ponsaelius

Full-back is an odd position really. I don't think many saw Ryan Bertrand becoming arguably the best left-back in the league when he was dossing around on loan at Villa at 24. If a player has an engine, pace, and is solid technically they can be molded into good modern full-backs/wing-backs with the right coaching on a tactical level.

Danny Rose and Marcos Alonso are former Sunderland full-backs too. Something about them becoming decent after they leave. Of course the difference there is they were both good for Sunderland as well.

I'd rather gamble on Manquillo than Anita, who was proven shite in the Prem. Not happy with this signing really but he might have the attributes to be moulded and improved on in the future.

Adrian is no better than Darlow. West Ham like us have been desperate for a new keeper. Don't just go and sign their shite once they get one.

During Rafa's entire career he's made these weird shite signings, like. Luckily they usually end up having a bit of foresight to the decision to sign them and contribute to competent teams/squads. That or they never really play and just fill a squad place. We could really do with a couple of big, quality signings though. It's getting worrying that we'll have a big squad with little actual quality.

Josemi, Antonio Nunez, Antonio Baragan, David Lopez, Jesus Gamez. Rafa loves signing a shite Spanish plodder tbf.

4.5 million :lol:

Grim. Hope he cost about 50p

We need a reliable central midfielder and even more important would be a high quality #10. I'm surprised the links have ran dry in those positions. Earlier in the window it was all about Cairney, Mooy, Pires, Samaris, Acquah etc.

Manquillo

Not sure if want.

Pulis is not the Stoke manager.

I have no problems with Gouffran as a person or professional, but as a player his signing was indicative of our transfer policy and lack of ambition. He's a non-event of a player, who's played far too much football for NUFC.

Aye their mam is a Geordie.

Really happy with this, the kind if signing we never usually make tbh.

Back in the game.

He's on their flight to Germany.

Was also reported in the Mirror and Derby press: http://www.themag.co.uk/2017/05/newcastle-uniteds-official-media-partner-claim-45000-week-wages-pose-major-problem-grant-hanley/ http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-end-interest-in-newcastle-united-defender-grant-hanley/story-30377703-detail/story.html

I thought as much too, but the info is relatively direct.

45k Sheff Wed only offered 20k, he's happy to stay and sit on the bench.

Another one bites the dust.

Agree with TT. Experience isn't necessarily whats required out wide. We need pace, unpredictability and youthful enthusiasm - especially with a 'solid' player in Ritchie as our other wide player. I've liked that our links to wide players have included this guy and those numerous quick French players. Traore too I guess but I think he's shite.

Emmanuel Mayuka too the year Zambia won it. Its pure randomess.

Gibson's 20 year old brother is with the club too. So the family have had experience of our set-up.

How difficult is it to keep a 16 year old bairn, though? That just reeks of incompetence.