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

[Clampy]

Randy want's Eck to work with players who are earning big money and not doing very much (Ireland, Warnock) and at the same time bring through the talented kids who could make a big contribition and i've not got a problem with that.

My only concern is that we've let go Friedel, Downing, Ashley, NRC, Carew and Pires go (throw in Osbourne and Salifou as well if you like), brought in 2 players and we still need to watch the wage bill. If that's the case, then i would'nt expect Joey Barton any time soon.

[Toronto Villa]

You missed the point.

The disturbing thing is that, if we did sign two utterly shit players of that level, nobody would be surprised.

That's not a reflection on McLeish, it is a reflection on the chairman pulling the plug so soundly.

Still, the General is telling people on VT we can push for fourth, so maybe they see something we don't. It's almost as if you can lose a load of players, sell two of your best ones and only replace one,  and just push on, regardless, whilst trusting a knot of players who let you down badly last season.

I didn't miss the point. Signing players that aren't good enough for our reserves is a long way detached from the signings we've made already. While Randy might have put an end to a lot of the excessive spending we'd seen during the MON years it doesn't mean we are now shopping at the very bottom of the barrel which Campbell and Ridgewell would represent. It's convenient to be linked to these players by the press, but there's still a big gap between no longer spending big money on players and finding ourselves buying players like these two. I'm sure McLeish, even with tighter finances can either find players better than those two in the 3-5m range, or simply go with kids.

[Toronto Villa]

We've just signed one of the most exciting wingers in the league who happens to be a French International and an £18m striker in the last 2 windows, not exactly a bunch of Sunday league players.

No, they're not. The problem is, they can't play everywhere. We need a squad, and even trying to get the best out of the ones Houllier discarded, it is nothing like strong enough.

I admire the boundless optimism of people like Toronto, and it isn't going to be a meltdown as some people suggest, either, but when the manager says ninth will be very hard, when you've sold two of your best players and replaced one, when you're relying on the revival of the likes of Warnock and Ireland, when your squad us so patchy and the whole club is geared around recouping money, it is hard to be enthusiastic.

Shedding players without replacing them and hoping the kids come good is asking for trouble.

I really don't get the boundless optimism line. It's as exaggerated and incorrect as if I called you a suicidal maniac for representing the negative side as well as you do.

[The Situation]

Haters gonna hate but I think we should sign Barton on a free.

People have complained with haven't got a 'ball winner' in midfield, he'd be the perfect fit in our midfield doing exactly that.

People may not like him but atleast he'd improve the team.

[eastie]

just heard alan brazil saying hes been told by itk at newcastle that they had had enough of him and told him to leave as hes a bad egg and very disruptive in the dressing room -maybe not the reformed character i thought he was.

spurs everton and arsenal and favourites to sign him according to bookies.

[nick harper]

Haters gonna hate but I think we should sign Barton on a free.

People have complained with haven't got a 'ball winner' in midfield, he'd be the perfect fit in our midfield doing exactly that.

People may not like him but atleast he'd improve the team.

I think there'll be a queue of clubs but painful as it is to say, he is exactly what we need.

The squad is clearly too thin and the over reliance on the potential of a number of young players also worries me. In my opinion, out of all of them, only Ciaran Clarke and possibly Albrighton look long term PL players.

[Mazrim]

I dont see why Barton is exactly what we need. On a free it looks good from a value point of view but the man is a hopeless bell end and may never get it together. Does it not strike anybody as odd that Newcastle have let him go for nowt? They must really want shot of him and despite Ashley being a fat idiot, I doubt he turns his nose up at a few million squid without a fucking good reason.

He's not the player we're looking for. There are better players out there who arent a tenth as much trouble.
I'd rather play Delph instead who may lack experience but has a similar style of play and could be, will be, a better player.
Its the defensive midfielder we need and Barton isnt that. Diarra is available for free too and IS the defensive midfielder we need.

[Maradona10]

Agree Mazrim, I think JB would be a very bad egg and I'd honestly fear for our youngsters, people say he's reformed but have we forgotten him thumping Pederson? the guy is a loose cannon and very unpredicatable and that what scares me, he could switch at any time. Plus people who keep saying he is 'free', he will be more expensive than NRC or Bradley was, now you'll say he's better however he never really played a DM role for Newcastle he played on the wing, if we want a midfielder from Newcastle then that man has to be Tiote. You don't need a DM if you have two competitive players in midfield i.e. one can run more than 10 yards, Petrov really is a passenger in the side. Gardner and Makoun are not really DM's however they're competitive can cover ground and make it difficult as it was shown when they came on, Stan just stands in one position and doesn't move and whinges at everyone else. Ask yourself Delph has never ever looked decent with Petrov beside him and i expected no different on Saturday.

[Risso]

I dont see why Barton is exactly what we need. On a free it looks good from a value point of view but the man is a hopeless bell end and may never get it together. Does it not strike anybody as odd that Newcastle have let him go for nowt? They must really want shot of him and despite Ashley being a fat idiot, I doubt he turns his nose up at a few million squid without a fucking good reason.

He's not the player we're looking for. There are better players out there who arent a tenth as much trouble.
I'd rather play Delph instead who may lack experience but has a similar style of play and could be, will be, a better player.
Its the defensive midfielder we need and Barton isnt that. Diarra is available for free too and IS the defensive midfielder we need.

I agree, I don't think Barton is as good as is made out, and I'd much rather have Parker, who is a far better player, and is less likely to murder somebody.

[N'ZMAV]

No-one divives opinion like Mr Barton, it seems. Very good player. I have no doubts. He's a ****** though.

[oldtimernow]

the thought of giving shed loads of money each week to such an obnoxious idiot appalls me

[mrfuse]

As much as our desperation for a combative midfielder, we should say well clear it would make me feel ill to see him in a Villa shirt and after all the goings on last season i dont think we need that kind of disruptive influence

[Greg N'Ash]

Can't see anyone disagreeing that Barton could be major trouble but the fact remains we need someone dominant in midfield presumably for sod all money wise.  there's not really that many candidates knocking around that fit that criteria which is why he's being considered in our current poverty stricken circumstances,

[UsualSuspect]

Yeah let's sign barton

Him and ireland in central midfield

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I dont see why Barton is exactly what we need. On a free it looks good from a value point of view but the man is a hopeless bell end and may never get it together. Does it not strike anybody as odd that Newcastle have let him go for nowt? They must really want shot of him and despite Ashley being a fat idiot, I doubt he turns his nose up at a few million squid without a fucking good reason.

He's not the player we're looking for. There are better players out there who arent a tenth as much trouble.
I'd rather play Delph instead who may lack experience but has a similar style of play and could be, will be, a better player.
Its the defensive midfielder we need and Barton isnt that. Diarra is available for free too and IS the defensive midfielder we need.

Massive load of sense here Maz.
I would love to see Delph given a good run...he has fantastic potential and he's at the right age now. Just hope he 's not the sort of player who is injury prone. He only looks like a slip of a lad when he comes on in his adult size shirt!
I get the impression you're a bit of a Diarra fan...or his agent!