That's sh1t that we've missed out on Aimar. Same as you JJ, it gives you a lift when you hear a player such as Aimar is on the verge of signing for your club. But thats just a kick in the b0llocks.

Bit p1ssed off aswell about talk of Krul going. Given's 32, and Harper's 33. Shay could have a good 6 years before he retires, and he could easily move to another club in that time. Same with Harper, both getting on now. IMO we need to keep a great back-up such as Krul.

He was a real hit for Bolton last season actually. In an obviously poor side. To say he's out of his depth i think is way off the mark, even if Keegan's response to his signing seemed a little over the top. But he's English, young and had a good season last year, not a poor signing by any means.

As for Aimar, thinking about it, it could be a good turn of events, even if it doesn't seem it. Aimar has suffered with form and suffered from injury - has really gone down from his Valencia days and could still struggle with the English league. Too many of Newcastle players are "once great" players, like Owen, Duff, Geremi, Butt, Emre, Viduka etc., and to be honest it's depressing sometimes. Some work but many fail. You need fresh players who are younger - yes you need creativity but you should also be looking for consistency as well, and someone who is "up and coming".

I thought it was a shame you missed out on Gokhan Inler to be honest. But let's face it, every manager will have a compiled short-list of potential signings for every position they see the need to strengthen, so whilst Newcastle have missed out on Modric and Aimar they'll just have to turn to their next target.

Thats fair enough Ben, That is your opinion. i still believe he is of a poor standard. yes he did well at Bolton last season, but at Newcastle, where the expectations are a lot higher i believe he will not amount to much. I think he would be an excellent Championship Player. He is certainly not the type of player i would want to be signing if i wanted to push for Europe this coming season. I wish the lad luck, i always want players who come from Liverpool to have a good succesful career, i just dont think Guthrie cuts it in any way.

Every team needs fringe players who will give competition to those who are first choice. I am quite happy that we got him for that role. He had a pretty good season at Bolton and from what i hear the fans loved him there. I have also read an interview from Gary Speed. He says it is a great signing and he will do a great job when he is needed. I think you are taking the things that keegan said a bit far. Of course he is gonna be happy. Keegan has probably wanted to sign him for a few months. I don't see the problem with what he has said. To be honest i don't care what you say about the player and you can have your own opinion on the signing but why have a dig at Newcastle?

After having some time to think about the Aimar deal i think you could be right Ben. Keegan will have to buy a creative player and hopefully Aimar is "past it". I just got a bit excited by the chance of signing him.

where is my dig at Newcastle? All i said if this is the type of player keegan is exstatic at signgin it doesnt look good. I stand by what i said. Maybe he will prove me wrong? Doubt it though.

Digs are in bold.

I hope he can prove you wrong but it looks like your mind is already made up. I don't know how you can have this poor opinion of him. Is it because he didn't get into Liverpools Midfield? He is only 21, he still has a lot to learn and it is too early to say he isn't good enough to play in the EPL. He even showed last season that he is, but i guess you must have missed that. Oh well...

No, i was aware of what he achieved last season at the mighty Bolton. I just dont think he will be good enough to cope in the EPL, that is merely my opinion. The fact he didnt make it at Liverpool has a little to do with my opinion. I watched alot of him when he was at us as i really wanted him to break through, But I do not see any stand out factor from his game that has lead me to believe he will not achieve much in the top flight. He is light weight, doesnt have much pace, has quite a good delivery on him but thats about it. For me he is a poor James milner. ut like you said, he is young and he might well prove me wrong. I hope he does, but i can not see it. I suppose this season will be interesting for his development.
I am not making direct digs at Newcastle. I just stated the truth, did you have a good season last season? Nope. I said if he was the kind of player you were going for, expect what you had last season, i do not see how that is unreasonable. My other 'dig' that you highlighted was about keegan and his lack of tactical knowledge. Again i do not see that being unreasonable.

Tim Krul has laughed off suggestions he could be set for a summer switch to Chelsea. The 20-year-old Dutchman is highly regarded at St James' Park and is expected to eventually take over from regular first choice Shay Given between the posts. Newcastle's confidence in the player's potential has not stopped talk of possible overtures from elsewhere though, with Chelsea believed to be monitoring the player's situation. However, while Krul believes a loan spell away from the club would only aid his development, he is convinced his future remains bright in the North East. "This is my club and I want to stay," he told the Evening Chronicle. "You never know what can happen. Things can change in one day or in three years' time. "All I know is I love Newcastle and I love England. There's been a lot of speculation and a lot of stories. But it's just talk."

This is great news for the club!

Would of been a good player for Newcastle if you miss out

This story is 100% made up. Keegan said in an interview last week (or the start of the week) that he was happy with his wingers and he would now look to bring in two defenders before the team heads to spain.
There was also talk about us being interested in McGeady, which are also not true. The papers think we offered N'Zogbia (who keegan said he wants to keep) plus some cash. I don't know where they get these stories from.

The same place Spurs get there rumours from and every other club, come from all sorts of places. Could of been his agent making this up. Not sure

We were also linked with Pascal Chimbonda yesterday. Meant to have been trying to stop him from going to sunderland, even though our player of the season was our right back. Even Newcastle wouldn't be stupid enough to replace their player of the season.

I got that quote from Goal.com but i don't really like that site so i don't want to build my hopes up. He said he wanted to stay the other day

Would he be a good signing for the club? I have not seen him play much but he is meant to be a solid defender. We could do with one of those. Hopefully he wont turn out to be like our past signings.

This offer has been rejected. There is a chance he can buy out his contract though. The agent says the player is unhappy at the club for not accepting it.

He would be a good signing and it now looks like he is leaving Deportivo whether it is Newcastle or not im not to sure.

King Kev seems to be missing out on a lot of signings JJ. When he was at Newcastle the first time around he was able to make a lot of top signings on the back of his own name......in other words.......playing for Kevin Keegan......former European footballer of the year......was a big attraction for some players. He has been out of football for a while and his popularity has waned on the global front......and playing for Kevin Keegan isn't the attraction it used to be......like it was the first time around. His name doesn't mean much these days....outside of Newcastle.

It hurts, but you are 100% correct. However, a few factors also play a part in this.

1. The money side of the game these days. Would people rather work with keegan or get payed twice as much else where?

2. Newcastle are on the down. I might sound negative but the days of attracting big names have gone.

3. Our owner. Its hard to say what goes on behind the doors. People say he is tight but we have had big money offers accepted. just they would rather go somewhere else. Maybe we offered them low wages or they would rather play for a better team.

I said this in the Newcastle chat thread, but i am worried. I'm worried about the way the club is going and what this season will bring. It is far from being a disaster but certain things are not looking good. Keegan might be keeping things on the low but he doesn't sound like he wants the players who we need (I mean positions and numbers in). He says 2 or 3. But for us to finish in the top 10 we need at least 4 players....

Cover for our full backs (2) - we have no back up at all (first team that is)
CB - We need a stong player to play with Steven Taylor
Creative Midfielder - Everyone knows we need one of these. We have missed out on Modric and Aimar (keegan has never talked about needing to bring one in though, unlike the full back situation)
I would also like a striker but that will not happen. Someone to replace Viduka. Like a Gudjohnsen.

I know there is still over a month of the transfer window left but i don't think we will be ready for the start of the season. (Man United are a walkover anyways). I don't know why i am worried. I don't expect the team to do much next season. I think i would take top 10 now (that sounds bad). There is still time left but we seem to be slow and have missed out on some quality players already. Hopefully things will soon change though.

With 19 days till the start of the season, this is what our first team squad looks like....

Keepers: Shay Given, Steve Harper.
Right backs: Habib Beye.
Left backs: Jose Enrique.
Centre backs: Steven Taylor, Abdoulaye Faye, Cacapa, Bassong (aka number 45 ).
Right Midfield: James Milner (also LM), Jonas Gutierrez (also LM).
Left Midfield: Charles N’Zogbia, Damien Duff.
Centre Midfield: Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt, Geremi (also RB & RM).
Forwards: Michael Owen, Oba Martins, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Shola Ameobi.

the players in red are not good enough

It is clear that we need cover for both full backs and that we lack creativity from the centre of midfield. So far we have signed Gutierrez, Guthrie and Bassong (apparently). We are still a few players short. Both Owen and Viduka have not played a pre season match and Oba is back at home after his mother died. It would be nice if we could get a striker but i don't think that would be possible. I would like to sell Ameobi but i don't think anyone will take him. If we start the season with this squad we will not improve on last season.

Transfer window doesn't close until the end of August....Kev still has time to bring in some good players.