TRon

Even so you did a fair job there Rich

Has he been kidnapped?

There definitely seems to be a move towards Krul for the number 1 shirt, and the fact we turned down a decent sized bid for Forster suggests we might have been looking at making those two the main keepers. Although if Forster hasn't done so well in pre season that might have caused a re-assessment.

Didn't Pardew talk about getting a utility player in earlier this year? I think he was talking about someone like O'Shea or Neville who could cover a few positions. I think that might have gone out of the window unless the Onuha links are genuine.

So they were hoping that Fergie would be Enrique's replacement after all. who would have predicted that?

Maybe it's because I haven't seen Cabaye and Marveaux yet I ask the question, tbf they both might be good for a few. I always think you need midfielders to be chipping in with a fair share of goals, and with Obertan another unknown quantity I have to admit I was getting a bit green when I heard Lua Lua scored a cracker against Spurs last week

It's not the worst gamble, but it's interesting he failed to develop at Bordeaux, then failed to push on at Man U. Personally I just wonder if a player can develop a football brain, because physically he's got everything, it's obviously intelligence he's missing.

Lovenkrands is a left footed striker, Obertan is a right winger as far as I can see. So we're in agreement that Obertan is more suited to the RW role? If we're going to play 4-3-3, the arrivals of Obertan and Marveaux push Loven further down the pecking order. I like that. I like it a lot. I don't recall Loven ever playing on the right wing. The two look like completely different players so I don't really understand the comparison.

Lovenkrands is a left footed striker, Obertan is a right winger as far as I can see.

I know that, but getting kicked about a bit won't do him any harm will it? The Premier will probably feel like Dutch football in comparison so it's a good initiation.

It'll do him good tbh. Better he learns how the game's played here and adapts the sooner the better.

It is a bit of an eye opener. Maybe why outsiders like neil and brummie view the situation differently to the majority of Newcastle fans.

Just been reading the ESPN article on Ashley and apparently Cabaye gets a few goals as well. Not sure if that's through dead ball situations or free play but I suppose they all count.

So where will our goals come from this season? When Nolan left there was the prospect of Zog arriving who would get his share. Once we decided he wasn't for us, Barnetta seemed a good choice as he also has looks like a player who finds the net regularly. Cabaye, Marveaux and Obertan might be fine players but I'm not sure any of them are goal getters and it seems we are going to be relying a lot on the forwards to get the goals this season. A legitemate concern?

I think Pardew really needs to earn his money in the next week. Transfer dealings, potential transfer dealings, boardroom antics and fan opinion aside, he needs to do one thing - unite the team for the start of their Premier League campaign in 1 week's time in front of 50,000+ of their own. If he can do that and get you something against Arsenal after what has been a seemingly very trying few days for one reason or another, then he deserves some credit. Equally, for your sake, I hope fans don't turn on him completely if you don't do well in the first 2 games. It could get messy if you're on 0 points after the derby. It will be interesting to see how Pardew manages a team full of French players, most of whom have little experience of British football. I've quite grown to like Pards since my early hostile reaction. I just wonder if these guys are being brought in with his blessing because it won't be easy managing a foreign dressing room.

Ah ok gotcha. You were talking about Interpolic then

I was wondering who would have pushed for this deal? Is it a Carr one or did Pardew fancy him? You'd like to think we've done our homework if he hasn't shown much at Man U?

I like the diversity on these boards, you get to hear a broader range of views. There are plenty of other boards where you can get the "Joey is a legend" mantra which you might feel is more representative.

I sense a few are saying that because you had your hopes set on N'Zogbia, and Obertan doesn't appear to be as good as him. He's another body in and for all anyone knows, he could flourish a bit more if he's given more of a chance than he was at Man Utd, which he surely would be. People are free to air their opinions about him as a player but you'd think you were buying an inanimate object if you look at some of the comments on here. I think there will be a few worried that while all of these signings are potentially exciting, there is an unknown factor with a lot of them. Most are unproven in the premier league and that's reflected in the fees. It could turn out to be very canny business or it could go horribly wrong. People are nervous I guess.

Ok I should add "unless we are about to flog Simpson".

There's no way we'll spend that much on a right sided defender. Left back, striker and that's it IMO.

I wouldn't be too bothered about losing Barton as I think his days here are numbered anyway. I would rather have had Barnetta in though as I think he would contribute goals, whereas Obertan might turn out to be a flashy younger version of Jonas. But at least he's young and has some exciting qualities, hopefully playing in a French forward line up will bring out the best in him.

It would be funny as hell if he blossomed this season and banged in a few with the papers calling him the new Thierry. hahahahahhahahahahahaahahhhahahahahhahahahahhahha in your reply would be quite appropriate if his value rocketed to £15m.

I was going to say that but I thought I'd get slammed. Well said. It's a bit much £20 though. Otherwise I would quite fancy getting an early look at Ba, Cabaye and Marveaux.

To be fair, the Man U fan on here reckons he's turboshit, that's the only reason I'm concerned as he seems to have seen a fair bit of him. If I was just going off YT I'd say he looks a hell of a prospect. I hope he does well but the fact Fergie's letting him go suggests he might turn out to be an Ali Aliadere type, all fart and no shit.