Theregulars

I The selling of dyer, was the start of our midfield looking slow and work man like. At least with dyer you knew you had someone who could run with the ball. It's okay being able to run with the ball but he can't do it whilst he's sat on the treatment table. If he's had stayed, it's probable in how things work he wouldn't of got that major injury, but I know where your coming from though. I'm still 50-50 whether it was good business or not Crazy talk. You bemoan Barton on a regular basis for taking 65k a week but are unsure if a player who had a shocking injury record and, was on a reported 80 grand a week basic wage should have been sold? Can you see the double standards? Right, getting a major injury is something that's usually a freak accident, that is what Dyer got, he got a broken leg, nothing like any of his usual hamstring or shin splints injuries. So it's likely if dyer had stayed he would of never of got his broken leg, in the same way in which barton or luque for example would of got their major injuries with us. I have other problems with Barton as well though, like his criminal record for starters. But you highlight the fundamental flaw in your own argument. His USUAL injuries, he was notorious for not being able to string a run of games together because he was always injured. I don't debate the fact that had he stayed at Newcastle it's unlikely he'd have broken his leg, instead he'd have gone through a frustrating cycle of treatment table, reserve games, first team games, injury. Now you also highlight Barton's off field transgressions as a strike against him, something I can't argue he's been far from a model professional but, is Kieron Dyer really the kind of person you want to compare him with? A player who once famously pissed in the street, had total disregard for the fans who adored him, and I'd argue even topped Barton in the stupidity ranks by fighting with a team-mate on the pitch. To be fair, I regularly piss in the street. Also, didn't Dyer burn money in front of fans? If he did that's comparable to Barton in terms of sheer twattiness for me.

All this stuff about he's been shit since we signed him - he was clearly pretty useful last year. I'd still drop him though. Saturday was just one of those days - we had one were everything went for us (Villa), and we had one where things went against us (Gilks being invincible, Williamson hitting the post etc.) - it's football, it happens.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy looks exactly like the Mum from Malcolm in the Middle. Someone who is better at the internet than me put that up...

What I like most about Hughton's approach is that, aside from Campbell and Tiote, he's bought versatile players who can fill in across different positions. For a club always affected by injury that's a reassuring thing.

Touche

... touche. Oi, who let you out of my pocket. Get back in!! Colin, for an idiot you're incredibly quick witted. You sat in a trolley with nowhere to go except in to some steps. Who's the idiot? He also fell asleep on a girl he pulled.

Rocker, you ruined my morning.

Just got the shirt... Pray I'm the first?

Will it definitely be Ben Arfa ----37---- ? Wanna order the shirt but his name's not up yet on the official list, dunno if he wears Hatem Ben Arfa or just Arfa or something. Also, why fucking 37?

Oi, who let you out of my pocket. Get back in!! Colin, for an idiot you're incredibly quick witted.

That's the exact type of game we would have lost in the season we got relegated. Any point away from home is a good one when, in my opinion, we just want to stay up (although the arrival of Darth Arfa changes this, perhaps). Ref was the worst thing, not Wolves tactics - they knew they could get away with it with a moron like that in charge. Also, that white kit is sharp.

This is the best signing we've made in years. I would a) like to congratulate everyone on this forum for what must be the most ridiculously engaging saga of my recent football supporting life and b) give all the mongs at work a massive thumbs up for snorting at the idea that HBA would want to "play for a club like Newcastle". Home + shirt + ordered.

Man, QBG, I was gonna say yes but that smile just knocked you into the Gaybant quarter.

Also, if there's a night out planned afterwards, I'll show Kev how to talk to women.

No Neesy = no banter for me!

I believe the majority of Newcastle supporters, on a Newcastle supporters forum, playing in a game with fellow Newcastle supporters, on the morning of a Newcastle home game, will be going to the match afterwards. Alright Queen Facetious.

Wiiiiicks. Can someone organised, like Gregorovitch, let me know when they're buying tickets? That way I can pay them in advance or something? Just cuz I don't reeeeally wanna watch it on my own, and reckon none of my other Newcastle supporting friends will travel that far to watch Wigan. Also, Colin, shotgun a place in your car.

I reckon they're just trying to call his bluff, don't see him goign anywhere.

Are we going to the game afterwards? If so, how far in advance can I get tickets? The upshot of this is that yes, I aim to come along. As it's my birthday soon afterwards I expect rewards a-plenty, and not to be floored by Slim.

I genuinely believe we are going to win 2-1, Carroll and Nolantor.

I just tried to explain this situation to an American. As a result, I love Ben Arfa.

This. We want (read:need) talented players. The attitude boost was all well and good in a league where we had enough to win most games just by default of being in the Premier for so long. I'd trade Ben Arfa's talent for Nolan/Smith's attitude any day of the week.

That whole period man, we used to play good football, and I actually looked forward to the derby games. I remember we spanked Boro 4-1 at their place once. Such a great team, I watch the last 16 of the CL and then remind myself just 7 years ago we were at the equivalent stage. It's actually quite hard to consider, and very depressing. It'll happen again. Not for a while, but it will. Tragic how that period was a mere dip in the water though; replacing Bobby with Souness remains the worst decision in recent times. It just about pips putting Keegan and Wise in a melting pot in the 'bad decision' stakes. It's an absolute tragedy to think that that was what... 8 years ago? How many other clubs in our position would have used that progress to build a legacy and put in the foundations for a long-term successful team based around youth regeneration, concrete contracts for key players and a team mentality built on a particular type of football (like Barcelona) where players understand their role within a team and appreciate playing for a great club. Instead, we get rid of arguably the most popular man in British football, replace him with one of the most despised, tear apart an incredibly promising team for big-name players with no motivation or desire to play for the club except money, with no due dilligence as to their injury record, character, temperament or form, and with no apparent attempt at building a team based on what was missing at the time. I know that's been repeated and summed up so many times, but I just had to re-hash it to remember that yes, in fact, this wasn't just some horrible nightmare. Freddy Shepherd, fuck you sir.

Maaaaaaybe it's just, you know, the awful economic climate we currently live in meaning that bargaining is now a reality as opposed to just caving in to what the seller wants? Terse, hard-nosed negotiating, in my opinion, will become a new feature of football in the same way that ludicrously over-priced transfers did pre-recession. Also, leave Neesy alone. He's alright him. Even if he does tan so much he looks like he's from India.

The funniest thing about this thread is that, if we do sign him, everyone who says Ashley's so skint and we've no idea what we're doing etc is then going to turn around and praise our brilliantly, hard-nosed negotiating team for refusing to be bullied by obviously difficult business counterparts. For what it's worth, I think we're going to get him, but not until the end of the transfer window after a fairly difficult and drawn-out saga, as Marseille seem to share public opinion that he's a bit of a knobjockey and thus might want to make his life a bit difficult in the short-term for the sake of it. Or I could be completely wrong. [/Official].