Unbelievable

Why? I think he's making a better move than Van Ginkel for example, who will never fight himself in their first team for the foreseeable future. He'll get first team action, CL football and more exposure than at FC Groningen.

Heh? We need another centre back. Didn't the club say as much, i.e. Centre back and centre forward being priority positions this summer?

Well, if the deal was all but agreed I can see why he would be unhappy we've pulled out at the last minute..

So to solve the problem he brings in Joe Kinnear who hasn't heard of FC Twente. Ultimately the problem is Pardew's crapness, and that really upsets me. He has one of the most talented teams in the league. Look how long he messed Marveaux about for. He's an idiot. Whoa, let's not go overboard here..

It makes sense to you that Kinnear would be brought in to mediate in a feud? About as much sense as it does to bring him in for his footballing expertise tbf True, but NOT bringing him in at all was an option to Ashley you know..

It makes sense to you that Kinnear would be brought in to mediate in a feud?

IF that turns out to be true, should just have given Pardew the sack.

Dear God no, can't be doing with good players leaving..

Some more info on our first summer signing (Google translated):

It's not just about what he's done well - explore every possible revenue stream (albeit to a fault), employing a good scout and backing his judgment and refusing to bow to pressure to overspend, pay off the club debt (that's not a skill or anything, but not every chairman would've done it), it's the things he hasn't done badly like mortgage our future. He's prioritised making us into a viable business over just about everything else, which at this point in our history is good. How do I explain him not seeing Carr as the main strength etc etc etc....? I don't. As I've said a few times, I think it's a totally daft decision and the first move of Ashley's that I can't in any way defend. I agree, Carr is the crown jewel. I'm all about bank balance + transfer policy = you will do good, and Carr is key to that. I think it's barking mad to p*ss off Carr and I think it's completely insane to employ Kinnear. You seem to think I'm determined to defend Ashley no matter what, but it should be obvious that I'm not. Well it is just about what he's done well, since that's the question I asked. I'd argue that the only major thing he's done well is recognising he had a good scout and basing our transfer policy around that. That goes hand in hand with the financial stuff since we largely only spend what we bring in (at best) on good-value players from the Continent. There is no excuse for the steps backwards we've made in terms of other sources of revenue, such as commercial, matchday, etc. Regarding your first paragraph, it could well be argued that's all for his own benefit. He paid off the debt to begin with because he had the cash. He's started taking the money back, £11m last year. That will continue happening I'd imagine. I don't see what the obsession is with the financial stuff when it's seen us going backwards in many respects. There can be a happy medium you know, and I don't understand a football fan who wanks over spreadsheets or the idea that we could be as big as Everton. Regarding your last point, I do think you'll defend him (almost) no matter what, it doesn't matter if you're coming back on here with a more softly-softly, moderate tone, you're actually pretty much a militant Ashley supporter from everything I've read from you. I know not one person who's anywhere near as big a fan of his as you are. Top and bottom of it is that we haven't progressed as a football club and the last 5 years have been littered with humilation as an NUFC fan.

Considering his earlier tweets about how excited he was about it, it must have been pretty significant. Shame really, knowing our luck it was good news! Agreed 5 mill deal for Cavani probably blocked by Kinnel because he'd never heard of him..

Lens to Kiev and Mertens close to Napoli.

For some reason they include Cisse in that calculation as well. If Ashley thinks he's done enough he needs to give his head a shake.

Is that based on anything other than him being a black centre half or not? Could be the next Denzel Washington as well. Next black kid gif kid. I was more thinking they have a similar style; powerful players who can bully forwards on their day but are too slow and can make the odd mistake. Again you could argue he was free so whats to lose. Absolutely clueless..

Is Douglas really a quality player?? Genuine question, as from what I've heard/read he's nothing special. From what I've seen plenty of times he is. On a free, it's a no brainer. Unfortunately that's exactly what our new DoF is.

It's unbelievable

3 different sources for the Kinnear blocks all but agreed Douglas move story now..

Man, if we lose out on Douglas on a free because of this senile buffoon I'll be livid.

It all started with such promise and festivity on here back in 2007: http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,40533.msg891679.html#msg891679

Obviously none, but if it was otherwise an excellent opportunity then you might have to swallow it. It's not though, under Ashley, is it? For a start, you know nearly every transfer window ends in huge disappointment, despite clear and evident squad requirements. Then on top of that there is Ashley's tendency to throw a grenade every half season or so out of nowhere, meaning as a manager you are always the one who gets the flack for things beyond your control. Any self respecting manager with a modicum of ambition would well steer clear of us these days, sadly.

I was in favour of signing Carroll, but if the figures mentioned are correct (15.5M + 2M add ons and 100k wages) I wouldn't have gone far beyond half that.

oh I wouldn't be so sure........ http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11698/8783529/Transfer-news-Carlton-Cole-considering-offer-from-top-flight-club probably JFK on the phone to him Kill me now..

Bugger.. Amamobi it is!