Paphos People

This time last year we had signed 5 players and Keane had come out and stated he was having difficulty getting players to come.
This year we've signed nobody and Keane has said nowt, neither has Quinny.
It's all quiet on the Boro front although I think they're out in Portugal at the mo and the silence from Sid James' is deafening.
Why ?
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

Just been on Sky Sports News that the TOON are bidding £7m for this guy Amir, didn't hear what else they said but it must be a go'er if on Sky Sports News

He'll stay in Portugal. He's signing for Benfica. But that is off thread and there are already two threads for rumours and done deals.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

Sorry Mr Moderator

After all you did say

So I just wrote what I'd heard on Sky Sports News & yes the TOON have been outbid by Benfica

Pete

He was never gonna come to the TOON. Why opt to play at Sid James Park when he can play at the Stadium of Light.

Regards.

John

_________________
Never let truth get in the way of a good rumour.

Yes Boo, the Stadium of Light, not the Stade de Fright

Pete,who decided to call our fine aerodynamic stadium that?
Was it you ? and if so why in French ?
Please explain.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

It was me yes & the reason is because it sounded funny, it translates to the Stadium of Terror which is an oxymoron because no team is afraid to play there & another reasoon is why not

After all, you call our awesome stadium 'Sid James Park'
you call our team 'Skunks'

So I thought I'd make something up for your lot as the word 'Mackems' is boring

So from on, your Stadioum will be known as the 'Stade de Fright'
And as you don't like being called Scumderland, I'll need to think of another nick name for you

Any suggestions welcome

Well I'd never refer to your lot as Scum.
And you refer to yourselves as Skunkers, don't you ?
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

I don't refer to us as skunks, as that would say we're smelling, furry creatures which we're not

As for Scum, look it up on google mate, it doesn't mean what you think it does

You have a fan site called Skunkers.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

We may well have mate but I use the 'Newcastle Utd Mad' forum for my gossip They have one for your lot too

Aye, it's a shocker that one though - full of kids with anger issues!

I'm a Newcastle-Online man myself, with the occasional foray to Toontastic. Do you get on the SMB at all Gary? I lurk on there from time to time and have noticed a few usernames similar to yours - it's a canny board considering it's full of mackems!

Yes Martin but I use a different name altogether and very rarely post nowadays.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

well in the space of 2 weeks you have signed 3 proven rpemiership players wheras last year all you could attract was championship players (kieron richardson aside and he hasn't done out for you) so you should be fairly happy at the minute

Yes Smurf, things ain't going too bad at the mo, just shows how quickly things can change.

_________________
So close yet so far away

Just thought I'd post and say I've been listening to The Legends on Century radio for the past few nights. Most of the callers had a view on the Barton fiasco to the extent that I think they've stopped taking calls on the subject.
Tell you what, the vast majority are slagging off Newcastle, KK,Cashley and big time.
There's alot of unhappy Mags out there at the mo. If ever anyone owes his club a great season it has to be Barton.
I know Newcastle willmake some signings soon they'll have to cos the fans are up in arms.
Boro's fans are pretty quiet at the mo. Sunderland's callers are generally upbeat and thanking Saint Niall for giving them a fighting chance.
This, I think reflect the progress, or lack of it made by the clubs recently.
I would say Newcastle have gone backwards recently would you agree ? Do the fans still think of KK as a Messiah ?
He doesn't sound or act like one at the mo. He appears to be as down as the fans to be honest.
Boro have remained steady in terms of progress recently in my opinion. I know a lot of Boro lads and they are optimistic that with fit players like Mido, Tuncay, Alves and the 2 new lads they'll do well but I wonder .... will they do better than last season.
Sunderland appear to be making progress. Keane has been there 2 seasons and Quinn had a 5 year plan and we are ahead of schedule.
Quinn and Keane said that if they could stay in the Premier one season then financially it would make a big difference. They said they would attract better players and it seem they are because they can now compete with most on wages.
I am watching with interest who Stoke, Hull and WBA sign and I'm not impressed up to now. With respect to those clubs, they could not have signed the 4 we have signed this week and neither could we last year. The exciting thing for us is that there's stillmoney available and more players to come.
So up to now I'd say Newcastle are going backwards, Boro are remaining the same and Sunderland will make progress and improve.
Only two weeks to the kick off. What does anyone else think ?
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

I woudn't say the TOON are going backwards as we haven't sold any of our quality players, just got rid of the drift/dead wood & cut back on the wages of those we're bringing in

Smoggies are pretty much the same & yes the Mackems have spent a lot again this season & got better players than they did last season which may help them stay up but until you get all these players playing as a team, who says they'll be able to too

remember last season we started off with a lot of nig name players out injured, we also had yakubu playing for a transfer, this year we actually have almost all our players fit, we have competetion in every position and i for one am optimistic for the coming season, i dont think we will the league surprisingly enough but i do feel we will finish in the top 10 this season

Don't see how we've gone backwards - shifted some dead wood and brought in 3 decent signings with more to come I'm sure. The addition of KK is worth a minimum of 10 points over and above what big Sam managed, so we would be looking at a much better season even if we had the same squad.

Smogs look similar I agree, but Alves should be more settled now which will make a difference - looks a decent player.

Mackems have definitely strengthened the most, but they desperately needed to, and with the possible exception of Malbranque, none of the players they've bought would make our team. Still need to replace Evans too, and no Jones for a canny while remember....

Martin, so Chimbonda and Diouf would not make your team
I'm wasting my time here, I was trying to be objective and serious. I take your point about Evans and Jones, we will have to cover those positions and I think we will. I think Keane will start the season with the forwards we have in the hope Bent will come after the Spurs merry go round settles down.
Smurf, It's just been on Century Radio's The Legends that Boro are£80m in debt. Didn't know that.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

that has been well publicised, even if the truth is that boro do not have that level of debt, (gibson uses boros debt as a tax right off for bulkhaul and gibson mcneil so it is an accountants figure) boro have changed policy on transfers to start to plan for life without gibbo (hopefully not for another 40 years) and are the 80 debt always takes into account the hotl being built at the training ground, hurworth itself and the 32m stadium.

just glad we are not like liverpool, arsenal, everton etc with stadiums costing400m+

am surprised you listen to 3 leg ends, it has always been full of shi ite with the gossip columns and alci mcdonald spouting turd everywhere

Smurf mate I stopped listening when Gatesy left but I heard Slaven was on holiday so thought I'd give it a try. You are right it's still crap and I won't be making a habit of it.
Gary

_________________
So close yet so far away

So how much debt do the Mackems have then after spending £50mil last season & £30mil so far this season

I bet you're going to say none aren't you Gary

Pete, I am going to take your advice and say nothing at all

_________________
So close yet so far away