[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[revolutionrock!]

(like the look of Jason Brown though, reminds me of my step-son who had enough class to be up there with Benni but chose to be a fireman instead)

Yes but he snubbed a potentially 30k a week job for 20k a year job.

Anyway glad your back nicko.

[Rover down South]

Good to see you posting again Nicko, enjoy reading all the info on transfers. The vast majority of us appreciate the time you put in to keep us all informed.

[nicko]

Hey Nicko,

good to see your back. Any news about the takeover??

I had better not answer that at the moment.

Sorry to be evasive, but it is in the best interests of everyone for the story to be kept back until it is complete rather than in a bits-and-pieces form just now.

[nicko]

Nicko, I don't think you've commented on this, but I haven't had time to thoroughly peruse the thread. The Sunday Mirror reported yesterday that we are in the race for Franco di Santo, some 18 year old 6 ft 4 Argentinian wonderkid striker playing in Chile dubbed the next Maradona. Apparently us and 9 other clubs are in for him including the top five. I was wondering if you knew anything about it? I find it a bit dubious, since we have 9 thousand strikers already, and it said the deal would be a £500,000 loan followed by a £10 million purchase next summer which would clearly be beyond our budget, but wondered if you'd heard anything. Also, don't we have our limit of non EU players in Mokoena, McCarthy and Santa Cruz? (Though I think Mokoena should be able to apply for EU citizenship in Jan, having been here three years)

News on the kid Di Santo.

The price is £5 million which seems steep. He was being offered around for about £2 million a few months ago.

I can't see anyone paying that much for a prospect. Chelsea were interested at one stage but not now, Arsenal like him. But I think there would be reservations everywhere.

But it sounds like the boy's father - who has a big say - now wants to get the lad moving.

Watch this space, but if it is a buy and NOT a trial then I have my doubts about Rovers plunging in at that level.

On the work permit side he MUST have an EC passport, because he simply would not get one on caps.

You don't get uncapped players in on work permits...unless you are Manchester United of course.

[T4E]

Ha - whilst on that subject - any idea how United do it? By my reckoning Quinton Fortune should've been deported in 1997....

[92er]

So what exactly does this all lead to? None of us own shares, so he doesn't really need to gain our trust in order to take over the club. I very much doubt that the trustees are keeping tabs on our opinions on this site to see whether or not the deal will go through.

Not necessarily true-the Trustees own approx 97%. At the time of the take over, JW said he wanted to take over the vast majority of the shares, but he understood if some people wanted to amintain a small stake so they could keep up to date with what was happening to the club.

[B'burn End Row 10 Seat 160]

Has anyone any knowledge on Reidy's comeback! Been away from the 'graph for a few days but as far as i'm aware he didn't feature against pne! Which would of been the last best chance to give him some first team game time! Has there been any further setbacks??? (I pray to god not!)

[Dr Gonzo]

-->

QUOTE(B @ Aug 6 2007, 23:44 ) 534921[/snapback]

Has anyone any knowledge on Reidy's comeback! Been away from the 'graph for a few days but as far as i'm aware he didn't feature against pne! Which would of been the last best chance to give him some first team game time! Has there been any further setbacks??? (I pray to god not!)

I'm not aware of any problem. He's going to be eased back very slowly. I don't think many people expected to see him back this early.

[nicko]

Ha - whilst on that subject - any idea how United do it? By my reckoning Quinton Fortune should've been deported in 1997....

I commend your memory and your knowledge.

In fact I wrote a story at that time, can't remember who for, saying exactly the same.

Worse still I compiled every single cap that Fortune had won during the necessary period. Like some kind of saddo I contacted the PFA and even asked Gordon Taylor for a comment about why someone who was not qualified was allowed to have a work permit.

Taylor, a man I respected until that stage, did not want to know.

Unfortunately the PFA, who made such an issue of blocking Brad Friedel among others, did not want to know.

Since then we have seen the PFA and Manchester United snuggle up together as bedfellows.

It does make you think, doesn't it.

The only consolation, I suppose, is that Fortune was a monumental waste of time.

Big Brad, on the other hand, has never looked back.

Sometimes there is justice in the world.

[92er]

Nicko, I don't think you've commented on this, but I haven't had time to thoroughly peruse the thread. The Sunday Mirror reported yesterday that we are in the race for Franco di Santo, some 18 year old 6 ft 4 Argentinian wonderkid striker playing in Chile dubbed the next Maradona. Apparently us and 9 other clubs are in for him including the top five. I was wondering if you knew anything about it? I find it a bit dubious, since we have 9 thousand strikers already, and it said the deal would be a £500,000 loan followed by a £10 million purchase next summer which would clearly be beyond our budget, but wondered if you'd heard anything. Also, don't we have our limit of non EU players in Mokoena, McCarthy and Santa Cruz? (Though I think Mokoena should be able to apply for EU citizenship in Jan, having been here three years)

Didn't we get Mokoena from a club in Belgium, and hadn't he started at Ajax-therefore he might have already been in Europe for kore than 3 years?

[Drakefyre]

That is not a rule anymore.

[Dunnfc]

Ha - whilst on that subject - any idea how United do it? By my reckoning Quinton Fortune should've been deported in 1997....

Erm think its bcos he came from an eu country i.e he was playing spain for atletico.

[bellamy11]

Didn't Fortune spend some time at school here too? I seem to remember him in the programme for the ISFA Cup final playing for one of the finalists years ago. Could it be possible he simply spent enough time here that getting a work permit wouldn't have been too difficult?

[Finch]

Nicko - Tried sending you a PM, but got a message that your inbox is full! Not a huge surprise for someone who has his own personal thread

[nicko]

Nicko - Tried sending you a PM, but got a message that your inbox is full! Not a huge surprise for someone who has his own personal thread

Sorry, cleared.

And I forgot the 'log out' again.

[Taggart]

Sorry, cleared.

And I forgot the 'log out' again.

do Rovers have any potential transfer targets still in sight, that are likely to surface, or do we think that they will look to strenghen in January, in the event of injuries or weak areas ?

[b12_simon]

-->

QUOTE(B @ Aug 6 2007, 23:44 ) 534921[/snapback]

Has anyone any knowledge on Reidy's comeback! Been away from the 'graph for a few days but as far as i'm aware he didn't feature against pne! Which would of been the last best chance to give him some first team game time! Has there been any further setbacks??? (I pray to god not!)

He's back in full training now. No idea how long it'll be before he's fit for the bench or the reserves.

[Eddie]

He had said earlier that he might make the first game, although that was unlikely (and it seems to be impossible now), but that he would hope to be back a couple of weeks into the season.

[Hughesy]

It said in the Telegraph that he may make his return against PNE - Which didnt happen, wonder why?

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B @ Aug 6 2007, 23:44 ) 534921[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Has anyone any knowledge on Reidy's comeback! Been away from the 'graph for a few days but as far as i'm aware he didn't feature against pne! Which would of been the last best chance to give him some first team game time! Has there been any further setbacks??? (I pray to god not!)

He's back in full training now. No idea how long it'll be before he's fit for the bench or the reserves.

[Rover down South]

I'd sooner wait until Reid was 100%, if thats another month then so be it. Don't want him coming back in early & being out for the season again. He is absolutely key to us doing well this season. Think we have an amazing squad for this season, cannot wait till saturday.

Nicko, any more news on the Argentinian lad today?? Also the Algerian, how has his trial gone?? Cheers.

[Finch]

Sorry, cleared.

And I forgot the 'log out' again.

resent! Cheers!

[Hughesy]

Mirror says Jeffers will join Sheff Weds today for £600k - hope thats right!

[neophox]

Nicko, who is Charlie Barnett who is on trial at rovers?

[nicko]

Mirror says Jeffers will join Sheff Weds today for £600k - hope thats right!

I hope so too, I wrote it

Seriously, I think we will find out later. Hope he goes, he needs football and he won't see much at Rovers.

BY THE WAY...if this is right then your man Pleasure has just moved into the stratosphere.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1779

As for Charlie Barnett, I am checking that as we speak.

Glad some people are giving me good ideas today. It's not the liveliest - yet.

[nicko]

Nicko, who is Charlie Barnett who is on trial at rovers?

Good spot. He is playing for the ressies at Stalybridge tonight, along with our old chum Djeziri, the Danish/Algerian winger.

Barnett was in the Liverpool youth side that won the FA Youth Cup for the past two years. I saw a lot of those games and, to be honest, he did not stick out. He has also been on trial at Newcastle, but the fact he is with Rovers tonight suggests he is still looking for a home. He is 19, quite neat and tidy.

I saw Griffiths and the young Scottish lad Hodge in the reserves last week and quite liked them, but maybe they are not seen as future first team players. Griffiths has real talent and Hodge has had his troubles off the pitch but is an old-fashioned midfield leader. If those two were looking for football this season they would certainly get it somewhere on loan.

I also see that young Joe Garner is missing. I get a feeling the lad is on his way very shortly. Dundee United - as mentioned last week - want him and I hear they would even pay to get him.

The decision is down to the manager about whether he goes on loan or he is sold. One way or another he will be playing his football elsewhere this season and maybe beyond.