TRon

I don't know what you're basing that on re: Martins. Martins scores more goals, can shoot with both feet (as opposed to Bellamy's left foot) and IMO is a better finisher one on one.

It's true that these players aren't players the Champions league sides would be signing, and when Ashley hands Allardyce a whopping war chest, expectations will go to another level. But for the net outlay, these are very good signings and importantly, will relish playing in front of a packed St James'. We have spent zillions on players with fantastic technique who look great on paper but go missing when the going gets tough in the past. Is that likely to happen with Barton, Viduka or Haim if he arrives? Now if we can get some defenders in who are prepared to shout at their team mates we might start actually looking like a team rather than a collection of expensively assembled individuals.

I don't think it's all about managers, picking the right players is also key. Boumsong had loads of ability but didn't seem to relish the spotlight. Barton and Viduka on the other hand would probably love it which makes me think they'll do quite well here.

Roeder talked about bringing players with the right mentality; Souness did before blindly signing players touted by his favourite agent. Sam's first two signings might not have you leaping out of your chair but you would fancy both Barton and Viduka to rise to the occasion. Is this winner mentality something too many Newcastle sides have lacked in the past?

This isn't City ...tbh.

If I was Allardyce, N'Zogbia would be my first choice LM and I think this might still happen as Duff is out of action for a while. With two players needed for every position Luque could still be useful here IF used correctly, i.e. not played up front to win aerial battles against some troglodyte centre back.

Of course they would if he's good enough. Didn't Cantona come with a warning sign and proceed to drop-kick a spectator?

Couldn't fault anything in this article to be fair. Agree with much of the gist of it.

He's not a great player I know. Read the last part of my post again.

Don't think there's any need for these revisionist viewpoints. We didn't sign him because he's a nice guy and it's unlikely he's about to become one in the future. Plenty of great players aren't great role models. Let's hope that Barton's exploits on the pitch outshine what he does off it.

Morally it's wrong but there's not much morally right with football anyway. It could be argued in any case, that Allardyce being pretty good at man-management would be just the guy to straighten Barton out if, as he alleges, he's looking for a fresh start. Personally, I don't like him, but after Bowyer the only way is up.

Agreed. Disagree. Whats he done to you's? these plebs have nothing positive to contribute thus moaning pointlessly is their lot.

Hell of a difference though in the abilities of Roy Keane and Joey Barton. Indeed, but the people slagging him off for his (admittedly somewhat mardy-arsed) temperament might want to reflect on what they prefer, a team of losing nice guys, or a team with a few nasty c***s which wins things. At the end of the day, Fat Sam wanted him, you've got to put trust in his judgement. This is the one reason why I would be prepared to back Sam's judgement on this one. The Keane/Cantona mentality tore the Championship from our hands because we had players who bottled it when it counted under Keegan. Allardyce is right, it takes a certain type of character to play for a big club. Would think a move here would lessen chances of a spell inside for Barton as well. It shouldn't make any difference, but that's not how things always work.

Emre held the ball very well under pressure when he first came, and the view that his passing under pressure becomes erratic, you could level that most EPL players. Watch any England game and you'll see what I mean.

They are offering a 3yr contract on big wages. At 31 he might decide security comes ahead of glory. This is the same guy who signed for boro after all.

Crouch is a 7ft wimp. You can bet he's only smoking to impress his WAG - whether that's enough to impress her, well we'll have to wait and see. If Sam is looking for big characters to play for a big club, then Viduka for £0.0m is probably a better bet.

Tbh, I wasn't even considering Emre as part of our 1st 11 next season. Just the thread is about playmakers/creative types, and there aren't nmany in the EPL. Emre is one of the few around and comparisons with Solano are pointless. Solano isn't physically equipped to play CM, whereas Emre is a tough little bugger.

Who cares whether Viduka won some pointless pot? He's still a quality player and he'll show this next year. Haven't City fans anything better to talk about? Like will the new City owner force Ranieri to ditch pre-match pasta for Thai greeny curry with noodles?

He is, yes. Not sure he utilises that pace as well as he could though. No he doesn't - he's a bit thick tbh. He's not in Owen's class as a pure striker but he's still quality IMO. Alongside Viduka I could see both doing well next season.

Martin's is quicker than post-injury Owens, though obviously not as good a finisher.

At least that's one of Owen's escape routes blocked

Emre is nothing but a playmaker. This is exactly the role he was designed for a la Beardsley. Not sure Big Sam will want him here next season, but he might see him playing a JJ Okocha type of role.

That's because although he expended plenty of energy he was a jack of all trades and not a specialist CM. Would be useful on the continent but ineffective in the Prem.

Martins isn't a perpetual crock though. Anyway, my take is that no one will buy Owen at £9m and he will stay put, probably have a decent season under Big Sam and all this will be put to bed. If not £9m will do.

Well if we get £9m that would go towards buying a pretty good striker who could compliment Martins. Owen and Martins won't gel IMO, so we don't really need both. Owen's a great finisher, but doesn't contribute much else. If he wants to leave it wouldn't be the end of the world.