Big Geordie

I'd go with the school of thought that whilst this lad might have potential, we need someone proven in. Unfortunately, it's not gonna happen and we'll more than likely end up with another Kuqi type signing on deadline day. The transfer of Pieters seems to be taking a long time to sort as well. Poor from NUFC once again.

Formica missed a pen for Blackburn - hit the post.

Just been reading the last few pages - Steve Wraith is nothing more than a self-publicizing knob-jockey. Another 'Frank Gilmore', IMO.

Splinter was wise as f***! Yes he was and now we have turtle chaos :mackems: Is it Ashington that sounds like that? Aye Not really!

A waste of talent if this turns out to be true. Any one of us would give their right arm to have the chance that he has had and yet he acts like a total arsehole and could not only find himself sacked from the club, but sent to jail too. What a loser.

Another away draw?

Llambias - an utter c**t of a man. Said it before and today won't be the last.

Taylor? Coloccini? Taylor is gormless and Colo doesn't strike me as a big personality even though he is massive player for us on the pitch. I can't see him knocking heads together or rankling the opposition.

Disappointing as we will be a poorer side without him. Big character who had a big influence for us on the pitch. Now Nolan and Barton have gone - who will do that job?

Agreed - he will doubtlessly come out all guns blazing with regards Ashley/Llambias.

Disappointing and he's nailed on to score against us/have a blinder a week on Monday; Still though - more cash off the wage bill for Ashley, then eh!

Still £7m though, cant grumble at that, its a fair amount for a left back. once you convert it into pounds it's £200,000 more than we got for enrique. however i'm sure the reports today have been 6.8m? which is £26,000 more. Jose had only a year left, where as Pieters has longer, i think the value for either of them will be determined by how well Pieters does, we all know how well Jose did, if Pieters does better then £7m will be seen as cheap, time will tell Pieters won't do better than Jose, Jose was quality BUT as long as Pieters is a good left back that will do, not many left backs out there better than Jose in anyways How do you know he wont do better ? I suspect your right but you just never know, its all about if our football suits Pieters and if it does, then maybe just maybe he could turn out to be a better player. He wont do better Again how do you know that, you dont and cant, time will tell but its impossible to say he definitely wont. Its not. You look at all of the top left backs in the league and they all have similar attributes: Glichy Cole Baines Evra Jose All quick (barring Baines), all mobile. Pieters is neither He will flop imho Well i'm sold, fantastic Not as good as the Roeder shuffle.

The PL has become all about money and in doing so has become a victim of it's own success. A decade ago, it was possible to break into the 'Top 4' with shrewd transfer dealings/investment and good management (we and Leeds did it though the latter went too far) Now to break into that CL group will require money of Man Citeh proportions. The PL is becoming more like Spain and Scotland as each season passes (lack of competition at the top) Same old faces winning things whilst the rest scramble for the scraps from the top table. A european super league can't come quick enough for me so the bigger clubs can fuck off and let the rest of us get on with it.

Good piece, IMO and I agree that this change is down to the massive influx of cash into the game over the last 10-15 years. I remember when I was 16 (1989), going to a talk-in at the Prince of Wales in Elswick, with Micky Quinn and Marco Gabbiadini. Was a cracking night and both lads gave autographs at the end. Would any of the Newcastle or Sunderland first XI go and do that now? To get access to them as a fan, it always seems to be a black-tie event with tickets starting from £50 a go. Who can afford that? Players have lost the fans sadly and I can't see it returning any time soon. Then again, must top flight clubs don't give a shit about their fans coming through the gates either. Sad times.

At last - fingers crossed it goes through in time.

No surprises from the mackem, IMO.

Made hard work of it (I listened to most of the 2nd half and watched ET when I got back in from work) Bemused as to why we start games so slowly - complacency? I hear Ba was woeful - attitude problem perhaps? On the plus side - saw some magnificent saves from Krul (the one from the deflection was world class!) and what a superb cameo and goal from Sammy. Looks like we could have a player on our hands here - Ashley must have the £££ signs in his eyes already. Definitely going to be getting a first team look-in soon, especially if the likes of Ba and Lovenkrands don't perform.

Wonderful goal tonight - the lad certainly looks like a player. Definitely one to watch - indeed he could well be pushing for a starting place very soon.

Woooo is he any good ? Already moved hasn't he? Well i was joking and i'm sure Jason was too. You sir are a plank, unless you are as well and i am now said piece of wood I know you were joking! Wasn't it the Sunday Sun who linked us with him some months ago?

Woooo is he any good ? Already moved hasn't he?

How can you say that when we have barely had enough time to judge Cabaye? It's a major ask for these new signings to hit the ground running when they come from a different country/league. Taking to it like to a duck to water (as Robert did) is very rare.

Colo will be next out of the door before the window shuts. Also speaks volumes that Smith is still at the club.....

Yup - defo on his way now then. Another masterstroke by NUFC in getting shot of one of your most influential players and probably paying him off in the process too. Only NUFC can bring you back down to earth like this, 3 days after a derby win. It's almost as if it's done on purpose......

You what? The club? How on earth do you work that out. He will want that back at some point. The question is how and when.

Bear in mind that £100 million of what he is owed is what he missed when he took over the club and didn't do his homework properly. A mistake of his own making and yet the club will have to pay for it.