Memphis

Or the fact that one deal could be completed, and they're just waiting for theother to be confirmed before they announce both? Could be. I was trying to put together a scenario involving a third deal, but your theory is just as plausible. Does anyone know if Faye was at the training ground today?

Given what we know about the two deals that seem to be in place - that Faye is all but done, and even attended the Barnsley match, and that Beye has said his goodbyes in Marseille and is apparently at the training ground today - I suspect that Mort and Sam are trying for a third deal of some sort and holding off the official announcement of the other deals until they either finalize the third deal or consider it unworkable. Just a theory, but I think it explains the surprising silence from the club so far today.

This has to be the most boring ceremony in the history of sport. But this Pedro Pinto fella is quite impressive with the languages.

Maybe there will be a blockbuster signing in the transfer window after all...

Hate to double-post, but I ran across a pretty lengthy and interesting Martins interview that I hadn't seen before - it was done after the Bolton match: http://broadband.espn.go.com/ivp/splash2?id=2989419 The ESPN video player is rather obnoxious, but it's the only way I could link the video.

Just watched his interview after the Barnsley match on the club site - again, Oba categorically says: "I really, really want to stay here." Don't know how many times and in how many different ways he has to say it.

I'm not sure but it could be 443 still. ----------------------------Shay Given, Nobby Solano Steven Taylor Cacapa Jose Enrique ------------------Geremi Alan Smith Emre -----------Michael Owen-----------------Charles N'Zogbia ----------------------------Shola Ameobi Even if it is we'll have Emre. A bit of craft at last (hopefully) True. Certainly he could go 4-3-3 with Shola, Owen, and Smith up front. Hope he gives 4-4-2 a go, though.

I can't wait to see how the team performs with some genuine creativity and passing in the midfield, and in an out-and-out 4-4-2.

Harper Solano Taylor Cacapa Enrique Milner Geremi Smith Zoggy Owen Ameobi Comfortable 2-0 win.

An extraordinary tragedy. God bless his family and friends.

I rate him, but Big Sam would need every trick in his man-management book to get him to play at his top level. Would be an intriguing signing. With Adriano, Martins, and Owen, we'd be amazing in FM or Pro Evo.

All three excellent for different reasons - Martins' strike took such skill and flexibility, Viduka's was a masterclass in strength, close control and creating space, and Zoggy's was done on the run, skinning two defenders and finishing from distance with his weaker foot. My vote was for Zog, but it was close.

Two things: 1. The release clause is in Oba's contract without Oba having requested it or even knowing about it? How did that happen exactly? 2. If Oba wants to sign a new deal without the clause, and for the same money, as he says - get it sorted. What is the delay? Oh, and it's a great read. Really thrilled that Oba seems to be settling so well.

mackems, smogs, spurs, west ham, chelsea

The only theory about the whole Dyer situation that makes sense if you take the comments Mort and Allardyce have made at face value, and if you put stock in the retraction of the inflammatory comments by Egg man, is that West Ham tapped up Dyer before trying to do a deal with us. Then, once the deal was all but done, the leadership at St. James' found out about the unscrupulous dealings and felt West Ham were taking advantage of a player they themselves had unsettled. Thus, we asked for more money. Just a theory, mind, but one that is consistent with all the information we know. The fact that West Ham seems willing to continue the deal would indicate to me that they likely don't see Newcastle as entirely responsible for this situation.

The developments reported by Paul Gilder in today's Journal are quite interesting, though. The fact that the Egg man would so easily and willingly ask for a retraction of his comments upon the mere suggestion of an official inquiry suggests that he's more responsible for this shambolic Dyer mess than many had originally thought. It certainly adds more credence to Mort's and Allardyce's position on the matter.

He's listed as injured because he is. From this Sporting Life article on Baines: I would not expect Tevez to play this weekend.

Jaaskelainen - GK Yobo, Geremi, Distin - D N'Zogbia, Fabregas, Alonso, Arteta - M Berbatov, van Persie, Rooney - F Hahnemann, Ingimarsson, Huddlestone, Onuoha - subs I'm reasonably confident in that team.

Great work, arkanoider!

Cheers for this - I always enjoy Mike's work

I know he's got dodgy knees and is 34, but surely Solskjaer should be on Man Utd's list. That said, we've certainly got a great deal of Premiership-proven quality up front...with decent service, we should have no trouble finishing.

Setanta's the way to go. They are definitely showing the Bolton match live. Might want to check out their broadband coverage as well...

If that money gives us the stability to qualify for Europe and therefore attract a better brand of player as a replacement, it will have been well worth it. Agreed but €4m is still a fair old wedge to spend on a stopgap. It's not as though there will be a resale value at the end of the contract. If that money gives us the stability to qualify for Europe and therefore attract a better brand of player as a replacement, it will have been well worth it.

Don't quite understand all the animosity toward Smith either.

Better than Pattison...