TRon

Clear as a bell. "We need good solid defenders NOT superstars to sell shirts" That's how I read it. What has been impressive about Sam Allardyce is his pursuit of targets who he has identified early on. Some have come off, some haven't, like Beye and Haim but Allardyce's clarity in knowing what he needs is so refreshing. Great job so far

When we bought Bumsong, there were LOTS of people on message boards telling people how good he was - and I mean LOTS. Of course, it may have been on the basis that he was a foreigner and cost a lot of money - ala Luque - but that is true. When Souness was appointed, there were people on message boards telling people he was "a top boss." - and I mean "TOP". Was there now ? I remember an accountant backing his financial ruin of the club from the day he came until the day he left ? I remember a chairman doing similar. STILL hasn't sunk in, has it? No Gemma, I still think it hasn't sunk in with you yet, that unfortunately qualifying regularly for europe - more than everybody bar 4 clubs - is hardly a disaster. Congratulations on forecasting the financial success that Souness turned out to be, you're a credit to your profession mate. mackems.gif Not to mention the fact that you still don't understand the significance of backing managers, as against clubs that do not. A bit difficult to understand this one, particularly as you have seen the results of having a board at NUFC who don't back managers - or so you say anyway. NE5 - Fat Fred's Message Board Minder doing a grand job as usual. Backing a gormless prick like Souness after wrongly appointing him "was the fault of the 1970's board..blah..blah..dribble"

Juventus was tipped to land him. If he was from Eastern Europe we might have a chance, but an Italian will want to stay in Italy or Spain IMO.

Chronicle feelgood story tbh. If he's rated so highly would think he'd be looking for better options than us at the moment. Still, it looks good on the back page. Yawn.

ok Puyol's not a LB but seeing as this isn't realistic we could have him anyway...

In which case, Philip Lahm or Carlos Puyol but for some reason they aren't on the poll.

Thank God it's in the Mirror. Almost certainly made up then.

Brazil won using 'Fat Sam's' formula for success you hypocritical arsehole. Did you learn a valuable lesson? I learnt that you'll admit Fat Sam is a long ball merchant when it suits you Are you Souness in disguise?

Brazil won using 'Fat Sam's' formula for success you hypocritical arsehole. Did you learn a valuable lesson?

This is apparent ITK stuff, as well as the paper story. Fair enough if it's true. He's a leader without a doubt, but I still think it's a season early. No real obvious alternatives though so good luck to the lad if it's true.

Actually, you can count Heinze up there as well. head and shoulders above everyone else in that list, but we don't have a hope in hell of signing him. Which makes this a pretty pointless poll. Why would I vote for a player who will be donning blue or red next season?

Taylor has all the leadership qualities but as a defender is too rash to be considered a definite starter at the moment. Might be a season too early IMO. The Sunday Sun is probably the least reliable of all the local papers when it comes to printing rumours anyway. I don't think Taylor will be made captain personally, the only reason he's being considered is there are so few alternatives at the moment.

Brazil look like a Big Sam team at the moment. All muscle and efficency.

Was about to make a vote but then saw Wayne Bridge's name up there. I am only really interested in players who have a chance of coming here, and he's not even in the running at the moment. When he becomes available I'll have a look at the poll then.

The best players aren't going to come to us at the moment, doesn't matter how much money Ashley waves about. Like Nyt said earlier, we don't want to end up throwing money at 2nd tier players out of despeartion instead. Viduka and Geremi are class players in my book, then we have Barton and Rozenhal through the door as well. Hardly a poor return so far but the full back situation still needs sorting and no doubt it will.

Think that might be a sensible approach. It would be nice to get an outstanding LB but if there aren't any available, seems pointless paying over-inflated fees for players who aren't much better than others available for less.

I agree on that, but I don't think either Shorey or Baines fit the bill. In that case I wouldn't sign either.

You don't have to be tall in particular to defend the far post. Obviously it helps if you aren't 5'6" but you do need good positional sense and the tenacity to pick up late runs. Too many Newcastle LB's look great going forward but usually go missing when the ball is crossed to the far post and whoever we sign shouldn't be prone to that weakness.

I think a lot depends on the type of LB you are looking for. Some like the small, speedy types who are great at getting forward. Big Sam seems to prefer solid defenders who can defend the far post and don't get caught too far out of position. I've seen plenty of the former at Newcastle, very few of the latter.

but he did well in that season...

But 5'7" is too short? Those two inches make all the difference??? I'd rather have Baines. Shorey has all the hallmarks of a one-season wonder whereas Baines looks like a genuine young prospect. Maybe Sam wants a seasoned pro at left back rather than a young prospect?

Luque has ability, whether he can show it in the Premier league is debateable. Allardyce might be able to get him motivated and make use of his qualities. His approach is far better than Roedent's and I'm happy with that.

Yeh, Shorey's a giant. Shorey's 5'9" which for a LB is just about ok.

We don't seem to have any cast iron targets for LB strangely. Heinze was the preferred choice but it's not going to happen, so would like to see some firming up of identified LB's personally.

without question but that's because he's senile. you don't need to be senile to realise top teams and top managers don't piss around wasting time on free trialists in a transfer window when they have money in their pocket Silly me...I forgot we are currently treble winners and playing Champions League football. Let's sign Ronaldinho and Tevez then. Plus we need John Terry so tell him to get his bags packed. text-book reply tbh worthless Do you have a point or are you just incapable of making one and following it through?