LooneyToonArmy

what about Koumas? maybe not EPL quality but can run the show in the Championship and would provide creatvity

Sunderland will make a £5m bid for Wigan defender Titus Bramble, once Steve Bruce is installed as manager. (Daily Star) Hull boss Phil Brown is eager to sign Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan. (Full story: Daily Mirror)

Celtic want Swans boss Martinez Celtic have made an official approach for Swansea City boss Roberto Martinez. Swansea confirmed to BBC Sport Wales that the Scottish giants have asked to speak to Martinez about becoming Gordon Strachan's successor at Celtic Park. "I had a call off their chief executive [Peter Lawwell] making me aware that they'd like to talk to Roberto," said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins. "Like I've always done I refused that until I've spoken to Roberto myself and talked things through." Martinez, one of British football's youngest managers at 35, has earned rave reviews for his handling of Swansea. Promotion from League One was followed last season by a highly creditable eighth-place finish in their first year back at Championship level. Cannot play media.You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version That success has been achieved through an exciting brand of attacking, skilful football that has seen the Spaniard linked with managerial jobs at the likes of Wigan and Real Sociedad, while Reading are also thought to be admirers. Martinez is on holiday in Ibiza at the moment but Jenkins expects his prize asset to be back at the Liberty Stadium later this week. "I'll probably speak to him [Martinez] between now and Wednesday but later on in the week he'll be back home to run through his thoughts with me," Jenkins added. "First and foremost it's about his position here and how we see that, and we'll consider all that first before any sort of what else he may do. "I think you've got to respect... what type of club Celtic are and what opportunities exist - perhaps not in the [scottish Premier] League but certainly in the Champions League - and the size of the club. "Naturally I suppose that interest would require anybody to sit and consider their position. "It's basically up to him how he sees it, I think there's certainly no possibility in us forcing any issue. 606: DEBATE His girlfriend is Scottish... he's getting married in the summer. Very worrying indeed CarmarthenJack22 "Roberto has got to consider his future and where his commitment lies." Martinez is no stranger to football north of the border, having played for Motherwell in the 2001/2 season, while his long-term girlfriend is Scottish. Strachan, who left Celtic Park last week after four years at the helm, is believed to have recommended Motherwell's Mark McGhee as his successor. Everton manager David Moyes has ruled out any return to Scotland at the moment. But Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has expressed his interest in the vacancy, while West Brom's Tony Mowbray and Burnley's Owen Coyle are also thought to be candidates.

Leonardo the new coach of Milan.....doesn't look very comfortable does he http://tinypic.info/files/16utulnf7v5xsx3xuoyz.jpg

Mancini keen on Black Cats Former Inter boss 'flattered' by Sunderland talk Roberto Mancini has admitted he is flattered to be linked with Sunderland and would like to manage in the Premier League. Mancini has been out of work since a successful four-year spell with Inter Milan came to an end 12 months ago. He is now looking to return to management and concedes his preference would be to land a job in the top flight of English football. Speculation has already surfaced with regard to Mancini and the vacant position at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland searching for a successor to Ricky Sbragia. And Mancini has responded to the reports by indicating that he would consider taking charge of the Black Cats. "I am very flattered to be linked with the vacant manager's job at Sunderland," said the Italian in a statement given to Sky Sports News. Honour "It would be an honour to manage such a prestigious and historic club in the Premier League. "I have enjoyed a year out following winning the Scudetta on three consecutive occasions. "Having completed a year of media commitments I'm now ready to return to full-time management." "Ideally I would like that to be in the Premier League. I want to test myself against the very best."

I remember he was on trial at Liverpool then Charlton tried to sign him a few seasons ago but couldn't get a work permit

some players who *might* be available on loan? Carlos Vela Rodrigo Possebon Gareth Bale Manucho Emiliano Isua Fabio Da Silva Michael Mancienne Johan Djourou Daniel De Ridder Vassel(probably do fine in the CCC) Krisztián Németh (heard good things about him)

Andrew Driver from Hearts?

us then now I guess.......doubt he's on more than 40k

Might be worth a try for Daniel Sturridge from Man City? Vassell is still only 28 and might do well in the championship?

Fabian Delph and Luciano Becchio from Leeds looked very good players when I saw them play in the early part of the season. Mattock at left back as well as Chris Eagles as someone mentioned before. Though my knowledge of Championship players is rather limited

This is who I'd like to see if this were all to happen. same. Would also have wanted Ketsbaia had he not just signed a contract to take over Olympiakos

Donniger has gone - more likely Inman or Vuckic Vuckic is too young(16).......well for any sort of starting place anyway....looking very impressive in the youth team though

There's been a few clubs sniffing around for him like Arsenal so it might turn his head if they make a clear bid for him, especially as he's on peanuts for wages here. If he hadn't established himself so early on and well for us this season things might be different in my opinion.....I reckon he'll go unfortunately which is a shame as he's one of the few good defenders we've had over the years..... He'll be a big player in a few years time..... hope we do stand our ground as you said, but he said he'd wait till the summer regarding the new contracts so we'll see what happens.......like i said earlier if he does leave, I would hope it would be a loan deal for season till we get back up (touch wood)

Bassong is gone in all liklihood as of course is Jonas.....hope we can do something similar to what Juve did and just loan them out for a season (touch wood) until we get back up. Enrique and Colo will probably go to the like of Atletico Madrid or similar. agreed. Some other potential players could be Mancienne, Vela, Scott Sinclair ,Insua(?), Shorey.....might be worth trying for at least..... nobody mentioned the forgotton man Geremi yet

Mira in charge? that would be something Former Newcastle United favourite Mirandinha believes Alan Shearer was the wrong choice for the manager's job at St James' Park. Coaching rookie Shearer has taken charge of his boyhood idols in a desperate bid to help arrest the slide towards The Championship. Ahead of the critical Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough, which is exclusively live on Setanta, Mirandinha has offered his opinion on events at his old club. The Brazilian has a dream to manage The Magpies himself and is distressed by their current predicament. "I was happy to play for Newcastle and I am very saddened by this situation, the risk of relegation," he told Globo Esporte. "I follow the team's games and hope so much that it does not happen, it would be horrible for a city that lives football so intensely. "With all due respect to what Alan Shearer has done for the club and for English football, he was an unfortunate choice at this moment in time. "He had never coached a team and took over with Newcastle in a delicate situation. "All professionals live to dream and I have mine. I was ready to work for Newcastle to help them stay in the division and I still want to manage the club." The 49-year-old still has links with Newcastle but coaches Fortaleza in his homeland. http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/05/11/Prem-Mirandinha-on-Newcastle/gnid-52392/

Julio Arca to Atletico Madrid or Villareal

agreed, they even had a pretty good team on paper (like us?)...... Molina, Aguilera, Caminero, Santiago Solari, Juninho, Bejbl, Capdevila, Valeron, Hasselbaink, Kiko to name a few....Hasselbaink scored tons of goals that season but they still went down. How The Mighty Have Fallen - Big European Clubs From Heaven To Hell http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/news/top-clubs.html Forgot about Sampdoria being in Serie B for 4 seasons in the last couple years. Bordeaux too

Atletico Madrid were in the Segunda Division for a couple seasons until recently....Sevilla spent a fair amount of time down there too.....Real Zaragoza last season. Real Betis, Real Sociedad (big-ish) , Celta Vigo,. Parma in Serie B currently, Fiorentina were in the 3rd division equivalent (though that was due to the corruption case),Juventus, Napoli, Fiorentina. Vasco Da Gama and Palmeiras in Brazil.....probably missing loads but those are off the top of my head. Hope we don't join that list

Alan Shearer to watch Nacho Gonzalez in action Apr 29 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE United manager Alan Shearer will be unable to run the rule over South American midfielder Nacho Gonzalez in tonight’s FA Premier Reserve League fixture against Liverpool in Warrington (7.00) Shearer was hoping to give the Uruguay star the chance to end his long stint on the sidelines with an achilles injury, and to see if he could use him in the last four top-flight fixtures. However, time is running out for Gonzalez to add to his lowly tally of just 38 minutes playing time since arriving on Tyneside on loan from Valencia in September. Shearer has confirmed he will not involved tonight. However, Gonzalez’s close pal Xisco will be in the Toon squad to face the Merseysiders. Reserve team coach Richard Money is not surprised Shearer has taken such an active interest in the club’s second string since his arrival as boss. He told the Chronicle: “It is what good managers do. “They have to take an active interest in what they have at the club, and Alan is going to do that in the short period which is left until the end of the season. “If you are a young player, and you are playing well, you would like to think you are going to have a chance.” United will wrap up their season tonight hoping to secure a top-three finish.

argentina are known for their very aggressive players with alot of strength, it's the reason why there players do better than brazilians in england colo simply doesn't have it in the prem which Argentine has really shined in the premiership? I cant think of one except Tevez not many that have really shined long term but Hernan Crespo's goal record was excellent for Chelsea. He wasn't settled here but showed his class whenever he played .D'Allesandro and Zarate were good if a little inconsistent, the latter looks class for Lazio this season. Quite frankly the best South Americans all play in the Italian and Spanish leagues......

Wigan chairman Whelan: I don't dislike Ashley and I want Newcastle to stay up Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan insists he doesn't want to see Newcastle United relegated. Whelan is no fan of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, but says: "Newcastle are such a big club, it would be a crying shame if they go down. "They've got a wonderful, wonderful set of supporters. "I can't imagine them going down. I know it's happened before, but I sincerely hope they don't go down. "I think West Brom are already down. Middlesbrough and Newcastle look very, very likely, which is a shame because it's so awful fighting relegation in the Premier League. "I'm very sorry for any club that goes down. It's heartbreaking." Whelan played down his spat with Ashley, who has also clashed with the Wigan man in the business world. "I don't dislike Mike Ashley," he told Sky Sports. "I think he's a very, very shrewd businessman. "I get on very well with him actually, we've had one or two good nights out."

suspended for Argentina's next game after picking up 2 cautions during the qualifiers

"highly respected"? Newcastle's own goal Newcastle, a club in turmoil on and off the pitch, have surpassed themselves by banning journalist Alan Oliver from St James’ Park just days after he received a lifetime achievement award for the dignified way he devoted a career to covering the team for the Newcastle Evening Chronicle for more than 30 years. The highly respected Oliver, now a pensioner working for a Sunday newspaper, was the co-author of a story speculating on sidelined manager Joe Kinnear’s health — a fair subject on Tyneside — which upset the board. Their ridiculous over-the-top reaction against a newspaperman who has written more positive paragraphs about the football club than anyone says everything about the buffoons running Newcastle. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1164559/Charles-Sale-2018-boards-5m-isnt-net-yet.html?ITO=1490

Mata has been one of their outstanding players this season....I guess some people don't watch much of La Liga. Banega? complete flop both at Valencia and Atletico.Sunny, doesn't look like the player everybody was raving about.