Rich

Going to be disappointed if this falls through, as a left-footed player of his pedigree/ability/size would be the perfect addition to the defence and would perhaps round-off our summer spending very nicely indeed. All before a competitive ball is kicked, as well. Magic.

If Drago comes then we could perhaps afford to loan out Ramage, Edgar and Huntington for various lengths of time. I doubt Ramage would go/we could afford to let him go numbers-wise at the back, but it would be ideal if he got some experience in the Championship or SPL. I'd like to see Carroll out on loan, along with Troisi/Pattison as well, if we can manage it. I don't think anyone will take Babayaro, so I suppose he'd have to stay until January/June. Not too worried, as when he's fit he does have the playing ability to provide competition for places.

When Viduka is finished, Dean Ashton will sign for NUFC. You heard it here first.

Thought so. I'll save it for after he's passed the 30 goal mark later this season.

I'm hoping he was just overzealous to impress today, but we'll see. Was happy with both on the whole, I thought Viduka was oozing class and looked better than Big Al at playing with his back to goal. Recent Big Al, at least. ...Too far?

I love how we don't usually have any of the newfangled bollocks like cheerleaders/fireworks/scoreboard/daft competitions at half time at all. SJP is still very much a traditional and "proper" footballing place, which is what helps to make it so special. Also, makes those additions all the more effective (Shearer's testimonial fireworks/co-ordinated card-holding) when we do pull them out of the bag. The football and the players should do the talking, nothing else.

He said he hopes/expects Enrique to sign tomorrow. That's about it.

I'd be happy enough with Taylor there, if Rozehnal looks as good as he has done and if Cacapa is as good as he's being pegged as being. I think Taylor has played some of his best games in the RB position for us and I still don't think it would do him any harm. I don't want to see the lad dropped completely, but I'll be surprised if he's a better bet/looks better in training than Rozehnal and Cacapa do once everyone's firing on all cylinders. If anything, it will improve his "footballing" ability as he'll be expected to do more coming forwards and he'd offer us some invaluable extra height on set-plays at both ends of the field. Could keep his feet on the ground and prevent him from thinking he's "made it", as well. Obviously there's a fair few negatives that could be ventured to counteract what I'm saying, but I certainly don't think it would be a disaster if he was our first-choice right-back at least for a spell next season. He hasn't done "enough" yet to have made that centre-half position his own - and he actually should have some competition now as well. He also needs to stop getting injured so often, which is obviously a big ask when a lot of the time it's not his fault! Diarra is quality, but is he not off to Arsenal? I think he has a massive future in the game, but his stature would be a worry, as you mention. The Dyer as a RB thing was tongue-in-cheek, like! I still hope a "proper" RB comes in, along with Drago and Enrique, but it wouldn't be a disaster if it didn't happen. It certainly wouldn't bother me as much as missing out on those two, who I think we're crying out for.

I have to say I think they're a handy addition and aren't too "in your face" to be annoying. As long as they're purely for the time and no other bollocks then I'll be happy enough. No scoreboard though, thanks.

Apparently so. Cacapa and Enrique make 2 if my maths is correct here, Dragutinovic would appear to be the probable 3rd... which leaves space for a potential right-back incoming, if you ask me. After Geremi's recent performances in the middle I want him kept there, if possible, and Solano/Taylor don't entirely convince me (although I reckon Taylor could be decent there, especially in the "harder" games where we need to be more solid at the back.) The documented bid for Steinsson of AZ Alkmaar and Faye from Bolton means we're sniffing around players who play there/can play there. Drago/Enrique and a new RB and - as I said the other day - I'll be doing cartwheels. That's what I thought but what happens if Dyer stays? Does it knock the potential right back idea on the head? Baggio with his head screwed on again, saying something I hadn't even considered (can't see KD staying, like, either of them.) Can't say for sure, of course, but I'd imagine it might (especially with his wage-packet.) There were murmurings of Dyer playing there full-time for Newcastle and potentially England in the press/from Allardyce himself back in June. Maybe that'll be his (further) punishment? I'd imagine the other two deals will still go through/can still go through, but you've opened up a good avenue on the RB issue if Dyer does end up sticking around. Time will tell, but it could certainly affect it. The RB thing is ideal world stuff really, I could just about stomach Carr being involved if he keeps improving. Still thought he looked out of his depth today, like, despite what I've seen from others about him. Blinded by hatred?

Apparently so. Cacapa and Enrique make 2 if my maths is correct here, Dragutinovic would appear to be the probable 3rd... which leaves space for a potential right-back incoming, if you ask me. After Geremi's recent performances in the middle I want him kept there, if possible, and Solano/Taylor don't entirely convince me (although I reckon Taylor could be decent there, especially in the "harder" games where we need to be more solid at the back.) The documented bid for Steinsson of AZ Alkmaar and Faye from Bolton means we're sniffing around players who play there/can play there. Drago/Enrique and a new RB and - as I said the other day - I'll be doing cartwheels.

So I take it there's no Drago then. Tomorrow is a new week and Drago doesn't seem to have decided yet, if you see his thread. Wouldn't give up on it just yet.

I thought Martins looked canny in that position myself, tracked-back and looked decent in parts - far exceeded my expectations of him there, in any case. Obviously his usual shoddy pass or two was in evidence and he had his headless chicken moments, but he still looked threatening and lively and was always available as an out-ball. Good signs for the future if we can hang onto him, I'd say. Certainly doesn't seem as un-versatile (?) as I'd expected! Also, Geremi and Solano look brilliant when in tandem together. What a difference having actual "proper" players in the midfield makes. Not Souness-style "proper" players - although I am aware that the Scotsman re-signed our Peruvian friend. Their understanding has looked excellent in the pre-season games I've seen (all bar Hull - where Nobby didn't feature) and bodes very well for the future - especially when you consider Emre, Duff and Barton are still out - three players who can all "play" a bit. Very satisfied with today, only complaint I have is that we seemed to be going through the motions towards the end, especially the players who'd came on as subs, when I felt we should have been going all-out with the Premiership season 6 days away. I could be completely wrong about this, but things started looking very lax in the second half.

Ridiculous. He makes Jonathan Woodgate look like the Six Million Dollar Man.

Read the first post of the thread, man.

If we can get a few atmospheres like the 1-0 win over Chelsea when Carr got sent off in 05/06 for some of the other games which are going to have a "big" feel about them like the rejuvinated Man City, Aston Villa, West Ham (Bowyer, Bellamy and Dyer) and Tottenham then I'd be happy enough. I don't expect the place to be lifting against the dross, unless there's some incident or referee-born consternation, or if we go a goal down (like under Robson) but just as long as there's not so much griping and moaning any longer. There is definitely a lot to shout about, even if we don't exceed expectations from the off. Patience is still vital.

Any transfer news like this seems to bring out this strange brain fuzz in people, when they seem to lose all logical sense and thought. "I don't know him, never seem him play, but it's a great signing, etc..." The reaction of the Villareal fans is a fair measure, I'd reckon, when people haven't seen him play. I do generally agree that you're right with what you say, but anything is a step-up on what we got from Bernard last season, that's how I'm looking at it.

He never had a fucking argument in the first place.

I'd almost forgot how to be an optimist when referring to the club, it's becomeing easier with time and practice. This "feelgood" factor is vital for our chances next season, IMO, if Allardyce and Mort can get the fans riled-up and behind the team (which we haven't been on a regular basis since the Robson days) then I think it's fair to say we'll not see the amount of points dropped at home that we have in recent times. People cannot underestimate the power of the public up here where NUFC are concerned, if we're all pulling in the right direction then things could be brilliant. All of these players coming in a week before the real stuff gets underway should act as good buoyancy for the Bolton game and if we finally get a good result at the Reebok again then we could be ready for takeoff.

I still think we need a "proper" RB like and Sam seems to agree with his Steinsson bid/s, but if Enrique and Dragutinovic join then things are looking rosy in every area of the squad.

At least the local hospitals can relax without having to worry about the wrist slashers now that we've made these signings. "Why isn't Mort saying anything in public!? WE MUST BE APPEASED! ...Oh..." "Why have we signed Smith and no defenders!? We could have used that money on defenders, we're skint! ...Oh..." It's nice to see the optimists winning for once, at least in the short term before things can even go tits up

I wish you'd fucking cheer up! You're the new Wullie.

Its hard to count Bernard though. Definitely optimistic. Of course, and Onyewu barely featured as well. Things are looking up massively defence wise both in terms of numbers AND quality, if we can keep them all fit of course. A top-class right back and I'll be doing cartwheels.

Hope this one goes through as well. Babayaro's days must be numbered, thankfully. Ramage being nowhere near the first-team is also good news in my eyes and he might be able to get out on loan for a season to bring his game on a bit, along with Huntington.

Excellent stuff, there's Craig Moore replaced. Only Onyewu and Bernard to cover now and we're no worse off numbers-wise than we were last season. Is everyone optimistic again yet?