SEA Mag

I may be wrong, but somehow he doesn't look as happy as he was after the January transfer window. I suspect its not so much the sale of Carroll, but the fact that we did not buy any players (other than the loan signing of an injured Ireland). This very much shows our ambition of Ashley really, and Jose probably feels he has to leave to further his career. I would seriously be depressed, but any anger should be directed at Ashley rather than Jose, who did his part in our promotion and is now doing his part in keeping us up.

I wonder how the likes of Best, Sol, Lovenkrands and Perch would feel, seeing that they cost (relatively) peanuts.

Sorry if I bumped this thread up again! I think Carroll is obviously important to us but in terms of our play he limits us to the long ball tactic more often than not, and in that sense he hinders our play. I think with him out we can now focus on playing our football on the ground (like the past few matches). Past couple of matches will have proved that we have enough in the tank to stay up. I think this summer will be very very important to us and I hope we bring in the right players and build on from this season.

I put > 35 million :celb: Blind optimism, and it would be fun if we could really spend that cash. I think the economic crisis as well as relegation has hit Ashley hard so he didn't spend too much for the past 2 years, but seeing that the economy is picking up and we are back im the Premiership I'm guessing we would go back to the 2007 levels of (decent) spending again!!!

I saw Jenas during the match yesterday and Bruno Mars was the first thing that came to my mind.

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/171/12558862.jpg Jermaine Jenas http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3251/jermainejenas.jpg Bruno Mars

MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY :celb:!!!!!!

I like Hagi too, actually started watching football because of him.

Cassano? Probably will stay in Italy though.

It obviously is, but it is very much a grey area, as we can see in the case of HBA, where the referee actually sees the foul but deems it not a foul. However, if a referee sees a player punch another player, he would have no choice but to send him off.

Yes, players expect injuries when they go on the pitch, but they also expect the game to be played relatively fairly and without deliberate attempts to injure. If I was a builder and I pushed my mate of a roof, I couldn't just say "aye well he knew the risks of being a builder". It would be attempted murder. Slightly extreme example, but you see what I'm saying! I do understand, I'm not condoning De Jong-like tackles btw. I hate it as much as you do that HBA is lost to a senseless 2 footed lunge and the culprit gets away scot-free while Barton gets a 3 match suspension for ribbing the Blackburn twat. Just that it's the letter of the law.

If he gets picked it is testament to CH's management ability that we are producing 2 new England Internationals (AC and DS), and also in reviving the career of Barton (until his silly punch).

volenti non fit injuria All sportsmen, especially for contact sports going into games voluntarily consenting to risk in injuries, so tackles, no matter how cynical will always not be viewed in the same light as punching / slapping /spitting at somebody straight out.

I feel quite sorry for Barton actually, he looks like he's a marked man. Hope we get behind him as he genuinely looked happy to be playing for Newcastle.

I mentioned this on another thread, Xavi and Iron man (Robert Downey Jr).

Completely off topic.... This question has been bugging me for some time now... But anyone else thinks that Xavi bears a canny resemblance to Robert Downry Jr.???

Group hug anyone?

Well, you win some and you lose some. We beat Spurs to Duff and iirc Parker and Emre by paying more but that didn't get us very far. I feel dissappointed that we missed out on a great talent but glad that we are being more prudent and not just paying over the odds for players.

Past : Ginola Present : Smith

Watched the match on tv, and we controlled it in the 1st half. 2nd half Bolton came at us but we managed to kill the game off. I thought Roz looked composed (though he was nearly caught out once). Overall good game played by us. Hopefully we get the 3 points next week as well off an average looking Villa side.

Fingers-crossed it will go through. Will be brilliant if it does.

Deco, Eto. Now Ronaldinho. Wouldn't happen at all but interesting summer nonetheless.

Excellent news. I believe he will be devastating in a 3-man midfield. He was awesome when he first started out, but fizzlied out eventually. (Like most of the other toon players, unfortunately)

A defender at last!

This is great news. If Sam can get Luque playing up to his Depor standards we can have a top player in our hands. One of the best news I've heard for eons.