A nice little piece with Nellie talking about Rovers Cup run and following the Cup while growing up. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFA...ostings/2005/03/FACup_6R_Blackburn_Nelsen.htm
Some more from Nellie after the announcement of the draw versus Arsenal. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~639722,00.html
Nelsen says "I am counting down the days." IOW, "Holy Sh!t! I'm playing in the FA Cup semi-finals against Arsenal."
Me too, but how can anyone feel anything but elated that he has down so well against top flight competition. If nothing else, it allows all the DCU fans to say "back in the day" I knew Nelsen was a special player.
What about all of us (or me) who thought he was ok, but nowhere near as good as he seems to be in England? Tim
When exactly is Nelly/Freidel vs Arsenal? Wait, they have other players? Seriously though, when is this game?
FYI: I started a new thread in the Alumni section, that contains a link to a radio interview Ryan did on Sat, Mar 12th., prior to his most recent FA cup match.
I just watched my recording of the Monday FSW Report, and Bobby M noted that in the 8 games Nelsen has been with Rovers, they've given up 2 goals. 2. Wow. That includes some FA Cup action, so it's not perfectly analogous...but they've given up 36 in 28 premiership games. To make my quote slightly more accurate, and as an homage to Bobby, he's massively underpaid. Getting OT, and worrying about DC...in the last 3 years I've really learned something about the sport. I've learned how valuable central defenders are. Upson during his loan spell at Reading, ManU without Rio, and now Nelsen. I'm beginning to wonder why they don't get paid more. They're the left tackles of soccer, ca. 1990. Before free agency, the big money went to all the offensive stars. But with free agency and the NFL's salary cap, left tackles really, really cashed in. But it's like soccer teams haven't figured this out yet. IMO, a team below the big 3 could mount a challenge by getting the two best central defenders who would sign up, add in a creative midfield player and a Carlton Cole (i.e., good but available) striker. I think teams are spending big coin on 3rd rate strikers to replace 4th rate strikers, when they'd be better off keeping the 4th rate striker and getting a first rate defender. Look at Fulham, for example. Their weakness in the back puts too much pressure on their midfield they have to play with a lone striker, and it ain't working. Anyway, this doesn't bode too well for DC this year, I don't think. I think we'll have the most exciting team in the league, esp. with Freddy's maturation and, hopefully, Quaranta contributing. But unless they can sign a stud central defender, they'll concede too many to challenge for the title.
Right now, I hope Nellie signs a BIG contract that will last for 4 or 5 years, then come back to DC when he is 32 or 33 and still has plenty left to give. Then I see him becoming a head coach as quick as Nowak did.
I wonder if Blackburn will have to sell him. No doubt they try to extend his contract with a hefty raise this summer but the whole EPL not to mention teams in Spain and Italy are taking note of the Kiwi. Nellie could be in for a serious windfall one that Blackburn won't be able to afford.
While I don't want to invalidate your point, it is fair to note that Rio Ferdinand moved from Leeds to ManU for 30 million pounds, a record. And I beleive Sol Campbell is extremely well compensated. I don't have the data to determine if that's the exception or the trend...
Well you have to keep in mind he did have to take a step down in quality from DC to Blackburn for a pay raise...
I heard the Sports Junkies discussing Ryan Nelsen today. They said something about an article in USA Today on Nelsen and his transfer/play with Blackburn. Didn't know if McNews had done a feature, or his transfer was just mentioned in passing. Thx, Jay!
