Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[Concrete John]

I thought the 'mutual' release and Ged and replacement with McLeish suggested we're going back to the O'Neill way of things.

Obviously I'd prefer us to go and get the next star (Forfana?) but I can't see it. We wanted Adam... Which leaves Barton and Parker.

Adam is a very different player to either Parker or Barton.  But I agree in general that our approach under AM will be more like MON than Houllier.

[Mister E]

Much as I dislike the 'baggage' that would come with him, Barton would add something that we seem to lack: bite through the midfield. He would complement Petrov who is still a v useful player but is a 60-minute man. As long as we have cover on the bench, with Hogg and Herd, and we use it at the right time in a game, we would have a decent midfield core.
The problem for me is that with 3-4 injuries our squad starts to look very thin ... hence the need for one or two additional reinforcements, like Barton.

[eastie]

Personally I'd push for a year loan for Parker. We'll pay his wages for the season. In addition say £1m fee and let them have Gardner on loan for a season.

Interesting suggestion and a good one too., would benefit both us and west ham although maybe gardner would get bypassed a bit in big sams team with his direct  style of football.

[Dante Lavelli]

Wasn't it about 6 months ago that he punched pedersen of Blackburn?
I enjoy his twitter ramblings and he does come across as a better bloke nowadays (but you'd expect that having employed a new PR guy) but I suspect he is still a bit of a ticking time bomb.

[Concrete John]

Why all the talk about Barton? He said last week in response to Manu speculation that he didn't want to leave.

He is making an important statement on his future on twitter at 4 apparently , so i guess people are speculating regarding that statement.

Do you rate him chris?

He can play but I don't like all the baggage that comes with him.

I take your point but i think since hes stopped drinking hes calmed down a lot -i wouldnt have fancied him under houlliers man management but i think under mcleish he might flourish,decent player on his day no doubt.

One of the problems with Barton is that we'd then have a starting midfield containing him and Ireland.  What are the chances one of them would do something stupid during the season, leaving us lite in numbers again?

[Concrete John]

Much as I dislike the 'baggage' that would come with him, Barton would add something that we seem to lack: bite through the midfield. He would complement Petrov who is still a v useful player but is a 60-minute man. As long as we have cover on the bench, with Hogg and Herd, and we use it at the right time in a game, we would have a decent midfield core.
The problem for me is that with 3-4 injuries our squad starts to look very thin ... hence the need for one or two additional reinforcements, like Barton.

And if they get limited game time due to Barton coming in, they could always prove of use as substitute ashtrays.

[Mister E]

Much as I dislike the 'baggage' that would come with him, Barton would add something that we seem to lack: bite through the midfield. He would complement Petrov who is still a v useful player but is a 60-minute man. As long as we have cover on the bench, with Hogg and Herd, and we use it at the right time in a game, we would have a decent midfield core.
The problem for me is that with 3-4 injuries our squad starts to look very thin ... hence the need for one or two additional reinforcements, like Barton.

And if they get limited game time due to Barton coming in, they could always prove of use as substitute ashtrays.

Lovely - thanks for the reminder, John. As I say, I dislike him as a person.

[villan1975]

Modric off to Chelsea then by the looks as kevin Bond has changed the clubs we wont sell stance today.
Probably means Parker to Spurs.

[JJ-AV]

Barton available on free, confirmed by Newcastle.

[VillaZogmariner]

Think I might pop to the bookies and put some cash on the Geordies to get relegated this season.

[villan1975]

Barton released by Newcastle reported by Evening chronicle NUFC reporter on twitter says BBC.Sorry cant do link.

[timeoutbigbar]

Having seen the comments that Barton is available on a free this summer, I'd be pretty happy to take the risk.  Might be an odious little prick, but he's developed into a pretty good midfielder, especially in the last year or so.  At Citeh I always thought he was basically a poor mans Gerrard, and that's not really an insult is it.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Barton available on free, confirmed by Newcastle.

I can imagine Stoke, Sunderland, Blackburn etc are on his case as we speak!

[Mazrim]

They're about to get big big money for a pint sized overrated lesbian. I reckon they'll have bigger and better targets than Scott Parker.


EDIT... what? what? what?
Barton for free? What's going on there?

[villan1975]

Free?Anyone know why?Very strange although everything surrounding him is a bit of a circus.