Gallowgate Toon

This is going to be the most interesting Newcastle game I've seen in a while. Everything feels like a bit of a mystery, I have no idea how we'll line up and there are so many unknowns with our new players etc. I think we'll be the better team, either 2-1 to us or 1-1.

I think he could still get a fair few goals if he's used in the same attacking way Lille used him 2 seasons ago. He won't get double figures but 6 or 7 wouldn't be out the question. Really excited about him, looks a fantastic player.

Also, if he is used as an auxiliary striker, he might be a speed merchant but I reckon he's a better bet than our current one. Still want to see another striker coming in but just saying 'n all that.

He's better than our other back up wing and forward options, so why not? People want to fill the squad out but then complain when a talented youngster is brought in to beef up numbers. He might not have done the business at Man I but that could be down to numerous reasons, look at the likes of Forlan. It can happen.

Basically yeah, just Dan Gosling. Didn't see him in the photos.

If you don't call him the Gosinator nobody knows who you are talking about. Sorry. Gosinator? Who? Everyone knows the Goose.

If you don't call him the Gosinator nobody knows who you are talking about. Sorry. Gosinator?

Gosling?

CM is a bit different, they don't really need the same level of understanding between each other than say strikers or centre backs. I'm more concerned that our main deep creative outlet, Cabaye, hasn't played with our forwards that much.

I actually hope Smith plays this one, I want to see Cabaye pulling the strings not holding. Against Leeds, Ba made some great little runs but Gosling wasn't anywhere near quick enough in releasing the ball, hopefully he can get a bit of an understanding going with Cabaye.

If 40k is 'ridiculous' how much difference is 10k going to make? That is our supposed ceiling after all. Surely the agent knows we won't be able to really up the offer that much but they're still talking with us or at least were until today, possible mileage left in this for me. Does this also mean we had a bid accepted if we were discussing personal terms?

Probably trying to bypass on agent's fees tbh.

Yep, the only hope I have of a forward, is a loan. Really can't think of anyone who fits our bill though.

He's a pretty good player, great right peg on him. Nothing like Barton though, he's far more direct and physical and doesn't play as deep. He can play on the right, he'd be best switching wings with Jonas/Marveaux during the match.

We have a great chance of getting him. Cabaye and Ben Arfa are better players who were also at Champions League clubs, if they can come here, I don't see why we don't have just as good a chance of getting this one.

Imagine if we have Jonas on the right when we play them. That'll be an interesting experience for them both.

It's obvious that Mike Ashley has a strategy to get what he wants. Money. We've scorned him, he doesn't think he owes a penny to NUFC and wants to sell, it's clear. Right now, he's plumping us up, so someone will come and buy us. Reducing the wage bill but bringing indecent quality to fill in gaps. He won't add to the squad, just fill in holes that have disappeared. Ba for Carroll, Cabaye for Nolan with perhaps the odd bargain thrown in. It's a shit situation, he's covering his own back and we have to put up with it.

The ones we've brought in are top 10 ability wise I might add, I'm not saying they'll necessarily adapt and the strategy will work.

Enrique's top quality man, it's not acceptable he's gone for me but there's plenty out there who can do a job. M'Bengue for example, nowhere near as good as Jose aka CL level but top 10 potential, undoubtedly. It's not right, I don't like it but Ashley wants a sale and his money back.

It's our clear aim, did I say it would work? The players we've brought in are top 10 quality, they're good footballers. We're not going to bring in league 1 shit, we'll bring in someone with a decent rep from the French league for cheaper than what we sold. It's just obvious.

Why will his replacement be a crap cheapy might I ask? We've not bought crap so far to replace outgoings. They'll be cheap, continental and a decent player (not a patch on Jose mind). Ashley isn't interested in complete asset stripping man, he wants to maintain a decent status quo so we can be sold for a higher price. There's a reson top 10 is our aim, it takes limited investment, has the potential to run at a good profit, brings in good players and makes us an attractive proposition to blokes with fat enough wallets. Making us relegation fodder won't get what he wants, his money back. Self sustainable, with proven continental quality on the cheap, that's who we'll get.

That would be assuming that level of investment is fixed, and not with an owner who is paying his own loan back to himself every season He's obviously hit levels he's happy to contend with, setting a 'supposed' wage cap proves this. He's not completely thick, he wants to sell and will see the importance of being mildly competitive in the league to boost the chances of getting rid.

The club has a replacement policy, I think that's fairly obvious but not an investment one. Isn't that how 'self-sustainable' works? Until said players' wages are officially gone, they won't be replaced because they won't want to add to the wage bill unnecessarily (in their own minds, not mine I might add). So when Enrique goes, M'Bengue pays for himself and the same will happen with Barton and Barnetta and whoever else leaves later on. As I said beofre though, in terms of investment aka improving the squad after the basics, that's a completely different story. P.S - I'm not saying we'll get M'Bengue, just hypothetical considering past links. I'd be delighted with him though.

If Joey goes, he'll come in, just the same situation as if Jose goes someone else will come in. I still think we'll get Erding in, in spite of their situations.