The Prophet

Sbragia... Good shout

The bottom line is very true. If we go down there and lose, having dismantled a half decent team over the last twelve months and bought cheap unproven replacements then there will be absolutely no hiding place for the management. I include Pardew in that; if we lose he'll be all out of spin and bullshine. While I'm equally disgruntled about the lack of investment that's a ridiculous statement. No signing would gurantee a win on Saturday. A defeat would be the culmination of a shambolic last 6 months off the field with the Crown Jewels sold off. We've known what we needed for this season all summer yet failed to address key areas whilst strengthening in areas that arguably weren't pressing concerns. They will be no excuses and as I've said before, for a lot of supporters, a defeat and Pardew will struggle to ever win them back onside. I don't see how the two issues are related. I've written many a time about the investment, or lack of it. Equally it's disgraceful we look like we're going to be left backless for the derby. However, while further investment would increase our chances in any match, to assign a particular defeat to players we haven't bought is silly. What if we'd of invested the Carroll money and lost anyway? It's like us winning and me turning round and saying: 'oh we beat the mackems we don't need to invest any more this summer' Put it this way: do you think losing to our fierce rivals would go down well with an already disgruntled fan base (for massive earlier mistakes and a lack of transfer activity in more recent times)? Of course not, it wouldn't regardless.

A striker with four goals in about forty games? Christ

The bottom line is very true. If we go down there and lose, having dismantled a half decent team over the last twelve months and bought cheap unproven replacements then there will be absolutely no hiding place for the management. I include Pardew in that; if we lose he'll be all out of spin and bullshine. While I'm equally disgruntled about the lack of investment that's a ridiculous statement. No signing would gurantee a win on Saturday. A defeat would be the culmination of a shambolic last 6 months off the field with the Crown Jewels sold off. We've known what we needed for this season all summer yet failed to address key areas whilst strengthening in areas that arguably weren't pressing concerns. They will be no excuses and as I've said before, for a lot of supporters, a defeat and Pardew will struggle to ever win them back onside. I don't see how the two issues are related. I've written many a time about the investment, or lack of it. Equally it's disgraceful we look like we're going to be left backless for the derby. However, while further investment would increase our chances in any match, to assign a particular defeat to players we haven't bought is silly. What if we'd of invested the Carroll money and lost anyway? It's like us winning and me turning round and saying: 'oh we beat the mackems we don't need to invest any more this summer'

The bottom line is very true. If we go down there and lose, having dismantled a half decent team over the last twelve months and bought cheap unproven replacements then there will be absolutely no hiding place for the management. I include Pardew in that; if we lose he'll be all out of spin and bullshine. While I'm equally disgruntled about the lack of investment that's a ridiculous statement. No signing would gurantee a win on Saturday.

Agreed, it's not like we aren't trying either

I'd say it's a decent bet

I wonder how much his club value him at...

I agree it's a desperate situation. This could of been avoided by simply buying Jose's replacement before he was sold, now clubs will be milking us for all we're worth. However, it's only my opinion but I just can't see the powers that be sanctioning a move for Bridge, given his age, wage and his short term usefulness. I think the Pieters deal will go through, just can't see it before Saturday unfortunately.

Yet its what they do time and time again Like signing Enrique/Colo/Tiote/Ben Arfa/Cabaye? Their incoming transfer record isn't that bad at all Jose gone at at a loss... and I doubt the rest will be here next season. We're talking about incomings though. Plus doesn't Jose going at a loss kind of contradict your point?

Aye, but it goes to show they rarely target ageing has-beens on 80,000 a week

Yet its what they do time and time again Like signing Enrique/Colo/Tiote/Ben Arfa/Cabaye? Their incoming transfer record isn't that bad at all

This club and logic do not go together.. if it did Jose woold still be here until we had signed a replacement. True, but I doubt they'd make a move that would financially cost them in the long run

There's no way I can see us signing Bridge like. It's illogical on so many levels.

This has deadline day job written all over it

Fancy that? The perfect logic of selling before you buy a replacement. Still think we'll sign a decent left back, it's looking highly doubtful before the weekend though

If the quotes in there are true though, then it looks like they intend to hold onto him until/beyond the weekend (at least), which probably rules him out of signing before the derby. It was fairly obvious this one was going to drag, we absolutely need a left back before the weekend though.

I was more disgruntled at folk quoting nufc blog

To save money? Only in the short term We signed Kuqi and Campbell as older players to avoid having to pay for players, why not Bridge? They were free and I bet their wages were no where near 80,000. If we get Bridge we won't be paying that either. Unless City are willing to pay some of it I don't see why he'd take a cut. I guess we'll see, but in my opinion I honestly think this is a none starter.

To save money? Only in the short term We signed Kuqi and Campbell as older players to avoid having to pay for players, why not Bridge? They were free and I bet their wages were no where near 80,000.

To save money? Only in the short term

I honestly can't see why Ashley would sanction it, it's against his entiire philosophy

...according to Simon Bird

I'm pretty certain it isn't, Ashley would be having none of it