Jack Flash

Why is his agent on holiday? Surely he could have gone between transfer windows?

He's like Michael Owen without the trophies.

The source may be dubious but do any of us really doubt the content? He'll cling onto that contract till his hands come off (or the paper rips).

I don't think either Krul or Forster would be happy to be on the bench next season tbh. It's nice to think of them battling for the shirt but they'll both demand starts now and we won't be chopping and changing every week (and rightly so). Harper will probably reprise the role he has for a long time. Totally agree. It's been worryingly obvious since Given left that Harper is automatically the number 1 and will be until he either retires or agrees to step aside. One of them will need to go and it's sad to say that it's almost guaranteed that it wont be Harper.

Another reason to think of Harper as a hindrance.

"The England winger will sign a five-year deal with United, which will double his wages to £130,000-a-week." Oh football. What happened to you?

This is from from ages ago but I still can't put it any better... http://i55.tinypic.com/317edjk.jpg A goal which gave most people who were there the best footballing moment of their lives. Every other shot he's had for us has been rubbish so to pull THIS out the bag at THAT point in THAT game is just mind blowing.

It's rather infuriating to think just how much money Smith has "earned" here while giving nothing back. Say what you want about our new "rules" but if they stop things like this happening in the future I'm all for them. Hopefully he's the last.

From his tweets it seems pretty clear that he values the old guard above the new arrivals. Joey would be an asset next season if he was prepared to be part of the new look Newcastle but he doesn't seem too sold on the club's view of the way forward which could be a problem. Examples? Didn't Barton say something about how he's unhappy that the club are replacing all the older players and buying younger, quicker and better players? IIRC he said it seemed unlikely they'd do all that without spending any money, in a sarcastic tone as some of us might. Obviously in reference to his own situation. Looking more and more like he's wrong about that. I also wouldn't be surprised if he knew about Nolan going at that point. looking more and more right from where i'm sitting On the agenda horse? eurgh. come on then, explain how he's looking more and more wrong by stating that we were looking for cheaper players when everyone we've signed so far has been on the cheap (and dont drag this down into 'just because they dont cost 20m it doesnt mean they wont improve the team' territory) if you use paper speculation as evidence you're an unfortunate individual Why can't I do that? Because it would completely invalidate your argument? The fact is we've bought 3 highly rated players and sold 1 player who wouldn't agree a new contract, and therefore wanted to leave. Using net spend as a judge of quality makes you an unfortunate individual.

From his tweets it seems pretty clear that he values the old guard above the new arrivals. Joey would be an asset next season if he was prepared to be part of the new look Newcastle but he doesn't seem too sold on the club's view of the way forward which could be a problem. Examples? Didn't Barton say something about how he's unhappy that the club are replacing all the older players and buying younger, quicker and better players? IIRC he said it seemed unlikely they'd do all that without spending any money, in a sarcastic tone as some of us might. Obviously in reference to his own situation. Looking more and more like he's wrong about that. I also wouldn't be surprised if he knew about Nolan going at that point. looking more and more right from where i'm sitting On the agenda horse?

From his tweets it seems pretty clear that he values the old guard above the new arrivals. Joey would be an asset next season if he was prepared to be part of the new look Newcastle but he doesn't seem too sold on the club's view of the way forward which could be a problem. Examples? Didn't Barton say something about how he's unhappy that the club are replacing all the older players and buying younger, quicker and better players? IIRC he said it seemed unlikely they'd do all that without spending any money, in a sarcastic tone as some of us might. Obviously in reference to his own situation. Looking more and more like he's wrong about that. I also wouldn't be surprised if he knew about Nolan going at that point.

From his tweets it seems pretty clear that he values the old guard above the new arrivals. Joey would be an asset next season if he was prepared to be part of the new look Newcastle but he doesn't seem too sold on the club's view of the way forward which could be a problem. Examples? Didn't Barton say something about how he's unhappy that the club are replacing all the older players and buying younger, quicker and better players?

All 14 goals?

I wouldn't disagree that he's as good but I just doubt that there's a club out there that will spend £20million on Sturridge. If Henderson is worth £20m, then Sturridge isn't far off. He is class. But not every club is like Liverpool and going to throw that sort of money around. How many are even capable of it? In the Premiership? Every one that is owned by a billionaire or is reliant upon debt finance. I don't mean to be awkward, as I appreciate that English players are typically over-priced, but Sturridge looks an awesome prospect and, at the moment anyway, would look a very good investment for the future. The problem that I envisage us having is attracting superstar (and proven) strikers to the club. Personally, I do not want to get lumbered with someone like Berbatov, who is approaching the end of his career and who didn't even look interested at Manchester United (other than during the two or three games where he ran riot). I'd rather go for a younger (and hungrier) striker and the boy Sturridge would fit the bill. Not that he'd come here in a million years, like IMO there are only the top 4 clubs who are capable of paying £20million for a striker and I don't think they would buy Sturridge. After that there is Liverpool who have already blown their load, and then us or Spurs who have got the money to buy him. Can't see Ashley going for it so that leaves Spurs if they sell Modric. You're right there like, I could never see one of the top four buying Sturridge. Which of them do you think will then? I think one of them already did mate. For about £5 million.

We can surely get a more reliable/proven striker than Sturridge for £20 million.

According to them, we've been the favourites to sign him for at least a month. Same with Carlton Cole.

Didn't someone on twitter say we definitely weren't interested in Ba? Wouldn't be surprised at all if we're already in negotiations. That's how we roll.

If we're paying £20 million-ish for a fairly unproven striker I'd like us test the water a bit first because, despite the hype, he hasn't really done anything other than at Bolton.

Loan with first option in January/next summer would be ideal.

If that's aimed at me then I'm quite obviously not doing that.

"strong desire to play football" Now he has "proved himself" would he be content to sit on the bench?

More than 10 ok/good premier league matches before he is 25 would be a start? I obviously didn't say I was holding his desire to play games against him but then you knew that, didn't you? My point is that people are wanting him to stay to be on the bench but he has shown he isn't happy doing that. No he has not. Stop making things up. Despite both him and the manager saying otherwise? Not your best work.

Bigmouth Strikes Again, Sweet and Tender Hooligan, The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, I Don't Owe You Anything, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby, Money Changes Everything etc. Will post some Morrissey solo ones later.

I think we're getting all the free/contract loophole players in early to beat any potential competition. At some point in the near future I hope the manager/whoever takes stock of what we have and then spends some money on the areas we still need to improve.

:lol: Basically. If this is the worst state you've seen us in over the last 20 years then you must have just recently regained your vision.