Raconteur

I Think He Wants To Remain A Billionaire, And Not Reduced To A Mere Multi-Millionaire

Have faith my friends - don't forget the way Ashley screwed Stoke out of a ridiculous loan fee. We might not get 3m for him, but have faith that Ashley will sting 1-2m out of someone

I've followed this debate closely as I don't have a fixed opinion yet - I believe the club have offered a contract something similar to the one about to expire. No slashing cut, no bumper rise. But whether that is good, bad or indifferent, I'm unsure... Further, I feel Owen is taking his time to sign it because he knows he can think about it for six months (in theory twelve when involving another English club) - and he can use that time to answer the questions surrounding his form and fitness. Because the whole point of this thread is predicated on the notion that no one can say with any certainty which Michael Owen will turn up in 2008/09. If he starts at Arsenal and goes on to score 10 goals before winter sets in, you can be sure Ashley will make an improved contract offer, which will be won on merit. If not, his agent will find out who is interested - again, a decision that he is in no rush to make. Sure, we want to know, and you can bet the club's hierarchy want to know too, but as someone said right at the start - Owen is holding all the power... For those who advocate selling Owen this window may I ask what sort of fee you think might be appropriate, what clubs might be interested, whether they could afford fee and wages, and whether Owen would feel disposed to move to such a club. Because Owen might hold all the power at the moment, but we might also be the very best club that would want him. And for a player who has to prove his best days aren't behind him, isn't the question mor: Why would Owen want to move?

Been thinking that recently myself actually. In Keegan I trust, and if Keegan trusts there's some ability in Smith that he can unlock, even if it's deep down inside him, I'm leaning towards giving Smith a second chance, viewing him as "new" this season and ruling out how completely utterly f***ing s**** he was last season. This of course will only last 'til he puts his legs on the field again and leaves without scoring. That's all the little fucker gets as a second chance from me. I'll be looking most forward to seeing a really fit Viduka, if Duff is anything to go by. A really fit Viduka imo is on par with Berbatov if not better. Gee, that's a bold claim, and I'm something of a fan Viduka's problem is two-fold - and Keegan will only have a limited impact of Viduka's fitness. However, KK will certainly be able to address Marko's attitude issues. Everyone knows there are days when the big man just does not turns up, strolls around for ninety minutes (or less if dragged as he sometimes should be). If there's anyone in world football who can ensure the real Mark Viduka takes the pitch, full of confidence and enthusiasm, it's Kevin Keegan... But I digress, this is Shola's farewell. Thanks for the memories, good and bad. Now don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out...

I will be flabbergasted if the team is anything other than this. I honestly don't think Keegan will pick anyone else. And considering who is out, and the likelihood of another player or two coming in, we're not in too bad a position. That team isn't going to win the league (or at Old Trafford), but we won't get battered and we'll have quality to come into the side. Colour me flabbergasted - N'Zogbia over Enrique. It's quite a slap in the face to the young Spaniard - has he been struggling with fitness? Because no one is going to say Charlie is the better defender, especially away to Man U...

Indeed - I was cheering for Italy that game but Ince was an absolute hero for England that day...

Great to see the Duke in such good shape - as has been said, when he's fit and focused he is a unique and effective weapon... Critics say he plays for contracts and while I don't believe that, we must hope it is true as it is definitely in the club's interests that he pushes himself seeking an extension to his contract. Personally I believe he will see out his contract before joining Melbourne Victory - we can only hope that this doesn't mean he "cruises" through the last few months of his NUFC contract, towards the end of the upcoming season.

That's true, but there really seems to be some substance this time What would this substance be? It's an Alan Oliver article. Most probably bull shit. Would love to have him though... Hehe, so perhaps my enthusiasm caused me to say "substance" when I meant "vague, hopeful faith"

That's true, but there really seems to be some substance this time - and what's more we seem to have something of a clear field. I'm fond of the Rabbit and from memory this is the first time his name has cropped up this window(?)

You do know Wullie is on his way to your house in OZ to kick you square in the nads. It's a long way to come to punish me for suggesting it when he could stay in Old Blighty and punish Keegan for doing it

It's all very well to not expect a win - I just want the match reports to use words like "resolute" and "gallant" rather than "shambolic" and "insipid"...

As ridiculous as it may sound, Damien Duff is a chance if Keegan doesn't think Butt needs the additional pressure...

That is a very fair assessment. Taylor and Milner are subject to both vitriolic ridicule and slavish adoration here. They are both of a certain standard, say average-good Premiership players with the potential to develop into England internationals, or stagnate. Conversely, both have been at the club some time, and need to repay the faith the club has shown them with consistently improved performances...

I will be flabbergasted if the team is anything other than this. I honestly don't think Keegan will pick anyone else. And considering who is out, and the likelihood of another player or two coming in, we're not in too bad a position. That team isn't going to win the league (or at Old Trafford), but we won't get battered and we'll have quality to come into the side.

"Toon Managed By Committee" "Who's The Boss?" "Too Many Chiefs" Better headlines than the Sun or Mail would come up with, but I'm sure what would be written around that quote...

Some people here - Jesus! Wait - There's a smilie for it - Here's a tip people: take the time to read other people's posts. The fact that Faye wanted to move back to the North-West was mentioned ten or fifteen pages ago, and on every other page since. Baggio was even good enough to bold it on the bottom of page 25. So please stop it with the mongtastic, hysterical hyperbole. Faye didn't want to be here. It's less than two hours away, perhaps, well, there are indications in quotes littered throughout this thread that he sees a ten minute commute and playing every week in a low profile club as more important than what we can offer. And yes 2.25m is not the fee we might hope for, but how many clubs are there a) in the North West b) who want him c) will agree terms with the player. Maybe Keegan/Ashley/Wise realised a big fee wasn't going to happen and moved expeditiously, rather than with capitalistic instinct? Can we please just calm down a bit, people?

I imagine all relevant documentation came through at the same time (first post ), hence the double announcement. Don't tell me they forgot to change the fax paper again? All this gnashing of teeth, and the good word was sitting in the fax waiting to be printed

Because Mallorca and Velez would argue we induced him to break his contract - even without proof they will make the charge, simply because the club has a bigger capacity to pay compensation than Jonas the individual. Webster is murky waters indeed and there are going to be test cases - we'd best start praying this doesn't become one of them. Don't forget FIFA brought in the rules under sufference, indeed kicking and screaming, by the EU. Don't rely on Sepp Blatter... (Forgive me for the Argie international thread crossover)

Hartson was given a three-match ban by the FA and fined £20,000. I can't see how they could justify giving Barton more than that when both cases were similar, in the case of Barton he's also been punished in court, I don't think that ever happened to Hartson. You'd hope that precedent was used. We'll see. Email the club - if Ashley is as clueless as the Mail would have us believe he'll really appreciate it, and he'll sling you some Big Mike love

You forgot Emre, but I generally agree with you. I also agree in the main, though if Troisi was still at the club (and now that Australia have exited the Olympics) he could have started up front at Old Trafford

My God, you've taken mojo's five pages of hysterical hyperbole and presented it in a few sentences of calm reason... Presented thus, allow me to retort: We must have another left back. To those who suggest Charlie Zog, I say N'Zogbia must not be considered as a backup left back. Yes, it increases his attacking productivity but the primary function of a defender is to defend. I also believe Warnock's ability is being under-rated - I don't care if he turns out to be a one cap wonder, Fabio Capello saw something. He's a better judge than me, so I'll go with his opinion. Conversely, Jose Enrique's current ability is being over-rated. And if I could be arsed I would quote the post where someone mentioned Enrique as a hybrid LB/CB - after all, we agree Enrique needs to develop, who is to say he couldn't develop into a good centre half? And no, I haven't been playing too much FM Thus even a fee of 5m is fine with me in the current market - perhaps a better buy than both Shorey and Baines, and Enrique will still get games, don't worry about that. If he really has the potential some here believe, then Kev will see it, and nurture it...

Just imagine how differently this thread might have turned out if a single person had noticed this post and queried it. Maybe we could even have it confirmed and then we wouldn't need to talk about David Healy any more... But since we are, my thoughts are that Healy's international record suggests he has the ability to score goals while playing in a shit team* and scoring them against good teams. Hopefully that particular skill set isn't required at St James Park this season (Apologies to the people of the Northern Ireland from where my convict ancestors came, but facts are facts. You can say Australia is a shit team if you like )

mackems.gif My thoughts exactly - I can just see Wise and Ashley thinking "Gee, that's a good deal"

"Disaster" is a generous description - the player who turned up in Newcastle, Australia wasn't the same one who won European Golden Boot more than once...

The Truth. I guess I'm the only person who considers this to be a sad truth...