AyeDubbleYoo

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.

Well we came 12th last season after being shambolic for the majority of the year, so I think the top 10 is definitely realistic. I'd be happy with 10th and building from there, as long as we do it strongly and don't scrape up there at the very end. Would basically just like to see a consistent-ish season without any sleapless nights over going down.

We can't assess a signing based on what he isn't. We should be focussing on what he is, a promising young player with some premiership exprience, in a position we're short on. The fact he isn't Deco or Arshavin is beside the point. People are talking as if the signings stop here, even if they did that woudln't mean this one was a bad one.

Pretty accurate, although I don't think many people actually believed that we lost the league because of Tino anyway.

Muamba is quality IMO, shame we couldn't have got him in.

Think the new extended bench will be good for the league next year, hopefully see some new faces getting their debuts. Also will encourage us to actually sign a decent quantity of players.

Think the Gunners will be in trouble up front unless they sign a couple of top players, I would be very surprised to see Adebayor leave unless a quality replacement is lined up. Although Arsene might just sign another couple of attacking midfielders... PS How is Diaby shaping up for the CM spot? I've got him on Pro Evo, rock in the center of the park!

Think there's more than a bit of press spin on this like UV says, the lad's obviously naive and his English isn't great - two ingredients that make him prime for these kind of quotes. I rather believe that than he really is a complete tosspot, we'll see what happens.

Not exactly the type of signings that are going to cause mass media intrusion are they? Fair point I suppose, we'll have to see what the next couple are like... but still think it looks positive so far.

And another one done on the down-low, no press until the deal's done, makes the fans nervous but very professional.

From youtube comments, good enough for me!

I've never seen him play so no idea whether he'll be the next big thing or a complete waste of space, but I'll keep faith with KK and the team until I see otherwise. Another body as well, we need those.

Arsenal won't be buying him, and neither will Spuds most probably. Despite what he's said (which is no worse than a lot of other young players from the continent when they're not in the team) I would still like to see him stay and KK give him a chance to redeem.

I don't see much evidence of that to be honest. I know I'd rather have a few years of solid rebuilding (if that's what we get) along the lines of Everton than a continued maniac rollercoaster of boom and bust. That way we might have a chance of building something sustainable that won't collapse at the slightest misfortune.