Cronky

We didn't see much of him last season, so it's hard to judge. I can't believe he's suddenly turned into a bad player though. It seems that at QPR there was a bad dressing-room split between the existing players on low salaries, and the newcomers who were paid far more. That would have been a very difficult situation for a 22 year old non-English player to be dropped into. The team was struggling from the start, and the management couldn't give him much time to find his form or a role in the side. A young player's confidence could easily collapse in that situation, faced with unspoken criticism from the more established players at the club. Speculative, I know, but in retrospect a lot was expected of him in a very difficult situation.

I find the Douglas article a bit inconsistent. He's right in saying that Kinnear's sudden appearance on the scene has led to some uncertainty. It's like it's not clear who is in charge of transfers at the moment, and who is qualified to speak. However, the club has always been fairly secretive and leak-proof on transfer targets and this is no different. We're just lacking a decent spokesman to field the questions. Sports Direct News came out with complete rubbish about Rooney a few weeks ago, and so we shouldn't assume that they're being used as a secret mouthpiece by the club. There's nothing to be gained on Ashley's part if the website acquires a reputation for being unreliable. The 'missing out on three targets' bit can be read either way. It could mean that we're ambitious and going for targets that are beyond our reach (eg Aubemayang) or we're not prepared to fork out enough. With PEA, we have to face it that if the Champions League runners-up come in for a player, we stand no chance.

I'd read somewhere that Kinnear would just be involved in identifying targets and advising Ashley. The negotiations with the clubs would be handled by Ashley himself. Which would mean that plenty could go on in Kinnear's absence.

I'd see that as an indication that we don't have the full picture. The stuff in the papers seems very vague to me.

Actually, the most solid news to come from the thread.....so which Waitrose? Eldon Square? Jesmond? Ponteland? What was he buying? Did they look 'nonplussed'? God Dam It THIS IS CRUCIAL Yours, L Ryder Were they talking in French, or practising their English? If the former, AP will be tres disappointe.

No Barton wasn't paid during his time inside Yes, on research, that's my error. I think my general point is valid though. That Ashley had a bad experience with Barton, and as a result would be the last owner to want to take a chance with Remy. Not that I think any other owner would, at this point.

My best guess is he prefers Everton (understandably) and would only be tempted to join us if we offered a lot of money. I'm not bothered about this. I don't think he's that great.

Agreed. Thought he was the perfect type of player for us. Kone - from what i've seen is another one that wants to run towards goal rather than link up with midfielders and come deep. Yeah, that's how I'd see him. It doesn't feel like a very imaginative choice.

I agree. I'd be disappointed if he was the only striker we brought in. Being given permission by Wigan is no big deal if there's a release clause. Presumably Kone can talk to anyone who meets the fee, and he currently wants to check out all the clubs who are interested. It doesn't mean we're at the front of the queue.

That's the thing. That's exactly it. And that's why Lambert wants to move him on, the game has moved on, and strikers of the type of Bent are old hat. But, as I said, if you play to his strengths, he's one of the best around. If you don't, then he's a waste of space. Which begs the question, why set up a system that plays to his strengths, if the trend is to more modern systems, as you said in the first sentence. There's a sense with the more traditional system with wingers and a central striker that certain players are in more static positions, waiting for the ball. The trend which has existed for many years is for players to be more flexible, swapping positions to pull defences out of position, and sharing the workload out.

After the experience of paying Joey Barton's salary as he resided at Her Majesty's Pleasure, there's absolutely no way Ashley is going to take the risk with Remy.

Yep.

This is the worry at the back of my mind. Whatever his qualities as a squad player, he'll be coming here to restore himself to his usual position of first choice central striker. If we've got a different agenda (and I hope we do), it doesn't feel like the right move.

I'd rather he tried to persuade him to join us tbh.

The article is pure speculation, based on how much Villa don't want him, rather than how keen we are. He'd be okay as a squad player, but somehow you feel this is the wrong move.

On a Dennis-style scouting mission, Ideye looks a decent all-round striker. Quite a character who looks unlikely to be overawed. Yeaaaah, bring it on.

I don't think any club is going to get involved until the charge is settled one way or the other. You could easily end up paying big money for a player who then ends up in jail. The trial isn't until September though so he'll either need to leave or be stuck in the championship for six months. I can't see that leaving is an option. Who is going to sign a player that might end up seeing out his contract in jail?

I don't think any club is going to get involved until the charge is settled one way or the other. You could easily end up paying big money for a player who then ends up in jail.

No first team appearances though - does he count? What a dilemma.

Sometimes, when I'm struggling to get to sleep, I set myself the challenge of doing an alpabetical list of Newcastle players to clear my mind. That has been Xisco's main contribution to NUFC. We just need a Z so I don't have to cheat with Zico Martin any more.

This is my bugbear. If you have both a quarterback and a defensive midfielder, then you have two players side by side in the centre, neither getting forward, albeit with different roles. It doesn't work very well. Tiote should be pressingh higher up on the pitch. He gives ridicilous amount of silly and needless fouls and freekicks when he sits in front of CBs. Cabaye playing a bit deeper so he has time on the ball and can use his best attribute: passing. If he is higher up pressing the opp, he tires himself out in 60 minutes. I think if one player presses higher up the pitch, they all have to do it. And I don't fancy Cabaye as the deepest-lying midfield player, because defensively he's weak. I'd be prepared to listen to offers for both. Our midfield is static and needs revamping. If we get decent enough fees, we ought to be able to put together a midfield that's a bit more dynamic down the centre.

This is my bugbear. If you have both a quarterback and a defensive midfielder, then you have two players side by side in the centre, neither getting forward, albeit with different roles. It doesn't work very well.

If Cabaye is better suited to continental football and we can get a decent price for him, let’s sell and bring in someone more in line with what we need.

Decent player, but too slow for this level.

He looks like he could do a decent job as a central striker in a 4-3-3, so I'm not unhappy about this. That would displace Cisse but I don't think we should be building the side around Cisse anyway.