NSG

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.

ITK or speculating (is that you Alan)? Well the paper isn't just going to ignore it completely.

"To be fair to Shepherd, he always gave exclusives to the Chronicle"

Nar, but: Deco has reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona but admits that if the club tell him that he is not needed then he will seek a transfer. The Portuguese international spoke out after being left out of the starting line-up in Barca's 11 versus 11 training match on Tuesday. His omission sparked debate in the Catalan media as a lot has been read into Frank Rijkaard's choice for the two teams in the match. "I have a contract until 2010 and nobody has said anything to me, therefore I think that they count on me. I like it here. But if they do not want me to stay then that is there choice," Deco said. Barca are continuing their pre-season preparations in Scotland but speculation is rife over which players will be off-loaded following the arrival of four new stars. Deco has been subject of interest from Internazionale and Newcastle United but he is only focusing on helping Barcelona reclaim their title and is knows Rijkaard has yet to finalise his squad. "He will now try and make a great team from these players. Everyone wants to make this a great team," the 29-year-old explained. "The team is not finalised yet. The coach is trying to create his team and I have to continue working hard." Reflecting on harsh criticism during last season that included reports that he was at the centre of the controversy behind the scenes, Deco explained that he knew the analysis would start when the team missed out on the title. Deco said: "When you do not win something then things like that always happen. We have had some incredible years, but then last season we failed. "Everything that was said was expected and we were ready for it. This season I think we will be going for all the trophies as the club has brought some great new players."

....and here's me thinking that the manager chooses who to buy and the Chairman just deals with the business side of things.... Yeah because picking players is the only job at a Football club right?.. The manager deals with players, picking the team, oversee's coaching and usually picks the transfer targets. But you still need someone with Football knowledge in front of him to deal with everything else. Mort doesn't have that AFAIK. Which is why I mentioned a DOF in between Mort and Allardyce to support the manager on Football matters that he shouldn't need to be burdened with. I do think we'll end up with a DOF.

Can't say you're excited that someone who knows what he's doing has been appointed? He knows what he's doing in a law farm, not a football club. Surely you recognise there is a subtle difference? As far as the chairman is concerned, the club is a business, just like everywhere else. Sam Allardyce is in charge of the footballing side. We dont know or sure that Mort is up to this job at all yet. Just because he's done well in other realms of business, doesn't mean he'll know how to run this particular business. I'm good at golf, doesn't mean I'm liquid at all sports though. (Worst example ever but you get the idea) I'm staying optimistic though, for now. It is the worst example ever, you're right there. At th end of the day, anyone new brings risks, but IMO a man with a background like Mort is as risk free as we can get.