Dokko

Beye will be made captain and Taylor vice captain under Shearer if he can keep them both. It's the logical thing to do, and Shearer thinks logically; it's why we need him. Why is it the logical thing to do? I agree with Beye being made captain btw. But Taylor needs to prove himself firstly before even thinking about having something like the vice-captain's armband. He did play a lot better towards the back end of last season, so let's hope he keeps up that form, then he can concentrate on having something such as that placed upon him. I don't see a problem with Taylor being made vice-captain as you would hope that Beye (injuries permitting) would be the captain in most games. Off the pitch, Taylor probably does more than the rest of the players put together in representing the club at various charity events etc. Anyway, if Butt is still here then he will probably be involved somewhere. Part of the answer i'd give Tooj also its logical to offer Beye Captaincy to keep him, and is our best option anyway, and same applies for Taylor, we need to keep him and offering him the VC role would make him reject any offer from any other club to think he's only a step away from FT captains arm band. He'll be forced to grow up a lot, its the next logical step for him, especially in the CCC; i'd have said its too soon for him in the Prem, but were not there anymore.

Birmingham City are closing on the signing of Roger Johnson after Cardiff City accepted a bid for the defender. The Premier League new boys identified Johnson as one of their top summer transfer targets and had been locked in negotiations with the Bluebirds. The method of payment had been a sticking point over a deal after Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale revealed the Championship side wanted £5million for the centre-half. Blues' initial offer was rejected, but the two clubs have now settled on a deal to enable Johnson to discuss a move to St Andrews. A Cardiff statement read: "We can officially confirm that we have come to a financial agreement with Birmingham City Football Club for the permanent transfer of Roger Johnson. "Roger has now been given permission to talk to the newly promoted Premiership side." Alex McLeish has been among the most active managers in the transfer market since Birmingham secured a return to the top flight, with Scott Dann and Christian Benitez already added to the squad. Joe Hart is also joining the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City, while McLeish hopes to tie up a deal for Ecuador international defender Giovany Espinoza. And the imminent arrival of Johnson, who has made over 130 appearances in three years at Cardiff, will further bolster McLeish's defensive options for next season.

Beye will be made captain and Taylor vice captain under Shearer if he can keep them both. It's the logical thing to do, and Shearer thinks logically; it's why we need him.

It wouldn't like, but i understand what you are saying.

So is the defence ironically enough. Depends who leaves though. True. But if we can keep a hold of Enrique, Taylor, Bassong & Beye i reckon that's the best defence in the CCC for next season, along with Harper who again i reckon will be the best (at least top 3) keepers in the league as well. Doubt we can keep a hold of all four, keep cracking on at this pace and all 4 will be gone

So is the defence ironically enough.

Surely we could write it in a contract the new board can release him for a nominal fee. I doubt anyone in their right mind would buy the club in its current state and appoint anyone else than Shearer; unless there's another Mike Ashley out there dumb enough to think they know better. If so then signing up Shearer would be the best possible thing for the club to keep away potential fukers doing more damage than good.

Parker and Sidwell were found out at the very top level though, far too limited as players. Alternatively, he could be eased into the team and his talent will show. He's a hell of a player to bring on near the 70th minute mark when chasing the game. Sidwell has been found out at our current definitey-not-top level, too You need Kevin Nolan to replace him and Alan Smith to replace Harewood.

Exactly. I suspect Chelsea are doing with him exactly what they did with Sidwell, get out of contract player on the cheap, do what you said, then move him on for a profit next season. How much will he cost them? £5m? There's some wittering about a tribunal set fee, but I think they always set shit money, like that Crystal Palace kid who went to (I think) Glorious Tottenham, whose fee was set at about 12 grotes. Bostock, think it was £1.5m and he's done nothing. Can see a decent fee (£5m+) for Sturridge considering his rep in England Under's and also playing 10-15 prem games.

Exactly. I suspect Chelsea are doing with him exactly what they did with Sidwell, get out of contract player on the cheap, do what you said, then move him on for a profit next season. How much will he cost them? £5m?

He's not shit, he's just average; should be a good keeper in the CCC.

He's better than Sunderland; if he leaves i hope it is to Everton/Villa or above, nothing below.

Big bad world out there for a 17 year old footballer, he probably snatched the contract out of Llambias' hands when he was presented with it. Probably offered him £50,000 a week, with a £100,000 play bonus and a £20,000 turn up to training on time bonus and a £35,000 be in bed by 10pm bonus and an increase of 15% if we do not get promoted and a 50% increase if we get relegated, over 10 years to be negotiated at any time he wants for a rise while if he sees out the 10 year contract he gets ownership of the club.

lol, load of shite company. Bye bye,

Actually played on the wing a fair bit for Pompey this season. To be honest, I don't think I saw the lad play a single match last season, so I can't really comment on his ability as a player. Not impressed by the price, though. Rafa has been after a decent wing-back for a while, now, possibly as an alternative to a winger (there don't seem to be many top quality wingers around these days). Certainly, with Kuyt on the wing instead of Gerrard we need a decent attacking full-back to balance out that side of the pitch. But 18 million... I'd much sooner the money had been spent on a proper attacking player. Arbeloa has been just fine at RB. Is part of it that Glen Johnson is English though? Heard something about Liverpool needing to sign an Englishman or two this summer to meet Champions League quotas - not sure how that works if it's true though? I believe the EU have declared the proposed CL nationality rules illegal under European law (though not officially), but I imagine it's on Rafa's mind. He tried to flog Alonso last summer to bring in Barry, and I can't think why he'd want to do that apart from the fact that Barry is English. You need 4 players trained for 3 years before they were 21 at the club, and with 8 British nationalities in the 25 man squad. Wasn't that rule the reason Hyypia couldn't play in Europe this year? They had to sacrifice a non-English player and he got cut? Don't know but that would be crazy seeing as he could apply for British Citizenship and be accepted without any problems due to the years he's been here.

Actually played on the wing a fair bit for Pompey this season. To be honest, I don't think I saw the lad play a single match last season, so I can't really comment on his ability as a player. Not impressed by the price, though. Rafa has been after a decent wing-back for a while, now, possibly as an alternative to a winger (there don't seem to be many top quality wingers around these days). Certainly, with Kuyt on the wing instead of Gerrard we need a decent attacking full-back to balance out that side of the pitch. But 18 million... I'd much sooner the money had been spent on a proper attacking player. Arbeloa has been just fine at RB. Is part of it that Glen Johnson is English though? Heard something about Liverpool needing to sign an Englishman or two this summer to meet Champions League quotas - not sure how that works if it's true though? I believe the EU have declared the proposed CL nationality rules illegal under European law (though not officially), but I imagine it's on Rafa's mind. He tried to flog Alonso last summer to bring in Barry, and I can't think why he'd want to do that apart from the fact that Barry is English. You need 4 players trained for 3 years before they were 21 at the club, and with 8 British nationalities in the 25 man squad.

I read it because i can now, and its a fine opinion sweety.

probably increases them.

That's one huge block of text.

Sums it up for change (them at NUFC.com) Fuking bastard, wonder who people wish more ill on, Owen or Barton?

Love the sneak add of the 'to an extent'

Harsh. IMO his point about Shearer is one of the most interesting things i've read on the board in the last couple of weeks. Everyone knows Shearer is the right man for the club, but is he the right man for the job? Makes me think anyway.

It's very subjective how much effort a person gave in to a task, and why you are arguing with it since there's not much to argue about in the rest of the post bar his opinion on Beckford.

Anyone see the Ronnie Gill today? Pic of him in an article praising the nurses looking after him; he's looking a lot better though, hair growing back and colour in his face, same old Bobby enthusiasm even if he is lying in a hospital bed. I know it's nothing to get excited over, and as someone who's seen the cunt cancer 1st hand bright sparks do happen, just nice to see him alive again.

possibly taylor, but then people would say i was biased. Harper also. But in general, if 90% don't give a fuk and haven't put in the effort its not so wrong to tar the fuking lot imo.