alexthegreat

I'm far from his biggest critic but thought his substitution late on was a poor decision today, not for the first time. (Sunderland away, Spurs at home, West Brom on the last day) Saw no need to change it today, particularly since we had already made two subs. Couldnt help noticing this match report on bbc either: Birmingham 1 - 0 CoventryBirmingham edged a keenly-contested Midlands derby to give Chris Hughton his first points as Blues manager. Hughton was instrumental in the outcome of the match as the introduction of sub Adam Rooney proved a turning point Those little decisions towards the end of a game can make a big difference

Arsenal seem to particularly hate him for some reason. I remember this from Keegan's last game: "Joey came on and got a very good tackle in on Nasri, then the guy just sliced him down. If you write any different to that, youre deceiving your readers. I was upset at the end. I like Nasri very much hes a player we looked at and talked about but you cant do that. Joey hasnt done anything wrong there. I thought it was an excellent tackle. He got the ball he didnt go in double-footed or anything. Gael Clichy added: "We know the guy. He wanted to make something for his first game back and I don't want to talk about it but Samir did well and I'm proud of him." Then the Diaby thing the last time we played them, and then today

Defence would be much worse than the side that got promoted. The strikers would be worse as well actually Praying this is bollocks but have a very bad feeling about it

I think hes still got a little bit of sharpness and cleverness in the box that elevates him ever so slightly above being totally s***. It was obvious to anyone watching the 2nd half of last season that he doesn't offer enough to start Premier League games, I reckon he could probably still be useful in the championship though. We used him a lot more than I thought last season though. Premier League appearances from our strikers here: Ameobi 21(7) Lovenkrands 18 (7) Carroll 18(1) Best 9 (2) Ranger 1 (23) I think it makes sense for SAmeobi to tak over from Ranger as an impact sub (especially as he has a bit of pace). But seeing as we've only brought in Ba, who is highly likely to have an injury at some point, I actually think we should probably hang on to Lovenkrands until such a point as this striker we've been promised arrives. Hopefully we'd not need to use him much but then he started nearly half our Premier League games last season.

Said this before. I reckon hes done some damage where the original injury was - could cause all sorts of problems

SHOLA AMEOBI TO BE LONGEST-SERVING IN NEWCASTLE HISTORY ABOVE: SHola Ameobi - Newcastle veteran 11th August 2011 By Ian Murtagh SHOLA AMEOBI is in line to become one of the longest-serving players in Newcastle history after signing a two-year contract extension. It will take the striker, 29, to the end of the 2013-14 season – 14 years after Sir Bobby Robson handed him his debut against Chelsea. Current boss Alan Pardew is a big admirer of Ameobi whose brother Sammy, 19, is on the fringe of the Newcastle senior squad. Pardew said: “Shola has done a terrific job for me since I’ve been here and he’s a great character to have around the place. “It’s important to have continuity and Shola helps us achieve that aim.” Anyone know where 14 years would put him on the all time list of longest serving players? 19 years is the record. I reckon 14 years could well put him in the top 10

put in alot of excellent crosses in the 2nd half of the season. Blackburn away springs to mind. There was no one to put them away though

Bendtners not lacking in self-belief anyway: Nicklas Bendtner scores 10 out of 9 in confidence test Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has proved his extreme self-confidence far greater than that of your average egoist by getting a score off the scale in a self-confidence test. The 23-year-old has made several comments in the media over the years highlighting his belief in himself and many have suggested that his confidence borders on arrogance. He claimed earlier this season that, when fully fit, he should always be in the Arsenal starting line-up, and famously told all and sundry that he was going to win the Golden Boot at last year's World Cup. Recently, Arsenal use psychological tests to determine their players' mental abilities in relation to their footballing qualities and Bendtner is certainly not lacking in one area. Psychologist Jacques Crevoisier, interviewed by Swedish magazine Offside, said: "One of the categories is called 'self perceived competence,' i.e. how good the player himself thinks he is. On a scale up to 9, Bendtner got 10! "We have never seen that before. (Assistant manager) Pat Rice was sitting next to me and couldn't stop laughing. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2011/02/nicklas-bendtner-scores-10-out-of-9-in.html

Dont seem to learn on readytogo. I like this thread from last summer: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=493987 Heres a typical post: Thoguh i see Barton would get in this year as well, so at least thats something

Still think this could happen. Smith mightn't be ready to take a huge cut but I could imagine him being ready to knock 5k a week or so off his salary to play for his hometown club, rather than sitting doing nothing for a year. Bates, Ashley and Smith are the 3 parties involved - if all 3 give a little bit of ground over the next 3 weeks then we may still be able to get rid

is this actually happening? He'll be 30 when this deal runs out, he can'barely play more than 3 games in a row, everyone else in that age bracket seems to be getting moved on, and hes not exactly been consistently excellent. Is he ever gonna leave?

SSN interview today Pardew was asked about morale, and he replied along the lines of "A lot better than last week. The Obertan signing has helped, and Cheik Tiote is back which has helped, plus some more good news". Now we know what it is

Though it will be their fault if they panic on the last day of the window and we haven't time to get an adequate replacement Can't believe they'd even try and spin this line. I don't know why Pardews even prattling on about them smiling at each other. Hes had 8 months to sign a contract and obviously doesnt want to - the situations been crystal clear for months so it would take an as yet unattained level of incompetence for them not to have a replacement lined up.

I always remember this from the sale of Kieron Dyer as one of the first little glimpses into Mike Ashley's character: "Dyer's proposed move to West Ham collapsed last Friday when Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley dramatically raised his asking price from £6m to £8m at an advanced stage of negotiations. That led the Hammers to pull out of discussions and their Icelandic chairman, Eggert Magnusson, has subsequently claimed that the Magpies should be "embarrassed" by their conduct in the affair. Behind the scenes, however, discussions between the two clubs are understood to have continued and a compromise agreement is expected to be signed next week." I expect hes playing similar games here

was linked in the mirror about 3 weeks ago: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to splash out £2million on Crystal Palace’s highly-rated right back Nathan Clyne. Pardew has opened talks to land the England under-20 prospect who could be sold by the Eagles in this window - with rivals Birmingham City struggling to raise the funds. Clyne has caught Pardew’s eye and would give him competition at the back and also please his money men who want some young players with a re-sale value. Pardew hopes to get the nod to spend some of his budget on Clyne this week, with Palace braced for an official offer after fielding opening inquiries Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Newcastle-keen-to-spend-on-Crystal-Palace-defender-Nathan-Clyne-article765037.html#ixzz1USQUL0mj Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

From wiki: Keirrison and his father bought a football club from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state in April 2008, and renamed it to Centro de Futebol Keirrison, shortened as CFK9.[29] can't imagine the rage on this board if Nile Ranger did that

Would remind me of the Xisco signing - we're struggling in the transfer window, he plays in a position and has a type of game that we need, and if you read very selectively and look at his stats with one eye closed you could just about convince yourself that hes not going to be shit

Hes got his twitter back up and running - got himself in a little cat fight with Oliver Holt over David Pleat after comments Pleat made about him on talksport: Joey7Barton Joseph Barton @OllieHoltMirror if Pleat wants to raise his head above the parapet, then he's fair game. Same as I am for u and vice-versa #helmet 1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply Joey7Barton Joseph Barton @ @OllieHoltMirror why do u not just pass footballing judgement then? Hypocrite. Why r u so concerned with what players do off the field? 1 hour ago Joey7Barton Joseph Barton @ @OllieHoltMirror am not judging. U'll find am responding to his judgement!!! U still judge me don't u? maybe I should judge u? #glasshouses 1 hour ago

Selection of Pardew quotes from the last few days: Hes starting to annoy me a bit. I hate it when managers hide behind shortcomings in their squad. It normally means that your in the middle of a crisis and a change of manager isnt far off. I don't think Pardew will be going anywhere soon though.

Thought this would happen. This injury is in the same area as his leg break and Pardew sounded quite vague about the timescale from the outset

Krul, Harper, Forster Simpson, RTaylor, Williamson, Coloccini, STaylor, Enrique, Tavernier, Perch ,Kadar Marveaux, Ferguson, Jonas, Cabaye, Barton, Tiote, Gosling, Obertan, Abeid, Guthrie, Smith Vuckic, Ben Arfa Ba, Ameobi, Best, Lovenkrands, Ranger, SAmeobi Add a decent striker and a defender in the mould of someone like Onuhoa to that lot and I actually think we look pretty good, just to be a little bit positive for a second. I don't doubt there will be many more twists and turns in this window than that though

no chance http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/04/27/nufc-season-ticket-sales-hit-a-five-year-high-72703-28591418/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/07/newcastle-united-alan-pardew I see hes using similar tactics on Barton: "Me and Joey will have a couple of texts and take it from there." Little bit presumptuous?

Ben Arfa / Vuckic Marveaux / Ferguson / Jonas Sulejami /Obertan Tiote / Gosling Cabaye quote from Pardew: “I am hoping to deliver a side that looks a little bit different, and our style will change a little bit too. I am hoping we have a really exciting season – and that is how the team will be set up, to be exciting. I can’t wait to start and be around the city and the club again" Saw another poster say that Mick Lowes asked Pardew about Obertan. he said he'd signed him to help hit teams with pace on the break, said he'd signed Cabaye to control games and find players on the break. Maybe hes thinking of something like the above? Could see Jonas being moved on if he is - hes 29 and might not really fit that system. Having said all that Ive just seen Ajax bought him for 16m euros so I dont think theres any chance he will sign

It would be a shame to see him going to Liverpool - but if I was a talented player with no previous allegiance to NUFC I'd want to get out of here for the sake of my career. He said on twitter that the board has no intention to challenge the top 6 and he is right. Liverpool aren't in the Champions League but they clearly have ambition to progress. I dont really care about the £5.5m fee being a bit low - its not as if an extra few million would go on players anyway. Having said all that I'd still far rather see him go to AC Milan or Bayern Munich as was mentioned in January, but I'll certainly not give him any stick if he comes back with Liverpool.