Tsunami

Camera, Lights, Action please.

Thanks Gemmill. Your expectations have been low for a while then? I know the craic; having witnessed the perfomances since SBR left.

Sorry, was listening to the Shipping Forecast - Rain. What station were you on, what did you say & what conclusion did you reach? Asking people outside of the toon, they'll always say aye biggish club but no-where near as big as they think. This statement seems to have been bourne out of some jealousy but is getting truer season by season.

Why? We are already missing out on the players Sam wanted. Why do people want to only question things after the event?

Forget about the current takeover, forget about the funds that may be available. Let’s have a look at the Club & its ability to attract players. Let’s assume that the takeover and money are not an issue. It is not that long ago that we were known as “The Entertainers”, were most peoples’ favourite second club and could compete with the best in the league when getting players for the simple reason that we were a team that good players wanted to join. Even in recent times we have be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat and have to a large extent been able to compete with the big boys. Yes, it is accepted that we were also prone to paying over the odds and inflated wages and were probably already on the slippery slope back to relative mediocrity. We struggled last season to get quality players in to improve the squad whilst Souness had only limited success. For sure we only got Owen as the Big 4 didn’t want him & he wanted to return to England. Whilst the Big 4 are now able to challenge the European giants in transfers we are vying with teams that not so long ago could not compete with us. Do we therefore need to take a fresh view of our club & accept that we are simply another club, perhaps one with a tainted reputation and that the quality of player we need to improve our squad is also the quality of player that will feel they have better alternatives? Certainly, the transfer market so far has given us little cause to celebrate and Sam has stated that he has missed out on his top targets and must by now be also missing out on his secondary targets. Forget about some of the signings that clubs with new money have made, we wouldn’t have been in for some of these anyway, albeit, that perhaps we should have been in for a few of them (perhaps we were?). Can we attract the better players? The facts are that other clubs are strengthening and catching us up, others, it could be argued have overtaken us (Spurs for sure). We are steadily becoming less attractive as the gap narrows/ widens (delete as appropriate). We are currently treading water. Remember to assume the takeover/ money is not an issue. So, where do we stand? I think in the cold light of day we may need to take a reality check. I have been hoping that a significant break through in the transfer market would come and that this would lead to others. I’m beginning to think that we will get players in but it may be a bit of a last minute rush and with players who will not add anything other than a bigger squad. In that case Sam and MA have a major job on their hands to improve things. For those that think we are still a major attraction; listen to the radio, we are advertising season tickets again. Our supporters are also questioning how attractive we are and we will not be filling the stadium by way of season ticket holders. This is not a thread bemoaning Sam or MA. I think we may need to consider the club itself.

In our current position I can not think of one good reason why we would get rid of him. Like many others in our squad he has ability & if Sam can get the best out of him..............

Luque has been injured for 2 years? Has his english only just got to the standard for him to say "Boss, I'm still injured". What utter rubbish. Sam is just trying to help him out by giving him a bit of an excuse for his passed performances. I'm ok with this so long as Luque does the business. But, I'm not having he has been carrying the knock that long.

Heinze anyone? Well, that would be a surprise.

Judging by Sam's words after the Carlisle game I think it is clear that Dyer wants to go. From watching Dyer's performances pre his England appearance last season and post that appearance I'd say his body language suggests he wants to go. He started well after his lay off, did well as a sub for England and then put in a string of going through the routine performances until the end of the season. A fit, keen, Dyer would be an assest to every squad. We really are going to have our work cut out from now until the end of August if he leaves. Our squad suddenly looks paper thin again and unbelieveably, at this point in time, possibly weaker than the end of last season.

Not good enough, no way near good enough. We let Parker go for only 1M more & Dyer has a value of 3 or 4M! Madness if true.

Sam heaping praise on Zoggy calling him probably the best LB at the club confirm were not in for any LBs this summer for me, and that we've got less cash (if any at all) than we all hoped for. N'Zogbia is the best LB at the club at this moment & it is something the needs addressing urgently. Babayaro (when fit) shouldn't be in a position to challange for a reserve team place never mind the 1st team. Suppose it could be a slur at Babayaro, but thats simply not SA's style, especially if he wants to sell him. Us having a decent amount of money to spend just doesn't add up when presented with all the evidence over the last 2 weeks. I have been regularly shot down in flames over the last couple of weeks by querying the lack of information coming out of SJP & the apparent inability to challange for signings. Someone needs to get their finger out and do it soon.

Sam heaping praise on Zoggy calling him probably the best LB at the club confirm were not in for any LBs this summer for me, and that we've got less cash (if any at all) than we all hoped for. N'Zogbia is the best LB at the club at this moment & it is something the needs addressing urgently. Babayaro (when fit) shouldn't be in a position to challange for a reserve team place never mind the 1st team.

Sam must have a LB lined up - sorry make 2 LB's lined up as otherwise missing out on Baines makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Seems like the injury season has started already for us & that Dyer is unsettled (& N'Zogbia?). I expect some developments this coming week & I do not think that this is unreasonable. We have had a week of bad news with unrest, injuries & Sam on about missing targets. We need some positive news coming out from our club.

wouldnt it therfore be crazy to bid for heinze as he seems to have his heart set on a move to liverpool? Bid to nothing; also looks good that we are actually bidding on someone. I found it a bit of strange article.

Surely it is Heinze? The scousers are suppossedly have also bid 7M so we would be matching the bet & Manure would allow him to talk to us. Thing is, he doesn't seem to want to come.

Gemmill, if we had not been asking questions, this bit of news may not have come out so soon. So why the attempted put down? Wow, you really take this stuff pretty seriously don't you? Here, have some more of these ;) ;) Just care about what the future may hold & didn't see the need for the jibe. Right back at ya: O0

Gemmill, if we had not been asking questions, this bit of news may not have come out so soon. So why the attempted put down?

Do your own presumptions not worry you?

So Mort could be using this as a possible opportunity to sound you out about opportunity rather than you asking any questions of MA? It will serve more than one purpose. I was commenting on Unbelievable's point about internet forums. Ok, let's hope this happens sooner rather than later.

So Mort could be using this as a possible opportunity to sound you out about opportunity rather than you asking any questions of MA?

If Sam can get him fit and his head right he can be a very good player for us. It is a big if.

At the moment it feels to me a bit like the Emperor's new clothes. I have been thinking that very same thing but resisted posting the comparison as it would have invited the usual comments about expecting us to sign superstars or Ashley to make bold, unrealistic, statements. As Unbelievable says we are not niaive 12 year olds. An awful of the replies to our type of post are either by way of supposed examples of unrealistic requests for information that we simple have not asked for or by what these supporters think will happen. The word obviously has been used multiple times in response. I have not had to use the word obvious as it is not at all obvious to me & I would rather deal with facts from the horses mouth or at least the monkey he is using. There is apparent blind faith based upon the obvious good he will bring to the club or an acceptance that he is the owner & can do what he wants. In my eyes that smacks of apathy on the part of some supporters or a youthful expectation that everything will be alright in the end. What will be will be.

Not heard this. It would be a positive step.

What about the other comments? I am a paying customer of a private club. I pay an annual fee to watch the games, spend money within the stadium and purchase goods through the club shop for myself and family. This will amount to around £1000 a year or so. I am a loyal, blue chip customer & it is through others like me that the club largely enjoys it's status as a big club (let's face it it is not through success). Do I feel that the new owner cares about me, his most precious assest? No, I don't. He's not even trying to build a relationship & I find that worrying.