Consortium of one

Barnetta always signs for Liverpool on my FM2011 saves

Tiote Ben Arfa Nolan

I'd feel better if I saw us in for some younger centerbacks.

I didn't get to watch every game but of the games I did see Jonas would often draw two defenders. He was often forced to back pass to Enrique or Tiote. Jonas had no end product because he had no one to help him turn the key. With Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Marveaux he has some midfield mobility and creativity. With just one mobile, creative midfielder for Jonas to play off of would make a marked imporovement in his end product, IMO. Throw in Ba and another good striker, mix in some crosses from Enrique and Barton and the club has a good variety of attacking options. I'm getting excited.

Best of luck to you, Chris.

I would think he could do a very good job there. Wether he would be first choice come the start of the season is a different matter though. And that is the key, IMO. If Barton isn't first choice, he's going to kick up a storm. He's on the last year of his deal and he's looking at one more big payday. I can't see him accepting a bench role to start the season.

I'm not sure I'd pay 60K/wk either.

The clubs interest in Matuidi is what makes me question Barton's future with the club. I just can't see the purpose of having both Matuidi and Barton. If we sign Matuidi it will be for a big fee and I can't see him sitting behind Barton nor can I see Barton sitting behind him while on the last year of his contract. It's possible that Pardew will want to play Barton as a wide midfielder with barton crossing from the right and Enrique from the left but again, even assuming just one striker, who among Ben Arfa, Tiote, Cabaye or Matuidi would sit? You would also have to assume that Marveaux was signed to be a squad player and primarily back up the wings. The midfield would look even more crowded if we played with two strikers. The only other possibility is if Pardew plans to mix and match depending on the opponent Play a narrow 4312 with: Ba striker Ben Arfa Matuidi Cabaye Tiote Play a 4231 with: Ba Jonas Ben Arfa Marveaux Tiote Cabaye Or as someone pointed out earlier a 4231 with: Ba Jonas Ben Arfa Cabaye Barton Tiote Or a conventional 442 with: Ba striker Marveaux Tiote Matuidi Barton It would be pretty ambitious to play all those different formations and the players would have to buy into it but damn it would be pretty neat to have such a variety of lineups avaiable and able to do the business.

With all the "cunt" being thrown around I actually miss JFK

thanks for that edited it. I had Jonas and Marveaux switched

If the season started right now would Barton even start? Jonas on the left, Marveaux on the right, Ben Arfa in the hole with Tiote and Cabaye behind. Realistically Barton could back up all except for Jonas and Ben Arfa and I'm sure he'd get into a fair amount of games but if I'm on the last year of a deal and looking for one more big payday I wouldn't be happy being on the bench to start most games.

Cause discussion on a Newcastle forum? Right, and everyone here is from the Northeast, too!

Rondon please.

+1 There should be term limits, 8 years max.

I don't like Spurs and can't stand Redknapp but good for them for standing up to Modric the way they did. Was kind of shocked to see that Modric was on 45k p/w. He's been making less than Nolan?

I'm kind of impressed by the Marveaux deal. Even when the player was on his way to Liverpool, we were right there and acted with conviction when the opportunity presented itself.

These French guys have got to be on lower wages if we can afford to fit them all into the squad. I'm all for it as we need quality depth. My only other concern would be for some of our younger players like Ferguson and Vuckic and if we can get them on the pitch, too.

I like Simpson and think he's improved. However, I think he's more of a backup if we want to maintain a place in the top seven.

Kevin who?

Need a striker, centerback and competition for Simpson (assuming N Taylor is to be in) Then we knock back offers to Enrique, storm the PL and he re-signs with us.

I still think he has to prove himself but I don't want to knock him anymore. He was a nice surprise and I hope he can continue to improve, stay at the club and prove me wrong

Best started 9 games. He scored six goals. Three of those goals were in one game. I hope he's broken out and can really help the club, I really do, but 9 games is an awfully small sample size to get excited about.

At the moment he's our best striker, isn't he? Yeah but that is only because our other strikers are named Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Ranga.

It's June 17th. It's too early for drama. Maybe wait a month before the hand wringing begins? I kinda miss Hughton's tight lipped denials. Journo: Demba Ba was spotted. Has he had a medical? Hughton: We've had no contact with the player. Journo: But he was seen at your facilities! Hughton: We've had no contact with the player.

Best had a nice stretch of games but in reality, is he any more than a 4th striker? He seems to be injured a lot, too. I'm concerned about squad depth as well but 4M for Best looks like good business.