Hughesy

Ignoring the fact that he wants three years and you've no idea how much he wants... He gets that all at once does he? And the Sky money stops coming in too does it in the next four years? And the gates dwindle to 0 in the next four years do they? This idea that we have to let key players go because they might have to get paid is absolutely Ummm - no, he doesn't get that all at once. Struggling to see where I have said that. Could you let me know? Maybe you could do the same with your slightly senile comments about Sky money and attendances? I could be wrong, but doesn't Barton want another three years on top of his existing 1 year left? Doesn't that make a 4 year contract? Again, let me know if I am wrong. You can also tack on bonuses, signing on fees and agent's fees if we are being a bit picky.

I've never seen Cabaye play mate, not even once. He could be a huge success, he could be a huge failure. It's utterly ridiculous to try and guess whether he'll be worth his wages this season, let alone in two year's time. If he even signs. Ben Arfa has barely played for us and I'm sorry but despite his obvious quality on the ball he's still completely unproven for us. Not least because he's just broken his leg. You couldn't pick a worse pair of players to compare the 'worth' of wages to. Perfect choice to compare with imo. Ben Arfa and Cabaye are in the prime of their career and will be viewed as key first team players. Will that apply to Nolan and Barton when their contracts are up? And what if they're s*** or disruptive? Then what? Because Barton hasn't been a disruptive player?

If Barton was to sign a 4 year deal at 50k a week - 10.4 million. So quite a lot.

Appreciate what they do, give them the contract, and have faith that the manager will persuade them to move on if they are no longer wanted. Trouble is the board are scared of another Nicky Butt scenario, where despite being uncertainties over relegation or whether we even wanted him, Butt announced to them all that he was taking an option out to extend his own £50k a week contract, while taking out loads of bonuses. Eh? Hope the manager can persuade them to move on from their 50k plus a week 4 year deal?? How? I know Pards is a silver tongued charmer, but I think you are overestimating his charm. I don't think any sensible business model in the world is built around people being persuaded to leave their highly paid jobs. I trust Barton and Nolan to leave the club if they are no longer wanted. In that case, you must have a far greater degree of faith in mankind than I do.

No-one. It's just that it makes for an easier argument for certain people.

Appreciate what they do, give them the contract, and have faith that the manager will persuade them to move on if they are no longer wanted. Trouble is the board are scared of another Nicky Butt scenario, where despite being uncertainties over relegation or whether we even wanted him, Butt announced to them all that he was taking an option out to extend his own £50k a week contract, while taking out loads of bonuses. Eh? Hope the manager can persuade them to move on from their 50k plus a week 4 year deal?? How? I know Pards is a silver tongued charmer, but I think you are overestimating his charm. I don't think any sensible business model in the world is built around people being persuaded to leave their highly paid jobs.

I don't think many, if any, people are advocating getting rid of Nolan or Barton this summer. Most people are quite sensibly questioning the wisdom of securing them on lucrative, long term contracts up to a point in their career where their effectiveness would be in huge doubt for a variety of reasons. Further to that, most people are also questioning whether either player has done enough over the course of their career with NUFC to date to warrant such a contract. Quite straightforward really.

How awful it would be to have a team full of random foreigners. Like say for example - Arsenal. Would hate to be like Arsenal. Champions League football every year - no, not for me. All you need is a good old bit of English grit and determination.

Would love to have a 33 year old Nolan on 50k a week. Oh wait a minute. No I wouldn't. Ridiculous idea.

I'd be devastated.

Van Persie is nearly 6 foot 3. Yeah, not that tall is he. Is he 6 foot 3 or not? Either he is or isn't. If he's nearly 6 foot 3, the chances are - he is 6 foot 2.

Patience is a Virtue Lad! Plus this is Newcastle, When have they EVER done anythin quickly (apart fropm sacking people) This whole summer has been about doing things quickly to be fair. /Which is good because I doubt we'll hit the bullseye on the majority of our targets. //Still, better to be looking up at the stars. there is a rumour doing the rounds that we have agreed fees and such with 2 players but not anyone mentioned so far. bearing in mind the tiote deal where we had agreed stuff with another incase tiote didn't come here (urugauayan or chilean i think)........maybe they do have a plan ? I'd heard from someone that we had agreed to sign two Toulouse players (posted it a while back) - so not sure who they are. Wonder if it's the same rumour?

Does he pass the ball across his own penalty area to an opposition player?

By that logic, there must always be a point where a manager was not good? And suddenly they become good?

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.