Figures 1-0 Football

Can add on additional clauses, you wont get that through the tribunal.

Or how about we try to convince him staying at NUFC would be best for him? Or maybe it will set the opposite example with potential school boys who see us as a club who will keep you regardless of your wishes and risk ruining your development - leading them to sign for the someone else from day one.

What everyone is forgetting is the lad is refusing to sign pro forms with us if I'm following the story correctly therefore it's somewhat out our hands. He can leave whenever he likes on his current deal. He's had his head turned and is obviously not interested in staying. Not like we're out publically flaunting our youngsters for sale. Wanted to keep him, he's decided he's going so we can either agree a fee (with good sell on/additional clauses) or wait for the FA to award us £10.

Brentford & Huddersfield were the two decisive goals he got. That's right. Scored a beauty at home as well when he turned and shot into the top corner. Can't remember who against. Think that's the Rotherham one Joey mentioned.

Hate it when people use Sissoko's 'lack of talent' for an excuse for his shockingly shit displays where he completely went missing too. I mean the Bournemouth game alone was much worse than Gini ever did and was an utter disgrace. Sissoko was a very average footballer, but he also went missing. Gini's efforts in his games where he did show up contributed about a hundred million times more than Sissoko did all season. Either way, they are both insufferable arseholes.

Calcio Mercato: Newcastle are interested in 23 year-old Real Betis full-back Riza Durmesi

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/relegation-more-like-than-winning-the-league.1379195/ The first reply of that thread made me laugh, so true. It's also weird to see a normal, sensible mackem on there.

Where? Nowhere credible (at the moment), probably one for the Twitter thread but it does seem slightly realistic. Bookies have massively dropped their odds too, which may be the cause (or a reaction to it).

Clucas to us is gathering quite a lot of pace in the last 30 mins or so.

Superbly summed up. As Rafa has already said, this season will be about consolidating ourselves as a PL club and then pushing on next year when we're on the TV deal gravy train properly.

Wasn't it Randolph the other day? Now Adrian. They got any other keepers?

I mean, they have had an effect and may speed up future deals slightly. But I doubt we were planning to make zero signings and suddenly rushed these two through. He wanted to hurry them along, rather than miss out on signings. See Abraham, Tammy. I'd say that is exactly what it has done, as you've also touched on yourself.

Considering Rafa's comments have had no effect on our movements, it seems like we've made bigger steps today than we have in the rest of the window. Curious.

Oh look, we're signing players to be part of a squad and people are immediately shooting them down as shit Sounds like last year. As I said in the other thread, he must have something about him if Atletico, Liverpool and Marseille have all fancied him at some point. He'll no doubt compete with Yedlin and Gamez for the RB slot and if he's utterly shit then he'll get less game time than the other two. Basically a replacement for Anita, which we needed.

He looks like he needs a Greggs or two the show off little twat. If he gets knocked off the ball I'll be booing.

Off to Fulham innit? He's apparently holding out for a PL move and we're now in for him, according to Ryder.

Following Rafa's comments, less than 24 hours later we have agreed a fee for one target (Murphy) and have two with substantial interest (Manquillo and Rolan) that the media seem to think could happen soon. Surely not a coincidence.

Chronicle have said we have interest in Diego Rolan.

It's unsurprising really. Even if he was an absolute superstar their thread would be identical to that. As with Murphy, Clark, Yedlin & Hanley last season - I had my doubts but each one of them proved to be successful by contributing in us coming back up. He'll get a clean slate when he walks through the door and I'll judge him based on his performances for NUFC as everything else is pretty irrelevant.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but there are some quotes from Rafa where he states those left at home (Lazaar, Krul, Riviere) are available to leave 'if the price is right'. Also stated that whilst selling players would help towards a transfer budget, the initial budget without any sales is enough to do what he wants to do (providing Mike isn't a cunt). Edit - http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rafa-benitez-explains-his-decision-to-leave-tim-krul-achraf-lazaar-and-emmanuel-riviere-in-newcastle-1-8654420

Just realised he's a RB, must be Anita's replacement and will challenge Yedlin for the position. Meh, know absolutely nothing about him but will give him a chance and see how he gets on. He must have some talent if Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Marseille have all fancied him at some point.

Is he any good?

£15m for a decent Championship striker who has been out injured more than he's played in the last two seasons. £7m for a one season loan for a decent PL defender. Yet Ashley thinks we can compete on a shoestring budget.

Wish him well.