AyeDubbleYoo

I don't really understand 'where we are now', as the question is about a finishing position and we haven't finished a season. In fact, last time we finished a Premier League season we did get relegated. Edit: If you mean the feeling around the club would be worse than it is now, then I think you're probably right.

Well our targets might be different next season. This year, newly promoted, we need to ensure we stay up and anything else is a bonus. I see what the question is driving at though, it would be great to do more than survive this season so that we can push on again. I honestly think the way this club is, that if we finished 17th we would be in a worse scenario than we are now. CH may have been fired, or walked. Would Enrique or Colo be happy with our lack of progress since they joined or would they finaly start to get a little bit sick? Would HBA still be a keen as he is now? Thats how I see it anyway, I don't realy see 17th as just "staying up", it is staying up but in the worst way possible. Do you mean it would be worse than going down?

But how do you know whether a deal was on the table? Anyone could say anything about what was or wasn't agreed... the only certain thing is whether it was completed and submitted in time for the transfer deadline. It lasts for weeks FFS, there should be no excuses for failing to complete in time. Everyone knows the position.

Why is it there then?

Well if they got the paperwork in in time then it should be allowed. If they didn't, it shouldn't. Otherwise there's no point in a deadline.

Well our targets might be different next season. This year, newly promoted, we need to ensure we stay up and anything else is a bonus. I see what the question is driving at though, it would be great to do more than survive this season so that we can push on again.

Aye, he does! I don't speak much, but most of the managers seem to have good things to say about him, if he can sort out his attitude.

Same, there's very little chance this really deserves special dispensation. What, were all of the computers and fax machines in White Hart Lane broken or something? Or can Harry just not work one?

As recently as last season I had major doubts about Carroll, and whether he would just be another Shola who had potential to be decent but never improved. But he looks a lot more mobile and hungry this season, and (fingers crossed) he looks a proper player. The fact he's a fellow Gatesheadite is just a bonus. Just don't get injured Andy, please.

Well no, but it would be better than going down. Thus you've just restated the original question really.

My girlfriend prefers Jonas. :-[

I think he was being sarcastic. I hope so anyway...

This is basically my view, I'm completely mystified that any fans expect the club to release financial details mid-way through a year. The press and the world at large will make up their own minds anyway, let's just keep our heads down and get on with the job. Lest we forget, the club get hammered every time they release one of their statements anyway.

I doubt any club is going to explicitly spell out to the media and fans where the money is coming from precisely. It's a ridiculous expectation... the press know nowt and are just speculating. If you want financial details, wait for the accounts.

Obviously I would take it if I could guarantee survival, but we can and should be looking higher with the players we've got now. I think Hughton will be wise enough to avoid any talk of targets or satisfactory finishes. He's been a master so far of every-game-as-it-comes, getting the team up for each week and taking victory and defeat in their stride. As I said before, main thing for the fans is just not to be shitting it for the last couple of months!

If Bent gets injured then the mackems could struggle, although Gyan might turn out to be good. West Ham look awful, them with Blackpool and maybe Wigan. It's competitive throughout the league now though, it's pretty tough to predict at this point.

I'm happy with squad, we've done as much as reasonably could be expected in the transfer window. Much more probably! Carroll's replacement is a worry, but from a management point of view we actually have a lot of strikers on the books. I can see why we wouldn't be able to sign another one at the moment. Overall, well equipped for the season and very excited to see Ben Arfa and Tiote.

Really really want to go to this, but I don't have the cash to travel up from London for the third weekend in four. We should be getting a win really, would be nice to see the new boys come off the bench and get some good minutes.

Guthrie's a munter TBH, very sweaty close up as well. Carroll's got to be the best though, surely. With his might-not-be-from-Gateshead looks?

Keanes for everyone!

I wouldn't be writing off Guthrie just yet, he showed some good things last season. As the season develops we might see Hughton become more adventurous with the midfield. Might been Nolan sometimes dropping out for Ben Arfa, and Barton or Smith making way for Guthrie.

When it shuts at 6? Oh.

They should really call it "transfer deadline three hours between 9pm and midnight".

As much as I don't rate Shola, I wouldn't want to see him consigned to such a terrible fate.