marci

I'm not favour of the more physical style which looks like we try to employ this season, but I'll be delighted if we become harder to beat, give the top teams a tough game and beat comfortably the teams which are bound to finish near the relegation zone. Speaking in results, I hope this season we can get into the top 6-7, therefore qualify for Europe, which was a main reason Allardyce missed out on some of his targets this summer. In the long-term I would like to see us becoming a solid top 6 side with sensible squad building, in 4-5 years try to push for a CL place. If Allardyce can do that, then great, if not he will be remembered for getting us out of the mess we have been in the last 2-3 years, brining stability and preparing us for a push at the cream of the PL, though I think he can get us in the CL.

Aye, that was a bit naff to say the least. Was class when someone threw it to a Villa player (Young maybe), when he was preparing for a free kick though.

Not in Bolton's 16 tonight - as expected.

The El Mundo Deportivo says Allardyce will fly to Barcelona on Thursday to finalise the deal. I hope this will come through, we need a proper right back ahead of Carr.

According to the Times he will have a medical wednesday. Good move tbh. He give us cover in defence and in the midfield holding role.

Lescott gave the favour back to Gardner

Scunthorpe, Hull, Sheff Weds and Barnsley all wanted him. That's 5 to start with I know there were apparently many clubs in for him, but "More than 20 clubs ... including just about every team in the Championship." This is the sensationalism which I hate in Anal. According to Scunny's manager, 43 teams were after him. If thats true, I apologise. I was reading the quotes from Preston's manager, he said "about half a dozen clubs". Big Andy will be on the bench tonight.

Scunthorpe, Hull, Sheff Weds and Barnsley all wanted him. That's 5 to start with I know there were apparently many clubs in for him, but "More than 20 clubs ... including just about every team in the Championship." This is the sensationalism which I hate in Anal.

According to Anal more 20 clubs wanted him on loan. What a fucking wanker! Back on topic: Good move for the lad, hope he will be first choice there.

Since it's a reserve friendly with an amateur side there will be no live coverage. I think Newcastle World will have some highlights later, though.

I hope one of them will stay, we simply can't afford to let both of them go.

That doesn't say we signed him tbf.

Actually what is worrying me most of all now (apart from maybe injuries) is McClaren screwing up England and the FA coming in for Allardyce. That's a danger. I hope Sam is pissed of with the FA for not choosing him after SGE, so he wouldn't take the job, but it's only a guess.

I was thinking about the same too. Everton have Arteta, Blackburn have Pedersen ... these players can decide a match by a goal or a fantastic assist. We are lacking that type of player at the moment. Ok we have Emre who could be our playmaker but he is inconsistent and injury prone. I don't think we can get that type of player in this summer, but it should be our goal in the next transfer windows. On the topic: I am really optimistic about the new season. Like many of you i was a little afraid a week or so ago, but the singings in defence are really encouraging. Plus we have the best english manager, a good tactician, and who proved he can bring the best out of his squad. Can't wait for Bolton!

Marca reports that he will stay in Spain. http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/...lo/1024242.html translated with babelfish I think we still need a versatile defender. Hopefully Sam has other targets in place.

Shearer has said that many times hismelf after a big serious injury you come back and pick up a few minor ones here and there. Under Big Sam Owen will get hismelf sorted, and apart from doing this thigh injury everyone (including Owen) has been saying how fit he'd got himself, he'd bulked up his mucle a bit and had worked on things to sort his hamstring problems as well. As for the England match, usually i wouldn't want him anywhere near the England game, but in this case i agree with Big Sam. Owen needs games as quickly as possible to get any sort of match fitness and sharpness after so long out the game, and if he can use England to get fit for us, so much the better. Let's hope it will be only a few, fingers crossed

Since Owen couldn't walk for a year, he will unfortunately get a lot of strains in muscles in his upper body. It will take a lot of time before his muscles will be strong enough .. if ever.

Parker was relatively cheap, but thankfully West Ham wont get away with it the second time with Dyer

I'm grateful as he is a great prospect. Let's hope he can adapt well and be our first-choice left back for many years.

http://transfermarkt.de/de/verein/762/newc...uebersicht.html It's in euros and Enrique's price is obviously higher, but otherwise it's good.

bizarre quotes those like. wtf is he on about? I think he is upset because Curbs went to public. I dont agree with Sam in this case, but i think that's what he meant.

Hi everybody, i'm a new user but a long time reader. The following article just came up on goal.com Looks like we were just a bait for him to get his new contract.