thenige

To translate this relatively coded message, a match report from NUFC.com:

Douglas has pointed out that's wrong though, he says they are 74th. says they're 60th on the fifa website Doesn't matter, it's top 50 anyway - http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9830536/fas-new-rules-on-work-permits-kick-in

Would let him go on a free given he earns about £3.5m a year.

Heard that our fans booed his every touch v Sheff Utd? Hope it's not true - whether he's crap or not, not his fault he's been picked by successive management and we've not bothered to find a better replacement. Also think he'd do a good job for a Championship side.

£4m for Keogh? Christ.

Mbemba has been signed (hopefully if it goes through) primarily as a CB, but also as RB cover. We need another CB, especially as I would still expect Colo (and hopefully Williamson) to leave. In an preferred not completely impossible world, we'd sign a proper RB cover (ideally a youngish prospect), another CB, a first team LB, a wide midfielder and a striker. That with selling Sissoko for the kind of money that's being talked about. Then I'd expect McClaren to play GK Krul RB Janmaat CB Mbemba CB New CB LB New LB CM Tiote/Colback CM Winjnaldum AMC De Jong AMR Cabella/Perez AML Aarons ST Mitrovic The actual reality is likely Taylor alongside Mbemba, Dummett at LB and Gouffran or Obertan over Aarons. Oh and Colback captain.

So is Fabio Cannavaro... And Roberto Ayala... And I'm sure he's just as good in every other department as them isn't he? Nah, just sick of the argument about height. You can be great in the air even if your not 190cm. The Red Baron was 5ft 6. Disgusting how this was overlooked.

People on here strike me as the type who would have turned their noses up at Pirlo when he left Milan.

Still think it's likely a work permit issue.

Well said that.

This. What's the point of experience when it's experience of being crap? Or even worse, being coached by a Premier League manager like Pardew?

Has already been done on the player and it suggested he was born in 1994. Player himself thought he was born in 1990 mind.

Would take Zouma without hesitation, even on loan for a season. If the market isn't there for a decent CB to buy, would be a no-brainer to get someone in as good as him.

I don't think he's a bad player but needs the right kind of system to suit his abilities. Think he'd do fine at a Championship side with a big man in the box. Gestede or someone similar. Or let him join AFC Wimbledon and watch him whip balls in for Akinfenwa.

In the first half for a lot of it, we appeared to be playing a back three with Ferguson and Bigi as full backs and Satka as a lone CB. Was absolutely mental.

Finally someone brings some common sense to this thread. Top stuff.

Online source here - http://www.espnfc.com/story/2528699/newcastle-captain-fabricio-coloccini-on-crystal-palace-radar

Just heard from a Palace fan at work that they've agreed a deal for Coloccini? Would be surprised if it was true to be honest.

Bricking it that he won't get a work permit.

Since when has he been on MOTD2? Barely watched it last season.

Just finished watching that, 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back. If I had any enthusiasm for the forthcoming season the first half took a big chunk of it. So much to moan about but suppose can just say 'well it's early in pre-season' yadayada. Also the pitch was pretty awful. I know he does it a lot, but have never seen Sissoko dribble straight into the opposition as much as he did today. Usual suspects doing their usual crap. Zzzz.

Strikes me that Delph may have said to Sherwood - "Will we improve and will we keep Benteke?" to which he said "Yes and Yes". With Benteke gone, he may have thought "ah well, fuck it" and gone.

Seems mental we're still being linked with CM's when we still have Williamson as a potential starting CB.

Just disappointed he's not ending his email with a kiss. WHERE'S THE LOVE STEVE?! x

Personally think Anita is a bit of a nothing player. Think he switches off too often, both on and off the ball. His first touch isn't great and his passing is average. Just a bang average footballer, with the added disadvantage of being tiny in a Premier League midfield.