Teasy

But when the mackems talk about border controls they mean not allowing any foreigners in at all, rather than having the power to check passports.

But why? Hes been poor all season. He hasn't played on the left all season though, perhaps he wants to see him in a position where he'll get more of the ball at his feet.

I thought he looked ok in the small amount of playing time he had under McClaren, but only very fleeting showing before Benitez even arrived. I think Rafa was trying to pick a side that had plenty of Premier League experience and players who he could drill the basics into to form a solid unit, taking no risks in the very small amount of games we had left. Hence why the likes of Shelvey didn't play much, that was my feeling at the time anyway.

Howay.. you don't need to be his mate to know how the guy works, what his mentality is. Go and read some articles about him, its clear the kind of manager he is. Its also not as if he needed our job desperately enough to bend over backwards for us, we needed him far more than he needed us. Honestly this guy picking his team based on orders from Mike Ashley or Charnley is about as believable as Colback having a "must play every game" clause in his contract. As far as why Saivet has said that. Like others have said could be lost in translation. Or could be the fact that its much easier to pass off the opinion of some owner than a big name like Benitez "wasn't Rafa that didn't want to play me, nah he was forced not to by the people above because they're English and want more English players". Or he might even have heard it, still doesn't make it true.

As long as he's given full control why should he have any issue with what's happened here in the past? Its nowt to do with principles anyway, the fact is Benitez is a control freak (in a good way). He's not going to spend all week working out the best way to win a match only for Mike Ashley to tell him he has to change his plans because he fancies some English players for some bizarre reason. Its nowt but excuses from Saivet. Aye that was pretty funny, no idea how anyone believed it really, obviously rubbish even before it was proven beyond all doubt as rubbish this season.

As if Benitez lets anyone tell him who to play, silly boy Henri..

I had little doubt he'd got for £30m+, he absolutely isn't worth that though and will fail in the long run, simply because he's thick as mince. You had little doubt he'd go for £30m+ yet consider him as thick as mince. I don't really want to equate you with the daft fucker who wanted rid of him for £3m but how does this compute? Would have thought that would be obvious really. He's a match of the day player, looks great in highlight reels and looked good at the Euro's which is always the perfect way to increase a players value. I've made it clear every time I discuss him that I think he's generally a shite Footballer, athletic and powerful but absolutely nothing between the ears. But I also said all along that I thought we'd get a good fee, because the market is insane and he's been hyped up so much by people outside of this club.

I had little doubt he'd got for £30m+, he absolutely isn't worth that though and will fail in the long run, simply because he's thick as mince.

That's what I don't understand, nobody's saying anyone has ruined Ben Arfa's life or owt Just talking about how much they hate Pardew for misusing him in his time here.

I don't see any whimpering two posts above me, don't really know what you're talking about, its all a bit weird to be honest.

Doesn't matter what his finances are, they'll be in a huge deficit which means transfer embargo's and possibly even fines from the Football league. But the transfer embargo would be the worst bit for them, unable to move forward to try to improve and another season closer to losing parachute payments.

Didn't realise Villa have a net spend of £40m, going to be fucked if they don't come up first time.

He's not a Newcastle player so he can congratulate anyone he wants, nowt to do with us anymore.

What the fuck are you on about?

Didn't even bother answering Keomans calls, what a complete tit this bloke is.

He's basically reverted to pre Rafa days simply because some absolute prick who did fuck all to keep us up last season and is desperate to leave is now leaving, baffling like IMO.

Tottenham have matched the bid, I'd honestly tell Tottehnam to do one

I haven't seen too many complaining tbf. I'm one of those who believes that Sissoko was one of our best players, but I'm more than happy if we get £30m for him. Not too many, their are people complaining that this now puts us in profit, we're a selling club ect ect. Its a good deal for a player who didn't even want to be here if we stayed up and I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw him if/when we go back up. Don't see a single issue with it, as long as Rafa is allowed to do what he sees fit I'm happy and confident of the direction we're headed in.

I'm entitled to my opinion if you don't like it then tough I'm entitled to mine. Not stopping you, but I don't agree.

People really just want something to complain about if they've got a problem with this deal like.

Aye, because that's how it's always worked in the past. Aye and we've always had a proper manager in the past as well of course.

Suppose we could use the definition that describes a asset as something useful, which IMO Wijnaldum and Sissoko aren't. Unless the use we had for them is helping us get relegated.

Bit of a gormless comment for a professional sports writer. The 12 signings have been brought in to do a specific job, but we'll have to start again if we get promoted, so it's hardly great business to be making profit by selling premier league assets. Some of those 12 we've brought in are Premier League players, and outside of Townsend (which we had no choice in) I wouldn't want to rely on any of the players we've sold should we go back up, rather rely on the likes of Ritchie and Gayle than the two cunts we've sold for £55m

Which we are and have been since Ashley came in. Absolutely, but they've always tried to cover it up. This time it might even be Rafa's idea. Quite possible. I hope we can keep Ritchie fit I think he will have to bear quite the burden when it comes to creating chances this season. Having fast full backs (especially Lazaar who looks very skillful) and another tricky winger to compliment Richtie is going to help a lot in that department though.

Think he'll do really well in some games, but still be the same frustrating player he's always been overall. A different environment isn't going to change the fact that he's really quite a thick Footballer.