Would you take a punt on this Wigan midfielder?

Would Diame be worth a second look?
With our league form impressive at the moment, and with Europe potentially on the horizon it’s easy to put squad strengthening on the back burner.

It probably isn’t with in the corridors of power at St James’ Park, and I would guess that behind the scenes the club are working on targets.

However with plenty of football to sink our teeth into at the moment, and enough feel good factor to keep us smiling for a while, is it not time that we started to have a look, speculate and debate about targets ourselves? I think so, which is why I’d actually have a look at Mohamed Diame, currently plying his trade at Wigan.

This isn’t just inspired by his goal at Stamford Bridge yesterday. In truth I’ve watched him for a while and thought he would be an excellent addition to our squad. He is a defensive midfielder in the mould of Cheik Tiote, but has an athleticism about him which allows him to get forward and present more of a goal threat than our Ivory Coast international does. Plus he has a rocket shot on him!

Diame is Senegalese so would fit in well with compatriots Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, and the most impressive thing is that the 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer and could be available for nothing in just a few months time, adding some much needed cover for Cheik Tiote for very little outlay and modest wages to boot!

Long term I think Mehdi Abeid is being groomed as the understudy/replacement for Tiote, but the lad has had very little game time thus far and I, personally anyway, think that we need a bit more experience in our squad rather than having to rely on kids should anything happen to our first teamers.

So, what do you think? Is he worth a shot based on what you’ve seen of him? Would you prefer someone else? Is he worth a stab on a free transfer?

Your thoughts please…

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

78 thoughts on “Would you take a punt on this Wigan midfielder?

  1. I’ve seen you mentioning him before, Toonsy. I agree with you, and especially considering that he is free on the market, we should definitely make him an offer. He of course is another one who will probably be away for the ACON next year, but that shouldn’t hold us back .. Good shout!

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  2. cover for tiote but yet he Cant cover tiote because he Will also be in the acon! I think tiote Will be sold to be honest especially after what dl said about him. We need to sign players that Will cover the African boys when they play in there cup

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  3. Toonsy, have u notice we are looking at Lille right back… I swear I posted about him some months back that Carr was looking at him when we saw cabaye… Long term right back on the list

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  4. I have this weird feeling, that we will be looking into ther possibility of signing Marvin Martin this summer. Since his and Sochaux’s highly impressive season last year, crowned with two absolute screamers in his debut for France, it has somewhat gone quite. Sochaux are almost certain to be relegated, he has lost his place in the French National side, and he recently stated, that he wants to move abroad this season:

    http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7656952/Martin-looking-to-move-on

    Another player from the french league, that we were supposedly after last summer, but put off by the prize-tag, is Alain Traoré from Auxerre. He’s a pacey winger who can play as a forward too, in the mould of one other dream addition, Junior Hoilett. Traore has scored 8 in a team that has been rock bottom of the league for almost the entire season.
    Auxerre seem certain to go down this year, and his prizetag, like Martins’ should therefor drop considerably.

    Those two along with young Hoillett and Diamé, and I would like to think that we only have to sort out the CB issues, and our team should be ready to push even higher up in the coming season. That of course, as almost every poster on here has stated at some point, is still dependent on us keeping the current group together ..

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  5. Yeah, I reckon this kid is quality but like everyone so far, my only problem would be the ACoN absence. That said, I can’t remember him going this year, might be wrong though. I’ve said in the past as well that I’m a big fan of Rodellaga who is also available on a free in the summer, he’s been injured quite a bit this season and not selected for whatever reason but I also think he’d be a really good freebie.

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  6. In Pardiola, Carr and Co we trust but he is a know Premiership player so even though he has ACoN liabilities he is worth a punt for me.

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  7. I really like Diame and have said for a while we should be looking at him but I don’t think the club will go for him.

    We’re getting linked with Kondogbia from Lens who is also a holding midfielder but only 19 so whether he would be ready for first team football is debatable.

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  8. I’m not convinced. He’s not bad, but better than Tiote? Not convinced and not sure that Tiote’s going anywhere soon. Guthrie has deputised well and if he leaves more likely Corgnet is lined up as the replacement.

    As to Mathieu Debuchy he may replace Simpson if Simmo leaves, but given that Simmo is the highest rated RB in the EPL apparently, do we want to replace him?

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  9. Diame can play the advanced midfield position as well so in a three would look the part.

    With Guthrie on his way and Gosling not favoured by Pardew we are going to need replacements but again we apparently have Amilfitano and Butterfield lined up already on free’s.

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  10. Premandup, if SImpson does leave I would rather us get a left-back and put Santon across to right-back.

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  11. A similar player to Yaya Toure with his lung bursting runs and also power shots. Has a pretty good footwork and a good frame. A bargain I would say for a free transfer. Having said that, it all depends on Tiote staying or leaving. If he does stay, its hard to see where Diame fits into the team as they both play a similar role. Don’t think he wants to play second-fiddle as he is reaching his prime, unless we do qualify for the Champions League 🙄
    I suspect we might be going in for someone younger from France or Holland and who is on the fringe of first team. Abeid IMO won’t be ready for the first team for 2 or 3 more seasons. He needs to gradually play his way to the team, probably starting from loan experiences in League One then in the Championship.

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  12. Toonsy – Keeping with freebies available this summer.

    I was thinking last night about our transfer policy and whilst I’m behind it, I just wonder if it makes sense writing free transfers like Clint Dempsey off because of their age.
    Don’t get me wrong, I think our priority should be young talented players. But if we are going to play European football, I think the odd older head around the club – if it’s the right one with the right attributes would be getting

    What do you reckon?

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  13. I may be hoying the cat among the pigeons here, but I would take 25 million for Tiote in the summer, but only of course if we had an adequate replacement for him lined up. Don’t forget when he first arrived it was “Tiote who ?”… We could perhaps expect Carr and his team to pull another rabbit out of the hat, and if we can get him for nowt cos he’s out of contract that would be a brilliant bit of business.

    Don’t misunderstand I would love Tiote to stay. I reckon the deciding factor could be if we qualify for Europe.

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  14. btw I hope I’m proven wrong, but there is a big responsibility being placed on Abeid’s shoulders as a Tiote replacement. I hope the lad just doesn’t fizzle out like several other budding stars we have had at the toon. Time will show if he has it in him…

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  15. Good player but not a good idea in my opinion, if we get cover for Tiote I’d like them to be over here when the ACON starts, not over there with MR T

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  16. Premandup I thought Simmo was immense yesterday. He must have also cleared at least 5 shots off the line so far this season. We all know the problem is his distribution sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, and against a real tricky winger he gets tied in knots.

    Simmo still has another year left on his contract so Ashley will probably play hard ball with him, and line up a replacement in the close season. At the end of the day he’ll walk away for nowt next summer and get a canny pay day into the bargain. Good luck to the lad, cos although he’s often slated by the fans he can never be accused of giving less than 100%.

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  17. Here’s my take on the no spend version. I reckon Shane Ferguson will be ready for left back next season, with Jonas sitting in front of him. Santone with another season of BPL under his belt, at right back, job sorted.

    The other way is if we did sign a proven pedigree left back in the summer that would free up Jonas even more so to go forward benefitting the team moreso. Is Pieters available for free in the summer ? Some blokes on here are doubting Pieters, but if he’s the official cloggy left back he must have summat about him ?

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  18. jamie (2) have i missed something while working away? whats this about DL saying things about Tiote??
    i am with you about Diame, toonsy, the lads got something about him, BUT, he’s another player that could be off to the ACON next year 😥
    personally, i think the club know this, and will only sign a acon player if he’s something special, otherwise france, holland,south america etc. will be our main hunting grounds.
    as for simpson, i hope he read the article yesterday – “grass greener” and signs asap, i like him, but he still needs to learn a wee bit more when to come out, or stay back.
    as for today, i hope Man City thrash arsenal today, but i cant see it happening 😥
    anyway, HAPPY EASTER to all 😉 😉

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  19. As long as we can keep the squad together then 3 or 4 players of the same quality and price as we have been buying should do us.

    This has been a strange season. We’ve started off solid, dipped just after Xmas and it looked like the season was going to fizzle out and implode. Barfa then hits form and his link up with the front two has turned it all round again.

    This couldn’t be more exciting going into the last half a dozen games. Going on current form we should be favourites for a CL place.

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  20. I’m kinda desperate to hold onto our front 3 and Krul. Our midfield are good and I would like to keep them, but if one goes then ICWT. Our defence needs strengthening.

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  21. @premandup

    I can’t see us selling any quality players unless it’s for extortionate money or if a player wants to leave, but surely if we qualify for Europa nevermind CL, no player will want to leave.

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  22. @EF

    I’m still waiting for a response from JJ who stated he would sell Barfa in the summer.

    We’ve all called it wrong at times but the test of an honourable man is to put their hands up.

    JJ justs hides everytime but is happy to acknowledge other posts.

    Shame on JJ. 🙂

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  23. Diame reminds me of Ben Arfa more than Tiote in style of play. Wouldn’t mind seeing Ben Arfa team up with Diame though!

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  24. @MM

    😯 not at all.

    He justs scarpers everytime I mention it.

    Even I get the odd thing wrong but I admit it. 😉

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  25. Mentioned about Diame while back available on a free and would be class alongside Cabaye and Tiote in the 4-3-3 system we are using now…

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  26. @MM

    To be fair to you, you call the wrong shots more than most but you have ignorance as your defence. 🙂

    JJ is aware of his faux pas but won’t admit it. 🙂

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  27. As Cabaye said earlier lastweek we need to keep our players and keep adding to the team.
    As for the Diame decent player but I don’t see a place for him, and I can’t see him wanting to be a bench player. Apart from the fact he will probably be away with Tiote at the Acon, I still think Perch can cover or Guthrie if he stays.

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  28. Troy, I have never known you get anything wrong mate.. 😉

    Troy, I was in the “The Back Page” in Newcastle last week and spotted an excellent book in there documenting wrestling on Tyneside. All the big hitters were in the book, Les Kellet, Jacky Pallo, Johnny Kuango etc etc. You should have a skeg in there, the place is like an Alladins Cave of all things toon / north east. I was well impressed.

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  29. Troy@27, at least I’m consistent mate… 😆 😆 😆 😆 😉 😉

    You’re starting to sound like Worky, you’ll be after getting me banned from here 😆 😆

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  30. Premandup – I think Tiote is a cracking player, but I also think that we have managed well when he hasn’t been in the team this season.
    I understand the point you make, that £25m would probably get us 3-5 players that would strengthen our team/squad.
    That said, that would only be the case if we got the £25m up front coz MA will not spend money that isn’t there yet. If for example Chelsea put the bid in, I can’t see them handing over that kind of money and giving us the opportunity to make more ground on them.

    I suppose it’s win win. We either keep Tiote or sell him in a deal that would benefit the team. That is one thing we can be sure of, is that this board will not be mugged.

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  31. MUNICHMAG @16 Pieters is not out of contract in the summer , i think we will get him for around 5 million and yes with 20 odd apperances for the Dutch national team he has something about him . He is not a flying fullback like Enrique was but more a solid defender the sort that would give Jonas a platform to get forward more and attack . The lad is just as good playing CB as LB as well . I think that is one deal that will happen , there is lots of strong rumors in the dutch press that it will go ahead .Apparently he Twitters a lot about us every time we play and he is best mates with Tim Krul .

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  32. @MM

    I was in there the other week with grandad Les’ trunks and boots on.

    I bought a Big Daddy union jack top hat and cape and went drinking doon the Bee Hive in the Bigg Market. They hadn’t seen the likes since my Grandad Les fought at the old Queens Hall in 1975.

    I love all things Tyneside, wrestling , capes and top hats like! 😛

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  33. Big Dave, I have a feeling that most of our star players will be looking at Ashley in the summer to see how he performs in the transfer market. If he doesn’t splash the readies they may start to hoy there toys out of the pram. I have a good feeling though, cos I reckon Pardew will be on his case, and he seems to do a good job of getting his point across. I think Ashley will back him in the transfer market, and we’ll build a stronger team for next year.
    Should we miss out on europe this year then maybe the players will accept it. But this season we have surprised everyone, ourselves included, and mixed it at the top with the big boys, and expectations are now hightened, amongst the fans AND the players.

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  34. @Sharpy

    Do you not think we have to put the trust in the scouts and judgement of the regime unless they make huge gaffs in the future.

    So far, they haven’t put a foot wrong when it comes to transfer policies. (though they did push Carroll out, though for a good price). 😉

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  35. Axel – he has 2or 3 times anyway.

    MM i agree with you about tioté, but my main worry is that he’s started picking up niggling injuries this season. Yes sometimes a player has an off season and it is a once off, but more often when a player gets frequent muscle injuries they keep coming back. Also, at the start of the season he seemed to be reducing the number of yellows he was picking up. It’s definitely as bad as last season now when you consider the number of games he’s missed. He’s still been good/great for us when he’s played, but i’d have to take that kind of money for someone who mightnt get on the pitch as much as we’d like

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  36. Troy, when I was in the Back Page last week they were actually talking about your visit there. They said they had sent you to Fenwick’s cos they thought it was about time you bought yourself a newer and larger gold lame string tanga. Did you manage to get one ? If not get in touch with toonsy and he can link you to some of those types of web pages, if you know what I mean.

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  37. Tiote is vital to us IMO .

    Nothing less than £25m will do.

    Every player has their price.

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  38. Axel, the jury seems to be out on Pieters, but imo if he is the first choice cloggy left back then he’ll do for me. As you point out, a defenders first job is to defend. If he can also bomb up and down the wing and fill in as left winger that is all well and good, but we have Jonas for that. Pieters can also play centre back so would be an ideal signing, covering several positions. He also has international experience which will put us in good stead when we are playing in the Europa / Champions League.

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  39. Troy – are you referring to my last comment about Tiote or the earlier one about possibly missing out on players like Dempsey?

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  40. @Sharpy

    Sorry, I only read your Tiote one. . I never speculate on who we could buy cos rarely do we go for those mentioned.

    Eitherway though, if there is one policy that that regime have got right more than others it’s the transfer policy.

    Until that changes then we need to fully support their judgement. It’s like you say, it’ should be a win win situation regarding Tiote or any other player really.

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  41. Dub I don’t think Tiote is near as bad as what he was, as he made me nervous every game last season, I was always waiting for him to lose it and try to rip someones head off.
    To me he looks like a far better player now because he’s not as big a risk.

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  42. I agree that we should be looking at players like Diame and such, especially if we can get them cheaply.
    Also picking up players from Wigan or the likes, with no disrespect to those clubs , would be a step up for them and a chance to be a part of going forward with us, as any sensible footballer looking from the outside in can see.
    I’d rather us be focussed “as fans” on these type of players, rather than a few years back when we were all doe eyed over big name trophy signings for a five minute buzz.

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  43. Troy – I honestly believe this is a team that we should be keeping together and building on. I think we may loose Ba but other than that I think we will be fine.
    I’m impressed with the players we have been linked with so far but as you say, it’s all speculation until they are signed up.

    The Dempsey point was loosing questioning whether we should be abit more open minded, particularly with players like Dempsey who is quality and on a free in the summer but we won’t go for a player who has scored 21 goals this seasons and available on a free because he’s just turned 29.
    He’s just an example though.

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  44. I don’t see any reason why we should lose Ba, unless Chelsea or Man city or the likes come in for him.
    Ba is in a team that is gauged for a stab at pushing for champions league recognition and possible regular flirting with that and beyond over the coming years.
    If he goes to Chelsea Or man City or whoever, he isn’t gonna be the main striker week in and week out but in this team, we find a place for him no matter what.
    If he wants to be the main man in a team then he’s going to have to take a step down or move abroad to achieve it in my opinion like. 😀

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  45. Its nice not being worried about the future, Ive got faith in the squad and think if players leave, good replacements will be signed.

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  46. Sharpy I agree 100% Ba will be going.
    I honestly think we should be looking for players that will add to what we have, and we as Fans shouldn’t really be worried if they’re free or cheap or dear, as imo thats the clubs job not the fans.

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  47. One thing about this season is most of us want the fringe players kept because when they have come in they have stepped up to the plate . That to me shows how good Pardew is as a coach . This time last year most would of said get rid of Perch , Saylor , Guthrie and the likes , now we want them kept and because they have stepped up that is going to mean less Summer signings made ,Hopefully that means the amount of money we have will be spent on 3 quality players rather than on 5 or 6 average players because we needed to shift more players . Its going to be interesting to see if we can keep hold of Guthrie ,Simpson and Ba ,i really hope we can .That would mean only Smith ,Lovenkrands ,Xisco , Harper , Foster and for me Williamson needed replacing and considering most have hardly kicked a ball for us this season they are not going to be missed .

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  48. Nice topic Toonsy-Yes Diame is a very good player but is he for us that’s the question .I think it depends who goes in the summer really and the Acon thing as many have mentioned is a big pain in the *** too. We have so many players who play a pivitol role for us away to Acon that our priority should be to make sure we have really excellent cover for them and for their injuries too should they get them.I would really want Guthrie to stay as I think he steps up to the plate well and Simmo must stay also imo. First and formost a CB or two is required and a top notch striker to cover Acon absence and other situations too especially if we are playing on several fronts like Euro ,PL,and cup comps .We also have to consider what we would do in the event of a long term injury to either Cisse Ba or HBA as it could completely derail our season. If Tiote gets sold then i’m not sure Diame is the idea replacement as we are still with the Acon issue . I would rather we try and get someone from europe if possible ,even if Diame didn’t figure for ACON if he played outstanding for us he soon would . The players I really don’t want to see sold are Ba ,Cisse HBA and Krul as they are our golden ticket to top 6 and Europe every year.
    DAN4TOON @8-We wouldn’t get Butterfield for nowt due to his age we’d have to pay around 1 to 1.5M .
    SHARPY17- I agree Dempsey is a great player who would fit in great at Toon ,but I think his age would put MA off him .

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  49. I have a question, can anyone answer it who thinks this way and give me a valid reason for why you know it seems a certainty.

    Question..
    Why do you believe Ba is gonna leave, can you give me a valid reason as to why you think this way or what makes you think this way?

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  50. Dave you’re right in that i’m not worried about him getting sent off when he’s already on a yellow or anything, just that he still has 8 cards in 19 games. More concerned about the injuries anyway, but hopefully that’s just a once off this season

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  51. after watching the Swansea game I think we have found Jonas’ true position…hes not a winger anymore and his effort and defensive work alongside Tiote allows Cabaye a bit more freedom to stroll up front… given that and looking at the team on Fri I think there are 3 possible positions which need signing for… and I’m sorry about one of my new heros Demba Ba, but he is not the best attacking left-sided midfielder around…

    so… …………………………… Krul

    Santon………… DOUGLAS ………. Collocini………… PIETERS

    …………….. Cabaye…………….Tiote……………. Jonas………………

    ……………………….Ben Arfa………………… HOLITTE…………………

    …………………………………….. Cisse ………………………………………

    Those three would give us an outstanding 1st XI.

    Ba and Cisse would have to share the 1 up top role. That French right back mate of Cabaye’s and all the other names linked would all add depth and quality, but going for the “2 or 3” Pardew has mentioned today, those would be my three..

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  52. Axel I don’t think most wanted shot of the 3 players, I along with others on here knew Saylor was a good player and an important player to the team, but there was a lot of loud voices calling for him to be binned because he was trouble, was trying to screw the club or that he had no loyalty to to the club. As for Guthrie he has always been a good we player that has had to make way for senior players that wern’t even playing well.
    Perch is a player that is happy to sit on the bench and not make a fuss about it, who has came on this season, but I would rather see him as a DM not a CB

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  53. WOLFIE i think some are panicking because PSG are reported to be interested in him and he was quoted a while back as saying he would like to play for them and they are as loaded as Man Citeh.

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  54. KIMTOON your dead reet no way will jabba look to dempsey,mind i think they be looking at the young kid at b/burn “if”the price is right imo 😉

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  55. Wolfie – I think PSG will come in for him to be honest and asides from the contract carry on and he’d get better wages, it’s his boyhood team.
    I’m not looking to stir up a hornets nest but despite what he says, he doesn’t look happy with the current (successful) formation and I don’t know if you saw him behind Pardew when Cisse scored his second but he didnt move from his slumped position. I know people are saying he was annoyed with himself (I dont believe that) but if you can’t celebrate a goal like that then there is more than just self pity going on – IMO

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  56. AXEL and Sharpy, aye they are valid reasons and I would agree that we would struggle to hold him if they show their hand.

    It makes you wonder if Pardew is taking some of the limelight off Ba , so it sort of dampens other clubs interests in him doesn’t it. 😆

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  57. BIGDAVE i remember when we bought Perch a Forest fan coming on here and saying he was a much better DM than CB . The player that has surprised me the most this season is Raylor the lad imo has finally started to show he has more than just a good free kick in him when called up .I meant Raylor and not Saylor in my earlier comment for me Saylor’s ability was never in doubt and in the next couple of seasons will be entering his prime years for a CB .

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  58. Kev one thing I struggle to work out is when a lot of fans call for Santon on the right, but he is classed mainly a LB that can play in other positions, but if he can’t hold down his LB position what makes you think he would be better at RB than Simmo who going by all the stats is one of the better RB in the prem ?

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  59. to me looks like Simpson wants more money than Newcastle will offer, good luck to him on that, so we need a right back and I don’t think it will be one of the “2 or 3” priorities this summer. Having spent 5mill of Ashley’s money on Santon I’m sure he’ll want to play him, he’s still young and only had 1/2 season in the premier. he looks better than Enrique did after his first season so I think he will get better. Maybe this Clyne at Palace is a young one too look at…

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  60. Are there actually any believable links to PSG being after Ba, the only thing I have ever read was an article saying that he’d like to play for them…or words to that effect.

    Axel… I reckon it’ll be another season before we’ll be looking to replace Xisco, stuck with that fecker ’til next summer 👿

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  61. I don’t want any player to hold this club to ransom but I think Simpson deserves a bit better pay day if he is lagging behind others by a long way as he has proved his worth and will be even better next season.

    He is our nailed on right back and next season I think we will see the finished article in Simpson and so will England, if he stays with us.

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  62. Not gonna lie, I’ve always made him one of my first signings on Football Manager, a good defensive midfielder. Always rated this guy and will be a big loss to Wigan should they let him go. On a free, Newcastle should definitely get him, go on Pardew and co.!
    Douglas, Diame, Pieters and Adam Johnson on loan! Hate speculating ha

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  63. @wolfie

    I don’t see any reason why Ba would move. All the Toon have to do is offer him a decent contract and signing on fee to deter any interest.

    He worth it for me. With Ba, Cisse and Barfa, it’s like having Shearer, Ferdy and Beardsley.

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  64. Kev from most of the reports I have read, Simmo is happy with the contract on offer its just the way it’s to be paid is the problem

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  65. All this speculation can’t be doing Ba any good. Why would he want to leave? He’s largely contributed to our success this season, he has his pal Cisse here, he’s guaranteed first team football and is already a fan favourite. He says he’s happy so let’s take his word for it and leave the speculation out of it. Pardew knows he isn’t scoring but look at him for his first Newcastle games, he didn’t manage to score but when he did he was on fire and I firmly believe that he will more before the end of the season. So let’s not speculate…

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  66. Troy I agree we should offer him a new contract without a clause, but I still think if PSG comes in for him he’ll be away, and I could understand him if that was the case.
    I said at the time when he done the interview that I thought he was out of line by saying that he would love the chance to play for PSG, he should have just said that he was a toon player and wouldn’t disrespect us by talking about other teams.

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  67. Douglas
    Pieters
    Amalfitano
    Martin
    Knockheart.

    and then if ba does decide to leave offer psg a swap for gameiro

    Job done 😀

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  68. Personally I wouldn’t go for Diame, if what we’ve heard about Abeid is right then shouldn’t he be pushing Tiote next season? We need more European players as well…we can’t have us be a complete husk due to the ACON even if we didn’t do that badly before-now we’ll be missing three of our best 😕

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  69. take your word for it Dave, not in the know, just going on that he hasn’t signed. Going back to Diame, there is a couple of wigan players I’d look at to beef up the squad, not star international signings but good solid premier players, Boyce at the back, Moses in midfield, Rodallega up front. If we can cherry pick from the ones going down here’s a couple more to throw in the hat. N’Zonzie at Blackburn and were we linked with Taiwo at QPR in January before his move ?

    We need some reserves as the older youth team is being broken up and I think the new ones coming in will be 2 to 3 years away from first team.

    It been a shame in one way that we have been so successful this year, as if we had been mid table non runners the likes of Vidic, Abeid, Ferguson, Taviner may have got the odd run out, but each game is a cup final at the moment.

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  70. Would no one take a cheeky punt on Sebastien Bassong? Whilst I never really forgave him for leaving post-relegation we could certainly see about getting him on loan again? With a run of games, a confidence boost and he could get back to his former ’08/09′ self (him + Douglas of course). Simmo is a good squad player, he’s still young and has saved us a few times this season. Whilst he isn’t the best I’d like to see someone come in and fight him for RB. I think people suggest trying out Santon at RB purely because he’s naturally right footed, yet on seeing him this season he could improve on his defending. good at bombing forward but still needs to learn how to defend better. Looking forward to seeing more of a run for Marveaux provided that he is injury free. Don’t forget he was compared with Ginola and Malouda before we signed him. There’s question marks over his fitness and I’d be tempted to look at more wingers but he’s fast, has flair and can whip a good cross in. Apart from being injury free, what more do you want in a winger?

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  71. Big Dave @61

    Santon is not a specialist left back. He played for Inter as left back before he got injured/lost his form because of his potential. Even with his potential, he could not displaced Maicon who’s playing RB that time.

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