Mowen

Maybe not originally, but isn't that where most of his performances for Chelsea over the last two years have been? Nobby's not a right back either, and he's still our best one at the moment. I like the idea of this signing, would add depth to the squad.

Exactly my thoughts. Provides backup for Butt as well as probably being our first choice right back. Good signing, if it happens.

Emailed my French mate who lives on the outskirts of Paris to see what he thought of Roz, his answer was "not good, not bad, just a normal player". Also I'm not too sure people are wetting theirselves at the prospect of Rozehnal, just pleased that the transfer Allardyce has been working on for a while is coming to a successful conclusion. Don't think many on here would claim to know too much about him.

Poor old Parky.

I'm very interested to see how well Sven does, but I'm glad I'm finding out via a club other than Newcastle tbh. He's got a good record at club level, but I can't see the media going easy on him if he has a slow start. They'll just be waiting to crucify him imo, and he's going to have to do a very respectable job to win them round. He really could go either way - wouldn't be overly surprised to see him do awfully or brilliantly.

Good point. He's a Barcelona player being linked with ManU after all...

Discussions about Bellamy and the board really highlight the maturity on this board... 'Bell-end', 'Thickmick', etc. It's not even half-term!

£8m for Gudjohnsen would be very good value if the reported prices for Smith and Bent are true.

Never mind. Fucking sky........

From the club accounts ... William Frederick Shepherd: Appointed director of the football club in November 1991 and subsequently as chairman in July1998. Appointed as Non-executive director of Newcastle United PLC in December 1998, became a full time Executive Director in August 2001 ands was appointed Chairman in 2002. (NE5 will disagree with me on this as I've taken it from a club publication, but you can probably assume it is okay) So in other words, while he was chairman: Dodgy Dalglish transfers Appointment of Gullit Start of decline under Robson commenced shortly after his second spell as chairman commenced Sacking of Bobby Robson Appointment of Souness Signing of Owen and others. Accused by both Souness and Robson as the man actually in charge of transfers. Appointment of Roeder Appointment of Allardyce And while he was at the club, but not chairman: Appointment of Keegan Signing of Shearer 2nd in the league Appointment of Dalglish Appointment of Robson Champions League Qualification. No-one disagrees with any of the statements here then?

Will there be any highlights packages on terrestrial do you know? Maybe a cure for insomniacs without sky...?

Although, having said that, if he's playing for Liverpool at the time and Owen nets us a 50 yard backheel I might change my mind.

Rampage for me.

Still think Dyer would be a good impact sub. Not the best player, but can still scare the shit out of a team when running at them in an advanced position.

If I Recall Correctly and In The Know, respectively.

I concur, to an extent. I'd rather he loved the club, but I can't see it making too much difference.

Well played Fred.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/6237262.stm Hibernian have signed Newcastle winger Alan O'Brien on a three-year contract after he agreed personal terms on Monday. The Republic of Ireland international will join the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club on 1 July, after his contract at St James' Park expires. Hibs and Newcastle have yet to agree a compensation fee for the 22-year-old. Hibs manager John Collins said: "He is an exciting young player and one that I am sure our fans will appreciate." Collins told Hibernian's official website: "We are delighted to have signed Alan on a three-year contract at Hibernian. "He has had the best possible grounding at Newcastle United and while his first-team experience has so far been limited, his quality is without question. "I think that is underlined by his appearances for the Republic of Ireland. "A few other clubs were naturally drawn to him as his current contract at Newcastle was coming to an end. "But Alan has chosen Hibernian to progress his career knowing that this club continues to provide the best possible platform for a young player to learn and enjoy the game. "Alan is a wide player and very, very quick. He knows already the way we like to play the game and we expect that he will see a great deal of the ball." O'Brien made nine first-team appearances in six seasons on Tyneside and also spent a month on loan at Carlisle. The Dubliner made his international debut against Holland in August 2006 and has won a total of five caps. And he will join the Easter Road squad in time to travel with them to Austria on Sunday for their week-long pre-season training camp. O'Brien is already looking forward to renewing his working relationship with former Newcastle coach Tommy Craig, who is assistant manager at Easter Road. O'Brien told Hibernian's official website: "Any player who has worked under Tommy will tell you that their football education has benefited greatly from his influence and guidance. "He is an excellent coach and I'm certainly looking forward to working with him again, but there is also the opportunity to work with John Collins. "As a player John has pretty much seen and done it all, and as a manager he has already made a great impact at Hibernian. "Everybody in the game is I think aware of what has been happening at Hibernian over the last few years. "The quality of young player coming through the ranks into first-team football is exceptional. "I have enjoyed my time at Newcastle United immensely but I believe that with Hibernian I can progress both at club and international level." O'Brien is Hibernian's third summer signing, joining former Newcastle United team-mate Brian Kerr, who signed from Motherwell, and striker Clayton Donaldson, who joins the Edinburgh side this week from York City. --------------------------------- Thought he might turn into something decent a few years ago, guess he still might but not here. Fast as fuck, by all accounts.

How did you work that one out? Surely he's been chairman since 98, which would indicate we qualified for the Champs League and hired Robson under him? Edit: For T27, just in case anyone gets confused.

Being reported in a few places that 'Boro have bid £6m for him. Might have been a good buy for the initial £3.5m but that seems a bit steep. Happy to see him go elsewhere for that money.

I'm not quite sure I get that.. It says he was appointed chairman in both July 1998 and 2002? If the first is true, that means he's been here approximately since the Dalgleish dismissal/Gullit appointment? Also, he was just a board member before he became chairman if I've understood it properly?

One thing I wouldn't mind having cleared up: When did Shephard join the club, and in what capacity was he before being made chairman? Also, in which year was he made chairman?

Have to say, aside from everything else I'm going to be sad to see Henry leave the league. One of my favourite non-NUFC players to grace the premiership and an absolute joy to watch. Farewell.