Minhosa

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.

No No No Maybe No No No No Agree, except; Maybe No No Maybe No No No No

Danny Guthrie? No goals and no assists! Oooh yes please. Steinsson and Cahill are both cracking players imo and would be good acquisitions. Only those two from the three relegated teams would be worth a punt. Totally agree with that. Steinson really gets up and down the flank well and has an excellent cross on him. For anything less than £3m I'd take him as competition for Beye. Cahill looks like he could settle well next to an established centre half too.

Modric = exactly the type of player we need. If we do buy someone of that ilk though we'd have to invest in a strong dm as Butt wouldn't have the assistance he can rely on at the minute (from Barton and/or Geremi). Someone like Diarra would've been ideal.

I think it's a permanent signing but was a loan initially to get around the transfer deadline. They needed more time to fill in the full transfer paperwork etc. iirc.

Given this thread is about realistic targets, how about these to improve our squad for next season?;- Steinsson (Bolton) - I've been really impressed with him since he went there. He'll not hang around if they go down surely? Great alernative to Habib. McCartney (West Ham) - George, not Paul, has looked very steady for West Ham. I think he'd be a good reserve for Enrique. Both get forward and help out there wingers, and have decent crossing ability. Can't imagine either would cost over £2.5m. Arshavin - I'd still like to see more of him, but from what I have seen so far, he looks like he could do a job on the left side of a 4-3-3 forward line or maybe even just as a LCM. Bendtner - If we could nab him off Arsene I think he'd be worth shelling out for. I'd take a punt at anything upto £7m to be honest. He'd be my preference to Crouch, who will come to either our place or Man City in the close season imo.

78 mins. Booked after 4.

Gone for the following today:- Arsenal Crystal Palace Stoke £20 trixie @ 7/1 for the treble Stoke to beat Sheff Weds £20 @ 11/8. C'mon Shola.

Didn't he go down with Brum or did I dream that?

Dwight Yorke?

Yeah - I thought of him but I'm sure the big lugged frigger kept goal under Keegan or Sven.

£5m, or maybe even £4.5m. Dawson was £5m for Spurs, right? How much did Jay Bothroyd cost when he went to Italy? I think Dawson went in a joint deal with Andy Reid so difficult to say how much his part of the transfer was worth but I don't think it was even close to £7m. Jay Bothroyd was only a couple of million I think. Good idea though. Starting to agree with Baggio, can only really see 5 definites here.

Just occurred to me....... What about Titus? Or was he £6m?

Played

He's played hasn't he?

Couple of caps I think, sure he played against Japan one year at Wembley. Yeah - sure he played on a couple of occasions.

So thats............ Cort Reo-Coker Davies Ashton Richards So far

Oh well, down to five then. Hmmmmmm

Not sure mate. If so, I'll take him off the list.

So thats............ Cort Jeffers Reo-Coker Davies Ashton Richards Any idea on number 7?