kingxlnc

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.

Shouldn't that be no holds PARD...? ok I'll get my coat

Bent ahead of van Persie. Where's Berbatov for that matter?!

http://www.footylatest.com/newcastle-ready-to-make-a-move-for-argentinian-whiz-kid/19354? Would be excellent if it happens - I do like the random, out of the blue links (to the decent players, obviously!) I must say.

So who would everyone rather have - Ireland or Barnetta?

I honestly believe he'll raise the crowd and the team as a whole to go on a run like the end of Roeder's first season when we finished 7th - I know big expectations from just one player but he is really that good. Give everyone a boost at the business end of the season, a shot of adrenaline and excitement when the team will need it most. I think we'll finish 8th or 9th. Would be great if any higher but happy with that first season back...

Xisco = Goldust (from like, 10 years ago...) Alan Pardew = Ric Flair... wooooooooooooooo

Nuff said. Say no more.

Boumsong vs Yeading? Didn't he look dodgy even then?!

Everyone would want silly money for moving to Chelsea, especially knowing he would never be first choice! Why else would he have moved down there, particularly from Man City! Now that the novelty of a few extra thou per week could have worn off, if he fancies some first team football - here is as good a place as any for him. Maybe the chance to get in the England squad alongside the new number 9 could be the challenge he needs - we are certainly high profile enough for him to stay in the news if he scores regularly etc?

Daniel Sturridge is apparently unhappy at Chelsea - would be guaranteed first team football here - him and Carroll could be the new Shearer and Bellamy... Was linked with a move a few days ago if I remember rightly. I know he has an attitude but so did Bellamy. Sheer pace and Sheer power - would potentially be a lethal strikeforce.

Bloody sods law. Ben Arfa would have been playing in his promised / favoured central position with Nolan out of this game. Typical Newcastle luck.