Rich

HE SHOUTS THE TRUTH. Although Hugo wasn't as bad/useless as he was made out to be in the end/after the Marseille defeat, played his part in some of the best moments in this club's recent history. This Summer is going to be absolute torture, innit?

Think it's the latter on that one. I know they've had massive shortfalls, but if the mental spending stops and they keep recouping decent money for their cast-offs while signing big players on free transfers and if they're continously winning/challenging for all four trophies, as well as raking in millions from sponsorships and from the increased TV revenue/increased global "brand" awareness then they might well do it sooner than 2010. Obviously I'm not fully aware of the figures, but you'd assume they'd be able to find the balance - even with the monstrous wages. Certainly can't see them suffering too much from this point onwards if they stop spending £30M on players over 30, they certainly have enough assets to be sold these days anyway and they're still hoovering up youngsters from home and abroad which will bode well for their future in terms of actual first-team players and more big income from sales. Won't make a jot of difference and might actually make them better, actually.

Can't disagree there, but it's the way of the world these days innit? I dread to think what we'll be like when we know there's millions of pounds (potentially) sitting there to buy new players with. I can't help but feel that people will be more fickle than ever before as success actually looks like becoming more of a reality. Hope not, but it's the most likely outcome. I do still hope we keep Oba, mind, and that he's fucking mint next season - but I can't see how we're gonna keep both him AND Owen, unless one gets crocked in the pre-season and makes it a certainty for the other to get a regular game (I think it's fairly obvious who Sam will prefer like.) If we were in Europe I'd be more confident of keeping both and keeping Martins fairly content, but I'm resigned to losing one of them, which is a great shame because neither have had a proper chance to show us what they can do yet.

Man Utd will be a frightening prospect if they can sign somebody like Berbatov to partner with Rooney/play up front alone. I shudder at the thought.

Would be chuffed with Viduka, but admittedly don't know a great deal about Ben Haim. Still, if we're going like-for-like: Viduka for Sibierski + Ben Haim for Bramble, sounds good to me so far.

In fairness, a lot of us haven't liked the lad that much from the start

Agree with Jon on this and with others that £10m IS a bit steep for Crouch, as well, and that's coming from me - an avid supporter of the gangly bastard. Would prefer Viduka, I must say, but if we're somehow getting shot of Ameobi as well then Crouch/Viduka would hypothetically be a massive improvement on Shola/Sibierski.

Funnily enough, he's a footballer I actually like as well. Not many of them around these days. Same goes for the likes of Campbell, Hyypia and Baines as well. Exciting times, even if everything is just tenuous links at the moment.

Was wondering when we'd get linked with him. Certainly wouldn't be upset if he's as cheap as that and if it meant the end of Stephen Carr.

Yes please, loads of people have wanted him here for years now. Would be excellent with any one of our three current strikers (Owen, Martins or Ameobi). Even for £8m I wouldn't complain, and he's not exactly over the hill. Let's hope his former links with Allardyce will actually play to our advantage and land him here. Owen/Gudjohnsen or Martins/Gudjohnsen looks far better than Owen/Martins in my eyes.

Absolutely. What other choice do we have, for starters? At the end of the season I couldn't see the wood for the trees, I didn't want to - now I cannot wait until August again. Ish nice.

Very good post and exactly how I see things. Will be interesting to see how the manager/takeover affects Oba and Owen and we shouldn't forget the lack of Euro games and Owen's injury-proneness, either. Would be great if we could keep both AND add another quality striker to the pool, but it would be impossible to keep them all happy if they were all fit for an extended period of time together. Which is, of course, extremely unlikely.

Think you're bang-on about Jagielka, although Neville has been fairly impressive this season from what I've seen. I'd have Lescott in for King without hesitation, especially if he's as "crocked" as certain ITK posters on here have told us.

Darren Bent is not a target man, is he? If we have some serious money to splash, then I would hope we'd bring in one of the best "big(ish) man" strikers in the business. Can't see Allardyce fancying the little-men combinations, and it's understandable in the Premiership I suppose, although it would be interesting to see if a sort-of Beardsley/Cole partnership would be successful these days.

If we are splashing the moolah on a striker this summer and if we're keeping Owen, Martins and Ameobi then we surely need to be signing a proper target man more than anything else?

Of course we should hope he's alright... if only to speed-up the takeover. Seriously though, seems as though he's in a bad way and I do hope he sorts his health out. If he does leave then he can probably say he did his utmost to bring success here and it is a shame that he never managed it. However, if he stays and attempts to be an arse about things then my good grace on this matter may take a bit of turn. "NYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Legend.

Questions to Owen at the press conference for tomorrow night about Newcastle were declared "off-limits" according to NUFC.com. Obviously not as reliable as the Bible or anything, but sehr fishy nontheless. Hope he does well tomorrow night of course and I hope he stays. If Shepherd is gone by July, then we might well keep a hold of him and Sam and his staff might get him playing some games for us as well. Imagine that! Not sure I'll actually bother watching this, mind, especially with JJ playing in the middle of the park

Haven't opened the envelope yet myself, no chance I can afford it before June 15th and I had no idea the swipe-card thing had been implemented any more than rumour had it a few months back. Anyone know the last date I can renew?

They need an out-and-out winger imo. Don't think Pennant is the answer and Kewell has flattered to deceive. Someone who can beat a man with skill or pace. Put someone like Kanchelskis (in his pomp) out wide and they'd tear teams to bits. Completely agree with this as well. Liverpool have the foundations of an excellent side but are somewhat "regimented" in their approach, or at least they have been this season. I'm a massive admirer of flair talent in amongst a "team" structure and if Benitez can get a player of the type that Midds is describing then Liverpool could make massive strides next season. However, those sorts of players don't exactly grow on trees, of course. One of the major things with current football that turns me off is all the "workmanlike" teams who seem to rule the day, or seem to be the current trend, Liverpool and Chelsea being the main culprits. Mourinho's lot look a different proposition with a fully fit Robben, in particular, Liverpool need someone of a similar standard I'd say. Liverpool with two top-class wingers would be frightening, with their central options. Probably would never happen with Rafa there/away from home, though.

At least it's over, eh?

Finishing above Spurs.

"Geordie Boy" Lee Clark, surely?

Roeder was given two choices: jump or be pushed. He wisely chose the former but I bet he's getting some cash in his pocket from the club, although not the amount he'd have received had he got the sack. He's been given the chance to maintain his reputation and has taken it, but I'd be weary of calling him "honourable" because of it.

I can't help thinking of "Rimmer Land" off Red Dwarf whenever you post these days, man. World of your own. Although I have to say, I think I generally would be a lot happier in your reality than I am in the genuine article! Can't knock you for bringing hope, I suppose. You're like a beacon in the darkness at times on here.

Its the last bit I need from him for my Balloon ride around the world.