TRon

You forgot to add Kenny's wanted list: 1) Tiote 2) Coloccini

Exactly. If the club heirarchy already have a certain opinion of him (difficult, etc) then this isn't gonna change their minds. However, he seems to be of the opinion that he won't be pushed out this summer, but he also won't stay and work for them beyond next summer.... so not sure of his real motives, TBH. Don't know why he doesn't just put his head down and play out next season - which he's perfectly entitled to. All this talk about NUSC/Barcelona fans buyouts is just childish shit-stirring. It won't get him anywhere except out the door.

My take is: Ashley and Llambias want Barton out. But if Barton can be retained at an acceptable --- or you can say, cheap --- cost then no problem about it. Pardew is bothered. Barton is very useful in both right midfield and centre midfield position and is currently the vice captain. His back up is Guthrie and no one can guarantee him that the club will sign quality players to replace Barton, unless he is daft enough to believe Ashley and Llambias. There was a contract offered at January according to various sources. So it's Barton who didn't accept it. It may be due to not good enough, or having doubts towards the club future like Enrique after Carroll's sales. Then it's his intention, which is the most difficult question now. Originally I think he does want to stay and is putting pressure towards the club in order to get a better contract, which is fair play. But then, why targeting Ashley and Llambias? This is the last thing to do to stay in this club. Ok we all know Ashley and Llambias are bastards but if you really want to stay you cannot voice that out. So my take would be he wants to leave. By doing these PR exercises, I guess, he wants to give out "some" positive images like "I like playing for a club and fans that loves me and I will not cause trouble anymore" etc to the public and to his potential suitors. Who? Liverpool, Aston Villa, or even QPR etc. They are willing to pay his wages if he is available at a very low price. On the other hand, we are not in a position to demand huge fees since he is walking away for free next season. 2m is the best price we can get. And finally, I believe he loves the club and the fans, but just he loves himself more. bingo.

Without doubt. The smear campaign starts here. Well the smear campaign technically started when Willie McKunt went on air yesterday.

Ok I'll buy the club and give Joey a 4 year contract. Problem solved.

Take that Carlos.

It's bollocks man. Can't see them taking Jonas even if Kenny does suffer from mental illness.

Nolan's being replaced by his bionic clone Darren Pratley.

If Owen Coyle rates him then he will probably be ok.

Not for Kop King Kenny with his former club vulture syndrome.

It would be more interesting if there was much chance of us signing either, but as there isn't I'm not too fussed.

We'll take your word for it Mr Ghandi.

That's the crux of the argument for me. Personally I believe we can do better than Barton a year down the line so why give him or Nolan longer deals? This only applies if the club have that same vision and aren't going to replace him with someone cheaper but inferior.

Hopefully he's going to say he's sacked his agent and will sign as soon as...

Barton is relatively easier to replace to be honest. The real problem is, who next? Coloccini? Nolan? That would be devastating. If the club are indeed trying (in one way or another) to purge the high earners, then you'd have to guess that Colo could be next (assuming Enrique is as good as gone).... he was of course conspicuous by his absence from the 'lap of appreciation' too. What sort of money might Nolan be on, considering he was brought in January 09, well into the current regime, but also pre-relegation clauses, etc? Smith is the main one though - such a drain on wages, for what is essentially a bit part player now. Of course, he's hardly sellable either! There are only three top tier players at Newcastle IMO. Enrique, Tiote, and Coloccini could be classed as that as well. By top tier I mean they are good enough to get the attention of a high profile club. Barton and Nolan are at a lower level and that will be reflected in the teams (or lack of) who show an interest in them. If Coloccini is on the reported 80k/week then I think we'll lose him as well unless he agrees to a cut. He was Ashley's signature signing so there might be more leeway shown but I doubt it.

If he's going to be put up for sale I have no problem with that, as to me he's not a top player. What I don't want to see is him leaving at the last minute without a replacement being brought in. If it gets too close to deadline day then make him play the season out, same as how Wigan made Zog stay when we pitched in a last minute offer.

Like Owen and Viduka a couple of years ago?

It would be if he ended up at a better club but since he won't I don't really care.

Would prefer if both left for inevitably inferior clubs and we could move on.

So basically Barton is keen to fuck off if a top club comes in. Failing that Aston Villa or maybe some crap club on the continent. One last pay day wherever it is seems to be the order of the day.

Me too. We lost that much just on Pardew's daft substitutions against WBA. I'd far rather he played another season and left for Spain or Italy. What if he's playing poorly because he doesn't really want to be here? Very hypothetical obviously. I think Enrique will have too many options abroad at the end of his contract to bother playing badly so he can get a move to a shit-hole like Liverpool.

Me too. We lost that much just on Pardew's daft substitutions against WBA. I'd far rather he played another season and left for Spain or Italy.

Only people with their head in the clouds actually believed/still believe that a player in the final year of his contract can command £15m. The selling price will be £6-8M IMO. Liverpool will know that if we hold on to him other (bigger) clubs will be in for him when he leaves on a free. They will up their bid or lose out.

I think the clubmight well let him go quite cheap rather than let him run his contract down. I know Joey's agent's said he'll give 100% in his final year but if Barton's pissed off who's to say?