KaKa

That sounds really promising. Hard working, not afraid to put himself about, good movement and hold-up play and a decent goal scoring record. I'd never even heard of the lad before, but I'm really looking forward to seeing him at the focal point of our attack now. That does sound very very promising indeed.

Is this all a stunt to prevent Barton getting a lengthy ban?

The Arsenal route, a manager who oversees the whole football side. I don't think we had that. Also if you had read some of Wegner interviews he says every player he signs is ready for first team football that is the one thing all signings must be able to do. Not all of ours fall into the category. My reference to the Arsenal way, was in regard to younger, hungrier players being recruited, for reasonable fees. Funnily enough, I think all of our recruitments have looked like they ought to slot straight into the first team for me. Under Bobby we had players who went on to become Young Player Of The Year, which of these younger hungrier players if any do you think could win that award. Spears (did he sign)? Ranger? The Italian? Those are academy players you are referring to. I'm talking about the likes of Bassong, Guthrie and Xisco.

I feel you. While everyone was tlaking about challenging the top 6 straight away, I was just looking most forward to watching Keegan type footie, some new exciting signings and no more threat of relegation or speculation and drama regarding the club. Oh well ...

The Arsenal route, a manager who oversees the whole football side. I don't think we had that. Also if you had read some of Wegner interviews he says every player he signs is ready for first team football that is the one thing all signings must be able to do. Not all of ours fall into the category. My reference to the Arsenal way, was in regard to younger, hungrier players being recruited, for reasonable fees. Funnily enough, I think all of our recruitments have looked like they ought to slot straight into the first team for me.

I'd agree. Ashley was faced with a difficult decision after getting rid of Allardyce, because the fans were unlikely to take to a little known manager, and the pressure might have been too much. Keegan was the acceptable candidate, even though he didn't have the reputation of being a team player at all. As Kaka said, it's turned out to be the wrong call. Yes, another problem was the fact that the team was looking so poor and we needed someone who would hit the floor running and lift the team immediately, as we were beginning to look like real relegation candidates.

Very, very big point you made there. I have felt very strongly about this also, but didn't even want to dare to bring it up because I wasn't sure it could be discussed properly without being acused of disrespecting Keegan. I do think Keegan did believe he could get the owner and board to look at things more his way, once he got his feet under the tabl, as you say. I think he underestimated how strong their convictions were. I think he was fully briefed on the direction, agreed to it in all of the excitement, but now is not so hot on the idea, and wants faster progress rather than the longer term approach.

Okay regarding the ASHLEYITE term ... it was coined by the more pessimistic posters early on in the window, and was used to insult the more positive or hopeful amongst us. Thought it would lighten the mood to resurrect the term.

Damn! Since day on huh? Okay. Well as far as the rest of your post goes, I think it is unfair to say he hasn't put much into the team. He just has a different idea of what "putting much into the team" entails. He doesn't want to go the Man City and Chelsea route, but instead wants to go the Arsenal route. It is his club and his decision. Unfortunately, the manager he has chosen has an opinion which differs in certain areas it appears.

Not asking you to choose at all. I just think that it's an unfortunate difference of opinion between both of them. I'm definitely don't think the abuse towards Ashley is warranted that's for sure, as I feel his direction could be very fruitful too.

People can say what they want to be honest. I am just speaking hoenstly, and I have enjoyed the direction we have been going in, and have loved all of the new players so far, and I think it is a huge shame that it could potentially be ruined, because of an argument over the likes of Smith and Barton being kept at the club.

Surely Keegan was fully briefed on the direction the club was loking to go in though?

Well ... I've taken in everything all through today now, and now I'm left here feeling like I honestly prefer what Ashley and his team want to do. Nothing has pleased me more this season than the performances of the new players we have brought in, particularly those who appear to have been recruited by Ashley's recruitment team. Sunday saw us add two more individuals who further seemed to be brought in by Jimenez et al. and both of whom seemed to be highly rated by their former teams, one of whose leaving practically had his former teams fans in tears. What has made this even more immensely satisfying is the fact that these signings were pretty unheralded and not overly costly or over the top, it felt good to finally unearth some gems of our own for once. If Ashley and his lot really wanted to get rid of more of our older players, who other teams wanted can we really blame him? How many times did we all lament their performances early last season when they were alll absolutely useless? Many a time we all wanted them all out and Ashley was sitting right amongst us, while we were all displaying our disgust at their performances. I'm sure he would have been more than happy to replace them with more of the sort he already brought in, who were already proving to be very succesful buys. Can we balme him for this? Why the hell is Keegan allegedly holding on to the likes of Smith, Barton and Milner anyway? I mean honestly! Owen I can at least understand to some extent, and even then, I would probably still prefer to see what kind of player could be brought in by this team to replace Owen, given the chance to do so. Milner is an average player who we were offered beautiful money for and it was a no brainer. If Keegan had a problem with this then he's being silly. Smith is just awful and we should have accepted any payment for him straightaway. As for Barton ... I'm sure it took a hell of a lot of convincing for Ashley to bring him here in the first place and it was a huge show of faith for him to do so, and look at what Barton did in return. I think it was harsh of Keegan to demand for Barton to be supported, and the owner should have been allowed to let him move on if he wanted. All in all I really am beginning to struggle to see what exactly I should be mad at Ashley for. I actually like what he was doing and I would have loved to see as many as possible of the old faces move on in return for some younger, fresher and hungrier players in all honesty. Ashley has made one mistake in all of this, and it was in getting the wrong manager in. Not because Keegan is bad or difficult in any way, because I do admire him a whole lot, but because he just wasn't the right person for Ashley's job specifications.

All I want right now is to just watch Xisco and Gonzalez play in our team, as you just know they will be good players. It's never really just about the football though is it ... very frustrating.

This is waht I don't get. Should have sorted this all out ages ago. It's a real shame because I like Ashleys plans, but at the same time I respect Keegan as a manager. They just wanted different things, and they should have known it wouldn't work much earlier. I'm sticking with the club though. I don't think Ashley is a bad guy, Keegan just wasn't the best fit for what he wants to do. But what benefit is there in getting rid now, unless there's someone better lined up? Keegan probably started handing out ultimatums and threatening to quit. I doubt Ashley would have taken kindly to that.

This is waht I don't get. Should have sorted this all out ages ago. It's a real shame because I like Ashleys plans, but at the same time I respect Keegan as a manager. They just wanted different things, and they should have known it wouldn't work much earlier. I'm sticking with the club though. I don't think Ashley is a bad guy, Keegan just wasn't the best fit for what he wants to do.

Nacho is form Uruguay and so is Poyet ...

With a blockbuster wow signing that has been kept quiet up until now?!!!

Will be Didier Deschamps for sure.

If this is down to Barton then is just so tragic. Are you kidding me? Anyway, if down to Barton then the media will likely make Ashley a hero, and Ashley will then sack Barton shortly, as he apprently hasn't been sold has he. Come on. Keegan is having a laugh if he's walked over Joey Barton. Sorry, but can't really defend that. God knows, maybe someone we were after refused to come here because Barton was here. Especially after his appearance on Saturday.

Can't believe the time and still no news.

I think this will be down to the Owen contract. The one thing that Keegan said he wouldn't be happy about was Owen leaving. I believe when we released that news about Owen being offered a new deal, it was our final offer, which was likely turned down. We then tried to sellhim most probably, and Keegan decided to walk with his captain. We then probably started accepting offers for Barton and Smith but couldn't get any of these deals completed on time. Micahel Owen's final kick in the balls basically.

Apparently it is indeed a swap deal with Portsmouth. Harry for Kev. Harry gets his Spiderman and loads of random but talented South Americans etc. Kev gets his prem experienced players like Defoe and Crouch.

Didier Deschamps is still available and is familiar with Wisey from their Chelsea days. I could live with that.

I can confirmthat we have sold Owen, Smith and Barton (announcement being witheld) and have three replacements in the boardroom with Keegan and the crew, and they are trying to convince him to embrace them, because Keegan had threatened to walk if they were sold. Should be sorted shortly. Zola ready to take over if Keegan can't be convinced.