TRon

It also helps that there's a contingent. It means that players like N'Zogbia If he comes) and HBA will be happier living in Newcastle. I'm sure that's worked out well with the Latin trio, Jonas. Colo and Enrique.

I don't particularly expect that bit to be true. Like Barton and others, he'd probably see security in having extra years on his deal - possibly even worth him taking a paycut therefore. He also seems happy/eager to stay here in and of itself. As far as I'm aware (which isn't very far), the Board started wanting to negotiate with Nolan following the squad wanting them to. I can see a few reasons why he's treated differently to Colo. Partly as he's on lower wages, so it's recognised that it should be a lot less tricky to get him to cut his wages/less necessary to cut his wages to an 'acceptable' level. Partly as he's the squad leader, so securing him helps secure the others - regardless of what some detractors think, clearly a lot of the players think we really need him more than most, and so the idea he could have one year left on his deal and a sell-happy Board in charge next year will unsettle the others. Added to that of course, he's less obviously a critical player on the pitch - it's easier to imagine the Board deciding they'd rather just get rid of him than it is with someone like Colo, and so again that helps unnerve the wider squad. So altogether, negotiating with him is more about symbolism and helping to make sure other valuable players think the club is moving in the right direction and not a sinking ship. Yup, I'd buy all of that - except I'm not putting any negative spin ("sell-happy" and "sinking ship") on my viewing of what is really an exercise in expediency. Yes, signing Nolan has more symbolic value than footballing merit. But if that symbol leads to a sense of stability and security, and leads to a single one of Barton/Enrique/Colo re-signing, then it's worth the extra 2 million quid the symbol might cost... I could be wrong but I don't think Nolan or Barton signing a contract will be enough to persuade Enrique to stay if he thinks playing for a high profile glamour club is key to getting international honours. Nolan will be key to players like Barton, but Enrique himself is probably more important for the likes of Jonas or Coloccini.

I doubt we'll be signing all three. If one of the bids comes off we'll probably reassess what we need.

He looks a strong lad, should suit English football as well. The thought of him and Tiote in the Newcastle engine room...

I should join a twitter group because the current owners of Man City were interested in buying us, I don't see the connection. You were the one who made a connection.

The owners of Man City were interested in buying us, as to why others haven't, no idea. Join Joey's twitter group then, he's banking on new owners to give him the contract he deserves.

I'm in agreement with this. His major gaffes this season have been when he's tried to claim high crosses. He could play safe like Given and Harper and just be a shot stopper but a keeper who is trying to do the difficult stuff deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Let's have a look at the top six teams then for a clue to how "ambitious" clubs should be run.

Two of those clubs have shown more ambition than us, none of them are run as poorly as we are. So I'm wondering why doesn't someone buy the club and run it better? The only serious bids we have had were Barry Moat who the banks wouldn't touch with a bargepole, and the NUSC who never got beyond boycoutting the club pies in favour of Greggs pasties.

Every player would have went after relegation if a decent chance would have been there. Joey and Nolan as well. But they weren't wanted. The same goes for Colo and Enrique. Doesn't matter, though. All that does matter is that they have been here through that season in the CCC. That has made them a team (or that 'group of lads') and thats why we shouldn't sell anyone (or not renew the contract of anyone) that is still capable of playing for another few years at top level and has been here through that CCC season. You pay what players are worth. No matter how good a group of lads that isn't going to win them a CL spot. until they're worth more than you fancy paying them, then you sell them Barton's not being sold, he's just not going to get a 4 year contract. Nolan's in new contract talks even though he's still got 2 years left on his current one. I don't see how that translates as either player being turfed out.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Tapas+near+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne&aq=1&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=20.771831,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=Tapas&hnear=Newcastle+Upon+Tyne,+United+Kingdom&ll=54.98052,-1.609411&spn=0.038024,0.077162&z=14 So he'll have to munch tapas indoors on Tyneside...is it really such an ordeal? Could even sit outside if he went to La Tasca down the quayside. I hope he brings his coat then.

Every player would have went after relegation if a decent chance would have been there. Joey and Nolan as well. But they weren't wanted. The same goes for Colo and Enrique. Doesn't matter, though. All that does matter is that they have been here through that season in the CCC. That has made them a team (or that 'group of lads') and thats why we shouldn't sell anyone (or not renew the contract of anyone) that is still capable of playing for another few years at top level and has been here through that CCC season. You pay what players are worth. No matter how good a group of lads that isn't going to win them a CL spot.

What would Birmingham fans know? Our posters are much more football savvy and thus Larsson is indeed shit and a clumsy twat like Ryan Taylor.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Tapas+near+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne&aq=1&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=20.771831,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=Tapas&hnear=Newcastle+Upon+Tyne,+United+Kingdom&ll=54.98052,-1.609411&spn=0.038024,0.077162&z=14 So he'll have to munch tapas indoors on Tyneside...is it really such an ordeal?

So true. What on earth is wrong with you people? Honestly. Take it you think he is a really professional guy. Right man for the job. What is the abuse for? Not offering a 4 year contract to Joey? Not giving Nolan a lucrative enough extended contract when he's still got 2 years to run. You're having a laugh, right? Is there another reason this thread got bumped?

So true. What on earth is wrong with you people? Honestly. Take it you think he is a really professional guy. Right man for the job. What is the abuse for? Not offering a 4 year contract to Joey? Not giving Nolan a lucrative enough extended contract when he's still got 2 years to run?

I hope we have given him a deadline. He seems a lot more keen on a move to Spain so if he's not coming we are better off geting an answer sooner rather than later.

I admit I haven't seen much of Larsson, but is a comparioson with Ryan Taylor accurate? Yes they have both got good delivery, but other than that Taylor is an abomination of a footballer, with no touch, control or skill. From what I've seen of Larsson he looks a lot more comfortable on the ball.

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2011/05/27/joey-barton-will-be-in-alan-pardew-s-squad-61634-28772916/#ixzz1NXSmxL1D Good to see that Ashley is quite relaxed about players seeing out their final year at the club. It means we can keep the likes of Barton and Nolan around next year without committing ourselves to paying them for four years after that. In twelve months time I'd like to think we'll have moved beyond counting them as cornerstone players.

Great. Joey should set up a web site with a donate button and with enough fans maybe it will lead to a fans buyout of the club. Then we can offer him the sort of contract he clearly isn't being offered elsewhere.

If there was a limitless pot of money I would agree with you. With Ashley in charge there clearly isn't, so either players lower their demands or some rich foreigner or NUSC buy out the club. Maybe for Joey and Nolan's sake the latter will finally get their arse in gear. eh ? Ashley hasn't got a limitless amount of money he is prepared to spend on NUFC. oh right, just picked up on the "with ashley" and read it negativly in the sense that other owners provide a limitless pot. The only other owners who do provide a limitless pot are Man City and Chelsea. Most other clubs are working within a budget which it is difficult to accommodate ageing/declining stars on long term contracts. We had this same scenario with Owen and where is he now?

Being articulate doesn't make him intelligent. Just a more effective loud mouth.

How long has Zog got left on his contract? 12 months? There's a clue.

If there was a limitless pot of money I would agree with you. With Ashley in charge there clearly isn't, so either players lower their demands or some rich foreigner or NUSC buy out the club. Maybe for Joey and Nolan's sake the latter will finally get their arse in gear. eh ? Ashley hasn't got a limitless amount of money he is prepared to spend on NUFC.

If there was a limitless pot of money I would agree with you. With Ashley in charge there clearly isn't, so either players lower their demands or some rich foreigner or NUSC buy out the club. Maybe for Joey and Nolan's sake the latter will finally get their arse in gear.