timeEd32

When Arteta, Benayoun and RvP are injured come October they will be looking pretty rough with nowhere to turn.

Hard to say, I've never argued that things are all rosy or that we haven't made any mistakes. I just don't think it's the apocalypse either. I said it would be inexcusable not to sign a LB, but we ended up getting a pretty good one. Maybe not as good as Enrique, but there aren't many of them around anyway. We are short of one quality striker, totally agree with that. The problem was always that we needed to get one that was far above our current ones, and that is hard to get if you can't/won't loosen the purse strings enough. Ashley has done a lot of things wrong during his tenure, but also some right. I agree with his general plan to make us more financially sustainable, the only question is how much he should be cutting from the spending. I don't really know what the answer to that is, I just don't see the point in raging against it because I think it's at least partly correct. I do think we're heading in the right direction. I don't know all the ins and outs of the finances, but I think it's pretty obvious our situation is a hell of a lot better today than it was 3-4 years ago. We've also shifted a lot of aging, overpaid players and replaced them with a fairly young team that I find much more exciting to watch. It just seems like we could have really made a big push this season and as of four hours ago I thought it was going to happen. A proper goalscorer in Ruiz, plus some much needed cover for the backline. That hope definitely made this even worse. I think we did a lot of good things this summer, but we don't have a #9. I think I need to log off before I see another person refer to Nolan as some great loss. The best thing we did this summer was replace him with Cabaye.

Ian - I've enjoyed your optimistic views all summer and I've shared most with you, but it's over man. The fact that our top 4 strikers still include Lovenkrands and Shola is just inexcusable. We might have a good season if we get lucky with injuries/suspensions and don't sell anyone in January. In fact, I still think we have a legitimate chance to finish 7th. However, the bottom line is we did not buy the goalscorer that we desperately need. I'm not sure what was real out of all the supposed targets - Gameiro, Gervinho, Erdinc, Maiga, Roux, Cisse, Bendtner, Ruiz, etc. - but the fact is that as of today none of them play for Newcastle United. I'm sure there are a million and one reasons why each didn't work out, but it's indefensible and can only categorized as failure.

I would say the midfield has definitely been strengthened, mainly because Cabaye shits all over Nolan.

No doubt that's a good team, but a spine of Krul, Colo, Tiote, Cabaye, HBA, and Ruiz would have had us really onto something. Can't believe we didn't sign a striker. Really just unbelievable.

How did we not, at the absolute very least, secure a loan for Bendtner? An absolute fucking joke that we need to watch Peter Lovenkrands attempt to play football for another 6 months.

There's tons of time. Harry hasn't even started scouting yet.

Baseball trade deadline is good as well as the few days around the winter meetings when a lot of business happens, but it doesn't compare to this shit. The last 45 minutes have been complete insanity - from the lowest of lows to ecstasy. I'm ready to be brought back down to earth.

Oh my god...OH MY GOD....THINGS ARE FUCKING HAPPENING!!!!

Can you imagine? And then he'd hate life after about 6 months and want out and he'd come back home tail between legs a man on a mission.

Seal of approval.

If this happens I'm going to troll the fuck out of a Fulham board. Assuming one even exists.

Tiote Cabaye Jonas Marveaux HBA Ruiz ?

From Wiki... I guess somewhat promising if he's motivated now.

From what I know of Gignac, I think I'd much prefer Bendtner.

€100m Ashley has started the bidding at €3m Don't be stupid. €99m final offer. Nah, they'd accept and we'd immediately enter administration. Even he's not that dumb.

€100m Ashley has started the bidding at €3m

If Sunderland get Bendtner I'm going to be really fucking pissed off.

Tell that to the chicken cutlet bacon melt I just ordered. Today's Sandwich of the Day. Most exciting thing of my day so far. I feel like I'm about to have a heart attack, but in a good way. What a sandwich.

Gradel, wasn't it?

"It may be possible..." tbh. Farrington - may be possible that while the player is keen to think about #nufc, Twente are not keen to consider a fresh bid at this late stage. Come on Sewelly!

For the 100th time, that's not an issue.

Tell that to the chicken cutlet bacon melt I just ordered. Today's Sandwich of the Day. Most exciting thing of my day so far.

I'm scared to go get lunch.