Yea, Blackburn's defense blows. Another team's defense that could use the help (at least form the ones I've seen) is Fulham. Jesus are they disorganized. Nelsen would help any of these teams.
Best wishes for Nellie. Hope they sign him--they could sure as hell use him. Now what the hell are WE going to do in central defense?
Will Nelsen have a work permit issue because NZ is not ranked high enough in FIFA rankings? I recall reading somewhere that it might be an issue - did we ever work out the details on this?
All we want for christmas is a -- 6'4", 195 - 205 lb central defender, with pace, a 36" vertical and capable of accurate distribution. Oh yeah, confident and loud as hell, too! That's all GM
Except for the distribution and confidence criteria, we already have everyones favorite "David Stokes". There, your christmas wish has come true.
IMO that comes down to one thing and one thing only...Zat Knight's atrocious positioning. They could solve the problem by moving Boca there and plugging in a real left back, which would improve them at TWO positions. There's hope for Coleman. He's finally figured out that he didn't have a "lone striker" striker on his roster anymore, what with Saha being gone 11 months, and is playing McB and Cole together.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562135397 NELLIE'S NEW VISA: The path to English soccer for United defender Ryan Nelsen has been cleared by the British Department of Employment extending certain working rights for Commonwealth citizens to soccer players. Nelsen, a native of New Zealand, has been approved for a holiday visa, by which he can work in the UK for the next two years. The visa is also renewable after the first year. Should Nelsen be denied a work permit, issued to non-EU citizens wishing to play professional soccer in England, he would be employable with the tourist visa.
Basically, as a Kiwi, Ryan's ability to get a work permit, or play under some loop hole has never been at question. This has been the main reason I have thought he would go to the UK. An easy in, combined with the difference in salary, ego factor, and prestige. While I dont blame Ryan a bit for making the move, I do already miss him, and I know his loss will have repercutions for DCU. I can only hope that we are lucky enough to find a player who is half of Ryan to begin to replace him.
As much as I like my Rovers, I feel sorry for Nellie should he go to such a poor team from such a great one
Sky Sports - Rovers want Nelsen http://skysports.planetfootball.com...&CPID=8&CLID=&lid=3&title=Rovers+keen+on+Kiwi The article says they are going to make a move for him. Their defense has been a little bit crappy this season so they need him. Good luck to him. He's a great defender.
Re: Sky Sports - Rovers want Nelsen I guess it would be good for Nellie, but I'd really rather see him in Black and Red again next season.
I didnt see a thread that was open before I started a new one. It's a sky sports article with quotes from Blackburn's manager. It looks like they'll sign him in January. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154709
Re: Sky Sports - Rovers want Nelsen I think we'd all love to see Nellie here again, but this is a move up for him and a chance to play in a top league.. Good luck Ryan..
Not to mention hey are still better then fvcking Reading and Ryan will actually contribute... --I'd never question a move of a player that has actually accomplished all he could at this level. Ryan deserves a real pay day.
Anybody heard anything else on Ryan lately? The Rovers site is saying that they have also brought in Portugese international defender Abel Xavier. Probably doesn't mean anything or reflect on Ryan in any way. Just wondering what the hell is going on?
Xavier's a right back, and any attempt to play him in the center would be even more disasterous than playing him on the right.
Looks like Rovers have also brought in a younger South African international also. http://footballmsn.skysports.com/li...51&title=Rovers+in+for+Mokoena&channel=Africa
I may not have this totally correct, but because Nelsen is still has a contract with MLS (technically), Blackburn would have to wait to January to sign him, and I believe it's the same for the South African that was on trial. Xavier is apparently available immediately because he is out of contract. While Xavier being brought in may not reflect on Nelsen, it may give him a slight advantage if Blackburn is really desperate to get some help in the back ASAP.
Nelsen is still trialling: http://skysports.planetfootball.com...hes+confirms+Xavier+talks&channel=Premiership Btw, nice hair on that Xavier