Geordie Ahmed

Vuckic - have not seen much of him due to injuries BUT from what we have read it seems like he has the potential to go the furthest out of the lot

Tiote would be doing all the work Gibson has a decent shot on him and his passing aint bad BUT he lacks mobility, technique and awareness - and he can't tackle so he would be awful alongside Tiote, he would be awful full stop.

We should try to loan Forster out to Norwich - see what he is like in the Prem

Though we have plenty of time in terms of the transfer window, the sooner we complete our signings the better - the team is being transformed significantly, it would be good if they can play together well before the season starts

because he believed that Shearer would be giving the job? He only became disillusioned when things were going way too slow. Like Duff and Bassong, he had a decent offer from a Premiership club and wanted to go. 90% of players would make the same decision in that situation. Exactly. People talk about the loyalty the players showed to us when we went down but how many of them would have stayed if they had the chance of a move to a Premiership team on similar wages in front of them? I can't help but think that its a tad naive to assume the players just sat twiddling their thumbs hoping a club would make an offer for them. Agents are there to sound out interest and I find it hard to believe that someone with CL experience would have no suitors whatsoever. Same goes for a highly rated Spanish U21 left back. If there was interest in any player we'd of heard of it, no question. The fact we didn't suggest that perhaps they were loyal, to an extent at least. So you presume people were interested but the reason we didn't hear about it is because they shot the interest down before it got to the club or papers? Or perhaps that the players didn't seek out a move like they easily could have done?! Colo and Jose struggled in our relegation season. They wouldn't have had many offers on the wages that they were on. They both improved a fair bit during that year in the Championship. No, sorry I just don't buy it, not only do I disagree about Jose being poor (Colo was) but I just don't buy into the idea that those 2 in particular with their calibre knew they weren't gonna get a better offer so didn't bother courting interest. Not hearing of any interest suggests that the agents didnt put the feelers out suggesting that perhaps they may have stayed out of loyalty. What is your point exactly? We know players have agents but even the best agent won't get a s*** player into a good club. Colo and Jose weren't "s***" players for a start. A point was made earlier that Colo and Jose stayed cos no one was interested in them which I found hard to believe due to their reputations. If they wanted to leave they easily could have, in my opinion they stayed out of loyalty. I doubt very much any club would have offered Jose or Cole anywhere near the money they are on here

It is still worth browsing for the numerous comedic moments it provides

I would not sell Guthrie - he is a decent enough backup and on low wages We need to concentrate on ditching Smith

Henderson is Gerrard's replacement? :mackems: :mackems:

That was referring to seeing him in the French league

He should be fine - he claims he has been fit for some time and that he could even have played a part in the final match for rennnes so as things stand he is good to go

As things stand I would definitely start with Barton - obviously if we get someone like Zog and another striker in that would change

Would be gutted if we sell Colo - the guy is pure class and replacing him would be next to impossible Worrying it seems those in charge just look at it purely from a financial point of view I would shift some of the dross and use their wages on Colo

True - the papers cite Bramble as an example of an ex-player playing for Sunderland that has no problems - BUT that is cos he is s*** and we find it funny he is playing for the Mackems, Charlie on the other hand . . .

I can see N'Zogbia going to the Mackems BUT only if a better offer doesn't come in from elsewhere

Plenty of options for set pieces now, a welcome change

I agree, we were never going to spend ALL £35mill on signings - from this point I think we will spend around £25mill which is more than enough to give us a cracking team

I should have said SOME wages

Wages are included in that

H'way man, you can't leave it like that???

:mackems: How about this? Eto'o? :mackems: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=601326

When does the ACN start and finish? Need to check what games Tiote will be missing, maybe Ba too

Surely Long would be more than £5mill?

Shane Long has had 1 good season in his entire career and that too in an inferior league - fail to see how he can be a better option than Erding

and if Long bombs we won't what we pay for him back

How much did we pay for Best? I don't agree with letting him go - need to try to shift Lovenkrands