Mort: I’m in charge

[Rich]

If we could get Diarra and someone with a creative spark/bit of pace in for midfield I'd be a happy bunny.

 

It's very unlikely to happen, isn't it? Diarra alone would cost a fair whack, being only 6 months into a new contract. I'd be happy with Diarra + nobody, personally.

 

Reasonably unlikely I guess, but I think Diarra only cost them £2m and has declared he wants out. Seems like he'd be the right signing at the right time with Butt looking seriously on the decline. Creativity is what we crave more than anything, imo, but it depends who's available. That's my ideal scenario though.

 

Oh undoubtedly, I'd be dancing if we bought Diarra and somebody of the quality mentioned elsewhere for the AM role (Arshavin, etc.) We live in hope, of course.

 

Diarra on loan could be a good shout, but would he even get a regular game here? Despite how poor it has been recently, the centre of midfield has a few of Sam's favourites in there (Butt, Barton, Smith, Geremi).

 

I do think people crying out for creativity are going to be disappointed though, which is why I've kept quiet in those sorts of threads. Emre is by far our most technically gifted/creative midfielder - he's also got a high work-rate and battles - but he barely gets a sniff!

[KaKa]

If we could get Diarra and someone with a creative spark/bit of pace in for midfield I'd be a happy bunny.

 

It's very unlikely to happen, isn't it? Diarra alone would cost a fair whack, being only 6 months into a new contract. I'd be happy with Diarra + nobody, personally.

 

Reasonably unlikely I guess, but I think Diarra only cost them £2m and has declared he wants out. Seems like he'd be the right signing at the right time with Butt looking seriously on the decline. Creativity is what we crave more than anything, imo, but it depends who's available. That's my ideal scenario though.

 

Speaking of which did anyone see Songs performance yesterday? He looks like a great prospect as well and is only 20. Typically plays defensive midfield and was really good there when on loan for Charlton last season in the prem under Pardew.

[Rich]

Exactly Janitor.

 

Quite a few think Riise is poor, but would you rather have N'Zogbia at left back? Besides there are hardly any decent left backs out there with premiership experience. He would certainly be a huge upgrade for us and better than we have had in years now at that position.

 

I would definitely expect us to bring in a speedy striker type on loan too as Oba is off. We will absolutely need that speed option upfront, as Owen isn't quick anymore and is always one mistep away from serious injury. Most quality strikers from abroad e.g. Castillo are unlikely to be made available on loan, so we will probably be looking at the likes of Cisse, who could do a similar type of job as Martins (share similar good and bad habits but can both be effective) and will certainly utilize his pace better.

 

I'm not so sure about the "speedy striker" bit, either, as I can see Duff taking Martins' role when he returns from injury. I'd also like to see N'Zogbia given a go in that sort of role at some point, too.

 

It will be interesting to see what formation Allardyce uses at SJP after the recent results with one central striker up there.

[nufcjmc]

I think this is why Arshavin is the more likely target than an out and out midfielder I think SA wants a player than can play in midfield but also upfront which is why until it was rejected by the player I could see SA going for Gudjohnsen. Looking at his players he likes them to be able to play in more than one position to make them able to adapt which is very important while I feel the squad is still small.

[KaKa]

Exactly Janitor.

 

Quite a few think Riise is poor, but would you rather have N'Zogbia at left back? Besides there are hardly any decent left backs out there with premiership experience. He would certainly be a huge upgrade for us and better than we have had in years now at that position.

 

I would definitely expect us to bring in a speedy striker type on loan too as Oba is off. We will absolutely need that speed option upfront, as Owen isn't quick anymore and is always one mistep away from serious injury. Most quality strikers from abroad e.g. Castillo are unlikely to be made available on loan, so we will probably be looking at the likes of Cisse, who could do a similar type of job as Martins (share similar good and bad habits but can both be effective) and will certainly utilize his pace better.

 

I'm not so sure about the "speedy striker" bit, either, as I can see Duff taking Martins' role when he returns from injury. I'd also like to see N'Zogbia given a go in that sort of role at some point, too.

 

It will be interesting to see what formation Allardyce uses at SJP after the recent results with one central striker up there.

 

Very good point about Duff actually, and if we could get a left back like Riise then Zoggy would indeed be in the mix for one of those positions upfront too.

 

Should be interesting.

[Thespence]

If we could get Diarra .

 

NO!!! He is to small. Small DM/AKA water carriers work well being part of teams that have lots of possession as they get it pass it. We actually need a DM to defend & break up the opposition attacks with tackles & in the air.

[Rich]

He's not technically a DM, though, considers himself an AM more than anything.

 

I could see him playing the Essien role, rather than the Makelele role, if Barton is our poor version of Lampard.

[Rich]

Toon Transfer Talk: Gaffer On Latest

SAM Allardyce is hoping to bring at least "two or three" new faces to Newcastle United in the January transfer window.

 

The Geordies will be without the African quartet of Geremi, Oba Martins, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye when they head off to the Cup of Nations in Ghana next month.

 

And Big Sam says that he will be looking to strengthen his black and white squad during that period.

 

"We need two or three players and we're on the ball over this," explained Allardyce.

 

"But we do need quality players and I just hope we can find them."

 

One name to be linked with a January switch to Tyneside is that of Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

 

The Icelandic star was repeatedely touted as a Toon target during the summer and it remains to be seen if the Magpies will make a New Year approach.

 

Would you look at that! I wonder how much Oliver and Starforth earn and how long it has taken them to write that article today in their respective rags... 5 minutes? 10 minutes?

 

Jammy gets

[nufcjmc]

I notice the "Padding" that I mentioned before has been taken out.

[Thespence]

He's not technically a DM, though, considers himself an AM more than anything.

 

I could see him playing the Essien role, rather than the Makelele role, if Barton is our poor version of Lampard.

 

Does he? At Chelsea he was used mainly as cover at RB. I have saw him play twice for France & in both games he seemed to be playing deep. Unless he fills out, I would not bother with him. I am sure I read Charlie also believes his best position is AM/CM, I would rather save dosh on Diarra & give Charlie a crack there. This may mean playing the Spanish left back we hav signed

[Rich]

I notice the "Padding" that I mentioned before has been taken out.

 

Aye, that's the NUFC.co.uk version innit? That's the base copy, then Oliver gets on the blower to Craig Hope to ask what he's been told today, the Hopester passes on the info, then Starforth gets on the blower to Oliver and so on...

 

It's great how they all "exclusively reveal" and put "Big Sam told me today...", as well.

[nufcjmc]

I notice the "Padding" that I mentioned before has been taken out.

 

Aye, that's the NUFC.co.uk version innit? That's the base copy, then Oliver gets on the blower to Craig Hope to ask what he's been told today, the Hopester passes on the info, then Starforth gets on the blower to Oliver and so on...

 

It's great how they all "exclusively reveal" and put "Big Sam told me today...", as well.

 

Was it the oliver article of today or the other day which said something along the lines of "myself and SA have spoken a few times about jan transfer window" it annoys me so much as some of the bigger papers seem to look at the local rag as a cheaper alternative to having a presense themselves in the area so the shite we get shoveled gets swallowed up by them. I would laugh my arse off if we spent about 15million this window and watch oliver squirm and have to say something like "the pressure placed on Ashley has made him think twice about the jan pressure as the toon hope to make up the points to get them into europe"

[Rich]

He's not technically a DM, though, considers himself an AM more than anything.

 

I could see him playing the Essien role, rather than the Makelele role, if Barton is our poor version of Lampard.

 

Does he? At Chelsea he was used mainly as cover at RB. I have saw play twice for France & in both games he seemed to be playing deep. Unless he fills out, I would not bother with him. I am sure I read Charlie also believes his best position is AM/CM, I would rather save dosh on Diarra & give Charlie a crack there. This may mean playing the Spanish left back we hav signed

 

I think the lad is better than N'Zogbia, personally. Whatever position I've seen him playing in, no matter the opposition, the lad has looked authoritative and composed far beyond his years. He's got a real touch of class about him with the ball at his feet and can pass it as well as anybody we have in our squad. The difference between him and N'Zogbia with the ball at their feet is massive, completely different sorts of player. N'Zogbia will never be an effective CM/AM in my eyes, he's far too explosive/hurried.

 

With Charlie being a great mate of his, we do have a shout of getting him here, and if it was possible then I believe he'd be a great little signing for us. No doubt your concerns about his size/presence are valid, especially if he is to be used as a DM (I prefer those players to be built more like Sissoko/Diop as well), but I'd hope that he wouldn't.

 

But if we're playing this 4-3-3 thing, then surely Geremi's current role is the one for him? You have one of them holding (Butt/Geremi/Faye/Rozehnal?), one of them supposedly box-to-box (Diarra?) and one of them supporting the strikers, first and foremost (Barton?). That's how Chelsea played when they were at their best under Mourinho, using Makelele, Essien and Lampard.

 

Or even at Bolton, Allardyce used Campo, Speed and Nolan in these roles, all of whom have a fair bit of size/aerial ability about them, mind.

[Dragon55544]

Arshavin is quality and is interested in coming here.

 

[Mick]

 

I'm not so sure about the "speedy striker" bit, either, as I can see Duff taking Martins' role when he returns from injury. I'd also like to see N'Zogbia given a go in that sort of role at some point, too.

 

It will be interesting to see what formation Allardyce uses at SJP after the recent results with one central striker up there.

 

Duff will have to do a lot more when he comes back if he's to get a regular game, so far he's been a waste of time, even an erratic Martins pisses all over the Duff we've seen.

[SUPERTOON]

Arshavin is quality and is interested in coming here.

 

 

 

I have only seen him once against England and played well and havent seen him again

 

what is he like??

[nufcjmc]

 

I'm not so sure about the "speedy striker" bit, either, as I can see Duff taking Martins' role when he returns from injury. I'd also like to see N'Zogbia given a go in that sort of role at some point, too.

 

It will be interesting to see what formation Allardyce uses at SJP after the recent results with one central striker up there.

 

Duff will have to do a lot more when he comes back if he's to get a regular game, so far he's been a waste of time, even an erratic Martins pisses all over the Duff we've seen.

 

lets hope the break, the fear of finishing his carear early and loosing roeder out of his life might give him the kick in the arse he really needed, two goals in two practice games seems to indicate we havent lost all of the old duff.

[ATB]

Bla!

 

Dont understand people think Duff is finished. I will not pot that label on before the end of the season, if necessary. Biggest problem last year wasent duff. It was the team mates. Still a can remeber how frustrated he seemed when he tried to play link-up with Baba.

 

Duff will be a great player to have back. Would really want to see if

 

Milner - Smith/Viduka - Duff

 

can have any sucess. I think it can. Remember Duff know how to play the system in and out. My only concern is what Sam is going to do with Owen. He will definitive play him and I´m worried we will chance the system just because of him. Don´t want that to happen.

[Parky]

Bla!

 

Dont understand people think Duff is finished. I will not pot that label on before the end of the season, if necessary. Biggest problem last year wasent duff. It was the team mates. Still a can remeber how frustrated he seemed when he tried to play link-up with Baba.

 

Duff will be a great player to have back. Would really want to see if

 

Milner - Smith/Viduka - Duff

 

can have any sucess. I think it can. Remember Duff know how to play the system in and out. My only concern is what Sam is going to do with Owen. He will definitive play him and I´m worried we will chance the system just because of him. Don´t want that to happen.

 

If Owen isn't gone in Jan then he'll deffo be away in the summer.

[ATB]

Bla!

 

Dont understand people think Duff is finished. I will not pot that label on before the end of the season, if necessary. Biggest problem last year wasent duff. It was the team mates. Still a can remeber how frustrated he seemed when he tried to play link-up with Baba.

 

Duff will be a great player to have back. Would really want to see if

 

Milner - Smith/Viduka - Duff

 

can have any sucess. I think it can. Remember Duff know how to play the system in and out. My only concern is what Sam is going to do with Owen. He will definitive play him and I´m worried we will chance the system just because of him. Don´t want that to happen.

 

If Owen isn't gone in Jan then he'll deffo be away in the summer.

 

Think so too. But still our best goalscorer.

[Howaythelads]

I think Duff will come back strongly. It makes me laugh that so many people are writing him off.

[Howaythelads]

Bla!

 

Dont understand people think Duff is finished. I will not pot that label on before the end of the season, if necessary. Biggest problem last year wasent duff. It was the team mates. Still a can remeber how frustrated he seemed when he tried to play link-up with Baba.

 

Duff will be a great player to have back. Would really want to see if

 

Milner - Smith/Viduka - Duff

 

can have any sucess. I think it can. Remember Duff know how to play the system in and out. My only concern is what Sam is going to do with Owen. He will definitive play him and I´m worried we will chance the system just because of him. Don´t want that to happen.

 

If Owen isn't gone in Jan then he'll deffo be away in the summer.

 

As long as we bring in a decent replacement I'll be quite happy to see him gone.

[NE5]

To answer NE5,

 

No idea if the new Board will be 'better' than the old. I believe the old Board did well enough to earn the right to make a few mistakes and were unfairly viewed by some fans. They appointed some good managers and backed them (not SBR straight away though which is point i keep making and you keep avoiding). They appointed some sh*te and backed them too.

 

Fair comment, and in my view, all those things are what good boards do, accepting that they made one shite appointment that defied belief. Everybody makes mistakes, but the basic ambition was there, and that is paramount. I agree with everything you say here.

 

Your view is biased though, no matter what you say. You were happy enough when we appointed Roeder, a relegation specialist, because you could understand the club wanting to do something 'different.' He only bought £15m worth of players, SA has bought more than that already. You can't retort that it wasn't prudent to let Roeder spend more because your opinion is that if you appoint a man you must back him, i.e. Dalgleish, Gullit and Souness.

Maybe this is the club trying something 'different' again, trying to start with youth as heavy investment in the 1st team hasn't cemented us a place in the top 4/6.

 

Not biased. I hated Souness but would still have liked him to succeed because he was manager of Newcastle. I'm only biased because I want NUFC to win above anything, I wasn't particularly happy at appointing Roeder, but thought that he deserved a break, and the club trying something different was worth a stab, so yes you are correct in what you say. I also accepted in the end that he had to go and it hadn't worked out.

 

I can't see that the current youth policy is different, because we have new owners, they are setting out their stall as to how they think the club can succeed, and basically, I don't agree with them that this will lead to automatic success, and in fact I don't think we will attract the best young players if the first team doesn't move upwards.

 

Do you really think that we'd be challenging for a CL place with SA as manager and FS as chairman? Because that's the only criteria you're using to judge the new Board so you must have believed we'd be in the hunt this seaason if FS had stayed.

 

I don't know. I was happy with Allardyce, and we knew he would get backing from the board so it was a matter of how he spent his money. At the moment, I am disappointed that Allardyce appears to be getting things wrong. Patience is one thing [and not all of us have it] but watching someone making obvious errors is something else entirely.

 

Fwiw, i would like to see more spent on the 1st team in January but the players SA wants must be available for the right money, that's life! You don't always get the players you want, when you want. Sometimes you have to build a little slower. SBR wanted Zenden iirc but he didn't want to come and we bought Robert, Bellamy instead of Jeffers, etc.

Personally i think a better time to judge where we are heading will be at the close of the August 08 window.

 

I know we all want the same thing, and i hope we all get it.

 

I agree, I just want to see signs that the clubs owner and chairman understand what it takes to succeed, and Allardyce to show that he understands the game by recognising where we need players most and exercising good judgement in the transfer market. Just now, I don't see either, I'm not happy with what I'm seeing and hearing from both parties.

 

[fredbob]

To answer NE5,

 

No idea if the new Board will be 'better' than the old. I believe the old Board did well enough to earn the right to make a few mistakes and were unfairly viewed by some fans. They appointed some good managers and backed them (not SBR straight away though which is point i keep making and you keep avoiding). They appointed some sh*te and backed them too.

 

Fair comment, and in my view, all those things are what good boards do, accepting that they made one s**** appointment that defied belief. Everybody makes mistakes, but the basic ambition was there, and that is paramount. I agree with everything you say here.

 

Your view is biased though, no matter what you say. You were happy enough when we appointed Roeder, a relegation specialist, because you could understand the club wanting to do something 'different.' He only bought £15m worth of players, SA has bought more than that already. You can't retort that it wasn't prudent to let Roeder spend more because your opinion is that if you appoint a man you must back him, i.e. Dalgleish, Gullit and Souness.

Maybe this is the club trying something 'different' again, trying to start with youth as heavy investment in the 1st team hasn't cemented us a place in the top 4/6.

 

Not biased. I hated Souness but would still have liked him to succeed because he was manager of Newcastle. I'm only biased because I want NUFC to win above anything, I wasn't particularly happy at appointing Roeder, but thought that he deserved a break, and the club trying something different was worth a stab, so yes you are correct in what you say. I also accepted in the end that he had to go and it hadn't worked out.

 

I can't see that the current youth policy is different, because we have new owners, they are setting out their stall as to how they think the club can succeed, and basically, I don't agree with them that this will lead to automatic success, and in fact I don't think we will attract the best young players if the first team doesn't move upwards.

 

Do you really think that we'd be challenging for a CL place with SA as manager and FS as chairman? Because that's the only criteria you're using to judge the new Board so you must have believed we'd be in the hunt this seaason if FS had stayed.

 

I don't know. I was happy with Allardyce, and we knew he would get backing from the board so it was a matter of how he spent his money. At the moment, I am disappointed that Allardyce appears to be getting things wrong. Patience is one thing [and not all of us have it] but watching someone making obvious errors is something else entirely.

 

Fwiw, i would like to see more spent on the 1st team in January but the players SA wants must be available for the right money, that's life! You don't always get the players you want, when you want. Sometimes you have to build a little slower. SBR wanted Zenden iirc but he didn't want to come and we bought Robert, Bellamy instead of Jeffers, etc.

Personally i think a better time to judge where we are heading will be at the close of the August 08 window.

 

I know we all want the same thing, and i hope we all get it.

 

I agree, I just want to see signs that the clubs owner and chairman understand what it takes to succeed, and Allardyce to show that he understands the game by recognising where we need players most and exercising good judgement in the transfer market. Just now, I don't see either, I'm not happy with what I'm seeing and hearing from both parties.

 

 

 

 

I don't agree with them that this will lead to automatic success, and in fact I don't think we will attract the best young players if the first team doesn't move upwards.

 

At the risk of causing a new debate, isnt this the whole point? The current board dont sound look like they are wanting automatic success. Wouldnt that be the best for the club, as spending huge amounts of money constantly isnt a sustainable way to run a successful business. I agree that investment needs to be made, and i have confindence that the board will back where nexcessary but i dont believe that the board are looking for instant success. And personally, if 10 years down the line the club have progressed singnificantly and is in a very healthy situation then i would be happy.

 

Proabably agree with the second point, although i cant help but think that a lot of youngsters would love to come to a club of this size. We do have an unnaturally large reputation!

[NE5]

... cleaning out all the quotes .....

 

At the risk of causing a new debate, isnt this the whole point? The current board dont sound look like they are wanting automatic success. Wouldnt that be the best for the club, as spending huge amounts of money constantly isnt a sustainable way to run a successful business. I agree that investment needs to be made, and i have confindence that the board will back where nexcessary but i dont believe that the board are looking for instant success. And personally, if 10 years down the line the club have progressed singnificantly and is in a very healthy situation then i would be happy.

 

Proabably agree with the second point, although i cant help but think that a lot of youngsters would love to come to a club of this size. We do have an unnaturally large reputation!

 

you what ?

 

how are the top 4 winning the cups ?