rogerbarton

Don't mistake me for an apologist of this regime, but does anyone disagree that we'd be royally fooked if Pardew did quit (not that I think he will)? Can you seriously see anyone else coming in given what's happened at the club over the last few years? Hughton especially & now Pardew deserve credit for keeping the team going with these muppets in charge.

Think you've got it nailed on there

Interesting tweets, by the way. Douglas and Luke Edwards openly disappointed and critical of the regime. Douglas links this: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01032011/58/...rroll-cash.html - spot on, King Kev. Nile Ranger tweets "what a joke".

Predictable to the extent that I'm not even that disappointed this time, compared to other atrocities Ashley has committed. The Ruiz bid was showmanship. Ba could do the business, Best actually has a great goalscoring record for us (yes, I have seen him play) and Ameobi can bag a goal from time to time. Not the end of the world but this really was a chance for us to kick on. Yet again Ashley has stifled the chance of progress at the club.

Yup, all indicating that Sochaux have brought in Camara after failing to get hold of Gradel. So is that the green light for Maiga? Most probably, last quotes I saw from the Sochaux chairman indicated that they had an offer from Newcastle but the player would be 'non-transferrable' until they had a replacement. Considering there was no mention that the offer was unsatisfactory, and in light of how he has blasted us for not offering enough before now, I presume that the offer must now be a decent one.

This article is obvious, bland and dull. Gives no real insight and does little to question the regime. Certainly doesn't tell me anything I don't know. I know a lot of Newcastle fans seem to dislike Luke Edwards, but the bloke's a bloody Leyton Orient fan and is very balanced with regard to the north east clubs. His article about Ashley is probably the best I've read on the subject and he consistently provides decent journalism about the club in my opinion.

I'd echo your sentiments and add that Carr seems to have identified players that we can get on the cheap. I'm thinking in particular about the clauses in Cabaye and Ba's contracts which meant we only paid about £4.5m for the pair of them. Re. Santon, probably the most exciting signing we've made since maybe Jonas/Coloccini, perhaps even before the Ashley era.

So if Macheda and Santon both join, does this mean we've swapped France for Italy for a bit?

Exactly what I just thought. Where is Antoine these days? He'd still be able to do the same job he did

Although when I consider my last post, there's no way we're going to get another striker with Ashley + Llambias. What I'd say is that Macheda has shown glimpses of quality and knows where the net is. More of a known quantity than Maiga or the like. Not ideal but I rate him as a striker. Better than nothing for sure. Looks like Pards has set up a decent link with Fergie. PS. Let's hope he's not like Rossi a few years back.

All over Twitter. Decent loan tbh, can definitely bag the goals. But surely we need another striker in addition to him?

Jonas is one of our most important players. Period.

I have a friend out in Firenze at the moment who says that Italian media is reporting that we've agreed a 5 million euro deal. Would be a great signing I think. Decent money too (obviously with the pair in charge).

Decent fixture for me, won't have to travel too far to see it 'cos I live just the other side of the city centre. Having had a bit of a soft spot for Forest over the last few years, they have a lot of triers and a little bit of quality. Very hard job for McClaren because the board aren't really willing to give a great deal of backing. They tend to overload on strikers, got Earnshaw, Findlay, Blackstock, Tyson, Adebola at the mo off the top of my head. Difficult ground to go too and another team who we lost to in the Championship a couple of years back, so maybe this is just a chance to defeat all our demons. Derby at home next round with any luck ;D

Yeah, the one point I missed was that Alan Smith was truly appalling. Dived into tackles, gave possession away almost every time he touched the ball and looked an absolute liability. Would make much more sense to pay about 60% of his wages if we shipped him out to Leeds or wherever until it expires, 'cos he's not going to do anything positive on 100% of his wages here. I know Gosling didn't look great in midweek, but he's a darn sight better than Smith, and didn't even make the bench today!

Harsh words about Obertan. For what it's worth, I thought Routledge was all right, decent squad player. But Obertan seems to have a bit more about him. Played some good balls today and some of his runs were fantastic. Good result, shame about the stupid late goal but another good three points. Best did brilliantly for the second goal, still think he's just about our best striker at the moment. But I think it's fairly obvious that we need more bodies in and that has to be a priority in the next few days for the club.

Heard someone saying he's fasting for Ramadan. Not sure what to make of that like. He's been a shit version of Shola in his first two appearances. Like you say, needs to improve fast (at least when Best is shit you can tell he's trying). Incidentally, what the hell has happened to Ranger? At least he'd add a bit more pace and mobility to the strike force than what we've got at the minute.

From what we saw of him, think he could be a decent player. Quick, good on the ball, delivered a couple of good crosses as well. The comparisons to Routledge don't really wash with me 'cos from what I've seen of Marveaux, he can whip a good ball in. Routledge couldn't. He's more similar to Obertan, if anyone.

Fucking love you Ryan Taylor. If only we had touch subs for that lad...every set piece...

Why the hell are we playing so many high balls? Just keep the ball to feet, keep a bit of possession, wear them down. it's Scunthorpe

Seems like Barton's stalling on this one. Looks like he might just see out his final year at Newcastle unless a bigger club come in for him. Would be good news for us (at least til January).

Genuinely couldn't tell them apart at times in the Arsenal game

That's the sort of cross we want to be seeing from Marveaux there

Agreed. Ba looks like a more lumbering and, frankly, shite version of Shola tonight. Think he might take some time to settle though. Heard good things about him from West 'Am fans. Gosling's having a mare. Think Jonas is a really key player for us.

Jesus. Remember when we lost at this shithole in the Championship. Think that was a real lowlight in my life as a Newcastle supporter