Hughesy

Lille's stadium is small but they are moving in to a 50,000 seater in the upcoming season. Are they? Fair enough then i'm talking s*** Yup, according to wiki. They still haven't won much in their history - so they are not a giant club by any stretch. Spent quite a few seasons in Ligue 2 I think before this 'boom' period.

Bearing in mind Lille doesn't exactly have a hugely successful history either, it's a bit rich really.

Bit strange that only now do the Journal reckon we are only getting one of the two. Surely if they knew that much about NUFC's intentions they would have said that from the start.

erm aye, the assumption is that the puppet masters above him are deliberately having him mislead with what he says and yeah it's no different to other clubs except other clubs seems to be interested in progressing themselves on the pitch when they can, the esteemed mr. ashley less so If your assumption is correct and Ashley and co are trying to mislead us all - what do you suggest Pardew does? Should he ignore the instructions of his employers and risk being fired? I don't quite see what Pardew can do or can be realistically expected to do. Anyway - it's hardly as if football managers as a breed have a reputation for speaking only the truth. It's the nature of the job - stick a microphone in front of someone for 1 hour every single day and they are bound to say things they don't mean, that get taken out of context etc etc.

If everyone knows that Pardew isn't in control of the club and what happens (and no manager ever is - managers don't run clubs) - why do people get their knickers in a twist about his statements? What is he meant to say? Nothing? Tell the whole truth? It's naive to think that Pardew is any different from any other manager. He does what he is told as an employee of the club.

Not quite sure why you would give Nolan a new contract now anyway? He's almost 29 and he's got 2 years left. Will he be deserving of a new contract at 31 on good wages? Why you would gamble on it now and extend his current contract is beyond me.

Looking at the state of him - he must be a 'character' actor..

Cue some fools going on about how pointless healthy balance sheets are as long as the club is doing well.

Wouldn't say drinking you own urine is the definition of a 'win win' situation. Personally.

I think he will be a good player for 4 years, if not more. The fact that he has quit drinking alcohol can prolong his career quite significantly. If he eats healthy as well, he will probably be at the same level at 33 even. It's a shame Barton doesn't share your optimism about his future ability as if he did you would have thought he would have been happy to sign a 2 year deal knowing that we would have wanted to extent it further in 2 years time, like Man Utd have done with Scholes and Giggs. When Giggs was Barton's age he had 4 years left on his contract. when scholes was 2 years older than Barton is now, he signed a 4 year contract. a couple of months ago Evra, a year older than Barton is now, signed a 3 and a half year contract. so really that point doesn't hold up to scrutiny. can't blame Barton for wanting the security of a longer contract. similarly, i can see why the club would be hesitant to give him a new deal based on how 75% of his newcastle career has been - s***. still, judging from McKay's comments, i expect he's instructed Barton to be conciliatory in his interview tonight, sensing that there's still a comprimise to be had somewhere down the line. whether Barton keeps his cool is another matter, mind... Can you not see the difference between offering Joey Barton a long contract and offering one to Giggs, Evra and Scholes???

He's clearly a high maintenance players and always will be. Even the 'converted' Joey Barton we keep hearing about is a moron.

How much more do you know about Pardew's brief that you haven't let on? We keep getting these juicy bits disclosed..!!!

There don't seem to be any facts around at the moment. Which is half the problem. At the moment, I can't see many 'facts' suggesting that the club has done much wrong.

He he - I realise the danger of what I am saying here. Perhaps I shall temper it by saying that I very much doubt that Nolan will score as many goals next season as he has this. However, I am not prepared to go through next season in fear having to consume my own bodily fluids...

Nolan will not repeat this season's return in a month of Sundays.

How long is the contract Nolan is supposed to be signing?

This basically. Bit of a risk to have Barton on 50+k a week for the next 4 years with his track record. One good season does not go far enough in my book.

If we got those two... would be an absolutely amazing coup for us.

Bothroyd is distinctly average. Can't say I really want him.

Not that bad a record...

Gervinho... hmmm.

the guy is a pure t***. Not really. A fantastic player though.

Neither are midfielders. Neither are midfielders. Tabanou is a midfielder isn't he? I know he can play left back but I thought he was a winger?

Apparently - according to a bloke allegedly itk - we are close to signing two players from Toulouse (M'Bengue and Tabanou?). This bloke is supposed to play golf with Ashley's dad (so he says).

Nii Lamptey