TRon

Was he wearing his Alan Shearer toon top?

Berbatov is such a toon fan I believe he'll stump up half the fee himself to realise his dream move ter Nyercastle

Looking at the Youtube clip he doesn't look like a winger, more of a playmaker and he's right-footed, so not my idea of a left winger either. KaKa is right, he could play in the Geremi role maybe.

I choose to believe these rumours.

Who says they are?

Heh, I'd love it if it was true. "Sunderland in £15m double swoop for Smith and Duff" headlines would be better.

Good point. This lad sounds like he's got some physical presence unlike Midget Modric.

Never heard of him, but it doesn't sound like Galatasaray are keen to let him go anyway. Probably a lot of work to be done on this one yet so I'd consider it a remote possibilty at the moment, assuming there's any truth in it.

Which replacements did you have in mind? I am glad as well knowing you have a left-sided midfielder lined up as a replacement! Who is it? I think a new thread in his honour is in order!

I'm surprised Liverpool haven't shown their hand yet. Considering they were ready to swoop for Taylor a while back.

You forgot to add they are points-wise not much better than us in any case currently.

Old threads being bumped...isn't hindsight a wonderful thing. Bringing this thread up to date, I think Spurs look like they mean business. They are spending big and already have quality players and a well rated manager.

I've always thought if N'Zogbia's playing regularly he's happy. With Tottenham's interest now dead and a possible first team shirt there for the taking, he might fancy being here after all. Knowing him, he's the type who wants no competition for the left wing spot whatsoever. Not very healthy from a club point of view but that's how I read his "let's see who we sign comments".

I'm dubious if he'll still be here next season but a good bit of man-management from KK would be to sit the lad down and tell him: "Look son, even if you break your left leg I'll still pick you ahead of Damien The Duff. You have my word on that"

If Duff and Smith hadn't been booted out of the first team we would have been relegated. That's the god's honest truth. That's how low I rate him now.

Why? He would be a great second choice. We should never have sold Parker and we should never have bought Smith. Parker and Barton would be a great centre midfield partnership in my opinion. No doubt Man U and Chelsea are battling for their signatures right now...

A seperate thread for each potential transfer in or out sounds good to me. We don't need a seperate forum.

Some great posts in this thread, Baggio, CToon and afar in particular. I don't think Ashley is afraid to splash the cash given the right team in place who will spend it wisely. Modric is a hint of what we are looking at potentially. Spending other people's money is always easier of course, hence the big show pony signings under Shepherd, and Keegan's impatience recently. We have been amongst the biggest spenders on signing fees and wages for the past few seasons. Has this been reflected in results? Have we had value for money? If the answer is no (obviously) then something has to change somewhere, at least short term until we are in a position to punch our weight again.

Cup football is becoming more and more defensive these days. Liverpool and Rangers are well suited because they are set up to be difficult to break down. Even teams like Man U are playing with 8 men behind the ball over two legs in the CL semi finals.

Oliver trawling the pig swill for non-stories again I see. Good to see his standards are as low as ever

Are any of those clubs going to pay Owen £6m a season which he is currently getting at Newcastle? I'd be surprised if that was the case. Of course they're not, but they might match the £80k we're alledgedly trying to reduce his wages to, in which case, does he stay here, or go to someone a couple of years ahead of us like Everton and play European football again. If the only way to keep Owen here is to pay him more than anyone else is willing to, then something is wrong. Personally speaking, I think some sort of compromise will be reached, but I wouldn't say it's an absolute necessity to tie Owen down at stupidly high wages. He is injury record isn't great and life without Owen doesn't seem impossible for other clubs above us in the table.

Are any of those clubs going to pay Owen £6m a season which he is currently getting at Newcastle? I'd be surprised if that was the case.

Beye by a mile, after that Harper is the only one I would consider.

Isn't Shaun Custis that mackem cunt who got a job with the Sun by pretending to be a Newcastle fan?

Obviously Mort wasn't as good at counting beans as NE5 imagined.