Gallowgate Toon

Of course we had a chance. Might have helped if we actually tried though. We really didn't. He knew that Dortmund were watching him at the back end of last year, and many others I'd imagine too. On top of that, he was pretty clear that he was after European football at this stage in his career. I imagine that we were a back-up in his head if nobody else that matched his criteria came forward by the back end of August.

Aubameyang would have waited anyway, there was no reason for him to come to us hastily and he was very clear that he wanted European football. No point in even pretending like we had a chance.

How odd, both the Perch and Vainquer situations.

That's where his best form has come for us, against Swansea, Stoke and Liverpool but I'm no longer sure whether he's a good long-term fit there. Those games were quite open in terms of space and that suited his game, but I think against higher level opposition and teams that park the bus, he'll struggle due to his lack of ability to create space and hold on to the ball. I'm really not sure how he can be best utilised here but I do think Marveaux and Ben Arfa should be ahead of him for that attacking midfielder role.

One of Remy or Aubameyang and a powerful striker is what we need. At least one winger as well.

Agree with Ronaldo, it's hard to see where he fits in here. He looked very good behind Cisse for a few games in 11/12 but it's probably not a long term solution and while he could play as a deep midfielder, I'm not sure we have the set up for it or that he can fulfil the defensive side. He doesn't have the physicality to be a box-to-box player either.

Gouffran scored 22 league goals in his last 18 months in France, Gignac's managed that in 3 seasons. Gouffran's a really underrated striker.

As has been said, he should be a back up central midfield player and nothing more. We desperately need a winger in.

Personally, I think 15 million's the right price for him and I wouldn't go any higher. They'll come back to us if they don't get a better offer.

Very controversial but i think he's more creative than Hatem, i have never seen Hatem pick out the passes that Marveaux seems to be able to do quite regularly. Shame Pardew doesn't seem to start him very often. Edit: Ron's beat me to it They're both contenders for pass of the season, HBA against Norwich and Marveaux against Arsenal. Ben Arfa's certainly got the ability to pull them off but prefers to use his other, flashier talents In all seriousness, we'll probably never see the full extent of his range consistently until he loses his acceleration and matures a little more.

I wouldn't say Marveaux's actually a better passer of the ball, they both have excellent vision and technique and are pretty even in that regard. Marv's more patient though and picks his opportunities better, that's probably because he's simply less selfish. HBA has more to his game and offers a greater variety of creativity however and for that reason, he just edges it for me. They're both very good at making openings though, it's goals where Hatem's got a better record.

Marveaux out and Belhanda in... I can dream That's not to say I don't rave Marveaux highly mind, I think he's an extremely underrated attacking player and is very talented.

Pilkington's canny enough, not a starter but as back up. Far more productive than the likes of Jonas.

Belhanda ahead of Sissoko and Cabaye would be fantastic. Marveaux to stand in etc. Can't see PEA happening, he wants European football and will wait till the end of the window for something viable to come around.

Going to be really interesting to see what happens with them this year with the Lewandowski saga looking likely to continue until his contract's up. Really hope they get De Bruyne and Eriksen in, I think those two will fit in seamlessly alongside Reus.

Klopp's teams do play fantastic football (the most entertaining top level side on the planet IMO) but his methods are more tactical and considered than Keegan's were in his first stint here and that's probably the main reason why he's won a fair bit already.

Just caught up with all this and got to say, I'm feeling massively disillusioned. I've always had faith in Newcastle United, throughout relegation and seasons of being a mess, but as of now I'm sick of watching this club being run like an absolute joke, and, for the first time ever, have absolutely no excitement for the new season. When can we simply be a club run professionally and with some dignity?

Been on holiday a week, find a place with wifi and this is what I find. Speechless

We've played good football under him in the past and that provides me with a bit of hope for next season. As has been said, a break will hopefully do him some good.

He's shown that he's a good striker to lead the line for a team that plays positive and creative football with some tempo, his ability to finish from a variety of positions, movement and one-touch play are good foil for it. Make him the creative focal point or the lead striker in a team that play physical football at slow speed and he'll struggle. Fitting in to a more progressive football style isn't a criticism either, there are many strikers out there who can't as they just don't have the mentality or instinct for it. Also, he doesn't need brilliant service handed on a plate to him, just look over the goals he's scored here and in Germany. Give him something that complements his movement and he'll score plenty. For example, see his goal vs. Norwich when he first came. We do need another striker to come in over the Summer, one that can provide something different but it shouldn't be to displace Cisse, it should be a plan B or partner.

Yep, Sissoko's physicality and style should allow Cabaye to stick to what he's good at more. I find it exciting that they both have attacking qualities, Sissoko could be lethal on the counter next year with more options ahead of him when moving forward, while Cabaye can be the one to dictate when we're in possession and building attacks. Baba's nailed it really, the lad had gained quite a reputation in France, and for good reason. We should be putting him right in the heart of it next year in the middle of the park, he's built for it in this league. I imagine the majority of central midfielders would be bricking it at the thought of having to spend a match battling with him.

Sissoko's passing will improve when deeper, he won't force it as much with more options around him. I hope he's like what Dyer was for us but more of a help defensively and with the ability to shoot from the edge of the box. Got the ability to be a top box-to-box player.

We need a bloody decent winger in above anything else, it's a gaping first team position. Then a striker, then another winger for the squad.

Weren't you one of them? I'm pretty sure you were confidently stating as soon as Ba left that Cisse would be fine and you had no worries whatsoever. Complete opposite, I didn't want Ba to be sold at all and that was why. Fair enough, you didn't want Ba sold but you can't criticise anyone else for being confident that Cisse would start scoring again. I'm not criticising anyone but the player. I said I had faith in him scoring plenty and I was wrong, because he didn't. I still have faith in him, but it doesn't change the fact he had a poor season. Fair enough. You're certainly right that he's had a poor season, I can't disagree with that. Some of it's down to Cisse and some of it's down to other factors.

Weren't you one of them? I'm pretty sure you were confidently stating as soon as Ba left that Cisse would be fine and you had no worries whatsoever. Complete opposite, I didn't want Ba to be sold at all and that was why. Fair enough, you didn't want Ba sold but you can't criticise anyone else for being confident that Cisse would start scoring again.