RobinRobin

New number 9?

I would have him back, no doubt whatsoever. He is a proven scorer in the Premier League (or at least he was until he went to Pool). He may have to lose some of his wages, though. He will not get Pool wages with us. Does he want to play more than he wants to be paid?

I understand the comments made here, but he is apparently the captain of the reserves. I know that does not have a bearing on his ability, necessarily, but it seems a strange honour for someone in whom the Manager has no confidence. I have not seen him play, so can't judge whether he would have made a difference. However, it just beggars belief that when Williamson got a long term injury before the end of the transfer window, proper back-up plans were not put in place - and I don't mean last minute unsuccessful bids.

I don't want to be picky, but would it not have been better to pick out one of his own players? Sod it, Kevin beat me to it

I was thinking more about Docklands, Subiaco, but I take the point about Suncorp

Is it not the case that it will always be St James' Park, whatever someone else chooses to call it? Obviously, this has been done now for the reasons given (international break, away games, cheap season tickets sold), but the reality is that no fan will ever call it SDA or even Nike/Puma/Bank of England etc Arena. Frankly, I doubt many commentators/journalists will either. There have been many occasions in Australia where this happens, seemingly every season, and it just gets called by its correct name. I totally agree with the history issue, but history is not something you can change by renaming it (some totalitarian countries excepted, of course). History simply is and always will be what it is! I cannot see how this is going to help NUFC, though. My only thought therefore is that this is not a means of getting sponsorship (and therefore money) for NUFC. It is a means of getting sponsorship for SD at no cost. As MA is not spending any money on NUFC, he is looking to benefit his other investments by cheap exposure on television every week. As a result, we may well see SD on the shirts next year. While fans will not be paying for them, the brand is being pushed on the subconscious constantly. Just in case there is any doubt though, he is a complete and utter arsehole!

Interestingly, there seemed to be a lot of suggestions that with Nolan and Barton going the spirit in the team would disappear. In fact, the opposite seems to be the case. Instead of an us and them situation, which seems to have been the case, it is now just "us". That certainly seems to have been the nature of the interviews given by players who would perhaps not have been in the gang in the last couple of years (Colo, Guti, Saylor etc)

Think its just you. Guti did a great job defensively. But most of the attacking wing play went throught obertan. He covered loads of ground making himself available. Best attitude he's shown since signing. Not just you. I agree that the attacking wing play went through Obertan, but that was because Guti was defending, whereas Obertan still went missing defensively. Don't get me wrong, good cross and good chasing, but I still think the defensive side of his game and the courage to attack the ball when there is someone else within 10 yards is missing. Glass half full, as far as I am concerned

He is there for his speed and ability to cross the ball (I assume, as a winger). However, his speed seems to disappear when there is another player within 10 yards, he bottles 50/50s and he cannot cross (except with the outside of his wrong foot, it seems). He fails to close down in defence (compare with Jonas who does that constantly and still gets up the pitch to score). He just shows no interest in defending, even when he has given the ball away and then shows no real interest in attack if there is an opposition player around. Irrespective of who should have been put on the pitch in his place, the fact that he remained on the whole 90 minutes is a (IMHO) a real issue with Pardew's management. Frankly, I would rather have Routledge and 2/3m in Fatty's pockets for all the use he is. And he can leave his flicks and showboating to some time when it is appropriate - like at training when everyone else has left! In answer to the OP - yes

I rather liked the way he ghosted on to the header from Shola (I think) late on against the scum. Rather like Nolan and just a shame he did not score. Did it last year as well, didn't he?

Agreed but it does not half p*ss me off to see a professional footballer who cannot use his left foot in those circumstances!

I wonder if Sammy is getting more credit than he is entitled to so far, on the similar basis to Nile Ranger at times last year when it was assumed he was better than those before him precisely because he was not playing enough to show that he was not the answer. Not sure one way or the other, but certainly he has considerably more pace and attitude than his brother - hardly a ringing endorsement though

My view of watching on TV from afar is that his first touch is often phenomenal, but his second touch is more often abysmal. If he could avoid the second touch, he will do fine

Surely the Fiorentina game is the most appropriate for such a mass non-attendance - not competitive and therefore does not hit the team but still sends a huge message. Won't ever happen though.

He would resign today if he had any nuts

I agree, but they made an exception for Sol Campbell. It is one of those policies which is absolutely sacrosanct, except when it is not. Short term deal sounds fine to me, even if only for a year while the new guys settle - assuming he doesn't drive them all out!

It's naive to think that contract negotiations are a one-way street, where the clubs attempt to call all the shots ie. they insist on trigger clauses, for minimal fees. The same applies to the area of bonus', and a player's image rights. There's no sensible logic in a club chairman drawing up a clause (of his volition, with the financial best interests of the club at the fore) which enables a youngster to leave for bugger-all, after a break-out year, to a bigger club. C'mon it's the agents who insist on these (for minimal fees) as a means of fast-tracking their clients' careers to the higher grades on a club scale, where there is a higher ceiling of earning potential. They push for an increased chance of player movement. Swansea probably had to play ball with the player's agent when they got their man originally, just as clubs have to do in order to retain their best players. This is why there is an arbitration process, to allow clubs the right of appeal when there are instances (in this case a contract, with a clause probably included in accordance to agent demands) that allow for an outgoing fee to not be reflective of a player's rate of progression. Nice sig by the way. A personal message would have sufficed, rather resorting to effort of changing profile settings. They did not have to sign the contract though. When they did, they can't change it later.

Wasn't he there on holiday a few weeks back? That's what I thought

If he played like them, he would hardly ever be on the pitch anyway in this day and age

Corbridge - became the Lion of Corbridge. Took up residence there for a few years later on as well

he's been playing in Australia i think Yes, Perth Glory in the A League, but no longer. Back in England for family reasons. Was not good enough for Oz, so his time is up. Looking at coaches badges etc

Thanks Ebeneezer!

The A league's a pretty poor league imo. I can't watch it for more than 10 mins at a time. That's my point

Surely "if they knew the facts" is exactly the problem. Even as captain he did not engage with the supporters. Talking about the J League, no chance. However, the A League would suit him - come and join the old men (including "God") at the mighty Glory

From what I can see from afar, Saylor cannot play with Williamson, as they are too similar. Either of them needs to play with Colo, because they do the grunt and he does the finesse - Saylor falls down when expected to do the fancy stuff. One thing I have noticed a lot with Williamson is that he tends to head up in the air, while Saylor does get some good forward distance with his headers. For that reason alone, I would go with Saylor