OTF

Good news somewhat soured by other happenings at the club.

It wouldn't be the end of the World if Barton wasn't offered a new contract if there was any chance that the club would buy a replacement. There is of course a track record that points to this not being the case, or at the very least that he will be replaced with someone of a much lower value. He had a very good start to the season and has turned in some good performances in the latter part of the season (between some bad ones) but on the balance of his contract he's been very poor and has been on high wages.

I get the feeling that any N'Zogbia news or speculation is just a distraction. Nothing will come of it.

McKay This is the latest trend in 'negotiation tactics'. The club will have offered a contract, there's no doubt about that. What the terms of it were is what would be up for discussion. Notice McKay says: "I had a meeting with Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley and they have indicated Joey will not be offered a new contract,". The new in there makes it highly ambiguous in that he has been offered a contract but has since not been offered a new improved contract. The way he then goes on to talk about how he will play next season and then leave for nothing is hilarious; as if anyone didn't know that that is how it works. He's obviously saying it to draw more money into a new contract for Barton (which will obviously increase his take). Running a tit for tat campaign of bullshit, expect the club to come out with something contrary next then it will all be miraculously resolved. Playing well goes a long way to removing negative stigma, but Barton has not had a good end to the season IMO. Plenty of games there where he has played very poorly, so if anyone was actually scouting him I can't see it being any team of note. Likewise I can't imagine that he would command higher wages than he is already being paid.

£4m... they're having a laugh. At that price we'd be better off keeping him and letting him go for nothing.

Don't know what it was, but in the early part of the season he strung together a few performances where he looked like a proper footballer and made me think that he'd kick on to be a solid fullback for us. Pretty much has been undoing it since and I'd agree with your current assessment.

I think if Tiote played in this we would have won for sure. Costly decision to rest him. You'd have to think that next season we would have more players fit and available to play to fill in for him. Even if he had picked up a yellow when played I'd be a lot happier than I am now.

To show we are already active in the transfer market? Or are you being cynical and thinkin its a replacement for Barton or Tiote? Talking about transfers doesn't show that they're being active in the market, buying players does. I'm worried because there's no reason that isn't amateur or sinister to come out and say that someone is nearly signed.

Way to end the season on a downer.

Fucking hellll

Hunt just curled in a beauty for Wolves to move them out of the drop zone.. still losing 2-3 mind

Belting finish there. Hmmm.. 3-2

CRapsticks. 3-1. Kinda looked offside.

Washing his hair. Injured apparently.

Way to go Blackpool.

3-0! Enrique crossed turned into his own net by Olsson.

Hodgson's having fucking deja vu. Get out you GIFs.

.. the look on Carson's face afterwards as well... He potentially just made us some money there. Was great technique on the shot as well though...

Loven it! 2-0

Coloccini crosses for Saylor... Good cross, and some lovely ball work from Colo...

Guthrie has been pretty decent from what I've seen. Shop window?

Someone must have slipped a copy of Leon Best's rule book into their strikers bag.

Armchair, there's one a few pages back.

Blackburn just scored.

Shola at his bamboozling best.