Wallace

From today's Chronicle: "Pardew is hoping that Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote and possibly Tim Krul – linked with a move to Barcelona yesterday by the London media – are back after the visit of Norwich City with games against Man United in the League Cup and a trip to Reading to come hot on the heels of this week’s packed fixture list."

I think Fergie will play most of his youngsters as well by the sounds of it. Their youngsters have given ours some serious beatings down there in recent years at Academy and Reserve level and their fringe players are better and more experienced than ours. If we play kids, we will get battered. Surely to develop the youngsters, it is better for them to play with experienced players and not a load of other inexperienced kids.

Well I am sure other clubs would know the clause was still valid for the January transfer window - his agents would see to that. Pardew has just alerted the supporters and the media. They were already speculating on Talksport where he could move to - obviously Liverpool were the favourites!! However, they never mention the bigger picture and that it will actually be an expensive transfer because of the insurance issues, wage demands, agents fees etc and not the bargain one that is always implied. Could just do without the speculation for the next few months.

Well I would be one of those affected as I will have enough points. I was told when booking that they would not deduct the money for the trip until it was confirmed and so far I have not paid anything so I don't think anyone will be waiting for refunds if it is cancelled. Fans have no choice but to book their travel and accommodation as soon as dates are announced because the prices go up by so much. Maybe when the draw is made they should not confirm dates until the ticket allocation has also been sorted between the clubs because then at least fans will know where they stand from the start.

Pretty sure that Pardew has already said that Cabaye won't be travelling.

Finished 2-2

I guess this means that we are now to have a constant stream of rumours about clubs interested in Ba until the transfer window opens.

When he wasn't playing last season, I was getting frustrated because I felt that we were being denied some potential special memories of him as an NUFC player. If he goes so be it but at least we are getting to see what he is capable of now and will have some special moments to cherish.

He might play Perch in midfield with Williamson in defence. I think he might keep Bigi back for the Europa game. Don't expect much from this game but agree there is always hope with Ben Arfa on the pitch.

9m Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton Will chuck in the flights, a signed shirt and some accommodation as well. Obviously, not in my house but it'll be a superb prize to win... 18m Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton Gonna offer 2 tickets to Marseille v PSG 'le classique' tonight at some stage using my Facebook page.

I see Everton are trying to make it into some sort of grudge march because of something Pardew said last season. Phil Jagielka admits Everton FC will be eager to teach “disrespectful” Alan Pardew another lesson on Monday http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2012/09/13/100252-31825328/?

For an insight into how football fans were viewed at that time, here is a "When Saturday Comes" article a couple of months post Hillsborough. http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1152-september-2012/8991-post-hillsborough-disaster-editorial

I wouldn't be surprised if some legal cases were launched for compensation especially if it is proved that some lives could have been saved if it were not for the negligence of the people in charge that day. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, like. Neither do I.

I wouldn't be surprised if some legal cases were launched for compensation especially if it is proved that some lives could have been saved if it were not for the negligence of the people in charge that day.

Well Steve Wraith certainly does know a lot of people whether they be journalists, players or NUFC staff and I am sure he is passing on what he heard in good faith. He is certainly not saying anything that I have not suspected as I would be amazed if any player or Pardew and his coaching staff are pleased with how the Summer panned out. I can't believe that most of the media are peddling the line that it was a successful window because we did not lose any of the main players - the manager, players, media and supporters have been saying for the last 18 months how the squad needed strengthening especially in defence but now everyone is supposed to be happy because we didn't sell anyone. I think the next few weeks will be a real test of Pardew's management skills especially if the players are feeling demotivated at present. He can say all the right things to a player about the club's ambitions and his plans but if the board don't back him up, then players will no longer have belief in him.

Can't see why not, it's not like they were all based in Newcastle for the majority and people have different mates who don't really get on all the time in my experience. I seem to recall that they used to say that Speed was the one person that Bellamy listened to at Newcastle and his influence on Bellamy was missed when he was sold. Would the fall out with Souness have happened had Speed still been with us? I have a lot of time for Bellamy - was gutted when he left especially as it was obvious Souness would not be around for any length of time. He was our best striker at that time. Glad he is getting some respect these days. Used to do a lot of charity stuff when he was here as well. Hope he is able to come to terms with everything.

Shay spitting his dummy helped a lot too. I'm not saying Tim wouldn't have gone on to be Hollands #1, i'm just glad he's our #1 too. Probably the only positive legacy of the Souness era.

He doesn't seem to have impressed their fans for a while now. Started off well at the beginning of last season and then tailed off after Christmas.

Well if he is not match fit - hopefully the 2 extra games with France will help there. However a lot of players are poor after they have played a Summer tournament and he is fairly new to international football and hadn't experienced a Summer tournament before. He's probably had the most demanding year in his football career to date.

Don't some agents work for clubs in which case, they could be calling a player on behalf of a club or maybe just touting for business.

I don't understand how players having their heads turned by agents causes them to underperform. Surely they would want to continue to impress to secure a move - not doing so, shows a poor mentality to me. And surely personal pride would ensure a player would always want to perform the best they can. But maybe I am being naive here. If match fitness is an issue, then hopefully Cabaye will improve with the internationals and find some form. Likewise with Ba and Cisse.

I think the loan deal is for the season. If they are so hard up for cash, then they would have been better off selling him to us because they would have had it all paid up front and then could have staggered payments for any players they bought in. If they sell him to West Ham next year, then the payments will be over a lengthy contract as West Ham are skint themselves. Mind you they spent £26m on Allen and Borini so they have not planned their transfer activity very well.

But isn't that the thing about Rodgers? It's Plan A and if that fails, try Plan A again. He doesn't do Plan B.

It's not exactly a secret though is it? Some players need a reassuring arm around them and some need a kick up the backside. Cisse, Cabaye and Ba haven't looked up to speed this season. There are mitigating reasons for their poor form to date though. Cabaye back late from the Euros where he picked up an injury - is that still a problem? Cisse was ill in pre-season - not sure what with - but could that still be factor. There is Ramadan. We know it affected Ba last season but not how it affects Cisse. Also last season, Tiote had his visa problems and took a while to get going - could Ramadan have also contributed to that. Also quite a few key players did not get that many minutes in pre-season because Pardew wanted to concentrate on getting the squad players up to speed. Fortunately, Ben Arfa seems to be one of those naturally fit players who hits the ground running.

I don't think he is hanging around purely to get a free transfer next Summer. I believe he would prefer to sign a new contract with us but if that is not going to happen then leaving on a free would give him more options. Maybe the offers were not there this Summer or the club did not want him to leave until they signed a replacement. I do believe him when he says his preference is to stay with us as we are probably the best club he will ever play for.