Big TRon

Again, we only have one specialist defensive midfielder, and Diarra is significantly better. What's the problem? Faye is also a specialist defensive midfielder and there's several others who are capable of doing the job. As far as I can see we don't have a single attacking midfielder (unless you count Emre who is more likely to be away in the window than get a run of games) so that has to be the priority. If we have the chance to sign both all well and good but I think it's highly unlikely Allardyce is going to have a massive amount of money to spend this transfer window and if Diarra is going to cost between £2m & £5m that is going to be a hell of a chunk of his budget eaten up immediately. It's only my opinion but if we were to sign him I can't see us going for an attacking midfielder too. Yes he would provide cover for Beye which would have the added benefit of keeping Carr away from the team but for five or six games during the African Nations I wouldn't really be wanting to spend that sort of money. If Diarra is a better holding MF than we already have on the books, it's money well spent in my book. It's not like we are going to win anything this season, if we can improve the squad long term at least it's building. I have yet to see which creative target Sam has in mind, but if (IF!) it's the likes of Nolan, then I know where I'd rather the money was spent. We could also probably get a better goalkeeper than Given but at the moment it's not a priority, I think we need to address the more urgent issues in the team before we sign players for squad building. However if Diarra was available for a knock down price then things would be different. The priority is to get in a playmaker and a right winger, agreed, if Sam has got any in his sights that are available. Other than that, there is no urgency, we are going nowhere this season so if we can improve the first team why not? Hasn't Sam got a 5 yr plan?

I'd say he's more froglodyte than troglodyte to be fair.

In that case offer them £4m, take it or leave it. Mort would make them an offer they couldn't refuse tbh. well it worked with Dyer...

In that case offer them £4m, take it or leave it.

Have to agree with that. He looked like he actually enjoyed having the ball in that match.

Again, we only have one specialist defensive midfielder, and Diarra is significantly better. What's the problem? Faye is also a specialist defensive midfielder and there's several others who are capable of doing the job. As far as I can see we don't have a single attacking midfielder (unless you count Emre who is more likely to be away in the window than get a run of games) so that has to be the priority. If we have the chance to sign both all well and good but I think it's highly unlikely Allardyce is going to have a massive amount of money to spend this transfer window and if Diarra is going to cost between £2m & £5m that is going to be a hell of a chunk of his budget eaten up immediately. It's only my opinion but if we were to sign him I can't see us going for an attacking midfielder too. Yes he would provide cover for Beye which would have the added benefit of keeping Carr away from the team but for five or six games during the African Nations I wouldn't really be wanting to spend that sort of money. If Diarra is a better holding MF than we already have on the books, it's money well spent in my book. It's not like we are going to win anything this season, if we can improve the squad long term at least it's building. I have yet to see which creative target Sam has in mind, but if (IF!) it's the likes of Nolan, then I know where I'd rather the money was spent.

Would agree with most of it, don't think I am quite so enthusiastic about Butt or the Viduka/Owen strike force which lacks legs although no arguing with the quality.

What happened to LeazesMag's 'John Gaunt' rant then?

He has. Trouble is he's looked our best centre-half too. Sadly it's true

Yeah I agree - I know scoring wasn't Bellamy's strong point but still, people often commented that the goals 'dried up' when he was allowed to leave. Bellamy was part of a very quick forward line along with Robert and Dyer. You might remember they were often referred to as providing 'Shearer's legs'. One by one they have been sold off and now we are left wondering why we look so pedestrian.

Yes they were but we didnt get beat by them did we? Fuck sake stop all this fucking negativity for god sake! I bet you were gagging for them to beat us to have more ammo for BSA? I know what he means though. It's slightly embarassing to see one of our players crowing about scraping a draw at a Championship club.

I think Faye's looked our best holding midfielder so far this season and he's a defender.

I sense you are holding back here. Why not dispense with the diplomacy and tell us what you REALLY think

Ditto. I don't have a problem with getting Diarra though as he's probably a quality holding player and better than what we've got.

Okay fair enough morally you have a valid point. But kindly don't discuss our club from this day hence...otherwise prepare to be told to fuck off in no uncertain terms.

Great if he wants to come. Seeing as how he's practically begging to stay at Spurs though I'm not sure. You would think he'd jump at the chance to get off the bench but even when Roeder was interested he never gave the impression he wanted to come here.

you see, the problem I have with that argument is why would better players come to Newcastle while we are playing Bolton-type football? Even if Sam achieved success that way, the whole team would have to be re-built to compete at a higher level. Within the context of the rest of my post which you've selectively quoted, it's the only option for me. Still, even taken out of context, I think it's fair to believe a team in Europe is going to be more attractive to players and managers than one which isn't, whatever style of football they're playing. The whole team would has to be re-built to compete at a higher level at the moment anyway. How would sacking him in this position be more beneficial? At this point in time it wouldn't. A lot depends on the players he will bring in. The signings he's made so far have not been as bad as some have made out and it was sensible to get some better quality defenders. What he does with the midfield is the key area. I wouldn't want to see Kevin Nolan types coming in personally. What Wenger did to transform Arsenal would be the ideal, gradually improving the side with each signing, all of them capable of playing 'carpet football' as SBR would say. You're hoping Allardyce's the next Arsene Wenger and it's wishful thinking for me to hope we can get to europe and attract a better manager once we are? Hoping Allardyce is the next Wenger? Hoping he can evolve from the long ball merchant he was at Bolton to put it more precisely, he's never going to be a Wenger is he? I know what you are saying about attracting a better manager once we are in Europe, but it would be easier for anyone coming in if too much money hasn't been blown on technically weak players who are bought to play direct football. I'm not saying that's necessarily going to happen but it's a concern.

you see, the problem I have with that argument is why would better players come to Newcastle while we are playing Bolton-type football? Even if Sam achieved success that way, the whole team would have to be re-built to compete at a higher level. Within the context of the rest of my post which you've selectively quoted, it's the only option for me. Still, even taken out of context, I think it's fair to believe a team in Europe is going to be more attractive to players and managers than one which isn't, whatever style of football they're playing. The whole team would has to be re-built to compete at a higher level at the moment anyway. How would sacking him in this position be more beneficial? At this point in time it wouldn't. A lot depends on the players he will bring in. The signings he's made so far have not been as bad as some have made out and it was sensible to get some better quality defenders. What he does with the midfield is the key area. I wouldn't want to see Kevin Nolan types coming in personally. What Wenger did to transform Arsenal would be the ideal, gradually improving the side with each signing, all of them capable of playing 'carpet football' as SBR would say.

Patrick Barclay also picking up the theme of Shearer as manager in waiting. I hope they don't know something we don't. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...6/sfnpad106.xml

you see, the problem I have with that argument is why would better players come to Newcastle while we are playing Bolton-type football? Even if Sam achieved success that way, the whole team would have to be re-built to compete at a higher level.

I agree. Even Rozenhal looks a good player trying to come to terms with the physical demands of the premier league. Not sure he will mind, but even some of Arsenal's and Man U's players took time to bed in.

...in a nutshell. If he was any good in any position at all he'd have nailed one down by now, for commitment alone. I would judge him as a striker, and the fact he doesn't get picked as on tells it's own story.

Not sure whether Zog's cool-headed enough to play in the centre - we desperately need someone who can put their foot on the ball, but it's worth a shot. If Smith can play there why not?

He might think it's a 5 year job, but he's only got a contract for 3.

I have real doubts about the direction Allardyce is taking us, and I don't think he's capable of adapting to a different style of football either. But...he's got a 3 year contract and maybe it's best if he's just left to get on with the job. Shearer isn't and won't ever be the answer.