Sifu

The more quotes that are coming from Lyon about "no contact being made" and the repeated use of "Newcastle are interested", the more I'm sure that this one is definitely a no go. But like TRon said, shouldn't be ruled out if the Cisse transfer is anything to go by - anything can happen. ^ Yeah this could end up being the better option, saves up some money to buy a young, up and coming CB.

We've got 5 months or so to sort out a new contract for Ba. But I guess we'll have to wait until the end of the season before any decision is made really (a "wait and see where the team/club are" based decision as you've implied).

But he's ok, Randy, man Knerb Jockey. Compared to RTG! If that's the same guy he's got a very different tone when he's on here. If that is indeed the same Randy Savage on here, then oh dear, he's lost it...... (Was probably just emotional about the whole thing).

Don't think he'll be let go this month but can definitely see him leaving in the summer. I reckon he can still do a job for a team in the Championship.

Racist abuse is still an issue these days in general society, not just football. Personally, I've heard nowt at home and away games (I actually do make it a point to wear a "Kick it Out" badge whenever I go to away games though). But I think the general situation is improving. The 90s were a terrible time for me and my family living/owning a Chinese takeaway in West Denton. Back then, more often than not, we'd get these charva customers coming in and they'd hurl racist abuse my mum's way, we even had some racist graffiti on the front door telling us to "fuck off you C****y bastards". Then the 2000s came and the charvas grew up and attitudes started changing (the ones who used to racially abuse us were very apologetic actually). Whilst racism has come up again recently, it's usually only a few idiots who have been the offenders.

Aye, he's a great squad member. Would be decent enough backup to have around.

Not really.

Anything in particular? Big f*** off cheesy grin to start with. Says we've been considering him ever since he came to the club but had been out of our reach financially. Saying with him, Cabaye, Demba, Hatem...things really starting to look exciting. Plays off the shoulder and in behind, but has a lot more to his game than that. Good size and can score left foot, right foot and header. Very significant signing for football club, shows the position we are in when a player they think is right they can make the move. At 26 he's not young, coming into his prime so has the character to step up. Genuinely just looks over the moon. Niceeeeee. What a difference a good signing makes! (mood-wise anyway)

Looks like more of a reference of him going back to Paris for a few days (he's from there). why would we let him do that though with the City game on sunday? Probably not a few days then, he's probably going for a day or two. Maybe the players have been given a day off?

@GeorgeCaulkin George Caulkin The understanding is that Ba's £7m get-out clause does not come into effect until summer & that he'll stay this month. New deal? #NUFC

Looks like more of a reference of him going back to Paris for a few days (he's from there).

Would be funny if it's true considering that he is pretty much Sunderland's only creative outlet. If they lose him, they'll have an unspectacular second half of this season. Lower mid-table methinks.

Brilliant.

Sounds good

Ben Arfa in a 4-3-3 worked well on Sunday so guess based on that, Pardew has finally seen that the number 10 position isn't Ben Arfa's best one? (The role the lad played on Sunday is essentially a mix between a number 10 and wing play really).

We'll have a plan B Signing Cisse has really given us more options to consider system-wise. The 4-3-3 can now properly work with Ba, Ben Arfa and Cisse as the front 3. When we have the ball, can see us playing 4-3-3 but if we don't have the ball (or if need be), can change to a 4-4-2 with Ben Arfa dropping back into midfield and onto the right wing, ultimately providing some cover for Simpson (I say this because HBA did well defensively on Sunday like).

What a name indeed. (Admittedly, I had to google it to make sure )

It also gives us the option to swap to either during a match if we want to.

The lad looks like he's slowly adapting to the PL, sure he wasn't good in his first couple of months but he is getting there. So yeah he's going to score against us on Saturday

Need to make a decision, who do I take out from the following: Colo, Ben Arfa, Cabaye --> so that I can put Cisse in? Hmmm.

ask at the end of the window.

They're really bitter as fuck