merlin

8million. Right now, you are probably correct - Blackpool are not technically safe yet and the loss of Adam would make it far more likely that they will be dragged into the relegation scrap so it will take a big fee to make them part....on the other hand, I reckon 5-6 million will get him if they were to wait until summer ; Adam himself is reputed to want away now, so I reckon Liverpool will get him if he goes anywhere.

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him. no he shouldn't. he should be assessed by the staff and decided on whether he is worthy of a run. That's what you have managers and coaches for isn't it...! I doubt even Pardew would let Forster go without having a look at him in the first team. The problem is that some on here would whinge pitifully if Forster displaced Krul permanently ...... why do you think he should be given a proper run in the team then ? Why not - don't you, or have you seen him play regularly...?? no i haven't and i wouldn't want players given a run of games in the team on the grounds that i haven't seen them regularly. So do you think his performances - esp given his age - at other clubs DON'T warrant him getting a run in the side ? What other guide do the manager and coaching staff have ? That is why the guy went on loan in the first place ; to give him experience and to see how he performed in competitive games. So rather than go off on a tangent, would you be in favour of him being selected for our first team or not ? If not, why ? i see, so you've seen him play a few games then, just your post (531) makes it seem like just wanted him in blindly as you weren't too keen on krul. why didn't you say it was based on having seen him a few times. i would never put anyone in the first team not having seen them a bit first and for me thats more than the 1 reserve game, 2 norwich games and 2 celtic games in which i've seen him (and in one of those games he was sent off after about 10mins and in another he had f*** all to do). then again i don't pick the team. This is going nowhere, and frankly, your comment about my wanting Forster in the side 'blindly' is ridiculous. You have admitted that you made a judgment on his capabilities as a keeper on the basis of his getting sent off at Celtic and also his appearances at Norwich where you claim he had f--- all to do. If you watch ANY keeper in a game where their side is on top, they end up having F--- all to do - that's what you would expect. No, I HAVEN'T seem Forster play regularly, and neither have the majority of our fans which is why we ALL want to see what he can do so we can actually make a judgment - as will the manager - on whether he is a better keeper than either Krul or Harper. The comments from supporters of both Celtic and Norwich indicate that the majority are impressed with Forster, so for me, that is worth giving him a crack at the PL - if he fluffs it, so be it, but he deserves a chance. No, I am NOT as impressed with Krul as some seem to be because he does not inspire confidence in his penalty area handling - in that respect, Harper is a far superior keeper but we won't know how good Forster is until we see him in action.

Routledge was decent in the CCC but has struggled to transfer that form to the PL - as he has with the other PL sides he played for. Despite that, my concern about this move is that the squad is getting dangerously thin. As geordemonster says, a look at Spurs m/f squad tells you just how weak we are in depth and as the injuries and suspensions pile up, we could well pay the price for this. We have already tried and failed to sign the likes of Larsson, who would have been a replacement for Routledge, so unless Pardew has something else lined up I am at a loss to understand why Routledge is being allowed go go at this point. When you look at the likes of Villa and now, Liverpool, trying to sign Charlie Adam(a player I rate highly, and who I think would definitely benefit our side), you get some idea why I have little confidence in the people running the club and whether they intend not only to ensure our PL place by competing for decent players who will improve, but also if they will fend off top offers for our saleable assets. I do not consider Adam over-priced at 5m(which is what it will take - minimum - to shift him from Blackpool but I will be surprised if we pay anything like that for any player at this time. Villa and Liverpool clearly believe that you have to pay if you want to be sure of staying up ; had all our players been fit and available, I reckon we wouldn't have to add to the squad until summer, but that is a dreamworld. Let's see how we do against Spurs today......

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him. no he shouldn't. he should be assessed by the staff and decided on whether he is worthy of a run. That's what you have managers and coaches for isn't it...! I doubt even Pardew would let Forster go without having a look at him in the first team. The problem is that some on here would whinge pitifully if Forster displaced Krul permanently ...... why do you think he should be given a proper run in the team then ? Why not - don't you, or have you seen him play regularly...?? no i haven't and i wouldn't want players given a run of games in the team on the grounds that i haven't seen them regularly. So do you think his performances - esp given his age - at other clubs DON'T warrant him getting a run in the side ? What other guide do the manager and coaching staff have ? That is why the guy went on loan in the first place ; to give him experience and to see how he performed in competitive games. So rather than go off on a tangent, would you be in favour of him being selected for our first team or not ? If not, why ?

Agree - rather take a chance on Krancjar from Spurs...IF we could meet his wage demands.

In the last 6 months, we have been a newly-promoted PL side - managers have been waiting to see how our players - esp the younger ones - do in the PL. Now they have seen how the likes of Carroll and Enrique have performed against better opposition, they will be more confident about signing those players for large fees. There is no relationship between what has or hasn't been done by Ashley & Co in the past 6 months to what they MIGHT do in the next - their resolve has not been tested over these players and I for one believe that if Man U came for Enrique and they wanted him badly enough. a deal would be done - Yes or No..??

Doesn't matter whether there has or not - managers like Fergie and Wenger will know all about ANY decent player at clubs they think could be persuaded to sell...

The Ashley/Llambias world where none of our top players have been sold you mean? ......and you think they WON'T sell any !?? You must be very trusting in them - lets see what happens in the next 6 months........

It won't be long before top clubs are sniffing round Enrique - he has had a great season and is undoubtedly one of the top 3 LBs in the PL...maybe not as good going forward as Evra or Bale, but a better defender than both in my opinion - imagine how Evra would look playing for NUFC ? He has a great temperament and has been no trouble at all...all these factors will make him a big target for top sides, esp as he has probably 9 years left at the top. Always rated this guy, even when some on here were slating him after his first few games, because he has genuine quality. It may not be in this window, but he WILL go before too long if someone pays the right money or comes up with a good p/ex deal. In a perfect world, we just wouldn't sell this boy but we live in the Ashley/Llambias world.

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him. no he shouldn't. he should be assessed by the staff and decided on whether he is worthy of a run. That's what you have managers and coaches for isn't it...! I doubt even Pardew would let Forster go without having a look at him in the first team. The problem is that some on here would whinge pitifully if Forster displaced Krul permanently ...... why do you think he should be given a proper run in the team then ? Why not - don't you, or have you seen him play regularly...??

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him. no he shouldn't. he should be assessed by the staff and decided on whether he is worthy of a run. That's what you have managers and coaches for isn't it...! I doubt even Pardew would let Forster go without having a look at him in the first team. The problem is that some on here would whinge pitifully if Forster displaced Krul permanently ......

I can go back as far as 1969 when Alan Brown(the Mackems' manager) was saying that they had a great crop of youngsters who would be the club's future - the main star was Colin Todd...within a couple of years he had gone to Derby and people like Billy Hughes finally achieved some sort of success when he was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 73 along with Bobby Kerr and Dennis Tueart. Tueart also left(as did Dave Watson) for Man City and even though Stokoe(a former Newcastle great of course..!) was their manager in 73, they never really lived up to all the hype. Likewise their team of 76 which briefly flattered to deceive with the likes of Arnott etc.

Forster should be given a proper run in the side - I am just NOT convinced by Krul because whilst he can be a good reaction stopper, he doesn't inspire confidence with his general play or commanding the box. Until we see Forster in several first team games, I would not pick Krul over him.

This - nobody can judge Forster until we have seen him play several games for us in the PL.

Poolie family here. After all the tales about the monkey, methinks there is a pot calling the kettle black...!

I always think of Martins' thunderbolt when I think about Spurs games. The 7-1 hammering in 96/97 far betters that in my opinion ; one of the best wins under KK and what made it all the sweeter was one of their fans running on to the pitch after No 5 or 6 to confront their keeper as if he was to blame..! Classic. It was, I believe, KK's swansong as our manager.

That's not true. Lerner told MON to do something about the wage bill, not that he couldn't spend, as we had big earners, quite literally never getting used, not even making the bench. Sidwell and Davies goign will cover Bent's wages, I imagine, more than, in fact. I know for a fact that if MON had been given 18m to spend, he'd have spent it on Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle, plus McGeady to add to our wingers collection. Yes but your logic defeats itself frankly - do you honestly think that players who cost a big fee are going to accept lower wages than they could get at another club ? You are virtually saying that Lerner is trying to be like Ashley over wages , yet still pay big fees for top players...just won't happen until all clubs do it. No, that's not what I am saying. I am saying that Lerner pointed out the players on big contracts and big money who weren't getting used - that's the key part, not getting used. Lerner's argument was that he doesn't mind paying out the money, but ideally we'd make sure the big money went to the right players - this is almost word for word what his right hand man said on our forums. Last season we had Shorey, Sidwell, Davies, Beye, NRC not even getting onto the bench most weeks. I'm guessing their combined wage bill per week was 200k. Lerner's approach was that he'd pay the big wages to the big name, but it is hard to make any remotely convincing business case for not moving on any of the above. Yes, I can see what you are driving at, but the sad fact of life in the modern game is that ALL PL players expect big wages...it was bad enough in the 70s when Supermac was obviously getting paid more than most(perhaps all)of the other Newcastle players, but he used to justify it by saying 'I'm the guy that sticks the ball in the net' or words to that effect ; you can imagine how that went down with the likes on Moncur, Nattrass and Alan Kennedy, who went on to win top honours with Liverpool - team spirit was not all it should have been. It's the same today and there will always be resentment if one or two of the squad are on megabucks and the rest on relative peanuts - which is what you seem to be saying that Lerner wants. I appreciate his wish to get value for money, but in the mad world of PL football, VFM and players' expectations do NOT go hand in hand. You either accept the situation as the Top 4 do because they have the dosh to keep doing it, or you do as Ashley has done and try to keep everyone below a certain capped level. Any other approach simply means resentment in the squad and therefore, lack of success. Ashley's approach also means lack of success for a while until you get a group who are happy with their lot, but that can only be done by bringing youngsters through - and eventually, they will get tempted away too. The whole thing is a circus, but it can't go on because too many clubs can't afford it now - only Sky money keeps the charade on the road. As for MON, he gave Villa a few good seasons and you guys should be grateful for that - as I recall, your fans exulted in our departure from the PL 2 years ago and you were only able to do that because MON had raised you from mediocrity just as KK did for us in the 90s. No manager makes perfect signings and KK also signed a few lemons but you won't find many NUFC fans dragging his time at the club down or citing things like scrapping the reserves/juniors which were detrimental to the club's future. You just don't get what he's saying at all. Just give up. I do - you don't. Just because you decide player A is worth the higher wages doesn't mean player B is going to be happy about it. MON DID make some bad signings - so do all managers, but as long as the club does better overall than before that manager arrived, not many complain...did Villa do better after MON arrived as manager or not - yes or no ? If you think I don't understand, why don't you let us have your interpretation of it ? Are you happy that Ashley' interferes' in team matters by setting a max wage ? I think that in time , he will be right, but it won't keep our best players in the current PL wage structure.

Carver did a fine job as No 2 to SBR 10 years ago - he and Sir Bob got the side playing great football and achieving good league positions ; was sorry to see him leave. As has been said, he and Steve Stone have B&W blood so there should be no shortage of motivation from the dressing room staff ! Wish him all the best and hope it means he stays longer.

That's not true. Lerner told MON to do something about the wage bill, not that he couldn't spend, as we had big earners, quite literally never getting used, not even making the bench. Sidwell and Davies goign will cover Bent's wages, I imagine, more than, in fact. I know for a fact that if MON had been given 18m to spend, he'd have spent it on Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle, plus McGeady to add to our wingers collection. Yes but your logic defeats itself frankly - do you honestly think that players who cost a big fee are going to accept lower wages than they could get at another club ? You are virtually saying that Lerner is trying to be like Ashley over wages , yet still pay big fees for top players...just won't happen until all clubs do it. No, that's not what I am saying. I am saying that Lerner pointed out the players on big contracts and big money who weren't getting used - that's the key part, not getting used. Lerner's argument was that he doesn't mind paying out the money, but ideally we'd make sure the big money went to the right players - this is almost word for word what his right hand man said on our forums. Last season we had Shorey, Sidwell, Davies, Beye, NRC not even getting onto the bench most weeks. I'm guessing their combined wage bill per week was 200k. Lerner's approach was that he'd pay the big wages to the big name, but it is hard to make any remotely convincing business case for not moving on any of the above. Yes, I can see what you are driving at, but the sad fact of life in the modern game is that ALL PL players expect big wages...it was bad enough in the 70s when Supermac was obviously getting paid more than most(perhaps all)of the other Newcastle players, but he used to justify it by saying 'I'm the guy that sticks the ball in the net' or words to that effect ; you can imagine how that went down with the likes on Moncur, Nattrass and Alan Kennedy, who went on to win top honours with Liverpool - team spirit was not all it should have been. It's the same today and there will always be resentment if one or two of the squad are on megabucks and the rest on relative peanuts - which is what you seem to be saying that Lerner wants. I appreciate his wish to get value for money, but in the mad world of PL football, VFM and players' expectations do NOT go hand in hand. You either accept the situation as the Top 4 do because they have the dosh to keep doing it, or you do as Ashley has done and try to keep everyone below a certain capped level. Any other approach simply means resentment in the squad and therefore, lack of success. Ashley's approach also means lack of success for a while until you get a group who are happy with their lot, but that can only be done by bringing youngsters through - and eventually, they will get tempted away too. The whole thing is a circus, but it can't go on because too many clubs can't afford it now - only Sky money keeps the charade on the road. As for MON, he gave Villa a few good seasons and you guys should be grateful for that - as I recall, your fans exulted in our departure from the PL 2 years ago and you were only able to do that because MON had raised you from mediocrity just as KK did for us in the 90s. No manager makes perfect signings and KK also signed a few lemons but you won't find many NUFC fans dragging his time at the club down or citing things like scrapping the reserves/juniors which were detrimental to the club's future.

Yes but your logic defeats itself frankly - do you honestly think that players who cost a big fee are going to accept lower wages than they could get at another club ? You are virtually saying that Lerner is trying to be like Ashley over wages , yet still pay big fees for top players...just won't happen until all clubs do it. That's not true. Lerner told MON to do something about the wage bill, not that he couldn't spend, as we had big earners, quite literally never getting used, not even making the bench. Sidwell and Davies goign will cover Bent's wages, I imagine, more than, in fact. I know for a fact that if MON had been given 18m to spend, he'd have spent it on Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle, plus McGeady to add to our wingers collection.

We are NOT safe yet - when we get 41 points I will say we are safe... Our performance/result against Spurs will give is a good indication of whether we can reach safety easily because we have some tough home games coming up.

Agree about the size of fee but it is possible it may rebound on them....that was also the gamble KK took when he allowed Andy Cole to go.

You have to wonder what is behind this move - there are several possible reasons ;- 1. Bent is unhappy at Sunderland(they won't admit this if true) 2. Bruce has someone else lined up - if not it would go down badly with our dear neighbours.. 3. Villa are going to sell someone for a fairly large fee - my money is on either Ashley Young or Agbonlahor ; if Young, the likely destination is Liverpool or Spurs. Let's face it, Lerner wouldn't fund any more big transfers for MON without him raising cash first so the odds are that Houllier is in the same position. 4. Bruce has realised that Bent is better in a 4-5-1 formation and he has spent 13m on Gyan so has to play 4-4-2 if Bent is still at the club. The whole thing is not unlike our sale of Andy Cole to Man U in 1995 - completely out of the blue and a shock to supporters...not impossible that the Mackems could get Agbonlahor in part-ex as we did with Gillespie. Whether it works out as well for our dear neighbours as it did for us(signing Ferdinand then Shearer 18 months later), remains to be seen - wonder if Bruce will go on to the steps of the SOS a'la KK to explain this move to the fans.........!! More of interest to our fans will be whether NUFC are involved in ANY transfer activity.....

On yesterday's showing, both Coloccini AND Enrique should be in the side - either of them would have been a plus for any side in the PL incl Man U , Arsenal or Chelsea.

Would take a point from this game now if offered - they have far more quality than we do, esp up front. IF Carroll is fit, we stand a chance of shading it, and had Tiote also been available we would have been in with a decent shout. As it is, a point would be very welcome but it will be very tough.