Minhosa

The thing is, from a Liverpool perspective, if they loan him out for a year he's one year closer to contract expiry, they would have had to subsidise his £90k per week wage wherever he goes and they'll know they aren't going to get anywhere near what they paid for him when they do sell him in a million years. On that basis, I could see them being quite prepared to cut their losses and get rid. For £10m, he's valued about right imho, young, English forward with potential to play at the top level for years but in many respects he's still a gamble. He's a daft lad off the pitch, he's potentially going to have fitness issues, his inclusion is going to make your team play in one way and he's very unproven. I think he becomes very viable for many teams if he's for sale at that sort of price. There's absolutely no doubt West Ham, Stoke and Sunderland would all find that money for him in a heartbeat. For NUFC, which is all that matters, I just can't see how he can fit back into our first 11 now. He'd have to play through the middle which would mean one of Cisse/Ba alongside (or either side) of him and that's not playing to their strengths. Is he a better player than either of those? Does he bring more to the overall first team than either of those? No for both imho.

Not at all sure about Hoilett. Wouldn't be my first pick.

Looks about as comfortable as a rabbit stuck in the fast lane staring at a truck moving at 120mph towards it.

Disagree, there's more Tiote's about than there are Cabaye's. Disagree. Tiote's signing revolutionised us.

As much as I love Yohan, Tiote would be the bigger loss imho.

:thup: Yep - very good post. The difference between us and Liverpool that summer was that they pipped us to 4th and then went out and got the highest rate young manager in Europe to ensure they pushed on in Benitez, who's Valencia side were flying at the time. We fucked around and then appointed Knackers. Yet another chapter in Shepherds book on 'How Not to Run a Football Club'. Fucking clown.

And he'd still be better than Fletcher.

How do Swanseas % of crosses into the box compare to other teams last season?

How much has it gone up Gimp?

What's our sell on % in the event someone buys him? Seem to remember there were some specifics quoted when we flogged him.

That's a very good shout actually. Can't see them affording his wages. Is that not the reason they didn't get Joe Cole back on loan? Don't know mate. If they're going to sign Maiga for £4.5m (as reported), I'd not be entirely surprised to see them can that and divert the funds Carrolls way. You have to think that Fat Sam is all about results, survival and hideous direct football. Carroll's signing would compliment that perfectly imho.

That's a very good shout actually.

Who told you this time? Mystic Meg?

Doubt it tbh, we have bought many starter's during Taylor's time and always stayed.... Colo is untouchable but anyone that comes in will fight with Taylor for a spot. I personally would consider Douglas a starter but if he doesn't perform then Taylor should start, we need depth and the best way of going about it is signing someone of genuine quality for Taylor to fight with for a spot in the team. Signing a mere back up will solve very little IMO. Amen to that Moley, Moley, Mole.

True but I'd be banking on Pardew working his magic and explaining that he can't expect guarantee's. If he does then yeah, we'd need to replace him but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Exactly my point. A couple of Charlton fans I know really rated Elliott but it'd be a big ask of him to fill in for Krul for any length of time. High pressure, that he's never had. Harper would still be my choice, but would you want to go through half a season with him? This is the reason I would have wanted to keep Forster. Me too, though very difficult when he's a young lad wanting games. I'd personally keep an eye on someone like Friedal if Spurs sign Lloris. Even Paul Robinson at Blackburn. He's apparently the only player to have asked to leave.

Then I'd let him. He can't expect guarantee's when he's only made 26 appearances (+3 sub appearances) over the last 2 years.

Exactly my point. A couple of Charlton fans I know really rated Elliott but it'd be a big ask of him to fill in for Krul for any length of time. High pressure, that he's never had. Harper would still be my choice, but would you want to go through half a season with him? Similar for Williamson really. I like Willo alot but he's a squad player, not somebody you'd want starting for half a season either, in an ideal world. As Tooj says, Taylor's fitness generally and his injury record is a major worry to me. We have to sign a ready made starter imho.

I agree with that for the most part. My main worry is the lack of strength throughout our core. If any of the following get badly injured we are really struggling;- Krul Colo Tiote Cisse (less so, given the general cover the likes of HBA/Marv could provide if we were desperate but he'd still be a huge loss). When you add in Steven Taylor's generally poor injury history, I'd say we need a fairly established centre back to come into the side and provide competition for Taylor (or vice versa) if/when fit. I can see that Debuchy is the priority signing given that RB is a potential position where, if strengthened, that could really push us on as a team. I'd also say CB, Left Sided Forward (if we're going 4-3-3) and a fairly strong back up CM would be ace, as you've mentioned. As I've said elsewhere, I'll be really pleased if the club spaff £3m or so on development players like Bigi and Good in the hope that one or two of them make it.

Also done.

Reads so much better with some context.

Makes a change from Ghanians trying to get rid of Sunderland shirts tbf.

Dave, end him.

Would have been an option to replace Santon; http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,90135.msg3794406.html#msg3794406

Shiteing himself in possession of a football will always limit his game to an absolute maximum of mediocrity in football club terms, hence the reason Reading are after him. His athleticism is fine, he can tackle reasonably and he seems fairly low maintenance so, from that perspective, I can see the argument to keep him as a squad player. Not arsed either way just as long as he's not getting too many regular starts at right back next season. A real potential to move the first team on in this area and it should be grasped this summer.