The Newcastle United Blog

67 responses so far ↓

• 1 connor_nufc // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:18 AM

  F sake here we go again

• 2 NorseMag // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:25 AM

  If, hypothetically, we signed joey for free now, how much in wages would you offer?

• 3 NorseMag // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:26 AM

  And:

  Do the fa cup runner-up still get offered europa league if the winner goes to CL?

• 4 Stuart // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:27 AM

  Daily Mail? Dont know why you bothered posting this Ed, is odds on to be a load of bollocks!

• 5 estechco // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:35 AM

  Dead right Stuart – “Daily Mail” and “bollocks” in the same post says it all really!

• 6 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM

  I have kept off this site for the last few days waiting to hear if there was going to be some definitive news on the Barton situation. My nephew, as of this morning, doesn’t know precisely what is going on, except that the word within the game is that Barton will not except less than a 3 year deal, and if the 2 yeat deal is the club’s last offer, he will be off in the summer. How on earth we still get Ashley apologists on this site really beats me. It doesn’t matter what Pardew’s budget is this summer, no top player will touch this club with a barge pole because of the twerps running it and the non competitive salaries on offer. Barton and Enrique won’t be the only ones leaving either.

• 7 Magforlife // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:42 AM

  Daily Mail, say no more !

• 8 Stuart // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:43 AM

  =O The Daily Mail have printed a bullshit story likely with no truth to it whatsoever!

  Quickly, get the pitchforks and lets head to SJP.

  Jesus man, there are aload of kneejerk fans on this site.

  If its true then its ridiculous, if Barton is prepared to take a wage cut newcastle should be prepared to give him 3 years.

  But honestly, I can’t see it being true, why would we let go our star performer over one year, seems abit petty.

• 9 GeordieGerman // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:47 AM

  Daily Mail. Must be true then………………….. ?

• 10 Preston_toon // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:48 AM

  I don’t really understand Newcastle United any more Pardew says he is ambitious for the club and wants to do well…………..
  You think he would grow a pair and say Ashley you really think loosing on of OUR BEST player this season is going to help us what so ever???
  Its one more year on the contract ffs….
  Unless its just horses*** as it is the Daily Fail

• 11 Sav // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:58 AM

  Policy is one thing. But you have to pay the going rate or you will haemorrhage your best players like Carroll, Enrique, Tiote and Joey. These are tyhe blokes who have dragged us to a place where we are thinking of Europe instead of relegation.
  At 28 and in the form of his life, Joey is said to be in the frame for England. He really has turned his life around and it looks like he and the club could be finally reaping the rewards of years of promise unfulfilled. Is 3 year contract unreasonable?
  I’d say it was in the club’s interests.

• 12 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:58 AM

  Stuart – you really are incapable of reading between the lines. Why hasn’t Barton’s agent come out with the bullish statements that they were making 6 weeks ago, instead of the bland crap he came out with this morning? Also you are very naive to think that Sheik Mansour and Abramovich won’t find a way around the ‘new rules’. What is to stop them paying 100million pounds for their ‘office space’ and other facilities at Eastlands and Stamford Bridge? Wake up lad! Ashley is determined to see off all players who were at the club 2 years ago and refused to re-negotiate their contracts when we were relegated, therefore forcing him to put more money into the club during the Championship season. This is the way the man does business. If people don’t do as he wants, he never forgets, and ultimately extracts his own back. Just ask Dave Whelan or anybody else he has encountered in business, and why the hell do you think he is being investigated by every statutory body in the retail sector.

• 13 Sav // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:01 PM

  Ashley wanted to sell Joey years ago – was it KK who argued to keep him? Is there some kind of ‘nobody gets one past FatMike’ agenda here? Looks like cutting off a large cockney sneck to spite a round, dull, cockney face?

• 14 Stuart // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM

  Haha Ashley is determined to see off all players who were at the club two years ago and refused to re-negotiate their contracts?

  Thats the whole first team. You call me naive then spout something that idiotic.

  I’ll brace myself to lose Barton, Nolan, Taylor, Collo, Bull, Jonas, Strolla, Ameobi, Harper and the rest of the squad in the summer then.

  And if you’d actually bothered to read my posts properly you would’ve seen that I said the big teams would probably find a loophole in the fair play laws.

• 15 Ezedoesit // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM

  I understand Newcastle’s position. How long has Joey been on the books? This is the only season he’s fit and not in too much trouble! He’s already punched Pederson. I don’t think he’s someone that you would want to get comfortable again cause if so he may revert back to type. From a business standpoint totally makes sense to keep him on a shorter contract. If he was as clean as Frank Lampard we’d of offered him the contract he wanted by now.

  Check out this funny video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVM0Vr2imGA

• 16 GeordieGerman // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM

  Great news this. I’ll be able to watch Joey in Germany.

• 17 G // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:16 PM

  Sorry to nit-pick Jimmymagpie, but there are no statutory bodies in the retail sector. By definition, 2 very different things. I suspect, however, you are correct, but I hope you are wrong.

• 18 Tal_nufc4eva // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:17 PM

  i dont beleive this is true,
  HWTL

• 19 Flop // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:18 PM

  I still think he’ll sign an extension. Really who believes the Daily Mail, how many times have they been right?

• 20 dublin mag steve // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:23 PM

  i hope this is just more garbage from the mail i really do overseas dont be foolish i remember every body saying carroll would never leave if joey doesnt get the deal he deserves he be off like the rest of them try write proper words man your doin everyones head in lyke bro na wat i meeeen ya.

• 21 john_cena163 // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:28 PM

  Daily mail r full of shit .

• 22 leedodd // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:30 PM

  What a Load of Crap Daily Mail Again – Joey wont leave Newcastle he will sign for 2 years !!!!!!! id he going to Go Elswere No Way !!!!! He Knows The Fans Love Him at Newcastle. In 2 Years we may have a New Owner that may Pay More Money !!!! Who Knows !!!!!!! WHY DO WE TAKE SO MUCH NOTICE OF THE DAILY MAIL ???

• 23 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:30 PM

  Stuart – you really are a prick. You know that I meant players who were on what Ashley considered excessive wages eg: Barton, Smith, Colo, Enrique, Gutierrez etc. Just wait until the others on ‘excessive’ wages try asking for a new contract. They won’t all offer to take a cut like Barton. Barton’s attitude surprised Ashley, that’s why they’ve had to think of another way to provoke him into turning it down. You really have no idea of the twerp running this club do you? And before you ask, yes I do, I’ve met him on 3 separate occasions, and he can’t stand Geordies. You should hear what he tells his Southern mates about us. Everything that I have tried to tell you on this site has been proved correct. You also laughed when I told you that Ireland would not appear at all in February. Well, he still isn’t back in full training!

• 24 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:33 PM

  G – the Fraud Office, and Trading Standards, etc. aren’t statutory bodies? If not, I bow to your superior knowledge.

• 25 G // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:35 PM

  Yes they are. Are they in the retail sector? No, they are in the public sector.

• 26 dublin mag steve // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:35 PM

  ezedoesit that video is absoloutly hilarious them bollywood movies are unreal.

• 27 PHOENIXNIGHTS // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM

  Bloody hell,here we go again ! Ed why have you posted such a pathetic thread. Firstly I would not wipe my arse on the Daily Mail ( the paper and their sports reporters never have anything positive to say about NUFC) Secondly you are just scare mongering – where is the proof this ?
  Joey loves the club and is in contract talks. Yes we could lose him however we could end up keeping him for 4 years. Why is that not in your F***ing headlines.
  PhoenixNights

• 28 veto // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM

  this clubs a joke , fair enough watch costs but haggling our best performer out of 1 year on his contract at the expense of loosing him , after he’s alreadf agree’d to a wage reduction ? howay this is beyond a joke

• 29 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:41 PM

  G – point taken. you are right of course. Thank you for the correction.

• 30 G // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:43 PM

  No probs jimmy, like I say, sorry to nit-pick, its just an obsessive compulsion I have.

• 31 GeordieGerman // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:43 PM

  Why do people on here always revert to abuse when others have a different opinion to them? Bet they are real fun to be around after a drink.

• 32 Mat Nufc // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:43 PM

  Ashley sees off players? Tought we did signed STaylor with new contract? Come on guys, we now that this is utter garbage from Daily Mail.

• 33 Burni // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:47 PM

  jimmy mate, no need for name calling, Im sure you said that you were like 50 or summit? chill out.

  Theres so much to this that sounds like utter shite to me.

  1)daily mail
  2) you think newcastle would only offer 46k a week to Barton after they just got 35m for Carroll? not sure bout that.
  3) if we only offering that type of money then tiote, enrique, collo all gone in Summer.

  I dont think Barton would reject a deal for an additional two years which would mean he had another 3 and a half.

  only time will tell

• 34 Chrism // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:47 PM

  Load of panic over what? A piece of fiction with a three week old quote from his agent taken out of context.

• 35 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:02 PM

  Mat – Talor wasn’t on nor did he receive anywhere near the wages we are talking about others being on.Burni – Barton isn’t quibbling about the wages offered. Colo won’t be gone because his contract isn’t up for re-negotiating yet. Yes, Enrique will be gone. With Tiote, Gutierrez, and Colo to some extent, it depends on their attitude after they see the way their mates are being treated. Remember, after Carroll, the policy seems to be if they ask to go, get as much as you can. If you were Tiote and Chelsea came calling offering a minimum of £80,000 per week, what would you do, when you are looking after an extended family back home in Africa?

• 36 MonsterMagnet // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:02 PM

  Why on earth would the club only be offering 2 years? It’s not like Joey’s a pacy player whose legs will go in two years. And what’s more, he’s going to be a key figure in the development of young players (specially Nile Ranger) as he’s been there, messed up, and come out the other side again to build a really good career.

  If this is true, it is Ashley penny-pinching at its worst. They’ll be offering two years so they can negotiate the contract down again soon when it’s up for renewal. If we lose Joey over this it will not be his fault – he wants to end his career here. The issue isn’t wages, it’s length of contract. When you’ve got players who want to play for the club enough to take a cut SIGN THEM UP.

• 37 Solaidback // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:06 PM

  Why is it every time the Daily Mail puts out a story, all of a sudden, the Anti-Ashley brigade appear & start shouting the odds at everyone one???

  1) As said before, this is the Daily Mail crap-loid story, so probably 99% untrue!
  2) Only quote given is by Bartons agent but no where in it does he say anything regarding the contracts or talks!
  3) So if it is true, they’ve offered him a 2yr contract on his current salary instead of a 3yr on a reduced salary, take the deal & then get another contract in 3 years time, when hopefully Ashley will have moved on by..
  4) I doubt Ashley is trying to move on all our high earners as suggested by jimmymagpie because that would leave us with no one playing for the team & in any case, Nolan, Barton, Colo, Jonas are all in their late 20′s & will be replaced slowly & surely over the next 2-3 years anyways..

  Btw, I’m neither for or against Ashley, I’m my own person who can make some rational opinions if I so choose..

• 38 Tinman // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:07 PM

  Overseas, funny how you can spell your name right but cant seem to spell,
  ‘stuart or whatever your called your idiot man, jimmymag is talking sense’ – ‘struart pr whetevar ur clled ur indioit man,jimymag as tlking snse’
  Give me a break.!

• 39 veto // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:14 PM

  @solaidback

  cos ashley has left him self open to it by the lack of information about his intentions , ofc everybody is going to make their own assumptions by what they have been presented with and his history .
  untill we get an interview or something out of mike about his ambition everybody is obviously going to say it as they see it

• 40 Solaidback // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:23 PM

  Veto @ 44 – But even if Ashley came on tv live & started answering everyone questions, none of you’d believe him because of the past lies he’s told & the mistakes he’s made, so what would be the point in that exercise ??

  The guy is in a no win situ with some fans & even if he sold up, they’d find a reason behind the sale to have a go at him or the new owners…

  As any of you actually thought the reason no one was willing to buy the club from Ashley, wasn’t just down the price he was asking but down to the way us the fans treat every owner we’ve had, we’re like a sore tooth to anyone who may want to buy the club & only if some multi-billionaire comes in & spends 100′s of millions would we be happy but even then, some would find a reason to moan about summit….

• 41 gorskino10 // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:25 PM

  If we lose him arguablly one of our best players this season, the board must be bloody crazy and if he does leave that will be a catalist for others to follow.

• 42 veto // Feb 23, 2011 at 1:40 PM

  @ solaidback

  no your right , im sure owners would rather purchase one of the lesser supported teams with smaller matchday income and something less marketable overseas.
  i think most supporters are happy with a sensibly ran club , upto the point where the joke is on us for turning up in numbers and sticking with it while our support is just used to fatten the bank and not reflected in the team we put out .

  we may aswell be the bloody mackems .

  this club needs some fighting talk from the owner for a change or our attendance will start looking like the mackems when people get tired of putting their money in and seeing no return .

  we do like to harp on about our support , but lets not kid ourselves , these past couple of decade’s its been born out of fighting talk and a belief that if we keep it up we are going to end up soemwhere worthwhile , thats still fresh in everyones minds but it’s starting to wear thin .
  people wont stick around for much longer like they have during the premiership years if the club doesnt match the ambition of a large city like this

• 43 ronaldeano // Feb 23, 2011 at 2:21 PM

  How the hell does the daily Mail know how long Joeys new contract is for?… Answer is, they don’t. End of story. If joey signs a new 3 year contract this week, there is no point in reading anything that rag says EVER. no wonder they are barred from SJP…

• 44 chuck // Feb 23, 2011 at 2:47 PM

  Get rid of those who wield influence, the scouse mafia, Nolan & Joey.
  A three year contract was not a lot to ask, but afraid Ashley wants to insult and antagonise Joey into leaving, some might call it good business (ashley apologists which we have quite a few) others cold and dumb to boot.
  When are these guys gonna learn, it`s dumb to get rid of the very people who saved your ass.
  \Guess it`s the beginning of what Llambias described to Houghton when he fired him with two sentances , as going in a different direction.
  We were all aware of the dressing room clique,
  Joey, Nolan and Smith, who although weilding a lot of influence, used it in a positive manner, it was through both their efforts and Hughtons guidance, that the club is where it`s at.
  But hey, it`s Pardew`s side now, do you think he wants any influence other than his own, look there`s more than meets the eye in regards to trying to offload Joey.
  Go figure !

• 45 Rotonda heights // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:15 PM

  just playing devils advocate for a minute, not necessarily an Ashley apologist.

  Yes Barton has done well this season, but it’s his first good season in 4. He is nearly 29 and with a 3 year deal will be 32. Even now Barton tires towards the end of games and sometimes fails to track back. His fitness record is hardly exceptional and maybe like Viduka used to do, he’s getting to the ”end game” and putting in a final spurt now the penny’s finally dropped he’s wasted so much of his career.

  SBR knew when Shearer was finished but got over ruled. Maybe just maybe a hardline is just what the club needs not sentiment any more in making sound business decisions for the club.

  As I say just playing devil’s advocate.

• 46 JamesP32 // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:24 PM

  Why speculate on a story by the daily mail? its a waste of time if im honest…

• 47 stuart no9 // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:30 PM

  jimmymagpie
  100% bang on, first , AC, now joeys future in doubt, whats the chances of the bull staying? tiote is as good as gone, erm whos left ?collo? watch this space, the chances of these leaving are very high indeed,for various reasons, but mainly for£££££££s the old readies mr ashly to pocket . the rest we can keep, while he sells the club, i mean why keep it ? there is nothing left to make off it , would that be a fair summing up of the future of NUFC?

• 48 stuart no9 // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:33 PM

  by the way, if joey was comfortable with his contract, and wanted to sign , why hasnt he?

• 49 Mag52 // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:36 PM

  If what we’re hearing about Joey Barton is true,and it was also reported in Sunday’s News of the World, then Ashley might just as well hang a For Sale sign around the guy’s neck as JB has clearly indicated his desire to stay with NUFC by agreeing a reduction in wages and has received a slap in the face . My hope that the core of this team will stay together into next season is beginning to disappear.

• 50 ONLINE GUY // Feb 23, 2011 at 3:50 PM

  ED

  Not sure if you know Ed but the Daily Mail have proved themselves to be Newcastle United Haters over the last 15 years

  And up to last year as far as I’m aware the Chief sports editor is a Mackem .

  They were even printing photo’s from Sunder**nd Gypsies Mocking us When Keegan left

  I am surprised at your headline and some of the content Ed ..Lets Keep it Sensible Man !

  Love your site though Ed. Its Possibly the best Place for we Newcastle Fans to vent our Feelings and address the issues we have no real power over, unless we stop attending ! Cheers Ed

• 51 ONLINE GUY // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:09 PM

  Jimmymagpie

  If there is one man you should all take notice of on here its JimmyMagpie

  Look at post number 6 …what he says is true

  We are being Shafted and have the P*ss taken out of us by Ashley… I can see trouble come the summer….Ashley wont pay the going rate..

  All our best players are leaving and he will be signing donkeys on free’s

  But Jimmy Knows exactly whats going on..and there is a reason for that ..thats all your getting ..

  IV heard that Ashley will sign a couple of cheapo’s with the Carrol money ..and the rest will go on their wages over 5 years ..!

  We cant sign top players because he only pays low wages ..

  And he wont even Keep the good players we have ..now that is worth worrying about !

  Just watch Jimmymagpie’s posts for the truth.

• 52 tynesidetommo // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:10 PM

  Don’t buy the Daily Mail Hates Us campaign. It’s a bit like saying we only believe articles which portray the Toon favourably.

  Look at Barton’s agent. Willie is no angel and has been round the block so many times he knows how to spin and spin is what he’s doing to try to get a better deal for his client.

  Barton has 18 months left on his existing contract and supposedly been offered a two-year extension. Do the maths. How many of us are guaranteed employment for the next three and a half years? Let’s get real.

• 53 Stuart // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:29 PM

  Wow jimmy, I guess you’re right, I’m definately a prick.

  I mean, what a dick I must be, trying to be optimistic about my club, trying not to drag every bit of news I hear into a debate about how Ashley is destroying our club this week.

  If supporting my club and hoping for the best makes me a prick then I am a massive prick….

  Mind at the age of 50 or whatever you are I would’ve thought you’d have grown up more than resorting to name calling if someone doesnt agree with you.

• 54 ONLINE GUY // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:31 PM

  Tyneside tommo

  Lets get really real.

  He’s a TOP pro Footballer not a roadsweeper !

• 55 dave 1961 // Feb 23, 2011 at 5:11 PM

  Is that the same daily mail that told us that Hughton was to be sacked 2 week before he was, or the daily mail that told us Pardew had the manager’s job, or the daily mail who told us Carroll was to be sold? Or is it the daily mail that pardews always giving interviews to. for a media outlet that is supposed to be out of favour & banned they seen to guess the storied with a fair bit of accuracy.

• 56 jimmymagpie // Feb 23, 2011 at 5:35 PM

  Stuart – my apologies for the indiscreet language! Really! I’m 75by the way. The reason I came back on was because I have just been talking to my nephew, who was in a agents’ meeting this afternoon, and got the chance to talk to Willie Mackay, Barton’s agent. Although not let into anything definitive, he got the opinion that thet were still negotiating with the club. It is true that at the moment the offer is of a 2 year deal, because of Joey’s age. thThe club’s words not mine. But, IT IS NOT A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT OFFER. They are still talking, so let us hope that the FCB sees sense, because I have the feeling that not only Barton’s future rests on the outcome.

• 57 ONLINE GUY // Feb 23, 2011 at 5:49 PM

  One point you should always remember when discussing the Daily Mail

  They really take the pi*s out of Newcastle United. And Iv read some disgusting comments about the North East in general

  If we where of an ethnic minority they would have been shut down long ago

  So what if they get the odd story right ..usually you will find it in all of the tabloids same day as it’s syndicated.

  Just Look at the percentage they get wrong .

  Bottom Line is for some reason they have over the years printed some real Derogatory crap about NUFC over the years .Thats True

  You do need to consider that as well as the story’s they get right

  There has been some evil stuff printed in that rag about our club

  Ask yourself why?

  What is the Hidden Agenda at the Mail ?What is it ?

  So if I want to detest the Daily Mail ..I can and will..and no control freak or journo on here will challenge my freedom to have an opinion

  So never mind about the Daily Mail Hate campaign, this is not so…Its Just that they seem to have some sort of hidden/unhidden? agenda

  IT is and always has been for a lot of years well known amongst Newcastle people that the Daily Mail is amazingly disrespectful towards Newcastle United and the north east in general.

  Looks like some people who post here are not aware of that.

  They are not Banned from the great StJames Park for telling the Truth …Are they ?

• 58 toonster88 // Feb 23, 2011 at 5:59 PM

  with ashley driving the wheel u just cant be sure.barton…daily mail…hmmm…a lot of doubts…but no one thought carroll would really go right?

• 59 chuck // Feb 23, 2011 at 6:35 PM

  Rotonda hts.
  for someone playing the devils advocate , that was some hatchet job on Joey.
  Gets tired, does`nt track back, are you serious, the guy covers more ground than just about anyone in the side, plays in centefield and on the wing, does it all.
  It`s understood if he was`nt Joey Barton could be playing on the national side, thats how tired he is.
  And then to try and associate him with Viduka was a low shot, not to mention his fitness record.
  Exactly when was the last time he was out injured ?
  Not satisfied with that you then bring Shearer into the picture , insinuating SBR considered him finished and only played him because of pressure from above.
  You should stop smoking that stuff, makes you halucinate and imagine all kinds of nonsense.
  Oh but i forgot you were only playing devils advocate.
  Look if you have an opinion state it dont hide behind that old excuse.

• 60 Rotonda heights // Feb 23, 2011 at 8:12 PM

  Chuck

  Either you are blissfully ignorant or err…….no let’s just leave it that.

• 61 Rotonda heights // Feb 23, 2011 at 8:27 PM

  Chuck I really shouldn’t bite as you are obviously a W.U.M, but for the record:-

  The last time Barton was suspended / injured was when CH lost his job. However, you may want to check the stats for the last 4 seasons, albeit he has had one good season this season, which everyone recognises. That’s not the issue.

  Just 2 examples:- At Man city, Barton let Johnson get away to score the winner in the last 10 mins.

  Against Spurs at home, JB was out on his feet, gave the ball away and Spurs scored in the last 2 mins.

  If you weren’t aware that SBR wanted to move Shearer on in the latter stages of his reign, I find that mindboggling as it was fairly common knowledge.

  You are obviously trying to play the populist card, by wearing black and white glasses and ingratiating yourself to fellow bloggers so I’ll let the insults slide buddy. Just maybe see the bigger picture and think outside the box occasionally.

• 62 John Hoy // Feb 23, 2011 at 10:06 PM

  Haha there is really way too much bitchy niggling going on here. I believe the story. Given our policy of age & wage caps it makes sense to sell him at 30-31. Let’s not forget the statement Ashley made about resale value. Oh & by the way. Clearly chuck knows less than most people about his club and hasn’t read Sir Bobbys book. Tut tut

• 63 Brutooon // Feb 24, 2011 at 12:12 AM

  I got mixed feeling about this, he is one of our best player this season but one factor is that he is towards his end of his career (except if he can do a scholes)

  Dont mind losing him, as long as we got a younger replacement who is as good as him

• 64 alienhunter // Feb 24, 2011 at 5:54 AM

  ONLINE GUY – “We cant sign top players because he only pays low wages ”
  – “he will be signing donkeys on free’s”

  Like Collocini, Williamson, Tiote and Ben Arfa, you mean? All signed under Ashley.

• 65 Bao Zheng // Feb 24, 2011 at 10:58 AM

  Firstly it’s not a three year contract it’s a three year extension making it almost a five year contract. By that time Joey’s going to be 33. Another Nicky Butt, no legs, and no where near the first team as next generation come through. Big Willie McK knows this and that’s why they want a longer contract. A part of the Wenger model is you unload players just as they start going downhill and while they are still worth something. And frankly Joey boy is still a massive liability.

• 66 Mag52 // Feb 24, 2011 at 6:19 PM

  Tell you what BAO, there’ll be plenty of clubs interested in taking a “liability” like Joey B. off our hands the way he’s performed this season. It’s not just his football on the pitch either. with his character, he’ll be a massive influence in the dressing room. Just the sort of influence which will be needed if we’re going to bring in a lot of younger players inexperienced in the premiership.Don’t tell me it was Pardew’s half time talk which turned the Arsenal game around. No, it was the influence of the old hands, in particular Barton and Nolan who were responsible for that amazing come-back. We get rid of Joey boy at our peril !

• 67 Angryman the Angry fan // Feb 25, 2011 at 9:10 AM

  Honestly, their are people on here with more faces than Facejacker!!!

  The number of you friggas on here who slagged Barton off when he was nicked, ‘sell him, get rid’ we dont want his sort!!

  And not one of you who said all that will have the spine to admit you were wrong!! The amount of heated debates i had on here over JB, with people wanting the lad hung???

  Hang your heads, you know who you are, hang your heads!!!