toontownman

Doesnt look like its going to be resolved quickly, either way. http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1780_2619863,00.html

That French centre back spurs signed cost about £8.2m didn't he? No-one seems to have batted an eyelid over that though. Because he's rated as the best young defender in French football? Or that he was followed closely by Chelsea, Lyon and Juventus? Maybe even because they have an excellent DOF in Comolli who has a track record of spotting young talent? I bet you would have wet your pants (in the bad way) if he had signed for us for that figure. I dont think we need to be signing players like that here at the moment though, might be right for Spurs, but we need a solid unit and some experience at the back. Whilst having lots of big clubs tracking you means little (Gooch, Lucas Neill) your right with the Comolli statement. I just dont think youth is the route we should be taking over the next few years at least..

Like ohmelads says, could mean any manner of things depending on which angle you look at it from. (Just because I want to) Im going to take it as we wont spend 17m on a player like Darren Bent thats really worth around 7 or 8. A warning shot to those that might hold us to ransom.

Can see him going to Hull, Close, decent level of Football plenty of first team experience and Brown is best chums with Allardyce, works well for all parties.

little dig on the official site now he has gone? http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1078969,00.html

Mid-life crisis-tastic.

Not doing a great deal except seeing his mates from his club, Terry Mac there too, similarly doing....erm nowt, except talking on his phone whenever I looked his way. Terry Mac obviously talking to his best mate Deco about joining us. I heard Deco wouldnt talk to anyone else.

I dont think he has been expecting the amount of knockbacks he has got from players. He has hoped for One or Two to come in, every one of the last 3 weeks. With the Mort developments I think we will steam roll ahead over the next couple of weeks, I think it certainly held us back a little bit.

No Given, Owen or Shola.. Too soon for Viduka aswell. (although should be noted Kewell started for Liverpool last night) Young guns to get a chance, Geremi, Milner and Luque to get a good run out.

Seems more likely these days than them actually nailing something in the right column.

He is one of the worst players I've ever had the misfortune of seeing live. Seriously, you're taking the piss right? Please tell me you're taking the piss He's never been that bad when I have watched him. He was alot better at PSV than Spuds granted, but I didnt think he was close to being as bad as Carr or Baba. Thought he would be decent cover for either flank personally.

Its ok we can get Baines aswell as the Reading man, we are going for RB Nicky Shorey according to Luke Edwards. http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/journalsport/tm_headline=united-focus-on-right-brede%26method=full%26objectid=19514627%26siteid=50081-name_page.html (at the bottom) Maybe I missed something and he can play either side!

Id ask for money plus Lee young-pyo from spurs. Dont fancy Smith at all. SWP's certainly, but depends where you class Dyer as leaving a hole in our squad.

Looks pretty much set in stone now. http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1078830,00.html Glad its been on the site and actually gone public so there isnt so much uncertainty.

Need to get him out ASAP, need to get a replacement in even sooner. Paying him a fortune, spending millions, wasting months on sorting his body out and persevering with him when otherwise he might already be playing in the championship or retired. After all we have done for him, if theres any mention of him getting a loyalty bonus when he goes...

Wouldnt say no to Baptista certainly. Wouldnt be suprised if we were looking at he and Gudjohnsen. One as fall back for the other. Not convinced I wouldnt prefer Baptista who is a couple of years younger, tough call though as the Iceman has proven himself over here much better. Will probably end up with Fletcher.

Little bit about what Lord Michael of Forde was up to on behalf of Bolton. http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2036021,00.html http://krconnect.blogspot.com/2007/03/mike-forde-bolton-wanderers-football.html Not sure of there being a technical director at Bolton though.

The fact that they didnt pick him from 22 players didnt give him the subtle hint? Id be suprised if Barca really do want to let him leave, but maybe they think its a good time to cash in on a player that they will start mainly on the bench. His price is only likely to drop from now on. We shall see.

Reportedly Dein already turned Ashley down regarding coming here. The main reason Director of Football hasnt worked is because the guy brought in is an old buddy of the manager and not the best person for the job or more commonly brought in by the board without consulting the manager. The roles of the DOF differ from club to club also. They (like the board and anyone else at the club) have to be on the same page as everyone else, especially the manager. Otherwise they can undermine or conflict with the manager. If we bring anyone in at that role, it has to be someone that can work alongside BSA. I think its more likely there will be a position created for someone that can deal with transfers ( and do the job Freddie was alledgedly doing)whether its a "Director of Football" I dont know. Allardyce had the set up differently at Bolton, breaking the DOF roles down through a plethera of scouts and several different staff. Although Gartside played a big part in signings, something Mort/Ashley probably wont so much. I thought part of the DOF role was also taken by Mike Forde at Bolton?

If we are getting a DOF, Id hope it will be in co-operation and with the reccomendation of Allardyce. What role would Mike Forde and his Bolton Boys be occupying?

He's no Hottiger.

You mean the strategic review isnt done yet.. gaww whens he going to show us the money!!!11

Like mentioned, if we loan Carroll it has to be for the entire season. Given our history of injuries, I think its fair for Big Sam to just hold off interest until near the end of the window. Much depends on what happens with Luque, if we get another player in that is capable of playing upfront, ie Baptista/Gudjohnsen etc.. and if our current quartet can stay injury free. Id expect him to be shipped out mid to late August, when things are a bit clearer and the squad is a bit more stable. Will be interesting to see if the likes of Hunty, Edgar, Fatty Patty and Troisi are sent away for a bit of experience aswell. Hopefully we will be in a position to do that.

Would be shocked to see us moving for Cassano. There is a big possibility we might bid for Deco, especially now with Dyer on the way out and Barton injured. I would love Appiah here strangely the most out of the three, he has been amazing everytime ive seen him, runs the show for Ghana, surging forward and organising the midfield. Actually think he is more of a box to box player than Defensive midfielder although he is apt at both. Sadly, I fear he isnt a player on Big Sams radar. We would have already moved for him if so.

He has only played a couple of games extra compared to our lads, and hasnt played 90mins every time. We were late compared to alot of other teams starting our pre season fixtures. Yes Viduka has been playing where its a bit more competitive, but he had a holiday like everyone else, Dont see why his pre-season has been too much more strenuous than everyone else. Im sure our medical staff and coaches will be carefull, but there isnt much reason why he shouldnt take part in the majority of our pre season games, and he shouldnt be much worse off than anyone else.