Parky

That says more about Ghana than Boateng doesn't it? I think they're developing into quite a good side. That doesn't mean all players have the quallity to play at the highest level. By the way.... The mackem player, Tobias Hysén, was probably the best player in the Swedish league during his spell at DIF. Last season he wasn't even regular in the Championship. He had two really good seasons at Djurgården and when we played Juventus in the CL he was fantastic. There was alot of rumours about him ending up in a big European club but he ended up in Sunderland and that says alot about the lack of quallity in our domestic league. Boateng on the other hand didn't even prove himself in our highest league under a long period of time before he left and therefor I can't see him becoming more than a decent back up it in the Premiership. With that said I do belive Hysén could become a good player in the Premiership so maybe Boateng could develope into a good player for the Premiership but I really doubt it. AIK supporters really overrated him when he was here. I do agree with you that he played good in the WC but the tempo in the WC is much lower than in the Premiership. Good post and I agree he is a long shot, but at something around £1m well worth the gamble. Btw your point regarding tempo is a good one, but I feel this affects Spanish and Italian players far more than African background players.

That says more about Ghana than Boateng doesn't it? I think they're developing into quite a good side. 2006 WC Ghana 2 usa 0 Ghana 2 Czech Republic 0 He played 45 minutes in both matches, dropped against Italy and played the final 30 min against Brazil (Round of 16)... He's an alright player, don't think he'll make it in the Premiership though Looks like Sam rates him. Can't do any worse than backpass Parker.

That says more about Ghana than Boateng doesn't it? I think they're developing into quite a good side. 2006 WC Ghana 2 usa 0 Ghana 2 Czech Republic 0

In the filthy club of AIK he played in a defensiv role. He had a really bad start after their scouts spoke about him as becoming the best player in the league. Anyway in his first to seasons he was shite and they got relegated in the second season. Boateng was on his way out of the club and no one, not even himself or the club. But no club wanted him and he stayed with them and due to injuries and hard work he got a new chance at the club. He took it and AIK went on to win the second league with out any real competition for the title. When they came back up again there fans were talking about him beeing the best player in the league and yada yada yada. He played well and was a their best player and was later that season sold to Israel after talking about how he wanted to play in a bigger leauge in Europe. He ended up in Israel after talking about how much he loved the fans and the club. Which was ironic since they all bought it and thought that ment he would only leave for one of the biggest clubs in Holland or France. Since I support the archrival to AIK I might not be objective in my judgement of him. But I can't see him becoming more then a decent back up in the Premiership. His best attribute is that he is good with the ball and is a good "builder" of the play from his defensive position on the pitch. But he won't get the time he needs with the boll in the Premiership and therefor I think NUFC should go for other targets. ....but isn't he Essien's partner in the Ghanian mf?

Classic Sam spot. I'll go with his judgement on this one.

Nah we just need 'propa players'.

how many of the other billionairres provide below minimum wage jobs for the otherwise unemployed sheep shaggers of northumbria?

They're going backwards.

Roman will tire of Chelsea at some point and they need to get their books straight before this happens. He has recently taken an interest in Formula One, which mixes easier with his SuperYacht lifestyle.

I'd say it's YOU that has the short memory. The "I'm injured, but really it's cos I can't be arsed" disappearence last game of the season, to say nothing about the dismal performances and zero goals for the last couple of months would make him surplus to requirments if you ask me. Obafindme has gone a bit wierd of late.

Fernandes has looked good in that position from what I have seen. Manuel Fernandes? He hasn't played a single game at DM. Carsley was doing all the dirty work for him. Fair enough, he must have just been working hard Im sure he played DM at least for Pompey or he is just a hard working player..? I wouldn't say he's particularly hard working. Not lazy but not a British-style grafter either. He is known as a defensive midfielder but I can only imagine that Portugal's idea of a DM is very different to England's. He is at his best when he's bursting forward from midfield and he has a habit of doing lots of turns and tricks to hold about 3 players off at one time. I hope we get him on loan again. Pleasure to watch. ......as I was saying not a real DM.

Great team. Totally unbalaced. Why? ......and also you can't really have Diego and Emre in the same mf or you'll never get the ball back.

No real def mf for a start.

Great team. Totally unbalaced.

I think 4-3-3 is what we will be going with too, which is why I have been surprised with talks of Owen and Martins staying. I'm not sure either has the skill set to play as wide forwards. We will essentially have to revamp the whole team as we don't have the type of central attacking midfielders who get forward and score enough goals, which is vital in the 4-3-3. I think you mentioned Nolan before, is this still on? Would Nolan and Reo-Coker be the two pushing forward from the middle? It also looks like we might go with Crouch rather than Anelka as the central striker. I expect an Owen U-turn in the coming days, so yes Oba to Valencia. Looks like Crouch or Anelka I'd go with that, rather Anelka for me.

There seems to be a gentleman's agreement in place reg Nolan. So not sure about that at all.

Pretty much a Carrick type def mf (creative) role, although I see him as someone who holds but may break ala Essien/Mikel. We will play 433 that is clear.

All legit mate, that's why there is no bollocks about Beckam and the like. Out of all of that Baines is definite. He tried to sign at Bolton and is one of the players he has continued to track.*

Not by me. I've checked comment referals as well only 2 there.

http://www.newcastle-online.com/ Have a look lads. Please feel free to leave comments.

Cheers mate. Btw Nicolas Anelka.

Whack a comment in on the front page G please.

Over the last week as Big Sam has swapped his mobile for a desk phone and as N.O. can reveal a longish conversation with Mr Ashley, the strained links of the two dozen or so players said to be targets is beginning to solidify.The white melting heat of the shock takeover and the raised hopes of the toon faithful is about to start seeing some product with regard to signatures which I hear will be coming thick and fast. Perhaps even before Ben Haim, the Wigan left back Leighton Baines and a favourite of this writer will be signing for around £4-5m with added extras, it transpires that he was top of our aquisiton list all along and not the likes of Distin who after exploratory talks was rejected for his outlandish demands. I met a man in a dark alley and after the exchange of the Queens currency the secret words Curtis Davies were dropped like a whisper on my ear like a CIA secret at which point I asked for my money back. The £8m deal has been on the cards even before half the PL stepped in with offers of £15m (Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs) the main contenders, now that Portsmouth and West Ham are finding solutions or looking elsewhere. I don’t think at this time Curtis Davies is going to happen unless we double our offer. Lareya Kingston a long time favourite of Mr Allardyce who has one of his special files on the player is a work in progress and this has even been brought to my attention by local Scottish papers, the dynamic, hard tackling and creative midfielder is a must have as far as Sam is concerned, but utimately deals struck with Russian clubs are an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. Talking of such things the silence from Nicolas is deafening, if you are reading this over your plat du jour Nico, go with your instincts and join the Toon revolution. Although it is clear Parker is leaving for London, it is not so clear that Nigella is coming the other way, having has his head turned at the last minute by Everton and Seville. Everton? Yes, I know the giggle factor is high. The other rumour I refuse at this point to take on-board is that there is renewed interest (€8m) from Bayern Munchen for Emre, there is nothing in the German press who take pleasure in analysing very closely all things Bavarian. Saving the best thing for last and to catch the top and bottom readers of articles (like myself) I am confirming that one of Big Sams most trusted associates is hot on the trail regarding the availabiity of Jimmy Briand. Yes one of the most delicate and emerging flowers of French footie. Keep singing in the rain. Parkenstien. http://www.newcastle-online.com/

Like most footballers, this isn't really the issue.

Why does he want good players?....He's proved he can get by with his tedious style and average players.