Memphis

To me, it's just coming across as childish and pandering to the legions of fans who are dissatisfied with the owner. I don't have a lot of affection for the owner either, but there's no way a player identified as a key player and a true professional by the manager should be making those sorts of provocative comments in public on the eve of a new season. Does nothing for anyone other than Barton's ego.

Joey's just trolling now.

They won't give a fuck man. I'm sure a fuck or two will be given. Not a great first impression.

I'll be very curious to see what Cabaye, Abeid, and the rest of the new lads make of that.

Embarrassing.

Rather him say that than say nothing at all. Very easy to be cynical and honestly I can't blame those that are. Still, love hearing him say the right thing out loud.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Newcastle-Cheik-Tiote-dismisses-Chelsea-speculation-insists-happy-at-Magpies-article767877.html Love the man.

They still have a yearly plan: $159.99 for the year - average of a little over $13 per month. It is going up to $169.99 in August, though, so act quickly. That's the way I've done it and it makes sense since you'll likely be using it every month anyway. Also, several people have said they'll be enhancing the site with new features, iPad functionality, etc. Apparently they're taking it a bit more seriously and the quality should improve. I hope so. Hmmm, I already pay for Fox Soccer+, get FSC free with my FIOS package... is there really that much benefit to getting the foxsoccer.tv shit too? For my part, last season I used foxsoccer.tv more than FS+ because so many of our matches aren't shown on FSC or FS+. I know in previous years the only matches you didn't get live on FS.tv are the ones on FSC or ESPN2. Even the FS+ matches were also live on FS.tv - so for me FS+ was redundant. If they do indeed improve the functionality, it's well worth the money - think of it this way, you pay $15/mo for FS+ anyway, might as well cancel it and move the money over to the online - you'll get more matches for less money (if you do the annual plan). And if you can get ESPN3 on your service provider, that and FS.tv combined should take care of just about everything you need.

They still have a yearly plan: $159.99 for the year - average of a little over $13 per month. It is going up to $169.99 in August, though, so act quickly. That's the way I've done it and it makes sense since you'll likely be using it every month anyway. Also, several people have said they'll be enhancing the site with new features, iPad functionality, etc. Apparently they're taking it a bit more seriously and the quality should improve. I hope so.

I became much more fond of Villas Boas when I read this quote from him: "I see myself much more in the image of Bobby Robson than Mourinho. Like him I've got English heritage, I've got a big nose and I like red wine."

Fantastic.

Douglas just tweeted that there was very good news coming: @MsiDouglas: It's made it in time for the Chronicle today... That's all. Won't have to wait long... Breaking imminently! #NUFC

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_6994488,00.html Sky Sports interview with Ba. Apparently conducted right there in the board room.

Seems simple enough to change your BA shirt to a CABAYE shirt if you'd prefer. Quite handy, that.

http://i.imgur.com/0KqHR.jpg Best I could do for an Ashley head...

The man chose to turn down what is termed a "good" contract offer after professing his undying love and loyalty to this club. He then chose to join a club in a lower division. He could have been very well-paid and stayed at NUFC for a long time; he chose not to. Best of luck to him in the Championship. He will do well. This club will certainly survive without a player who makes decisions like that.

Do you really think it's a prudent piece of business to extend 29-year-old Kevin Nolan's contract five more years at what would no doubt be a high wage? If not, knowing that you'll be losing him soon enough, do you a) keep him around the club knowing that he's both highly influential and highly irritated about not getting a new deal or b) sell him while you can get some value for him, with the hopes that you'll be able to sign someone of a higher standard in the 2 months between now and the upcoming season? I do think it's a case of either/or here.

Others have said it well - how much of a price do you put on "leadership"? If you've got ambitions of finishing in the top 10 year after year, you will have to upgrade on Kevin Nolan - simple as that. No matter his leadership, you cannot effectively tie the entire identity of a club to one powerful player in the dressing room; that's a quick way to ensure eventual problems when that player has a falling out with the manager or with a teammate. The club will survive without Nolan no matter how strong a leader he is. How you go about doing that is the difficult thing. If he doesn't want to sign an incentivised 5 year contract on what were no doubt still high wages, and the club doesn't want a protracted contract saga a la Jose, this is the only option. None of us truly know what specifically was offered or not offered, or how flexible each side has been in negotiation, so it's pointless to even discuss. For my part I'm just glad it's happening now rather than in August, since we have plenty of time to do what will hopefully be good business in the transfer market. Seems to be a great guy and a great leader. Just not a great player - not great enough for all this fuss.

FWIW, Aly Cissokho and Abel Hernandez have both recently overcome failed medicals to play at a high level consistently. A bit further back, Robert Huth failed his medical when Boro first tried to sign him. Depends on the situation and the injury, but it is by no means a guarantee of future problems.

Denmark/Switzerland coming up. Canadian-based TV feed here randomly has Rohan Ricketts as a pundit...

Ah yes. The infamous winger brothers joining the Taylors and the Ameobis. We'll be a real family club. http://oldies.s3.amazonaws.com/i/boxart/large/19/741157196610.jpg

Just need two or three random Twitter people to tweet ITK details to confirm.

“I spoke to Charles N’Zogbia and David Rozehnal before joining Newcastle. They both said it was a good choice to come to Newcastle,” he said. “They said I would have a great time, especially with the fans." Rozehnal! He's finally paving dividends!

Really annoying how people post it as "we know this is bullshit, but here it is anyway just in case this is the ONE TIME it's not total bullshit". Spoiler alert: it's always bullshit with him. Just don't post it.

Would be a bit of a worry if he was taking them for Ukraine :pow: His corners (for France) have been generally pretty decent, all in all, he's taken 5 or 6 now. Cabaye nearly played Gameiro in on goal with a beautiful pass - would have been tastic Commentator seems to have a bit of a chub for him, has mentioned him more than any other player.