The Fink!

I hope we can add another before half time. I've noticed in most pre-season games if we score we seem happy to soak up opposing pressure and then try to catch the opposition on the hop. I don't think we have the defence to successfully pull that off yet and it's no good for my nerves! 4-3-3 is our best suited formation. All the top teams play it and I think we've got enough players to fit in the system to pull it off. Come on the toon!

I hate the man with a passion. He's up their with Alex Ferguson as people I'd like to practice my recently sharpened knives on.... I haven't got any quotes but this is typical of the propaganda you get with the man - I firmly believe Greame Souness/Glenn Roeder/Sam Allerdyce/Insert name as applicable is the right man for Newcastle United Football club Then when it goes belly up in a matter of years Me and the fans never wanted Greame Souness/Glenn Roeder/Sam Allerdyce/Insert name as applicable why were the board so narrow minded and hasty in their appointment? especially when you consider Insert manager who's done vaguely well anywhere across the length and breadth Europe in the past 15 years may or may not have been available and interested in the job

Does anyone know why we increased the asking price by 2 million? I heard a rumour from someone who works at St James (I know I know...) but they reckon the reason was because he's played for us for 8 years he was entitled to a 2 million 'loyalty' bonus and Newcastle weren't prepared to pay that so they wanted West 'aaam to pay it and tacked on another two million when the deal stalled and the plug was pulled. Anyone know if theres any truth in this?

He's a good goalkeeper and he won't have any problem in proving himself in the Premiership. Arsenal were sniffing around him earlier in the window but were put off by the price. I think it's a smart move on Keanes part. He's spent a lot of money to get his man, but without a brilliant goalkeeper they were always going to sink without a trace. Now they've got one and they are trying to get Mido to give them more options upfront. It pains me to say it but if they get a few more decent signings then they could stay up because Wigan and Derby are definitely down and the last place could go to a few clubs!

are you happier than you were this time last season? No but that's because I'm a miserable bastard.... is the squad big enough? I'd say upfront and in midfield we've got options coming out of our arse, but we could do with a right back and another experienced centre half just to round the squad up nicely. do you expect us to challenge for more with the new players and the new manager than we did under roeder and souness? I'd say we will improve tenfold under Sam Allerdyce maybe not this season but definitely next. I've been impressed with everyone he's signed apart from T'Alan Smith (prove me wrong smudger you Yorkshire ****) Allerdyce not only seems to be able to wheel and deal in the transfer market, but also has the tactical awareness unlike messers Souness and Roeder. I like his views on getting players fit (you hear that Greame?) and getting them motivated, but my ultimate question is why wait until now and why not 3/4 year ago. how many players short are we from challenging the top 4-6? I'd say we'll finish top 10 this season, but to challenge the top six we need to get about 4 players in and get rid of some of the dross like Steven Carr. do you expect any more arrivals before the window closes? I think another centre half is on the cards. Apart from that I'm happy with the options we've got elsewhere. I'd worry if he tries to sign too many players he'll rock the boat (*cough* West 'aaaam *cough*) if you could sign one player or type of player who or what would it be? A week ago I would have probably said a centre half with a lot of experience but this Kapa bloke or whatever he's called from Lyon should sort that out. Brazilian international Champions league and all that. He sounds just the ticket, so I'll say a world class right back.

It's too hard to call in Midfield for me, but I think we will play 4-3-3 and I can't see Smith featuring in an already overcrowded midfield I reckon he's gonna be playing upfront and we'll have..... Owen or Smith------Viduka or Ameobi-----Martins or Luque Obviously Sam wants to take the cups seriously and it'll be a long hard season if we are to get back into europe so we'll need plenty of firepower and I reckon thats why we've got 7 strikers on the books. As for midfield if he's playing three there then he's got to have someone holding could be someone like Butt, Barton or Geremi. On the right he has options in Solano Milner and Dyer with N'Zogbia and Duff on the left. As for the defence it pretty much picks itself. Given Carr-----Taylor-----Rozenthal-----Enrique

Dunno what to make of it to be honest. I thought if we'd give it to a new player it would go to Joey Barton, but I don't know how well he'd communicate from HMP Slade as he shares a cell with Norman Stanley Fletcher.... I don't think a keeper should have it and I think Owen is too passive to take it. Nicky Butt and Nobby probably won't feature much so their out the picture and Taylor is too young. I'll have to see Geremi wear the armband more before I decide whether he's a worthy captain or not.

Here are my predictions: Top 3 1. Man United 2. Chelsea 3. Bin Dippers Bottom 3 18. Reading 19. Wigan 20. Derby Best Buy Carlos Tevez One to Watch Robin Van Persie FA Cup Winner Chelsea Carling Cup Arsenal UEFA Cup Acrington Stanley Champions League Chelsea

I don't think the Dyer deal will happen any more unless someone else comes in for him. It's crazy when you think the amount of money clubs like West Ham, Spurs and Man City have spent on players (some of them not even having seen said players actually play) and even Fulham and the Mackems seem to have money to burn. Although the difference with Sunderland is even though clubs will accept their bids no fucker with half a brain wants to sign for them. I think the rumours about transfer kitty being slashed mounting debts and having to sell before we can buy has worked in our favour because other clubs who've been taken over such as West Ham have just got ripped off left right and centre. Shame we couldn't stitch them up last minute for Dyer. Our squad is taking shape nicely though we've got fantastic cover upfront now which will allow us to play with 3 strikers and I'm so glad we've now got a left back who is left footed AND AND! actually plays left back but isn't called Celestine. Lets just hope it doesn't take them long to gel.