The Newcastle United Blog

228 responses so far ↓

• 1 shearer4pm // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:18

  would of done well under keegan, but wouldnt of got regular first team action, good luck rammy

• 2 Toon1978 // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:18

  Good lad hope he does well not up to Premier league standard unfortunately.

• 3 Stamford Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:19

  Is there something wrong with my computer or are you using a smaller print?

• 4 Tom4Nufc // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:19

  I got same problem, and have emailed ed

• 5 Neil Snowdon // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:22

  Dear Ed,

  Nice to hear Peter has got off to a good start.

  Have you heard that Zenit are claiming Spurs have bid for Arshavin, but below the now asking price of £ 21.5m.

  There’s still some mileage to go on this one. Yes , he is overpriced, but a midfield with Arshavin and Modric would be too greedy!

  Regards, Neil

• 6 Davies // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:25

  Very small print.

  A lot harder to read the comments.

  Ed, HELP.

• 7 Max // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:26

  Any news on that press conference stuff? Was it for real? or was it a load of C..p?

• 8 dougnufc // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:31

  Please change the font Ed, I am straining my eyes to read the words

  Thanks

• 9 Ace // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:37

  Good luck rammy!

  Ed the font is too small on the website, also I have a few ideas on how to improve the layout of nufcblog.com

  If you want any help or if your interested send me a mail on harpstar_k@hotmail.com

  excellent informative website though, keep it up

• 10 domtoon // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:42

  I must say, the smaller font makes the articles quite hard to follow…

• 11 Danny // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:43

  Is it me, or is the typing very small??? Heavy to read and the font isn’t good..

• 12 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:43

  Who needs Arshavin or Modric when we have Butt, Smith and Geremi. Bring on Manure for a good tonking. Smith hattrick I reckon.

• 13 Howie // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:49

  daiv i believed u until u said smith hattrick

• 14 faustino // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:50

  A midfield with Modric AND Arshavin would last about five mins in the Premeirship.

  Dean Windass alone would probably account for some physio time for the two of them.

  P.S Hold down control and use your jog wheel to make the text bigger and smaller noobs. Failing that alter it in ‘V iew’.

• 15 Oleg G // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:53

  I say, keep Butt and Smith for another 5-6 years, maybe that will be enough time for smith to score.

  Daiv, that was a good one !

• 16 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:53

  Daiv keep off the drugs mate

• 17 sirjasontoon // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:58

  Quiet night Ed?
  I so want spurs to have a bad season..they are now my most hated prem team..can’t wait to see Modric get booted around the park it will make my day !

• 18 Piers // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:59

  This font is ridiculus ….please change.

• 19 harrier // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:03

  or ctrl and + as well faustino

• 20 Piers // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:04

  This is much better….looks great i like how you mixed things up. Full marks…..way to go Ed!

• 21 Piers // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:07

  We need a player like Benayoun on Liverpool…..someone who is very smart and very creative.

• 22 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:08

  Ever seen a mackem
  Just trying to be positive. I’ve turned over a new leaf.
  With midfield generals like Butt Geremi and Smith, do you reckon we need any signings? I can’t see how Modric and arshavin could improve on them. In any case they would be too dear and not value for money. We are concentrating on £1M bargains to get us into top 4. Fantastic strategy Mr Ashley. Can’t but wonder why none of the other teams like Manure and Chelsea have thought of it.

• 23 ronaldeano // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:08

  Ed, whats the crack with Fat Sam’s face on the banner!!!

• 24 natedawg // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:10

  god i 4got how ugly allardyce was lol looks like a choking donkey

• 25 domtoon // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:11

  Ahhhhhhhh i think Ed’s just having a tinker leave him be!

• 26 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:13

  Piers,
  The problem with Banyoun is that he costs more than £2M and would break the club stategy of signing young cheap potential. We are keeping the money in the bank to invest in something other than players. Still its great having loads of money to wag in the faces of City and Spuds who seem to be going all out to win something. More fool them.

• 27 mushy // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:19

  @daiv
  Change the record man. If you make me any more depressed I’ll have to go next door and talk to wor lass

• 28 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:20

  Good grief have I stepped into a time loop, it feels like I am back in pre season last year. Have I been dreaming that KK became our manager and in reality we still have fat Sam.

  Nowt has changed in the transfer scene other than we are spending less money.

• 29 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:20

  Ed
  The worrying thing about the banner is 13 faces. Thats it. Minute squad. Still at least we don’t have to worry abouth any of them being out injured much. How positive is that?

• 30 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:23

  Howie, I think Daiv meant to say hatrack, easy mistake to make.

• 31 Liam // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:24

  i almost sh1t when i saw the banner i guess eds just trying to freshen up and loaded the old banner by accident

• 32 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:24

  hey mate, is(n’t) there a scheduled conference of NUFC today?

• 33 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:28

  I can see why people are having a moan as the blog has just done a funny on me. I can’t make the font size any bigger. So I will come back later.

• 34 mushy // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:30

  re the font size:
  if you hold down the key and tap the key you can temporarily increase the font size.
  But we still need a permanent fix

• 35 mushy // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:33

  Bloody computers, I’ll do that again:
  If you hold down the ‘ctrl’ key and tap the ‘=’ key it will increase the size temporarily.

• 36 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:39

  Daiv, enjoying your sense of humour!!
  love the site!

• 37 scottish mag // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:39

  thank you ed for fixing the font back as it was really hard to read the other comments, bad eyesight lol

• 38 scottish mag // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:40

  as soon as i say that it goes back, damn!!!!

• 39 scottish mag // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:41

  and then back to big size wot is happening, is it just me that the font keeps going from big to small and back again everytime i refresh

• 40 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:44

  Thanks Ed for the font change.

• 41 harrier // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:54

  speaking of jokes, where are those jerks with their promised signings?

• 42 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:54

  Maybe it’s just me, but I realize nufc.co.uk is a bit slow today.

• 43 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:01

  Splash the Cash
  Smith is going to score a hattrick. Hat racks are associated with hockey and girlie things. I saw Smith in my dreams shimmy round Ferdinand in 89th minute to score his third. How positive is that. And another thing. Ashley is not going to spend more than £2M on a player (because he is so generous) and we are going to walk the league. How positive is that? I have turned over a new leaf. I can sense it. MA is God.

• 44 valle // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:03

  Good for Rammy, he wasnt good enough for NUFC but i reckon he will do well in the 1st division.

• 45 harrier // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:05

  and they say sarcasm is lost on the internet

• 46 valle // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:06

  On another note our two best buys of the season last year cost a combined 4 million (Faye, Beye). Any left back and Centre back that could do just as well for such a low fee out there?

• 47 Piers // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:12

  True Daiv….haha we are proving that finding diamonds in the rough is easy.

• 48 Brave New Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:25

  who thinks that matias fernandez would be a good signing. my reliable source says that this deal is one of them in the pipeline.

• 49 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:25

  @valle

  Would that worth a try to dig into the Championship League? I think it’s very possible to get the hidden gems among the CL clubs.

• 50 valle // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:32

  Patrick… Well, perhaps but i think it has been a long time since a real gem shone through in the 1st division and when they have just a bit of potential they cost the sky (Curtis Davies 6 million for instance). I think France and Germany are the places to look if im honest… Seems like the prices havnt quite followed the high costs of the 3 biggest leagues and thats even more through when you talk about defenders… Beye for 2 million was a steal for instance and Samba for 400k is just insane.

• 51 chikitita // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:37

  Spyro was making the press conference up. He seemed to think it would be funny to get our hopes up. Why is everyone slagging off Arshavin and modric. 3 months ago everyone would have been delighted if kk had signed them. Is it a bit of envy or has fernando just wound everyone up.

• 52 sweendog // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:41

  Besides talking about Ramage is this the next big signing thats coming … to play not as a striker but a CM

  http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=187921

• 53 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:41

  Daiv, how many assists were there from Shola.

• 54 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:54

  @sweendog, this is not the first time we are linked to Julio Baptista. I don’t know if he really fits in the squad and the tactics.

  @valle, yes and I think we can go for players like Toulalan (hopefully not too expensive) and Grosso (for just a few years with us to give Jose Enrique more mentoring). As well, the Northern Europe is a good place to go for as well. Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Swiss are the countries we may want to explore more in.

  I want to get Schweinsteiger and Podolski!!!

• 55 Brave New Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:56

  would love baptista toulalan and grosso but it aint going to happen

• 56 daiv // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:58

  Splash
  Stroller does not do assists. Some might ask what does he do on a football field but I couldn’t possibly comment. The good news is that he may be staying along with Geremi and Smith. We are fortunate to have two such world class players. Geremi the dead ball and corner taker who will invariably pick out his man in the box (so long as its somewhere near the corner flag where he is standing) and Smith the deadly finisher who is adept at that final killer pass. And they both adhere to the new MA strategy of coming cheap for their skills..about £65K a week. All is well. How positive is that?

• 57 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:58

  Schweinsteiger is pants!

  I think you’ll find Switzerland is south of us

  No chance in us attracting Toulalan and Grosso is shocking defensively, he is a converted left winger.

• 58 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:04

  @TT, I need to study more on Geography! LOL

  I actually put want-away Podolski’s name in my last comment after modification too. What do u think about him?

• 59 sweendog // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:05

  Podolski .. no chance .. class striker but newcastle would have to be in europe .. schweinsteiger .. I agree with tom toon … bit of a show boating donkey IMO .. as for Baptista ..could be a good signing .. he’d need Keegan to coach him backinto his Seville ways .. he used to be the best attacking CM in Spain

• 60 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:08

  We dont need Podolski but he is a good player.

  He is far far better than Schweinsteiger who is frankly quite shite.

  I really like Baptista my only concern is his criticism of the weather and pace of the premiership. But the thing is, he is perfectly suited to it, he’s probably the strongest attacking midfielder in the world, has an absolutely brilliant shot and is creative too.

• 61 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:10

  @ sweendog, then shame on Real Madrid and Arsenal regarding Baptista! I agree, on the other hand, it’s a good buy if he’s in the 6M range. I thought he’s way muc more expensive when he transferred to Real. However, if what you said of Podolski is true, I think it also applies to Baptista. We’ll need to be in Europe first.

  Anyway, I just think what Podolski wants is to play to keep his place in the National side.

• 62 sweendog // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:11

  Spanish newpapers are saying a £6 mill bid is being put in .. cheap for a player of his calibre .. mind you wages would be high..

• 63 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:12

  @TT, yea, it’s something that makes PL more unique. There were some players in the past complaining about the weather and the environment and they wanted to leave so bad.

• 64 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:14

  @sweendog, yea, we may need to match what Real paid him. then it’s absolutely not good.

• 65 sweendog // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:20

  Patrick we’re supposed to have been offered one of them players .. Reyes but no chance now as Duff is back in Keegans mind as first choice left winger

• 66 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:24

  @sweendog, so it’s not even us approaching Real Madrid? um interesting.

• 67 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 21:29

  What about that Anthony Annan lad who plays CM, getting rave reviews and was looking good in the ACN. He will cost no more than £3mil i recon, hes 21 and fits into our new policy.

  However, he isnt the creative force we want, but when did KK have a prodominantly creative CM, he had CMs who can be creative, but not creative CMs if you understand me.

  He is also without doubt an improvement on what we have in cm now.

• 68 Hatty // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:00

  Which Spanish papers are saying this about Baptista exactly?

• 69 Dave // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:02

  I’m with Hatty on this one.

  Neither AS or Marca are reporting this.

• 70 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:11

  Its probably true then if Marca AREN’T reporting it

• 71 ToonTimbo // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:20

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_0w_kJTPPY

  The moral of this story is lets get Beckham in!!

• 72 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:35

  TT - If you think Schweinsteiger is a bad player, then you know absolutely sweet FA about football.
  He is brilliant, his crosses are excellent, he has pace, he has great movement off the ball, an excellent shot and beats the first defender nearly every time.
  He is an excellent winger.

• 73 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:37

  pace, hahahahah he is pretty slow.

  He is shocking on the wing, hes been shocking for bayern for 2 seasons. When he is moved into the centre, that is a different story, he is acually good there, but on the wing he is very poor, he is very hesitant.

• 74 ToonTim // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:39

  I agree with TT! Schweinsteiger is overrated and wouldnt want him in my team!! wastes the ball to much!!

• 75 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:39

  Brave New Toon - I don’t rate your contact - the same one who led you to conclude NUFC would have unveiled 3 new signings today. Didn’t you say you’d give up blogging if it didn’t happen?

• 76 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:42

  right lads av just finished graft and guess what no press conferance….what a surprise!!!!!!

• 77 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:42

  I actually agree with most of your judgements TT but you are completely wrong here, the lad is quality, in the centre but for me especially out wide becuase he has excellent delivery, and most of all he has a good footballing brain and reads the game well.
  I think he either scored or assited 60% of Germanys goals in the Euro.
  Pace wise he may not be Ronaldo but he certainly has more pace than any of our players besides Oba.

• 78 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:47

  Shweinsteiger - eager, youthful, energetic. when age cats=ches up with him he’ll have nothing to offer
  Baptista - didn’t he say he hated Premiership cos it was freezin north of watford?
  Ramage - don’t care how he’s settling in in London. He should have stayed and proved himself. Just back from injury and expects to start straight away?! As a geordie I can’t understand his decision to quit instead of signing a 1 yr deal.

• 79 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:49

  anyway lads whats this i have been hearing that aimar signed for benfica for 18000 grand a week and we supposedly would not match it????

• 80 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:52

  Baptista would be a good player for us strong creative and can cross the ball! + at £6million a bargin!! defo.. a keegan player!

  baptista or smith ?? they cost the same and about the same in wages!!

• 81 The Optimist // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:52

  Hello

  I’m an optimist
  You need me lads

  From Van der Vaart website

  “I’m now preparing for another year at HSV. Of course you can never guarantee anything while the transfer window is open, which is the case until August 31st, but as far as I’m concerned this is where I’ll be.
  However, next season will definitely be my last for this club. After that it will be time for me to take the next step in my career.
  That means realising my dream of playing for a really top European club. I’ve always said that. It could be Real Madrid - which footballer wouldn’t want to play there? However, I can assure you that I haven’t signed any sort of agreement with them.”

  Sounds like a come and get me Kev plea

  My emails must be working

• 82 ToonTim // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:53

  Brave New Toon, dont give up blogging!! You and your ‘reliable’ source (or not so reliale on this occasion) fills us all with optimism!! Even if its not true!!

• 83 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:54

  Normski if thats the case there is no chance of signing any quality! I do believe he only signed for benfica because they offered more in wages!!

• 84 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:54

  @normski

  let’s move on. There’s no Aimar @ NUFC coz he doesn’t want to come.

• 85 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:55

  @HPS

  Another better understanding is that:
  1) Benfica is in Europe;
  2) Portugal League is not as tough as PL.

• 86 The Optimist // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:56

  Aimar wanted to come but accidentally signed for Benfica. He was told he was giving his autograph to Ben Fica, a small orphan child. Everyone wants to play for the Toon.

• 87 The Optimist // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:58

  Ramage went to QPR for a bit of 1st team experience. He will re-sign for the Toon when he’s proved himself worthy. He didn’t want the Toon to have to go to the trouble of arranging a traditional loan deal. He’s very thoughtful. MAG PIE - you should be pleased by that?

• 88 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:00

  yes but patrick he wanted to come but we wouldnt match his wages …. 18 grand a week your havin a giraffe mate…..when youve got a tattie like smith runnin around on 50 grand a week no wonder his agent was in and out on the same day…

• 89 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:02

  Aimar, would have been another Emre, get over it, I doubt we ever wanted him.

• 90 Super Trouper // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:04

  Spurs in for Inler boys. Read it and weep.

• 91 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:05

  @normski

  Don’t forget that in other source we see he said Benfica was the only destination he’s going towards. Maybe it’s really just speculation that he “wanted” to play for us.

  @JJ
  The only thing is to get over with it. I hope they are proving themselves with the Valencia match coming up.

• 92 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:06

  I cannot believe after all the tripe, you believe everything the papers say.
  I am a sports journalist and i can tell you that at this time of the season, a “Source” for bad journlists is an imaginary voice in their head which says I better come up with something because I got too pissed last night to do any genuine investigations so I will fabricate and expand on another jounalists tripe…..
  Sorry Ed but you are slightly at fault for reporting that “we believe he will sign”. I know you are an optimaistic bloke but NEVER believe paper talk and especially in the UK. All 90% bollocks.

• 93 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:07

  Behind closed doors how many players that we have been linked with that wont come because of personal terms (wages) ??? if it is true it is very worry’n!!!

• 94 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:07

  everyone seems to be missing the point here 18 grand a week is peanuts in this day and age and we wouldnt match it….. speaks volumes to me.

• 95 Super Trouper // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:09

  Spurs will offer Inler more than £18k

• 96 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:10

  oh my god a sports journalist who for the beano just like the guy who was on here yesterday saying there was a press coneferance???

• 97 Mac // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:11

  Tom Toon what do you think about Tim Borowski for our midfield??

• 98 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:12

  Question I have is that if the figure is really 18000 weekly for Aimar. Speculation?

• 99 Super Trouper // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:12

  Borowski would want to play in Europe for a big team

• 100 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:13

  @normski

  yea… I was wondering about this earlier. Where is the press con?

• 101 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:13

  So JJ being a sports journalist what do you think of the whole situation at NUFC?? Mike Ashley, Keegan and the recruitment system! is there something wrong? where in your professional opinion will NUFC be at the end of this season??
  how much do you think the club will have to spend and who do you think will come in??

• 102 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:15

  Normski, I live in South Africa. Its not my interest to know when the Uk press conferences are.
  In case you dont know South Africa in is in AFRICA about 12 000km (7000Miles from the UK). But I can tell you if I reported on rubbish like they do in your country I would not have a job.

• 103 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:16

  was it not brave new toon? who said there would be signings and a press conference!!

• 104 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:18

  even in keegans interview he said that we have tried for players and for one reason or another they wernt right…. reading between the lines if we cannot offer them european football we have to offer them something else ie hard currency…. it looks very dubious to me like..

• 105 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:18

  Mac - I’d love it (just love it), he is versatile can score cracking goals and dictate play, but he jist signed for Bayern, well joined them just recently but signed a pre-contract ages ago.

• 106 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:18

  @HPS
  It’s okay. We can count on surprises like we have been. Besides, we know there are good improvements from the squad as well. Let’s see who KK is gonna bring in (that 4 players he mentioned).

  Since I am away from UK newspapers, I could just sit in front of the computer browsing nufc.co.uk for the real news.

• 107 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:18

  HPS - Brave New Toon said he looked forward to all the negativity stopping after NUFC signed 3 new players on Monday. Not sure he said there would be a press conf - I think that was someone else

• 108 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:19

  daiv! wheres that humour of yours gone??

• 109 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:21

  @normski
  Don’t worry too much at this point. Before the transfer deadline, if it’s quiet, it is not necessarily bad. And we know KK is not directly telling everyone what they are doing, right? Again, it can be just some sort of media fights. I am sure KK is sick of the UK press already.

• 110 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:22

  Sorry mag pie there’s so many ppl come out with crap its hard to keep up!

• 111 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:24

  HPS, I am reserving my judgement for the end of the transfer season.

  Like everyone I think our squad is very thin.
  I think as things stand we are looking at trying to get a top 10 finish this year.

  I think that MA has been fantastic for the club but the fans are frustrated because they want to see an immediate improvement. Which is not possible without Champions League Football to offer top quality players.

  We are a midtable club and we have to work our way up slowly rather than blowing money on “big names” that are past their sell by date eg: Kluivert merely to appease the fans.

  That is were our nwe youth policy comes in.

  We think If we got a a quality midfielder and defender in we could be aiming at a top 6/7 position.

  Believe it or not I think Barton will play a key role for us next year and despite being a prick he is our best CM.

  But like I said, reserve your judgement for the end of the the trander season.

• 112 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:26

  normski - I must admit KK looked unhappy and unconfident when he was asked about transfers! im worried just hope im wrong but I dont think I am!! we will get signings but of what quality??

• 113 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:27

  jj thanks for the geography lecture dont worry mate i know where south africa is i have worked all over the world…. if and it is a big if you were such a good journalist you would have some really good contacts in the uk….

• 114 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:28

  Question for everyone:

  What would you prefer:

  Consolidate the middle with less creative centre mids (however they can still pass and are not inept in techincal ability) and use the wingers as a creative outlet

  OR

  Buy a creative cm

  Personally id choose the first option of 2 more defensive cm’s because i think it is more suited to the premiership now.

• 115 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:29

  @JJ

  The key of Barton’s performance is KK. Don’t you agree? I think he is one of the people making the decision of staying with Barton. KK should know Barton enough because Barton once played under KK when they were @ Man City. Let’s reserve our judgement towards Barton and give him the support he actually needs!

• 116 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:30

  @ Normski

  Actually, no, I never said I was a great journalist, but I am an honest one. Imin my early twenties, take a long time to build contacts and I dont write on Premiership Football. I write on our provincial rugby and cricket.

• 117 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:31

  @TT

  Option 1 was how the Entertainers did their business, and I like that idea.

• 118 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:31

  @ hate i thought excastly the same i have watched that same interview 3 or 4 times now, he was super positive until they started asking about transfers then it became sketchy and some what evasive …more or less saying “i havnt got the foggest ask ashley,wise etc….

• 119 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:32

  Tom Toon

  I’d take either right now but would prefer fast, consistent wingers who cross well. Not sure they exist though. The bloke Brave New Toon mentioned - Fernandez looks good - is he AM or FW ?

• 120 macakane // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:32

  There is a third possibility - universal midfielder like, Bodmer (Lyon), Gerrard and so on, who can score, pass and do everything on the field, but at the moment that kind of a players are out of our horizon.

• 121 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:34

  Ye Patrick, that is what i was talking about further up, it could still work in this day and age.

  KK never said an out and out attacking, creative midfielder, but cm who COULD create, but it was not their only trait.

  The thing is there are many more good more defensive/box-to-box mids than attackng mids of te quality we need that we could attract.

• 122 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:35

  @ TT

  The reason I like Barton, is not because he is the best passer, but because he has “drive” when playing his best.
  I like midfielders in the Cahill, Gerrrard, Lampard mould, who may not be the best passers of the ball, like a van der Vaart or Arshavin or Fabrigas but players who can take a team from attack to defense by carrying the ball forward or making forward runs for the defenders to find them in space - thus creating extra room for the strikers.

  Any candidates (realistic) in your scout book there?

• 123 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:35

  maca - Id say Bodmer was option one, he is much more defensive than the likes of Gerrard.

  Id consider Bodmer a more defensive midfielder with technical ability, this is what im talking about.

• 124 Dave // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:36

  TT.

  I would adopt the first option with a midfield formation of:
  Owen/Martins Viduka

  Gutierrez Milner

  DM DM

  Enrique Taylor Faye Beye

  Given/Harper

• 125 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:37

  JJ - Cahill, Lampard, Gerrard are very very attackng, this isnt what im talking about + they seem to me a dying bread, not really any i could suggest at the mo that are in our reach.

  Ill have to do my homework on that

• 126 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:37

  Giggs Scholes Keane Beckham
  Ginola Lee Batty Gillespie

  Best midfield in decades
  Best NUFC midfield in decades

  We should be aiming to replicate

  Jonas Barton (?) Butt/Guthrie (?) Milner

  Not there yet

• 127 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:37

  To be honest I’ll probably get slated but here goes!
  I believe MA bought the club to make a massive profit! spending as little as possible! selling on making £100million !
  I feel he is good at disceving ppl pulling the wool over fans eyes! yes i agree we dont want to waste money but not spending will also prove wrong!

  I also believe Barton will be a massive part of Keegans plans and that he is unhappy with the whole situation at the club!

  being a genuine supporter like most what the best for the club! I feel we are being cheated, P***d on from a great high!

  Please dont give me slaver as you i am entitled to an opinion!!

  Hope im wrong just dont think i am!!!

• 128 JJ // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:37

  Ps. yes I know Lamps and Gerrard are good passers but its not the key element to their style. so hope you know what Im getting at here.

• 129 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:37

  tt would still like the get out of jail free card which is the batty/makeleles of this world …i know i have been banging on about this but alot of teams play on the counter at pace and i just like to have the guy who will just sit and protect our back four coz lets face it in seasons gone by that has been the weak link….

• 130 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:42

  HPS - I honestly believe that you will be proved wrong over the next few weeks. I’m sure you’d like that as much as I. Maybe MA has been over cautious but he can’t be so stupid as to think that we can cope in the Prem (and protect his investment) unless he forks out for 2 or 3 top class players before the season begins.

• 131 macakane // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:45

  TT, yep maybe you`r right, but anyway he is a great midfielder (6 ft 3) he could add some height to our midfield , he is only 25 , still likes to score goals, previous season if i remember right he scored something about 6 goals, and lots of assists.Decent player, but i`m dreaming at the moment. Still could target Rene Mihelic, i have seen him playing few times, showed a lot of promise.

• 132 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:45

  The Guthrie+Barton combination can work like the Lee+Batty combination. I have no argument with this. Guthrie’s been showing the light to us. Will anyone disagree? Besides, KK can get the best out from Barton that he used to be.

  Barton and Guthrie can pass and score. Surely they can.

  We always think (or dream) that Jonas can replicate Ginola too. Can we find a Gillespie in Duffer or Milner? (To me, Duff is closer. He did play on the right side vs Hartlepool, right?)

  Still don’t know how it works without a creative midfielder? ask KK about it.

• 133 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:48

  Rene Mihalic?!? Never heard of him mate. Who is he?

• 134 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:49

  @normski, I think what TT is saying (and what I am saying too) is not just about their ability. It’s about how KK make use of the players on the field. If I put Smith in the defensive midfielder, of coz it’s not working (oh Fergie)! In modern football, the tactics part is more important. Additionally, just wanna say there isn’t necessarily a very creative midfielder in KK’s football.

• 135 normski1930z // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:52

  hps dont hold back mate say what you feel coz your not alone, last summer we spent nothing in jan we spent nothing and up to now this window we have spent nothing them facts do not lie…ppl come on here and shout and ball about how much ma has put into the club by buying it but how much has he spent on playing staff which is what we pay a heavity lump to watch every season….zilch when he came in shouting about we will attack man united with the team that played hartlepool… we will get f**king murdered there is no doubt in my mind….

• 136 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:53

  TT

  From wikipedia

  Mihelic is popular on the video game Football Manager 2008 as he is regarded as one of the best young, cheap prospects to buy on the game.

  He’s an 18yr old AML - reputation based on computer game and not on anything tangible

• 137 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:53

  Mag pie I hope im wrong! yes he might buy players but as ive said of what quality!!! I think his price range is about £2 - 6million probably average £4million!! realistically we could just get away with 4 players but I believe we need about 7? and top quality not £2-3Million signings we need quality experience!!

• 138 macakane // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:54

  Rene Mihelic - he`s from Slovenia, midfielder can play as well on wings, plays for Slovenian club Maribor. Some time ago i liked to watch that kind of a leagues - like Russian, Slovenian, Swedish and so on, so my eyes caught this lad, i was quite surprised when my mate told me that Mihelic is a great prospect at Football manager, felt like a scout. I`m from country named Latvia, domestic championship is in awful level, but next year hopefully i will go to England, to study, than i will have some decent live footy in front of my eyes

• 139 Patrick // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:54

  @MAG PIE
  Sounds like we wanna follow Ron Atkinson’s “Football Manager Scouting Plan”! LOL *kidding* FM’s database is reliable I would say.

  Is there any video on the web that show us how good he is?

• 140 MAG PIE // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:56

  HPS + Normski

  I share your concern but if you were Ashley and you wanted to maximise your asset you wouldn’t risk relegation by leaving your Manager with a paper thin squad of fair to middling players. It doesn’t make sense to me. There must be some good news on the horizon??????!!!!!

• 141 Anth // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:56

  The press conference that was for today was cancelled as it was for jonas guiterez to meet the press for the first time ,however his registration has not come through, we will have it finished by tues afternoon, But i expect at least one player signed in the next 72 hours

• 142 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:57

  macakane - you dont happen to see the estonian league do you? I came across this player called Tarmo Kink and he acutally looked like he had good ability.

• 143 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:58

  normski - it got to the point I was sick of getting slagged off for my opinion! we are in the minority but I believe we are right about MA!! we are getting P***ed on from a great high and hes laughing!!

• 144 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:01

  Keegan has stated that we need 4 signings before the season kicks off

  We’d all probably agree that we’d prefer more

  We must assume that KK is going to give chances to Duff, Smith, Barton.

  Maybe we need to accept that and TRy to be more positive about it.

  We all know KK can get the best out of players

• 145 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:04

  MAG pie I genuinely hope your right and im wrong!! How does a self made BILLIONAIRE become so rich at the age of mid forties without being deseatful and dishonest when it suits him??
  he’s a very good miniputator!

  Ps sorry for the spelling Mate!!

• 146 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:04

  HPS + Normski

  You may be right but maybe the reason you are in the minority on the MA debate is that, by definition, as NUFC fans, we have got used to looking on the bright side. It’s a way of dealing with perpetual lack of success.

• 147 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:07

  hps am not overly concerned yet but say by friday the 8th of august and we still havnt brought in quality players then i think me and you plus lots of other ppl on here will see ashley for what he is … a f**king knave that is here to make money and blow smoke up our sherriffs badge…… christ i hope im wrong..btw fri the 8th is 18 days away..

• 148 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:07

  I know this month is kinda harsh for each one of us. Comparing to the others, I think our shape is okay, better than those top-half-of-the-table teams. Everton have no one signed so far and people keep asking about selling AJ. Spurs are risking of losing Keane and Berbetov at the same time and all other “first teamers.” After all, it’s football. Who is telling you that a good guy would come here after 24 hours of negotiation alone? (except for Gutierrez, y’all know) Business takes time. Don’t try to give hard time to the management… at least until the first day of the season, please.

• 149 Tom_Toon // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:07

  Id like to get into an in depth debate about MA, but i wont at this time; yes i have my reservations about hm, however even if he isnt spending, he is giving us stability and a platform to build on even if he does sell.

  Lets us judge him after the window if anything, i just take comfort that we probably wont be flirting with relegation this season.

  I am also one who doesn’t believe that you must pay very high prices for quality.

• 150 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:08

  One last thought on the MA thing. If Keegan seriously thought we were being sold down the river would he not have spoken out by now? I don’t think he would stand by and let MA give us false hope.

• 151 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:09

  Tarmo Kink - from Levadia? mmm, actually haven`t seen him too much, but i think Sander Puri or Nikita Andrejev, could be more decent players. But still, baltic league, as well as , Latvijas - virsliga, Estonian league, Lithuanian are very poor, especially Latvian, but some time ago i heard that one of our hottest youngsters Alexander Cauna was on trial with Chelsea. He`s quite good , he takes all set pieces for his club and for country as well i think, he is 20 years old, universal midfielder more or less, but defensive minded.

• 152 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:09

  MA just emailed me asking to borrow a fiver

• 153 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:10

  KK would have left us if MA is simply not doing anything but corruption. KK is reasonable.

• 154 Tom_Toon // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:11

  Yep, Kink of Levadia Tallinn.

• 155 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:11

  Mag pie, no matter what happens things wont change! or we wont be able to change it! so lets look on the bright side!

• 156 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:13

  @HPS after all, we just want to enjoy the football that KK brings us, right?

  Recently, I just got Setanta Sports installed (I am in US). I just hope to enjoy more Newcastle United football rather than just watching the highlights from youtube and other internet sources!

• 157 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:14

  mag pie tell him ok but every 24 hours has 100% interest….mag pie the loan shark, get ya sell a pair of pliers and a blow torch lol

• 158 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:16

  … or 1% of his shares just works fine!

• 159 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:16

  I think i’d be more worried if I were a Spurs fan. Their best 2 players want away. They just spent a firtune on Modric - a little lightweight ? and are rumoured to have offered £15.9m for Arhavin. Reminiscent of Leeds anyone?

• 160 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:19

  @MAG PIE
  Can’t agree more than that, and actually if that’s the case, the Spurs would see themselves in the 15th place this season coz they have a bunch of PL-unproven and light-weight players playing only. They won’t end up as how Leeds were because they still earn something from the Berbetov and Keane transfer, but if those stays with Arshavin coming in, yes definitely. -30 points!!!

• 161 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:21

  when we play spurs i hope keegan puts barton on modric just a touch of bullyin never hurt nee one…

• 162 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:23

  TT-I will take a look at Kink, when i will have chance, at Baltic League, but probably wont be too soon.
  What do you think about Marko Marin, he played full season last year in germany,scored few goals, and he is only 18-19, was included in Euro, Germany squad and made a sub app, some time ago i heard he was tipped to be German C.ROnaldo.

• 163 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:24

  Lastly from me tonight - if our owner left tonight the club would be secure financially and not over burdened with debt, high wages (ok Smith).

  Chelsea - what happens if Abramovich leaves?

  Manure - what happens when success dries up (as it will do - football goes in cycles - Liverpool of the 80’s looked like they’d never be toppled)

  Man City - what happens if Shina goes to jail in Thailand

  I could go on.

  Ok - we’d all like a bit more positive steps in the transfer market but since FF we’ve actually come quite far as a club

• 164 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:25

  TT - yes you are right MA buying the club, he has made it into a stable platform! a very attractive propsition for potential inverstors or Buyers!! just feel he needs to put more money into the club for transfers!! when other clubs never mind the top 4 are pulling away from us such as portsmouth, man city, villa etc

  MAG PIE - dont know!! keegan was I believe in financial trouble before he come here?? he left one circus to come to another!!

• 165 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:26

  Actually - 1 more thing. When the Prem Lge bubble bursts we may be one of the few still standing. Credit crunch, inflation. It will catch up with football sooner or later.

• 166 Tom_Toon // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:27

  macakane - cant say i’ve seen any, i’ve only heard rave reviews about him, he didnt really break out until his team were relegated.

• 167 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:30

  MAG PIE - but if spurs get £25 from man u and £16million for keane you looking at a lot to reinvest!! still hope they go tits up!!

• 168 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:33

  Sorry lads if you get P***ED OFF with me but I genuinley love the club and enjoy the banter!!

  just worried!!

• 169 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:34

  HPS - Spurs - they will.

  Off to bed now. Some Leonard Cohen on the ipod to cheer myself up

• 170 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:35

  TT - If you have time check him out , quite exciting young player, and fits with our youth policy.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h43BSddtfMQ
  And i think Bundesliga is the place where we could check in, there are many good players playing at not the biggest clubs, i think someone will come from there, this summer.

• 171 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:35

  normski - as fans hope we are both wrong mate!!

• 172 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:38

  hps the thing that worries me about that is the spuds have players they will get top top money for… who out of our first 11 will we get more than 15 mill for… ill tell you none….

• 173 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:40

  @normski + HPS
  …but why would Spuds have that kind of money? Is that just debt plus debt plus debt?

• 174 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:41

  TT - you should put yourself forward for a scouting job! give wise advice!!
  macakane - looks good!

• 175 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:42

  In my opinion Ramos is the same as Jol, same mentality, boost attacking line and those are all his concerns. Defensive line as always will let them down, as it was last year, except, they wont have blundering Robinson anymore.

• 176 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:43

  the world runs on debt!!

• 177 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:43

  @macakane
  …and they are going to offload some of the defensive players too. Isn’t it amazing?

• 178 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:44

  Spuds would be the next in line of filing for administration.

• 179 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:44

  that sounds like kk a few year ago? scoring more goal than letting in!

• 180 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:44

  patrik debt is ok if you can sell a player berbatov buy for 12 and sell for 25, keane buy for 7 and sell at 18 mate, like i sed in my last post where in our team are we gonna get that mark up smith 6 in 25p out….

• 181 MAG PIE // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:46

  Sounds like Ardilles to me HPS!

  PS - our route into Europe?

  Uefa has given warning that clubs could be excluded from the Champions League if they are in debt — Chelsea and Manchester United are £736 million and £764 million in the red, respectively. “We will fight very seriously to restrict entry to our competitions from clubs that are in debt,” Michel Platini, the Uefa president, said. “Four or five years from now we have to have sorted the situation out.”

• 182 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:46

  normski - does that not say it all!! if ashley wants to make money of players he should invest in £7-10million quality players if he wants to make that sort of money! but in our case £2 - 4million! total joke!

• 183 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:46

  @normski
  hm… that’s true too. I think they can still stay up for a while, money-wise.
  Anyway, enough talk on Spuds. not that interested in that actually.

• 184 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:47

  25p would be a rip off no one would buy….

• 185 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:49

  @MAG PIE

  If Man Utd needs to clear the debt, they probably need to sell Cristiano Ronaldo the whole first team, same as Chelski. There wouldn’t be any so-called top 4 in 5 years. Meanwhile, we will have the top squad of young and experienced guys.

• 186 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:50

  @ Patrick, yep, can`t wait next game against spurs, my best mate is a spurs fan, and when things go to football, he`s the same as all spurs…

• 187 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:52

  @macakane
  It will be interesting to watch a football team without any defence line or just a sweeper and a goalie doing things. It’s awesome.

• 188 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:54

  MAG PIE sounds good but realistically it will never happen!
  if abromovich wanted he could make that debt go away!!
  its just like the english rule 6 -5 players!!

• 189 geordiekk // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:54

  do u honestly think Michel Platini will still be there in 4-5 years he should do one now imo he just hates the epl

• 190 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:54

  mag pie there maybe a problem at man u but dont make no bones about it chelski aint got nee probs roman is fabulously wealthy and will just clear the debt he has just bought his little bitch a 2 mill cafe in rome out of his back poke….

• 191 geordiekk // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:58

  Liverpool are set to pay £60M for Robbie Keane. Full story here.the sun sport - ha ha this is on the bottom of the page quality

• 192 macakane // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:58

  @ Patrick, agree. Actually, would love to see Berbatov and Keane leave them, those are the ones that still keep them up, i`m not the evil minded person, but still, it would be lovely.
  -Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that Chelsea’s Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul both want to sign on at Fratton Park - but fears he may have to sell before he can buy.-
  We could target Kranjar, but unlikely he would come.

• 193 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 0:58

  @normski
  if Abramovich is able to do so, there must be reasons of him not doing so.
  When you says 2 million, I think of Danny Guthrie.

• 194 normski1930z // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:00

  Liverpool are set to pay £60M for Robbie Keane. Full story here in the sun….. f**kin hell thats class….

• 195 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:01

  normski - great minds and all that!!

  patrick - hes loaded hes worth £10 -14 billion! if not more in his loft!!

• 196 Patrick // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:01

  @macakane
  Right, it’s not a bad thing to see! and Darren Bent is actually linked to moving away as well. Maybe we would see a 1-7-2 formation out from the Spurs this upcoming season. This kind of formation would be very effective for video games.

  Harry Redknapp’s mouth works like a UK newspaper. Beware of that!