TRon

We don't have any money. Thank fuck for that, we wouldn't want to risk improving the squad in case it doesn't work out. Better off sticking with what we've got and hoping our great team spirit built by Joey and Kev can get us by. Incredible. No one's saying we shouldn't buy Cabaye. But no one should be saying that he should replace either Joey or Nolan. Maybe we can play Kabaye on the left wing? Nice spot.

I can understand where you're coming from but I think handing out longer contracts where there's no need would mean us probably cutting a couple of players from our wanted list this season. I like the calibre of players we are looking at and if giving out extended contracts to Nolan and Barton means we lose them then I can't agree with it.

It would be nice to be able to sign a blank cheque to keep everyone on long extended contracts and buy lots more expensive players at the same time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anywhere without arab/russian billionaire owners. If there's a limit on the spending how do you propose we recruit new players at the same time as handing out long contracts to the likes of Nolan and Barton? Don't bid for Gervinho and bid for someone £4m cheaper so we can hand that money to the players already here? Why is there a limit on spending when we've just sold the family silver for £35m? Keeping your main first team players and buying new ones doesn't happen anywhere else? Righto. But no one is bombing them out, they just aren't being given cushy long contract extensions. It's debatable whether either player can even cut it in central midfield for much longer as you yourself have pointed out pretty often. We had this business with Owen where Keegan wanted the board to hand out a mega new deal because he was so important. Sorry but for me when players are showing signs of decline, I don't want to be looking at them as long term central figures at the club. Signs of decline? They've just had the best seasons of their careers. but you don't think Barton can play in central midfield any more? Why not? And Nolan getting on the end of a few set pieces isn't going to make me wonder why he's a stone heavier than in his Bolton days. Getting fatter is a sign of decline for me, don't know about you. I don't think Barton's ever been able to play in central midfield, it's not his game. Fuck all to do with his fitness levels. He's 28 ffs not 38. I'm pretty sure he made his name with City as a central midfielder. When he's slagging off Gareth Barry I doubt it's because he wants to replace him on the wing. Anyway, Barton is someone I would like to keep in the right circumstances, but not if he's tying his own deal into Nolan signing and they both want daft long term deals which makes it less likely we'll buy quality players. Squad players don't get 4 year deals on big wages. How do you know it's either a 4 year deal or big wages? WE could argue semantics but let's simplify it. Nolan and Barton aren't just squad players. If they want longer contracts (better?) then they will expect to either be first team regulars or relatively low paid reserves. I'm more than happy for Nolan to be a squad player and be paid as such. I'm pretty sure the club would be ok with that as well. So where's the likely sticking point?

It would be nice to be able to sign a blank cheque to keep everyone on long extended contracts and buy lots more expensive players at the same time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anywhere without arab/russian billionaire owners. If there's a limit on the spending how do you propose we recruit new players at the same time as handing out long contracts to the likes of Nolan and Barton? Don't bid for Gervinho and bid for someone £4m cheaper so we can hand that money to the players already here? Why is there a limit on spending when we've just sold the family silver for £35m? Keeping your main first team players and buying new ones doesn't happen anywhere else? Righto. But no one is bombing them out, they just aren't being given cushy long contract extensions. It's debatable whether either player can even cut it in central midfield for much longer as you yourself have pointed out pretty often. We had this business with Owen where Keegan wanted the board to hand out a mega new deal because he was so important. Sorry but for me when players are showing signs of decline, I don't want to be looking at them as long term central figures at the club. Signs of decline? They've just had the best seasons of their careers. but you don't think Barton can play in central midfield any more? Why not? And Nolan getting on the end of a few set pieces isn't going to make me wonder why he's a stone heavier than in his Bolton days. Getting fatter is a sign of decline for me, don't know about you. I don't think Barton's ever been able to play in central midfield, it's not his game. Fuck all to do with his fitness levels. He's 28 ffs not 38. I'm pretty sure he made his name with City as a central midfielder. When he's slagging off Gareth Barry I doubt it's because he wants to replace him on the wing. Anyway, Barton is someone I would like to keep in the right circumstances, but not if he's tying his own deal into Nolan signing and they both want daft long term deals which makes it less likely we'll buy quality players. Squad players don't get 4 year deals on big wages.

I've never seen Cabaye play mate, not even once. He could be a huge success, he could be a huge failure. It's utterly ridiculous to try and guess whether he'll be worth his wages this season, let alone in two year's time. If he even signs. Ben Arfa has barely played for us and I'm sorry but despite his obvious quality on the ball he's still completely unproven for us. Not least because he's just broken his leg. You couldn't pick a worse pair of players to compare the 'worth' of wages to. Perfect choice to compare with imo. Ben Arfa and Cabaye are in the prime of their career and will be viewed as key first team players. Will that apply to Nolan and Barton when their contracts are up? And what if they're shit or disruptive? Then what? what if they are? Would you prefer we didn't sign them and stuck with safe and tested? I'd rather try both and shift Ryan Taylor and Alan Smith. That's what I said, try reading it again. Yes. Selling Smith is always a good and realistic option. Beats me why we haven't done it. Good point.

It would be nice to be able to sign a blank cheque to keep everyone on long extended contracts and buy lots more expensive players at the same time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anywhere without arab/russian billionaire owners. If there's a limit on the spending how do you propose we recruit new players at the same time as handing out long contracts to the likes of Nolan and Barton? Don't bid for Gervinho and bid for someone £4m cheaper so we can hand that money to the players already here? Why is there a limit on spending when we've just sold the family silver for £35m? Keeping your main first team players and buying new ones doesn't happen anywhere else? Righto. But no one is bombing them out, they just aren't being given cushy long contract extensions. It's debatable whether either player can even cut it in central midfield for much longer as you yourself have pointed out pretty often. We had this business with Owen where Keegan wanted the board to hand out a mega new deal because he was so important. Sorry but for me when players are showing signs of decline, I don't want to be looking at them as long term central figures at the club. Signs of decline? They've just had the best seasons of their careers. but you don't think Barton can play in central midfield any more? Why not? And Nolan getting on the end of a few set pieces isn't going to make me wonder why he's a stone heavier than in his Bolton days. Getting fatter is a sign of decline for me, don't know about you.

I've never seen Cabaye play mate, not even once. He could be a huge success, he could be a huge failure. It's utterly ridiculous to try and guess whether he'll be worth his wages this season, let alone in two year's time. If he even signs. Ben Arfa has barely played for us and I'm sorry but despite his obvious quality on the ball he's still completely unproven for us. Not least because he's just broken his leg. You couldn't pick a worse pair of players to compare the 'worth' of wages to. Perfect choice to compare with imo. Ben Arfa and Cabaye are in the prime of their career and will be viewed as key first team players. Will that apply to Nolan and Barton when their contracts are up? And what if they're shit or disruptive? Then what? what if they are? Would you prefer we didn't sign them and stuck with safe and tested?

It would be nice to be able to sign a blank cheque to keep everyone on long extended contracts and buy lots more expensive players at the same time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anywhere without arab/russian billionaire owners. If there's a limit on the spending how do you propose we recruit new players at the same time as handing out long contracts to the likes of Nolan and Barton? Don't bid for Gervinho and bid for someone £4m cheaper so we can hand that money to the players already here? Why is there a limit on spending when we've just sold the family silver for £35m? Keeping your main first team players and buying new ones doesn't happen anywhere else? Righto. But no one is bombing them out, they just aren't being given cushy long contract extensions. It's debatable whether either player can even cut it in central midfield for much longer as you yourself have pointed out pretty often. We had this business with Owen where Keegan wanted the board to hand out a mega new deal because he was so important. Sorry but for me when players are showing signs of decline, I don't want to be looking at them as long term central figures at the club.

It would be nice to be able to sign a blank cheque to keep everyone on long extended contracts and buy lots more expensive players at the same time. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anywhere without arab/russian billionaire owners. If there's a limit on the spending how do you propose we recruit new players at the same time as handing out long contracts to the likes of Nolan and Barton? Don't bid for Gervinho and bid for someone £4m cheaper so we can hand that money to the players already here?

When I first heard that Nolan was to be offered a new contract I said on here somewhere that if it were true, the club were happy to avoid relegation every year. Because that is what Nolan is - a player who will score the goals to avoid relegation but will prevent you from getting any further forward. If we are not offering him a new contract I am absolutely delighted. He's welcome to stay two more years of course but that's his decision. As far as I'm concerned this is progress. Whether it' down to ambition is yet to be proven but I'll take Cabaye over Nolan any day of the week.

Yeah Arsenal are the ones doing it wrong, thank fuck we're not in their position.

He said that? Or just a hunch? We wouldn't be going for Zoggy if he didn't want to come here IMO. If Gervinho says yes first then whether Zog wants to come here or not - and I believe he does - then he's going to miss out. We will only go for one of the two and it looks like Whelan might be wrecking Charlie's chances of coming back.

Although I slagged off the Northern Echo in another thread, I believe this to be true. If ever there was a time for being a selective critic this is surely it.

wish I could say I was 100% sure that would be the case.

Sounds like prospect. Fine as a back up but I have a feeling he'll be Enrique's replacement which would be a concern.

The Swansea fans seem to rate him. Could be a shrewd signing.

Yeah, I can see it now. I did ask about this before and no-one responded. This now looks like the club have actually changed their minds. Either that, or the two parties weren't nearly as close to an agreement as Nolan was thinking or saying. We may have embarrassed the player here. I've often wondered about the situation - which I think is mirrored at Chelsea - where the Chairman / Chief Exec doesn't wield much real power, and the owner is only involved part-time. It seems a recipe for confused decision-making. How have we embarrassed the player? He was offered a contract extension as far as I read it. If you delay signing there is always the chance that the deal might not stay on the table if the situation changes. Don't see what either party has done wrong here.

I think we'll easily get the £1m for him. He could well do a good job for a lower tier team and there's potential for his value to rocket if he starts hitting goals.

Would love that to be true. Not only would we get shot of a waste of space ("group of lads" value aside) it would also vindicate the view that Allardyce is a clueless fat bastard.

or maybe "this group of lads" can't expect to earn bonus years based on being a "group of lads" and should accept that we are evolving. I'd reckon 80 is more right than wrong. The old guard are to be put out to pasture. If the new breed are of the Tiote, Arfa, Cabaye ilk I can't say I'm too concerned, but it has the potential to go pear shaped I'm sure. The old guard aren't being put out to pasture as far as I can tell. They just aren't getting inflated deals based on their "group of lads" valuation criteria. To me, it's pretty clear these deals have revolved around security of position - not much to do with quick pay hikes. It's blatant sense, following on from the past 6 months, that no one's position at the club is safe, and so anyone with longer term plans here will be looking to shore themselves up - looking for some evidence that they're not about to be chucked at short notice. It's proven that the Board know how to extend an already long deal - see Tiote - so an unwillingness to do so with any other player who is ordinarily seen as an important member (like the captain...) is a sign he's actually not highly valued and liable to be ousted. Have to say, why you seem to have disdain for the group of lads thing seeing as it was the main thing that kept us up I don't know. I'll grant you they shouldn't be given wildly large and long contracts but I haven't seen anything to seriously suggest they want them, but I can definitely see how offering security and a sense of value to bulwarks of the club's recent success - and likely future success for me - would help keep the wagon rolling and make sure the Cabayes aren't going to turn out like the Vianas. I don't have disdain for the group of lads, I just don't rate Nolan as a player at Premier level and never have, at least not for us if we want to move on. I take your point about a bunch of new foreigners could turn out to be Vianas, but IMO if you buy quality then any manager worth his salt should be able to fashion a decent team. We have a fairly strong defensive base with Tiote as insurance, so adding some attacking flair is a risk worth taking IMO. If we can afford to keep Nolan on an extended contract to sit on the bench as well great, but I understand if we can't.

I can only assume Ranger is more trouble than he is worth. £1m and his crappy wages are hardly going to make much of a dent in our budget.

or maybe NOTW reporters (Arsenal fans) want to put the story out to put doubt in Gervinho's mind Is he a subscriber, like? I'm not but I still heard about it. He probably has a bit more on his plate than you. Nee offence. His agent doesn't.

or maybe NOTW reporters (Arsenal fans) want to put the story out to put doubt in Gervinho's mind Is he a subscriber, like? I'm not but I still heard about it.

Maybe Carroll will drive him to Liverpool. Or more likely, West Ham.

or maybe NOTW reporters (Arsenal fans) want to put the story out to put doubt in Gervinho's mind