Big TRon

I'm pretty pleased about this as I thought Allardyce had some good ideas off the pitch. Good that Kev's open-minded enough to take it on board instead of going back into the comfort zone of doing what he knows and sticking to that.

I would imagine that Keegan was brought here because he's been a pretty good judge of players in the past. He's unlikely to just buy a player because someone else thinks he's good. There's no point in buying players unless you know they are what you want.

Well I hope those who were having a go at anyone who doubted the signing of Woodgate are having another think now. Not only a crock but a cunt of the highest order.

Even the creative midfielder we need - how could Keegan have identified one after being out of touch for so long by his own admission? He'll have a far clearer idea by the summer who he wants and those in the squad who are worth keeping. Milner's one of those for me who flatters to deceive. Keegan might think he's great on seeing him in training for example, but a lot of these players go missing when the heat is on. These are the things you find out as the season unravels. With all due respect the club should have a list of analysed targets unless it operates contrary to all other PL clubs. ???? Drawn up by whom like? We've just changed managers..unless you simply want Kev to adopt BSA's list, if he should happen to find it on the dressing room floor? Exactly. Seeing as the two managers have a completely opposed viewpoint as to how the game should be played, what makes you think they'll be wanting the same players? Is Kevin Nolan going to be our new playmaker then?

good lad

What pool of desirable players?

Even the creative midfielder we need - how could Keegan have identified one after being out of touch for so long by his own admission? He'll have a far clearer idea by the summer who he wants and those in the squad who are worth keeping. Milner's one of those for me who flatters to deceive. Keegan might think he's great on seeing him in training for example, but a lot of these players go missing when the heat is on. These are the things you find out as the season unravels.

It's a good thing IMO. Keegan will get time to assess the squad properly and then make signings where needed. He'll have a far better idea which players are capable of performing when it matters, something you can't judge in a few games.

Yep. This is going to happen, the rest of the country will be expecting Keegan to implode and we'll see plenty more of this sort of shit. Quite important everyone sticks with Kev because the rest of this season is going to be a struggle imo. It'll be the summer before any serious re-building can begin.

Most of the reporters who were actually AT the game have gone with the view we were pretty good in the first half - even the Keegan sceptics like Joe Lovejoy from the Sunday Times. NOTW should stick to what it does best, getting cameramen twatted by celebs.

Sounds to me like Shearer's been offered a coaching role, Keegan did mention him having his badges. The view would be to taking over from Keegan in a few years which is very sensible, but probably isn't going to happen as Shearer probably thinks he needs to be no 1.

I don't think it was necessary to give him a bigger contract, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing him in a Keegan team.

Ho Ho. That was funny. No really it was...

The story makes it sound as if he's ditching Spurs, but weren't they prepared to let him go anyway? The "quotes" are from alleged pals as well so I wouldn't regard them as rock solid either.

At the moment he looks like a mediocre player trying to be a good one. He looks comfortable on the ball and moves it through the midfield nicely...but then he fucks up the pass, or gives it to the opposition. Or starts on the opposition. I'd love to see him a good game because he should really boss the midfield if he could get it right.

It's a bit daft to write off a manager because one of his signings didn't work out. I would think City are a good bet for Europe this season and they would have taken that for starters.

A lot depends on whether Woodgate's niggles are down to his lifestyle and lack of desire at boro. If he's hitting the booze and coke you have to wonder how easily he'll give that up and if he can recover from it. Keegan's attempted rehabilitation of Fowler wasn't a resounding success iirc.

If money truly was no object (which isn't my view) then it would make sense to sack him. Unless Keegan rates him highly enough to think he's worth the effort.

I have no idea how much this bottomless pit is, but the best players in the world are no use if they are shot. SBR warned the club that Geremi ran like a 40yr old according to Mourinho. Does that mean it's ok because we've got loadsamoney? £20m on a fit Woodgate would be better than £7m on a crock. Still, if he comes and the club are happy that he's in good nick, I'll be delighted if it works out. He is the best bar none when available.

Well there are certainly some mongs on the board, for some reason they can't address the subject and end up whining about other posters. The sad bastards.

He looked quite classy when he first came here. It might be that he needs more time to adjust to the Premier...or he might turn out to be another Boumsong.

This has all the hallmarks of a classic January signing. Paying over the odds for a player with a long history of fitness problems. Bobby Robson described him as having joints worse than his iirc. FWIW I think he's the best central defender in England. I'm optomistically hoping Shola will be going the other way for around £2m and the fee for Woody will be based on appearances.

So which abilities of Barton do you admire and would you recommend? Football-wise.

Cheers. Apparently Joey wasn't a big fan of Keegan either. No great loss then.