AyeDubbleYoo

That's the crux of this entire thing for me, it's just silly. Also, this is possibly the one time the club should be saying something. The speculation is unbelievable. I agree Dave, but I don't think it can really be called a farce yet, I mean it's only a couple of days since Sam left... even if Mort knew who he was appointing negotiations would still be going on now.

So true, I've been listening to a particular load of toss from TalkSport the last couple of nights... every London broadcaster with an IQ of 17 seems to have a deep insight into the thinking of Newcastle fans. Funny how they talk about us for hours on end only to conclude we aren't worth talking about.

Yes, I think so... I can think of so many reasons why Harry would stick where he is, and only money why he would come here.

I don't really agree that any of those things could have happened 'only at newcastle', I mean Man Utd won the champs league in the last minute... I'm sure every club's fans have stories like those. I was one of the people who said "Newcastle fan's don't need attractive football, we just want success"... but I'm changing my mind about that one. Although Sam didn't deliver either, so we don't really know the answer. I do know what you mean about the feeling that we are a special club, but the head says that every big club probably thinks the same...

Hopefully Sam's decent signings will be fine, and the shit ones will be out the door. It will be a good test of the new manager whether or not he buys into 'all our problems are down to the defence' myth...

Ashton would be an incredible signing if unlikely. Let's have him and Diarra though eh?

Arshavin? Seems to have gone quiet on that front To be honest I've only seen him in the England game, which I think is the same for most people in England! Can't really comment. I think Zog could do a job, but he'll likely be called on often to fill in on the left and at left back, so not sure he can be the answer.

He's better than what we have, though, isn't he? And surely we need to buy better players if and when they become available? The key with him is he's dynamic and mobile, attributes that quality defensive midefielders need in the prem. Will benefit from working alongside Butt for a while and eventually replacing him completely.

Thats it If we pull off the Diarra move he will be it, but the other one of the pair is harder to think of. Maybe Sam has Nolan in mind for the other MF spot. I remember thinking Nolan looked OK a few seasons back, hasn't done much since. Not the answer for me. Not sure about him either... would love someone like Xavi Alonso (I know that's not going to happen). If the other midfielder was a 'string puller' in the mould of Alonso or even Carrick it would put serious responsibilty onto the wide men to provide attacking threat. We would need a more threatening right midfielder.

Thats it If we pull off the Diarra move he will be it, but the other one of the pair is harder to think of. Maybe Sam has Nolan in mind for the other MF spot.

I agree, I think most if not all of our signings looked decent on paper (although Smith seemed expensive and not required). The trick is for Sam to put them together properly and get them playing. I hope Sam is buying Diarra to play the more defensive CM role and will also buy a proper right-sider in this window. If that happens we will have some decent balance. We still need a couple of options for dangerous attacking midfielders but I reckon Zog could fulfil that role for now.

The longevity of that catchphrase is amazing like... people using it who were probably about 3 when the show was on!

Woop! Let's hope we pull it off.

A lot better than £8m...

Absolutely correct. The media are thoroughly enjoying the mess Sam has made - and trying to slag us off even before he's sacked to try and stop it happening - they just love to see us struggle, and Sams the man to keep it happening ! But the media will always have a go anyway... if we sack Sam now it will be stories about how short-sighted Newcastle changed their manager yet again at the wrong time in the season etc etc. If we make decisions based on the Fleet Street reaction we'll be fooked.

As much as I hate the arrogant and presumptious tone of that article, I can't help but agree that our managers' jobs will be always be more difficult and pressured until we get the Shearer era 'out of our system'. Either that or the press could stop talking bollocks about it and we could forget about the whole thing...

Really disappointed with those quotes, if they are accurate. It's becoming harder and harder to defend Sam's approach at the moment...

This quote is the mark of a really great manager; not one who has 'their style', but one who has the ability to assess any squad of players and select the personnel and formation/tactics to get the best out of them.

Wasn't it what Jennifer Lopez was rumoured to have had?

Have a heart Mr Al Fayed, it's christmas! :icon_santa:

I was thinking exactly that before I clicked on this thread! He needs to button it, the challenge was ludicrous.

Quality on Pro Evo Quality at Pro Evo?

Fair enough, but it would be a quiet board if nobody replied to anything, ya bastards!

Should we have the 'big club' debate now as well?