Anyway… The transfer window is due to close next Tuesday at 6pm UK time so I thought I’d take a quick look at what I expect from the remainder of open season and give my view on the business we’ve done so far.
And it’s a case of so far so good for me. When Mike Ashley appeared on television prior to the final game of the season and made his now infamous promise to invest many, including me, were left feeling rather suspicious. I mean we’d heard it all before right? And after years of zero investment in the playing squad and a steady stream of departures why else would we think any different?
Well to be fair, it has been and I have to say that if the window closed now I’d be pretty happy. Certainly more happy than I ever envisaged I’d be back in May. Whilst the job isn’t done and we’re still light in certain areas of the pitch we have gone for signings that are a level above what I was expecting.
Of course it’s early days in the NUFC careers of all the new guys, but certainly on reputation, stature and early performances the signs seem to be good. I’ve been impressed with Chancel M’Bemba and think he’ll be a fantastic acquisition while Georginio Wijnaldum will do well. Mitrovic up front has all the qualities to thrive in the Premier League and even Florian Thauvin is off the mark already, albeit against a League Two side.
In terms of what we’ve done in the window I’m happy so far. Can we expect any further changes in the final few days though? Well I personally don’t think so as the tone from Steve McClaren seems to have changed. In fact he’s effectively said we’re not looking for anymore but not to rule it out.
So my question, or questions I should say, to you lot are…
1 – How do you think we’ve done regarding transfers?
2 – How do you think our new signings will do this season?
3 – Do you think we’ll sign anyone else before the window closes?
And for a special bonus…
4 – Do you’ll think we’ll lose any first-team players in this transfer window?
Over to you.
On topic – I don’t think we can expect anyone else in, although not because Schteve says we’re done (Pardew had said as much previously, then we brought people in) – it just settles the team down, but doesn’t mean we stop looking. If a deal is there to make money on, Ash will bite. Speaking of the big man, fair play for putting his wallet where his mouth is. Finally. Long overdue but it’s been a fantastic summer, Schteve has been backed to the hilt with 50 mil spent. Early days, but we seem to have brought some real quality in, people who will make a real difference to the first team, unlike Cabella and Rivi..
One more CB in would have been lovely, would have given us some freedom in the squad to get rid of some and maybe loan others, but hey, can’t have everything. I’m also surprisngly confident we won’t sell anyone, but that’s probably more because nobody has been in great form from last season. Re Cisse, we could probably sell him and get away with it. I don’t think we’d suffer too much without him as we carry far more of a midfield threat than we have in years, and Perez can certainly link play better, and from glimpses Mitro isn’t that bad either. I’d be happy to keep Cisse too, but to be honest I want our youngsters to get the football where they can as they are the future, Perez has far more potential and Mitro surely hasn’t been bought to sit on the bench. If Cisse is happy to come on as a sub or start the odd match if we’re really struggling then fine, but he may want first team football/a final payday if someone in Russia or China comes sniffing.
Newkie(Quote)
Bruyne is a good player, had a feeling Chelsea were a bit impatient there…but still……the lad must have the “best” agent in the world.
Newkie(Quote)
ERIC SYKES 71
ya wont be saying that at 3 pm saturday afternoon 😯 when im picking me bookie bash dosh up 😉
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
ERIC SYKES
trust get a few quid on bud 😉
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Ice – I bet Sterling is having words with his agent now!!! 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hull in for goofy but only want a loan toon want a deal,maybe we are shortof cCash 😀
icedog(Quote)
enjoy..
https://amp.twimg.com/v/3223f7be-0327-414b-b727-7ef0a291da40
hitman(Quote)
Ice – I think it’s more likely that they just want rid. I don’t imagine there asking price for him would be that high anyway to be fair.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hitman – if it wasn’t for the SD advertising boards & Wonga flags, that would be spine tingling **** mate!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks Hitman. I did.
Premandup(Quote)
Hitman, Very nice 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
aye the wonga and sd signs spoiled it,but it was good stuff .
hitman(Quote)
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2015/08/27/apparently-im-not-in-his-plans-newcastle-defender-daryl-janmaat-bemoans-oranje-snub/232301/
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – that’s potentially great news for us. I’d hope that with the Euros in the summer, Janmaat will hopefully play out of his skin this season in a hope that he can get back into the squad for the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – Also, I’m sure Blind has called up Krul, Anita and Gini – so hopefully that will spur them on – particularly Anita. Same goes for Thauvin with the French squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone know how Lascelles played on Tuesday?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – reports seem to suggest he did well, and someone on here who went to the match (can’t recall who) said the same. Hard to judge against that opposition though, I mean, Williamson did score 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Yeah, that will slightly skew the perfomances.
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah but in fairness, they can only play well against the opponents that are put in front of them. Every good performance will see them grow in confidence. McClaren and his coaching staff – Steve Black in particular, will use the performances against Man Utd & Northampton to breed confidence and a winning mentality.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m gonna say it again about the centre back situation…
1 – McClaren has confirmed Colo as his captain, kept him from leaving and given him a 1 year extension. He is not about to drop him unless he has a serious loss of form
2 – Mbemba clearly has been signed to play
3 – McClaren has also supported Taylor (and I think he can do a job with the right partner – not Willo) so he will expect to compete to play
4 – We also have just signed Lascelles and have Dummett
You will notice I exclude Willo, as I expect him to be on his way.
But the fact is, it would be terrible man management to sign a player to displace either Colo or Mbemba at this stage and makes no sense to sign a big money defender to be 3rd or 4th choice when we already have that lot. So that’s why I don’t think we’ll sign a new CB.
That’s not to say I’m 100% happy with our defence, just that I don’t think it makes any sense to sign a new CB and I’m willing to wait and see how they do. Plus, I felt that Colo and Mbemba would be our first choice and I thought they’d do pretty well once they have had a chance to get to know each other.
Main areas I would like to see focus on signing are:
1 – competition at right back
2 – goals
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I don’t think we will sign a centre back either. However I think we should as I believe we can get better than Colo. He has his good games but he was terrible last year.
I certainly wouldn’t turn down a Matip just because Colo signed a contract extension. The whole point is to improve and we got better in then it improves competition.
Stuart79(Quote)
My team to face Arsenal
——————— Krul ——————-
Mbemba – Saylor – Colo – Haidara
——– Anita ——– Colback ———
—- Sissoko —Gini — Thauvin —-
—————- Mitrovic —————–
Toon win 2-0 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart
Firstly, I think you’re underestimating Colo (and McClaren for making the decision to keep him on after seeing him in training every day). I’ve said before that I believe his poor last season was down to having to do too much despite his mobility clearly going downhill due to his age. This was down to Willo being basically a one trick pony. Both Taylor and Mbembe (and presumably Lascelles – though I’ve seen little of him) are considerably more mobile and allow Colo to control the defence without trying to be everywhere at once. Centre backs don’t usually become useless at 33. I think he deserves more time from the fans.
Secondly, I don’t think you appreciate how much loyalty, honesty and squad unity means in a team sport. Stopping Colo from going elsewhere and netting a 3 year contract, keeping him as captain, giving him an extension and having him as a starter show that the manager has faith in him and gives him the confidence to play his best. McClaren going back on his word and signing a replacement is not a good message for Colo or any of the rest of the players. It would show McClaren to be indecisive and/or duplicitous. From what I can tell, the rest of the squad respect Colo, so screwing him over would be a disaster for squad morale.
You need to think outside of the box a little perhaps?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I see Andy Carrol is available for transfer. A move to Sevilla fell through. Wouldn’t be too many defenders fancy facing Mitro and Carrol…
Stuart79(Quote)
Complete rubbish! You’re giving Colo carte Blanche to be a bag of ***** if he wants. Utter tripe! Let’s not bother to try and improve the team then just so McClaren can show how loyal he is to players!
I seriously think your drunk or on the wind up.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart
Obviously if his form drops significantly then he can be dropped like anyone else. But did you actually read my post and think about it, or did you just pick out bits that you like to attack and ignore the bits that actually require some thought?
Ever played a team sport to a decent level or even been part of a close team in a pressure situation?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Stuart
Are you on the wind up about Carroll??? Why exactly would we pay to sign an injury prone striker similar to Mitrovic who will also demand a big salary??
Pass…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS – I understand your point and on paper you have a point. But when you factor in that Saylor has suffered lengthy injuries in the last 3-4 seasons. Colo hasn’t been in the best of form for the last 2 seasons, and has had his own injuries. Willo needs moving on (which I know you said) – they have been our senior CBs in recent years. Back up CBs, well Dummett is primarily a LB but looked ok at CB – however he also had his injuries last season and hasn’t featured yet this season through injury.
Mbemba has been signed as a first team player and has done ok so far, but he’s only had 1 full game as CB so far so no guarantees – likewise with Lascelles. Another concern people have raised about Mbemba is his height at CB – maybe that will go on to prove a problem, who knows.
But I agree with Stu – if someone like Matip or Abdennour is available at a good price, then I could live with them bringing in another CB and having Mbemba there to provide cover at CB & RB.
Sharpy17(Quote)
TDS – Yes I read it and you’re saying we shouldn’t sign a better player than Colo because it might upset him. It’s a joke!
Stuart79(Quote)
TDS: The fact that Willo has now played 180 times for NUFC shows we need another centre back. We signed Lascelles who has only played 50 times in The Championship and MBemba who is really Coloccini’s long term replacement.
If we have so much depth at CB then why Willo on Tuesday?
The Fat Man has plenty-o-money so I don’t know why you are worrying about him having to spend it on an area where most of our players are … average, injury prone, old, unproven, Mike fkin Williamson.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yep I think we need another defender too, it’s all very well showing loyalty but admirable as that is where do we stand if Colo gets injured? Dummett is more equipped at LB then CB imo and Lascelles still learning . Taylor will be a cert for another injury and that leaves Mbemba and Willo.
kimtoon(Quote)
TDS: agree on Carroll. We would have to be mad to sign a player with his injury record. We already have Taylor who you are relying on to remain fit 🙂 It would get worse if Andy gives him another smack.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS, most pros like to see new faces arrive and it’s healthy to have competition for your place, it keeps you on your toes.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not Colo by all accounts. He’d rather have Williamson and Lascelles putting pressure on him (ha) than a decent player.
Funny way of creating competition in my view.
Stuart79(Quote)
The fact Mc has kept Colo captain & given him an extension shows his faith – not picking him regardless. Bringing in another CB is Mc saying show I’m right. I’d expect Colo to up his game & keep the newbie out – not throw his toys. Same has happened at Chelsea with Terry.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
The thing is, football isn’t run on paper, and my view is really not based on that. It’s based on more intricate points.
Colo has not been in the best form the last season or two as you say, but as I’ve said, I think that’s more to blame on his partner (Willo). With Taylor I think he looked much better. But you either have to back him or sell him.
Taylor is similar. He’s not currently injured, so the club either needs to back him or sell him. And he’s 3rd choice at the moment.
Are we saying that we should relegate Colo to 3rd choice, Taylor to 4th choice and Lascelles to hardly a chance of even getting on the bench this season?
I don’t think people are looking at things from others’ perspectives. Don’t you see how you can’t sign Mbemba to partner Colo and then suddenly drop him to the bench when he’s done nothing wrong and you can’t persuade Colo to stay, keep him as captain and then do the same to him either?
I don’t see why Mbemba would have joined to sit on the bench. I bet he could have done that for a CL club somewhere. And I bet Colo wants to play. He won’t be happy to be benched for no good reason and that would also mean we’d need another captain.
Football is not player on paper so perhaps fans need to think a little bit more about the people in the players when thinking about replacing them.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Yes, Sharpy. Actually what TDS is saying is that Colo has a fault in his personality that means he can’t handle competition and wil either a) throw his toys out of his pram and ask to go home… Again. Or b) just start playing ***** due to the competition. Personally I reckon he’d try to up his game. But if TDS has such a low opinion of him then that’s fair enough I suppose. His choice.
Stuart79(Quote)
ERIC
I don’t care how much money the fat man has. That’s not really relevant. It will be NUFC’s money that is spend on a new defender, not the fat man’s!
Why did Willo play against Northampton? I don’t know and don’t care really. But why not give other players a rest when we cruised to a win?
We have at least 3 centre backs ahead of Willo in the pecking order though and hopefully Lascelles too.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS also seems to be under the bizarre impression that a defender would join the club having been told by the club that they’d be guaranteed first team football. Which players get that in their contract?
There’s no guarantees. If you play well, you play, if you don’t you get replaced by someone else in the squad.
Stuart79(Quote)
Who do you guys think we are? We are not going to sign one of these top centre backs on the basis that they can compete with Colo, Mbemba, Taylor and Lascelles for starts in the PL and domestic cups!
Those defenders you mention would be getting interest from all sorts of clubs and they don’t join non-CL clubs to sit on the bench.
We really need a consistent first choice centre back partnership.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS, So if Colo gets a long term injury or goes shockingly off form again, who replaces him?
kimtoon(Quote)
Basically it keeps going back to the fact that we should not try and buy a centre half better than what we have got. I just find it incredible!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart
Yet again you love twisting people’s words and trying to make out things were said that actually weren’t. Do you mind making your own points and stop trying to make points for me that I’m not actually making?
You’re **** right that players will speak to the manager to work out what their role in the squad would be. Colo will have been told that McClaren wanted him to stay on as captain and provide an experienced head at the back and Mbemba will have been signed to play alongside Colo. Simple.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
KIM
We have Taylor and Lascelles as our 3rd and 4th choice at the moment. And we always have January if that happens.
But you’re being incredibly hypothetical. What happens if Kompany or Koscielny or Cahill get long term injuries? Those clubs have problems too right? We can’t mitigate that risk by having top players to cover every single position, that’s just crazy!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
You said quite clearly that we shouldn’t sign another centre half because Colo will have been giving assurances by McClaren about his role. Therefore you are saying we should forget about trying to improve.
If Messie becomes available and says he wants to live and okay in Newcastle would you tell him to **** off because we bought Thauvin?
Stuart79(Quote)
No Stuart, you don’t re-sign your captain AND sign a £8m defender to be your first choice centre backs and then replace one of them after 3 games when they’ve done ok. That’s like giving a popular member a promotion, hiring someone new to work alongside them and then demoting one of them after a couple of weeks despite them doing nothing wrong. If I was in their team and that happened to one of my colleagues, I’d think the manager knows nothing about loyalty, so why would I bother showing any to him?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Can see us maybe signing one more player particuarly if a Tiote or Cisse leaves.
Might be legs in the Afobe rumour as he wouldnt be an automatic starter for us but definitely one for the future?
Was at the game at Old Trafford and Thauvin did more in the 20 mins than obertan all game, Mbemba dominated Depay and Wini was a class act on the ball. Mitro had a loose touch but defensively tracked back well and always looked a danger especially with his heading ability.
4 really good signings IMO but a LB or RB cover wouldnt go amiss. Bryam or someone of that ilk young with plenty to prove
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I like the fact we have bought in 4 first team players which seems unbelievable in light of previous seasons. Our first team now finally looks strong.
Krul
Janmaat, Colo, Mbemba, Hiadara
Sissoko, Colback, De Jong, Wini, Thauvin
Mitrovic
If I was being picky another decent CM or LB would be ideal
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
TDS, I wouldn’t want to rely on Taylor staying fit long term and Lascelles is still wet behind the ears to be a long term fill in mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
LIAM
I agree with you. I’d be disappointed to see Cisse or Tiote leave without cover, especially the former as we don’t have anyone else with a track record of scoring goals in this league. Less bothered about Tiote as I think we have cover, but always a shame to see someone leave when they can still contribute.
Also agree about the full back situation. I’m a little concerned that we don’t have another specialist right back to cover for Janmaat. I’d rather see a signing in that area so we don’t have to play someone out of position.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
KIM
So now you’re talking about Colo and Taylor being out injured at the same time and assuming Lascelles needs to fill in long term? That’s a bit of a stretch…maybe we need another top goalkeeper too in case Krul gets a long term injury? A top right back to cover Janmaat?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
We signed Lascelles to play. So if he’s not good enough, then he needs to get loaned out asap. He’s shown he’s fit enough to play so I don’t see why he wouldn’t go out and get more experience if we don’t see him playing for us this season.
If he’s good enough to play for the first team, then it’s up to him to impress McClaren and earn a place on the pitch. I want to see him competing for that, not losing morale because a first team slot is getting further and further away.
Only reason I could see for us signing a centre back is if Lascelles is deemed not good enough/not ready and we need another backup. I still maintain that it would be bad form to sign a top centre back at this stage.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS:
Lascelles has 50 games in The Championship under his belt. That’s it. He was signed on Ashley’s one for the future plan. Him and Darlow cost a total of 6 mil, so he was hardly a gamble anyway. If he works out, then great. If he doesn’t then fatty has to sell a couple more shirts.
Relying on Taylor and Williamson as backups will probably get us where we were the last 3 seasons – Fkin nowhere, and close to relegation.
Coloccini has one good game against Man U and suddenly he is back to his best? At 33 🙂
I am not sure which team you have been watching but the one I saw had Colo on a strop and wanting back to Argentina, had 190 goals scored against them in 3 years, scored one goal from a corner in 2 years, and looks paralised at every opposition corner. A 20 year old Championship player (Lascelles), another who just had an attitude adjustment but who knows when that will revert (Colo) and one seemingly made of glass (Tayls) aint going to fix it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS says @126:
“KIM
So now you’re talking about Colo and Taylor being out injured at the same time and assuming Lascelles needs to fill in long term? That’s a bit of a stretch…maybe we need another top goalkeeper too in case Krul gets a long term injury? A top right back to cover Janmaat?”
You hit the nail on the head there mate, without meaning to 🙂 Timmy was ***** for the whole second half of last season and kicks it into touch more often than not. Timmy was also out for 8 weeks and we got Fkin Alnwick so a backup would be good, no? Tayllor was injured in January and didn’t play again until pre-season. Janmaat got suspended only last week and we had to play our brand new shiny centre back as a makeshift right back.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC
I saw Colo have a personal problem and want to go home to resolve it. Do you seriously still hold a grudge with that? Would you behave differently when it comes to your family?
I also saw Colo struggle to play with Willo yesterday as he had to try and do everything while Willo stood there like a plank.
Fans complain when young players don’t get a chance in the first team and now we’re complaining that we need to replace a young defender as FOURTH CHOICE! How many games did Stones have when he was signed by Everton and allowed to be on the fringes of the first team?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
ERIC
We can’t have top class players as backup in every position mate. Not even the CL clubs manage to do that, and they have the extra money and games to afford the players and keep them happy.
We have Elliott and Darlow as backup to Krul, and we certainly need to give Darlow a chance to prove himself and compete with Krul.
I think some of you guys won’t be happy until we’re like Chelsea used to be and literally having 2 full teams full of internationals covering every position. That’s fantasy football lads.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I also would suggest some of you get a reality check. To think a goalkeeper at (or near) to Krul’s level would join our club as backup to Krul, or that Krul would stay as backup to a new goalkeeper is madness. if we were a top 4 club regularly competing in the CL and the latter stages of the cups, then maybe we could keep them happy. But those days are not these days.
We’ve had a good summer, we’ve signed several top players and we’re in a better position than last summer. Why can’t people just be happy and see how we get on?
A young right back and a cheeky tilt at a proven goalscorer in a top league and I’ll be delighted with this window.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Coloccini tried to go to San Lorenzo until he realised how much money he would be losing out on. In the meantime, he has played shyte for 2 years as his head was somewhere else (up his ****?) One good game and he is redeemed 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So what I am saying is that Colo was very concerned about his family until he realised the financial consequences. Poor lamb.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: I am very happy with the transfer business we have done and also very happy with the injured players coming back and hopefully making a contribution and creating competition. What I am not happy about is you cheerleading for Colo and thinking we have decent cover at CB. Different subjects man, different subjects.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS said @130:
“ERIC
I saw Colo have a personal problem and want to go home to resolve it. Do you seriously still hold a grudge with that? Would you behave differently when it comes to your family?”
THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!! Or as Colo did, THINK OF THE BANK ACCOUNT.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC
You’re not quite correct about Colo. Anyone with half a brain would realise that San Lorenzo could not have paid him the same wage, but I think he did hope that NUFC would release him to San Lorenzo for personal reasons. Clearly there was pressure from his family to do it but when San Lorenzo clearly couldn’t pay NUFC the asking price and the only way was for Colo to buy himself out of his contract, it became a bit more tricky.
Anyway, why does Colo get stick when someone like Nolan moved for money because West Ham were stupid enough to give him a big wage and a 6 year contract and we wouldn’t?
We do have decent cover at CB. I do not want to see a foreign CB come in and play alongside Mbemba with no experience of the PL. Only way I want another CB to come in is a squad player if Lascelles is deemed not good enough.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: does anybody know what the “personal reasons” were for Colo trying to engineer a move back to Argentina? He chose to move to Newcastle and his wife probably didn’t like the weather/ couldn’t understand the accent? That is pure speculation on my part.
I couldn’t care less about Nolan but Colo is still our player so I do care where is mind is – even it is only half of one 🙂
We do not have CB cover because it is only as deep as Taylor who is a sicknote. I think I can count on one hand and have 4 fingers remaining the number of times Dummet has played there as well. It has been so obvious that we have needed help there for years. MBemba is still a kid as well so might need some settling in time, in addition to moving to a new country at a young age.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – way back@14 – nice stats on Cisse. I did, though say 3 seasons. Take off the 1 this season and the 13 from his wonder spell introduction and you’re left with 7 a season. You like your stats. Is 7 season anywhere near enough for your No 9 main man? Bloke’s talentless and brainless.
georgio(Quote)
Here, our CB options:
Colo: almost moved to Argentina or Crystal Palace. Was ***** last year and faked an achilles injury in pre-season.
MBemba: 21, has played 1 game for NUFC at CB.
Taylor: Sicknote, has averaged 14 games a season and was out from January.
Lascelles: 21, and only played 50 games in the Championship.
Dummett: only played 1 game at CB.
Williamson: 🙂
I really do hope that at least one stays fit and turn out to be good players, but this has been our main area of being shyte in along with centre forward. I cannot understand anybody who says it would not benefit NUFC to strengthen some more in these areas. Especially when Fatty has truckloads of money that he could easily spend.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC
I’m not entirely sure, but I thought it had something to do with his wife (ex-wife?) going back to Argentina with his kids?
Most footballers only have half a mind…at most! 🙂 The point I make about Nolan is that when he left, many fans slated the club, yet when Colo stayed, many fans have slated Colo. Don’t get that…
And I think Colo’s mind is certainly with us. Considering he just signed an extension especially…
If Colo and Mbemba are our first choice, then I don’t see the problem with having Taylor as 3rd choice. Hopefully he can stay fit! And we have to give our young players a chance to get into the first team, what’s the harm in showing Lascelles that he has a chance? Stones started in a similar way after being signed from Barnsley.
But I’ll keep saying it, we can’t and won’t sign someone to replace Colo or Mbemba, unless one of them has already had it made clear that they are to be a squad player and we’re still looking to sign a top centre back as a starter. And I don’t believe that would be the case.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
ERIC
Again…who gives a **** how much money Ashley has? It’s not him who spends money on players, it’s NUFC! I have no idea why fans don’t get that.
When Virgin buy a new plane, it’s not Richard Branson’s money, it’s Virgin’s! If we spend £10m plus wages on a player who barely plays, then that’s £10m plus wages out of our club’s bank account.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS – sorry mate, I’ve been out for the afternoon. I agree we don’t need a CB for just getting a CB – like Lewis Dunk for example (before he signed a new deal with Brighton).
But if we get the chance to sign a real quality CB like Matip or Abdennour for a decent price, then we shouldn’t miss out.
We’ve lost MYM and will hopefully be loosing Willo. Colo is aging, Saylor is injury prone – as is Good, and Dummett has struggled with injury. If we can bring real quality in, then we should always be looking to improve.
Sharpy17(Quote)
TDS, you are clearly not paying attention. The idea of a squad is so there’s competition and you can rotate players. No player goes through a season without a dip in form and/or injury/suspension. Don’t be so small minded.
Stuart79(Quote)
Heard a storey this morning there is a medical booked,same guy was right the last twice,hope he gets a hatrick
icedog(Quote)
JB joins Burnley
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy: I agree with what you said @143. I think I might not be getting my point across to TDS which is that we have one old player, one sicknote and one young inexperienced player as our CBs. It could work out, but our recent history has shown that it usually doesn’t. Last year we had Williamson playing and Janmaat as a fill-in for one game. Lascelles may work out and so too MBemba (long term Colo replacement) but they are not immediate fixes, which is what we need.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – a medical for who mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, nobody’s getting through to TDS. Stubborn as a mule as they say…
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy17
August 27, 2015 at 20:06
Sharpy
I can’t see why we would get one of those CBs for a decent price. If they’re available then there will be plenty of CL level clubs looking to sign them as squad players at the least.
So if they were going to join us for £10m+, they would expect to play. So then we have to drop Mbemba or Colo right? If McClaren has just signed Mbemba and told him he wants him to play with Colo and form a partnership and if he’s just convinced Colo to stay on, sign an extension, be our captain and form a partnership with Mbemba, how does it come across if he changes his mind after 3 games?
Partly speculation as theoretically he could have told both players that we are trying to sign another CB and they will have to compete but I doubt it.
Mbemba cost £8m and that’s a lot to be a backup. Mbembe + new foreigner is a bad idea as neither has much experience of the PL, Janmaat has only 1 season and Haidara is raw.
We really need to give Mbemba and Colo a chance. Having Lascelles as 4th choice is fine considering where we are as a club right now. Compare our centre backs with Everton, Villa, Swansea or Saints to see who we should be competing with for a top 8 place. Let’s forget the top 6 for now.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)