OTF

Stopped reading at 'Lee Bowyer'. I think I did pretty well to get that far.

Problem was, Roeder was allowed to go after his own men, and despite plenty of promises that we'd see new faces we got Sibierksi and Bernard!

I must admit that I am unfortunately keen to hear what he has to say - only because it seems our operation is such a cloak and daggers affair, and he must have slightly more of an insight to give. No doubt the juicy bits have been suppressed by the fat wad of cash that he sauntered out of Newcastle with.

Despite not being fit to manage us, I quite like Ratty Potter.

You can't say that Allardyce got the chance to fully realise his vision for Newcastle. However you can say that the glimpses of it (and the general direction in which he was heading) were not very appealing. He always said that it would be a long term assignment, and people were happy enough to accept that at the time. With the new owner in, he was only given a very brief period to prove himself - and when the road became rocky they took the decision to axe him to bring in 'their own man'. I'm completely indifferent about him now. I think his intentions were good, but he was out of his depth. I would never have him back at the club over Keegan (obviously).

Here's the story from Appiah himself. http://www.stepapp.com/latest-blog1.html I'd certainly welcome him, though I know that there is no chance at all of this happening.

In the current climate 12 million isn't a lot. I mean we sold off Milner for that much! Not meaning to be argumentative, just mean that I don't think we'll see Arsenal making any 20-30 million dollar buys in the immediate future (unless they sell someone off of a similar value - ie. when they tried to rob AC Milan blind with Adebayor's asking price). american dollar? if so you basically said this: In the current climate 12 million isn't a lot. I mean we sold off Milner for that much! Not meaning to be argumentative, just mean that I don't think we'll see Arsenal making any 10-15 million pound buys in the immediate future (unless they sell someone off of a similar value - ie. when they tried to rob AC Milan blind with Adebayor's asking price). Sorry, mixed up my currency. I was talking in pounds the whole time (in my head at least ).

In the current climate 12 million isn't a lot. I mean we sold off Milner for that much! Not meaning to be argumentative, just mean that I don't think we'll see Arsenal making any 20-30 million dollar buys in the immediate future (unless they sell someone off of a similar value - ie. when they tried to rob AC Milan blind with Adebayor's asking price).

When was the last time Arsenal splashed big money for a player? After all their transfer dealing this season they've made money (but lost a good player in Flamini, and were paid too much for Hleb IMO). Arsenal are a buy to sell club. May mean they will sometimes struggle to compete with the 'Big Foreign Boys' splashing the cash about. That said, I don't know whether it's Wenger who's so tight, or the Dorectors/Board/Owners. Nonetheless they seem to be run more responsibly than many of the other so called big clubs. They do need to strengthen their midfield, and I guess they feel it's worth a chance with Appiah based off his previous reputation.

FACT In the 2007/2008 Premier league season Darren Bent started in 11 Premier League matches. In those games he netted a total of 3 goals.

FACT Xisco scored a goal for every game that he started in La Liga in 2005/2006. That's as a 20 year old. The year before as an 18/19 year old he scored for every second game that he started.

If they sort out their differences I think they owe it to the Newcastle supporters to have a press conference with ALL of the players present, and speaking openly and frankly about what has gone on. The cloak and daggers approach obviously has not worked and as a result Ashley is in danger of completely losing the support of the fans. Wonder if we can get Mort back in on secondment?

have to agree with the footwear comments. Try to find something with good arch support. Also could very well be your running style. I overpronate a lot when I run and this doesn't help with shin splints. Fixing your footwear though will help to naturally correct this. Shin Splints are a fkn pain!

Think someone forgot to take those irons off the fire.

Agree that Beye has been not up to the high standard he set last year - but Bassong is left footed, and I'd rather not see Geremi play there since he doesn't have much running in him.

To clarify I'm happy with this transfer window. Just a bit cautious of clipping down the 'size and stature' ladder because that could influence our ability to sign players in future windows. Definately moving in the right direction. I'm optimistic about all of the players we've signed. Of the four that have played in the black and white thus far, they've all proved to have been astute buys that have improved us. On the balance of things, our signings are better than most other clubs in the league, that's for sure. I would have preferred if Nacho was a permanent signing rather than a loan (especially considering we're loaning him from a club that just bought him).

I'd have to say that a fit Viduka will play over Xisco and probably Martins (though Martins would sub on for him late in the match). Xisco would be groomed to eventually become a replacement for him (or will be used until the Pie Eater is fit enough to play). If all fit: Given Beye Taylor Coloccini Enrique Jonas Guthrie Nacho* N'Zogbia Owen Viduka Subs(from): Harper, Martins, Xisco, Butt, Bassong, Barton, Duff, Edgar, Smith * - Hoping he's good. Currently (assuming Enrique is fit): Given Beye Taylor Coloccini Enrique Jonas Guthrie Nacho* N'Zogbia Owen Xisco

really? Who? Man City & Tottenham. Sunderland have also improved their squad more than we have. Mind you ours is still better than theirs by some distance, but in theory they've closed the gap somewhat. Villa have also improved - that Milner lad looks to have a good future . Everton haven't improved much, but Saha could be a key signing for them IF he actually plays (and that's a big IF).

I think we've definately improved our squad from this time last year. It's not a massive improvement mind you, but we've definately gone in the right direction. One of the big problems though, is that other clubs at or around the same level as us have seemingly improved their squads even more. So whilst in real terms we've effectively improved, by virtue of those around us improving more we've perhpas slid back a little. It's all just paper talk at the moment. In the end you can only have 11 players on the field at once. It's the same old story of injuries yet again for us, but if we have everyone fit we could field a pretty competitive team.

If that's the end of our dealings, then this is how we shape up (at least for the next 4 or so months): Goal Keepers: Shay Given Steve Harper Fraser Forster Central Defenders: Fabricio Coloccini Caçapa Sébastien Bassong Steven Taylor David Edgar Fullbacks: Habib Beye José Enrique Central Midfield: Joey Barton Nicky Butt Danny Guthrie Ignacio González Side Midfielders: Charles N'Zogbia Damien Duff Jonás Gutiérrez Geremi Forwards: Michael Owen Obafemi Martins Mark Viduka Xisco Alan Smith Shola Ameobi Fringe/Youth: DF Callum Morris MF Mark Doninger FW Ryan Donaldson FW Andy Carroll MF Jonny Godsmark MF James Marwood MF Kazenga LuaLua DF Darren Lough FW Nile Ranger DF Tamás Kádár DF Ben Tozer FW Fabio Zamblera GK Tim Krul GK Ole Söderberg FW Frank Wiafe Danquah FW Wesley Ngo Baheng

They just said 12 in 44 on SSN. I wonder how many of those 44 appearances were starting.

I'm thinking that this Arab investment group are going to get a rude shock when they figure out that buying a show-pony doesn't win you the Grand National.

Yep, still hopeful we'll nab him (Larsson). Would rather Skjelbred though.

10m for McFadden :)

Stuff this little French twat. When he joined Pompey he said he was only going to be there for a while until he moved to a bigger club . Sure, he was right, but I'll be stuffed if we'll have a conceited bunt like that in our team.