Raconteur

That's an excellent notion - in theory. In practice though, we'd be making a rod for our own back in that every time a story isn't denied vehemently it gains credence. It also removes any "wiggle room" - for instance the club may not actively want to sell Oba, but wouldn't be averse to the idea if someone came knocking either. Editorial independence for the club website is essential though, and a presswatch might not counter the flow of shite in the press, but would hopefully at least reduce the more outlandish notions that are represented as "news"

I must have missed the part when Dirk the Donkey proved himself - everytime I've seen him I give thanks to Roeder's ineptness in the transfer market. And while I don't disagree with your overall sentiments, especially about the way the British overrate British players, describing the likes of van Persie, Babel, van der Vaart and Kuyt as "huge names" is doing exactly the same thing, isn't it?

McGuire proving his Eddie McEverywhere tag - I can't even avoid the knob on a Toon forum!

Wasn't that before one T. Henry signed for Barcelona?

and theres a strange thing,apparently yesterday emre announced he wants to stop here tuerning down approaches from galatasaray and fenerbahce.........did the club accept these bids OR did they go straight to the player(illegaly) OR is the chronicle talking shithttp://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/journalsport/tm_headline=i%2Dm-staying%2D-vows-emre%26method=full%26objectid=19351498%26siteid=50081-name_page.htmlif no bid were actually made.....could this be libel ? Probably something more like the club saying "Look, you're welcome to leave, have your agent make some phone calls to other clubs and we'll sort out the transfer fee later"

I think some people are reading way too much into what Allardyce is saying - if you read what he says, the only quotes that relate directly to Luque are as follows: "But once this [being settled off the pitch] is sorted out you get the best out of player and this is something I have to try and work out with Albert Luque. "He might be too far gone. Who knows? But we might still be able to resurrect his career here. We will see." All quotes before this are more general and could be applied to any foreign player who has flopped or struggled at Newcastle. Indeed, even saying "He might be too far gone" seems to be preparing the fans for the possibility that Luque won't feature. Pre-season training starts 2 July (if memory serves) which gives Big Sam two whole months before the transfer window closes - I personally wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Allardyce comes to think Roeder and Souness had very good reasons for not involving him, and shipping him out...

I think a time scale would be most unlikely - but the one I want to know is exactly who can activate Owen's 9m clause. Apparently it was triggered by our failure to qualify for Europe, but what bothers me is that some reports suggest only a CL club can activate the release... I'd love an answer on that!

I have to say I don't agree with the perception that Ashley will only give Allardyce one season - Ashley's "Strategic Review" will reveal the structural issues we have debated endlessly, and Allardyce's track record suggests there are few better managers around to overhaul a club... Even if you were to take the view that a more successful (or whatever criteria you like) manager would be more suitable for the "New Newcastle United", it makes sense to allow Allardyce two or three seasons to restructure the club.

Thanks for the link - I spent all afternoon after reading this thread looking for this shirt! http://www.premiershirts.net/wearthat/wearthatshirts/02545.gif An abomination! Australia, circa late 80's-early 90's

Martins said he puts his future here at Newcastle just after the gun-attack so why would he want to go back to italy now! He's obviously got deep roots there - he played in Italy for years, and he went there during the season for treatment (if memory serves) and also after the shenanigans in Lagos. The Italy rumours bother me more than Arsenal/Chelsea...

Agree. Wenger has more or less said that this is his last season at Arsenal. That's not very encouraging talk for any potential new signing. Wonder if it could have a similar effect as Sir Bobby leaving had for us - knowing the gaffer is not stick around must be terribly destabilising for a club. Any prospective signing would think twice, and a lot of the better players might start thinking about their own futures after the coming season. Very different cases obviously, but similarities exist... I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Arsenal board cut their losses and let Wenger leave for Madrid - obviously not ideal for them, but a possibility?

that is the ugliest kit EVER! Looks like it was designed by a drunk 2 year old with new crayons http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fi/20060425/i/792151599.jpg Jesus wept... Need a new thread TBH fact is campos designed them himself in order to put strikers off, its not that he thought they were trendy. Exactly! Anyone know where I can get my hands on a J. Campos special - I reckon it would be even more effective the lower the standard, and the standard I play is about as low as it gets!!!

Is that Chris Killen, the New Zealand international?

Future Australian national team manager - nailed on.

I remember reading an article about Allardyce's transfer policy at Bolton where he bought a huge number of players that never ended up playing a game - sort of like a gamble where if you buy ten players and five work out, then you've got five good players and five to be dispensed with... Using this, one could say that this is indeed a typical Allardyce signing - for 300k Rigters represents a relatively tiny gamble, and if he doesn't play a game all season then he can be peddled. But if he comes good, then job well done. I think we should expect to see more targets such as this being chased - after all, we have a tiny squad and plenty of gaps to fill in both the first team and the squad...

From the World Cup - to the tune of "Buffalo Soldiers" by Bob Marley... Aussie Mark Viduka From the heart of Croatia Scoring goals for Australia In the fight for survival Obviously requires some fine tuning for the Toon though!

One I love is from Australia v Uruguay World Cup playoff final in 2005 - Simon Hill and ex-international Craig Foster on the microphone. Foster had played in three or four failed attempts to qualify for the World Cup... When Aloisi put the pen away to send us through Fozzie erupted in a "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" that required a second breath and totally drowned Hill out! Nothing too extraordinary you might think, but the sheer emotion from a guy who had tried and failed so many times gives me goosebumps every time...

First trouble at Arsenal with Dein leaving, Henry unhappy and the team off the pace last seaosn... Now Liverpool potentially with a rift between board and manager, lack of transfer funds and rumoured trouble in the ranks. Is it possible that the "big 4" could be just a "big 2" next season, and the Champions League places not the exclusive club it has been for the past few seasons? There are several "next tier" clubs on the up, could be a very exciting race for the CL spots next season.

For Barton, certainly. Could sign for Newcastle to tomorrow but apparently he cares more about money. For Newcastle, not for me to say. For City, not for me. Not embarrased over this one bit. I'd be embarrased if were willing to pay the odious little spacker. In fact I'll go as far to say that if City agree to pay him this, without being forced into it by a court of law, they'll never see another penny of my money again. I don't want you to think you're alone on this forum who think City have every reason to stick to their guns on this one... The actual clause itself implies a transfer request should a bid of 5.5m be lodged. It's like a transfer request written into the contract A contract law specialist would make a better case than me, but I would imagine a decent barrister would make it not so cut and dried as some posters here think. I'm sure I'm not the only Toon fan with a bad taste in his mouth after these "loyalty payments" revalations...

Not bothering to put an "allegedly" in there?

Paul Robinson vs Watford TBH. Freaky, no intent - extraordinary yes, best no...

I think it will certainly effect some of our transfer targets in the short term - for instance I think any hope of signing Mark Viduka has disappeared because clubs will be clamouring for his signature and we won't be at the party. Another one might be Leighton Baines - if the chase for his signature starts in the next week or so we might be left behind on that one too. I think with Freddy still the incumbent chairman we are relying on his sense of honour to keep promises to Big Sam about transfer budgets - after all, the money does not come from the pockets of the chairman or Mike Ashley but either cash the club has, or financing arranged by the board (who may very well be reluctant to seek such financing when the shareholders are in such a state of flux...) Unless of course Mike Ashley opens his wallet directly to Big Sam, which at this point in time, most unlikely

Better to do it Southampton style - finish the stadium and then go down

There goes any talk of him and the Nigerian FA being at loggerheads... African Cup of Nations, here we come (or should that be "there he goes")

Sidwell - nailed on. Clearly wor Pedro isn't in the loop these days