AyeDubbleYoo

Nah, we're talking about a hypothetical way that more people might be able to watch the match in future. Not sure what the deal with Sky would be when they opened up the possibility of showing Saturday 3pm games, I'm sure if the rights were available Sky and Setanta would throw some money at it. There might still be some for the clubs themselves to pick up though I suppose.

not seen enough of young, but he's basically a winger right? system i'm on about here the wider players wouldn't be wingers as such, has young got more to his game? Yeah he's basically a winger but he does have a lot to his game in terms of creating and scoring goals, as well as counter-attacking with pace. Basically I think we often complicate things with England, partly because we're trying to fit in the star players, and partly because everybody wants to be the playmaker. We need less players that get the ball and look to play the killer pass, and more than are content just to pass and move neatly. Everyone wants to be the star, we need one or two of those but far more tidy players.

I'm a bit concerned with Rooney as well, for club and country he's turned himself into the worker that sacrifices himself for the team. All well and good, but we've got less talented players that could do that. I worry that in a year's time we'll be talking about whether Rooney should be an automatic choice or not, which would be a shame considering his potential.

Not a bad idea, but I'm sure Sky TV has the rights to the games meaning NUFC TV can't show them?

They're probably still using staff because the swipe card system is quite new and people have loads of problems with it. At Reading when they introduced the system, they started with people on the turnstiles - then they went to a few roaming people with PDAs that covered a number of turnstiles each. They could check people's cards and help them with any problems, but it takes less staff than keeping the turnstiles manned. I reckon that's the way it'll go with us as well.

It's got to be Ashley Young on the left at this point surely. He might not be the best individual name, but he's definitely the most comfortable and effective in that role IMO.

I thought Robbie Savage was Voronin then, there's one for you.

Jeez Teed If you head over to the 'Doing the double over Sunderland' thread you'll see a number of us showing some respect to the mackems. I don't really hate them to be honest, I just think they're irrelevant. If you came on here to do a wind up job and derail what was a decent thread about our signings, you've done a good job.

Still what about some poor sod who supports Newcastle and lives 500km away? Pretty much gives clubs unlimited power over ticket price too. Well I know, I live 300 miles from SJP after being brought up about 2 miles away, so I'm learning the pain! I only get to a handful of home games now. I still think we need to make sure that putting every game on TV won't damage attendances. Nobody wants to watch an empty stadium on TV.

I get jealous of not being able to watch all the 3pm games in the UK as well, but at the same time I wouldn't want people to stop going to the games in person - the sellout crowds are so essential to the whole sport.

Well I know what you mean in a way. All I would say is that we have to remember how our previous 'success' was attained (reckless with the finances, big risks with players, a lot of expensive flops) and how fragile it was (witness the terminal decline since SBR). We must deal with the situation as we find it, which IMO means a few more sensible seasons of signings of the quality of Jonas/Colo/Guthrie at reasonable prices. Hopefully in 5 years or so we will be back to a position where we are attracting the players everyone else wants. Until then I think we're doing a pretty good job so far.

They've made some decent buys, will be more difficult than it would have been. Still think we can edge it though.

I think Gerrard actually suffers from being a one-man team for Liverpool (with Torres now obviously). He has to take on so much for his club I wonder whether it hinders him fitting into a team environment where he needs to be less of a focal point, as well as building his ego.

I want one of those

Spurs aren't 'better' than us but they have been more successful over the last couple of seasons, they're based in London and they have a well-known continental manager. IMO you've got it the wrong way round with Guthrie, we shouldn't be disappointed that we're 'content with him in the starting 11', we should be amazed with what a good signing he is and how well he fits in. Same with Colo and Jonas, yes they might not be the 'big names', but where have they got us in the past? What we need now are 100% quality, solid signings to help us build back to where we should be. I'd love a 'wow signing' (sorry) but not at the expense of good, sensible, sustainable progress.

I think he's ageing backwards as well, which might help. When he came back I thought he looked a bit old and tired, but now he's got started he looks about 10 years younger!

It does depend on how facist the particular member of staff is as well. I've had a nice woman at Oxford change my ticket for me on the day of travel when I realised I'd bought it for the following day by mistake - she should have refused and/or charged me. But then I've had a Hitler youth woman on a train from Kings X make me buy a whole new single to Newcastle after missing my original train by 30 seconds. It's in the lap of the gods whether they apply the rules or not.

Still only 22 as well. He mustn't keep up with English football if he wants to join City at this point.

Aye, I've saved 100s of quid since I went to University and then when I moved down south. I just got my last one the day before my 26th birthday in April. Might have to stop getting the train when it expires!

Thing is, KKs strength is day-to-day, motivation and team building etc. Not sure how much he'd fit into a DOF role, unless it was purely symbolic.

To be fair to Glenn, I'm glad we didn't get Kuyt now. The transfer window is always horrible, but I've got faith we'll bring in quality unless it's totally impossible. Even if we fail I won't be blaming the club. The signings so far have been excellent, so can't complain really...

I'd go along with that as the best option.

Home made I'm afraid, from "I believe in Harvey Dent" poster from the Dark Knight.

So he'll be here for a few years yet...

At least we know tactics aren't going to be an issue this season.