TRon

Of course there's no way the current squad can get 4th on the face of it..... but its right to target it. We should be looking to compete for 5th place, we'll need a good run with injuries but the quality is there in the first 11 to challenge. Then you hope for Liverpool to implode, leaving one of the top 4 spots open. A club will break into the top 4 in the next season or 2, as history has shown though getting 4th is relatively easy - its repeating it and becoming established there that is difficult KK said after the last friendly that we were capable of finishing in the top 10. I think with the squad at it's current level that's probably realistic.

Healy would be a stop gap signing at best, like Sibierski, assuming these rumours are true. At least he' scored some important goals for his country which shows he's got bottle if nothing else. The bottom line for me is I have no objection to this as long as he's not the ONLY striker we sign in this window.

Signing another player on the way down with their best years behind them, just like the bad old days I don't think there is any doubt at all that if the old regime had signed a 26 year old central defender for 11m quid they would be labelling him as you say, along with the old "trophy player" bollocks Gerraway man. its been said enough mate. Nowt wrong with a quality signing [if he turns out to be a quality signing - in fact if he doesn't who will apply hindsight as in the case of Boumsong I wonder], but its who signs them that causes the problem would appear to be the case. I still haven't worked out whether your view is based on foresight based on hindsight, or hindsight based on foresight. Or maybe hindisght based on hindsight so you win either way

Can't say he was outstanding in the match I saw against Hertha Berlin, but he looked tidy, and busy enough. His goal yesterday was a bit of an eye-opener. Top class finish which makes you think there's more to this lad than you first think.

I keep hearing people say Milner would be ace down the middle, and technically he has the game, no doubt. But then technically Milner has a great shot - except when he's in front of goal in a match which matters. Personally I don't think he's got a winner mentality to make it at the top, but he can always go out this season and prove me wrong. But I doubt it.

Gomis has been on our radar a long time; his value didn't get over-inflated by the Euros... the signs are good....

Let's forget about Emre. He was unfit and un-motivated so it's best he's gone. Yes we need a play maker though, I would like to think the club recognises this is a priority, and in the failure to land Modric, will be looking for alternatives.

Molner doesn't score goals, it's not a natural instinct for him despite having tremendous shooting power. Given a decent opportunity on goal there is a 90% certainty he will fluff it. Agree with you on Larsson as well. I think this is a deal we should be able to force through if we seriously want him.

I think the main obstacle to getting Baptista is persuading him to come here. I believe he wasn't happy at Arsenal, and if Roma are in for him as well, that would probably be his frst choice move.

Duff looks "lively" but what does he actually produce at the end of it in serious competition?? Where does he go? What is his objective?

Or Alan S*it*?

Well I never like to be pedantic but I think you need to register a player on the Friday to play in the weekedn games so that's only 10 days left, well probably 9 days since the business day is almost over. Yeah stacks of time, all these people panicking really need a reality check This will be the team I believe will line up on Sunday. Given Beye Colocini Taylor Enrique Jonas Gerimi Butt Guthrie Duff Martins Subs: Harper Zog Bassong Faye Milner Smith Shola DUFF? reeeeeallly? aw, f*** hope your drunk afar 'cause i'm off on my holidays and i'm as depressed as f*** now...duff, jesus christ i mean how bad can zogs attitude be? what is he a pot head or summat? I think Duff's looked good in the preseason matches. Certainly better than most. He still looks shit to me.

Baptista would be a good signing if there's any cance he would be pepared to come here. A powerful front man is an urgent prioriy as Alan Smith's woeful attempts to look like a striker must have become clear to all at Newcastle by now.

No, it means the likes of NE5 and UV will keep a pretty low profile for a while.

And people were complaining about our negotiating team. Well and truly shafted Deportivo there! Not to mention that looks like two quality signings past the post if this one goes through. The Ashley bashers will be all quiet on the western front tonight methinks.

I think there were a few who pointed it out back then but the wall of hatred was overwhelming in it's response. Guthrie looks like a nice passer, but he doesn't look like an attacking midfielder, and looks too slight to be a holding one. Maybe he can develop into that role though.

My view of Milner is that he is a hit and hope crosser. He'll swing them in, some good, some bad, but he usually doesn't have much idea who he's aiming them at.

still created our best opening though Who? milner at the end, unfortunately he only had smith in the box though Unfortunately it's typical Milner though. Looks great until it's time to deliver the final pass or strike on goal. He must have hit 20 crosses today, and I don't think he found a Newcastle player with one. The final one which he ballooned high and slow sums him up really. Milner:11 crosses 0 found one of our players. Who's to find tbf? The pair of clowns in the middle don't even look to attack the ball. You could have Beckham swinging them in and they'd still be marked out of the game by anyone who owns a pair of boots. That's fair enough, but Beckham's crosses would still look dangerous.

We also need a striker IMO, preferably a mobile target man. We only have Oba and Owen at the moment. I refuse to acknowledge Ameobi and Smith as options.

still created our best opening though Who? milner at the end, unfortunately he only had smith in the box though Unfortunately it's typical Milner though. Looks great until it's time to deliver the final pass or strike on goal. He must have hit 20 crosses today, and I don't think he found a Newcastle player with one. The final one which he ballooned high and slow sums him up really.

still created our best opening though Who?

Milner looked lively to the naked eye, but in actual fact was shit. Guthrie looks tidy in a non-threatening sort of way. Jonas looks F-A-S-T

On the plus side, having attended so many hearings, Joey's listening skills must surely be much improved

Jiminez and Wise must be on an each way commission for us and Spurs. Whichever club signs the player they get a cut

Martins. Doesn't mean he's fantastic, but you could put him in a mediocre team (ours) and he could nake an impact. Owen needs a decent team which we currently don't have.