Gallowgate End

Any idea what he's like? He looks tubetastic, not many long compilations made for CB's but there is a long one of him on there. 24 year old 6'1" and looks pretty quick. I remember he was linked to a lot of clubs when he was at Saint-Etienne remember reading he was on his way to Juventus don't know what happened with that does seem a Carr type signing for us though with him playing most of his football in France.

More in the French press regarding our transfer activity... http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2012/20120114_105932_newcastle-sur-benalouane.html Yohan Benalouane may soon discover the British football but ... Newcastle. Reportedly, the former defender of Saint-Etienne was supervised by the Magpies last Thursday in the Italian Cup against Naples. Today at Cesena, the 24-year-old likes a lot to Alan Pardew.

Great bit of commentary when demba ba scored "the ticking time bomb has just exploded in stoke's faces" ha.

I cant wait to see Ben Arfa in the shirt tomorrow does seem almost certain Pardew will go unchanged from the team we went with down at Villa though will be good to have the option of Ben Arfa and Marveaux to come off the bench to change the game.... if u look at the Blackburn team there isn't a lot to be worried about bar Hoilett and defensively they look pretty weak shame Salgado is out for them though he has looked dreadful for them Givet at Left back though has looked equally bad.. should be able to get few past these tomorrow.

I don't think Santon has even trained with the team yet... for that reason I would be surprised if he starts. Why wouldn't he have trained with the team? He has been away with the Italian under 21 squad.

I don't think Santon has even trained with the team yet... for that reason I would be surprised if he starts.

I hope Pardew doesn't play Lovenkrands... would like to see Ba and Best given a run out alongside each other hope we resist playing Coloccini and Tiote with Sunday in mind. Krul Taylor Wiliamson Taylor Ferguson Gosling Vuckic Obertan Marveuex Best Ba

Marvin Martin please... how much would that piss Sochaux off even more

No we do need to get a natural left back I would rather we spent the money on Cissokho though wasn't impressed with Pieters at all.

ESPN were showing the PSV game yesterday got to watch the second half of it have to say he didn't look good he is big and tall though but technically and positionally at times not good... would be disappointed if we pay over £5 million for him.

I wouldn't pay to much attention to that journalist suggesting that he's not playing well I watched the Lyon game against Rubin last week and was very impressed linked up with Bastos really well... definitely be fortunate if we get a left back of Cissokho standard.

His qualities are the same as Enrique strong quick likes to carry the ball forward certainly a great direct replacement for Enrique.. doubtful the board will go for him when there are cheaper options though.

Cant see them letting him go for that though.

The Times also now reporting we've made a bid for Cissokho.. would be a pleasant surprise if the board actually get him wouldn't surprise me if our offers fall short though cant see them accepting anything less then £10 million given they paid £15 million for him.

Yeah me too think I would rather see two working either side of Ba then Ameobi or a Best alongside him, playing 4-3-2-1 also allows Tiote to give a bit more deeper protection in front of the back four while giving Barton and Cabaye more chance to make more forward runs and pick passes for Obertan, Marveaux and Ba. Krul Simpson Taylor Coloccini Enrique Tiote Barton Cabaye Obertan Marveaux Ba wouldn't mind seeing that till a good enough striker comes in or Ben Arfa is back although Hatem could also come in and work playing off the side of Ba with either Obertan, Marveaux.

Cabaye is starting according to their main sports paper.. be good to actually see this lad play before Saturday. Le onze de départ probable : Lloris - Sagna, Kaboul, Abidal, Clichy - M'Vila (ou Diarra), Cabaye - Rémy (ou Ménez), Nasri, Malouda - Benzema http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110809_211630_une-charniere-abidal-kaboul.html

I have no words....... http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3689739/Mario-Balotellis-LA-fitness-camp.html

Got fined about £400k for going AWOL for the last game of the season didn't he? Yeah seems to have had trouble at every club he has been at great ability though would be a waste if he goes back to Brazil at just 26.

Just reading Wolfsburg have put Diego up for sale talk of him returning to Brazil at just 26.. wonder if a Man United or Chelsea take a gamble on him certainly a cheaper option then Modric.

Yeah apparently Aston Villa are willing to let him go for just £3 millon probably a better option not in his 30s yet either.

I think Matthew Upson is a better option on a free much better injury record then Woodgate played for England in the world cup only last summer.

Decent player? nowt special? yes ok mate. How many assists and goals did he get from midfield last season by the way... the top midfielder players get double figure assists he is just a player with good feet and a nice touch that is it.

Is it me or is the bottom half of the back a different shade of black to the top of the back... will be surprised if I end up buying it tomorrow.

If Lyon are interested maybe they're putting their left back Cissosko up for sale.. haven't seen him since he was at Porto but he was a cracking full back then really strong, fast all round terrific athlete, if the board are going to cash in on Enrique this summer though I would rather the board offer him to Man City they don't seem to fancy Kolarov defensively always take him out the big games and put Zabaleta at left back they seem to like spending big money on new full backs Jerome Boateng was £10 million, Kolarov was £16 million could at least get a guaranteed high figure like £15 million if we were to sell to Man City would rather that then seeing him go to Liverpool.

I thought Barton put in a terrific performance in his return to center midfield yesterday, some fantastic tackles on Lampard, McEachren and Ramires he made sure Chelsea's three man midfield didn't over run us I hope he has played his last game on the right for us it was extremely successful with Carroll up there but he hasn't been effective on the right since the big number 9 has left I hope Pardew starts Barton next season alongside Tiote and brings in a more quick natural winger to play on the right.