AyeDubbleYoo

Well exactly, that's what I was thinking. I guess some people think that sending a player out on loan automatically means he's up for sale.

True. He's already playing deeper than he was though, and if Ben Arfa is deployed behind a loan striker hopefully Nolan will still be able to continue his popping up in the box.

That's suitably random. Any more pointless stats?

He's a Spartan warrior man. Better than that, a Geordie Spartan warrior. Better than that, a Geordie Spartan warrior who sometimes sounds a bit Nigerian.

If he was available, and that price, I would agree. But both are very doubtful.

There's no way we'll sign enough players for Shola not to be needed next season. It just won't happen.

Ronaldo is right. Don't ever make me say this again. You can't actually believe that we'll sign 3 or 4 strikers though? Because if we don't Shola clearly has a big part to play. At the moment he's our number 1, so the pecking order would have to change a hell of a lot for him not to.

OK, I'm awake, thanks for that.

He's a better player now than when Keegan tried to get rid of him. And even if it is because of our limited options up front, he's been presented with a chance and he's taken it. I'm not saying he's a world beater, but we aren't Man Utd either. He's a capable Premier League striker now and I'd be happy for him to play a big part next season.

Fair point. We don't really have a fast counter-attack in our locker and that needs addressing. Not sure about that, the whole move unfolded in a couple of seconds quite far up the pitch after a mistake by Wolves. There was no time for many people to get forward, we did brilliantly to exploit it so incisively.

I'll always think he should have been given more of a chance. Total mystery why some players never get a look in.

Based on what though, a vague hope that he can return to his form of two years ago? I thought the consensus was that he'd been absolutely shite for Villa, as well as having a suspect heed. I agree if he could get back to his best he would be a good signing, but what basis to we have to believe it's worth the risk?

I'm just forgetting he exists, if he plays and helps us out then great, but if not I don't care. I would be highly worried if we signed him permanently after this though.

Agreed. His progress has been hampered injuries too. He was in really good form at the start of the season, before a injury once again stopped him. The away game against Arsenal was the best game I've ever seen from him. Didn't score a goal, but he worked his socks of. He had to switch between being a fifth midfielder and supporting Carroll. Also he held onto the ball so the rest of the team could move higher up. I get frustrated with the amount of stick that Shola gets, and that's not just because he's a better player than he's usually given credit for. He's always been willing - as now with the face mask - to turn out even when half-fit and put his body on the line. I suspect that's often been to his long-term cost. What's more, when he's on the pitch he never hides but is always prepared to show for the ball and try something even when things aren't going well. All this against a background of unfair criticism. Whatever you might think about his ability, there's no question IMO about his character. He always puts the team and the club before himself. If we ever win a trophy, the player who I would most like to see score the winning goal is Shola. No-one deserves it more. Agreed, I don't cringe when I see his name on the team sheet any more either. Through character and perseverance he's risen above the assorted journeymen and high-paid failures that have taken his place over the years. Would love to attend his testimonial!

If anyone gets a photo they will be a legend. He might already be in England TBF.

Rightly so! Until he actually arrived in Newcastle I absolutely couldn't believe this was happening. Still can't really believe it's true. Next season should be interesting.

I just thought of him in the Nasri/Benzema bracket, maybe because of their similar heritage, and as someone we'd never have a hope of signing.

Never mind the Arsenal game, they should release a DVD of that!

The very idea of these two on the pitch together is the most exciting thing that's happened to this club for a long time.

Definitely. And anyway, it's a good opportunity to give him a few minutes here and there if he's up to it. Great thing is we can pick and choose when to introduce him. I wouldn't bring him on to win us the game or in pressure situations mind.

That's what's been keeping me going in this 'relegation battle'... we're a million miles away from the side that went down last time. So much more about us now, the contrast couldn't be more stark.

Pards won't go back to the 352, he's realised that our team functions quite well even without the best players... as long as we don't compound the problem by messing with the system.

Boom!

We do let far too many crosses come into the box, it's the biggest weakness in our defence IMO.

Never looked anything other than hit and miss when I've seen him, inconsistant and a bit wasteful in finishing. TBF though, a lot of people seem to rate him and he is playing in a terrible team.