[retired_katie14]

I don’t think things are quite as bad as being made out. Our poor season last year was due to a lack of numbers, but also down to missing our main striker and having a poor manager, both of which have been rectified this year round.

Even though our squad is a bit thin, it’s still an improvement on last year. There haven’t been any players leaving who I would liked to have held on to.

Of course the defence is still a problem area and we can do with more players coming in, but hopefully Geremi and Rozehnal will be able to offer something.


Congratulations btw.

[retired_fabricodalacosta]

Thanks Neil. :thup:

Have you been able to see Geremi and Rozehnal in the flesh and if so, what do you reckon ?

Clearly we need more faces defensively. I'm concerned with the lack of funds. I agree with Jeff in that if Ashley's team have found that we are in more debt than they realised, that it's nothing more than a smoke screen.

I still reckon we'll be looking for a new manager next summer unless Fat Sam can perform some sort of miracle.

[retired_putpo]

We need a left-back so bad it still hurts. Alas I haven't seen us in the flesh, though did watch both Setanta televised games, and all in all Geremi has looked very impressive in the middle.

Also Rozzy looks like he knows what he's doing, but maybe the pace of the Premiership might catch him a little off guard. He has composure on the ball, but I have a feeling at least once this season he'll be caught out and have the ball robbed from him.

Looking forward to see if he can form a decent partnership with Taylor, but our defence will be tough to judge until we get full backs that Sam actually wants...if he's still here for the duration that is.

[retired_wannabefitter]

Went to the celtic game , very impressed with geremi in central mid , controlled the pace of the game for 40 minutes, until celtic switched to 5 in midfield. rozenhal looked control an confident , be interesting to see him against premiership strikers. looks good for both.

[retired_putpo]

And congrats BG!

[retired_mathaus]

from nufc.co.uk
Transfer Latest: Two In Toon Talks

By Craig Hope

NEWCASTLE United are closing in on the signings of Manchester United's Alan Smith and Brazil international Cacapa after confirming they are in discussions with both players.

The Magpies have agreed terms with the Old Trafford club for Smith and are currently in discussions with the England star.

And Newcastle are also in talks with former Lyon captain Cacapa.

Toon boss Sam Allardyce said: "Cacapa is a top player and we will be delighted if we can pull this off as we regard him as a big capture.

"Our fans should not be put off by the fact they may not have heard of Cacapa because he has certainly been heard of in Brazil and France.

"He has been captain of Lyon for the past five years and for every one of those five years they have won the French title, so obviously he has a lot of Champions League experience.

"That's why we are hoping everything goes OK with his medical and we can agree a deal with his people because he would be a terrific capture for us."

Cacapa, 31, won no fewer than 10 major medals during his time with Lyon, including five Ligue 1 championships. He has also been capped three times for Brazil.

On Smith, Big Sam added: "I am hoping that the Alan Smith deal will go through on Thursday.

"He has other clubs to consider and I am hoping we are top of his list," he told the Evening Chronicle.

Things are really hotting up in the transfer market for the Magpies ... Make sure you're first to know who is coming and going at St.James' Park ... Click below to sign up to our official text alert service today ...

[circlewalker]

I've come to the conclusion that Newcastle will finish in the position Bolton finished last year, with Bolton actually finishing 2 points ahead of us after they beat us on the opening day.

[circlewalker]

So Cacapa plays where exactly?

[retired_navy0614]

centre-back.

[circlewalker]

Well there's a relief.

Had a feeling he was another midfielder.