ShearMagic

At the end of the day, look at the players SA signed when he was at Bolton. Lots of people were turning their heads, just as some of you are now. But what happened? They performed brilliantly, and SA looked like a genius. Its the same thing, he shouldn't just spend big because he can, he's a very shrewd man in the transfer market, and thats one of the reasons I like him.

I personally voted Given. Has given (no pun intended) a great 10 years service to the club, and is very experienced. My second choice would be Nobby, has always struck me as a bit of a leader tbh. I think they are the only two I would pick atm. Steven Taylor - While I love him, he's not old enough, nor does he have the experience.

;D

Umm... its only mid July for christs sake. Our squad is still better than it was at the end of last season, and theres still around 7 weeks left of the window. So would you have been happy if we signed Duscher? Even though he was sub-par and overweight, just so that we could add another player onto our books? I don't care what you say either, most of the 'big' players won't join us, why leave a club that is playing in the Champions League, to come to a club that isn't even in the UEFA??

Anyone else think its stupid that the way they separate teams is Head to Head?? They only play each other once, and in the Australia group, if Australia beat Thailand and Oman beat Iraq its going to finish: Australia beats Thailand Thailand beats Oman Iraq beats Australia Oman beats Iraq

Why are we still talking about Baines? We're not going after him. How many times does it have to be said?

I'd pay that for him. Not that we really need a right back, its the other side that we need to focus on.

Know nothing about him, so can't really comment. I guess its good in a way that we didn't take him, if he turned up overweight, what kind of impression is that?

Look at most wingers though. Most of their crosses are pretty trash, but they always have 2 or 3 real quality ones a game.

Great news. Only real criticism I have of him is his inability to take players on. What a turn-around eh? Was a shoe-in to sign for Villa - assuming we got Dukes. We didnt get Dukes, kept Milner, and a year later we have both of them

was that a quote from Nickey Shorey or Micheal Owen? Sounds very much the same dunnit. I'd be happy with either Shorey or Baines, but the Baines thing has been nipped on its head so I dont see why we're still talking about him. Shorey impressed last year, and still looks capable of improvement. He's a more defensive player than Baines IMO, which is probably a good thing to compliment Geremi.

Yeah, I see us linked to all of these kids but I wonder why? We need experience back there first and foremost, and we need players to play now.

IMO it should be Shay Given

He's not chairman now. Yes he is: Newcastle United PLC - Board Changes FOLLOWING the recommended cash offer by St James Holdings Limited being declared unconditional in all respects on 15 June 2007, Newcastle United PLC announces the resignation of Bruce Shepherd, Allison Antonopoulos, Tim Revill and Douglas Hall from the Board of Directors and the appointment of Chris Mort and Steve Hayward to the Board of Directors; all such changes to have immediate effect. Freddy Shepherd remains in his current role. www.nufc.co.uk Yep, exactly what I remember reading that.

I see your point about him warming up, but I probably wouldn't be flying up and down the line warming up whole heartedly when I know that its more than likely I won't be going on. Its a vicious cycle at the end of the day, Luque doesn't want to bother because he thinks he won't be given a chance anyway, and Roeder doesn't want to give him a chance because he isn't trying. Hopefully that will change this season. Aye, quite correct there. If anyone can get the best out of Luque its Big Sam. Personally, I'm looking forward to him getting an extended run in the side.

Nope Freddy isn't the chairman (Can't believe I've said it again), like another poster said it doesn't really matter though as he's got no future at the club. Just thought I'd share my info with everyone thats all. Where is your source for saying he isn't chairman? I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm just curious as to whether he is or he isn't.

Don't you think that a lot of the stuff mentioned was due to a lack of confidence though? I mean the pace, fair enough, he's looked sluggish, but he has the skill to make up for it. The losing the ball easily and tackling like a ponce is definitely due to lack of confidence IMO though. When the attitude is right, and he wants to play, I can imagine that improving 100%. He has been treated really harshly, he has been frozen out because we haven't been able to fit him in. All we've done in the last few years is lose (most of the time) meaning the fans are getting restless and demanding a win, and in that situation it was hard for Luque to get into the team. Give him a chance.

If my understanding is correct, Freddy Shepherd is still chairman. Well, at least he was when it was first announced Ashley was taking over. Don't know if it has changed since then, but I do know it was the intention of both Shepherd and Ashely for FFS to stay on as chairman. On Kenneth, what did he actually do? If it was only contract negotiations and the like, I dont think we need a replacement, Craig Mort seems to have that one down pat.

I remember reading that we didnt want Baines because of his height though? Apparently SA did a study, and one of the primary reasons for our goals conceded was because of a lack of height. Baines comes in at only 5'7'', so I think that put him off.

Great for American football. Poor for David Beckham.

To change formation - Say if you want to go from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2. just select the defender you wish to take out, and replace with a midfielder. Count me in, my team name is the ever predictable 'Toon Army'.

Hate to spoil the party but personally I think its a crock of shit. I dont see why we would be interested in a 20 year old, when SA basically said himself he wants experience at the back.

I quite like the new Villa kit. Big improvement on the other one

how has he not looked committed? i dont understand where people get this from they act as though he skips practice doesnt show up for matches etc.. the man just needs a chance. I was more referring to the looking interested in playing part. He's seemed disinterested, and I do realise we don't know fully what goes on behind the scenes but they are just my observations. I hope the man does get a chance, one feels it will be his last one though. Hopefully he makes the most of it.

As long as he is given a fair shot, yes we can. He started off very promisingly in his first game, but then got injured for quite a while, and for some reason or another never really came back with the promise that he did show in that first game. If he can get back to somewhere near his Depor form, he will be useful to have in the squad