AyeDubbleYoo

I voted Contented, mainly because this is what I was expecting. In fact the fact we've got two bodies in midfield already could be considered ahead of schedule. We could do with some more quantity and quality, but the market hasn't really taken off yet, so no need for a change of underpants.

I don't even know what a three legged monkey toad is, and I want one.

On the other hand, we should have already bought Arshavin, Modric wanted to sign but we didn't stump up the money, we fucked up with Aimar and forced him to go to Benfica etc etc. It's not perfect so far I know, but it's not a disaster.

Speculating wildly hasn't exactly brought us an avalanche of trophies recently though has it? Things will pick up, but to judge the club because they don't live up to press speculation is idiotic.

I hope not.

Finally we might realised that 'linked to' means 'the press made this up'.

Jesus wept, you couldn't write it...

Boro linked with James Harper from Reading on Sky Sports website, would be a good replacement for Boateng IMO.

Don't think many people are complaining about the article (I specifically said it was alright), just the pointless nature of the whole 'big club' debate.

If I was Ronaldo I would hang around and dominate the premiership for another season, why not?

Not a bad article, but like everyone says there's a million ways to debate this 'who is biggest' issue - all of them pointless.

Huh? Was he ever strong or conditioned?

I'd be surprised if anything as absolute as a specific age limit is imposed on our dealings. Yes, the focus will be on younger players but that doesn't rule out the signing of one or two more experienced players to bring some quality to the team for now. I'd be cautiously happy with Aimar, like you say he's been one of the best creative midfielders in the world on his day. With De Jong as well I'd be well chuffed.

Not the end of the world, just no need to be letting go of the future Dutch No1 at this stage, especially not to fucking Chelsea.

Hands off our Tim, he's unbelievable.

Love to see it but no reason to think it's true yet. Would be good to know we're going after people who know how to pass a football along the ground, to one of their team mates, even going forward sometimes.

I can't think of many to be honest, loads that I didn't rate but none that I really disliked. I used to get frustrated with people like Andersson and the rest of the non-contributors. Went through an intense Carr hating period, as most people did, but that died down when he stopped getting a game.

Everything's been said really, firstly this is probably bollocks - I don't believe the Mail has the inside line on what everyone is paid or will be paid. It seems a few years ago the fun figure was to say players were all on 60k, then 80k and now the magical 110. They haven't got a clue is my best guess, and they're operating on rumours and guesswork like we are... only difference is they have a paper to fill. If any of it is true then I admire the club for trying to cut costs, but I would have thought this would be done over time by bringing in players on lesser wages rather than taking risks with our key goalscorer. But fair play to them if they've decided this is the long term strategy, everyone will have to come into line or move on, Owen included (although I would hate to see that happen).

Well aye, but when there's nothing happening there's nothing happening.

Aye, just when you come out of the entrance onto L7, wheezing and near death, especially the evening games with the floodlights - never forget the first time I saw that. Literally can't wait to be able to get back up and go to every game. The fact that the ground is bang in the middle of the city, and you can see it from everywhere. The way it's the most important thing in everyone's life for a few months. How everyone wants to comment when they find out you're a toon fan, we're a comedy club etc. Everytime they mention us it means we're in their thoughts. How Man Utd fans and southerners slag off Shearer for joining us, and how everyone got on Owen's back too, same reason, pure jealousy that this also-ran northern club could dare to sign one of the world's best. Could go on...

My rule is, until the bloke is standing on the steps of SJP holding up his shirt I don't believe it. Seems to work alright So you don't believe the Guthrie or Guttierez transfers yet? You know what I mean! To clarify, a club statement of the signing will do, through official channels

My rule is, until the bloke is standing on the steps of SJP holding up his shirt I don't believe it. Seems to work alright

Cole I was at school I think and a teacher told us, then we got the radio on hear it confirmed. Was gutted I admit. Was on holiday in Scotland when shearer signed, my Dad faxed the back page of the paper to the hotel, didn't believe it was true until I heard it on the telly. Remember that day really well, great stuff!

To be fair I think he's rated a lot more highly now than he was at the time.

I suppose it is, but you can only deal with the situation as you find it. Better to be climbing up year on year from the lower position than plummeting towards the bottom like we were doing.