KaKa

Totally agree, this is a baffling one for me, i just can't work it out for either valencia or ourselves. Have you not read this thread like? It's very simple. The guy was part owned by Danubio and Valencia. Valencia are in financial s***. They decided to buy the other half of him in order to send him out on loan, so that when he returns he may command a fee, as they need the money. We have decided to be the side that loan's him out as he ticks alot of the boxes. In order to protect their investment they have made him sign a four year deal, before going out on loan. Next year if he impresses, Valencia can get a healthy figure and we may be able to get a good player that we have had a chance to look at. I guarantee you it will come up again very shortly. I'm going to go with halfway down the next page, before another nervous wreck starts lamenting on the fact the great and mighty Newcastle dared to loan a player from another club, therefore severely damaging their big club status.

As has been said a zillion times. Valencia apparently owned some of his rights all along and only recently bought them outright. This might have been due to the fact we showed interest in the player and so they wanted tomake more of a profit. I'm pretty sure he is being brought in on loan initially, because we want to ensure he adapts to the league as he hasn't had too much experience in Europe yet.

Don't underestimate the fact Petrov is at City. Also this signing along with the others they have made might convince Berbatov that they are genuinely aiming for the top 4, which is very possible, considering how clueless Rafa is regarding the league.

Think he plays just in behind the front two ideally. Owen out?

I think we are going to stick with the 4-3-1-2 formation this season. Owen you'd think would have remained in the slot just behind the front two. That loan signing from Valencia however, does look like a classic number 10 playmaker in the Riquelme type mould. Brought in incase Owen bolts? I guess we'll find out shortly.

Berbatov to Man City. I could see it. Those guys it seems are capable of anything, and it seems they are desperate for this big name signing, and Hughes has been after a striker. His good mate Petrov is there also. Alternatively Man City might go after Owen even. I definitely see them landing a prem experienced striker by the time the window shuts, just a question of who that will be.

This is strange. It's almost as if we released the info to show that the club have offered him a good deal, and therefore it isn't their fault if he chooses to leave sort of thing. Interesting stuff. Earlier I was thinking that the loan signing from Valencia might have been cover for Barton, but he seems to be more of a player that slots in behind the front two, which is a role I think Keegan was looking to have Owen continue from last season. Maybe the Valencia player is a temporary solution to Owen not being around. No matter what happens I think we'll be okay. I believe in this new regime. They seem to be making solid decisions and aren't being bullied into anything.

Is this what Keegan meant when he said "I think the (Milner) sale will allow us to go in a slightly different direction". I think it's very likely. The Colombian we might be bringing in on loan I think might be cover for Barton in the 4-3-1-2 setup as it is likely he will be out for 16 games they are saying, or something ridiculous like that. I think we have always been looking out for a loan option such as this to cover for Barton, as that would pretty much rule him out of making any serious contribution this season. is the colombian gonzalez? Yes, thats who I meant. ahh right, i thought he was uruguayan Sorry, apparently he is. Getting a bit too excited.

I was just thinking that as a pretty low risk loan, could this guy be being brought in as cover for Barton. It's apparently looking very likely that barton will be out for 16 games! This essentially rules him out for this season as it would take a while to get up to speed match fitness wise etc. Probably what the club is thinking as far as this move goes, and it would make a lot more sense I think.

Is this what Keegan meant when he said "I think the (Milner) sale will allow us to go in a slightly different direction". I think it's very likely. The Colombian we might be bringing in on loan I think might be cover for Barton in the 4-3-1-2 setup as it is likely he will be out for 16 games they are saying, or something ridiculous like that. I think we have always been looking out for a loan option such as this to cover for Barton, as that would pretty much rule him out of making any serious contribution this season. is the colombian gonzalez? Yes, thats who I meant.

Is this what Keegan meant when he said "I think the (Milner) sale will allow us to go in a slightly different direction". I think it's very likely. The Colombian we might be bringing in on loan I think might be cover for Barton in the 4-3-1-2 setup as it is likely he will be out for 16 games they are saying, or something ridiculous like that. I think we have always been looking out for a loan option such as this to cover for Barton, as that would pretty much rule him out of making any serious contribution this season.

No more waiting on Viduka. Thank God for that. Looks like it's the 4-3-1-2 then. Nice!

Okay was I dreaming when KK himself said that 2 signings were already well down the line?! So why are people still saying we won't sign anyone? How weird are you guys? Why are you trying to convince yourselves that youhave any idea what you are talking about? If you don't have anything to say then shut up. Stop talking just for the sake of it.

Well, well, well Tottenham finally playing Modric in a more attaking position i.e. just behind the striker, with Jenas and Zokora in midfield. Makes a lot more sense to be honest, should be interesting to see how much more effective he can be there. Certainly a much better idea.

Fair enough greydos. Apologies. We'll have to agree to disagree on this, as I think Taylor was awful. Similar to Milner, still looks just like he has done since he came into the team, hardly any improvemet at all. Man ... I get so wound up watching these guys sometimes. It's understandable to lose to Arsenal, but don't look so damn clueless and pathetic doing it for goodness sake. You would think half of them had never seen a football before.

Taylor was better than Colo by some distance for me. STrong in the air, positionally good and saved what should have been a goal when Colo stepped up to challenge Vela, got turned and it ended up with Walcott 8 yards out hitting it wide at the near post because Taylor's positioning covered half the goal the other side of Shay. Guthrie's passing is immense, just wish he had players with better end product to give it to. I think you must have lost your mind. Coloccini was playing at centre back by himself today. Of course Coloccini stepped up to challenge Vela, he was stepping up to challenge their attackers all game! And he was winning a lot of tackles. That is what you are supposed to do. If it was left to Taylor he would keep backing off till he ended up in the goal with the ball. That is not how to defend. This is why he seems to be invisible half the time. It is because he never steps up to tackle anyone or try to win the ball or apply pressure. He keeps backing off again and again and so ends up in awful positions where he is way too deep in the box. It's terrible defending by a bad defender. I can't believe you've just watched that game and can come out saying Taylor played better. It's quite startling.It's amazing to me. Have to agree. Thought Taylor was subpar. There was a run of play where Adebayor had the ball on the right wing and Taylor just kept backing off and backing off. Jonas came in and actually pressured him for the ball and forced him to make a pass under pressure. And he's still holding his f***ing arms out. You just never back away like that, it's not the way to defend. Get low face the attacker, try and force them one way and get in position to put a tackle in. At the very worst you slow them down till help arrives. You are the last line of protection. What sense does it make to run towards your goal when an attacker is coming at you. It infuriates me. It's really basic stuff, but yet he's still doing it. Why no one points this out to him I will never know. Depressing to watch.

Taylor was better than Colo by some distance for me. STrong in the air, positionally good and saved what should have been a goal when Colo stepped up to challenge Vela, got turned and it ended up with Walcott 8 yards out hitting it wide at the near post because Taylor's positioning covered half the goal the other side of Shay. Guthrie's passing is immense, just wish he had players with better end product to give it to. I think you must have lost your mind. Coloccini was playing at centre back by himself today. Of course Coloccini stepped up to challenge Vela, he was stepping up to challenge their attackers all game! And he was winning a lot of tackles. That is what you are supposed to do. If it was left to Taylor he would keep backing off till he ended up in the goal with the ball. That is not how to defend. This is why he seems to be invisible half the time. It is because he never steps up to tackle anyone or try to win the ball or apply pressure. He keeps backing off again and again and so ends up in awful positions where he is way too deep in the box. It's terrible defending by a bad defender. I can't believe you've just watched that game and can come out saying Taylor played better. It's quite startling.It's amazing to me.

Taylor is an embarrassment ...

How come Coloccini is always the one clearing the danger? All I see is Taylor standing around with his hands up not actually doing anything. Taylor needs to go to the bench if we sign another centre back. He is awful. Just awful.

I'm sure we couldn't get a work permit for him and I'm sure the mackems also tried and failed. We had signed Friedel on a short term loan, and we only sent him back when we discovered he wasn't going to get a permit for a long term deal. Apparently work permits aren't an issue because he has an Italian passport. Gonzalez does?

There is a good video of him. The one with midfield Danubio. Certainly looks like a creative midfielder type.

Owen to Man City. Thaksin gets his big name signing (after the Ronaldinho debacle). We get a younger and fitter striker. If anything, this is the most likely scenario.

This is very typical of the guy. He is very eccentric and a bit of a nutter tbh.

KD man, no point upsetting yourself and getting overexcited. If he signs he will soon enough be on the pitch for us and then everyone will see for themselvs what sort of player he is. What I know for certain is that he is not a terrible left back ... neither is he the best in the world though, but he is very capable and a solid option for us. He is neither a shit player as someone else on here says. We'll see soon enough.

People still pushing this tactically inept myth I see. Brilliant.