Lush Vlad

Got a fan base on there, Midds. They love you

I haven't watched most of PSV's games from last year but from the little I have seen of GW from bits and pieces for PSV, Holland, the game Sunday and pre-season. I agree with this and what Mole is saying. 4-2-3-1/4-3-3/4-5-1? If we were a bit more fluid and changeable in the way we play and nowhere near as rigid as we were under Pardew. Then surely it's going to be any of those aforementioned formations and some point or other? Does it really have to be 2 out and out DM, holding types in this ever so popular, new-fangled, FM fanboy favourite, 4-2-3-1? Gini looks tailor made to play centre mid and get into the box late. He has pace and drive and seems composed enough on the ball. We could actually use him to get on the ball earlier and start attacks. As oppose to Anita and Colback just passing it sideways to other people and then standing back all like "my work here is done". I don't think his fitness is going to be an issue either. He missed some of pre season by the sounds of things and half our team looked dead on their feet towards the end of the game on Sunday. So it's not as if he is alone in looking a bit gassed. New to the league as well. Also, on top of that, McClaren has spoken at length about us being behind where we need to be in terms of fitness and how bad the pre season schedule was. So hopefully all their fitness levels start to improve as the season goes on.

Yeah not popular: Hmmm... Not the most mature 30 year old you'll ever see. You're an absolute freak and a f***ing weirdo. Ha Petition to change Cronky's name to 'Cranky'. Full of cheer that bloke.

Agreed. That's why it annoys me when you get ex-pro's going on about how we need prem experienced players. The sort of level we shop at, for the price, we'd only get players like those mentioned, or mediocre shithouses like Gardner, Curtis Davies, Matt Jarvis etc. Obviously, there are exceptions to that rule. But is it any wonder so many clubs look for bargains abroad now? When the league is over-saturated with rubbish and overpriced wasters.

Ruined by injuries wasn't he? I'm sure early on with us he had a lot of hamstring and leg injuries. Then he has spent a long time being injured at Liverpool. Must have absolutely killed his pace. Plus he gives the ball away a lot in stupid areas, which he has always done. Probably doesn't fit in with Brentdan's 'philosophy' Most the Liverpool fans I know. Said he was class. Then became a perma-crock and has never managed to get a proper run in the side since.

Whilst I agree with pretty much all of that. A lot on here are holding him to very high standards, whilst giving a lot of others a free pass for one reason or another. The main one being, our horrific coaching setup last year. I think pretty much all of the players, bar the obvious ones that aren't good enough, like Willo and probably Gouffran. Deserve a bit of a chance. Just to see if they can be effective under a different coaching team.

This. He still seems a headcase and his disciplinary record is still pretty horrendous. But looks to have improved as a player and seems less rash. Still one of the most rash players in the league, mind you

U WOT M8's older brother sat next to the cardboard cut out.

I like the colours of that third kit. Just can't stand the fact it looks like a duvet. Oh and that massive great Wonga sign.

yep, unlike the market for non english players. For example; Ross McCormack £11m Liam fcuking Brady £7m James chester £8m Fellaini £27.5m Lovren £20m Lukaku £28m Mata £37m Its almost as if the high transfer fees between english clubs are as a result of the enormous money in English football., rather than the nationality of a footballer, but let us never forget the golden rule of Newcastle Online. If you can spuriously figure out a way to slag off England in some sense, you take it, safe in the knowledge that if anyone contradicts you, just call them a member of the EDL and it will all get forgotten about. Gr8 country, gr8 people. You are a member of the EDL, BNP and Britian First. Hopefully, this will all get forgotten about. As this really is a car crash of a post. I don't know why, but I imagine you look something like this bloke: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/74875000/jpg/_74875244_74875242.jpg We want are cuntry bak. Broken Britin is no longer GRATE. No surrendar.

Considering how tight we have been the last however many years and we've just spent £35m, without selling anyone. Yes, I do think they're linked. Or do you think we'd spend £10m-£15m on Austin and then the same again on a top tier centre back? If we spend around £60m total in this window and end up addressing both positions. I'll come back and hold my hands up. But unless we get good money in for someone like Sissoko and/or Cisse. I just can't see it happening. TBH. I was originally quite excited at the prospect of getting Austin. But it has just dragged on and on. Can't say I'm arsed about him signing now.

Nah. I think if we play 4-2-3-1. He'll play next to Colback or Anita in the 2 and be the one to push forward when he can. From the extensive Dennis Wise scouting I have done, he looks like a box to box type to me. I'd like him to be a bit deeper as well, as he seems decent on the ball. Need someone there to take it off the back 4, to stop the aimless punts up field.

Agreed. I know he is shit. But Riviere can be the 4th choice striker. Mitrovic, Cisse, Perez, Riviere is enough IMO. Especially if we are planning on playing one up top. If we got another defender or two. Then perhaps I'd be happy to get Austin. As it stands, I don't see the point in paying over the odds, for a position where we are fairly well stacked in comparison.

Should be the second striker or as the no.10 behind Mitrovic. He'll get plenty of chances to play there, too. Not as if De Jong is going to stay fit for the whole season. I just hope Sissoko isn't second choice to play that position, as he's not very good at it.

If we are still trying to get him, I have no idea why. Seem destined to fail with our bid, sounds like the player isn't interested and we clearly need to strengthen 2-3 other areas first. Another name where we can say 'we tried. But we just failed to get him over the line."

Modelling his game on Diego Costa So there will be a bit of racism (allegedly), spitting, throwing snot at people, elbowing, stamping and diving. Looking forward to it

I don't want Austin. Assuming we're looking at going 4-2-3-1. I'd rather we spend the money on another defender and someone with a bit of pace. Who can play an attacking, creative and/or wide role. As others have said, I don't see him and Mitrovic working that well as a front two. Neither are going to be happy being on the bench too often and I don't particularly like 4-4-2 anyway. I know we need competition for places. But with our budget, I'd rather we spend money elsewhere. This saga has been going on far too long any way.

That's what I thought. Just conveniently ignore his record, his embarrassing interviews and comments, the horrendous football, all the hammerings we took. The bloke having a go at people, saying they should have applied for the job

My god!!! That is scary and hilarious in equal measure. Over the line mentioned twice. Getting professional help because he is clearly deranged. Probably should have gone to a psychiatrist and been locked up in a padded cell, mind. We are so lucky that he is gone.

I remember being at Goodison Park for his debut. At least I think it was his debut, very early in his career anyway. HBA was immense that day, but Tiote was pure class and was MOTM by far. Always in position, completed most of his passes and just kept it simple. I remember feeling very optimistic after that game. Can't say I've felt like that too often since.

Urgh. The Contrarian Deadout has reared his ugly head again. Back in your cave you hideous monster.

He has no composure whatsoever and that was evident from day one. But I remember watching the City game at the start of last season and being really impressed. Looked strong, bit of pace, worked hard. I remember after that game thinking him and Cabella would be useful for us. Yeah, bit wide of the mark there

Erm. Isn't he just more of a standard central midfielder? A DM even? If anything, he'd be replacing Tiote, who never plays anyway, as he's always injured. Not seen him in a while mind. Didn't even realise he had gone to Sevilla.

Are there any Belgians on here that have given us the lowdown on this lad? Have no idea if he's even any good or not?

I think VI has a point. He is ill-disciplined, in his positioning, as well as his tackling. Racked up the cards last year and would also charge in like a loon and just press all alone, leaving massive gaps behind him. That could well be down to bad coaching as much as anything, though. Why was this not picked up on? Why was he pressing on his own? We've had years of playing as individuals, with no real set-up, structure or identity (sound worryingly like Brendan Rodgers there) and he's hardly been on his own in being a bit shit and inconsistent. I don't think he's a very good. Just another generic British midfielder, a bit of a nothing player. He acted like an utter prick towards us when he was with the mackems and all. But he deserves a clean slate under the new setup, like the majority of the squad do. His work rate isn't in question IMO and he did weigh in with the odd goal and assist.