TRon

This. What the hell has Owen actually done wrong? He's not said he hates the club, he's not said he wants away, he hasn't refused to play, when he's played for us, he's scored goals. It's actually quite ironic because people who say 'don't believe everything you read in the paper' have been influenced by what the papers have said about what Owen wants, he's never actually said himself 'I want to go', it's been the papers saying he wants to go. thank the f****** lord someone agrees with me. ive been saying this for ages but it seems everyone wants to think the worst of him. It's not hindsight, at the time I expressed reservations about signing a player who was literally begging one of the top clubs to take him instead. Nothing much has changed really. I rate Owen as the best when it comes to the art of goal-scoring but I don't want a player who would rather be somwhere else. Didn't then and still don't now.

Dyer isn't a wide player because his crossing is not good enough, regardless of Milner's ability or otherwise. The reason so many top managers keep picking him for their sides is because he has speed, can run at players with the ball, and has an eye for the goal. If nothing else he will be a massive threat on the counter-attack. That makes him a useful squad player, problem is, he will have to accept that if he wants to play at the top level, otherwise consider signing for a less ambitious club who can guarantee him a role as a forward.

Aye, the idea of Zoggy as a centre-mid sickened me from the off, and it still does. One of the many, many factors of Roeder's actual downfall itself, was the treatment of N'Zogbia; and i don't think there's any other individual factor that makes me so angry, other than that one. This'll sound a bit out there, and i'll probably get slated, but we had a young guy there who had the potential to be better than Ginola and Robert put together, imo. He was just that good in 05/06. Then to convert him into centre-mid? Gar. Pisses me off just thinking about it. Really hope Sam tries to sort him out. I'd have hope for Sam sorting him out, or at least getting through to him that his best position is on the wing. Agree with you about Roeder's handling of N'Zogbia, complete disgrace. Better than Ginola and Robert put together is pushing it though. N'Zogbia has their ability plus a fighter's instinct, priceless in a left sided midfielder. I completely agree that he is one of our biggest assets totally mis-managed. I am pretty certain that Allardyce will have seen it as well.

I am not sure Emre is an Allardyce sort of midfielder, and I half expected him to be shown the door. He's got the ability to play an Okocha type role but for me it depends on whether he is committed enough. If he is, which it sounds like now, then he can still do a great job for us IMO.

Luque was singled out by Roeder for his lack of enthusiasm under his regime. By the end of his time as manager most of the other players could be accused of it as well, which says more about Roeder than it does about Luque.

The Journal is reporting that both Martins and Owen will start the season at Newcastle. Of course the buy out clauses could change things swiftly, but if they do stay, Darren Bent, Alan Smith and the Mirror can fuck right off with my full blessing.

I ignore rumours from the Mirror because like these two, they are invariably made up. We have "won" the race to sign Smith remember

This is a signing I am pretty happy about. He was on Sam's original shopping list along with Haim, and has been a long tern target. A million miles away from Freddy Shepherd's previous approach of playing Russian roullette on transfer deadline day. Target identified early. Well scouted. Concluded in plenty of time for pre-season. Business how it should be done.

No, Owen's staying for the time being because no top 4 club will pay £9m.

Except he's going to Spurs.

Well only Henry's leaving so far, and it's a typical Wenger sale. Get shot of a big star whose peaked for a massive fee. Great business really.

This is from the Mirror. So they reckon we are signing both Smith and Bent do they?

Today the Mirror is running the story that we are shock contenders to steal in for Bent despite the fact everyone knows he's going to Spurs. Looks like another transfer rumour plucked from Fantasy Island after yesterday's Newcastle have 'won' the race for Smith BS.

alternatively: He's big, he's Czech, he's got a scrawny neck....

Good observation that.

Can't we have a poll called "Who is the best centre back in the Premier whose surname starts with Tay.."? For me it will be Taylor all the way

This coming from Anal Oliver is just priceless: mackems.gif Oliver must have a spine made of jelly the amount of flip flops he performs. Anyway, on Luque I always thought any manager with anything about him would make up his own mind on a player. If anyone can get something from Luque I would back Allardyce. Great stuff.

Owen wants to quit us to play CL football. So he'll sign for City. Yes that makes sense

4 pages long already - and to think that this story is probably baseless speculation seen fit to print by the Mirror...

They were good enough for Leeds! Yes they were many ages ago. Viduka is now 33 and weighs quite a bit more. Smith won't have his old pace after smashing his leg in two. If we play those two together we'll have one of the least mobile forward lines in the Premier. Anyway, I think this story is pure BS. I don't expect it to be confirmed so it doesn't matter in any case. Viduka is 31 mate My bad. He looks about 35. Anyway, the point being, I don't see him and Smith as a forward line that will work. Put either of those two alongside Martins or Owen and we might be onto something. I agree, I see Smith as a link up if we play 4-3-3 or cover for Butt in a holding role! Why would Smith come here as cover for Butt in a holding role? To take his first team place maybe. That's the only possible reason I could see for signing Smith, as a midfielder.

They were good enough for Leeds! Yes they were many ages ago. Viduka is now 33 and weighs quite a bit more. Smith won't have his old pace after smashing his leg in two. If we play those two together we'll have one of the least mobile forward lines in the Premier. Anyway, I think this story is pure BS. I don't expect it to be confirmed so it doesn't matter in any case. Viduka is 31 mate My bad. He looks about 35. Anyway, the point being, I don't see him and Smith as a forward line that will work. Put either of those two alongside Martins or Owen and we might be onto something.

Good news. It means he made thew whole thing up in order to get out of playing for Nigeria in the future.

They were good enough for Leeds! Yes they were many ages ago. Viduka is now 33 and weighs quite a bit more. Smith won't have his old pace after smashing his leg in two. If we play those two together we'll have one of the least mobile forward lines in the Premier. Anyway, I think this story is pure BS. I don't expect it to be confirmed so it doesn't matter in any case.

A front two of Viduka and Smith would be too slow. If he's a squad player then fine, otherwise it doesn't make sense. The Mirror is unreliable with transfer rumours anyway, I'll wait for confirmation before taking this as a done deal.

Fat Fred hasn't got many things right as Chairman, but when he said he'd carry Owen to Liverpool for £9m he made a fair point. Owen is staying because no one will buy him at that price, not because he is committed. Martins buy out clause is £13m. I'd bet that has a far better chance of being activated before the season starts, though I hope not.