Rich

Willie McKay saying we haven't had a bid rejected, according to La Journale.

Must have been fucking tiny, then: http://www.yfh45.dial.pipex.com/newcast10.jpg

Or our supposed Arshavin bid, as there is a deadline set to that one? Keegan would have had to break off from the Californian leg for that. Terry Mac wasn't there so wouldn't know. Are you telling me Terry and Kev don't phone each other every day and have girly 3-hour chats? If so, I'm calling you a LIAR!

Advertising boards behind & along the sidelines is enough. I'm prepared to accept that Ashley will ultimately use the club & and the ground as an advertising mule for his other business interests, as i'm of the opinion that's one major reason as to why he bought the club ie. an EPL-status club selling his brand name is naturally advantagous to his business interests. He bought the club and he's going to milk the club's advertising power for every penny it's worth, that's his right. But to rip down the club badge, in preference to blatant self-promotion/selling his company brand name, borders on sacriledge imo. That's carrying the notion of company promotion too far. As far as I remember, there wasn't a club badge where the SD logo is now. Still doesn't change the fact it looks rank, though.

Two goals in two games (from midfield) at the highest level in his first major championship isn't "pulling up trees"? We've got some high standards on here sometimes!

So Lampards certainly gone then. I'd be happy with that if i was a chelsea fan! In the same way that Arsenal fans would be happy if Fabregas leaves? Fucking hell, almost 3 days! Slacking off.

Germany v Austria Croatia v Poland

That lad's agent is working overtime! How many clubs is that now?!

Hardly one to set the pulse racing, but I recall being impressed by him on more than one occasion while watching various Bolton matches on the TV.

Beat me to it. Be interesting to see where he ends up. You'd have to hope we at least have a crack at signing him, though I'd be amazed to see him come here.

Good hair.

I would think most people in this country now have good eastern European connections. Living in Hull, I must be right up there on that list. I'll have mastered Polish and Russian by the time I'm done with uni.

Did the twinge go after reading the post from Action Verb? No. I still believe the Russian friend of London Mag. Most reliable source I've seen cited on here all summer!

Same here. He's the smallest central midfielder I can ever recall seeing.

He looks very good to me, like, considering this is his first major championship. Took a lot of bottle to stick that penalty home in the first game, too. Just looks a very solid, technical player, who isn't scared to put his foot in despite his size and who has a bit of zip about him. Could have seen him at Arsenal, easily, and that's high praise indeed.

Oh dear, I have a twinge! Let's ruin it: replacement for Owen?

Scottish though. *Just hoping Richie's radar goes off for that one.* The Scotmobile is being primed in the Scotcave as we speak, McAlfred is getting his tartan suit ready.

Mathie was a right handsome bastard as well, tbh.

I was wondering whether it'd be him or Liam O'Brien you'd be in here creaming your knickers about! Nearly put it in white in my post just to show my amazing foresight on all Tooj related football matters.

No it isn't ancient, I'm not talking about the player being too old to play. I just mean that it seems Newcastle don't want to spend big on players over a certain age. It might not be true but it seems likely that they want to buy players who can do well for the club but also keep there value over the term of there contract incase the club decide to sell. Buy a 24 year old for £11 million and if he does reasonably well at the club you can sell for significantly more if you decide to sell in a few years. With a 27 year old a few years takes hm into his 30's and that usually means a big drop in value. I understand exactly what you're saying. I would think though if KK really wanted him, he'd push to make it happen. Thing is, if Arshavin could propel us say 3 places up the league for the next two seasons there's £3m in finishing money straight away before we consider the financial incentives of europe etc. He's the kind of player that I think would always have some residual value in his home country purely because he's been that good and played there for a while, similar to Emre in that respect. Aye, a very good point that a lot of people are overlooking (including perhaps the board, but hopefully not.) While Teasy's initial suggestion could be bang-on, we need to take into account success and stuff as well when it comes to deciding on players. You have to hope that if top class players become available and if there's a chance to sign them, within reason on the age stuff, then we have to be in for them. I'm sure Ashley realises this, like, as even if he is basing us on Spurs they don't just sign young players who will increase in value.

That squad has gone right down the shitter. No Clark, Fox, Elliott, Howey, Albert, Pav/Wrighty, Bez or Dabizas!

Maybe it's about not wasting that money, rather than what he can do with it. Just prudency. A prudent billionaire. My mam has always told me that the richer you are the tigher you are like, maybe she was right. If the money is put towards a worthy cause then I'm all for it.

I hope some of them take the piss and get really extravagant suits. I could see Martins going for a bling-tastic one, tbh, with "MARTINS 9" on the back in diamonds.

If it is true, then colour me puzzled. Gonna save a whopping £20-50k there, surely no more than that?

1 second later, cos I was fannying on with the formatting... you've skimped on the formatting and won the day. Disgraceful. Dunno what the craic is with that to be honest. He's either THAT desperate for a story or it is actually true, just because of the random nature of it.