Fantastic news!

[Baggio]

"In his time of owning it, Mike has cleaned up the balance sheets and Newcastle is one of the few clubs that has no debt whatsoever, so that makes it very attractive to an incoming owner." - Keith Harris.

 

I've seen no quotes since then which says otherwise?

 

 

Eh? Ashley's done nothing but whinge for months about the money still owed on transfers (as if every club isn't run that same way).

 

So the club has been saying it still has debts, 3rd-party says it hasn't...how's that the club's fault then?

 

I've got absolutely no idea what you're on about. What's Keith Harris got to do with anything?

 

Well you've just said the club said they'd paid off all their debts, but then said Ashley's been saying for months we're in debt...so what are you on about?

 

They said one thing. Then said another. They lied. It's not rocket science.

 

The most recent quotes I can find are from October saying we're close to being debt-free. If you can show me something from the club which says we're in debt still from after October, I'll believe you.

 

Along with Keith Harris, I've absolutely no idea what October has to do with it.

 

Because since October, the club's line has been it's debt-free, if you can find something since then where the club has said we're not debt-free, then fine.

 

What club line? Ashley said in his "woe is me" statement that we still had loads of debt and he wasn't prepared to put any more money in. Are you suggesting that someone else has paid the debt off in the meantime?

 

Keith Harris is not the club - he talks utter s***. Americans, Nigerians, you name it, he's made it up.

 

Those being the Nigerians who were said themselves they were interested...can't speak for the Americans because no-one knows who's looked at the club and who hasn't, so we can't say he's "made them up".

 

Who has paid off the rest of the debt then?

 

He said before then the club still owed out money in transfer fees that were paid over the length of a players contract, £25 million iirc from the club magazine.

 

Depends if he see's it as debt or not, it's common for clubs to pay fees over the length of their contracts but don't class it as debt, if it's interest free then he's got nothing to gain from paying it all of now.

[Wullie]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

[Dave]

[Optimistic Nut]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

[Optimistic Nut]

And imo, there's 3 better central-midfielders than Butt at the club (Geremi, Barton & Guthrie), that's before players we've missed out on.

 

Not the boards fault that 3 managers (Allardyce, Keegan & Kinnear) have still continued to play him first-choice.

[Mick]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

[samag]

Cacapa, Owen, Harper, Butt, Ameobi, Edgar, Viduka Are all out of contact. The squad is thin now allowing all to leave on free transfer‘s would be madness.

The squad is thin now these guys would all have to be replaced.

That would mean we would be looking to bring about 10 new players in, during the summer

So what ever transfer budget we have in the summer would be spend on ten players instead of four or five players.

 

[Rich]

We can afford to let one of Smith or Ameobi go, surely? Even both if Owen's staying until the end of the season as there's still Viduka, Martins, Owen and Xisco then. Not to mention Carroll if we get desperate. I'll refrain from mentioning you know who.

 

Up front is one position that we're over-stocked in, when we're crying out for fullbacks (cover there at least). We could probably do with another midfielder (central) as well, although I'd be extremely surprised to see us bring one in who'd be good enough to be a first-teamer for a few years to come.

[Wullie]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

 

Again, why should I give a shit about something that happened 15 years ago?

 

I think the fact that we are in massive danger of being relegated because of Ashley's choices should be enough reason for you to agree with me unless your only ambition for the club is 17th. We should never have been in this position. I am not prepared to give credit to him in February for saving our top flight status when he's the one who has jeopardized it in the first place.

 

You say that he hasn't had the chance - surely the summer was the chance given the failure of the previous summer. If he tries to sign Kaka in January and fails, presumably you'll let him then too for trying? How long can this go on?

[Optimistic Nut]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

 

Again, why should I give a s*** about something that happened 15 years ago?

 

I think the fact that we are in massive danger of being relegated because of Ashley's choices should be enough reason for you to agree with me unless your only ambition for the club is 17th. We should never have been in this position. I am not prepared to give credit to him in February for saving our top flight status when he's the one who has jeopardized it in the first place.

 

You say that he hasn't had the chance - surely the summer was the chance given the failure of the previous summer. If he tries to sign Kaka in January and fails, presumably you'll let him then too for trying? How long can this go on?

 

Do you think we'd be anywhere near 17th with those players and Keegan as manager?

 

And like I've said, I'll let it go on until February, giving him a chance to put things right. Unless there's a takeover before then we have no choice anyway.

[Wullie]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

[Baggio]

We can afford to let one of Smith or Ameobi go, surely? Even both if Owen's staying until the end of the season as there's still Viduka, Martins, Owen and Xisco then. Not to mention Carroll if we get desperate. I'll refrain from mentioning you know who.

 

Up front is one position that we're over-stocked in, when we're crying out for fullbacks (cover there at least). We could probably do with another midfielder (central) as well, although I'd be extremely surprised to see us bring one in who'd be good enough to be a first-teamer for a few years to come.

 

We've got 7 strikers kicking around the first team squad at the moment but only one fullback on each side.

 

It's not numbers we're short on, it's balance.

[Rich]

We can afford to let one of Smith or Ameobi go, surely? Even both if Owen's staying until the end of the season as there's still Viduka, Martins, Owen and Xisco then. Not to mention Carroll if we get desperate. I'll refrain from mentioning you know who.

 

Up front is one position that we're over-stocked in, when we're crying out for fullbacks (cover there at least). We could probably do with another midfielder (central) as well, although I'd be extremely surprised to see us bring one in who'd be good enough to be a first-teamer for a few years to come.

 

We've got 7 strikers kicking around the first team squad at the moment but only one fullback on each side.

 

It's not numbers we're short on, it's balance.

 

[Wullie]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

 

Again, why should I give a s*** about something that happened 15 years ago?

 

I think the fact that we are in massive danger of being relegated because of Ashley's choices should be enough reason for you to agree with me unless your only ambition for the club is 17th. We should never have been in this position. I am not prepared to give credit to him in February for saving our top flight status when he's the one who has jeopardized it in the first place.

 

You say that he hasn't had the chance - surely the summer was the chance given the failure of the previous summer. If he tries to sign Kaka in January and fails, presumably you'll let him then too for trying? How long can this go on?

 

Do you think we'd be anywhere near 17th with those players and Keegan as manager?

 

No but the squad would still be weak as piss and incapable of competing at the level we should be, Nicky Butt would still be getting a game, we'd still have one of the worst central midfields in the country. Keegan was being asked to polish a turd, pretend it was his and that he was delighted with it.

[Optimistic Nut]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

 

Keegan on Butt...

"He has been vitally important and is the one player who stitches it all together. He just gets on with it.

 

"Michael Owen captains the side, but I see him as another captain out there.

 

Keegan on Duff...

ve absolutely no doubt that Damien is going to be in the best shape of his Newcastle career," he said.

 

"The lad hasn't had a proper pre-season in three years, but now he's at the weight he was at 18.

 

"I think we've got to draw a line under what's gone on before. We definitely want to keep him. He's a player who sets good standards in training."

 

 

So either a) Keegan genuinely liked and rated them, or b), he's a liar as well?

 

 

 

[Baggio]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

 

Again, why should I give a s*** about something that happened 15 years ago?

 

I think the fact that we are in massive danger of being relegated because of Ashley's choices should be enough reason for you to agree with me unless your only ambition for the club is 17th. We should never have been in this position. I am not prepared to give credit to him in February for saving our top flight status when he's the one who has jeopardized it in the first place.

 

You say that he hasn't had the chance - surely the summer was the chance given the failure of the previous summer. If he tries to sign Kaka in January and fails, presumably you'll let him then too for trying? How long can this go on?

 

Do you think we'd be anywhere near 17th with those players and Keegan as manager?

 

No but the squad would still be weak as piss and incapable of competing at the level we should be, Nicky Butt would still be getting a game, we'd still have one of the worst central midfields in the country. Keegan was being asked to polish a turd, pretend it was his and that he was delighted with it.

 

Keegan quite clearly rated both Guthrie and Barton, so what if Butt was getting a game if one of those was out injured, it's a building job at the end of the day.

[Wullie]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

 

Keegan on Butt...

"He has been vitally important and is the one player who stitches it all together. He just gets on with it.

 

"Michael Owen captains the side, but I see him as another captain out there.

 

Keegan on Duff...

ve absolutely no doubt that Damien is going to be in the best shape of his Newcastle career," he said.

 

"The lad hasn't had a proper pre-season in three years, but now he's at the weight he was at 18.

 

"I think we've got to draw a line under what's gone on before. We definitely want to keep him. He's a player who sets good standards in training."

 

 

So either a) Keegan genuinely liked and rated them, or b), he's a liar as well?

 

Actions speak louder than words. He binned them and got results. I couldn't really give a fuck about quotes if I'm happy with what I see on the pitch. He bigged Shola up too then tried to peddle him.

[Optimistic Nut]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

 

Keegan on Butt...

"He has been vitally important and is the one player who stitches it all together. He just gets on with it.

 

"Michael Owen captains the side, but I see him as another captain out there.

 

Keegan on Duff...

ve absolutely no doubt that Damien is going to be in the best shape of his Newcastle career," he said.

 

"The lad hasn't had a proper pre-season in three years, but now he's at the weight he was at 18.

 

"I think we've got to draw a line under what's gone on before. We definitely want to keep him. He's a player who sets good standards in training."

 

 

So either a) Keegan genuinely liked and rated them, or b), he's a liar as well?

 

Actions speak louder than words. He binned them and got results. I couldn't really give a f*** about quotes if I'm happy with what I see on the pitch. He bigged Shola up too then tried to peddle him.

 

He binned Duff, aye, although he brought him back in at the start of this season. Butt was still a regular in the team though.

[Segun Oluwaniyi]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

 

Keegan on Butt...

"He has been vitally important and is the one player who stitches it all together. He just gets on with it.

 

"Michael Owen captains the side, but I see him as another captain out there.

 

Keegan on Duff...

ve absolutely no doubt that Damien is going to be in the best shape of his Newcastle career," he said.

 

"The lad hasn't had a proper pre-season in three years, but now he's at the weight he was at 18.

 

"I think we've got to draw a line under what's gone on before. We definitely want to keep him. He's a player who sets good standards in training."

 

 

So either a) Keegan genuinely liked and rated them, or b), he's a liar as well?

 

Actions speak louder than words. He binned them and got results. I couldn't really give a f*** about quotes if I'm happy with what I see on the pitch. He bigged Shola up too then tried to peddle him.

 

He binned Duff, aye, although he brought him back in at the start of this season. Butt was still a regular in the team though.

Butt looked decent last year with Barton and Geremi to take the burden off him. Butt's decent but he won't cut it a two man midfield. That's the main problem with him and Geremi, though they are both decent players. I actualy rate Geremi to be honest.

[ChezGiven]

Giving Butt a new contract doesn't mean we're not going to sign a new midfielder. The summer Shearer got his last one-year contract we spent £16m on Michael Owen.

 

Aye, I can really see Mike Ashley sanctioning that one.

 

:lol: modric  :lol:

 

Yeah because he was also trying to sell the club last January when he put up the money for that deal.

 

and now the fans are pissed because he wont spend after they've basically driven him out?

 

flawless logic.

 

He wasn't spending anyway. That's why Nicky Butt is still a first teamer.

 

Butt is still a first-teamer because £6m was spunked on Alan Smith with the Dyer money rather than an actual midfielder.

 

Mmm nope. Butt needed replacing in the summer but Dennis knew better.

 

Yeah, he signed Guthrie. Only a year after the board sanctioned a £5.8m transfer of Barton, as well as giving a big contract to Geremi.

 

So managers have signed, in their time under Mike Ashley four midfielders (or midfielders in the manager's eyes) in Barton, Geremi, Guthrie & Smith...that's not including Nacho Gonzalez.

 

That's not the board's fault that two managers have spent a fair bit on midfielders and yet Butt still plays.

 

He couldn't sign £18m Modric so went for £2m Guthrie? The obvious choice.

 

Which two managers are you on about?

 

Allardyce who signed the first three, and Keegan who signed Guthrie.

 

Blame Keegan, always the easy get out card.

 

Of course, it's all Ashley's fault that we've signed 5 midfielders and yet Butt is first-choice.

 

And Keegan himself said he signed Guthrie after he impressed against us for Bolton.

 

It is Ashley's fault because he didn't allow Keegan to go out and buy the players he wanted (which I'm pretty sure would have included midfielders other than Guthrie).

 

I'd say Modric was an example that we tried, but failed.

 

Oh well, no worries then. That'll comfort me while I sit and watch £500's worth of Championship football next season.

 

What a sh*t argument.

 

 

Your "argument" suggests that it's ok to go down with Nicky Butt in midfield because we tried to sign someone last April.

 

No, my argument is that we didn't replace Dyer properly. If we'd signed say, for example, Diarra last summer rather than Smith, no-one would be worried about Butt being first-choice at the moment.

 

So hang on... because we didn't act properly in 2007, we don't have to act at all in 2008? What sort of warped logic is that?

 

We did act in 2008. We tried to sign Modric, and alledgedly Aimar as well.

 

In 94, Keegan tried signing Ferdinand at the same time as Darren Peacock, does that mean, because we didn't sign him until '95 and we ended up with Kitson up front for half a season when he sold Cole, that we blame Keegan for not qualifying for Europe that season?

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I wonder if in May '95, Keegan & Hall said, "Look lads, we tried to sign x, y & z, will you let us in the UEFA Cup anyway?"

 

Later, we then went and signed who we needed, Ashley hasn't had that chance yet.

 

If it's the same situation in February and we haven't signed a midfielder or whoever, then yes, I'd agree with you.

 

Again, why should I give a shit about something that happened 15 years ago?

 

 

Because you cant evaluate one board of the club without comparison to previous boards. That should be obvious by now.

[Wullie]

 

Trying's no good mate, we can't go to the Premiership in May and say "look lads, we tried to sign x, y and z, can you swing it to give us the points we need to stay in the league?"

 

I'm not interested in 1994 and I'm not interested in who we did and didn't try to sign (there's more than two midfielders better than Nicky Butt on this planet btw), I'm interested in staying in the Premiership - in itself a damning indictment of the massive damage Ashley has done to NUFC.

 

I think we'd be 12 points better off if Keegan had stayed, even with this squad, so he's got to take some of the blame for our current plight.  An extra 12 points would have us fighting for a European place instead of our Premiership survival.

 

I wouldn't expect Keegan to put up with dross like Butt and Duff and pretend they are what he wanted (and he would have to).

 

Keegan on Butt...

"He has been vitally important and is the one player who stitches it all together. He just gets on with it.

 

"Michael Owen captains the side, but I see him as another captain out there.

 

Keegan on Duff...

ve absolutely no doubt that Damien is going to be in the best shape of his Newcastle career," he said.

 

"The lad hasn't had a proper pre-season in three years, but now he's at the weight he was at 18.

 

"I think we've got to draw a line under what's gone on before. We definitely want to keep him. He's a player who sets good standards in training."

 

 

So either a) Keegan genuinely liked and rated them, or b), he's a liar as well?

 

Actions speak louder than words. He binned them and got results. I couldn't really give a f*** about quotes if I'm happy with what I see on the pitch. He bigged Shola up too then tried to peddle him.

 

He binned Duff, aye, although he brought him back in at the start of this season. Butt was still a regular in the team though.

 

Oh aye, sorry, I'm thinking about Smith. Yeah Butt did a fair job at the end of last season but was quite clearly one of the weak links and needed replacing (he's 34 next month ffs).

 

He'd have binned Duff in a second given the chance.

[Rich]

Butt started every single game under Keegan that he was available for (missed the Stoke 4-1 and the Bolton 0-0 through suspension).

 

That was 20 games, he completed 18 of them and missed a total of 34 minutes out of 1800.

 

KK rated him, I don't think he was "lying", and that's part of the reason for my U-turn on him. He's an important part of the team/squad. Edit: Which for some could just be a sign of how far we've fallen.

 

[Guest Howaythetoon]

We have to give Shola a new deal.... he's Owen's replacement.

[M4]

Kinnear

 

the muppetest man there ever was. If Shola gets a new contract, think I might just go hang myself.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

The fact the club are even considering giving the likes of Shola a new deal speak volumes about their ability to assess the squad in any capacity.