Memphis

Van Gall, Hitzfeld, and Houllier are all far better candidates than Redknapp ever was.

We've got three separate threads focused on information gleaned from SSN, but do we have any reason at this point to believe any of it? The two main sources for the Redknapp stuff appear to be SSN and Anal - both seriously lacking credibility. Everyone else, including officials at both clubs and other ancillary figures, is saying or intimating there's nothing on. Until I see something a bit more official, I'm not convinced 'Arry is the main target.

15 million http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3038866,00.html Changed above - thanks.

Anelka's Transfer Fees: Arsenal to Real Madrid - 22 million Real Madrid to PSG - 20 million PSG to Man City - 12 million Man City to Fenerbache - 7 million Fener to Bolton - 8 million Bolton to Chelsea - 15 million Total: 84 million in transfer fees

14 million for a proven goalscorer who will no doubt have renewed ambition after his nomadic period away from the Champions League is a bargain.

Not reading much into suspending Mourinho, just an interesting development. And ladbrokes have taken down the betting altogether.

SkyBet have suspended betting on Jose Mourinho, for whatever it's worth. http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvEv&id=11082720

If it is true about the search involving only British candidates, I have to join in with the chorus of people shocked by the limited scope of the club's ambition. I have no idea whether or not the club could attract the likes of Mourinho or even Houllier, but to limit the candidates so sharply so soon would be incredibly stupid. I can only hope the club is either being misquoted or intentionally deceptive. And if it's McClaren, I can't imagine anyone being the least bit happy.

Like any corporate figurehead, I'm sure Mike Ashley's behaviour is motivated to some degree by a desire to generate positive PR. Sports Direct have had some horrendous PR since it became a public company, damaging Ashley and his company in the eyes of many analysts and potential investors. Unquestionably his role as Newcastle's "sugar daddy" humanizes him to a large extent and helps his (previously negative) image. To me, it's an ideal situation. It benefits the club to have the club benefit Ashley, if that makes sense. If we are indeed his distraction, his plaything, his midlife crisis, as some have previously written, then all the better. The better Newcastle do, the better PR for Ashley. The fact that he has likely been legitimately taken in by the atmosphere at and around SJP and the city is fantastic. It will only deepen what may have started as a flight of fancy. In short, it's a symbiotic relationship. We help him, he helps us. Perfect. Now bring us Kaka in January.

Amoebi was awful tonight. He has been awful for some time. He will be awful in the future. There's no way he should get a game ahead of Martins or Smith up front. That said, the service from midfield (and Steven Taylor) was horrible. Absolutely no creativity and no idea how to break down a very poor, but hard-working Derby side. A genuine step backward for the first time under Sam. We will see what the response is.

Really enjoyed watching Nobby play. Class on the ball, great passing, composure, solidity. I will miss seeing him in black and white.

Best of luck to the young man. He was clearly not Premiership standard. I was always quite nervous when I saw his name on the team sheet.

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? Apparently both were there. Thank you.

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.