Rich

Keita will replace Yaya Toure, will he not? Seems pretty much like-for-like, so will open the door for him to join his big brother at Arsenal I suppose. This summer looks like it's going to be a very, very busy one for a lot of big clubs.

Aye, saw that today, just wondered about Villa simply because of them not having a right-back to begin with, and then with Mellberg leaving... he'd be ace for them.

Aye, only bit I'd disagree with there is the "Allardyce in the long run" bit. He'd already lost the fans and the players were turning on him as well, he was past the point of no return, unfortunately.

The media will have a field day with this if it happens, by the way, no matter what the reason is that Mort is going.

What would you call drastic? Employing a brand new board, brand new coaching staff, brand new manager (replacing one that had only been brought in a few months prior), bringing Kevin Keegan back to the club... not drastic enough for you? I'd say it's been a refreshing change. Whether what Mort's done has been good or bad for the club remains to be seen in my opinion; it's been less than a year since the very first changes were implemented. I don't think we can judge fully his contribution to Newcastle United until we're two or three years down the line. I've got an inkling, however, that he got away with a bad decision by sacking Allardyce. That makes no sense to me, especially after the run we went on towards the end of the season under Keegan. He didn't "get away" with it, really. He replaced Allardyce with the right man at what turned out to be the right time, despite most of our protestations in January, and we stayed up comfortably, playing some very good football and achieving some very good results along the way. Granted it took a bit of time to get the ball rolling, but I dread to think where we'd be at this point in time had Allardyce not have relieved of his duties.

Ben Arfa is the most ball-greedy player I've seen for years, and I think it'll be Spurs who are in for him. (Seriously).

As things stand, yes. Our glaring weakness this year (well, one of them) has been we have no right side whatsoever. No right sided midfielder, and no right back. He'd have got plenty of games last season, it just depends who else we buy this summer. Has there been any rumours linking Finnan with your lot, brum? With him out of favour at Liverpool I'd personally say he could still be an excellent player for one of the teams just outside of the top four. I still think he could do a job at Anfield, really.

Somewhere in a basement up North, Scottish Mag's patriot alarm has just started buzzing frantically. Get him sorted man.

Somewhere in a basement up North, Scottish Mag's patriot alarm has just started buzzing frantically.

There was something else he was up for, wasn't there? Something minor? Damage-related? Sure I remember seeing it ages ago in a few articles.

If found guilty of the Dabo thing, does anybody have any real idea of what sort of sentence he could face? I know it's apparently "up to 5 years", but I'd eat a hat if he got that. What would be the realistic outcome? I'd say as a club we're probably waiting on the verdict for that one before making any decision.

I don't think this can be used when sentencing for the Dabo incident as it happened after that took place. Aye, of course technically it shouldn't be, but he'll be standing trial before a regular jury. I'd say the chances of this "not being taken into account" are slim-to-none, unless they get 12 people who haven't seen a sports section for the past 6 months. Oh right, I thought you were talking about it being considered when the judge passes sentencing. No worries, I didn't exactly make it clear, was merely talking "guilty/not guilty". I'd be more worried if he'd been fucking brilliant for us, as others have said, but by the same token I don't expect all of our players to be angels. Like Alex said previously, I'd bet most people know others/have relatives who've done worse in their time than this specific incident. Not fussed either way I suppose.

I don't think this can be used when sentencing for the Dabo incident as it happened after that took place. Aye, of course technically it shouldn't be, but he'll be standing trial before a regular jury. I'd say the chances of this "not being taken into account" are slim-to-none, unless they get 12 people who haven't seen a sports section for the past 6 months.

It's a fucking tricky situation, made even worse by the fact that he's still waiting for trial for a further two offences, including the Dabo one which he could get royally fucked with now that this is on his record as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see him shot of.

Erm, August 6th and August 9th, spanner face.

Aye, same here. Very happy to finally see them in the flesh! Glad about Rangers too, that game with the Bernard cracker was fucking ace.

would need quite a turn round in form. Undoubtedly, but they've got a lot of big-match players in there with massive experience (spine of Thuram, Vieira and Henry is extremely well-proven) as well as some really top-class players around them (some with youth as well.) To me, and I know this is just on paper, they seem to have the right ingredients to have a real go. Wouldn't be surprised to see an Italy/France final again. I think they might just turn it on a bit.

I fancy France, despite their group.

£3.5M rings a bell to me, but I was only a bairn at the time so I might be wrong.

It's the money, isn't it? They need the semi-finals there to recoup the massive costs of the stadium. That's always been my impression as well. Totally agree with the sentiment, by the way.

Imagine the city if we win something proper, man, I'd bet people would flock "home" from all over just to be a part of the atmosphere. I know it might sound ridiculous and it might be asking too much, but fucking hell I hope the next thing we win is a "proper" trophy, like the FA Cup, while the Carling Cup isn't to be sniffed at, I don't think it would quite have the same magic.

Honestly mate, if we ever win a cup final there I can see a mass pitch invasion from the toon fans and celebrations the likes of which the stadium has never seen before. ***Gets goose pimples just thinking about it.*** The day when all of this will be worthwhile, fucking hell it can't come soon enough! If we get to this Wembley, the place will be fucking rocking.

I like your club, so shaddup.

This minus the Chelsea stuff, basically. I've told the stories many times, but I have good reasons.

Plasticy as fook.