AyeDubbleYoo

It didn't live within its means under Keegan and Robson though, did it? I'm not blaming them personally, but they were part of the regime that overspent enough to put us in financial trouble now. At the end of the 15 years of the old board, disregarding the stadium expansion, the size of the debt due to this "overspending" was around £25m which for a club constantly in the top 20 highest revenue generating clubs in the world is an absolute pittance. To put it in perspective, that's less than the TV revenue alone which was lost due to relegation, or less than drops in non-TV revenue in the last 3 years due to reduced sponsorship, merchandising and ticket sales, or about half of the net profit generated on player sales since Ashley bought the club. Ashley's got the club back on a sound financial footing though by doubling the debt while reducing the squad to a threadbare state so everything's great, lets carry on with more cuts, that'll take us to the next level (down). Give me the kind of "overspending" we did under Keegan and Robson to buy the likes of Shearer, Bellamy & Robert over the idea we need to get rid of Barton so we can bring in 2 more Guthries any day. It's difficult to discuss this when you've simplified my position to a ridiculous degree and assumed things I never said, but anyway. While we were successful and getting in the Champions League we could afford to continue to spend like we were. And the economy also meant that cheap credit was more available. But the decline of this club came before the spending cuts, not because of them. We're only having to trim the spending now because of things that were set in motion back then. If Mike Ashley had inherited a club who were fine financially and succeeding on the pitch, I'm sure he would have been more than happy to let it continue as it was.

Is this all just a cunning plan to force us to play Campbell at CB? I'm not down with it if it is.

I specifically said I didn't blame them personally, but they worked under the Shepherd regime that managed the finances quite badly.

Because he's played CDM for Depor and Argentina. I think he'd be excellent there, so long as we had two CBs of his standard ... which we don't. I didn't know that, must admit. Anyway, still don't think it will or should happen.

Moving Colo into midfield is one of those things that fans will constantly talk about but in reality is never ever going to happen. Baffles me why it's even mentioned.

Come on man, look at the injury problems we've had over the years. Must be a problem inherent within the club. We also signed a lot of old players and crocks.

Would like to see him actually play.

It didn't live within its means under Keegan and Robson though, did it? I'm not blaming them personally, but they were part of the regime that overspent enough to put us in financial trouble now.

His desire to sell Alonso to fund a move for Barry showed how daft he was. Still one of the most inexplicable decisions in football. The only bonus for Liverpool was that they didn't actually get Barry.

Because thinking we'll get relegated this season just isn't negative enough anymore. Surely if we survive this season we've got a great chance of pushing on next year? With Ben Arfa fit, a couple of decent new signings, we'll be alreet. Although I'm not so sure about the season after next.... eek!

Nobody in authority wants to be the person that signs this off and another disaster happens, I guess that's the problem. It's quite easy to stick to the status quo.

Didn't Carroll only score 1 goal from a Barton cross in open play? I'm sure someone posted that on here.

I wouldn't have a problem with Barton starting most games on the right, I'd just like another option for certain games or as a substitute. Maybe Lua Lua could provide something, although I wouldn't want him to be shunted out wide if that isn't his true position. Seems like Routledge is on his way out so that debate is pointless.

Fair point Ron, although I think Solano was pretty mobile. At least in his earlier seasons.

It isn't 'all' about delivery though, is it. Delivery is part of it... but so is pace, movement and attacking threat. There's more than one type of successful wide player.

Barton has neither the presence nor close control to play CM. He's ten times the player in RM. Not sure I agree that his time as a CM is over. We weren't even talking about him playing wide a few months ago.

He was a fantastic player. Imo he's better then Messi. Best player of my lifetime. His touch and awareness was superhuman, even now I watch footage and I can't believe what I'm seeing. I don't think I ever saw him give the ball away.

I was discussing things based on a pay cut that was too big to accept, not a demand for a rise. It's all theoretical as nobody has a clue what's really going on, do they?

I'd definitely have Wilshere mind.

Other than the top 5 of United,Arsenal,Chelsea,City and Spurs,Barton would walk into most teams in the league,he won't be short of offers and if Newcastle are not willing to pay his £60k a week wages you can be sure someone else will,asking arguably your best player of the season to take a big wage drop is not the way to go about keeping him. True, but that's not really the point is it? Obviously we could keep anyone if we just paid them what they asked for... we've had years of doing just about exactly that. The financial health of the club also has to be taken into account. I want to keep Barton, but I wouldn't break the bank to do it.

Yes. Yes you are.

Ancelotti may walk away. Possibly, he is obviously having players and decisions forced on him from above. Torres just the biggest and most bizarre example.

FWIW I think our central midfield has been our biggest problem for years. Being a defender at NUFC over the last decade has been a bit like fighting in the front line at Rorke's Drift. Look how much we improved when Tiote came in, he solved a problem we'd had for many years. If we could get someone as athletic and mobile alongside him it would improve the team massively. Whether it's a priority at the moment or not I've no idea, and I don't know to what extent the injured trinity might help either, but it would definitely be an improvement to the team's overall play.

Wow, I agree with you both. That must mean you agree with each other really!

I think the players we have returning, Ben Arfa and Gosling, along with the possible debut of Ireland, will have a big impact on whether we sign an attacking midfielder. I agree with Flatline about Nolan's limitations, and it would be great to have a more dynamic player in that position, but I get the feeling we think we might already have enough options there.