Stuy_O

The first XI when all available is superb. In terms of the squad, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's crap, but it's not outstanding either. We have some marvellous individual players and one or two who can come off the bench and make an impact - but in terms of quality strength in depth it needs improvement.

The optimist in me is still hopeful. Ashley has to do the right thing ONE day.

As much as I'd like Pardew gone you really do fear what the fuck Ashley is capable of.

Voted HBA vs Villa, right foot aswell.

Is a decent point. Also love how nufcfans are desperately trying to extinguish the rumours. They've been Pardew's best PR the last few months.

Thought the retweets off him were just to highlight how daft the rumours are.

Refuse to get me hopes up.

The thought of us not approaching Benitez is utterly deflating. Watch him go to Stoke and make them class.

Old picture apparently. I'v never seen it like.

Got a feeling the amusement factor might have a fairly short shelf life tbh. For us. Well yes - and our experience tells us that the club is here to keep the rest of the footballing world amused Really did think i'd seen it all when we appointed Kinnear.

Got a feeling the amusement factor might have a fairly short shelf life tbh. For us.

McClaren would adopt a weird Geordie accent. Be a laugh.

Really don't think anyone is.

So filtered down to Marv, Yanga-Mbiwa & Perch.

when in doubt go for Shola Actually did think of Shola for novelty purposes.

Don't rate McLaren at all personally. Did decent with Boro and in his first stint at Twente. Everywhere else he's been it's been a disaster.

Absolutely. Even the biggest Pardew supporters could see what a huge upgrade it would be.

Excluding how Pardew has done - his appointment in the first place was Ashley's reign at Newcastle in a nutshell, or at least looks like it. It suggested no ambition, a cheap and uncomplicated option, without any future risks or chances of disagreement. Everything done low cost. Even if Ashley cut Pardew off tomorrow, who would genuinely reckon he'd appoint someone for the good of Newcastle United, rather than his balance sheet? Look at the transfer dealings in January - he only spent that money due to the fact he was facing the prospect of relegation, if we'd have been comfortable mid table the new players wouldn't have arrived. At the start of the season when Pardew was queried about emulating a 5th placed finish he replied something like 'Mike wants to do it again but with less money'. Tells you everything.

Love the long sleeve effort. Always get a name on the back but i'm really stumped who to get for fear they might be away. Marveaux I think.

If our owner had a modicum of ambition he'd be sorting this out now. Shame he doesn't.

This is it, like. For all the doom, gloom and hysterics, we're still in the Premier League. I'll be looking forward to this season as much as any, because I love going to and watching our games. We've got the whole summer ahead to make whatever changes we need to make. But, if that doesn't include the manager, there's hope that the club may have learned to start being more acommodating of his strengths. Good thread. Good post. Would prefer a change of manager but if somehow Pardew gets off to a good start then it may be a decent season.

That Finnbogason from Heerenveen looks pretty good when i'v watched him also. Not sure how much he would cost. Yeah he's done really well this season and should be relatively cheap. 24 goals in 31 games isn't bad at all and he's scored them in all sorts of ways. However given how well Altidore has done over there it worries me that the level of play isn't that great for strikers. Could definitely see Maloney at Sunderland. I actually don't mind the Eredivisie - not up to scratch on other leagues but can be enjoyable. Always question marks over players in that league but quite a lot of them do seem to have something about them, defo not to the depths of Alfonso Alves anyway.

Said he wants to leave this summer. Ain't sure what the crack is with his contract. That Finnbogason from Heerenveen looks pretty good when i'v watched him also. Not sure how much he would cost.

Loic Remy of course. Wonder if Ashley is onto that one already but they'll be queuing up for him. Desperately need a pacey forward to compliment Cisse.

Would defo take him, we're getting linked with him a bit. Depends if Wigan need to sell I guess.