kingxlnc

I was thinking of Batistuta when I was reading HTT's post also - absolute beast of a striker. Lethal as they come - one of my faves growing up. On a par with Shearer at his peak for me. I would also argue Henry should perhaps be above Shevchenko. But Henry, Van Nistelrooy and Shevchenko are more 00's strikers as that is when they were in their peak. As silly as it sounds, but Kluivert was also phenomenal in the 90's - the complete centre forward. Pure class, at Ajax and Barcelona - used to love watching him play. And then we are forgetting Raul in the early days - also clinical as they come. Klinsmann also was an excellent 90's striker. The 90's were a real golden age for centre forwards - even just for England we were blessed with Shearer, Sheringham, Owen, Cole, Beardsley, Ferdinand, Wright, Collymore, Fowler, etc etc. When comparing to the dross of the 00's - only Owen and Rooney stand out - we had the likes of Vassell, Crouch and Heskey as England regulars. It is criminal that they probably have way more caps individually than the aforementioned England strikers (probably put together in the cases of Ferdinand, Cole, Collymore, Fowler, Wright, Sutton etc) in the 90's. The prolific goalscorers today are Messi and C.Ronaldo - not traditional strikers - indicative of how the game has evolved perhaps. Comparing the 'best' traditional type of centre forward today with Ronaldo - or any of those strikers on that list or already mentioned, where would they come? The likes of David Villa, Ibrahimovic, Drogba, Eto'o?

I think as long as they get some EARLY business done - even tying up pre-contracts for the Marveaux type deals it would intrigue him and make him stay for a bit longer through the summer... if we get to early August and at least 2 BIG signings have not been made, that's when I think he will slap in transfer request. Ball is still in our court to an extent... show him our hand, both in terms of an excellent contract offer, and also ambitious signings. This is one make or break summer for us - we will truly know which way we are heading towards after this summer. Crucial.

AC Milan - 12M? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1358074/Newcastle-tell-AC-Milan-pay-12m-secure-services-unsettled-Jose-Enrique.html?

Taiwo would be good on a free, if Enrique left... really hope he doesn't tho

My first ever game at St James Park! I cannot wait!

:thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: :thup: Much love!

Just think... if we hadn't lost the 4 points with the last minute equalisers recently, we would be above Liverpool in... 6th! But performances recently have been excellent, bar Fulham. 35 points is a decent points tally at this stage, but if you think about it, we haven't gotten many points that we haven't deserved, or smash and grab raids or through plucky hanging on desperate performances (except probably the one point against Arsenal - but it was deserved with our comeback to be fair)... It is hugely impressive and shows that we are certainly a decent PL side and belong here. If anything we've been unlucky and our points tally should be higher.

Given Ben Arfa's friendship with Benzema (this translated into an amazing, practically telepathic on-field relationship at Lyon), is Benzema really as far fetched as it first appears? It may still be the case of course, but given we have a big wedge to spend (I could see a 15-20M bid for him, to signal intention for Carroll replacement), and if we met Ben Arfa's wage demands, surely we could meet Benzema's? Of course - it would completely depend on the player, the lack of CL football, and recent success may put him off. But he would be revered here, worthy number 9, rekindle relationship with Ben Arfa, guaranteed first choice etc. Even as a stepping stone for a few seasons, to escape his miserable time at Real Madrid. Similar to when Anelka left RM - he went to PSG I think - hardly world beaters...re-established his star and then got his move to the PL (initially at more modest clubs such as Man City and Bolton...) Maybe I'm deluded.

Wicked! Cheers for that mate, appreciate it! If I'm just in front of you I probably won't see the poor paint job bit! That's whetted my appetite even more now - that's a very decent view that.

Good view, but expensive. Confirmed! Have booked two seats in the Sports Bar area - has anyone got any pics of views from here? Can't wait! Does anyone recommend one of the stadium tours - lol - I'm coming across a right tourist here!

Defo yes on the first four please... doubt we even get one of them to be honest! Klose whilst old, is still an excellent finisher - could definitely do a job next season. Happy to pad out the squad with freebies - football manager stylee. For some reason I honestly think this will be quite a busy summer - probably 6-8 new faces... (we can live in hope!) - how inspiring the names are is debatable however... I wonder if we'll ever go back to the Modric typeor even Aimar type bids of Mike Ashley's reign...

Gilberto Silva?

Was miles better than Souness, Gullit and Allardyce. He was on a hiding to nothing. He was rebound guy. Wasn't even given a decent welcome, and the board were more interested in floating the club. Come on now. Dalglish had won the title with L'pool and Blackburn and this meant that we were supposed to have done really well to get this guy to replace KK when our approach for SBR was rebuffed by Barca (if only that went through eh?). And fans were generally happy - he was certainly a big name, he could now gun for the title and get us over the line, as he had experience etc etc. But for someone with such a great reputation, and who had won something at every club (even bloody Blackburn Rovers!) he bombed here big time. 2nd to 13th - even without your talismanic striker for most of the season is absolutely outrageous. Have you forgotten the dire style of football - we scored something like 36 goals ALL season (we've already surpassed that this season!). He replaced good players with the old guard - Pearce (who was ok), and his Liverpool chums Barnes and Rush. Then dross like Des Hamilton, Glass, Serrant, (who are these people?!). He completely set us back - he came in when our stock was high - literally one of the most exciting clubs in Europe at that time, and I don't care what anyone says - he killed that momentum and made us into a mid table club. Ruud Gullit didn't fare much better but look at the team he was left with - (I didn't rate Gullit either for what its worth). He did have some transfer successes - namely Given, Solano and Speed (and Hamann) but way more flops. And all this - the flops like Andersson and Guivarch (and the above mentioned), 13th position, boring football, NUFC becoming average, also-rans etc all within his tenure - less than 18months! It is criminal looking back. We all detest Souness for what he did to SBR's great team. But how many of us actually rated him beforehand - we all said it was a shocking appointment. The two reigns however are frighteningly similar - both dour Scots, Liverpool legends (as if we don't have enough reasons already to hate Liverpool!), bought a few decent players but mostly flopped, and both led NUFC to their worst premier league finishes. But Dalglish tends to get away with it. Because he led us to 2nd place with Keegans team? Even Souness got us far in Europe, and had 10 match unbeaten run start etc with Bobby Robson's team. But set the club back majorly. Don't get me wrong - he must be a decent enough manager, those who play under him rave about him (Shearer) but I think we have LOTS of cause for grievance with Dalglish - he was a shocking manager for us. Forget the FA cup run - we surrendered meekly in the final anyway (and only had to beat Sheff Utd, Div 1 to get there). And he's had good success elsewhere. We need to learn a lesson - stay away from ex-Liverpool legends! (Apart from KK of course!)

I'm also planning to attend my FIRST ever game at St. James Park - the Bolton game on the 26th! Woop woop! I was initially thinking of the Sir John Hall Stand - Sports Bar - what's that like?

This COULD be his time to shine. He has scored some excellent goals for the reserves - and has a sweet left foot. Certainly worth a try, late on in games against tiring defences. I think he could in all honesty become the next 'Carroll' - in terms of value skyrocketing. (Not sold in the same way, obviously I hope!)

Forgive my naivety but what does 'bin dipper' actually mean??

To be honest I think we will be surprised. They cannot afford NOT to sanction a spending spree of sorts - particularly as we now have a desperate need for a striker or two. I can see one huge signing this summer - I may be naive in thinking this perhaps - but just have a sneaky feeling! Just hope Pardew spends it right!

Fair point - perhaps appease him with the promise of him taking over Harpers no.1 spot the season after... Think next season should be Harper's last as no.1 - (he may not even finish it) he'll be 37-38, creaking! I like Krul, especially think he's an amazingly gifted shot stopper but Forster seems to have more presence. Its a really tough decision to be fair - but Forster now has more 'big game' experience - give Krul that next season at Celtic / similar big team - and then decide end of next season. Really no need for the likes of Westwood et al - we are already blessed in that department - let's spend money wisely for once!

Me too! Great minds...

Hulk and Traore would be awesome - fearsome as hell. We would need one more not as good striker however, to be a 3rd choice with Shola as 4th. I think Lovenkrands and Best will go. Ranger on loan to a Championship promotion challenger. I would want one £15m plus striker, one £6-10m one and another around 2-3m, with potential/contract issues... (Wonder how much that young prolific Tranmere striker would cost - Jennings I think?) And PLEASE can the left back issue be sorted once and for all? Not too fussed if Campbell stays one more season or if he goes - as I think Kadar can step up personally. Campbell is still good for leadership / experience and would like to see him coach at the club. Watching ESPN classic - Eng vs Arg 1998 at the mo - he was a monster CB in his hey day, one of Englands best. Lets finally get rid of Smith, Xisco. Forster as backup to Harper next season, playing in the cups. Andre Ayew/Barnetta for right wing too would also be good.

Asamoah Gyan on loan?

Liverpool will become a long ball team. Both NE clubs were doing well - who would have thought they would BOTH lose their star strikers this window?! That'll teach me to gloat at Bent's move!

Gutted. But high high risk for Liverpool - like someone said there are similarities to the Anelka to Real Madrid deal. Liverpool havent got any decent wingers (Kuyt, lol) so hardly will play to his strengths - whereas we have changed our whole system to play around him. I do think 35m really could have gotten them so much better, but smacks of severe desperation. 2 new strikers doesnt cover the fact their defence bar Agger is crap, and midfield bar Gerrard and Meireles is crap. If they were to offer pick of any players in exchange except Gerrard, there really wouldn't be anyone I would want to take. RE Carroll I'm very disappointed in him, personally. I was impressed the club knocked back two HUGE fees (more than he's worth to be fair) but if he said he didnt want to go - he wouldnt be going simple as that. Liverpool is not exactly the quietest city in the world, lots of potential for trouble arising for him - would Liverpool back him in the same way as us? Potentially 40M in the coffers though - not bad. Should we stay up, it could be an exciting summer - I refuse to believe they won't spend a vast chunk of the cash on the first team.

Viana - we wrecked him would have had a good career elsewhere

I can see the following formation being quite a handful for the opposition: Tiote Barton Ireland Nolan Ben Arfa Carroll With Jonas coming in place of Nolan / Ireland (Ben Arfa to come in to the centre) Bit of everything there. The destructive ball winning ability of Tiote Barton's passing ability from deep, slide rule passing Pace / trickery of Ben Arfa Carrolls power, strength and hold up play Nolan ghosting in from deep to pick up pieces, score Ireland's guile, passing and goal scoring ability - will cause havoc with Ben Arfa on other side, will free up space Jonas to slot in with work rate, direct running, excellent impact substitute also to run at tired legs All in all, a very dangerous front 6, potentially, if all play to their strengths. Can cause most teams problems. So definitely exciting potential there indeed.