OTF

For the record I think any thought of relegation are a knee jerk reaction. Of course anything is possible, but it would take exceptional circumstances - like in 08-09 for us to be relegated. In some ways it's lucky that we've managed to keep some quality in the squad, or else at the level we're operating in the market of late relegation could have been a very real consideration.

That's an important distinction to make. We've picked up 7 points, but have been far from convincing in doing so. Largely benefiting from poor opposition who have been unable to take advantage of their large periods of dominance over us. It's a minor miracle that noone has scored from exploiting Ryan Taylor's lack of defensive pedigree for one, but also that we've managed to score 3 goal ourselves. Our forward play has been woeful, and should have highlighted the urgency in bringing in quality up front. But we're not a club who purchase based off our own on-field requirements, instead we're one who purchases based on the likelihood of a profit being made balanced against the smallest transfer fee possible and the lowest wages required. As much as we joke about it Carlton Cole was never in danger of being signed by Newcastle because under this model we couldn't afford his wages, wouldn't pay West Ham what they want and couldn't expect any sort of resale value. I've only been in one of Ashley's shops once - Lillywhites at Piccadilly Circus in London in 2005, but from my experience there it seems apparent that he's applying the same model of operation to Newcastle United. Whatever he could buy for cheap was for sale there (and 'on sale' too), but if you went in there looking for a specific item you'd not be able to get it because he buys only what he can get for cheap and turnover for a profit. Likewise because they weren't able to find any fitting candidates for this criteria to play upfront they didn't break with their model to buy one.

I'm just clutching at straws as it were. Perhaps, perhaps not. I wouldn’t put the past the club to decide to repaint the lettering but not tell anyone so they can sit back and laugh at us getting wound up when the name of the club starts dissapearing. The letters won't paint themselves. With the rising costs of paint and labour to apply said paint, it's plain to see that the 35M is going to improving the club.

Im not sure what your actual point is tbh. The post you highlighted was me replying to Alex saying I wasnt going to get into a flap over what might or might not happen in the transfer window, back in may. I am pleased with most of the signings we have made, disappointed we havent got a striker and would be as happy as anyone else if Ashley had spent the whole 35 million and a little bit more. You expected an improved squad.

The 300K is easily offset by the reduction in wages, so in terms of outgoings, with the 35M from the Carroll sale not being touched we've significantly reduced our expenditures. Sports Direct model in full effect.

Time for you to Dzeko up the £50 to charity.

Ignoring my caveat TBH

Not that it should come as a great surprise to anyone, but the writing is once again on the wall in relation to the whole Andy Carroll affair. Strengthen the team my arse. As for those suggesting this was premature, better luck next time. Surely there can be no more deluded supporters with a shred of intelligence that have any remaining hope for the current owner and board.

1.5 MILLION spent on our entire forward line.

Tremble in fear at our 1.5M selection of world class forwards!

He plays FIFA and not FM. Sell him deadman, take whatever you can get. His rating is bullshit anyway, playing him is like cheating. He should be rated 60 at best.

Imagine: .......................Krul......................... ..Santon.....Colo...Saylor.....Enrique.. ...Barton...Tiote.....Cabaye....Jonas... ....................Ben Arfa..................... .........................Carroll................... Bench (from): Harper, Nolan, Marveaux, Obertan, Williamson, Shola, Ba, Best, Simpson....

Anyone else think that it's absurd that Tottenham want 10M+ for their beanpole, foul giving, no goal scoring 30 year old Peter Crouch? 12 goals in 73 games for them. Last season in 34 premier league games he scored 4 goals and made 38 fouls. The season before in 38 premier league games he managed 8 goals making 45 fouls. Anyhow. I suppose he looks like this: So you can't downplay that value.

Been watching as many clips as I can find of this lad and I have to admit he looks a decent LB. Seems very right footed though where as Maldini could use both but he likes to get up the pitch, is quick and strong. He also like to cut in from the left which should give us something different. I'll admit to having seen almost nothing of this kid, but watching the clips of him when on the ball he'll always check inside towards his right foot. That's neither here nor there - my point is this - if the kid wants to play right back then that's where we should play him as he's no doubt infinitely more talented than Danny Simpson. There's no need to stick him in at left back just because we sold our left back, when that's probably not his preferred position. If he did a good job filling in at left back in a pinch elsewhere then great, but it's an indication that he'd probably do an even better job playing on the right. I'd rather give him a chance to excel where he wants than to be adequate in a position where he's filled in in the past. Danny Simpson can likely do just as poor a job on the left as he does on the right. When you don't actually make tackles it doesn't matter what your preferred foot is.

I'd be playing Santon wherever his preferred position is TBH. If that's at right back switch Simpson over to the left. Santon looks to be very right sided, and he's not going to get the time and space like he would in Italy in the Premier league so wanting to constantly check back inside will have him found out quite quickly. Simpson's in pretty poor form anyway so might as well try to play him down the left. Alternately they should actually sprig for a proper left back. Don't know why they're not interested in PVA, even on loan for the season it would be a wise move.

I heard he sucks. Decent at cleaning the dishes though.

Could have had a very good assist to his name if Best didn't stick his hoof in when the pass was clearly not to him. Lovelyhands might be the invisible man out there most of the time, but he's still a decent finisher. Obertan I think has the ability, just needs some confidence.

Rossi was scarcely played, and when he was it was generally in front of a shite midfield. Better than no signing, marginally. Utterly pathetic if this is the end of our movement. A right footed talented yet out of favour utility man to replace one of the best left backs in the country, and an unproven youngster on loan to cover Andy Carroll. Noone to replace our player of the season.

FA imposes limits on non-English players so we sell Carroll, Nolan, Routledge and allow Barton to go for nothing. Of course none of our incomings have been English because it's generally poor value to sign English players.

For those wondering who this guy is... Had big wraps for Jonas before he joined us IIRC.

There's a touch of the Scott Parker about him in his commitment, size and position on the field. Hopefully he doesn't break an axle and start doing the Parker pirouette. Worth noting that he looks just as accomplished and a much better striker of the ball with a 5 year age advantage. Better looking too.

They're blatantly just trying to recreate the excitement and buzz that surrounded the coup of a signing that was Le Sib. ...and who can blame them?

There's a race between Bernard and Babayaro around St James' Park. The winner gets a fantastic contract to play in the coveted left back role, but only if they beat Graeme Souness.

Big where it counts.... the heart.