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

[Concrete John]

If that's the policy then it's one I'd agree with, but we've seen the benefit of experienced signings over Randy's tenure, such as Carew, Freidel, Dunne and Luke Young.  You need to mix youth with experience and they'll know that.

And players on or around the 30 mark can get more than a 2 year deal - it's when they get to 32-33 that the length of the contract becomes more of an issue.

[pauliewalnuts]

If that's the policy then it's one I'd agree with, but we've seen the benefit of experienced signings over Randy's tenure, such as Carew, Freidel, Dunne and Luke Young.  You need to mix youth with experience and they'll know that.

And players on or around the 30 mark can get more than a 2 year deal - it's when they get to 32-33 that the length of the contract becomes more of an issue.

All but the very best players would be getting deals outside the PL at age 32/33.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Think since Barton has gone off the Luny juice he has calmed down considerably. Think for £3-4m would be a great shout, With Gardner standing in for him every now and then, and gaining valuable experience. Barton with Makoun has a good balance .....

[Dante Lavelli]

What other teams in the PL would start with a central midfielder who they know will be fucked after an hour?

Man United picked Scholes and Giggs on a number if occasions last year.

[Chris Smith]

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

[eastie]

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?

[VillaAlways]

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.

It will be that he is staying/new contract surely ?

[Concrete John]

If it was a transfer it'd been heavily reported by now.  I expect him to announce a new contract or something similar.

[eastie]

The Liverpudlian yesterday Tweeted a series of cryptic messages hinting at problems behind the scenes at St James' Park before revealing he will make a more clear cut statement at 4pm today.


I will be making an announcement regarding my future, on here at 4pm.

Barton initially said yesterday: "If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place."

[Rudy Can't Fail]

From what I understand Barton (if he's leaving) wants a long deal. He's 28 so I think it'd be a 5 year deal on 60k, or something similar. Seems alot but we gave a 29 year old Dunne, 31 year old Heskey and 31 year old Beye 4, 3.5 and 3 year deals respectively.

Yeah, let's make the same stupid mistakes of the past. It's why we have little money to spend now.
It's all very Martin O'Neill, giving stupid contracts to aging players when there's a whole new world of shopping to be ignored across the channel.

[TheSandman]

Some people seem to forget that whilst it would cost £Xmillion to sign Barton or Parker it would not be a net loss as by strengthening in a position where we are weak we would have a better team and might be more than £Xmillion better off in merit money by the end of the season.

[JJ-AV]

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.

[Chris Smith]

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.

[eastie]

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.

[Dante Lavelli]

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.