AyeDubbleYoo

Nah, I think you've been fair Dave. It's more the prospect of the players leaving that's scary, and the people posting about it as if it's fact is the annoying thing. Probably because we all know there's no way we can say it won't happen. I would be gutted to lose Enrique (less so Barton) but until it happens I'll try not to worry about it too much.

Last thing we want to do is disrupt the team at the moment, especially not the back 4. Enrique is untouchable as far as I'm concerned, and not just because we've got no other LBs! To drop him over these minor quotes would be insane, and won't happen.

I haven't watched Xavi throughout his whole career, but I accept he's probably the best midfielder in the world at the moment. But Wilshere outclassed everyone last night, and he's only about 13. The guy's potential is frightening. Whether he'll be as good as Xavi or not it's impossible to tell, but from what I've seen of him he's got the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world. New level of respect for him after last night.

We should keep him until the end of his contract IMO, and hope that in that time we manage to improve enough that he wants to stay on. Say the alternative was to sell him in the summer for £8m, I would much rather write that money off and take the risk. His performances haven't dropped at all, he's been immense in nearly every game.

A bit of looking on the bright side, since that's the point of this thread: We have the most honest, hard working, down-to-earth 'group of lads' that we've had for years. Gone are (most) of the overpaid and useless wasters that dragged the club to the point of financial meltdown. We got relegated, but we bounced back instantly and with great pride. This season is already surpassing expectations, we could be looking at a top 10 finish, which would be an outstanding achievement in our first season back in the top flight. Everything didn't fall apart when Hughton was fired, Pardew has settled in well and is making all the right noises. We're on the back of a solid run of results, which could have been even better had it not been for a couple of late goals. And this is without Andy Carroll, the supposedly-irreplaceable talisman. Danny Simpson is looking the Man Utd academy product he is. Colocinni looks one of the league's best centre backs, and Mike Williamson has slotted in alongside him nicely. Enrique will probably become the best LB in the league, let's hope it's for NUFC. We have two excellent young goalkeepers ready to make the step up, waiting behind one of England's most underrated stoppers of the last 15 years. We have Tiote, a man monster in central midfield, a player who came out of nowhere and transformed our play in a way I can't remember a signing doing for years. On the way back we have Ben Arfa, one of Europe's most talented and creative young attackers. Even Leon Best is showing that he can get goals for us - let's not forget he's only 24. Joey Barton seems to have put his past behind him and has produced some excellent performances this season. We have an extra £35m in the coffers.

When God (Tiote) and his son Jesus (HBA) start to play together again, Enrique will become one of the latter's apostles, praying tens of holy Ben Arfas each night before he goes to bed, praising God that he's allowed to play with a footballer of such magnitude.. I think seeing Ben Arfa and Tiote on the pitch together is actually more exciting than the second coming of the messiah.

I tend to agree Punk, Shepherd undoubtedly had 'ambition', but he risked the future of the club and still didn't achieve lasting success. Ashley has made fucking awful errors, and probably will again, but fortunately those haven't affected us that badly on the pitch. In the meantime the club is being put on a much sounder footing. Clearly Ashley's first concern is to look after the finances for a while, any 'ambition' or lack of it has to be understood in that context. I think he would like success and progress, but only if it is achievable within his restrained financial plan.

If we're in the Premier League and around mid table, we'll always get 50k IMO. Our reputation in the world might decline, but our fans have already proved they will put up with anything.

Ian and Semtex well done you two guys are not fickle... I am fickle like, after Hughton I was saying I hated football and I wouldn't follow it the same, then again after the Carroll sale. But here I am, the same as always!

Well outside of those ones! He'll be the best in a few years then.

Interesting point, not sure the Spain thing is even that important for him yet. They have an amazing squad and he's still young. I guess trophies with his club side might be more the issue, for some reason every decent footballer seems to believe they should be playing for a top 4 team. N'Zogbia and Bernard have both recently proved that that doesn't always happen. Not saying Enrique will be like them obviously, he's clearly the best LB outside Chelsea.

I see Van Aanholt as more of a winger than a left back at the moment. Saying that, A. Cole matured defensively at Chelsea, and he still maintains his attacking threat. Could be a future like that for him, he is more than comfortable in possession. We really need someone prepared to play backup to Enrique.

Couldn't have said it better. He's just saying what most people would rather deny. I think most people have admitted he's technically correct, the issue is more whether he should be saying it to the media. Almost as 'insensitive' as Nolan's comments re: Carroll and Liverpool. Not sure I follow you. Did you not hear what Nolan said to LFC Tv or whatever it's called? Yes, and I thought it was wrong. What I was wondering is what it has to do with Barton?

FFS, have we not moved beyond bollocks like this yet?

Even if we spend the whole Carroll fee and more on players, say about £40m, that still probably wouldn't deliver European football for a couple of seasons. If Jose is set on that then he'll obviously leave, and there's nothing the club can do to stop it.

Couldn't have said it better. He's just saying what most people would rather deny. I think most people have admitted he's technically correct, the issue is more whether he should be saying it to the media. Almost as 'insensitive' as Nolan's comments re: Carroll and Liverpool. Not sure I follow you.

I wish I was bored by it, but sadly it depresses me. You guys are talking about all hypothetical terms..... we can not think in that and assume like that.....Let see what happen first then we will start discussing..... I know, it's the fact that people are posting as if they know for a fact which is annoying.

I wish I was bored by it, but sadly it depresses me.

Couldn't have said it better. He's just saying what most people would rather deny. I think most people have admitted he's technically correct, the issue is more whether he should be saying it to the media.

It's not clear but it scarcely matters. He has team-mates like Williamson, Simpson, Tiote and Best who were bought for low fees and earn less than him. Whether or not they're as good as him, they've given their best and have each made their contributions. Barton has consistently let the club, his team mates and the fans down by his behaviour on and off the pitch. As a result, we haven't had a particularly good return from all the money that we've invested in him over the last three years. Who the hell is he to be delivering lectures to the owner about how he should spend the club's money? Have to say I agree with this. While I agree with Barton that the club should be spending a bit more, he's a highly-privileged employee who has been cut more slack by his employers than could reasonably be expected. He's only just starting to earn his wages, I would hope he would keep these sorts of comments in house.

Ben Arfa didn't just randomly decide to fly to Newcastle though, did he? Can't believe he just stuck a pin in the map and tried to sign for whatever club he hit. We must have contacted the relevant people and made an approach.

I fear that might happen. Did Konchesky play for Pardew at West Ham? Please let this not happen.

I would do this too, if we qualify for the Europa League or generally look like a better team in that time, he might decide to stay. Not that it will ever happen in real life, the club will be too concerned with getting maximum value for him if he wants out.

The content of that article doesn't justify the headline at all.