Consortium of one

I don't see how anyone can complain about this signing. He brings a lot to the table and every indication is that the club will bring in another striker as well. I'd still like to know mopre about his knee but this is a free and that is good business. As for Gameiro, I'd have concerns of him being a bit of a light weight in the PL. By all accounts Erdinc isn't quite as polished but he does have some power in his game.

Wish him all the best. He was a fine skipper.

If Ba's knees are a problem maybe Shola can give him his. Shola's knees don't have much wear and tear and he won't be needing them much anyways...

Take all those nice things he said about WHU and it all boils down to one point: "They offered me a ridiculous contract and I'd be a fool not to sign it."

An old baseball General Manager lived by the creed, "Better to get rid of a player a year too early rather than a year too late."

You knock up a little shrine if it makes you feel better Rich. Candles on top of an empty KFC bucket.

I've often wondered what Jonas would be like with more quickness and creativity around him. Now that we are bringing some into the squad it would be madness to let him go. I don't get to see every game here in the states but of the games I do see, Jonas gets doubled a lot. With more quality around him he could really shine. People complain about lack of end product but unfortunately sometimes the only outlet he has had has been a back pass to Enrique.

Latest from the Barton interview... http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6991026,00.html

I have to wonder what Nolan is thinking. He's leaving a club in the PL that he has allegedly come to love (with 2 years left on his contract) to go to a club in the Championship with dodgy finances and most of the talent looking to jump ship.

This would make me LMAO: NOLAN FAILS MEDICAL West Ham Deal is Off

It's both.

WHAT I WANT TO BELIEVE: The club has a plan. Older, less mobile players are being shipped off and younger, mobile players are lined up to come in and replace them. The club has a long term strategy to pursue young players to play with a highly flexible, attacking mindset. WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING: Fat Bastard woke up one morning and decided he wants to force the high wage earners with limited resale value off the club, reasoning that said veteran players also have too much say in the dressing room. As a side note, he's decided that if Pardew doesn't like it he can fuck off and he'll bring in another puppet.

with the first of my close season predictions, I'm predicting that Newcastle will sign a french fella by the name of Yohan Cabaye. More predictions to follow...

Yeah. We really should have got him in a room with a contract and threatened to cut his ears off Reservoir Dogs style if he didn't sign. Michael Madsen dancing to Stuck in the Middle with You before doing that is classic

It sounds like Zog would like to come back. When motivated he's a force. If he comes back, however, I reserve the right to fly over there and kick him in the nuts if he starts wanting away to a bigger club.

5M for Nolan and Smith is very tempting. I wouldn't do it this instant but I would surely consider it.

I'd say offering 3M is Fat Sam taking a flyer. I'd bet he'd be unwilling to pay a penny more because he just can't afford it. Would anyone else offer 5-6M for Nolan? I doubt it.

. He's also a barrister who represents dead people. Wiring me 45M any day now..

WINNAR! Had me in hysterics

I think Nolan and Barton have to be looked at as separate cases. Nolan is a model professional. For all his physical faults, he's the player other players look up to plus he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He's been consistent and the intangibles he brings to the dressing room and the pitch are worth a premium. As much as I appreciate what Joey Barton brought to the pitch last year, he's no Kevin Nolan. Last year was the only good full year he's given the club and while he's made great strides in his personal life the fact that he's been known to pop off about the England team in the manner that he did still make me believe that he still has unresolved issues that could undermine his performance. He's in the last year of his contract and if he wants to land another good one, he has to play well again this year and keep his reputation intact. Were I running the club I'd sit Nolan down, tell him how much I appreciate his influence and ask him to let things get sorted out over the next year and revisit an extension prior to the last year of his contract. Then I'd tell Barton that I'd need to see him duplicate last season's effort before I offered him a new deal.

This thread...LMFAO...all I can say.

Typo mate, fixed it for you. Really needs a NSFW tag First I started dancing then it triggered a rage and well, they're trying to put me in cuffs as I ty

I just assumed every Geordie lad growing up today dreams of wearing 23.