Lush Vlad

They've hardly shown much in their first two games mind. That said, if we so obviously try and play on the counter like the other day. Then we'll probably get the obligatory 3-0 Old Trafford hammering I expect 1-2 changes, on top of Janmaat. Not a complete shuffle like that. I'd be pretty pissed off if it's still the likes of Obertan and Colback playing. But we know it will be. Colo and Colback in particular are absolute locks to start games. Minor injuries to both wouldn't be a disaster

Oh by all means, try it. Can't be much worse than the boring shit we're serving up with Colo, Colback, Anita, Obertan and Cisse. In fact, I'd probably like to see 3-4 of those replaced by someone better off the bench myself It would be quite scary seeing the opposition 4 on 2 vs Taylor and Mbemba every 5 minutes though

As much as it would be fun to see that team play against a League 2 club and as much as I think Colback and Anita are both average. I think we'd get raped if we went with that lineup. 4 defenders, then just a load of all out attacking players

Loving that beatles/crash helmet hair cut. Suits Ayoze.

Generally liked and respected by my Mam and hated by everyone else.

Oh aye, I don't think it will be on a level with how stupid we were, giving the likes of Owen and Luque bags of cash for little return. I just saw it as a factor. As I said, hope I'm wrong. He looks an exciting player and it will hopefully mean Obertan is back on the bench.

I didn't think it had gone in. I was complaining to my old man in the pub, saying what's he doing shooting from there and had assumed it had gone in row z. Then I see him wheel away, with a half arsed celebration. On a match day, it has to be Tiote. Used to sit up in L7. The look on the Arsenal fans faces

Ironically nice guy Cabella has been about Luque's level Is he a nice bloke? Not met him. Nice hair though. xx

Nah. I honestly think years and years of shit has made me a glass completely empty and smashed all over the floor, kind of guy. Whereas I feel my views on day to day life are quite the opposite and I feel I'm a positive person. Fuck this club, it's too stressful and depressing. It's turned me into a negative shithouse, even when we're doing something pretty decent and buying a potentially very good player.

I was more meaning, could he be an Albert Luque type? Who I absolutely loved to bits, then signed for silly wages and was utter dog's breath for us, then later admitted he only came for the money. I'm not disputing the fact he's supposedly going to have a medical or that he's going to get on a plane to a different city or something Just worried about him being a bit of a wrong un.

Sorry. I didn't mean anyone in particular on here anyway. I see a few people on twitter saying it. Like what I saw from him on the highlight reels, but didn't seem that similar to HBA to me. What part of him flying into Newcastle convinces you that he does t want to sign for us? Because his chairman told him it was too good for the club to turn down? Because we've offered him silly money in comparison to what he's on? It has been reported he has snubbed us on numerous occasions in the past as well. The situation when he was at Lille hardly paints him in a good light either. Oh, but he's supposedly flying in to Newcastle. Therefore, he must 100% want to sign for us and be happy about it. Of course, players have never moved clubs in the past against their will or when they're not fully sold on the deal, have they? Obviously, I hope I'm wrong and being paranoid. But it's still a concern IMO.

Seen him compared to Ben Arfa? Didn't look the same to me from my comprehensive 15 minute scouting mission Left footed and a no.10 type that likes to roam about, so they are the same in that sense. But he didn't look that exciting on the ball. Didn't have that many tricks or glide past his man in the way HBA does. Actually looked quite rangey, with a long stride and looked taller than 5ft 10". Bit 'meh' about the whole thing at the minute. Doesn't sound like he even wants to sign for us. I like Cabella and would like to see how he fares in a team that isn't managed by a bunch of loons. I also think another defender is required before we look anywhere else. I just worry we'll get this lad and that'll be it for transfers. Still, we're actually spending money and if it works out and he signs. He's exactly the sort of player that makes me want to start going to watch us again.

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.