TRon

Why isn't this happening? Should be a doddle to sort out, I'd have thought. Maybe he isn't cheap by Championship standards? Maybe the future owner isn't in a position to agree to adding to the wage bill without clearing it with Barclays? It could be any number of things.

Only if a thick cnut is buying him.

I wonder what Shearer makes of all this bearing in mind that Moat's inability to raise the funds before now means that if Shearer comes in he'll have to work with threadbare squad with no prospect of buying any players till January? assuming his demands that certain players stayed for him to take the job with Ashley, it would be ironic if Moat could only afford the club by selling those same players.

If Moat puts his faith in Shearer then he has to get it right basically. I assume Shearer will come with a fairly ambitious transfer budget which is fine, but then it's promotion or bust I would think. Moat will have to have the funds to factor in failure in the short term at least.

Tommy Smith has signed for Reading on a 3 year deal according to the Sun.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8217973.stm If Ashley's still in charge he'll wait until a player gets injured before loaning a player to fill that gap. thats what most clubs do with the loan system Except we will need to do it to replace the players we've sold, because I can guarantee we won't be buying players (which is what most other clubs do btw).

I read somewhere that Moyes wasn't all that convinced about Taylor despite the noises coming from here that they are interested. I suppose we'll find out over the next few days what with all these rumours that Villa and Liverpool are also supposedly sniffing around. Wouldn't be surprised if it's all crap tbh.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8217973.stm If Ashley's still in charge he'll wait until a player gets injured before loaning a player to fill that gap.

I wouldn't go that far. It's more likely a couple more players will be sold then some brought in on loan by the looks of it. Barclays have been trying to get the overdraft down even before Ashley put the club up for sale. Didn't they put the blocks on Shearer's blueprint if he stayed on?

I'll bet selling isn't any problem though...

I don't know if the rumour of a mystery bidder coming in at the death is bollocks but my only hope is that just as Fat Mike might have decided that the good start makes the club worth hanging onto, maybe some rich party will also be tempted to make a late move.

The good start has given Ashley a perfect answer in providing a cheap alternative to Kinnear and if they are keeping the club you can be sure Ashley's men are drawing up a low paid contract right now for Hughton.

While Guthrie and Barton are better midfielders in the playmaker sense, Smith gives us a nice aggressive bite in midfield, and he's pretty good in the air as well, I think we need a player like him in the middle. I'd be happy with any two from those three tbh, I think they all have the ability to dovetail very nicely.

Have to say the spirit in the camp seems to be really good with all the "big stars" gone. There was a lot of talk of how all the teams in this division would be looking for our scalp but we are giving them a good kicking tbh.

It was Howaythelads I think.

Two teams that we've already beaten are winning comfortably today in Reading and Sheff Wed. It's great how these teams are bullying the rest of the division then getting slapped down hard by the toon. Know your place fellas this is the big time.

They've looked dangerous to be fair but crucially we haven't conceded. I think we'll get another goal so 3-1. Keep it going lads.

Fucking hell there's chances all over the place, we need to control this a bit.

Clean sheet till half time and we've sewn this up.

What I would give to be looking at Warnock's ugly mug right now

Coming under the cosh a bit. Get a grip lads.

nice

LOL. Thank fuck I didn't slag Nolan before the game for once

The midfielders will need to get forward and support Ameobi for this to work. Come on lads especially Nolan. Show us what you have got!

I am going to go against my better judgement and predict a 2-1 win today. One thing we don't lack is the physical strength to compete so we should be able to keep them quiet and we are due an unexpected goal from someone like Ryan Taylor.