Toon Fans

Ashley doesn't do a lot of talking.  I figure that his policy is the same as in prior transfer windows - good players will only go if they want to and the buyer is paying way over the odds.  Backups like Harper & Lovenkrands and dead wood like Kadar & Smith are due to be shipped out, but that's no concern.  Pardew has signaled two or three new signings (with another two on top if he has a European campaign to plot).

Cisse, wow

Fair play to City, they were very good on the day.

In more positive news: http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120506/sir-bobbys-statue-unveiled_2281670_2761775

Right up until City scored I felt that it was going to be a 0-0 result.

It showed up the lack of quality in our squad.  The first team is pretty formidable, but the bench is too sparse.  Not too far off, though.

Pardew prem manager of the season 

well deserved

Job done.  Hopefully Europa counts for a trophy too.

Was kinda thinking the same thing. Champ LEague is a huge step up, and to be honest we haven;t played the best football at times this season. Hoping A$hley doesn't sell Cabaye, Tiote and the like. We need them if we have any chance.

Possible signings in the off season for you guys? I'd like a CB (Williamson gives me the shits), a winger to replace Gutierrez, and possibly a RB/LB. Another striker wouldn't go a miss with the news Leon Best can go if he likes.

Douglas Teixeira and Matthieu Debuchy are considered the most likely new signings.

There isn't a lot of transfer talk going on at the moment, but in case anyone is curious:

Guthrie, McLovin & Smith have already left.  Forster & Best are likely to be heading north to Celtic.  Xisco is still in contract for another year.   Plus the usual tattle about Ashley cashing in everything.

Amalfitano (CM) is already signed.  The link to Douglas (CB) is still live.  Debuchy & Clyne (both RB) are being talked up.  Vurnon Anita (DM/LB) is a possibility.  There is a string of silly links as well (including Kalou).  Yacini Brahimi (CM) wants to be on Tyneside, but it's not clear that he's on Carr's list.  (And honestly, unless the plan is to become "Francelona", I don't see a need for any more Gallic playmakers.)

Ciao bonny lad! http://500reasonstolovefootball.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/441-alan-shearer-goes-all-italian-for.html

Also passed by the Angel of the North a couple of weeks back and all I could think about was the big Shearer shirt on it.

Newcastle's next manager steps up to the Championship.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/26/lee-clark-birmingham-city

Read something about the young fella at Melbourne Heart, Curtis Good, heading your way, 400k the fee

I'd prefer to see Remi Streete get first team opportunities, but for that sort of money Good is worth a look.

The Olympic Committee insists that it's still St James' Park: http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/a-cover-up-at-st-james-park/

Newcastle linked with fringe Liverpool player.  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1124838/report:-newcastle-make-loan-bid-for-liverpool-striker-andy-carroll

Hope not.  The last striker we signed who was from perennial strugglers Liverpool turned out to be lemon.

Anyway - won't happen unless there is a nice brochure.  Plus there's nowhere for him to stay now that Kevin Nolan is down playing in that London.

You've got to get over this Paul Dalglish thing.

Speaking of perennial strugglers Liverpool:

http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/q-a-with-liverpool-defender-jose-enrique-hijacked/

http://asia.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2011-2012/newcastle-thwarted_sto3356244/story.shtml

Other than that, still waiting on Douglas & Debuchy.

This seems like a good time to mention that Newcastle won the Trofeu do Guadiana this year, becoming the most successful English side in the history of that competition.  Here's the weird-looking silverware:

Vurnon Anita in, apparently to be part of a 3-man midfield (Tiote as destroyer, Anita to dictate tempo, Cabaye to create).

I would expect another signing to come, but it's hard to tell who.

Spurs in one hour.  Uncertainty abounds.

Off to a wining start, thanks to two moments of magic!

Of course, the team hasn't faced a real test yet.

Come on You Toon!

Howay the Spurs.

etc etc

Now for the EPL to start properly next week.

Whey Aye Man!

Whey Aye Man!

Whey Aye Man!

Hadaway (and shite) Man!