alpal78

Not sure I would agree with KK if that was his request. Although I agree that he should have the final say on transfers and contract negotiation, I think Wise and Jiminez has done a canny job with Jonas, Coloccini, Bassong and Guthrie (assuming those were all their recommendations). Think KK should be given more power but not to the extend of sacking Wise and Jimenez.

Personally, I see it as 2 separate issues. ( 1 ) Whether the trio warrant sales? ( 2 ) Whether the manager's authority should be respected? Henceforth, even though the trio warrant sales, the manager's authority / opinions must still be respected. You are right, but what if premise 1 and 2 clashes i.e. what if the manager wants to keep all three but the Board wants rid. Do you then support premise 1 or stick with premise 2 because you can't have both if KK really wants to keep all three. Different people will give you different answers, I'm more leaning twoards selling all three (Milner for 12 million) provided there are replacements ready even if it means KK's authority will be undermine in this particular instance. If KK thinks we should keep the three despite promised of replacements, then I simply think he has got it wrong and seriously question his judgement. If the reason that he wants to keep them is because he has not been promised any replacement, then he is right and I support him.

If KK is spiiting the dummy because he wants to back Barton, then I have no respect for him. Sure principles are principles, but he of all people has to realize that the club is way bigger than one player especially those of Barton's category (limited contribution with never ending off the field problems). If he thinks Barton is worth all the damage that will ensue his resignation/sacking, then he has scant respect for the club. If KK is spitting the dummy because the 'selling' of Barton is a general trend where the manager is not consulted for important decisions, then I'd support him. So it all depends whether the attempt to sell Barton is an exeption to the rule and a one off incident or is it par for the course, a more general trend.

massive scam it was. I won 50 quid myself!...well provided he doesnt walk first

I'll admit I was shitting bricks just now but now I'm celebrating with me 50 quid!

Welcome to the 'NUFC is silly' ward but you have to wait your turn, we are full right now

How does that work then, it would pay out if anyone else leaves their job first? Yup

I'm gonna make myself a handsome profit by laying of Keagan as the next managerial casualty on Betfair. Come join me and put your money where your mouth is. I reckon 50 quid would do

Dave serious question, wasn't it in the post Milner's press conference where KK also said that we had 4/5 hot irons, with 2 way down the road? I could swear I read a directy quoted press conference interview. EDIT Thinking again, now I'm even more sure that KK did mentioned bout the WOW signing, it was in the same press conference when he insisted that the Milner sale was his decision.

I could swear I saw the press conference (after Milner's sale) when he said there will/might be a WOW signing. Like I said, a lot of people have missed some of the interviews and are now just claiming that Keagan didnt say this or that. This would explain the disparity of opinions. I don't have a problem with the signings we've made but it's when I compare the signings in the last few days with the expectation that KK created in the interviews/press conference, that's when I'm dissappointed.

I'm moderately happy with this transfer window, but KK made created his own problem when he went about with statements like 1) Milner will be replaced (that was after we got Jonas) 2) we have 4/5 hot irons including a wow signing Should have just shut up or said we'll try our best, no need to take the fans for a ride (though I know it probably wasnt intentional) What the hell are you talking about? He didn't say any of that! I mean really, the man is being judged on Chinese f***ing whispers Ok mate, maybe the Milner was bit was a stretch coz he just said that he's getting the money from Milner's sale. But he DID say that we got 4/5 hot irons including a WOW signing (not verbatim) and he DID asked us to judge him by midnight....both combined which cretaed the impression that something big was gonna happen. If you disagree with me, then I'm afraid you just missed those interviews (I was believe it was either just before or just after the Arsenal game). So don't you me when you haven't got your facts right

KK created unnecessary high expectations when he went about with statements like 1) We have 4/5 hot irons including a wow signing 2) Judge me on Monday midnight 3) I'll get Milner's money....implying that we're will be buying in excess of 10M These statement created expectations that the best part of the transfer window for us will come in the last few days (as he said it just a few days ago) and it says a lot that although I'm moderately happy with this transfer window, it's really because we goy Coloccini and Jonas...two players that we got much earlier on. If I was to judge the Monday signings against the expectations that KK created....then my ratings would be below average Should have just shut up or said we'll try our best, no need to take the fans for a ride (though I know it probably wasnt intentional)

I'm moderately happy with this transfer window, but KK made created his own problem when he went about with statements like 1) Milner will be replaced (that was after we got Jonas) 2) we have 4/5 hot irons including a wow signing Should have just shut up or said we'll try our best, no need to take the fans for a ride (though I know it probably wasnt intentional)

Those three would concern me (know nowt about the others but their circumstances are lower risk), but I trust KK. I think Heskey would improve under Keegan and Malouda has got the talent but maybe being at Chelski he's not getting enough games under his belt. Can play winger and Striker which is a bonus. Atouba has great dribbling ability aslong as he does it up the pitch rather than in front of our area. Put it this way Dave i'd see those players pushing us for a european place if Owen stays like. Heskey would bring out the best in Owen (did so relatively recently for England) and wouldn't cost much but I just think he's very limited. He's about as much a goal threat as Ameobi. Every time I've seen Malouda for Chelsea he's been utter gash. Atouba I've no idea on, but us going for anyone who f***ing Spurs see as not good enough would be a worry. Malouda was good I thought when he first joined and then went off the boil somehow, and was even better at Lyon Heskey is a strong physical presence and would suit either Owen or Martins Atouba has looked ok for Hamburg and his tricks are quality as long as he does it where it counts. I'm getting pissed tonight either way, just a shame I havve to watch setanta sports instead of Sky f*** it if Smith goes I couldn't give a toss! I'll second Bontempi on Malouda, thought he was smashing early on. Strong direct running winger who can also cross. Wouldn't mind him at all and definitely miles better than Milner

Which two posts?

Please can I ask for patient with this guy even if he doesnt hit the ground running....let him ease into the Premiership, he's clearly a long term prospect not gonna score 20 goals a season until he has developed more.

Played 45 times for Depor Scored 46 goals Can we pls cut out this sort of nonsense.....not funny! Read somewhere that its 9 goals out of 23 appearances.....not prolific but if he is the targer man type, then he will bring more than goals to our game coz aside from Viduka, we dont have one (unless you think of Ameobi as a target man )

My apologies to Thomo then, I'm here in Dubai and difficult to get live transfer news, so treat most reports as bollocks unless accompanied by links. 5.7M sounds like a good deal for seemingly a good striker....that's half of the money we got for Milner....wahey!

Sorry without a link, that's just gonna be ignored....deservingly

How many last minute winners/equalizers has he scored for us?

Dam it just saw this thread, looks interesting. Is it too late for me to join now?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Relax guys, it's only Thursday. We all know that most transfers happen on the last day, won't be different this time around. Doubt there'll be a wow signing, but we'll get 1 striker (if Shola leaves) and 1 CM who will slot into the first team. Stay cool and no nothing is gonna happen at 6pm today

Thanks Dave, given my flawless Spanish, that made a lot of sense

And then you return to reality and remember that he is another thick footballer who earns more than any of us for doing f*** all. Your last point is the best one (although I happen to agree that we shouldn't be pandering to Barton either....we should've cancelled the c***s contract). I don't know what "reviewing" contracts every year is supposed to mean. Maybe they did "review" his contract and decided it wouldn't be appropriate to reward him with an improved deal since he hasn't improved as a player? Or is review just a euphemism for more money? James Milner has been a dependable regular who has made his own contribution to some very average, under performing performances over the last few years. He doesn't deserve a new contract, and if Villa are willing to pay 10 million then sell him. If not, then the fucker can rot in the reserves. I'm sick of this plucky, hardworking James Milner myth. He has made his own valuable contribution the failures of recent seasons. read the PFA rep statement man, it makes more sense then and you'll stop talking s**** - as i said unless the PFA are bullshitting there's an informal agreement to review player contracts each season based on progress, i think it says particularly for the younger players - this makes sense if they're saying in negotiations "well we're not gonna pay you "x" amount but we'll give you "y" and in the summer we'll see how you did..." that's the nature of all performance based negotiations - the point being milners guys are saying the club refuse to honour this agreement, not that they looked at his contract and told him he's not worth any more based on performances also do you know what he earns? therefore how do you know he's not worth another contract? How do you know that the club did not review his contract and decided that he does not deserve a new one? Plus its perfectly possible for one to say Milner does not deserve a new contract even if one does not know how much he is getting currently. It's simple really, let's say he is earning 'X' amount in 2006/2007, if he has not improved in 2007/2008 then he does not deserve a new contract regardless of what X amount is.

I'm with Wullie on this and am not joining the "Oh shit he wants to leave, so let's splash more money on him" party. Yes Milner was treated badly during Souness and Freddy's time, that's tough on the boy but who wasnt? Players like Bellamy and Robert who contributed twice as much as Milner were all badly treated and eventually shipped out. Since Keagan took over, he has absolutely nothing to complain about especially as the team is doing well and if we do get 2-3 more decent players in, then we're in for a good season. If he was unhappy with Newcastle, he should have put in the transfer request earlier (pre season). Some said that maybe he didnt want to leave earlier, well nothing negative happened between pre season and now, in fact if anything, things have been rather positive both for him and the club. If he wants better money and is using the transfer request to get that (either at a new club or get a deal here), then he can fuck off for all I care coz he does not deserve a new deal. Yes he is a useful squad player, but we can easily replace him and if we do, then we would be stronger as a team. Yes he works hard during games, but fuck me isnt that's what he's supposed to do for his pay! are we now suggesting that whoever runs for 90 minutes every game gets a guaranteed payrise? Plus if he really works that hard, we would have seen improvement in his play. Hands on my heart, I see just marginal difference between the Milner we bought and the Milner we have now.