Ally

I agree.

That was just Allardyce in a huff over his transfer budget. Was Smith signed before or after? Just after. Should have kept Harper up front tbh.

They have no reason to let him know about any bid. He's got a right to know iyam.

Whats the alternative though? Man Utd fax an offer to Spurs for Berbatov, Spurs let him know privately that a bid has been made but rejected. Surely his head is still going to be turned regardless of whether its in the media? Its part of football tbh, the big clubs sign the best players.

Probably about right considering the prices some "Premiership" strikers go for. It's all relative. Oh aye, when you see players like Chopra go for £5m, Reading would be daft not to. Still doesn't cover up the fact its absolutely mental.

In that pre-season friendly for Kitchee. Next.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/7511777.stm £5.5m for Dave Kitson.

So you're not allowed to say you want a player now or have made a bid for them? This loose, loose definition of 'tapping up' is bordering on the pathetic. Basically now whenever a team's best player is on the shopping list of someone else its automatically tapping up. I don't know whats gone on behind the scenes but hasn't Benitez just said that Keane is a player they are interested in signing? Whats wrong with that? If the player's head has been turned then so be it, get over it. That doesn't excuse the hypocrisy of Ferguson btw, but surely tapping up is when the likes of Ashley Cole have sneaky meetings with Chelsea while playing for Arsenal?

Keegan also said today that he didn't wantold players, he wants younger players who can play for Newcastle for several years. We all do, but you can't go wrong with a few experienced heads.

Apparantly Wigan have signed some Egyptian player who Steve Bruce says is the best striker in the world.

Jesus Christ, Frings is class regardless of age.

I'm bricking it tbh. I have faith in our recruitment team identifying good players but i'm start to worry about them actually closing deals with top players. Whether its Ashley refusing to offer big money I don't know but we seriously need some top players and i've a nagging doubt in my head its going to be another Roeder-esque window where we just end up signing average tat. Hope to God this isn't correct though, just feeling a bit pessimistic about the whole thing at the minute.

One of the most unselfish players i've ever seen. Very rarely shot when I saw him, always looking for the pass even if its one too many.

I don't think we'll ever reach the lows of the 31st August when Roeder was in charge. Sibierski and Bernard were a master stroke.

Hleb wasn't all that. Song, Walcott, Diaby will all step up I am sure. Hleb last year put in probably the best 45 minutes I've ever seen from an opposition player at Villa Park. Well, best for a very, very long time, anyway. Yeh I think he's an absolutely class player. Arsenal will miss him massively.

Hleb signs for Barcelona. Arsenal seriously need to sign players, Hleb and Flamini were both class for them last season and Adebayor's future still looks shady.

Squad numbers won't be announced for a while yet. Remember when Duff stole the 11 shirt from Milner the other year? Cheeky twat.

But were we really in for him? Its not like the Modric carry on, where there was confirmation from NUFC that we had bid for him. There's been a peep from anyone at SJP about Aimar, just all press and internet gossip. We didn't get Modric confirmation until he signed for Spurs did we?

One reassuring thing from this (if we don't sign him) is that the powers that be can clearly see we need some creativity in the centre of the park. Fat Sam would have signed another big African bloke who can get stuck in.

Howey had talent but aye, total sicknote. Kevin Scott was woeful, played for Guisborough Town a few years back and was still bad.

MARTINS TRYING TO FLEECE NUFC IN 3 YEARS ON A BOSMAN!

Earlier on he said: QUOTE (Baggio @ Jul 16 2008, 14:20 ) Any updates on Aimar, Nicko? Price agreed - he wants to come - his agent is in tonight or tomorrow. Good player to watch if he stays fit. A bit lightweight, but a Keegan type if ever there was. I would think that means Milner is going... Make your mind up.

I totally forgot about Mike Hooper, god he was bad.

Congratulations. You should be thanking me. Why? It was me that started that chant. Congratulations You should be thanking me!

Congratulations. You should be thanking me. Why? It was me that started that chant.