KaKa

I'm sure we thought Bramble would hold his price and eventually grow when we bought him. He's not the experienced defender I was hoping for. Did we? We thought he could possibly be a star but suffered humiliation a fair few times in his Ipswich career to suggest there were problems there. Also SBR was about the only man in the Country rating him at £5m. Wenger is a keen admirer of Davies, and he isn't even French, says it all. Well if we pay £8 million for him then it's fair to say Allardyce is the only one rating him at that price, he's not a bad player but he's not worth anywhere near the price being mentioned and he'll have to do something spectacular for that value to rise, I watched him play next to Taylor in an England u21 game last season and he was all over the place, Taylor had to bail him out more than once. As for Wenger rating him, he rated Jenas as well but wouldn't go near him for the fee mentioned. What's £2m in the current climate though? £6m he's worth it, £8m he's not? Will that matter in a couple of seasons? It cost us twice that amount to sack our last two managers, 3 times to get rid of Souness, GR, FS & SBR. £9.5m on Luque, £17m on Owen, £8m on Boumsong and were bothered about £2m more than what Davies is probably worth. I can't see the logic in it myself, there is a talent there, one U21 game where he was all over the place doesn't make a player, or is that it for Davies now, utter s**** and he should retire before embarrassing himself any further? Where did I say he's utter s*** and should retire? I've said he isn't worth £8 million as he isn't that good, even the West Brom fans are split on how good he is as he done f*** all for them last season, I couldn't care less how much his fee is in relation to Chopra's as the majority of the country laughed when they paid that, he isn't even close to Taylor in terms of ability and he isn't the experienced defender we should be looking for to bring the best out of him. People seem happy just to be getting a defender in rather than how good he is. Isn't close to Taylor? When Davies was a first team defender for West Brom two years ago in the premiership, not to mention their captain where was Taylor? Davies struggled with injuries last year and that is why he was so up and down. To claim he is no where near Taylor is rather shocking. You say he isn't the experienced defender we need but what's to say we will not still be adding an experienced defender to the mix in addittion to Davies, which I think will be ideal. Or are you happy for Ramage to be one of our top four centre-backs next season?

I'm sure we thought Bramble would hold his price and eventually grow when we bought him. He's not the experienced defender I was hoping for. Did we? We thought he could possibly be a star but suffered humiliation a fair few times in his Ipswich career to suggest there were problems there. Also SBR was about the only man in the Country rating him at £5m. Wenger is a keen admirer of Davies, and he isn't even French, says it all. Well if we pay £8 million for him then it's fair to say Allardyce is the only one rating him at that price, he's not a bad player but he's not worth anywhere near the price being mentioned and he'll have to do something spectacular for that value to rise, I watched him play next to Taylor in an England u21 game last season and he was all over the place, Taylor had to bail him out more than once. As for Wenger rating him, he rated Jenas as well but wouldn't go near him for the fee mentioned. What's £2m in the current climate though? £6m he's worth it, £8m he's not? Will that matter in a couple of seasons? It cost us twice that amount to sack our last two managers, 3 times to get rid of Souness, GR, FS & SBR. £9.5m on Luque, £17m on Owen, £8m on Boumsong and were bothered about £2m more than what Davies is probably worth. I can't see the logic in it myself, there is a talent there, one U21 game where he was all over the place doesn't make a player, or is that it for Davies now, utter s**** and he should retire before embarrassing himself any further? I agree with you. You also have to take into account that he did well in the premiership first time around and by alla ccounts is a top character who was captain of West Brom in the premiership at 21! This was under Bryan Robson too who is pretty high on good character guys. If we are going to pay over the odds on a player it might as well be him. Potential is never guaranteed but you have to look at each individual. In Davies case you have a good character, work ethic and leadership qualities so it is more likely than not going to work out in our favour should we sign him. Bramble had potential but character wise I think he lacked self belief, he wasn't a hard worker and he certainly wasn't a leader.

If we keep Martins I think it will be a 4-3-3 because I think Sam will want both Martins and Owen on the pitch playing off Viduka.

British player tax ... for other examples see Darren Bent, Andy Johnson, David Nugent, Michael Chopra etc etc etc I actually think we will be getting off lightly paying £8 million as West Brom turned down a £10 million offer from Portsmouth just after they were relegated I believe.

We only have Taylor and Rozehnal at the minute though, so we need to more centre backs. One very experienced one and another younger one would be good. I still think we will go in for Hyypia once Liverpool get the defender they want who is likely to be Heinze. Curtis Davies and Hyypia to add to Taylor and Rozehnal would be very healthy.

"Shepherds preference was for Bobo Balde of Celtic ... " WTF why should he even have a say in what players we should be bringing in??? Did I just imagine that or is that actually written in the last article. Freddy despite his constant denials was indeed determining whicih players we signed. What an absolute joke. Him and Souness arguing over getting in Boumsong or Balde out of all the defenders on the planet! Absolutely disgusting!

Exactamundo! The fittest of the lot and therefore will score the most goals.

Newcastle fans will not mourn Shepherd’s loss George Caulkin The change may have been more symbolic than substantive, given the whirlwind events of the past two months, but Freddy Shepherd’s low-key departure from Newcastle United yesterday ushered a shop-soiled era into the past. After a decade as chairman, Shepherd was replaced by Chris Mort, Mike Ashley’s lieutenant, a development that will be broadly welcomed by supporters. While Shepherd’s 15 years at St James’ Park coincided with the restoration of the club to prominence, stadium development, the attacking football of Kevin Keegan, Sir John Hall’s vision for a “Geordie nation” and some galáctico signings, his regime proved flawed and contentious. Disenchantment and underachievement have been growing trends, while the club’s debt soared to about £80 million. Shepherd leaves with the £37 million he was paid by Mort for his 28 per cent stake in Newcastle and is also entitled, under the terms of his contract, to a payoff of £1 million, which equates to two years’ salary. With Kenny, his son – once an influential figure – informed recently that his services would no longer be required, the family’s powerbase on Tyneside has disappeared. Shepherd Sr agreed to remain in his position in the immediate aftermath of Ashley’s takeover, while Mort, a lawyer by trade and a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, who was installed as deputy, conducted a thorough investigation into the running of the club. That process is well advanced, allowing Shepherd to depart earlier than expected. “I am delighted to become chairman of such a fabulous club,” Mort said. “Since arriving at St James’ Park I have been hugely encouraged by the warm welcome I have received from so many supporters. The strategic review of the club is going well and, with the new season fast approaching, we feel the time is right to make this change. I would like to thank Freddy Shepherd for all he has done for the club over the last 15 years.” Shepherd’s input has been limited by illness and his relationship with Sam Allardyce, the manager he appointed only two months ago, was not so deep that Ashley believed it essential. It had been expected that Newcastle would allow the present transfer window to close before dispensing with Shepherd’s experience, but that, too, has not been deemed necessary. New signings were one area where Shepherd struggled to shrug off controversy. From Patrick Kluivert to Celestine Babayaro, it was long rumoured that the chairman – who often sat beside Paul Stretford, the agent and his close friend, at home matches – played a significant part in incoming transfers. It was an allegation that he repeatedly denied. Yet Graeme Souness, a former manager, recently insisted that “one man and one man alone decided what player came to the club and what player left – and it wasn’t the manager. It was the chairman”. Sir Bobby Robson, another former manager, complained that Shepherd was “hostile” to training-ground innovations; under the Halls and Shepherds, Newcastle lacked stability and foundations. There were ambitious moments, from the club-record £17 million arrival of Michael Owen to an alleged bid for Wayne Rooney, yet Shepherd’s reputation was tarnished by some mediocre additions and a perceived alacrity for dismissing managers mid-season. Last season, after matches against Sheffield United and Black-burn Rovers, fans protested against his stewardship. Few will be rebelling now. How the chairman put his foot in it 1998 Caught with Douglas Hall by the News of the World’s “Fake Sheikh” describing Geordie women as “dogs”, calling Alan Shearer “Mary Poppins” and mocking fans for buying replica shirts. They resign from their posts, an exile that lasts ten months, after which they vote themselves back on to the board. 2003 Newcastle finish third in the Premier League. Shepherd says they have “put them [Liverpool and Chelsea] in their place.” 2004 Dismisses Sir Bobby Robson four matches into the new season – Newcastle ended the previous campaign in fifth place – a decision that Shepherd describes as “the hardest thing I have ever done. I didn’t want to be known as the man who shot Bambi.” The subsequent appointment of Graeme Souness proves disastrous. The Scot later claims that “one man alone decided what player came to the club and what player left – the chairman”. 2004 At an international football forum in Dubai, Shepherd courts more controversy. “When we have got 52,000 fans at each home game, the last thing we are worried about is clubs in the third division. There is no sympathy here.” 2007 Shown on YouTube offering to “f***ing carry” Michael Owen back to Anfield after the striker’s apparent reluctance to commit himself verbally to Newcastle. Shepherd sells his 28 per cent stake in Newcastle to Mike Ashley for more than £37 million. Words by George Caulkin http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/newcastle/article2134569.ece

Article in tomorrow's Times says the review is very advanced hence Freddy's departure, also said that although Freddy was kept to assist with transfers this was deemed not necessary. As far as signings go, I think we might also be in a situation where we are waiting for other clubs to sign players before they release the players we might be after. I think for example Liverpool going after Heinze will probably mean Hyypia is available or Riise if that rumour is to be believed.

If Senderos is on his way to Juventus then Davies might pop up at Arsenal I would think.

Baptista has also said he will only play in England or Spain so we would appear to have a good chance of signing him as Milan would be ruled out. Villareal aren't as much as a threat to us as the likes of Barca, Sevilla, Valencia or Atletico might have been. Looks promising. Although hopefully we can agree on a fee between £6 million and £10 million so around £8 million should suffice.

To be honest the club right now that is ging to be a big threat is Man City because of Sven. He has an absolutely huge reputation and we can already see it by the types of players he is bringing in. When you consider how useless City were last season it is no small feat. He also has very good contacts all over the world that appear to be helping him land players too. I think Man City are a huge threat right now. I think everyone who ever doubted Sven might be in for some humble pie this season.

I'm somewhat surprised at the kind of clubs that have been after him actually. No one that is that outstanding or that might stop us getting him. Considering the price I have seen mentioned is £5 million it would definitely be worth it. Surprised 'arry isn't sniffing around tbh. We should definitely consider it if we haven't got anyone else in mind. The fact we brought Aldo Duscher in does indicate that we might indeed be after a strong midfielder too. Here's hoping. Knwoing Fenerbache though, they are probably asking for a lot more than £5 million.

Good for him. I think he deserves another chance with a premiership team. Certainly wasn't the worst centre back in the league last season and is in fact better than quite a few others. With a bit of direction and some better players around him you could certainly see him becoming better.

Don't you just get the feeling Cassano would have been nailed on for Sam if he was still at Bolton? Looks just like the El Hadji Diouf situation. Cassano would be the kind of striker that works in Sams 4-3-3 too. Maybe if Martins left and we didn't want to spend a lot on another striker we could bring him in on loan.

Awesome thread right? I can see you're overwhelmed.

There are rumours we have a right back coming on trial this week. I've heard nothing further. I'd try Geremi there of course and he is also DM cover. This whole PL experience thing is out the window now imo and Sam is casting his net wider as it comes down to the wire. We need to get shot of Carr. On trial? That sounds desperate! We need to sign a player outright who we know is competent. Trials are for back ups and squad fillers.

Funny thing is I can't think of any player Spurs have signed who I would have said we should have been challenging them for, or who I think would have turned us down flat in order to join them. Outside of the top four I still think we are right up there alongside any other club in the premiership as far as being an option for players. However, at the moment I think Sam has been looking at players who have indeed been targets for top four clubs or clubs of that ilk abroad.

Please don't delete this thread you evil MODs this is a worthy point of discussion okay?! Anyway, so Mr. Dyer is on his way. If he had stayed I believe he would have most likely been used as an attacking right-back in the 4-3-3 which it seems Sam will be sticking to. It looks like with everyone fit we will play three genuine strikers up top in Martins, Viduka and Owen; and so as Martins and Owen are not really attacking wide players in the mould of Robben and Joe Cole, we will need our width and crosses to come from the full-backs. They will therefore have to be fit and attack minded. I believe this is what excited Sam when he saw N'Zogbia play there, his energy, stamina and direct attacking style. So with Dyer seemingly gone and therefore not having a chance to fill the attacking right-back role, who do we bring in to replace him and fill this position? Assuming that Carr will serve as backup and that Geremi's physical presence is utilised in our midfield. With Allardyce preferring to start the season with players who have premiership experience, I would suggest Chelsea's Glenn Johnson who I believe would thrive under Sam's disciplined approach and a first team place. Chelsea appear to be going after a right-back stil (Chimbonda/Alves) and so it doesn't look like Glenn Johnson will be getting a lot of games, so I think we should get him in if we can. What say thee? Better than Luke Young surely? p.s. I would like to dedicato this thread to Verlaine who I understand is a big fan of mine. Couldn't have done it without you buddy cheers

Agreed. We need some new threads. I know everyone is slightly demoralised right now but I'll be damned, can we please find something new to talk about! How about Geremi? I think some will be quite surprised to find he will be our defensive midfielder this season, just like he was when he started off at Real Madrid.

Any movements on transfer targets appears to be so dead now that even the papers aren't bothering to speculate. Not worried yet, but slightly concerned as I am a big believer in getting players in early so that they can settle in well before the season starts. We have got some players in early already, but I really would have prefered it if it had been the defenders who came in first as that really is the area of concern and the players who we really need to gel together as soon as possible. Sigh ...

Get Martin Jol in here! Apparently some Tottenham ITK says all the players have been getting excited because Dyer is about to join them and has been texting Jenas and Defoe in particular to say it will be done soon.

You tell em boss. It's disgusting what's been going on here!

That was a dirty trick Midds! You'll pay for it too. You must reopen my thread if he signs agreed? Meanwhile I'll get in touch with my Serbian contacts to make sure it happens. Just for the record, I didn't merge anything. I thought it deserved it's own thread but I was overruled ... That was a dirty trick Midds! You'll pay for it too. You must reopen my thread if he signs agreed? Meanwhile I'll get in touch with my Serbian contacts to make sure it happens. Just for the record, I didn't merge anything. I thought it deserved it's own thread but I was overruled ... Ah ha! it was Dave wasn't it. That guy's been meddling with my threads for as long as I can remember. Back off pal, before it gets ugly. > Midds your faith in me will be rewarded ... just got through to Serbia. I'll get him here you can count on that. Someone's got to give Sammy some help.

Wants his loyalty bonus baby! His best mate Barton's been giving him some good advice I take it.