Mick

When KK resigned as manager I really though that we had built solid foundations which we could use to go forward and become a club to be proud of, that didn't happen and looking back it's probably fair to say that the foundations were built on sand. We've got another opportunity to try to become the club we want to be and I really hope that we build something that will last longer and this time bring a bit of success. If we spend big then I don't mind as long as we get good value for money instead of throwing good money after bad.

He forgot to reset his satnav.

£10.5 million less means nothing if it's the difference between playing in the CL or not.

It makes you wonder why he couldn't speak to his family before coming up here unless he's going to visit his brother in prison.

I stopped reading at the end of the first paragraph, did Bobby not buy Rodert and Bellamy the year we qualified for the CL? Allardyce will have to go some to beat that sort of improvement.

How much Newcastle still has is debatable to a certain degree, the amount that has come out of Shepherd's shallow pockets and into the transfer kitty isn't.

That's him.

Somebody needs to send Allardyce a video of Dyer's far post defending.

Where would that leave Nobby?

OK, I still think it's the way he gets his message across more than what ha says.

How would Distin have known that we would go for Barton?

Aye, fair dos, no-one expected FS to put up a fight or considered the vague possibility of finding a backer himself to keep himself in control... Fixed

It's not always what vic says but how he says it that sometimes pisses people off. The point about Shepherd's backer is nothing more than speculation so I wouldn't get carried away with that bit of news that seems to be coming from rumours that are rife on Tyneside but only heard inside Thompson House and somebody from the Mail who probably read icnewcastle.

Barton is a good player but he seems to be as bad as Bowyer for the baggage he's bringing to the club.

It's not his money and will make no difference to the offer that's on the table.

I'm not using it as an excuse but it would be best for Allardyce to know what he's got to work with. It's no good him bringing people in only to find that he could have got somebody better.

This does have the makings of our best closed season we've had for years, we just need shepherd to get his act together and do what's best for the club while he still makes a fortune, that way we all come out as winners and the manager can start spending his expanded transfer kitty.

I guess we all do now that you've mentioned that, Willie?

If we go Chinese they'll be the city of the naked.

Chinese ownership = betting scams r us.

They still took his order.

Exactly, if they get the club you'll order a home shirt and be delivered a keyring, don't trust them.

My preference is for Ashley, the bloke has declared his interest and now others are starting to come out of the woodwork, at least the press are bringing them out of the woodwork. Ashley has given us hope and I can't see him ever bringing the name of the club down to the levels that others have. Ashley is my choice, I'd prefer not to be owned by the Chinese anyway, I don't trust them although that could be more down to perception than fact.

Deja vu.

Gibson is either a top man or he's a brilliant actor, like Madras has said he puts us to shame, the good thing is we're not alone as he puts most chairmen to shame.