TRon

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.

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 can see Enrique leaving at the last minute after Liverpool offer £8m. Taylor will be cheap insurance cover at the last minute.

The story we wanted £15m was going around at least three days ago. Looks like a classic case of bartering using alternative targets as bait. This isn't going to be resolved any time soon.

I'll chuck in the words paper shitstirring. I'll chuck in a few more: players whining through the media.

How can it be considered a "contract snub" when he's still got two years left to run on his current deal? To my mind the decision to leave talks of a new contract until next season is perfectly reasonable.

a story about Enrique staying would be massive news, fuck the semantics. More likely it will be more along the lines of "Forster to clinch move to Celtic if NUFC agree terms".

I'd agree with that tbh. Charlie would be good for us but if Liverpool are after him I'm getting the distinct feeling that Dalglish is in danger of wrecking their team dynamics. Carroll was already a step in that direction which just confirms my suspicion that the miserable git doesn't see the bigger picture.

The next week should be pivotal not just with Gervinho but Enrique as well. Both have been given a deadline for a decision so even if they don't sign at least we'll know where we are and can make other plans.

Big headlines in the Sun that Liverpool are lining up a double raid for Zog and Henderson. If we get Gervinho I'll laugh my tits off at the empty handed mackems.

I haven't seen Long but if he's got anything like the finishing skills of Gameiro then I'm surprised there hasn't been a host of clubs in for him already since players in this league tend to be valued at a far higher premium.

Then surely we are a sideways step? Don't get why some people are so sure he'd choose us over them. troll alert

In what way? well he's one paced for a start.

From what I saw of Gameiro he's big enough but more a striker in the Robin van Persie mode, more about technique and finishing than physical presence.

If we've got the money we should sign both tbh. Zog is left-footed and Gervinho right. If it's only going to be one of the two then Gervinho makes more sense as we need a right winger more.

Zog wont go to Mackems unless they offer him stupid wages. They probably will because he's one of our former players and their whole world revolves around us tbh.

WE don't want to be messed about for too long but at the moment we are still one of his options. Well worth waiting another week IMO. While I can understand the Owen comparisons I don't think it's the same thing at all. This lad is on the up and wants to make the right move to ignite his career. Owen was a prima donna on the way down who thought we were beneath him.

I have no sympathy for Fulham fans. These small town people are always quick to tell us we think we are bigger than we are....well you just got shit on by your own manager because he needs to move on to a proper club.

If Jose has any doubts about leaving now's the time to strike the deal. The club have shown they meant business by bidding for M'Bengue, now they've "ended" their interest and have reportedly shoved a bumper contract under Enrique's nose. I think we've played this great. he knows we aren't going to sit around and pine, either join the push for next season or make it clear he wasn't going to stay in any situation.

They all sit round the same desk, man. Aye, but they don't share sources. They hate each other apparently. That's what I heard. Don't know if it's true or not.

I'd be more inclined to believe a Journal source than the Chronicle tbh. I can't imagine the club giving out much to the Chronicle with the press they got until recently.

"We had frequent contact with Paris, said a leader of Manchester CityLorient. The arrival of a new investor has always been a precursor to more advanced discussions. At one point, PSG was ahead on this issue. Today they are late. Kevin is closer to England ... " Maybe that's why the club are still confident they can persuade him to come here. There must have been some sort of progress.

If it happens it's because we've got our first target which must be Gervinho.

It could well get tricky. After publicly bigging himself up, he's not going to take kindly to being shown the door. Not unless it's going to sound like promotion, and I can't see any of the bigger clubs being interested. In fact, with the way he's been behaving, a lot of the smaller clubs will be wary. He likes to make his presence felt, and I hope he doesn't cause any problems this next season. Hasn't Ashley already suggested he's quite relaxed about players running down their contract in the final year? At the end of the day Barton is entitled to it although I agree I don't think it will do him much good. I'm sure Pardew will make use of him even if he isn't starting many games.