AyeDubbleYoo

I'm with you, but for some reason people are freaking out because there's been a lull in our activity. I really think if we'd signed the players we had more recently, spaced them out more or spent more on them, people would be loving our transfer dealings so far. It's not that in my case, I am pretty happy with how we have acted quickly so far, the reason I'm now moving into a more cynical frame of mind is that for whatever reason our search for a striker doesn't seem as urgent since the Gameiro knock back. The Erdinc deal has stalled supposedly due to a dispute with his agent despite the fact we've been publicly shouting how much of the Carroll fee has gone to paying agents of other players we've signed this summer. We've cooled our interest in Long according to the journos and according to the same sources we are not interested in anyone else. It seems a fair conclusion to draw that we may well not get another striker if that's close to the truth. So many ifs, buts and assumptions in that though, it's almost farcical. If they don't sign another striker then they'll deserve a bit of criticism, but they don't deserve any yet IMO.

Seems a bit steep for me, don't understand it given the place will be half full. Charge a tenner or something and give people a fighting chance.

Moving to east London would be an immense mistake, surely.

I think the Chronicle is planning a special on an itemised list of spending on the training ground, with a proportion of THE CARROLL MONEY allocated against each thing. Just so fans know they aren't being ripped off. I think we spent some of THE CARROLL MONEY on some new carpets at SJP as well, details to follow.

Well we aren't trying hard enough, simple as that. If we cannot land Erdinc and such then go lower, even if what we bring in is someone on par with Best for a couple of million it will be better than going into the season with nobody. Simply put, Shola Ameobi or Peter Lovenkrands SHOULD NOT be starting games next season, and theres absolutely no reason that they should be. And we may play 4-5-1, but I doubt we will/could play it all season. How can you say we aren't trying hard enough? We've made a good number of signings and there's still plenty of time left in the window.

Well, you and I are a very long way apart in terms of satisfaction if that's the eventual outcome. So if we sign Ba and another striker, you still won't be satisfied? How many strikers were you expecting us to buy this summer? No, Dresden said if we didn't sign another striker he would be ok with that. That means he's ok with swapping Carroll for Ba. That's not good enough for me like. Ah sorry, misread it. I would definitely want another striker in, but I still think with Ben Arfa, Marveaux and Ba we are a better attacking side than before. All the signs suggest we are looking for another forward IMO.

Well, you and I are a very long way apart in terms of satisfaction if that's the eventual outcome. So if we sign Ba and another striker, you still won't be satisfied? How many strikers were you expecting us to buy this summer?

I'm with you, but for some reason people are freaking out because there's been a lull in our activity. I really think if we'd signed the players we had more recently, spaced them out more or spent more on them, people would be loving our transfer dealings so far.

Would agree 100%. All the good work done this summer in terms of signings will be undone in one foul swoop if Ameobi is to be given a new contract never mind appear in the first team. He is the prime example of why this club has been where it is for so long. You get one half decent performance in every dozen or so games and that is it. Disgrace to the jersey in terms of effort. He is bit of a comic figure with our support but believe me he is an absolute joke in the eyes of anyone who knows anything about the game. That's madness.

If anyone genuinely expects Shola to never start a game for us again is living in fantasy land. Of course he will.

Barton said on twitter that he thought Colo was a brilliant lad, good choice for captain and he'd support him all the way.

Totally agree, don't see the point in selling him right now. Unless he's beyond help in the attitude department, which I think at his age is too soon to judge. We'll see.

We don't know that he isn't being loaned out yet. As far as I know.

Exactly, fitness-permitting we may as well give the youngsters a chance as backup. Assuming we won't buy a top centre half of course.

Did it? Why then did this come out a fortnight ago? http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/06/26/stephen-ireland-is-back-on-the-radar-of-alan-pardew-79310-28942398/ Had no idea those quotes existed, I just didn't think Ireland fitted in with our other signings, and he hadn't done enough to prove himself. I stand corrected.

Maybe they'll agree to pay the agent and signing on fees, as now our cards have been marked we all know how much they can be. Otherwise, there's another £5m out of the Carroll pot gone.

What did he actually say on SSN? FWIW it quickly became apparent that we weren't going to be looking into him again, would be bizarre along with signings we've made.

ok, can i just come out and say that's JULY and now we're stepping up our striker search all these mopes thinking we're gonna spend much of the 35m better start rethinking...we got 3 players for 5m, mike's wet dream tbh, why spend the rest For. Fuck's. Sake.

Dyer wasn't a SBR signing. It's incredible how often that mistake is made on here. Ruud?

Brett, I think you're slightly missing the point that players can be held to their contracts if the club wishes. Just like they can't suddenly be sacked when the club fancies it.

Well I could go through all of those and discuss them, but I'd say apart from Barton (if he even is) Routledge is our only dedicated right-sided player. I see what you're saying though, we probably won't miss him that much.

for god's sake alan, BUY N'ZOGBIA AND SELL SMITH! He's also learned that Danny Guthrie isn't as good as Luca Modric. Insightful stuff.

Showing a distinct lack of ambition there Ian. Well actually I did think that as I posted it, I guess if the club really do think we will finish roundabout a Europa league spot then he is someone we should be upgrading. It just doesn't seem like we have that many options for the right.

Does that make sense?