AyeDubbleYoo

If there's one thing that every single football manager, player, chairman and media person talks shit about on a regular basis, it's transfer deals. I don't see why Pardew is treated as so much worse than them.

Me. If that was the 'policy' we would have signed Reo Coker rather than Cabaye. We'll be looking at a young player from the UK or abroad, not a past it player on inflated wages (for their ability) Who is talking about 'policy'? Either will be a cheap alternative, nothing more. As for NRC over Cabaye, we got Cabaye on a great deal and even a poor time here will have little difficulty selling him whereas NRC is f***ing s**** and will be another Smith-like deadweight. Exactly, which is why they would go for a similar exampe for a left back and not one of Shorey etc You made the stupid NRC/Cabaye link not the club, they signed a French Int for a great deal early doors because it was a fantastic deal nowt else. No reason to say they wont go for a cheap option like Shorey tbh No the point is, if all MA is interested in is briniging in players as cheaply a possible we would have gone down the NRC route, the fact(?) is that the club have looked to exploit contracts to bring in younger players, which is what I think they will do with a left back (if one is bought and not 'promoted') Yeah, we're definitely not just looking for any cheap players. We're just not signing players unless they're also quite cheap. Still think we might end up with a stop-gap player on loan at LB, but that will be out of necessity rather than because it fits into our policy.

Neither of Sky Sports or BBC websites are reporting this yet.

The decline of Dave has been one of the saddest things about Mike Ashley's reign TBH.

Ridiculous. Seriously Ian, this is getting pathetic. Can you please jog on? At the same time as saying this I'm in the Enrique thread criticising the club if they don't get a replacement, and in this thread I've qualified it by saying I admit the squad could be better. I just think we have bigger priorities than another midfielder, although one would be nice. There's absolutely no need to be such a dick about it man.

Really? We won't need to replace one of our best players? Getting yourself set for this one good and early, mate. Sometimes you "need a replacement", like in the case of Enrique. Sometimes you would like someone in that position to give more depth. What if we'd got rid of Barton and then signed Cabaye, Marveaux and Abeid? Seems more about timing to me. Who's our RW then? Routledge - off Barton - imminent Leaves us with Raylor. Someone will say Guti just because he's right footed. Truth is, he plays on the left for a reason. Still, if you think the sqaud is fine i guess we'll wait and see if you're right. I never said the squad was "fine". I know we lack options on the right, I've said before that I think we shouldn't have let Routledge go. You pre-dismissed the suggestion that Gutierrez will play there, so I guess I shouldn't say that.

Both fair posts, on the other hand we have also Ben Arfa and Gosling who didn't play last season. I would like us to sign a midfielder, but even with Barton going out we have much, much bigger priorities.

Yep, the big factor about the Enrique sale is that we've known it was happening for ages. If we don't have alternatives lined up then it really is terrible management.

Really? We won't need to replace one of our best players? Getting yourself set for this one good and early, mate. Sometimes you "need a replacement", like in the case of Enrique. Sometimes you would like someone in that position to give more depth. What if we'd got rid of Barton and then signed Cabaye, Marveaux and Abeid? Seems more about timing to me.

We've already signed three midfielders though, I don't think we should slam the club for not "replacing" Barton. Everyone who leaves doesn't have to be followed immediately by someone coming in to "replace" them.

League spelt incorrectly? Unless that's the Swedish way and then I'm lost too. Oh yeah.

Why is that scarf funny?

Liverpool are a bit of a mess, but they are backing their manager. I guess Dalglish is of a stature where no other option is possible.

If we get to the start of the season with the players we have now, Bridge on loan will start to look like an essential purchase.

Don't think either of us know TBF. I just guess that every manager has to work within the restrictions imposed by the club/owner. I still don't believe that Pardew has no influence over transfers, there is just a limited amount he can spend on new players and some big outgoing deals that he can't stop.

12m for Milner. Great business sense. 14m lost on Milner (to be worth 26m) + 30m lost from relegation + at least 10m lost from crowds, sponsorship and merchandising = Clueless football business sense. It's all just a little bit of history repeating. Pretty simplistic, and very hindsight-tastic.

Even I'm surprised about the low level of spending really, although that statement should be saved for the end of the window. I never expected Ashley to spend all of the Carroll money on transfer fees this summer, and I agree with him that our financial situation means we need to be restrained, but even so I thought outgoing fees of about £15m would be acceptable. If we end up bringing in only cheap contracts and free transfers even I'll de disappointed.

Not really, it depends on the buyer and the deal. True if we get a shit owner who borrows against the club to buy us, but not if we get someone who can afford to buy us outright and pay Ashley back themselves. I think only the second type of buyer would be interested anyway, as the first type would never get their money back and the bank would be reluctant to back them.

This could be easier said than done given that the reputation of Mike Ashley's Newcastle United is probably getting worse by the hour. Possibly, TBF though everyone I've spoken to about the Barton situation just thinks the player is being a twat. I've not found anyone yet who blames the club. Obviously they aren't NUFC fans and aren't as close to it as us, but I think in the wider world the Barton thing won't affect us that much.

You do realise that one of the pillars of his business plan is that no matter what s*** he serves up, the fans keep on turning up season after season? Why do you think they did the 10-year season ticket? Altruism? Fine, boycott. Guaranteed it doesn't do anything. None of it will, petitions, marches, nasty chants, media coverage etc will not change his mind whatsoever. To say otherwise is foolish. Not that it matters as the overwhelming majority will be buying his pints and pies again in two weeks while convincing themselves singing 'Get out of our club' a few times will work wonders. This isnt a dig at the likes of U4N who to their credit will try(and fail sadly) to do something but Mike Ashley doesnt give two squirts of piss what we say or do while he gets our money in. He hasnt had a penny from me since the KK fiasco and despite my personal circumstances being sorted out to afford to renew in the past few weeks i wont be doing so. Its hard enough watching what is going on to NUFC without helping to fund it. #fairweatherfan Sad that you feel you can't go to games Roger. As much as the situation off the pitch is pretty shite, it's a shame when it spoils the enjoyment of a Saturday as well. Or Tuesday, Sunday or whenever the fuck football is played these days.

He's far better than Shola, Ranger and probably Best as well IMO. It's a risk, but in a couple of years we could be looking at a top player.

This is really the first big sale we've made recently where a direct "replacement" is immediately necessary. Even with Carroll we had numbers up front, and if Barton goes we've already bought midfielders. I just hope Ashley proves everyone wrong by going out and getting a decent LB. It would be stupid to do anything else.

True, all I would say is that most modern managers (bar the super-managers like Fergie etc) fall into this category to some extent. It just seems worse with Pardew because his owner is such a nob.

It's a bit like Ashley's mythical PR machine and control of the media. All he does is use this power and control to make everyone hate him - not the traditional approach to public relations.

I said hopefully! I know we didn't replace Carroll, but I think because this departure has been on the cards for ages we must have at least identified some players. Even we can't start the season with no left backs in the squad.