Chaser

We were lucky to get the transfers in that we have when we did. We've picked up a couple of good free signings and the transfer of Barton shows that the bad rep he has clearly determined his transfer fee. The problem now is picking up further players to add this much needed depth will cost a lot more purely due to the likes of these clubs who seem to be spending like its going out of fashion - West Ham, Spurs, United

I think SA is doing a fair job of playing down expectations ahead of next season. Like others have said, we were flying at the beginning of June, picking up a few cheapies which we hoped would combine with some big money buys which were going to materialise a little later but that hasnt happened. We've cleared out a lot of players and havent even replaced them despite having a paper thin squad last season. Unless we sign at least 4 players, I think we'll probably struggle in mid table again. The club should be doing enough to sign players which will get us that European spot, which will then take us on to the next level of signings who only want European football. With the state of the mid table prem, this shouldnt be too difficult but will be unless we add some depth to the squad.

It seems odd that Dyer would want to move now after getting fit and the change in the whole of NUFC at the moment. The words of BS suggest that maybe he & Dyer dont get on? If I was in Dyers position, I would have moved a couple of years ago rather than now.

Ameobi's game looks clumsy but sometimes he just manages to keep the ball at his feet. He built his reputation early in his career and alongside a slow Shearer, it was a partnership destined to fail and it always filled me with dread when they were paired together. Now that Shearer is long gone, he has a new hip, I think this season, providing he doesnt get another injury is make or break for Shola. If he shines, then he will have answered his critics and his confidence will soar, however if he fails to take the bull by the horns then he might be shipped off somewhere else next summer. A crucial season for him.

£2m is a joke for a player who is still in the England reckoning. If Reo-Coker is worth £8m and Richardson £5m then Dyer is definitely worth more than that. I dont think Allardyce would get rid if he didnt have someone already in. Wouldnt give those cheating cockneys him for that price anyway.

Very early days yet, but no doubt BS has gained some info from that game, fitness if nothing else. Will be interesting to see how the players respond to the bigger friendlies.

But the worry is does Sam want these players or are the money men deciding who to buy? These kinds of players touted dont sound like players that Sam would go for. As for a warchest, it seems as if we still seem to be making some shrewd deals in the market.

How to waste money by Roy Keane. A bestseller by next week methinks. The person sanctioning these deals must be just as mad!

Was Chops born in Newcastle? Itll be interesting to see his celebrations if he scores for Sunderland. Hopefully, he'll have similar luck to Stead and Sunderlands premiership curse will long continue.

another case of if he's not happy get rid. Definitely not worth offering a payrise and the club should certainly not be held to ransom over him, not least without removing the release clause in his contract. Arsenal despite their young talents do look a bit like a sinking ship at the moment with a number of them looking for the door.

Of course they wouldnt be able to use skills like that on the pitch, well not a lot of them, but it does show incredible coordination and ball control. At the end the kid puts the ball in the back of the net from a corner!

If WHU were fined for the way in which the player was transferred, then surely if WHU dont own Tevez then he can never be sold to anyone under the current way that his registration is handled. Otherwise, every club who "loans" him from MSI will also be committing the same offence. How come the Mascherano transfer wasnt similarly scrutinised? Shouldnt Liverpool be also guilty?

I dont want any more of our current squad to leave and to have them all be given a fresh start under Allardyce. This isnt because of the "new manager" honeymoon syndrome but because he has a track record of buying players who no-one else would and get them back to playing well. Not many of us would think that Gary Speed would still be playing and at the standard which he has the last couple of years.

Im always amazed to see some of these guys doing mad tricks with some amazing ball skills and yet theyre just guys off the street. Surely someone with the tricks of the guy below would be worth a trial??

he was good for the academy - its just a shame that he damaged his reputation by becoming our manager.

have we not got door openers in the form of Charlie & Dyer? Both lots of pace and Zog has a few tricks up his sleeve Whats Robert doing these days? Im sure BS could get a season or two out of him

Thats old news, similar story about a month ago

Gudjohnsen would be a great weapon in our new armoury up front. Different to Viduka and would no doubt link up well with the likes of Owen & Martins.

I like it - planning in action

As Allardyce has reported, the speculation on Owens future has died down lately and he seems to think that he's staying for the forseeable future. Picture the following situation: - We hit the ground running at the start of the season, Vids and Owen both forming a formidable partnership with the Midfield providing steel and good movement and the defence keeping it tight at the back. Our position moves up and we find ourselves sitting in the top 5 come Xmas. Do you think Owen will still disappear or do you think it might be likely that he sticks around to see what happens until the end of the season?

I'd probably say that Bent was worth £8-10m as he's had 15 goals last season, 22 yr before and 19 goals before that, showing he's pretty consistent in a very average team. If he plays in a better squad, he could be a hell of a player and when you compare the prices for other strikers who have scored a similar tally, I think he'd be good value at that. £17m on the other hand is too high.

Martins is a raw talent and it would be very disappointing if he left after only 1 season. He's definitely got the ability but needs to work on offsides, first touch etc. 11 in the league and 17 in all comps in a team of such dross last season i would say was an excellent start from a player who has never played over here before. Its unbelievable the amount of people on here who if the player doesnt set the world alight in his first season want to get rid. Playing devils advocate, I think some of the senior players came out and named Martins as one of the troublemakers at the club.

Its good to be getting freebies in to strengthen the size of the squad. The more free transfers means that there will be big money for some bigger players (although that doesnt usually work for us). Id settle for a squad full of free transfers who would work and play well rather than another Luque or Boumsong.

aye its gonna cost to get someone of his ability.

New face of Newcastle United. Lets get some decent defenders in now