macca888

well, it wasnt for Alethico..................LOL

Jeez. you guys are forgetting something here. MICHAEL ASHLEY. He will not sanction any more permanent transfers this window and fantasy players like Keane on the wages he earns are just pie in the sky dreams. Same goes for the lkes of Boyata (not needed). I am sure Ben Arfa will sign and maybe this guy from Hull on loan. Taylor will end up signing a new contract as well and that will be the end of business for this year.

Yeah, in a straight swap for Messi and Zlatan. Sack bloody Hughton.

No change and 2-1 to us with a late Barton penalty

Not a chance, mate. He can piss off as far as he can get, it wouldnt bother me because he is not any better than the players already in the team and I am sure he knows this. I think the Colo/Williamson combo has much more going for us and with Sol and young Kadar also here, I think Taylor can see the writing on the wall. Anyway, most on here have been insisting that Taylor could really only slot in at right back when he returns from injury so maybe it is best he moves on and we can expend any funds received on other more urgent areas of the team.

I think he will improve to be a decent enough PL player, just like Routledge will. However, I dont see these types of players doing the business week in, week out against the likes of the Chelseas, Arsenals, Man Utds but more against teams that we will consistently attack with pace down both flanks, like Villa yesterday. The pace of Routledge, Jonas, Perch and Enrique is going to be a crucial factor in gaining results against the Boltons, Blackburns and Wolves of the league.

Its ended, it ended last week. This and even possibly before that due to hios alleged outrageous wage demands. Leave well alone.

0-2

It is becoming more and more evident that we are relegation fodder when you see all the clubs around us including Blackpool signing players like their is no tomorrow whilst we sit by, dreaming of past glories. This squad will take us down, even with Blackpool above us. I am afraid this time, NUFC will disappear into obscurity.

Arsenal are the best footballing team in the country without a shadow of a doubt but when it comes to playing the best in the league, they have difficulty in breaking down defences, no matter how much possession they have. I love watching them but sometimes, they need to adopt a more direct or varied approach and the lack in doing this is usually their downfall against the top teams. By the way, I like Kosicky but cannot understand all the hype about Nasri.

A lot depends on injuries to us and our rivals. We are already behind the 8 ball defensively wise with Simpson, Taylor out for a long period and Campbell not fit yet. As someone else said, if Sunderland lose Bent, they are in trouble but a lot will depend on who we sign and who we lose between now and the end of the month. Our squad is not deep and our attack is weak but I see the likes of Blackpool, Wigan, Bolton, Wolves, West Ham and possibly even Fulham (now that RH has gone) being in the same boat as us.

Pissed off yes... To effectively go on strike? I don't think he is within his rights on that one.. No i completely agree with you there. He hasnt been very professional and has acted like a child. He is French after all... This is what worries me if we get him, he has acted like this before and will do it again. However, if he plays a large role in keeping us up, i wont mind it too much. It would seem to be the french way of doing things as reports today say that Insomnia has done the same to Wigan before the Blackpool game. I think somehow, this whole thing might be related because I have heard that Marseille want Insomnia to replace Ben Arfa but Wigan are not playing ball regarding the fee. Once Wigan relent, Ben Arfa will be on his way but it might take until the end of the month to sort out this sordid triangle.

He might just be pissed off he's going to miss the Man Utd match. then he should have just flown to Manchester instead, Dave........LOL

I wouldnt be surprised if this deal was already in the bag. For the life of me, I cannot understand why he would fly to Newcastle on a whim or under the advice of his legal team. My reading of this whole thing is that terms have actually been agreed and much of what Marseille are saying is a smokescreen. His appearance in Newcastle for such a short period of time was to complete a medical and final negotiations will take place on monday in Marseille to tie up the loose ends. As everyone keeps saying, Marseille appear to have already burned their bridges with the player so it isnt in their best interests to play this charace out as they will need time to find a replacement themselves.

Not ITK news but just spoken to a lawyer friend back home in blighty with connections and the deal is on, and not a loan deal either. Dont know the price but understand Marseille want the money, not for Fabiano, but to buy N,Zogbia. Apparently, they are negotiating with Wigan as Ben Arfa will be taking a medical over the weekend. Ben Arfa will debut againat Villa. This lawyer friend doesnt bullshit so I would trust his in fo.

Maybe Dennis Wise is secretly their Director of Football and Coppell didnt kn ow this until today

I'll give you strong, but he's not a decent finisher like. and you would have to wonder why Allardyce wants rid of him when Blackburn are not entirely flush with strikers, especially one who is supposed to be such a decent finisher.

Probable health problems

and then you say Carroll and Shola are better than him??????? Are you getting confused with your opinion of Beckford and Andy Cole again? Goose

Replace intense with absolute and you would be closer to the truth............................LOL

I believe the Mancienne interest from us is only on loan and that Chelsea value of 6 million quid is frightening most teams off. Sunday Mirror

Regardless of whether he signs for us or not, I hope Hughton hasnt put all his eggs in one basket here and that he has alternative options available to strengthen the squad.

You have some relevant points there but the major one is whether we can afford to take a risk at this particular time. It is widely regarded that this year will be one where we have to consolidate and avoid relegation at any cost thnen to rebuild season by season. Taking a risk on a french playb oy who at the age of 23 has already been virtually kicked out of two of the best clubs in France because he cannot, it would appear, be disciplined is not something which will help our case. Whilst skillful, as Merlin says, workrate is just as much a priority in the PL as anything else and if he cannot conform to the team pattern, there will be problems and it wouldnt be long before he was being kicked out of club no.3. By the way, your point about Bellamy and Robert is incorrect. Whilst they were good contributors to the success that season, most of the squad improved out of sight and this should not be forgotten.

quality players win you games, simple as, or would you rather want us to spend 6 million on 2 potential nicky butt's I dont believe I mentioned Nicky Butt types. As for the quality of the player, ask yourself why Marseille want rid and why there doesnt appear to be any interest from top teams for him. I am sure there are better prospects elsewhere.

Lets get real here. He is a player with a suspect temperament, not unlike what we have already experienced with Insomnia. He might well be a creative player but he seems to have a suspect work rate. Those of you remarking about his call up for France might ;like to remember that the entire French world cup squad has been overlooked. In hindsight, he is more like a French reserve. Furthermore, why hasnt any top team come in for him? Why doesnt Marseille want to keep him? A well respected manager like Deschamps will not suffer fools gladly so maybe 6 m illion quid is just too much of a risk to take under our current financial and squad moral boosting circumstances. Fuirthermore, Hughton and Ashley might have other, possibly better fish to fry here. On a financial note, 6 million pounds may well be better used on more than one player considering our apparent financial limitations