STM

I don't see how because Moat was sitting next to Ashley that anyone believes this thing is going to be done anytime soon. Nothing suggests that our takeover is close.

I'm still convinced very little is going on behind the scenes. Having Moat at the match hasn't changed my pessimism regarding the sale of the club.

I think he has something in his locker.

Well above the standard of the championship, even if he isn't what he used to be. In fact he's probably above the standard of us at the moment. I can imagine a few prem clubs will have been sniffing around, were just lucky his lass is from up here.

I assume they will bump Taylor onto the wing and Simpson in at right back.

Would be shocked if Tozer started TBH.

Would be nice if it were true but very unlikely considering our state at the moment.

Joey Barton has joined the "Wormwood Reunion Group". Rio Ferdinand just gave Roman Bednar a spliff Roman likes

I thought O'Leary was half decent TBH and his record suggests that. As for a bloke... he's an absolute cock end. Having O'Leary as manager is better than sticking with Hughton and better than having Kinnear back but that's not saying a great deal.

I've always rated O'Leary as a decent manager, not a great one. Right now, sadly, i would take "decent". What i don't understand is why Ashley doesn't just appoint Shearer? If he is going to appoint someone, he might as well appease the fans. Obviously O'Leary is the cheap option.

I imagine it will be an unchanged team but personally i'd be a bit creative and go for; Krul Colo Taylor Kadar Enrique Smith Barton Jonas Duff Nolan Carroll

What i like about Carroll is that he tries to shoot when he gets the opportunity and easily one of the best headers at the club, in defence and attack.

He was so threatening at times, skinning their right back on a number of occasions but his final product comes to nothing almost everytime. He's missing a good coach that's for sure. I think a good manager could make him a very dangerous player.

Even if Shearer came out and said he didn't want the job, i still think he'd accept it if the new owners offered it to him.

I'm beyond impatient, i've resigned myself to not caring when we get took over as long as it is before the start of the season. I'm already thinking about how important the january transfer window could be for us. For the record i genuinely don't think a takeover is far away.

Did he say something about a wealthy European bidder too? Or did i just imagine that?

I see Owen coming off the bench to score goals for them because he will be a bit part player for them it will benefit him. He will have something of a Solkjear(sp)/Sheringham role.

I agree with the thought that Campbell would be a great mentor for Bassong/Taylor and know doubt he knows Shearer quite well, which would help.

I have a horrible feeling that Owen will score hatfulls for them lot. Forget what he did here, Fergy is a brilliant manager.

Nope but i think it could be close.

Little village in South Tynedale called Bardon Mill, 11 miles past Hexham.

Seems like things are finally drawing to a close, even if it is agonisingly slow. Hopefully by friday we will be given the news that one bidder is in the proccess of formally taking over the club. Fingers crossed that preperations can begin very soon.

Pamarot can play right across the back four, decent player on a free.

I've been to loads of games at SJP and have never heard any racial abuse towards Bramble. Heard him called a Donkey plenty of times but i assumed that was because of two other reasons

I don't know why .com thinks it has anymore inside knowledge than the rags. I'm just as unlikely to believe the papers as i'm an unoffical website TBH.