Yorkie

Fortunately i'm a child.

Exactly. He made out that i was a nobody so i put him right? What was wrong with that?

Baggio, you're talking about him as if he's doing this stuff constantly. What more evidence do you need than the Celtic game that he's good at beating his man, and whipping a cross in? What's really good is that come the end of last season, his crossing was much more precise - whereas at the beginning, two out of three Milner crosses would go to the first defender's feet. Sure, he occassionally slows down the counter attack by spending too long on the ball, but you're saying it as if it's all he does. He's progressively getting better. Like i said before, i think you slag him off too much. I don't think you're comprehending how much potential the lad has - it's early days and he's only going to get better. I can't see him being a centre-mid, so throwing him out the team (which as i gather would be your preferred option) is only going to hinder a very fast-progressing youngster, who atleast until recently, has been a pivotal figure of our attacking play. Reckon he'll prove you wrong over the season.

Someone who's posted about 3500 more posts on here than you have.

That's absolute bollocks tbh. And i'm not saying Ash4 is a cock, either. I've got more time for the likes of Brummie, 1894 and Doctor Spectrum than i do the majority of Newcastle fans on here, you included.

I've used this point to counter yours every time. He makes up for his lack of pace in his excellent ability to beat his man. He lacks pace, definitely, but i don't think it's too detrimental a (non)-attribute. That said, he'd be immense and a complete winger if he was fast. It'd be ace if speed could be improved; always a tough one, though.

What i'm thinking, tbf. What a naff article.

Should never have left.

I would have Sol but not as the only CD signing. Well obviously. But, if by some glitch in the universe, we were only allowed to sign one centre-back, we'd have done well if it were Campbell.

Don't know who it was who said it, but it was a bloody good phrase regarding Campbell. 'Campbell's forgotten more than the likes of Taylor and Ramage already know'. Which is spot on. Even as far as £3m, he'd be a bloody good signing.

Meaning we'd have Milner, Geremi, Solano and Malbranque all competing for one place. I'd rather have Murphy. Especially if there's a chance we'll go with 4-5-1.

Jenas.

Last thing we need is another winger.

Opposing managers know that the left-winger is going to cut inside and shoot = he's pretty useless there. That's what you're saying, ultimately. Name me a good left-winger that doesn't cut in and shoot; of course he will. Fortunately Milner has a very good shot on him. Really think you underrate Milner. Anyhow, it's such a tough question. He seems more effective on the left then he does on the right. People who say he can't cross are deluded. It's erratic, but 50% of the time his crosses are absolutely superb, and it'll be intriguing watching him cross balls for Owen and Viduka every week, as apposed to Martins, Dyer and Sibierski*. But i just don't know. That'd mean Milner on the left with Geremi on the right, but you could argue that Geremi should be in the centre. Meaning Milner left and Nobby right... Personally, i think we'd be more profitable of a N'Zogbia-left/Milner-right combo, rather than a Milner-left/Solano-right combo. The N'Zogbia situation is potentially going into the 'stupid' bracket again, trying to convert him into a left-back. He's a left-winger. He's been good as a left-winger. He's been average-to-dogshit everywhere else he's played. When consistently in the side, he's a mint left-winger. He even looked good against Hartlepool down the left. I've just got a feeling that Zoggy is rejuvinated under Allardyce and we've got a very good player on our hands again. Milner is more fruitful individually as a left-winger, but i think Zog on the left/Milner on the right would be more profitable on the whole, i reckon. *On a separate note to that, a ball-playing duo of Milner up-high, and Nobby from deep, is a mouth-watering prospect, imo.

1. Man United 2. Liverpool 3. Chelsea 4. Arsenal 5. Spurs 6. Everton 7. Newcastle 8. Blackburn 9. Portsmouth 10. Aston Villa Then we'll destroy the world in 08/09.

Will be fun seeing City brought back down to Earth; no offense Spec.

Moyes will set Everton right. They haven't made many signings, but they haven't got any worse. We'll finish behind them and Spurs, i reckon.

Aye, Faye's a holding player.

The fact that Luque didn't get a second of football in the Carling Cup game at Watford after that, for me goes down as one of Roeder's most senile individual decisions.

Don't disagree it could well be a 4-4-2 start but as we agreed it'll very likely end up a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 whatever you want to call it. As you've probably seen in the post above, thats why I think Nolan would be a decent acquisition. Not because he's a world beater just because he'll be able to help everyone around integrate Sam's systems on the pitch where Allardyce can't communicate effectively with them. If we're gonna pick from Bolton's midfield, i'd much rather bring in Abdoulaye Faye. Really good player and has the same things Nolan has in regards to knowing-Allardyce-and-his-tactics. Plus, he'd also compliment The Janitor's "big bastard at the back" theory.

FYP.

Aye. Glad you said it and not me, i'd bitten my tongue. Would be so good but the boat appears to have sailed.

PS - Diarra's an obviously good shout.

Some stage Riches, aye. We'll see a 4-5-1. But, i'll be very surprised if we line-up with that on August 11th. I've said this last night and yes i know, they're only friendlies, but we've played 4-4-2 twice this season and played our opponents off the park. We played 4-5-1 once and were nearly beaten by a League 1 side. Plus, you have to think about the psychological and realistic issues. Not only do our players have the capabilities and positional sense that fit into a 4-4-2, but that's what every single one of them are used to playing with, that's what they know. It'd be an entirely new berth and a mammoth task to get them all playing a completely new system, having had only one pre-season. Agree, 4-5-1 at some point and i'd like to see it, cos Sam has proven that it works. But it's 4-4-2 at the moment, imo.