oldtype

He calls Geremi his second daddy in that video. He's signing for sure. Well, certainly hope his footballing skills don't take after his father.

Would be an absolutely fantastic signing... ...Which means I expect a report that the bid has been rejected or that he's off to Pompey within the hour.

So, are we ever getting linked to anyone this winter? Barely even feels like a transfer window. At least last year we had plenty of unsubstantiated rumors to laugh at.

The fact that nobody on the list has polled more than 10% is a bit telling of supporter opinion these days isn't it?

It's always better to get these teams in the early rounds. If we're going to get knocked out by one of the Top 4, I'd rather it be now than after we'd invested a lot of time into the Cup. And on the off chance that we win, it'll be a huge morale booster. Wish it was a home tie, but otherwise, I'm happy enough.

From a more recent point of view, Solano would have been an immense help right about now.

I'm sorry, but if we're going to boot out 10 or so players who exactly are we going to be playing football with? I figure we can afford to lose about 4~5 players (Butt, Ramage, Carr, Ameobi for me) and try to replace them. Anything beyond that would force us to rebuild the squad all over again, which would completely screw over any semblance of chemistry we have right now, which kind of totally defeats the purpose of giving Sam time to put together the squad. Newcastle fans always amaze me. Smith, Viduka, Barton, Geremi, and Rozhenal already useless after half a season? Why don't we just sign all our players to rolling contracts from now on and bin them when they're not setting the league alight within a month.

On loan in the Portuguese league, no international caps at any level at age 26, career scoring record of 37/182, with most of the goals coming from the Brazilian league. ...Sounds more like our own Cho Jae-Jin to me.

People over at the spurs site are claiming its us. If this happens, ill be the most unhappiest ive ever been regarding spurs transfers since the time we were linked with Alan f****** Smith. Unhappy about Matt Taylor? Save your tears mate. You'll be able to put them to much better use when Harry Kewell signs. He's a right back, no? Was under the impression they needed one of those. taylor plays left mid but can play left back. Actally he's naturally a left wing back but no one plays that system no more. Kaka you chat s*** mate Ah, thought he was a RB/RM. I suppose you could use a LM, although you could probably do better. And he'd also make your fifth LB.

People over at the spurs site are claiming its us. If this happens, ill be the most unhappiest ive ever been regarding spurs transfers since the time we were linked with Alan f****** Smith. Unhappy about Matt Taylor? Save your tears mate. You'll be able to put them to much better use when Harry Kewell signs. He's a right back, no? Was under the impression they needed one of those.

Monaco can have Emre

Give him money! mackems.gif And people wanted a reason to why its a good idea to sack him now!!! The thing is, Nolan's the sort of player you can see him going for isn't it? A midfielder who creates f*** all but gives a 100% and gets stuck in, the people who value a team full of grafters should love this one. I would be hugely disappointed. FYP. It's a load of bollocks anyway. This is speculation on speculation. Let's hope you're right Davidos. Why sell Parker if you're just going to turn around and sign Nolan 4 months later. To replace Barton? True, I suppose he can be forgiven for failing to anticipate Barton throwing himself in jail. Still, would rather have Parker back tbh.

Give him money! mackems.gif And people wanted a reason to why its a good idea to sack him now!!! The thing is, Nolan's the sort of player you can see him going for isn't it? A midfielder who creates f*** all but gives a 100% and gets stuck in, the people who value a team full of grafters should love this one. I would be hugely disappointed. FYP. It's a load of bollocks anyway. This is speculation on speculation. Let's hope you're right Davidos. Why sell Parker if you're just going to turn around and sign Nolan 4 months later.

Would love him here. Hopefully our improved fitness regimen means he won't break down instantly like I'd expect all injury prone players to do under the previous regime. And what's this about 3/4 mil? Ladies and gents, if you want to correctly guess the asking price for young english players these days, just take whatever you think is reasonable and add 10 (million).

Wait, wait, wait... hold the phone... a whole two goals?! In 90 minutes?! That's outrageous. It can't be done! Funny, Roeder said almost the exact same thing around this time last year. ...Hope that isnt' an omen.

Still a class player. I hate him for going to the MLS instead of coming back to the Prem. ...Of course, if he came back you just know that he'd have scored 2~3 wondergoals against us by now.

Apparently now speaking to Portsmouth. I suppose they could use a striker considering that their three best ones will be leaving for the ACN.

How is refusing a player permission to speak to other clubs leaving the matter in his hands? (scratches head)

Would be nice to have him off so everyone and their mothers won't have him as their Fantasy Football captain anymore. EDIT: I can't spell.

well, that was quick.

Rest of the world - "Reading FC Does Not Matter" ...On a more serious note, I suppose having interest in the cup is a luxury only clubs reasonably safe from relegation can afford.

[superpessimism] For some reason deals never go through when we're the first club linked. Think he'll be going to Pompey. Sigh. [/superpessimism] Seriously though, if there's a bid from Pompey or Villa or Spurs or whatnot, what incentive would he have to choose us?

The OP is basically the equivalent of saying "Kaka Henry Ronaldinho Pirlo David Villa Nesta Wouldn't it be nice if these players played for us?" And don't come out with the whole "If City can get Sven we can get anyone too!" Shtick. The only reason Sven went to city is because his reputation had been massively tarnished by the English job. No big club would want him while that stigma still hung over his head. ...As long as we're dreaming, I'd like Guus Hiddink, thank you very much.

Blackburn is apparently signing 17 year old Korean youth international Yoon Bit-Ga-Ram to a youth contract. Not that I expect anyone to care (I really don't either,) but I just find it frightening that Blackburn's scouting network is now extensive enough to be finding prospects all the way out in Korea. Wonder where ours is at?

I know you've only used him as an example, but I don't think we could get Bentley now whichever board we were under. He's playing well for a team above us and on the verge of the England squad. We'd be a sideways step for him. one step backwards or sideways, 2 steps forward is how I would see it. Moving to Newcastle from Blackburn would be a complete no-brainer for most players. You don't know if you don't try. And I wouldn't use our current position as an excuse to settle for 2nd best. Players generally don't want to go through the trouble of uprooting themselves/leaving supportive fans and established teammates in order to go to another club unless there's a significant gain though. While I certainly agree that we're a more attractive club than Blackburn in the abstract, regardless of where we are on the table at any given time, I don't think we're more attractive enough to get a player to go through the difficulties of a move just to come to us. Unless we're going to be offering these "sideways step" players double what they're earning right now... And we all know where that got us in the past. On a completely unrelated side note, Blackburn would probably ask for at least 20m for Bentley. And rightfully so. I take the point, ref the last line. Who would pay it though, unless he stays at Blackburn until his contract is nearly over ? One of the big 4 if and when he gets good enough? Otherwise, I don't see him going anywhere in the near future.