Whelan and dealing

Today's rumour is brought to you by the makers of ... bullshit.

Some sources have it that Dave Whelan and Paul Jewell are truying to poach Robbie Savage as a replacement for the excellent Jimmy bullard at Wigan Athletic. Robbie was reported to be unhappy by Rovers lack of ambition following the sale of fellow taff, Craig Bellamy, and would be open to offers. No truth in it. No suprise either to find balls coming out of Wigan, except these aren't minty and from Uncle Joe.

Sparky seems to spurting chaff out all over the show to divert the media from Rovers true striker targets.

Rumours about a move for free scoring Canary Robert Earnshaw have been played down by Norwich boss Nigel Worthington. Eight goals in 13 starts for Earnie makes him a marvel of the lower leagues. But Premiership material? He's like Kuqi - no doubt a tryer with an eye for goal, but questions remain over his top flight credentials.

Another boss in dismissive mood has been the new man at Boro, Gareth Southgate. He sent a clear hands off signal over Mark Viduka, who was reportedly being lined up for a move to Ewood Park to join fellow Aussies Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton.

And there have even been reports of a move for David Nugent of Preston North End.

thecisone believes each of these names to be part of a smokescreen operation designed to keep clubs with deeper pockets away from our real transfer targets, Mido and Carlton Cole. Whether the bright lights of the Barbara Castle Way are quite bright enough remains to be seen. When we know, you will.

Australian Exits

So Australia are out of the World Cup.

I guess most English football fans will have been pleasantly surprised by the Socceroos. They seem to have gelled together in a way they don't individually in the Premiership and a way that England have so far failed to do in Germany. You could even start to feel sorry for the Aussies, particularly given the manner of the exit against Italy.

But what has the World Cup done for the only Rovers representatives, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton?

Emerton underlined the fact that he is just so much unfulfilled potential, and has given vent to his frustrations about not being able to nail down a first team place at Rovers. Reports have been made of a desire to move to Everton. If he wants a regular start at Goodison he'll have to address the problems that have seen him slip down the pecking order at Ewood Park - a tendency to duck tackles, aimless dribbling and a reluctance to shoot. Is it any wonder that the big clubs are not waving their chequebooks in his direction?

And then there is Lucas Neill. While Ryan Nelson has quickly established himself as the fans' defensive favourite for the steel he has added to the backline, it is Rovers right-back who is now being linked with a big money move. The grounds for this rumour originiate in the Socceroos' coaching staff. Assistant coach Johan Neeskens is headed to Barcelona after the tournament and would like Neill to follow him. West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle have reportedly also registered interest. Rovers answer seems to lie in an upgraded contract, but whether this will be enough to keep hold of a talented player who clearly appreciates his own worth remains anyone's guess. One thing is certain - losing Neill would be as bad as losing Reid for Rovers' European ambitions.

Big new signing... from Gillingham

Yesterday's post predicted some big name signings. And what do we have today - a keeper from the First Division.

Although Sparky hasn't touched the war chest for transfers, he's signed up Gillingham's out-of-contract keeper Jason Brown. Yes, that Jason Brown. He's another taff, one cap and 24 years old, which is probably half Friedel's age. We aparently beat off Swansea for his signature. They issued a statement on Brown's decision: "After sleeping on the two deals, Brown decided it was in his best interests to join the Premiership side." I bet he effing slept on it - Europe or Carlisle United away. That's a tough call.

I mate of mine is a football scout, who has seen this fella play twice. First time out he reckons he could have been a reject from David James' finishing school for goalminders - not even able to catch clap in a Dutch knocking shop. Second time round he's was actually pretty good. I guess time will tell whether he's any good. I wish him well - he's finished if he effs it up in the Premiership.

Wonder what this means for benchwarmer of the year Peter Enkelman and that other hotly tipped prospect, Richard Lee?

Black armbands for the departing forward line.

Well it wasn't exactly a bolt from the blue. But Craig Bellamy's decision to quit Rovers for Anfield still leaves a few bruises. In many ways he was the perfect Rovers striker - fast, deadly and a marvellous wind up merchant. But it's clear that he was only really entertaining us while a better offer came along. Sure there will be a lot written about his dream move to the club he supported as a kid and the fact that he has taken a £1million pay cut to go to Anfield, but let's leave that to the tabloids.

What every good Rovers fan will be asking now is - who's the replacement?

My sources tell me that Hughes now has a kitty of around £10million for transfers. And it might have been more if we had got market value for Bellamy, because let's face it £6m would be cheap at twice the price.

Word is that Hughes has been sniffing around the pricier London suburbs for new boys. Champions Chelsea are thought to be ready to part with Carlton Cole for around £2m and who knows whether Sparky sounded out the Special One about Carlton on the blues last visit to Ewood. And there is a persistent rumour that Rovers are well down the path of offering Mido, the Roma striker who shone for Spurs last season, a deal. No figures mentioned so far, but as another bad boy looking to rebuild his reputation he could be right at home with Reid and Todd and Savage.

Would that leave enough for a move for a midfielder? Tugay won't last forever. His replacement could be another foriegn star to come through the SPL. Petrov at Celtic has attracted £4m bids, which the Glasgow side have found easy to turn down. Would Rovers have enough in the bank and the reputation to attract him?

Let's hope so - today was a terrible day for our prospects in 2006/07.

Reid - Deal or No Deal?

The CIS One

It was something of a relief to see the first reports start circluating this morning that Rovers midfield hardman Steven Reid had told Tottenham to stuff their poxy £2m bid and commit his future to Ewood Park.

But amid the bluster it becomes clear that there's no ink on the contract yet, only a handshake between Reid's agent - Kevin Moran - and Rover's boardroom warhorse, John Williams.

Reidy - according to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph - is currently on holiday.

Holiday!? Get yer arse back to work man, and get that contract signed. If there's no concrete commitment you will forgive the fans a few jitters - especially with rumours rife about half a dozen wantaways, including Bellamy, Neill and Emerton.

The fans want your name on the contract and the back of a blue and white halves shirt ASAP. Oh, and another season of kicking, shoving jostling and 35 yard screamers. Lend you a pen?

The CIS One

The CIS One

Right. A statement of intent. I won't claim that this is going to be the funniest, most insightful or even the most up to date of Rovers blogs. What I will say is that I'll try and keep across the big rumours and whispers I can find on the internet. All contributions gratefully recevied.