LRD

Where did they tour? Edit: Google says Thailand and HK in 2004. Thailand, Singapore and Japan in 1996.

When was the last time Newcastle toured Asia? The only one I remembered was during the Keegan era, just after signing Shearer. Had the fortune to see them play. (Minus Shearer cos KK says Shearer should debut in front of the Geordies)

Anyone just experienced downtime?

Only good enough to sign for Dinamo Moscow. Dodged a bullet there. Cracking start, Joe.

If Pardew is playing 442, Gomis will be a better partner for Cisse.

28 in August.

16 goals and 6 assists in Ligue 1 last season. Last year of contract. Of Senegalese ethnicity. Name starts with 'Ba'. Ok, I'm bored.

Better get a good quality bat then. There will always be people buying the kit after the initial disapproval.

If he signs, let's call him Ba.

'Knock another 2m off the Bent transfer and we'll pull out of the Gomis deal.'

Watford gets into the action too. http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/New-Watford-Away-Kit-2013-14.jpg

Tell him you can't be racist. After all, you've just signed Neymar.

Wonder what presents Joe will have for Alan.

The longer this drags on, the possibility of us having to use an unfit or a new and unfamiliar striker come season proper. Either that or Shola will have to get this. Whether we sell/buy/replace, I just wish we get this over and done with quickly. This Wonga issue has been on since January and they still have not found any resolution ffs.

At this point in time, it does seem that we will have to again depend on those kids who aren't ready and could do with a loan somewhere.

Nah, I don't think anyone should factor in the January signings, bearing in mind we have failed to replace outgoings and strengthen in crucial areas last summer. Rather we should look at the squad on its current merits or otherwise and pinpoint the weak spots. Even with those 5 players, we are still short of at least one striker + one winger/wide forward. Considering we have sold or released a couple of squad fillers, if we can't even do that it will be last summer over again.

Were we ? Yeah I'd say so. We'd stolen the French market, had a few success stories and bought players that shouldve been beyond us. Cabaye, Marveaux, Ben Arfa and Ba were bargains. I felt like our transfer strategy was the best thing about the club (except the fans). But not anymore. Has it changed though? It might well have. Perch talked about a change in transfer policy and so far we have missed out on Douglas and our closest links are to two strikers in this league.

You sounded optimistic that the club will make full use of the time left to make this a good transfer window in spite of the lack of bids so far. That's why I asked what would be your minimal expectations, that you are pleased at the end of it all that the club has not failed you. Fwiw my absolute minimal is one forward + one wide player, no outgoings and I'll be satisfied considering how Ashley rolls. Anything less than that and we would have been shortchanged once again despite them claiming to have learnt from last summer's mistakes.

Out of curiosity, how many net transfers (in vs out) do you think we will bring in by the end of the window? Talking about first-teamers obviously. Hard to say. Possibly one out if Cisse goes, otherwise probably none out. Assuming selling people like Gosling for peanuts doesn't count as important. Coming in? Two forwards and possibly a defender? How can I say... it doesn't really affect the point I made. And I take it you will be happy with a net incoming of one forward and possibly one defender? We're not going to sign 5 or 6 players, man. Relax, I'm asking Ian what kind of transfer movements he'll be happy with. I know as much as everyone we will not sign 5 or 6 first-teamers.

Out of curiosity, how many net transfers (in vs out) do you think we will bring in by the end of the window? Talking about first-teamers obviously. Hard to say. Possibly one out if Cisse goes, otherwise probably none out. Assuming selling people like Gosling for peanuts doesn't count as important. Coming in? Two forwards and possibly a defender? How can I say... it doesn't really affect the point I made. And I take it you will be happy with a net incoming of one forward and possibly one defender?

Out of curiosity, how many net transfers (in vs out) do you think we will bring in by the end of the window? Talking about first-teamers obviously.

Samurai-inspired. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/5715643964_88e3d0f0ab_z.jpg

Ridiculous that we have chosen to limit ourselves to mainly France when many clubs (9 clubs bought from Spain so far) have caught onto the Spanish market and at reduced fees too. It's good that we have a proven hunting ground but we should expand our scouting network instead of restricting ourselves to a few select countries.

Who's that directed at?