Minhosa

They've been lucky to keep it down to two as well.

Fair enough riches, but people like Arsene Wenger don't come along very often do they ? Setting one club as an example due to making an appointment of someone so exceptional isn't really being realistic about it. In fact, if we are to beat Arsenal we have to find somene better than Wenger. Don't you think if it was so easy, numerous other clubs would also be doing it ? I can't agree with you about bringing in "big name buys" [ie do you mean a big name player past it or a big name player with plenty of career time left] because - and this is where we started - ignoring the current and short term is extremely stupid, especially if you are in trouble. There is no such thing as a bad time to get the right manager [we've just probably and hopefully proved this] and there is no bad time to bring in a quality footballer either. The Wengers of the this world aren't common, agreed. However, the principals of the approach are sound in my opinion. The structure would be more sustainable and could prove beneficial to a few parties;- a) Mike Ashley, who would probably be reluctant to spend £50m of his own cash on 'big name players' each summer/january. b) The fans. Imagine how our fans would've taken to the likes of Ashley Cole, Vieira and Anelka as young kids. c) Keegan, if he can buy his 'big name' stars to supplement the other good work being done by Wise and Mort team(s) behind the scenes. d) Keegans replacement. This approach would allow for succession planning more than most. The downside being, as you've rightly pointed out, top Managers don't come along very often. However, even if it all falls down and we appoint another Souness the structure won't fall apart over night. Arsenal have proved it can work with an unknown/unproven Manager (as Wenger was at the time, well relatively unknown). I can see the argument that everyone would be doing it, if it was easy but most clubs whose owners are a little bit remote (Man Utd, Arsenal, Villa etc) seem to be doing similar things whereas the hands on Owners/Chairman (See Birmingham, Man City etc) seem to be dabbling more in proven players.

NE5, You seem to be soooooo anti-planning when, in my view, the act (or Business Model if you like) we should aspire to follow is Arsenals. You can't tell me that they've got where they are today without any planning or strategy. They've punched above their weight for years and it's only really since the Stadium move that they have been confirmed as a genuine big hitter. The reason for their success is down to three things imo; 1) The appointment of Wenger 2) The Boards belief in Wenger and 3) The vision of the club, along with the support system they've built around Wenger. The Arsenal board has undoubtedly backed Wenger on his big buys but the first team has always been made up of low cost imports, high profile signings and young kids with raw talent. Even when they won the league that was the case. I'd be happy with this approach at my club and, so long as we show signs of improvement and our strategy is clearly communicated to fans etc I'd be comfortable enough to see the club avoid big name buys should we have a poor run of form.

Arsenal all over them too.

the only major player we have bought in recent years in January so far as i can recall was Woodgate, and we weren't struggling. But keep it up for comedy value. Pity we didn't buy Bentley in January too, he'll now cost a bit more in the summer. Errrrrrrrrrrr where did I say we had bought players in January? I was talking about next January. Touched a nerve? why would it touch a nerve ? What nerve ? Who said we have ever bought a major panic signing in January ? Who are they, as Mort is clearly not going to tread down such an unsuccessful path in future ? Do you have an agenda or just like making things up to insinuate it ? I hope we don't see Keegans reaction if he has a chance of buying a player in January he wants and the board tell him he can't because its January and not the summer You're unreal. I was making the point that he seems to be indicating that by implementing a sustainable plan we shouldn't have to panic buy if we struggle, just to please fans because there will be a plan. I don't think he said anywhere in the article that Keegan couldn't buy a player just because it was January but it would make sense if the player fitted into the plans for the club. And I think we all know what KK's reaction would be - he'd spit the dummy out. You're taking this the wrong way. I am not criticising the Shepherd reign (as much as you seem to want me to be). I am saying though that there should not be a need to panic buy if the club have a plan. rubbish. If you like, you can take it that I think Mort is talking bollocks, because I think he is. You can't choose when other clubs decide to sell players that you would like to have at your club. You have to take them when they become available and move for them first. There is no such thing as this "planning" that people keep harping on about. The best 2 players we brought into the club last summer were the 2 who signed on deadline day, what sort of "planning" was that then ? Thats funny - because two posts earlier you just said 'pity we didn't buy Bentley in January - he'll cost a lot more in the summer'. How do you know Blackburn would've sold in January????? Anyway, I think you've unnecessarily brought the old board into this. It might be your pet subject, but I'm a bit fed up of reading about them on here to be honest so I'll duck out of this here if you don't mind.

I genuinely didn't think I was?

the only major player we have bought in recent years in January so far as i can recall was Woodgate, and we weren't struggling. But keep it up for comedy value. Pity we didn't buy Bentley in January too, he'll now cost a bit more in the summer. Errrrrrrrrrrr where did I say we had bought players in January? I was talking about next January. Touched a nerve? why would it touch a nerve ? What nerve ? Who said we have ever bought a major panic signing in January ? Who are they, as Mort is clearly not going to tread down such an unsuccessful path in future ? Do you have an agenda or just like making things up to insinuate it ? I hope we don't see Keegans reaction if he has a chance of buying a player in January he wants and the board tell him he can't because its January and not the summer You're unreal. I was making the point that he seems to be indicating that by implementing a sustainable plan we shouldn't have to panic buy if we struggle, just to please fans because there will be a plan. I don't think he said anywhere in the article that Keegan couldn't buy a player just because it was January but it would make sense if the player fitted into the plans for the club. And I think we all know what KK's reaction would be - he'd spit the dummy out. You're taking this the wrong way. I am not criticising the Shepherd reign (as much as you seem to want me to be). I am saying though that there should not be a need to panic buy if the club have a plan.

the only major player we have bought in recent years in January so far as i can recall was Woodgate, and we weren't struggling. But keep it up for comedy value. Pity we didn't buy Bentley in January too, he'll now cost a bit more in the summer. Errrrrrrrrrrr where did I say we had bought players in January? I was talking about next January. Touched a nerve?

That's not him saying we won't be buying big in the summer. My interpretation of his comments is that we won't bid for a Henry or Deco next January if we're struggling, just to keep fans happy. Fair enough. I stand by my initial view on this, which is that Keegan wouldn't have returned without some sort of assurance about money to spend in the break.

Realistically - SWP Unrealistically - Joey Cole to replace N'Zogbia. Would love to see Joe Cole in a Keegan side.

Agree - he's too important to them to lose on the cheap. Speaking of Citeh, wheres Dr Spectrum these days? Cant Dunne buy his contract out? He can but only if he moves overseas I think.

Agree - he's too important to them to lose on the cheap. Speaking of Citeh, wheres Dr Spectrum these days?

Rob Lee from his own half against Brentford. Ruled out for offside but I held my breath from the second it left his foot.

He's pretty average but I'd rather have him in my team than a geriatric Nicky Butt any day. Good squad player for anyone outside the top 4 I reckon. The difference being that Davies will never have the class of Butt. Butt is getting on but, very occasionally, he can make a major difference to a game. He probably does this 5 times a season imo. The rest of the time he's a Davies like journeyman. I don't think Davies would have that influence over enough games a season to justify signing him personally. Diarra or similar is where we should be aiming. Granted I only saw the first half & granted it was only one game, but did you see Diarra yesterday? I didn't mate. From what I've seen of him so far though, he looks like he could improve our midfield with his distribution, tackling and pace. I would like to see him sitting behind an attacking midfielder in the way that Mascherano does for Gerrard. What I have seen of him has been enough to make me think he'd make an instant impact/immediate improvement.

He's pretty average but I'd rather have him in my team than a geriatric Nicky Butt any day. Good squad player for anyone outside the top 4 I reckon. The difference being that Davies will never have the class of Butt. Butt is getting on but, very occasionally, he can make a major difference to a game. He probably does this 5 times a season imo. The rest of the time he's a Davies like journeyman. I don't think Davies would have that influence over enough games a season to justify signing him personally. Diarra or similar is where we should be aiming.

Thanks Mate

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but I'm off out in a minute and need to know if we're on as game of the day? Anyone know? Mods - when answered, feel free to delete.

Not sure where this Reading bashing has come from. Unnecessary in my view. Anyway, Hoop Blah, what's the chances of Shorey leaving in the summer?

Didn't watch the game tonight but I'm surprised about this 'lazy' tag. Thats not how I would describe him based on the 10 or so games I've seen him in. Did he have a valid point or is the old bastard losing his marbles/mixing him with a 6ft 5 black centre half?

Doesn't this thread just go to show what football is all about though? It's a fucking love affair. Everything is emotive. "He's gonna be the best, he's fucking awful, he's gonna be a great signing, he's the worst player I've seen in a toon shirt, why would we want him etc" It about highs and lows, reputations, reprieves, hope, glory, expectation, disappointment, opinions, love, hatred, heart, skill, quality, endeavour. It's our passion, our game and we love it. You don't make cock ups like we've all admitted to here by sane logical judgements or careful analysis we make them because Newcastle United's not our monthly savings, our pension fund or our tax return - it's our lives, it's our love and that's what makes this whole rollercoaster brilliant. Isn't it?

I was 100% convinced Allardyce would do the business given time and, even after the Keegan appointment, said to the boys at work that I thought Allardyce would have the club 'in a better place' if he had the 3.5 years that Keegan will get. I thought Smith would prove to be effective, if not amazing. Wrong by the looks of it. I thought Allardyce's buys in the summer would make us a top 6 side.

Good post. For me, it could work and work well. I agree that Faye is hardly immobile. He's certainly not a Hyppia or Sol Campbell in terms of 'turn of pace' imo. I think they could establish a very steady partnership and give us a sound backbone for a couple of seasons to be honest.

What I've seen of Volz I like but I've never understood why he hasn't had regular games over the last couple of years. Must be a reason. Having said that, a right back with one leg would be a step up from fatty.

Dunne and Gary Cahill would be good. Even him and Faye would do a job short term.

In fairness, there has been some good players relegated over the years who've signed for another Premiership club and done well. Off the top of my head; Andy Johnson Phil Jagielka Ashley Young (albeit he went in Jan, Watford were virtually down) Darren Bent Joe Cole Carrick I'm sure there are loads more though.