[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[Damage]

If I wanted to convince you that Blackburn was great I would show you Burnley!

Dan Williams

Pakistani consortium

whos next nicko???

[philipl]

Nicko on Hughes on why the boss must be the boss. Plus a little twist at the end which came from Nicko or Sparky?

[nicko]

Dan Williams

Pakistani consortium

whos next nicko???

When there is one I'll tell you.

[nicko]

Nicko on Hughes on why the boss must be the boss. Plus a little twist at the end which came from Nicko or Sparky?

The manager made that point at the end - no prompting. In fact, for me it was the better line...

He was quite happy to let people know his thoughts. Pretty shrewd character.

After seeing him work for three years I think he has become better and better.

If Chelsea had any brains they would take him.

Fortunately for you, they don't.

So you better find some funds for him.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Let's hope you bring us some good news then Nicko regarding a finalised takeover!

[Fife Rover]

Nicko on Hughes on why the boss must be the boss. Plus a little twist at the end which came from Nicko or Sparky?

If that article is a De Facto resume' of what MH actually said, then I am worried. It carries a very clear implication that Hughes is concerned, if not actually worried, about the future at BRFC as far as he is concerned. Especially in the availabilty of funds for players, and the ability to continue competing at the top end of the EPL.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Your doing your job well nicko...stirring the pot.

[nicko]

Your doing your job well nicko...stirring the pot.

If the manager is honest enough to give an assessment I will report it. I think he is only saying what most people think.

1 - it's getting harder to compete.

2 - Rovers need money to invest.

The only consolation as far as that is concerned is that there are not many jobs better at the moment.

[Blueboy Downunder]

agreed nicko. as far as investment goes...i would say taht there is not many better options to invest in, in rovers club at the moment. a young squad, playing very well in the premier league and a club that is building.

[nicko]

Here is the full section from the manager on the subject of problems with lack of funds etc. Make your own minds up.

"We seem to be moving in the right direction but it's getting harder every year. Other clubs are trying to move their operations forward and make themselves more competitive.

"It's difficult to even keep the status quo. You have to work even harder just to stay where you are. Without the financial backing that other clubs have it makes it even more difficult.

"But it's also more rewarding working under tough circumstances at times. Everything you do is trying to make the club better than it was.

"We're excited by this season and what's ahead of us, let's see how we do. Maybe we can have a successful season and win something, but even that has got harder as the big four are taking the Cups seriously."

[RevidgeBlue]

Nicko on Hughes on why the boss must be the boss. Plus a little twist at the end which came from Nicko or Sparky?

The bit at the end, didn't worry me, it goes without saying.

The whole article does however smack of "If only I'd been asked" Not very encouraging.

On the plus side, the jobs at Arsenal, ManUre, Spuds and Newcastle should be tied up for the forseeeable future. Planet of the Apes extra Avram Grant also seems to be improving and Abramovich won't vwant to sack him if he can help it as it just goes to prove even more he made the wrong decision.

We only immediately need to worry about Max (out of Max and Paddy) lookalike Benitez getting the chop at Anfield. Mind you, Max and Paddy would probably do a better job.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

The bit at the end, didn't worry me, it goes without saying.

The whole article does however smack of "If only I'd been asked" Not very encouraging.

On the plus side, the jobs at Arsenal, ManUre, Spuds and Newcastle should be tied up for the forseeeable future. Planet of the Apes extra Avram Grant also seems to be improving and Abramovich won't vwant to sack him if he can help it as it just goes to prove even more he made the wrong decision.

We only immediately need to worry about Max (out of Max and Paddy) lookalike Benitez getting the chop at Anfield. Mind you, Max and Paddy would probably do a better job.

Manyoo legend at Anfield? Wont happen Revidge.

[nicko]

The bit at the end, didn't worry me, it goes without saying.

The whole article does however smack of "If only I'd been asked" Not very encouraging.

No, that would be unfair to the manager.

It was an 'if I was asked' hypothetical - there was no 'if only' element to be absolutely accurate.

The guy is no mug. He knew they had Ramos in the bag.

However, equally, I think he was happy to get the state of the nation message across. There is never any harm in speaking the truth.

Just a thought on the takeover scenario...

If the Jack Walker Trustees love the club so much and want it to go into the right hands, why not let it go rather than look for £45 million?

Struck me last night when I thought about Sir Jack Hayward and what he did at Wolves.

It would make it a lot easier to find someone with cash, especially as they have stopped pumping it in.

There's me stirring the pot again.

[RevidgeBlue]

"But it's also more rewarding working under tough circumstances at times. Everything you do is trying to make the club better than it was.

"We're excited by this season and what's ahead of us, let's see how we do. Maybe we can have a successful season and win something, but even that has got harder as the big four are taking the Cups seriously."

nicko, you little tinker, by omitting those paragraphs from the original article, it puts a completely different slant on what Hughes is saying!.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

No, that would be unfair to the manager.

It was an 'if I was asked' hypothetical - there was no 'if only' element to be absolutely accurate.

The guy is no mug. He knew they had Ramos in the bag.

However, equally, I think he was happy to get the state of the nation message across. There is never any harm in speaking the truth.

Just a thought on the takeover scenario...

If the Jack Walker Trustees love the club so much and want it to go into the right hands, why not let it go rather than look for £45 million?

Struck me last night when I thought about Sir Jack Hayward and what he did at Wolves.

It would make it a lot easier to find someone with cash, especially as they have stopped pumping it in.

There's me stirring the pot again.

Pot stirring maybe but that certainly occured to me as well. Why would this supposedly philanthropic trust be so doggedly holding out for £45m of Daniel Williams'(and his mates) brass? What's that got to do with meeting Jack's criteria for the future of the club?

[nicko]

nicko, you little tinker, by omitting those paragraphs from the original article, it puts a completely different slant on what Hughes is saying!.

I sent those paragraphs - because I thought they were relevant - but the Mirror cut them out. Nothing sinister, I don't think. Just a matter of space.

The gist is still - we need money or it's going to get tougher.

[EwoodGlory]

If the Jack Walker Trustees love the club so much and want it to go into the right hands, why not let it go rather than look for £45 million?

Struck me last night when I thought about Sir Jack Hayward and what he did at Wolves.

I've thought this right from the start. As long as the club is passed on to someone who is guaranteeing that a set amount of money will be pumped into the club for a set period, and that the assets will never be sold, then I think it would of been something to look into.

It's still not clear to me whether all of the money is put back into the trust fund, or if any of the shareholders receive payouts for business's that are sold on, or if the fund makes a certain amount of money per year.

[nicko]

For what it's worth...when there was a 'second' interested party a couple of months ago that was going to be their plan. They came and went, I never named them because it would not have been relevant.

There is no question that there should be safeguards and guarantees from new owners to the Trustees, but if someone with fresh ideas and cash comes along then why not?

I don't necessarily mean Dan Williams, I mean anyone with cash to make a difference.

I think there would be great advantages in spending in January, it could make the difference and earn Champions League money.

And it would also keep the manager sweet.

Above all, there has to be a steady stream of cash just to stay in the top half for years to come.

[disgruntled]

What the manager has said, and what Nicko has reported, is no different to what the Chairman has been saying repeatedly. The club needs new investment for it to continue to punch above its weight.

[thenodrog]

Pot stirring maybe but that certainly occured to me as well. Why would this supposedly philanthropic trust be so doggedly holding out for £45m of Daniel Williams'(and his mates) brass? What's that got to do with meeting Jack's criteria for the future of the club?

I would imagine that Jack would only want BRFC sold to somebody with as deep a pocket as himself. Whats the point of selling to people who are comparatively borassic and if times get tough will have to sell the crown jewells to survive? Put another way would you rather have an Abromovich or a Michael Knighton moving in?

btw Jack apparently had a plaque on the wall behind his desk that said 'Think Big', I think we should chip in and send one for Dan Williams saying 'If you cannot stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen'.

[thenodrog]

If the manager is honest enough to give an assessment I will report it. I think he is only saying what most people think.

1 - it's getting harder to compete.

2 - Rovers need money to invest.

you forgot '3'.

3. Investors need returns on their investment.

Look thanks to Jack Walker we've got a nice ground and great training facilities. Thanks to Hughes and his team we've got a talented squad that has qualified for Europe 2 seasons running, and we've a top 6 position in the league.

Trouble is it's in Blackburn! And that in a nutshell with all the negatives that fact entails is why we are such and unattractive investment prospect. BRFC is a rich supporters plaything and not an investors club simple as that! Lets face it would anybody on here like to throw much money at BRFC? Personally speaking I would have to be as rich as Croesus to even contemplate it.

[thenodrog]

The bit at the end, didn't worry me, it goes without saying.

The whole article does however smack of "If only I'd been asked" Not very encouraging.

It's unfortunate Rev but sad to say Mark Hughes was not born on Providence Street.

[John]

Some quotes from Hughes in January 2006

MARK Hughes has admitted Blackburn Rovers need to attract major investment' if he is to fulfil his ambition of taking the club onto the next level.

Hughes has worked a minor miracle on a tight budget since succeeding Graeme Souness in the Ewood hot-seat 15 months ago, successfully transforming Rovers from relegation candidates to contenders for a European place.

However, the Welshman remains fiercely ambitious and he believes the club needs a significant cash injection if he is to succeed in taking Rovers forward over the next few years.

Hughes said: "My ambition is to go as far as I can, and take Blackburn as far as possible.

"We have got some way to go and hopefully we will get there quickly.

"Then we will need major investment to go to the next level.

"The club will have to decide how far they want to go. Chase the best or stay where we are?"

[American Rover12]

An Article with a different feel - click

Lovin' the big guy

[nicko]

I would imagine that Jack would only want BRFC sold to somebody with as deep a pocket as himself. Whats the point of selling to people who are comparatively borassic and if times get tough will have to sell the crown jewells to survive? Put another way would you rather have an Abromovich or a Michael Knighton moving in?

btw Jack apparently had a plaque on the wall behind his desk that said 'Think Big', I think we should chip in and send one for Dan Williams saying 'If you cannot stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen'.

I think it's about time you put the 'Jack from beyond the grave' stuff to one side.

The here and now sees his trustees looking for a buyer for their shares and the club.

Harping on about Jack Walker doesn't really move your club forward.

It's pretty obvious that it is a stretch for anyone with money to [a] buy the shares and find the funds for players.

You need more than you need [a]...unless you are a trustee of course.

There should certainly be checks on any new ownership and obligations.

But if you think there is another Jack Walker out there with millions to spend then you are kidding yourself. He would have made himself known by now. He does not exist.

So you either sit in the current position, which the chairman and manager thinks needs investment...or you long for the good old days.