STM

I've said it before and i'll say it again... i would have sold him for 36m... but i'd be putting it back into the first team.

I'm interested to hear what Pardew has to say. The word from someone close to the first team is that Carroll was an absolute cunt and that we were lucky to get so much money for him.

We got 36 million, the 8th biggest transfer fee ever recieved, 10m more than Rooney, 11m more than Beckham. We've lost a very good player but there's plenty more fish in the sea. Less than a year ago Carroll wasn't good enough for the championship and we would have sold him for 5m. I will save my outrage for when Ashley doesn't significantly reinvest that money back into the first team. Life goes on, Andy Carroll was a cunt and certainly not bigger than the club. In Liverpool there will be no Nolan to look after him.

Starting to lose faith in Newcastle fans after reading some of the posts in this thread, seeing all the conspiracy theories. Luckily this forum doesn't represent the view of the average fan. Personally, i was pleased to see the club are prepared to reinvest in the squad.

That they're leaving the transfer window far, far stronger than they were on Jan 1st? Yeah, livid. Clueless. Whereas we are leaving it far weaker - currently 3 players down an dour best player gone. And virtually all of the lower half teams have strengthened. It's Jan 09 all over again, but worse. And some are actually defending Ashley. Laughable. Your posts are laughable.

People jumping on Ashley's back aren't looking at the facts. We are getting 35m for a 21 year old, you won't find me many chairman that wouldn't have accepted that.

I'll ask again, why would Carroll go along with it? Or is that too naive of a question for you to answer? Money up front. Agent pressure. Who knows. Exactly. How come everyone is so eager to believe the official line in this story? Look at all the major things that have happened to this club over the past 3 years, look at the official line and tell me that it's been an accurate narrative of what actually transpired. Look at KK's firing. Look at the Milner s***. Look at Hughton's sacking. Look at Pardew's appointment. For f***'s sake, Golfmag had posted that it was planned for weeks in advance, yet the official line never mentioned it. Ashley might seem dumb but he's not. Because Andy Carroll handed in the transfer request, Andy Carroll is on his way to Liverpool to discuss terms. Yes we probably could have done more, but the suggestion that the transfer request was anything other than Carroll having his head turned is madness. He ultimately made the decision to leave, not Ashley. Totally agree Jonny. Unless someone shows me proof that Carroll didn't hand in a transfer request, we have to assume that the club did all it could to keep Carroll. I'm not worryied about being a selling club, if we are then so are Man Utd and almost every other club in the world, it's just a shame to lose a local lad.

If i owned the club, i would have accepted that bid. Stupid money. Life will move on, it always does.

What's Mr Ireland said like?

Not fussed about the whole female linesman/cheeky sexual joke nonsense. I'm just happy that two people who have massive influence over football fans have gone. Time for new ideas and new people IMO... even if Jamie "fucking" Redknapp is his replacement.

TBF i think we have all realised that he's a pretty nice guy, lets just hope that he pushes on from the good work he has done so far. I get the impression he was told if we stay in the league he will be getting some decent money to spend in the summer.

As long as he fully recovers, i don't mind how long it takes. We've coped pretty well since his injury. It's important that these things are done properly. It would be nice for us to sign a bit of cover for him in this window.

I fucking hate Andy Burton. Hope the lot get sacked but suspect sky will end up using this as a media stunt to their advantage.

What's with this cover for Smith? Firstly he's injured, not leaving the club (sadly), when do club's buy players to replace an injured substitute? and for the record neither O'Hara or Ireland would count as cover for a defensive midfielder... sorry a shit defensive midfielder.

The majority of Nolan's goals have come from CM when we've played 4-4-2. I'm glad someone is switched on. Which is why Ireland would be canny sitting in front of Tiote and Nolan.

Who by? It's not the best time to sell Shola, as we are really short. Offer us that in the summer and he can go.

Fair point but it's about squad size and squad options. We might feel away from home that we want to go for 3 central midfield players or one off the striker. Granted the way we are playing now in a simple 442 seems to be working but things change and it's nice to have options. I also think it's a little bit fictional to say Ireland can't play in that position because has very rarely been given the chance. Alot of people think that Nolan plays best just off the front man, but that is not true either. I'd be looking at something like this: Nolan Tiote Barton Ben Arfa Ireland Carroll

West Ham are the lesser of two evils. They can both rot and die for all i care though.

Never knew that, doesn't suprise me though.

tbf theres a point there, when it came to onfield matters for city he always had a top notch attitude and before his great season for them put in a load of work on martial arts etc in his off time and pre season. Just hasn't worked out for him at villa which can happen sometimes and houillers man management is questionable tbh Questionable is a understatement. Houllier's a fucking looney. Watch his interviews, he looks like a guy who escaped a mental hospital. In fairness the looney knows his football though.

Champion, we should get most of our players tied down long term. Jose Enrique should be next on the list. Even if Barton doesn't stay that long, we won't be a victim of him (or any other player) leaving on a free.

As long as we don't throw him in at the deep end, i could see him being a class player for us. Ok he's got a few issues but good managers and good clubs believe that they have the tools to steady the different personalities. I actually don't think there is much wrong with Irelands attitude, in fact i think he was unfortunate to be shafted by Man City and joined the wrong club in Villa.

We have three problems. 1. Create lots of chances, but can't score. 2. Central midfield lightweight, which adds more pressure to: 3. Iffy defence. Bent will hopefully sort 1, Makoun will help with 2 and 3. Walker has already helped the defence, but we're still a little fragile. Makoun is the more important signing IMO, if it comes off. He will help settle the team and cover the defence. Once you have a solid foundation, you should pick up points and score a few goals (with Bent). Makoun signed last week - five million euros. I knew you had signed him, i meant if he's any good in this league.

We have three problems. 1. Create lots of chances, but can't score. 2. Central midfield lightweight, which adds more pressure to: 3. Iffy defence. Bent will hopefully sort 1, Makoun will help with 2 and 3. Walker has already helped the defence, but we're still a little fragile. Makoun is the more important signing IMO, if it comes off. He will help settle the team and cover the defence. Once you have a solid foundation, you should pick up points and score a few goals (with Bent).

Albrighton Downing Young Bent Not a bad front four. I suspect their season will be defined by the 7 behind them though.