Minhosa

I think Barca have had the best of Ronaldinho. If he goes to Citeh, I can see it all ending in tears. Its a statement of intent but one which would be better served by signing 6 very good players (on £40k per week) to improve the strength of their squad. It's a commercial decision this, not a football one.

I'm sure this is just a coincidence but the Spanish seem to create these players, who play in an advanced left forward type role (See Garcia, Luque and Reyes), who are quality over in La Liga but can't make it over here. There's got to be more than just these reasons for it but the following do jump out; - lack of bottle/will to fight - Leave the game when they get a kick - don't fit into a 4-4-2 (see reasons above) and only prove their worth in a 4-3-3 when they fancy it. He seems a talented lad (when he fancies it) but, as others have said, if he can't settle in london (I think the weather was his main gripe iirc), he won't in Newcastle. All of that said, the price at least seems sensible. I wouldn't buy him but then maybe kk/vetere can see past the huffs, tantrums, constant sniping to the press etc. For those fans of Robert, it could potentially be like his signing imo. Yes he'll turn it on, on occasion, but we'd have to be prepared for the baggage.

QFT. So many hangers on have benefitted from the bloke that it's even more depressing he ends up with no fucker to help him out. Obviously that fat cunt 5 bellies has got everything he can from him.

Only seems a couple of days since the old season finished and in 12 days we're getting ready to go again. I'm not gonna get too excited until we get some new players through the door and then I'll be up for it again.

I rate Fernandes too but wouldn't have put him down as a Butt replacement tbh. He's more of 'top of the diamond' type midfielder, no?

I'd agree with that. He was one that Wenger was happy to let go and that says everything about him imo. Yeah, just like Bentley. In fairness to Jol he said 'was happy to let go'. Wenger wasn't happy that Bentley went but he felt he had to let the player go as he couldn't guarantee first team chances. He doesn't let many top players go.

Fair play to NE5 for staying out of this.

the exact bet i did for the league game worked very well then What were the odds then mate?

I'm with KaKa on this. It is excellent that we're being linked with players of this calibre. It'd just be nice to seal the deals before the agents, chairman, brothers, sisters, cousins start talking up the 'kin prices or notifying other clubs of availability. One thing I'd expect is deals to be signed and announcements made without any hint of interest. I'd foresee that happening soon to be honest.

Think I'd prefer Chelsea to win this one. Ballack and Chelsea 2-1 is 60/1. Might have a nibble on that.

Certainly prefer him to Riise. I've still got a lot of time for Bridge. That said, Shorey would be a lot cheaper. Max I'd pay would be £4m.

Great call. He's got a terrific reputation.

I always expected him to move over to be a full time NUFC employee to be honest. Don't know why you'd want to go back into law after having this job. He must be mad.

Finnan linked with a Fulham return in this mornings gossip column (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/7411938.stm) Would anyone take him for £2m?

I was thinking of putting him on my list earlier for £10m or so but I imagine he'd cost at least that much to replace so almost cancels himself out. I'd not be surprised to see him leave either.

20 million wont be enough if Moyes wants to be in the top 4 I agree but I would think he could easily raise a further £12m or so through sales. Johnson - £7m Valente - £1m Anichebe - £4m That said, they haven't got the biggest of squads to start with.

I'd clone him and you could have him twice for that kind of money.

Aye, as bad as Michael Owen being left out claiming his foot hurt only to play in England's friendlies before the World cup. Club before Country please. In fairness, Owen's taken some serious shit for the same thing and (when he has played) he's done the business. We could be playing championship football if we were waiting for Emre to keep us up. I've stuck up for him loads over the years but can't really any more.

Fair play to you NE5. Maximum respect for drawing a line under the previous regimes and I look forward to reading your posts from now on. No question, you can add loads to this place when it comes to knowledge of years gone by. Now Mick, do us all a favour and take a similar stance and the place will be better off for it.

Emre probably held back at the end of the season to flog on I suspect. Shame because he's shown flashes of the player he should be every week but, after years of sticking up for him, I think he's let us down to be honest. Right that he moves on imo. The only positive is that his 'demi-god' status in Turkey means he was never going to plummet in value.

not really, if its true what he says, he could name all those top quality footballers quite easily. And whats more, he would do it too. Ask yourself why he won't do it ? What are the Admins going to do about this? It's like trolling for fucks sake. Almost every thread longer than 6 pages has this shite in it and I'm bored.

Bolton release 3 including Campo and Stelios http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7406200.stm Can't remember which manager we were under but I'm sure we coveted Stelios for quite a while with big sums talked about. A lucky escape perhaps. Might have been Souness' era?

What do you reckon the maximum is that your lot could pay Owen?

Is this some kind of sick joke?

Oh please God.