James

If Southampton is turning into a production line, we'd be better off just signing all their scouts and youth coaches and constructing a replica of their training complex.

I suspect the problem is this: All players we are interested in for the long term with the exception of Ben Arfa are good players who their clubs won't let go of unless they can get an adequate replacement which isn't likely to happen. We can put in a mega high transfer bid but we'd be better waiting until the summer for a better price. So we look at squad players, who we can get on the cheap. These are the Larssons and the Bothroyds. However because we don't want to blow the wage bill on squad players we are offering less than these players think they can get in the summer. So we are stuck in the middle really, unable to get what we want, and not in such a precarious position that we have to overspend for it.

I know this post will offend posters of a weak disposition, but I really hope that Shola sees out his entire career at the club, making the odd cameo here and there until he is 35. Would feel proud of him knowing he was with us from start to finish. We may have been great, we may have been shit, we may have been mediocre, but we always had Shola. Sending Shola on loan to Stoke City was probably one of the low points of KK's career, makes me sick seeing Shola in that strip. He may be shit, but he will always be and should always be our shit.

Suspect it is a panic buy. No-one good is usually available in January (although I'd have gone for Yakubu, we need another striker and Bothroyd is the best going. We will then sell Xisco, Lovenkrands and Best in the summer and bring in a couple of decent strikers. So next season: Carroll Van Wolfswinkel? Carlton Cole? Shola Bothroyd

I'm expecting a completely illogical performance.

They basically need the clear out we had when we got relegated. The mentality isn't there.

If he wanted to play for Newcastle he'd have already signed. Time to move on to the next target on the list.

Even if deemed a red, I still think three games is excessive when there is clear intent to get the ball and nothing else.

Colo is on £80k pw actually. Have you seen his contract?

Bringing Tiote on was the right decision from an individual game perspective because we were just hoofing it because there was no midfield support to our defence when they were on the ball and to turn the game around we needed to pass it. Although of course the risk of a suspension/injury may have been too big. There were many other problems today but I didn't think that was one, although it ended badly of course.

If we sign a right winger before this one at least if we don't get justice for Tiote, we'd have the option of Barton in the centre.

Him and Tiote.

First shot on goal.

Made his debut which is probably the only positive for today. So what is his story?

Lack of professionalism has been the problem. I fully expect better next week.

That should be rescinde on appeal. He saw the ball, he could get it without touching the player, he successfully did that. If he's one of those nice English players he's still on the pitch.

Bet Smith scores while this goes on.

nufc.com says Dalglish's first signing was Olof Hellberg on trial. Would that be Olof Mellberg?

Bet Benitez gets the job in the summer!

Glen Johnson just called Paul Merson an alcoholic drug abuser.

No it isn't. It is. There is no such team as Stevenage Borough. Still the same club you bunch of pedants.

Hodgson wins. New Poll.

No it isn't. It is.

Liverpool fans in a jizz because it is happenning on Elvis' birthday. I pointed out to them it is the same day as Stevenage Borough vs Newcastle United.