Stuy_O

So the loan bid was rejected? Rodgers as good as said he would let him go on loan. Getting bad vibes about this, can see him coming permanently.

Don't think Pardew would go anywhere near him if the thought he could affect the dressing room. That's the single most pleasing factor about the team at the moment.

I have eyes and yet I disagree. We got results earlier on in the season playing 442, and when we moved to 443 we sometimes moved back within or between matches. It's not like we were s*** before we started playing 3 up top and then suddenly were on fire. I'd argue the return of Ben Arfa in the side and the sensational form of Cisse were more conducive to us being sometimes more pleasing on the eye in the latter part of the season, but neither would be lost if we did decide to move for Carroll, who would be very effective foil for either Ba or Cisse in a 442 (more so than them pairing up together arguably) and be an excellent option to bring on and move to 442 if for whatever reason 443 is not working out in a match (as we've also seen happen a few times). Cisse's goals and Ben Arfa's form no doubt yeh, but imo we looked a far far more dangerous side playing 4-3-3 than 4-4-2. I also think Cabaye looked much more comfortable in that formation than 4-4-2. I admit Carroll offers something different, but again I'm not sure he's gonna come to want to come here and not start.

This, i'll be f***ing seething if that goes tits up.

Trying to get me head round this and I'm leaning towards the 'no thanks' bracket. Unless he's seen as an impact player then he simply does not fit in to how we play now. We've evolved since he left and he has arguably gone the other way. Anyone with eyes could see our late success last season was based solely around the 4-3-3 we adopted. People on this forum were twisting about our direct play or 'hoof ball' in the middles stages. If Carroll comes then we should be prepared for plenty of that. I would be astounded if this was the clubs solution to replace Ba should he leave, even though that is incredibly far fetched. If the move back here completley rejuvinates him as a player and indeed as a person then it may work out, but unless he's prepared to sit on the bench and work 10x harder, then I cant work out why we need him.

Fan of the tattoo aswell..

Would be excellent business.

If he ends up here then we've managed to get him under our conditions so that wont be a bad thing. Sure his father is his agent, which will explain why a lot of this lad's press revolves money.

I'm still confident we'll bring a few more in. Its only natural fans are starting to get a tad frustrated, given the daily attention and increased spotlight we are getting again. Nitpicking last season though, its worth noting that Cisse excluded, nearly all our deals had some sort of catch. Cabaye had a insanely cheap release clause, Marveaux and Ba didn't involve fee's, Obertan was surplus to requirements and Santon had been frozen out at Inter. Opportunistic and an admirable policy, but can it be repeated for another season with the same results? It would be very difficult imo. If we are to progress this season some middle ground needs to be considered, and a realisation by the board that as much as we won't get ripped off, clubs will not accept terribly low offers for established and talented players. The nature of Cisse's deal gives me hope that we will repeat something of that nature, it will be absolute lunacy if we dont acquire another centre half before the campaign starts.

Someone has put Cuellar on his combined XI's bench, as a 'utility player'

Less of an article more of a Football Manager news feed update.

8 f***ing million

Is he applying by e-mail?

Gonna be pretty crushing if he doesn't end up here after all this.

6.5 is the maximum bid we'll send IMO. No way we'll pay that. If the sun is correct mind, which is debatable.

Adam Johnson I reckon Rodgers is talking about.

Unless sammy ain't cottoned on its fake? Either way it's clutching at straws.

Boils down to these 'showdown talks' , dying to see him at the club.

No hint of Debuchy bid cooling down, more a provocative reminder to Santon of our major intrest in him.

Calciomercato. Probably a poor mans L'Equipe.

Quotes are off Italian press.

Pardew has probably suggested he might try him at RB over the course of the season, not week in week out. He was making that left back role his own towards the end of the previous campaign, the managment will have noticed it, and how his confidence grew. Not gonna jump to conclusions over a few comments, would be a huge kick in the teeth if we dont sign Debuchy up.

Given the amout of games that could be heading our way this season, Debuchy (fingers crossed) isn't going to play every game. Would be no suprise if Pardew stuck Santon at RB for a few games and put Ferguson or R.Taylor at left back, or someone else brought in. Comments could be translated as Pardew's desire to get rid of what he considers deadwood and have quality players in every position.

I seem to remember Beardsley scoring from a mile out against Norwich? Could have dreamt it like. Anyway, personal faves are Nobby (Leeds Away) , Shearer v Everton, Emre V Reading.

Beat me to that ..