Mick

What a difference a year makes, this time last year I was worried about our lack of activity and the noises coming from inside the club. This year I could hardly be more relaxed about what is happening, I think a few others need to calm down and let things take shape.

I doubt too many fans will make a call after a couple of bad games.

I think some people have seen the billionaire tag and have got carried away. We should know as well as any set of fans that throwing money about gets you nowhere, we've wasted so much money that it's refreshing to be doing things right for a change.

Agreed, Crist, did I just type that?

I understand what you’re saying about us not knowing what Ashley has planned for the club but he's going about things in the right way. He's got rid of most of the shite that was running the club and Shepherd is noting more than an ornament. Ashley has brought in somebody who appears to be very professional and he seems to be going about his review of the club before moving forwards, again, another good move. Mort had an opportunity to give out more information but he hasn't been here long enough to go into any sort of detail as he could find out that things are totally different to what he expected, he'd look like an arse if he said one thing and did another. I can't understand why so many people are questioning the intentions of our new owner before he's had a chance to get his feet under the table.

I've moaned about our transfer activity over the past 3 or so years but so far this window I think we've done well. At least three of the 4 players who have come in are better than the ones who have left the club and I think most people feel that we should have done better last season with the players we had anyway. If we spend then we need to get value for money, something which I think we've done quite well at so far. I still think we could do with another 5 players and we have plenty of time to do that, Allardyce is probably still having a look at what he's inherited and where he needs to strengthen, he'd be mad just to but for the sake of it and bring in players who we either don't need or will not fit in.

It's good to see that you haven't changed.

He made me smile when he left and picked up an injury straight away.

Get a grip, he's entitled to his opinion and I think a lot will agree with some of what he's said.

Giving Barton the arm band would be a sick joke, it's bad enough that we've imported another known thug without rewarding him with that. Barton would be last on my list because of his baggage, if he plays and keeps his head down then that could change but as far as I'm concerned he has a lot to prove.

I thought Cole was £1.75million? Anyway, some great players mentioned in this thread, we may have been shit for a while but we've had some cracking players.

It still sounds good.

Sorry, I never thought about that, I'll delete my post.

4-4-3?

Agreed, one of those two Centre Halves should have loads of experience and a big mouth to organise the back 4.

Shut up, Sky Boy.

Agree with this, judging by our business so far and who we're rumoured to be after it doesn't look as if there is that much to spend or at least no where near as much as people expect. Barring Deco we've not been linked with any big money moves, people will argue that it is still early in the window, however Allardyce himself said he wanted to have the majority of our transfers sorted by the time the season begins. I'm not complaining about the situation, just trying to keep things in perspective, the takeover has put the club in a much better position than we were in. Mort has already sounded out the debt as one major problem that has to be addressed and this is reassuring, it seems things were getting out of hand under the old board. However purely from what I've seen so far it doesn't look as if we're going to be spending on the scale some other clubs have or will be doing this summer. I'm sure Allardyce will have been informed of what he has available to him and it seems by looking at deals like this he's concentrating whatever is available to him on the defense. It would be interesting to know exactly how much this debt is or was. A few people have blamed it on the ground extension but I can't see it being that as we borrowed something like £44 million which was repayable over 17 years, I think.

I was out one day and this bandwagon came along so I thought why not and just climbed aboard. It's not everyday you see one, the last one had Keegan's name on it.

If you have massive amounts of cash then you can dress any way you want without worrying too much what others think, that's not me speaking from experience.

Good idea, if you're banned pay to get back on earlier.

No, not at all. I am however sayig that sucess in future is not necessarily down to only Shepherd, as this time he is not doing the appointing, and then the follow up backing and sacking on his own. The previous two managerial reigns are all his however, he can take full credit for those if you like. of course, along with the first time in over 50 years that NUFC had finished in the top 5 for 3 consecutive seasons with Bobby Robson as manager, but don't try to change history if it doesn't suit you If Ashley doesn't back his managers any more than the Halls and Shepherd did, and we are successful, what does that tell you ? FWIW, I have wanted Allardyce since Bobby Robson left, and so I think he will be successful whoever the chairman and owner is. Obviously if Ashley throws money at the club, he has a better chance, but I wouldn't bank on that, you shouldn't expect him to. Its far from clear tonight what sort of money Ashley will invest but we will know soon, especially if we have an offer accepted for Deco which i hope we are working on. Ashley has invested very little apart from the money spent to buy the club, not that it makes the slightest difference because I already think we have a much more professional club and look forward to a new season for the first time in years. Spending well is much better than spending big, I get the feeling that our current setup will get more out of any money they spend.

NE5, your vote of confidence is a bit like the kiss of death, you backed Souness althought you later denied it and you backed Roeder, two failures. Throw Shepherd into the post and you don't have a very good track-reacord, do you? Just copy whatever I post and you'll be OK.

Actually, that's quite a good idea, the person donating the most gets to ban Vic, that's a sure earner for the site.

Do I take it that you've always wanted to do it and are surprised that it hasn't been asked before?

Shocking actions by a football club, I'll give Shepherd credit for taking whatever came his way and I can't ever remember him complaining.