ExiledGeordie

Spot on

I would be absolutely gutted if we sold him last minute and I think it would be a sever blow to morale in the team. Thing is would Arsenal go above 15m for him??? I doubt it and I can't see us selling for less than 20m anyway. Arsenal also seem to have lost that bit as a team, they're not the attraction they used to be. A Chelsea of Man U coming in for him would be entirely different though imo.

He's literally just signed and played one game in the premier league and some people already seem to be jumping to conclusions. Fuck me

Really excited about this lad. Quality midfielders provide and outlet for the defence and calm things down. Also in big games you need that extra bit of quality on the ball and he seems ideal to complement Tiote and Cabaye.

Is he anywhere near the bench for saturday at all or ruled out completely?

Saha will no doubt raise his game for the derbies but as someone else has said will he be able to produce consistently through the cold, dark months. Exactly the type of player I can see bagging a few in the summer/early autumn then getting injured and doing nothing the rest of the season just as people have started talking about what a great signing......................

17m quoted in the press (albeit the Mail as one of the sources) as being enough to bring Carroll back. I suppose with haggling you could reduce that to 14/15m. Still not sure how I feel about the Carroll thing really. That amount could be spent on other quality players/positions but Pardew still clearly rates him.....

It's exactly that isn't it . Trouble is the trip was booked ages ago before the fixtures came out. Defoe looked sharp last night, will have to be watched like a hawk.

On route to Chamonix while this is on, lol Typical. Should be able to catch the Chelsea match at the end of the trek the following saturday.

Excellent, think he'll really compliment Tiote and Cabaye in midfield and he can fill in at left back when needed. Tidy.

Maybe I've got out of bed on the right side this morning but I'm actually quite confident he'll move here in the end. We clearly highlighted the player yonks ago and he's clearly been integral to Pardew's plans moving forward. The player wants to come and the two clubs aren't miles apart on the price. Lots of tough talking is said in the moment but it's a game of brinkmanship and Lille know they'll be keeping a player who isn't happy. The very end of the transfer window may change the outlook on this situation.

I think the main plan is to play Anita in midfield but it's just an added benefit that he can slot in at left back when needed especially when we have someone like Jonas who can come into a midfield 3. I still think they want a RB but what happens there before the window is anyones guess.

I've only heard a little about this lad, can someone give more details? Defensive midfielder or left back, right?

Fuck me Tiote injured, get the lad onto the pitch straight away, lol

Until all the main players of the team are back fit and the transfer window is concluded (hopefully with atleast one senior addition) it'll be a case of getting through the first few games as best as possible. May take a bit of time before things settle down frustratingly

First game of the season, very hard to predict. I'll go with score draw.

Huge loss if definite

French correspondant for talk sport just been on saying he's amazed the deal hasn't gone through. Doesn't know what to think anymore much like the rest of us then, lol

Will be massive if this lad can stay fit. Hopefully a full pre-season will do wonders for him in terms of building strength.

Exactly and if the player is of genuine quality then you have to pay good money. It's not like the fans are expecting popcorn signings like the Shepherd era. It would be ridiculous if we end up missing our main targets for the sake of a combined amount of say 3-4m. Improving the team further with genuine quality would surely mean you'd get it back in relation to league positon, ticket gates, Europa league run etc.

Ofcourse he will but I wouldn't read too much in that, it's not like he'll suddenly decide not to play well, lol We don't know the full facts of this latest transfer diatribe but transfers have nothing to do with other players when all is said and done. He's a professional and paid to do a job at the end of the day. Debuchy even if it is unlikely may still end up at St James

I understand the need for sell on value but surely in situations like this where a player will obviously bring so much to the team in terms of quality means that we'd surely get back in monetary value in progressing in cup comps (including Europe) and finishing high up the league. But as someone says we don't know all the facts. It does seem strange given that he was such a key target mentioned on interviews with Pardew months ago that we would miss out by such a small monetary amount. I suppose things could change again but it is disappointing, can't get away from that.

FWIW (and what do I know) I still think we'll sign him. As frustrating as it is the player is keen to come here and it's just a case of haggling over the fee for the next century...........

This transfer, dear oh dear. lol

The interview on talksport with their Dutch correspondant (Van der Kraan?) was interesting in revealing just how complex it is in dealing with South American players and their multiple agents all wanting a slice of the cake. Can see this one happening but there's clearly a mountain of stuff to sort out.