STM

Good move, will also make him appreciate Newcastle more when he comes back.

Great.

Geremi, Nobby and Taylor can all put in a good shift at right back. Agreed. However, why not sign a right back so you don't need to rely on playing someone out of their natural position? - We all know that injuries will hit us next year, hopefully not as bad as recent years, so why rely on these players to cover Carr when we need them playing elsewhere on the pitch. I just don't think we will get a right back in any time soon. I think Sams already decided that Carr, Nobby, Geremi, and Taylor plus other youngsters is enough for the time being. I agree that a right back should be on our long term list though.

Exactly. Taylor is only 21 (I think). Will do him no harm whatsoever to have a couple of seasons in a lower risk position as he matures as a player. He's maturing fine at CB, he doesn't need a spell at RB, it would be a pointless exercise that should only be carried out in a total emergency. Maturing fine? Seemed to make a lot of mistakes last season for someone maturing "fine". At that age defenders make mistakes, he's about as accomplished as any 20-21 year old CB in the league. I think Smoggie has a point though, I think his development has stuttered over the last season or so. I expect Allardyce to put that right though. It came on leaps and bounds last season, a perfect season for him ruined by a handful of stupid antics imo. Some of them 100% his fault, and i've berated him for that, some because he's been totally let down by the man beside him. This season he'll become a rock, cut out the mistakes and cement himself in the heart of defence, putting him at RB is about the biggest mistake we could make in his career to date. I'm just glad NUFC is now run by someone with a clue, and it simply won't happen. He made a mistake 40 minutes into his first match this season, which cost him an injury. Whether you want to admit it or not, although he has the potential to be one of the best, at such a young age it is asking fartoo much for a 21yo lad to be our main centre back for a full campaign. The voice of reason.

Sol didn't play much there, i always remember him from an early age being a CB. Carragher was classed as very average until his move to CB, which just proves my point in a nutshell. Played in midfield a bit before becoming settled as a centre-half iirc (Campbell that is). It won't necessarily be bad for Taylor to play right-back sometimes though, it's another option against big, physical sides. He can also play as part of a back three when required. Which is fine, but lining him up as a RB when looking at our defence is just plain stupid. People doing it in the formations thread as well, need their fuking heads read. Same fuking idiots who'll go mental if you suggest playing Barton as a DMC. Plenty of managers have put there young centre backs at right back in order to learn the defensive trade off more experianced centre halves. Personally, as long as Taylor is in the defence somewhere i know he will do a good job and he will learn alot. Albeit as a full back or centre back. Saying it will stop his progress is bullshit.

I just don't think Sam sees press conferences as a priority anymore. Can't say i'm gutted but would be nice to hear form the man.

TBH both Geremi and Nobby are very comfortable at right back. We also have alot of injuries in defence so the chances are that Taylor will end up playing there anyway but i personally don't think it will harm his progress playing at right back alongside three experianced centre backs. If anything it will do him the world of good learning from them, centre back would be ideal though.

People are jumping the gun a bit here aren't they. We'v only had a couple of news stories, anyone thought this could jsut be his agent trying to speed up the deal to everton?

realism doesn't go down as well as rose tinted specs I agree but considering our squad and general situation last year would you not agree we are in a better and more promising position. Of course we need more/better players but in my opinion we have made a big step forward, do you agree?

Source?

I have a sneaky suspicion he could become a fan favourite..... If he gets the games (which considering our history record is possible).

Aye but the experiance of playing alongside 3 experianced centre halves is invaluable. TBF Taylor would be a great/reliable right back anyway so i would have no problem with that. Carragher played at right back at pool until he was 23/24 and used the experiance of Hyypia and Henchoz. We could do something similar.

As a 433: Given Taylor Rozehnal Cacapa Drago Butt Geremi Barton Milner Viduka Martins

Unless we play 433, which we will away from home. Smith may fit in as the third man in a midfield three or as a target man. If we play 442 we have better players than Smith.

Technically yes but butt has better positioning at defensive midfield. Geremi needs to fit in somewhere.

Which is where Dragotunovic comes in. Hadn't read that thread when i posted that. Great movement by big sam.

7m is one of the best deals we have had in a very long time.

As far as i'm concerned if we are replacing Dyer with a player more heart and use whilst making a profit in the proccess you wil get no complaint from this direction. Smiths a far better player than some would make out, he is also the right kind of personality i want at this football club. Aswell as being, rightly or wrongly, an England international.

How does this look: Given Taylor Rozehnal Cacapa Drago Butt Geremi Milner Zoggy Viduka Owen Possibility for the start of the season, very exciting.

4m comes across a tad steep for 31 year old but we've grabbed a few bargains this summer to make up for it. If you look at it as 2 centre halfs for 2m a piece it doesn't look at all bad.

Absolutely delighted by this. Cacapa, Rozehnal, Taylor, Ramage, Hunty and Edgar. Looking a little more acceptable now. 3 good centre halfs is better than the one we had last season. I'd like to see Sam pull in one more but i'm satisfied. Need a left back still though.

Sum up this thread somneone?

Its because he has alot of Drag.

Dyer can be a threat but only at his own convinience which is't good enough for someone "earning" 1k never mind 60+. That said we should let him go for peanuts for various reasons. If he does go, he must be replaced.

In english?