NSG

I promise I won't risk him unless he is 100^. If he ends the day 100* it'll do his batting average the world of good.

You're right, our best defender coming back to fitness isn't worth it's own thread. I should have merged it with "Shepherd: I did my best"

Mort: New signings on the way Link TOON chairman Chris Mort today hailed the beginning of a bright future at St James’ Park. In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, the 41-year-old said his appointment marked the beginning of a new era for Newcastle United. And Mr Mort promised there would be signings at St James’ Park in the next three weeks before the start of the season. He was appointed chairman yesterday after Freddy Shepherd ended his 10-year reign at the top. Mr Mort said today: “This is clearly a new start for the club, the beginning of a new era. I think people have been anticipating it. “We have been through a period of transition. It has been helpful to keep Freddy Shepherd and the Halls involved up to now. “They have been offering help in the transition period. “Now we have a home friendly on Thursday night and a big build-up to the new season, so it felt like the right time to make this decision.” Also speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, Freddy Shepherd said today: “The time was right for me to go. My big regret was that I didn’t give the fans a trophy.” Mr Mort said Toon fans can expect to see further new signings at St James’ Park to join Mark Viduka, Joey Barton, David Rozehnal and Geremi who have already joined this summer. Mr Mort said he and manager Sam Allardyce have several specific targets they hope to sign before the start of the new season. He said: “We have said throughout that the squad needs to be strengthened, particularly in defence. “We will not be throwing silly amounts of money around, but Sam and I are definitely in agreement that we need more signings before the start of the season. “We are talking about a few specific targets. We want players with Premiership experience. We want to get the right people through the door.” He added: “As for the stadium plans it is still early days and our main focus right now is on the playing side and getting that right. “The stadium is something we will look at more closely in the future. It is one of the many assets we have to look at how we can best progress at the club.” Mr Mort reiterated that last week’s police raids on St James’ Park had nothing to do with Newcastle United. He said: “The press release we put out following the police investigation last week was cleared with the City of London Police. The club is not the subject of an investigation. The police see us more as a potential victim.” The new Toon supremo said he was pleased with what he had seen around the club so far and that he was delighted with how well season ticket sales are going. He added he was looking forward to tomorrow’s home friendly against Celtic and his first taste of the St James’ Park atmosphere. He said: “Season ticket sales are going really well. Everything is looking good. Pre-season friendlies are very much an exercise, whether you win or lose. But we have home games coming up, exciting games to really look forward to. “For tomorrow night’s match with Celtic we are offering free tickets for under-11s who are accompanied by an adult. Two under-11s can get in free with a paying adult.” In a statement released by Newcastle United last night announcing his appointment as chairman, Mr Mort thanked Mr Shepherd for all he had done for the club over the last 15 years. He added: “I am delighted to become chairman of such a fabulous club. Since arriving at St James’ Park I have been hugely encouraged by the warm welcome I have received from so many supporters. “The strategic review of the club is going well and, with the new season fast approaching, we feel the time is right to make this change. “I would like to thank Freddy Shepherd for all he has done for the club over the last 15 years.” Mr Mort is a top London lawyer with a history of working on high-profile sports and leisure deals. He is co-head of the leisure division at law firm Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer. He worked on the high-profile takeover of Formula One motor racing in November 2005 and has assisted Mike Ashley with his Sports Direct business in the past. The 41-year-old grew up in Wales and then moved to North London. He has taken an indefinite leave of absence to run United.

"See you at Bolton" Part time supporter tbh. We have 4 games before then.

Wigan have confirmed Baines WONT be joining the Mackems.

www.nufc.co.uk STEVEN Taylor is ready to return to action in a black and white shirt but admits at one point he feared he'd miss the start of the new season. Tayls injured his ankle during England Under-21's semi-final defeat against hosts and eventual winners Holland at this summer's European Championships. But the 21-year-old centre-back resumed full training with his Magpies team-mates this week and says he has an outside chance of figuring against Celtic on Thursday. The Geordie defender told Newcastle World TV: "We've been back two weeks now and I'm working hard and I'm getting there. "I joined back in training this week and now I need to play some games. "Hopefully I will play some part against Celtic but we'll have to wait and see how things go in training." And Steven admits that at one point he thought he wouldn't be ready for United's season-opener at Bolton on August 11. He added: "It was a big blow to get injured away with England and at one point I thought I'd miss the start of the campaign. "But the physios at Newcastle have been great and I'm raring to go now. "It was disappointing to get injured at the tournament but it was a great experience, you are playing against the best in Europe and that's what you need and it can only be good for Newcastle and for myself." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Good news, even if he doesn't play tomorrow, it's great that he's nearly fi again. We need as much as we can get defensively

They also said the Deco deal was done They didn't, like. They did, like. Under the heading "Incoming #5". The difference that a . rather than a ? makes to a story! They didnt say it was done at all. They said their sources told them the deal had been agreed and he was set to fly in for a medical. Who really gives a shit, anyway, in all honesty? I don't.

That's what SSN are reporting.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6800/44019535liverpool416bi9.jpg

60k, rising to 78k. £300,000,000 Looks like an airport from the designs.

Thing is, no real clubs apart from Spurs are getting that much stronger. For examle Fulam have spent 20 mill, aye, but they're just Joe Average players. Alot of money gets spent every close season and it's always the same teams bar the odd surprise in the top 6, the same teams fighting for 7th-14th and then the bottom 6, who knows.

They also said the Deco deal was done They didn't, like. They did, like. Under the heading "Incoming #5".

Save it for here: http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=43131.0

They also said the Deco deal was done

Pro Evo 1 tastic

Just what I expected on here. I voted 'other' on the poll, back on topic now? Yep, cheers. All fair enough discussion options, even that of Given on here. But when it comes to bitching to each other, save it for PM's.

I'll just lock this bad boy if it carries on like this. Back on topic please, gents.

Middlesbrough Aston Villa Leverkusen Belgrade Just four off the top of my head that he's saved against. In the Premiership as we aren't in Europe and when were the Villa and smog ones? Villa was Roeders second game in 2006. We won 2-1. Shola and Zog scored. Boro was in 01/02 at the smellnet. We won 4-1. Shearer x2, Dabizas and Robert. Gareth Barry over the bar? Leazes end? Nope. Away at Villa Park. Baros IIRC. Saved by Shays leg.

Middlesbrough Aston Villa Leverkusen Belgrade Just four off the top of my head that he's saved against. In the Premiership as we aren't in Europe and when were the Villa and smog ones? Villa was Roeders second game in 2006. We won 2-1. Shola and Zog scored. Boro was in 01/02 at the smellnet. We won 4-1. Shearer x2, Dabizas and Robert.

Middlesbrough Aston Villa Leverkusen Belgrade Just four off the top of my head that he's saved against.

Owen.

I think in the long term, Carroll will be the better player. No doubt though that at the moment Shola is the better of the two.

Opinion?

Newcastle United are expected to make a major impact under new manager Sam Allardyce this season, but with big money being demanded for players these days, Sam has been left frustrated by some of his transfer market moves - as well as the added blow of learning that he will be without key signing Joey Barton through injury for several weeks. Whilst expectations on Tyneside are high, probably higher than usual, the Newcastle boss has warned fans to be patient. Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with Big Sam for an exclusive interview. Q YOU'VE HAD INJURY SETBACKS ALREADY - TO JOEY BARTON AND MICHAEL OWEN - WHAT'S THE SITUATION? A: The injury to Joey - a broken metatarsal which required surgery - is a terrible blow for us, and the player. It didn't appear too serious at the time. There was no contact and he appeared to pull up sharply but it is quite a problem now and he will be out for 6-8 weeks. Michael's not as serious as he has a slight thigh injury he picked up doing a little shooting exercise, so we are taking a precautionary measure and leaving him out of the side at the moment. Q: HOW LONG DO YOU ANTICIPATE MICHAEL BEING OUT? A: Initially, we thought it would be no more than a week or ten days and he's bac in training again. It may actually be a little early for the Celtic match on Thursday, but Juventus on the Sunday is one we hope he can be fit for. Q: HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL BEFORE YOU CAN MAKE YOUR MARK, FULLY, AT THE CLUB? A: Something like 18 months to two years. Players cannot retain all the information you want to give them so it is a long process. You impart key elements and then you re-introduce other elements which are less urgent later on. You bring in players as well to change the direction of the club. You want to make the players fitter, stronger and also work on them tactically and technically and make them more aware the size of a club like Newcastle. Q: DO YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE OF EXPECTATION? A: If you get a result at St James' it will be okay. If not then you will get disapproval. We live in a cauldron. The fans are enthusiastic but can be over critical but that's life. By getting more results in our favour that will make life easier. But the pressure on managers, coaches and players is massive nowadays and it is a concern of mine. Q WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE TRANSFER MARKET THIS SUMMER? A: The supply and demand influences the market. The supply for top quality players is increasing-you only have to look at how much Premiership players are going for. The money is the biggest in the history of football. It used to be the big boys who could afford it but there are others who are now getting involved. Q WHERE ARE NEWCASTLE IN THAT EQUATION? A: You look at Fulham and they have spent £20m, Wigan have spent £10m, Portsmouth have spent £20m, West Ham £20m and Spurs £30m. Newcastle would normally deal at this level but not at the moment but hopefully we will have the ability to do it again. Q WHAT AREAS OF THE TEAM ARE YOUR MAIN CONCERN? A: Really, it is the defence that concerns me most. I am working extremely hard in that department and I know that we need to improve this area of the team. I am aware that another day goes by and another target slips away either to another Premiership club or to Spain or Italy. I am looking to improve on next year. I am looking to put structures in place whereby we have consistency on a regular basis rather than doing well in a one-off season and then fall back. That may take a bit more time and that requires patience.