kingxlnc

Okay - how about Menez or Gervinho? Menez is still being linked, surely can't be all three of them?!

Don't do that you'll jinx it! I did that with Ben Arfa last year when he was seemingly nailed on after being spotted... then it was delayed for absolutely ages, Hamburg etc being linked until I changed him back... then he signed! Phew. I initially thought that this must have been a coincidence, but I did the same thing mid-January with Seb Larsson (ok, I'm a saddo)... and he never signed! Ended up changing him back in Feb! The moral of the story - where NUFC are concerned - do NOT count your chickens before they hatch... there is no such thing as a done deal! None of these deals will go through. (Yeah, I'm laying that down, flipping and reversing it) I like your style, reverse psychology. Mind games with fate and all that. Just to add, we are NOT signing Messi...

Don't do that you'll jinx it! I did that with Ben Arfa last year when he was seemingly nailed on after being spotted... then it was delayed for absolutely ages, Hamburg etc being linked until I changed him back... then he signed! Phew. I initially thought that this must have been a coincidence, but I did the same thing mid-January with Seb Larsson (ok, I'm a saddo)... and he never signed! Ended up changing him back in Feb! The moral of the story - where NUFC are concerned - do NOT count your chickens before they hatch... there is no such thing as a done deal!

Gervinho up top on his own would be like Gyan at Sunderland, not an out and out striker. The Bellamy type - we need the Shearer. Would prefer him on the wing, or the right side of a 3. Would LOVE Sturridge as the more central type player. Berbatov would also be lovely in that role - the main man, all that speed and pace around him, for him to finish off. He is probably unlikely however.

I would be happy with a straight swap; Barton for Stephen Ireland. Anyone else?

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/863990-daniel-sturridge-to-opt-for-newcastle-transfer-despite-spurs-interest?

He says 'of course' a lot!

Andreas Andersson - definitely. How was this guy a Swedish International... and how did he play for AC Milan?!! Daniel Cordone wasn't much better. Guiva'rch only played 4 games so not really much to go on - although obviously wasn't good.

How about for last three games, 4-3-3 with Ireland on right, Ben Arfa on left and Ameobi up front? Or those two just behind him? Might as well go for it last few games...

I still think a £15m bid for Daniel Sturridge, at 60k or so would be an excellent replacement - he does look pure quality at Bolton.

Yes, one early in the first half.

Only heard about him recently, origianally employed by SBR. Would be the kind of forward thinking managerial appointment that i could definintely get behind, apparently linked with the Liverpool job! Never seen a more dominant league table than the portugese one - Porto sitting on top with 62 points out of 66 having conceded only 7 goals all season. Plays attacking football as well. The boy done good. He would turn up at Porto's training with detailed reports and videos when he was a teenager, which lead Robson to sign him up as a scout when he was 18. There's a decent BBC article from a few months back knocking about. Whoa this guy sounds amazing! Interesting to read his grandmother, who taught him his 'flawless' English, Margaret Kendall is actually from the North East! Links! I would love this guy to take the job here one day soon - a Mourinho in the making for sure...

Played well today I thought - still needs to improve his finishing - but is not as bad as I initially thought he was. The equivalent of a Kevin Gallacher or even Ameobi for us. Can do a job, some nice touches at times. If only he was more clinical...

Today...and despite the result, I loved every sec! Gotta hand it to the people, everyone is just so friendly up there. Was gutted when Ranger's goal was disallowed - was cheering my head off...!

Very unlucky today, I jumped for joy when he got that 'winner' that never was! He'll get one soon, and open the floodgates I'm sure!

Should we change the title of this thread to 'Derland' as it's shorter and saves time?

Agree with that. Doubt they'll bring in another CB with Taylor and Williamson having signed five-year contracts. Would like to see an LM come in, who can play at RM as well. At least one striker, who's going to get 10-15 goals next season, a must. FWIW, I agree - 'Castle' is just silly. It's always annoyed me too...

I can't stop staring at Barton. He's giving Jose a cockpunch whilst giving Tiote a tickle and a blowjob.

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!