TRon

Ditto that. Geremi's legs might have gone but he made us tick in some ways.

Don't know anything about the player, but as a rule I am more impressed that we are targeting players who aren't 'names' because that indicates we are doing our homework.

We'll get our money back because I don't think he was as bad as he was made to look under Allardyce. To be fair, most of our defenders looked shell shocked due to the immense pressure they were under because of Sam's suicidal approach.

On the button.

The important factor isn't Deco's undoubted quality, it's whether he would be prepared to come here. I doubt it so I wouldn't waste too much time over the prospect.

Modric looks a clever little player but I'm not too disappointed we lost out to Spurs. He's hardly a midfield dynamo and I can see why a lot of the big CL clubs didn't make a move. He's a bit lightweight and there'll be matches where Spurs might get over-run in midfield next season.

I think Larsson is one of those players who are currently under-rated, but might well become a highly effective member of the squad. Some players look great individulaly others contribute more to the team pattern. Could be a very astute buy. The best signings aren't always the most spectacular ones.

I agree about Kazim-Richards playing down the middle. Turkey lacked any physical presence in the opposition penalty area, and that was a real problem for them in creating or getting on the end of chances. K-R looked physically a lot stronger than Nihat. On the whole, I was disappointed in Turkey. They looked like a group of talented players who hadn't been knitted together into a team. Turkey looked a bit pedestrian to me. No pace in forward positions.

Paolo Maldini was widely regarded as being one of the best left backs of his generation both at club level and internationally. Was that because he was great at going forward or because he was a brilliant defender? I said in the other thread, because he looks a good prospect as a defender, there is always going to be interest in Enrique. He's still a bit raw, but I've seen foreign players take a lot longer to adapt to the English game. We have made so many bad signings in the past, it's no surprise when we look to have made a half decent one, the vultures are already hovering to take him off us. Keep Enrique and if Zigic is any good then buy him, otherwise thanks but no thanks.

If they're desperate enough to give us £10m...they'll probably agree to give us 12. So let's ask them for 15

I think a lot of people probably share those concerns even if they don't say it because it is still early. If the Modric deal had come off it probably would have settled everyone down a bit easier.

Didn't want to leave sunny Barcelona, now he is being forced out, is willing to play for a mediocre London club for location reasons only. I don't know why he doesn't just retire and save us the prospect of seeing him picking up wages for going through the motions.

Damn. Now Liverpool will be forced to give us £10m. That'll teach them...

KK does seem to have been here an age now without any major signings. I did think we'd have been further down the road to securing a few targets, and my concern is that the longer we leave it, the smaller the pool of players becomes as Fat Sam was moaning last year.

I'm a little concerned then by the boys quality, to be frank if Tuncay and Emre are considered better than him then I hope we are not looking at him. I know absolutely bugger all about him, not exactly a huge follower of the fantastic turkish league and youtube is such a liar. It is a selection question, that probably any other manager wouldn't answer the same way. They are playing different (in comparison to Arda) and the Turks will play against the biggest favourite of the Group first. They want to take the safer option, i think. Bet, he will play against Switzerland. If you are good enough, you'll get picked no matter what formation you are playing. Would England leave out Gerard or Rooney, because they want to play a bit more defensive against team X ? The turkish national team hardly supplies the premiership with the leagues best player. If we are interested in a Turkish player then they need to be of the relative standard of a Gerard or a Rooney is to the the Turkish team. (and before you start I don't mean as good as those two players, I mean as relatively better than the rest of the national team). Isn't he only 19 or something? Maybe he's still on the verge of establishing himself in the national team?

You are all getting excited as if Liverpool have actually made an offer of £10m, whereas the reality is, some journalist from The Sun has plucked a figure out of his arse, doubled it and stuck it in the story.

Don't know how they managed send that to press without bursting into laughter tbh.

I agree with this. Its not the Newcastle way, but people know they are only peddling the rubbish they are peddling because it enables them to blame the fat bastard for anything they can think of. Pretty sad tbh. Weren't you the first one to mention the fat bastard in this thread?

Galatasaray obviously don't think that's likely otherwise they'd have done a deal by now. Besides, The Euros is likely to be played at a less frenetic pace than club football, maybe they think it will be a better stage for playmakers? just seems like we've offered below their valuation (if indeed we have bid). nowt to do with euro 2008. I remember KK bought Albert on the back of a great World Cup, and I'm pretty sure Fergie, did likewise with Poborsky. This is probably behind the thinking of the selling club. Lure in everyone with an interets and settle with the highest bidder.

It's true Shepherd shared some good days on the back of Sir John Hall's acumen, and Sir Bobby Robson's football nous. If Fat Fred ever gets a Knighthood we'll all have to admit he deserved it I reckon.

He's an England international with a chequered fitness record, that's why other clubs have been reluctant to take him off our hands previously. I still think they'll think long and hard before offering more than we are. Fair points. But when Real Madrid were willing to let him go Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal didn't need a striker at that time, Liverpool did but for obvious reasons didn't want to have to buy him back at much more than they'd let him go for. We did, so we gazumped them, offered him a kings wage and he took it. There was no-one else in for him as this transfer predates a lot of the recent take-overs and extra Sky money (not 100% on the Sky money, but think its only just been massively increased in the last season or two). He' played the last 6 months or so injury-free, played well, looked sharp and scored goals - if we don't pay the going rate someone else will. Well what is the going rate, bearing in mind his best performances have been in midfield? When played up front he's looked pedestrian, and I'm not sure which club out there is going to pay him any more than we will. The question is - did we look a better team with him in it or not? (and he is/was played as a forward) I'd say yes, we're a big club and can afford top wages. Its only when we pay big fees and wages for underperformers does this crop up, there are a fair few ahead of Owen we should be getting rid and replace of first before him. Whatever the going rate is, it certainly isn't less than what we initially agreed to pay him in wages , he isn't in the twilight of his career, he isn't injuried and he is our only blue-chip player. We could offer him less money but he'd be mental to accept and he'd then probably see out his last year and leave for nowt. This would force us to have to pay big to get a replacement in this summer on top of paying Owen his last years wages too, which = false economy. We'll be paying his wages regardless until leaves in the summer unless he quits or signs for someone else before then. We'll also need to sign someone else in case he's injured, that's what having a squad is all about. How did you work that out? Has he improved in value since then?

that is brilliant its bloody stupid Oh, fuck off. Sorry, I can't think of any other way to respond to your comment. fuck off yourself. If that had been Shepherd you'd have said how embarrassed you were. Fact is, its stupid. And nowt to do with how the team performs either, which is what we are all supposed to be most bothered about. What if Fat Fred had done the Conga? What if Mort had called Newcastle punters mugs for paying £40 for shirts which cost a fiver? What if Shepherd had enough money to buy out Ashley and tell him to fuck off? If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas? as the Yanks would say

He's an England international with a chequered fitness record, that's why other clubs have been reluctant to take him off our hands previously. I still think they'll think long and hard before offering more than we are. Fair points. But when Real Madrid were willing to let him go Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal didn't need a striker at that time, Liverpool did but for obvious reasons didn't want to have to buy him back at much more than they'd let him go for. We did, so we gazumped them, offered him a kings wage and he took it. There was no-one else in for him as this transfer predates a lot of the recent take-overs and extra Sky money (not 100% on the Sky money, but think its only just been massively increased in the last season or two). He' played the last 6 months or so injury-free, played well, looked sharp and scored goals - if we don't pay the going rate someone else will. Well what is the going rate, bearing in mind his best performances have been in midfield? When played up front he's looked pedestrian, and I'm not sure which club out there is going to pay him any more than we will. midfield ?....you do believe the blurb dont ya ? Call it what you will, it's not up front. i call it playing off a front man...as was martins He seemed to be dropping a lot deeper to me but in any case it's not the important issue. How many clubs will pay 80k+ a week for a player with Owen's injury history? The big teams won't, they'll be going after stars on the rise. So who does that leave as a better alternative to us? i agree..i think he'll stay. So do I, but he'll probably not sign a new contract until the last minute, which might mean he'll run his current one down.

He's an England international with a chequered fitness record, that's why other clubs have been reluctant to take him off our hands previously. I still think they'll think long and hard before offering more than we are. Fair points. But when Real Madrid were willing to let him go Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal didn't need a striker at that time, Liverpool did but for obvious reasons didn't want to have to buy him back at much more than they'd let him go for. We did, so we gazumped them, offered him a kings wage and he took it. There was no-one else in for him as this transfer predates a lot of the recent take-overs and extra Sky money (not 100% on the Sky money, but think its only just been massively increased in the last season or two). He' played the last 6 months or so injury-free, played well, looked sharp and scored goals - if we don't pay the going rate someone else will. Well what is the going rate, bearing in mind his best performances have been in midfield? When played up front he's looked pedestrian, and I'm not sure which club out there is going to pay him any more than we will. midfield ?....you do believe the blurb dont ya ? Call it what you will, it's not up front. i call it playing off a front man...as was martins He seemed to be dropping a lot deeper to me but in any case it's not the important issue. How many clubs will pay 80k+ a week for a player with Owen's injury history? The big teams won't, they'll be going after stars on the rise. So who does that leave as a better alternative to us?

He's an England international with a chequered fitness record, that's why other clubs have been reluctant to take him off our hands previously. I still think they'll think long and hard before offering more than we are. Fair points. But when Real Madrid were willing to let him go Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal didn't need a striker at that time, Liverpool did but for obvious reasons didn't want to have to buy him back at much more than they'd let him go for. We did, so we gazumped them, offered him a kings wage and he took it. There was no-one else in for him as this transfer predates a lot of the recent take-overs and extra Sky money (not 100% on the Sky money, but think its only just been massively increased in the last season or two). He' played the last 6 months or so injury-free, played well, looked sharp and scored goals - if we don't pay the going rate someone else will. Well what is the going rate, bearing in mind his best performances have been in midfield? When played up front he's looked pedestrian, and I'm not sure which club out there is going to pay him any more than we will. midfield ?....you do believe the blurb dont ya ? Call it what you will, it's not up front.