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OUR TOON ISSUES:
Here we go through all the latest talk of the Toon. Everything going on in and around St James Park about the club we'll discuss here with our personal opinions. It may occassionally stretch beyond the Toon and into world football if there's a common theme with what's going on at the Toon.
TRANSFERS IN:
A very hot topic amongst the Toon Army basically all year round, similar for most clubs in the top flight I would imagine but with the Toon beiong in the papers all the time, there's constant links to players, some with a bit of truth behind it, some absolutely ridiculous. This season we believe the Toon needs to strengthen the defence. It's understandable why SBR wants to give the center halves a further chance to prove themselves as they looked good at home last season and hopefully experience will bring more out of them so they can bring home form into away games. But with Quinn and Elliott both being transfer listed you would have to think we are desperate to sign a left back, and one who'd challenge Bernard for the position would be great with the two presseing each other, bringing the best out of each other.

But selections, while at first glance look plentiful, are rather bare. Konchesky seems available, but isn't really at the level we want, not for right now anyway and he had an ordianry season last term, despite being apart of England's second half XI that was beat 3-1 by Australia earlier this year. Gareth Barry is a great prospect with great versatility as well, but O'Leary's appointment at Villa looks as though things are taking a fresh start there and so players like Barry may not be willing to move this summer so he looks unlikely. Wayne Bridge is genuine quality in the position, but he is at a Southampton club looking on the up who are out pricing their prized assets to keep them and further develop the club which rules him out unless we're willing to meet their ridiculous price. It remains to be seen who we buy, but we certainly need to strengthen the backline this summer.
TRANSFERS OUT:
Those who've been transfer listed by the club this summer were the right choices by the club. None of them have a future at the club, shame for McClen and Elliott who are Geordies but both realise it. Quinn was brought in and just hasn't been upto the Premiership standard for us and so he's rightfully on the way out, we wish him the best of course though. Clarence Acuna and Nikos dabizas we have a soft spot for. Both came in and have played in mid table Toon teams and both have done a massive job. But in the last two years we've moved forward, becomming a top club again and Dabizas and Acuna haven't moved forward with us. We've outgrown them and neither are top Premiership class.

Not sure why Carl Cort wasn't added to that list of 5 though. We've reportedly considered using him in part exchange so surely he's not apart of the future plans, so why we haven't slapped him on the transfer list is surprising. Cort been dogged by injuries since he joined us which is a shame because he had the makings of a very good striker, scoring a goal every two games despite his injuries in his first season, but further injuries have seen his form drop right down. Surely he must be sold soon so we get something back from what we spent on him and the odd few appearances he makes in the team a season would be better given to the likes of Chopra coming through the ranks so they can further develop.
SOLANO:
Is Solano on the way out? A firm fan favourite amongst the Toon Army who definitely don't want to see him go, and for good reason. He's been one of the most consistent and better performers in the Premiership on the wing in recent seasons, one of the best foreign players to play in the Premier League and is as loyal as they come. But is it time for a change? The team is like a body of water, if there's no movement it begins to stink. Brett Emerton at the same time seems the replacement Sir Bobby and freddie are after, and we think he's certainly going to be a great replacement should we go with.

Emerton is versatile which is a plus in his favour, can play at right back or in the center of midfield if needed while Nobby is strictly a right winger. Brett also has a strong defensive side to his game. Brett is a solid tackler, doesn't shy from tackles and tracks back very well. Nobby's defensive side of his game needs work to say the least. Over the rest of the different aspects of a midfielder it's quite even between the two. Their passing and crossing is both very good, Nobby maybe just shades that if at all, while their movement on and off the ball is both quite good though Nobby has a tendancy to wonder out of games while Brett is always getting involded. Their link up play with those around them is both of the highest quality and both know how to finish off a chance. Nobby's plus point that Brett doesn't really have is his set peice speciality. Nobby is a free kick and corner expert, Brett hasn't ever really showed any signs of being either. Final point would be age, Nobby is 28, on the road down of his career, Brett is meanwhile very much on the road up with a future sale value being much higher than what we'll get him for so while Nobby is much loved by the Toon Army, and a quality player, when it comes time we get Brett, Nobby surely must be sold.
LEE BOWYER:
Lee Bowyer, as controversial as they come. Claims of racial abuse from him have seemingly tarnished his reuptation for life with him having made a number off field stupid mistakes. But while his off field troubles have been running rampent, on field he's been simply sensational since he really broke into the Leeds team in the late 90's. He's a very talented midfielder who is able to get forward into the boix very well and take his chances. Not only a goal scoring midfielder, he's great in the tackle. Can make a tackle anywhere on the pitch, goes in hard and true, doesn't pull out and can break down any oppositions attack. A versatile midfielder, also capable of playing on the right makes him an amazing capture, especially for a free when 12 months ago Liverpool were willing to pay 9m pounds for him.

But one things for sure, he needs to redeem himself off the pitch if we're to keep him and accept him at the club. The Toon Army was rightfully not thrilled with his capture after his off field troubles in recent years, but if he can cut out all the crap off the pitch, do some charitable work and improve his image he's bound to bring the Toon Army around. No two ways about it though, if his off field antics carry on, especially towards any degree of his troubles at Leeds and Charlton then he must, must be shipped out to the highest bidder as we cannot have him bringing down the name and view of the club which has seen us become many people's second team.