign Devil`s advocate, would you expect the PR machine to give bad news, or discuss how we are financing deals if we were taking sloans etc from teh bank, I would imagine not, plus woudl you expect them to be honest with transfer dealings, otehrwise this could give rivals an upperhand if they just want to contact the PR machine for any news on Rovers targets etc ?

Not doubting you, just playing devils advocate, but if true, then the noises comign from the Venkys camp are really positive and regrdless, my season ticket has already been renewed even if we spend 5 million or 50 million as that won`t stop me supporting the club I love.

[Majiball]

Did Rooney not stall in signing a new contract? Its not just our players who havent signed on the dotted line yet is it. I bet some people on here could make a massive list of players who stalled before signing a new contract. Also signing a new contract doesnt mean much really, take Samba for example!!

Do you really want me to compare the two? Fair enough.

Rooney came out with his I'm leaving crap and then 2 weeks later signed a new deal as SAF promised him he would improve the team this summer. Rooney has that much faith in ferguson he trusted him and signed. Ferguson has spent a fortune quickly proving Rooney right to sign.

Robbo comes out and says I want to stay for life, 8 months later he still hasn't signed despite the clubs best attempts and telling him what they plan to spend or do. Hoillet contracts talks suspended in January so he can focus on playing, still hasn't signed despite being told all the plans etc. Surely if they had faith in the words of our owners and manager they would have signed ala Rooney.

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed? Guess if your in demand it doesn't but if your not it makes getting a move more difficult as the selling club demands a higher fee.

[67splitscreen]

I was wondering if anyone (Nicko) can shed any light on the background/scouting of Baez.

Was he a referral from his agent, RSC, or did we actually have him watched over a period of time.

Surprised none of the European clubs known for bringing in SA young talent missed this one, Udinese for example who have made zillions out of such deals.

Would be really happy with Cisse, just need Cardoza, Ozvaldo, Negredo or Loirente to partner him. failing them Caicedo.

[Roberto Policano]

"Another good one is Roberto Policano, who is an Italian football journalist"Very Kind,Left that job late last year.Helping out with Sisters Italian restaurant on the Wirral.Working part-time with Dutch football agency.

"Also, any idea on how these talks went with Jones and Roma?"

I'll check that later and report back.He wasn't high on their list a few weeks back.

Always rated pavluychenko,always thought he's been under used at Tottenham.

"What about Christian eriksen" meant to be staying at Ajax,huge clubs after him too.

[davulsukur]

I was wondering if anyone (Nicko) can shed any light on the background/scouting of Baez.

Was he a referral from his agent, RSC, or did we actually have him watched over a period of time.

Surprised none of the European clubs known for bringing in SA young talent missed this one, Udinese for example who have made zillions out of such deals.

Would be really happy with Cisse, just need Cardoza, Ozvaldo, Negredo or Loirente to partner him. failing them Caicedo.

Its a very good point, i would also be keen to find out more of how this guy popped up on our radar

[Kamy100]

That appears liek really good news Kamy, but playign Devil`s advocate, would you expect the PR machine to give bad news, or discuss how we are financing deals if we were taking sloans etc from teh bank, I would imagine not, plus woudl you expect them to be honest with transfer dealings, otehrwise this could give rivals an upperhand if they just want to contact the PR machine for any news on Rovers targets etc ?

Not doubting you, just playing devils advocate, but if true, then the noises comign from the Venkys camp are really positive and regrdless, my season ticket has already been renewed even if we spend 5 million or 50 million as that won`t stop me supporting the club I love.

I agree with what you are saying.

As I said earlier I take people at face value, the person with whom I have been talking to do has up until now been honest with me and 99% of what I have been told has been proven to be correct, most of what I am told is "off the record" anyway and not for public consumption.

You are right the noises coming from within Venky's are positive, but actions speak louder than words. The time to judge them will be at the end of the transfer window, when we will know how much money has been spent and then in 12 months time when we will start to see what their vision for Rovers is.

[braddock]

Do you really want me to compare the two? Fair enough.

Rooney came out with his I'm leaving crap and then 2 weeks later signed a new deal as SAF promised him he would improve the team this summer. Rooney has that much faith in ferguson he trusted him and signed. Ferguson has spent a fortune quickly proving Rooney right to sign.

Robbo comes out and says I want to stay for life, 8 months later he still hasn't signed despite the clubs best attempts and telling him what they plan to spend or do. Hoillet contracts talks suspended in January so he can focus on playing, still hasn't signed despite being told all the plans etc. Surely if they had faith in the words of our owners and manager they would have signed ala Rooney.

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed? Guess if your in demand it doesn't but if your not it makes getting a move more difficult as the selling club demands a higher fee.

You seem to know a lot about our efforts to offer Robinson a new deal.

[Ralfinho]

Do you really want me to compare the two? Fair enough.

Rooney came out with his I'm leaving crap and then 2 weeks later signed a new deal as SAF promised him he would improve the team this summer. Rooney has that much faith in ferguson he trusted him and signed. Ferguson has spent a fortune quickly proving Rooney right to sign.

Robbo comes out and says I want to stay for life, 8 months later he still hasn't signed despite the clubs best attempts and telling him what they plan to spend or do. Hoillet contracts talks suspended in January so he can focus on playing, still hasn't signed despite being told all the plans etc. Surely if they had faith in the words of our owners and manager they would have signed ala Rooney.

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed? Guess if your in demand it doesn't but if your not it makes getting a move more difficult as the selling club demands a higher fee.

It doesnt really matter if its 8 month or 2 weeks. If they sign they sign. And like you say about ferguson reassured Rooney about strengthening the team, is kean not in the process of doing exactly the same?

[True Blue & White]

You seem to know a lot about our efforts to offer Robinson a new deal.

Question dodger dodges questions.

P.S. The content of your sig is quite funny actually and is a credit to Philipl.

[braddock]

Question dodger dodges questions.

P.S. The content of your sig is quite funny actually and is a credit to Philipl.

Question dodger? Where was I asked a question?

Then you'll be happy to see him stay there. Everybody is happy. There's a first!

[Neal]

According to Andy Cryers twitter, Baez hasn't actually signed yet and no bid has been made for Papis Cisse.

[imy9]

Question dodger dodges questions.

P.S. The content of your sig is quite funny actually and is a credit to Philipl.

Here is a question for you, why have you not included the 4 million that Venkys paid in January to your 'net spend' figure as we did not sell anyone to pay for the players?

[Toodling]

Here is a question for you, why have you not included the 4 million that Venkys paid in January to your 'net spend' figure as we did not sell anyone to pay for the players?

Well said!

really hope the Cisse deal is legit, would love to see him here!

[braddock]

Here is a question for you, why have you not included the 4 million that Venkys paid in January to your 'net spend' figure as we did not sell anyone to pay for the players?

It's the Summer Window net spend. But if was doing it simply because he thought the club were swallowing up finances then surely starting it from when they took over would be fairer. Anyway, I'm sure it will look different come the end of the window. Let them put it in their sigs. I wonder how long it will stay there if (notice the 'if' before you all attack) it starts to prove everything they are saying wrong.

[dubdubdub]

Do you really want me to compare the two? Fair enough.

Rooney came out with his I'm leaving crap and then 2 weeks later signed a new deal as SAF promised him he would improve the team this summer. Rooney has that much faith in ferguson he trusted him and signed. Ferguson has spent a fortune quickly proving Rooney right to sign.

Robbo comes out and says I want to stay for life, 8 months later he still hasn't signed despite the clubs best attempts and telling him what they plan to spend or do. Hoillet contracts talks suspended in January so he can focus on playing, still hasn't signed despite being told all the plans etc. Surely if they had faith in the words of our owners and manager they would have signed ala Rooney.

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed? Guess if your in demand it doesn't but if your not it makes getting a move more difficult as the selling club demands a higher fee.

If in Robbo's case, he doesn't want to leave, then what's the problem in rushing through a new contract. Puts needless pressure on him and the club. If United wanted him, being under a new contract wouldn't stop more than the old one.

As for Junior. He's much more likely to sign now than over Christmas/January time. He's had playing time. Granted he's exposed himself to other teams but again, doesn't really matter considering that he's more likely to sign now than over Christmas. If he wants to stay he will. The only problem under this contract is that he'd go for cheaper now/free in summer (and i'd keep him against his will rather than sell for a couple of million).

As for Kean, he clearly is looking to bolster the squad. If what has been said by the Venksters is correct, then we'll be spending more money than anyone outside of the top four or five (unless QPR do a City and every other club has suddenly found a huge wod of cash stuffed up their arses).

Sit back and try to enjoy. It doesn't happen often with Rovers.

[True Blue & White]

Question dodger? Where was I asked a question?

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed?

..it was in the quote you posted.

Here is a question for you, why have you not included the 4 million that Venkys paid in January to your 'net spend' figure as we did not sell anyone to pay for the players?

Because the word 'Summer' would then be inaccurate. A bit like your sentence as we sold Alan Judge and Alex Marrow, we also got loan fees for Nick Blackman, Amine Linganzi, Pascal Chimbonda, Aaron Doran and El-Hadji Diouf.

It's just a list of the summer transfers, chill out dude.

[S15]

Because the word 'Summer' would then be inaccurate. A bit like your sentence as we sold Alan Judge and Alex Marrow, we also got loan fees for Nick Blackman, Amine Linganzi, Pascal Chimbonda, Aaron Doran and El-Hadji Diouf.

It's just a list of the summer transfers, chill out dude.

Why've you done it full stop? Seems a bit sad.

[Majiball]

You seem to know a lot about our efforts to offer Robinson a new deal.

I look forward to you trolling me from now on.

It doesnt really matter if its 8 month or 2 weeks. If they sign they sign. And like you say about ferguson reassured Rooney about strengthening the team, is kean not in the process of doing exactly the same?

The point is Rooney signed within 2 weeks and 8 months later those we were told would haven't, that's a big diffirence you don't seem to be grasping. The owners and manager have had plenty of time to get everything sorted and yet they haven't, why? Kean is not in the process of strengthening like SAF, he has signed players of proven quality, Kean has signed nothing and has in fact sold our best young player. The two stories are not similar.

If in Robbo's case, he doesn't want to leave, then what's the problem in rushing through a new contract. Puts needless pressure on him and the club. If United wanted him, being under a new contract wouldn't stop more than the old one.

As for Junior. He's much more likely to sign now than over Christmas/January time. He's had playing time. Granted he's exposed himself to other teams but again, doesn't really matter considering that he's more likely to sign now than over Christmas. If he wants to stay he will. The only problem under this contract is that he'd go for cheaper now/free in summer (and i'd keep him against his will rather than sell for a couple of million).

As for Kean, he clearly is looking to bolster the squad. If what has been said by the Venksters is correct, then we'll be spending more money than anyone outside of the top four or five (unless QPR do a City and every other club has suddenly found a huge wod of cash stuffed up their arses).

Sit back and try to enjoy. It doesn't happen often with Rovers.

Why would signing a new life time contract for the club that Robbo wants to retire at increase the pressure on him? Surely having your desires fulfilled eliviates pressure allowing him to achieve his goals and focus on playing.

Direct quotes from Kean:

The Rovers boss wants skipper Ryan Nelsen and keeper Paul Robinson to ‘sign for life’ first and said: “I have spoken to the senior lads and they are all excited about what we are trying to do.

“It is very busy, but that is good. It is better than having to possibly sell players. It is the total opposite. We are looking at investment and progression.

“It might be everything happening at the same time, but I am very positive. I am comfortable with that.”

Another one:

He told Sky Sports News: “I think when the change came there was a bit of confusion and shock for everybody, and they were both quite vocal in their understanding of how that happened.

“Since then we have tried to stabilise it. I went out to India a few times to get some information on what the owners want to do with the club and I fed that back to the senior players.

“If we can get the club captain, Ryan Nelsen, on a long-term deal, and I spoke with Chris yesterday, then hopefully we can put something together for him.

“If we can get the team captain as well as the club captain on long-term deals, that's going to be fantastic for everybody.”

Kean added: “As well as Chris and Ryan, we are also close to agreeing a deal with Michel Salgado, Paul Robinson and Bunny (Mark Bunn), our reserve goalkeeper who has come in and done really well.

“To get all of those players re-signed on long-term deals, as well as getting Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones, is fantastic for the club.”

I'm waiting and wondering why if they were all so close to signing and convinced as Kean implies then why haven't they signed?

Hoillet as we all know is not an easy negotiating target even Sam struggled, I wonder whether the contract offered to Jones to keep him has made him think I'm worth more? In the last negotiations it was obvious he was seeing what else he could get so expect the same this time. The longer it's left the more time you give other clubs to sell him on their plans and ambitions.

[True Blue & White]

It's the Summer Window net spend. But if was doing it simply because he thought the club were swallowing up finances then surely starting it from when they took over would be fairer. Anyway, I'm sure it will look different come the end of the window. Let them put it in their sigs. I wonder how long it will stay there if (notice the 'if' before you all attack) it starts to prove everything they are saying wrong.

I have said that we may well spend £40m or above IF Samba goes, which to me seems contrary to nicko's opinion. The only other thing I've said was in response to someone else mentioning the importance of Net spend (which inspired the sig) and agreed that Net probably won;t be above £10m. I don't know what you think I thought or moreover want to believe I think?

Just thought I'd clarify so every time we sign someone over £5m you don't come here trying to say how wrong I was because we're spending money.

If we spend that amount without selling Samba then I'll admit I was wrong, probably worry where the money is coming from, but be happy.

[braddock]

If signing a new contract doesn't mean much as you state, then again I would ask why they haven't signed?

..it was in the quote you posted.

I usually get chastised for answering questions not directly asked to me and since the wording of that question was clearly aimed at someone else I left it but since you wanna know my opinion on why that may be so...

We are concentrating on other things when it comes to Robbo. There is no rush to sign it, he's a Rovers player who appears settled and there is no firm interest in him. With everything that is happening at the club, be it a relegation battle, upheaval of the squad this Summer, Robinson's contract is down the list. The only reason the likes of Roberts' were higher was due to their position and our need for back up players.

As for Hoilett, I'm sure he's waiting to see what is available to him. He has the luxury of waiting, especially when it comes down to his Dad. If the perception of him that we have on here is true to real life then he has nothing to lose in waiting to see if a top club comes sniffing. If a top club came in then I'm sure he'd be interested and that would either lead to higher wages offered by Rovers to keep him, or the chance to play for a top club. That might not be what you ant to hear but that's the reality of it. Last thing we heard he was happy and wanted to sign though. Waiting also isn't harmful when it comes to see who he'll be playing with next season. It sounds as though we are busy though.

I have said that we may well spend £40m or above IF Samba goes, which to me seems contrary to nicko's opinion. The only other thing I've said was in response to someone else mentioning the importance of Net spend (which inspired the sig) and agreed that Net probably won;t be above £10m. I don't know what you think I thought or moreover want to believe I think?

Just thought I'd clarify so every time we sign someone over £5m you don't come here trying to say how wrong I was because we're spending money.

If we spend that amount without selling Samba then I'll admit I was wrong, probably worry where the money is coming from, but be happy.

I'd be happy if it was around £10mil spent. Unless I missed something from Nicko I was under the impression we'd be spending around £45 mil and I presumed that would be if Samba goes. I would have a smile on my face if we had our hands tied when it came to selling two big players for the club, but then reinvested all the money with around £10mil on top too. We've never been in that position before and the money certainly wouldn't be being swallowed.

I do take Nicko's word that it isn't being bought with debt. If that makes me a Nicko-teen then whatever. It's the best I have to go on and me worrying about it isn't going to do any good.

Nicko made estimates. He isn't privy to all the clubs details but knows quite a bit by the looks of things. It's funny you will be looking at getting the figure EXACTLY so as to judge him. Estimations ae sometimes wrong. Also how many of the fees will be undisclosed. What sources will you use then?