OTF

£3.5m of care from the last wrongful dismissal tribunal Ashley was involved in.

I read this thread and laughed. There's only a shred of truth in the initial post and it's nothing to do with the inferences made. CT you're obviously now just fishing for reactions as you even take the piss out of yourself on occasions showing that you're not at all sincere. You obviously enjoy attempting to put yourself in the TT limelight. The fact that this is a Newcastle United forum has very little to do with your participation here, instead it's your vehicle for your attention grabbing. That's what I think anyway. Don't care to discuss otherwise because that would just be contributing to the problem (even more than I already am).

He has had significant injury problems as well which generally doesn't bode well for a player in their later years. Even still three years with an option for a fourth would be acceptable in the circumstances. Wages wise obvisouly we're not privy to how much he is paid, but if the rumours are correct then there's no wauy that he should get any sort of pay rise. In three weeks he'll have been here for 4 years. In that time he's only been on the pitch 79 times. That's less than half of the competitive games that the club has been involved in. In that time on multiple occassions he has brought the club into disrepute and yet on various occassions the club and managers have stood by him. Any decision he makes about his playing future should take all of that into consideration, and likewise any decision made by the club should also take his history into account. In light of this there could be clauses written into a lengthened contract relating to availability and suspensions. The problem would now be that the fuckwit Willie McKay will only be interested in getting the most lucrative deal for Barton (and himself) and that is not likely to be offered by Newcastle. The comparison between Barton and Enrique doesn't stand to reason IMO. Enrique has never had any problems at the club (apart from being under utilised by the manager who bought him) and will have been on much lower wages (he was a young and upcoming player when he was signed). When Barton came he already had a high profile and was recognised as a fully developed talent.

Reeks of a pre-emptive strike regarding his departure. "We did all we could to keep him at the club by offering him a fantastic new deal, but ultimately he had made his mind up about leaving and we only want players who want to play for the team." etc etc

Isn't it funny how the big wage players happen to be the best players? No.

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...