Novocastrian

If Tiote is sold I can't wait to hear what Pardew has to say about it.

Why not? They have a multitude of attacking options. They are short of a top class DM.

£14M ? Makes sense: Aly Cissokho £7M Maiga £7M

It is cheating like. It's exactly like feigning and injury or taking a dive. Just because there was contact, it doesnt mean Barton throwing himself to the ground isnt cheating. By your logic, if a player goes down after minimal contact, it's not taking a dive, it's not simulation. Undeniably. Conning the ref has got absolutely f*** all to do with it - it's just so far away from the point it's untrue. Gervinho's actions, a million per cent, deserved a red card, whether Joey goes down or not. It brings up another question, too. If the ref had seen that it wasn't a foul (demonstrated by the play-on) - why wasn't the guy reprimanded for diving? All in all, it would have been a crazy injustice had Gervinho finished the match. Barton just made sure of it; well played lad. Conning the ref has everything to do with it. If Barton hadnt threw himself to the floor would Gervinho have been sent off? Debatable. Yes, Gervinho raised his hand, yes he deserved to go, but for me you cant deny Barton helped the ref make up his mind. I do Like Barton. He's a good player and integral part of the team for me. Think he gets too much stick for his comments at times but he cheated like, without a doubt. If he's helping the ref come to the correct decision I've absolutely no problem with it, in fact I'd probably encourage it. It's only if he was trying to con the ref into making the wrong decision that I'd take exception. Couldn't have put it better, i agree entirely. Zaius, if Barton's helping the ref come to the correct decision - how the hell is he 'conning' him? Dunno what planet you're on. Novocastrian, 'ruining the game' ffs. Players getting away with raising their hands to others' faces is more likely to bring the game into disrepute, like. Gervinho 'raised his hands' which is a sending off offence = he was sent off. Barton's histrionics contributed to Gervinho's sending off, he 'helped the referee make the correct decision'. I think Gervinho was so shocked to be grabbed by Barton that his first reaction was to confront him and try and strike him. If he had of dropped to the floor himself and 'exaggerated' the movement Barton would have been sent off. Now, if you are happy with our players 'helping the referee' make decisions by gamesmanship, then fair enough. As long as you realise that other players will/have done the same to us. If you believe it is 'part and parcel' of the modern game and players should exploit any advantage, including getting opposition players sent off, then that is your prerogative. For me, the sight of grown men grabbing their face and falling over at the slightest touch is embarassing and it is cheating. Players diving and rolling around on the ground make the referees job harder and often ruin the spectacle of the game (although I admit the controversy generated by these incidents is strangely compelling). So, I stand by what I said, gamesmanship (cheating-lite for want of a better word), diving, feigning injury and grown men waving imaginary cards and trying to get fellow professionals sent off is ruining the game, in my opinion.

That's brilliant, but later on in the season it will be someone like Nani 'exaggerating' and getting Barton or Tiote sent off. Read my lips: It's ruining the game.

Players faking injury, going down 'too easily', falling over as if the have been poleaxed and generally trying to con the ref are ruining the game. Doesn't matter if it's a Newcastle player are not; it's risible. Gervinho tried to cheat, Barton tried to con the ref, there's nothing to admire.

Not mongs who've done the sum total of f*** all when you're a premiership club. His appointment was no coincidence. Where did I say it was a coincidence? I didn't agree with the choice of manager, or the manner that he got the job at the time... But I don't get the blind hatred you're showing towards him, personally. And you didn't answer my earlier question... Are you going to hate every manager that this club has under this regime, because they are all going to be working under the same remit? Just asking, because it seems like a lot of hard work when you could just choose to get behind the manager instead. I hate Pardew and will continue to until he resigns when he's eventually broken by this regime. I'll also hate his replacement if I deem it appropriate. He's not worthy of the position he has and I've said that from day one. True, there has been no discernible improvement in the football at all from Hughton's team. Has he had any impact at all on the team? Does he influence transfer policy? I suspect he has little involvement (just my opinion.) All he has done is preside over a steady stream of sales as our most established players head out through the exit. He's not a manager, just a caretaker for the Ashley regime.

'...the purse-strings for Mevlut openers were reported'

Maybe he reads the papers and is aware that we have £35m to spend on new recruits whilst Everton can't scrabble the money together to buy half of N'Zogbia.

Nolan's wages could have been better spent on keeping Carroll; a promising player with bags of potential. However, that would have robbed Ashley of the chance to rebuild the squad without putting a penny of his own money in. The whole thing demonstrates how utterly irrelevant Pardew's position as 'manager' has become.

I never quite get used to how authoritarian you English are. Looking forward to checking Twitter later on after Barton's had a few scoops at the races. Should be quite instructive.

Most of the 'fantasy' line-ups posted on here - featuring Zog, Gervinho etc - have not included Nolan. In this brave new age where 'every penny' of the Carroll £35m will be reinvested in the team it is difficult to envisage a role for him. Certainly if the club actually follows through with some of the press speculation and signs players of the calibre already mentioned (I remain deeply sceptical) he could be a bit part player. He is looking after his career and wants a longer deal. The club are baulking at giving a longer deal for a player who may not have the longevity to remain effective into his 30s. I personally thank him for staying during the relegation season and fighting to take us back into the top tier. No-one can be really sure of the effect he has on team spirit and I suppose time will tell if he really was the glue holding the whole thing together.

You think a week is an instant decision? Its simple really, does he want to stay or not. Pretty easy really. A week is nothing. Not sure why people expect these things to go through this quickly. It's the same with some of our transfer targets, people saying 'move on' if we haven't signed someone within a couple of weeks of being linked to them. EDIT: Very naive if you believe it's 'pretty easy'. Its a decision over 6 months or more, even more naive to think its only dawned on him the past 7 days. How can he decide on something he was offered maybe a week ago, six months ago? He may not have been sure what he wanted to do, decided to see what was put on the table and then go from there. Like Dave said, there's also other factors like waiting to see who we sign too. I know most footballers think the world revolves around them but it's not all about him. He must realise the club need, if not an answer, at least some indication of his intentions. We do, after all, need to plan for life after him.

It's obvious we have learned absolutely nothing in the last few years. The clue is in the possession of the actual ball and passing it directly to a teamate; preferably someone in the same postal area.

Almost makes up for having to watch that cunt Garth Crooks.

It's the fat that makes him look fat, not the stripes.

£50 for a shirt that will be worn one season!!! Robbing bastards, think I'll buy a retro one from TOFFS are something.

Pingel was the biggest plank I ever saw. Worse even than Rob McDonald I agree but I'm sure he left us and played for Bayern Munich!!!

As previous posters have mentioned. George Reilly Tony Cunningham Frank Pingel Billy Whitehurst but for sheer ineffectiveness I give you John Robertson. The prolific Hearts striker signed for big money as Beardsley's replacement. 12 appearance 0 goals and back to Hearts within a very short time. Didn't expect much from journeymen like Whitehurst etc but Robertson arrived with a big reputation and was a huge flop.

He didn't seem to be enjoying his football with us; constantly snarling and looking sullen. He seems to have a smile on his face now and it's obvious he has worked hard to get back on top. Can't understand the enmity towards him, yes he was shit for us but I'd prefer him to get a medal than some whinging Arsenal twat like Wilshere.

1985 3-2 defeat at home to Spurs. Beardsley scored two pens and Chris Waddle was barracked by the home fans as it was, by then, pretty obvious he was going to be a Spurs player the following season.

Probably!! Got a really gash internet connection at the mo.

Anyone got a soft spot for Napoli?? I'm moving to Naples in August and hopefully will be watching Champions League football next season.

Anyone got a soft spot for Napoli?? I'm moving to Naples in August, hopefully will have Champs League football to look forward too next year.

Stupid question really, Newcastle aren't likely to play England any time soon so there is no need for split loyalties as there is no conflict of interest. Some of my happiest memories as a football fan have been watching England in major tournaments. I've been to both the old Wembley and New Wembley to watch England and yes annoying Cockney Wankers are over represented but it doesn't put me off England, just makes me less likely to pay to watch a pointless friendly. The cult of the Premier League and Champions League have reduced interest in international football, and the domestic cup competitions, and I think this is a real shame. However, watching England fighting valiantly and then going out of a competition by the thinnest of margins (Italia 90, Euro 96) is easier than stomaching the gutless surrenders of Sven's and Capello's teams.