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Posted by Marc Duffy on 02/01/2011

"This is my home, what I want to be doing, the club I want to play for, the shirt I want to wear. That's it, 100 percent, I've just signed a five year contract and as it stands, I want to be here forever."
The words of Andy Carroll 65 days ago in an interview with The Times.

"We have to have a big club mentality and hold on to our best players"
Alan Pardew 42 days ago

Andy Carroll sold to Liverpool
1 day ago

So what is going on? I doubt we will ever know the truth. Carroll claims that he was pushed and the club totally deny that they pushed him (as they would).

George Caulkin of The Times (the greatest footy journo that there is) summed it up nicely when he tweeted "Carroll was not agitating to leave. He wasn't unsettled. And, yes, the transfer request was a mechanism used by NUFC. But..... he signed it."

Both parties are culpable. It can't be a surprise to anyone that this sale happened so late that we did not have time to sign a replacement. The token gesture that was an 'attempt' to sign Charles N'Zogbia was an insult. Does anyone really believe that Ashley's bitter rival Dave Whelan was going to sell his prize asset to him minutes before the window closed? Of course not.

Pardew had his say on the matter today, ending his statement with "....the decision was right for the club." Quite a turn around in 6 weeks.

It is OK though because Pardew can assure us that all of the mental £35m fee will go towards players. Then again he also assured us that none of our key players would be sold in the window so personally I don't believe a word. Amazingly Ashley still has support amongst the fans and those supporters will be mentally considering how they (or Pardew) will spend the $$$$$$$. If you are one of those people could you do me a favour and remind me where the tens of millions from Milner, Given, Beye, N'Zogbia and then Martins, Bassong, Duff etc went. Thanks.

Newcastle United usually wait about 6 months between the hoofs that they give us supporters in the private's. This time it is only a matter of weeks since the last one.

The sale did not really surprise me. Why should it? We have been a selling club all of my life - Waddle, Beardsley, Gazza, Cole, Woodgate, Jenas etc It really disappointed me though. The loss to Newcastle is far bigger than the gain for Liverpool and I really fear for our immediate future with a forward line including Shola, Best, Lovenkrands or Ranger. That is not Premier League standard.

Money - some say it is ruining the game. £35million for Carroll is a preposterous fee, but so what? The supporters will not benefit at all - can we celebrate another £35 million in Mike Ashley's bank? Of course not. We did enjoy celebrating a local hero's towering headed goals.

That is not to exonerate Carroll. He signed a new 5 year deal only a matter of weeks ago, but then why would anyone be surprised at his head being turned? ANYONE would be tempted by (and take) what is reported to be a four fold salary increase. He is secured for life and could accumulate generational wealth. He wouldn't have gone short had he stayed on Tyneside though and he would have become a Legend. It must have irked him that other players in the first team were on 3 times the amount he was even with his new contract - if the club (Ashley) wanted to keep him sweet they would have paid him his market worth.

At about the same time this was all taking place Blackpool rejected a 'significant' Liverpool bid for Charlie Adam. Allegedly Adam was furious, a heated discussion took place and the Chairman called TalkSport to state categorically that Adam would be a Blackpool player come February 1st. He was good to his word - yes, there were rumours of Spurs almost pulling off a last minute deal, but they didn't. It is sad that Blackpool appear to be a club with greater ambition than Newcastle United when you consider their relative resources and the fact that adam's contract is 4 years shorter than Carroll's was.

Under the ownership of Ashley we have suffered a humiliating relegation and now most fans pray for mid-table mediocrity. This for a club that had the 6th highest revenue in the country the last full season we were in the Premier League. The club that Deloitte have in the top 20 in Europe in their money league. The club that had the 18th highest average attendance in EUROPE when we were in this country's second tier!

Ashley is well known to be a gambler and once again he has gambled our Premier League status. Last time he made that same gamble, he lost.

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Comments

Posted by DAN on 02/01/2011

I am still numb from the sale of our No9, who we had watch develop into a powerhouse of a center forward from a teenager. He was the one remaining piece of the slain giant that is Newcastle United in which we could trust. A local lad who knew the town and it's people, who fulfilled a boyhood dream. With all the stories and rumours surrounding Andy's transfer I dont really know who to believe but the track record of the current owner does not bode well for his side of the story. I wish Andy all the best, for what i'm sure will be a prolific career, and want him to know that when the day comes for the return of the prodigal son I and the rest of the fans of Newcastle United will welcome him with open arms.

Dan

Posted by Jim on 02/01/2011

Dan YOU may welcome him, but I for one wont be welcoming back a player who tried blackmailing the club for more money and leaving the club no time to sign a replacement, he is a liar and a traitor, good riddance, watch his career nose dive without Nolan to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Posted by Danny OSullivan on 02/01/2011

I am not surprised by this deal. It is good business for Newcastle. I liked Pardew's attitude that no player is bigger than the club. They should develop Ranger as quicly as possible. He is green at the moment but has the potential to be special.

Posted by rj on 02/01/2011

35 million is a tremendous amount for a club allegedly still struggling to right the ship financially, and I suspect from Carroll's words that he in fact asked for a larger pay packet ("they didn't want me"), which might put significant pressure on the rest of the payroll.

From the outside looking in, though, Carroll seems the type of player whose value was set to increase substantially over the next two or three seasons. NUFC will never see the benefit of that, and has put its near-term competitiveness at serious risk.

Quality strikers -- particularly those of Carroll's size and skill in the air -- are not easy to come by; I think NUFC will look back on this day with a lot of regret by the start of next season.

Posted by Chris on 02/01/2011

I'm from the States, and I only started following the Premier League two years ago. When I started searching for a team to cheer for, I told myself to find a club with promise, excitement, and an involved fan base to be involved with. When I first watched NUFC, I knew this was that club. And I found my favorite player. Carroll was young, filled with potential, and an eye for goals. And ever since, I've been obsessed with Newcastle.
But how are they going to get past this? Academy work is the only way to get talent if you aren't owned by an Abramovich. And to strike Academy gold with Carroll should have been the gift that could have lifted NUFC out of (let's face it) mediocrity. But greed won the day, as usual. How can I be optimistic now that the owner/slime seems to refuse any course of action that could lead to growth? I feel like the only thing I should wish for is a new owner. And it seems like that wish won't come true any time soon, either. NUFC is now Sports Direct F.C.

Posted by batty on 02/01/2011

decent article george agrre with it all ide just like too add though i think he is a judas of the highest order

Posted by JoeUSA on 02/01/2011

I am not a Newcastle fan, and I would have been one of those who said that the fee was so huge that they would have been crazy to refuse it. However, particularly when I look at their forward options with the window now closed, I see your perspective.

They should stay up based on some of the other sides in the division, but the move and lack of replacement makes them relegation battlers rather than European competitors, and going down would make that 35m look paltry.

Posted by GoalMouth on 02/01/2011

Coulda been a Geordie legend, turned out to be a Geordie Traitor.
Money talks, carroll walks.
Cheated his own kind, bigger liar than the owner & chairman past & present all rolled into one.
He is not welcome on Tyneside, don't come come back you qunt.
Although, it does make a change someone robbing a bunch of scousers.

Posted by Phil on 02/01/2011

Normally the villain is the agent, why not in this instance? Would explain a lot.

Posted by Max on 02/02/2011

Mike Ashley is determined to cause heartache to NUFC supporters. With Carroll sale, our team strategy changes. Nolan won't be as affective and without a proper premier league striker, we won't see many high scoring games. I will still support the club, but now I'm looking to see what disastrous step is Ashley taking rather then seeing which team we are gonna upset.

Posted by Matt on 02/02/2011

@chris - Remarkably similar story to how I got to newcastle. But now looking at it I cant help but wojdering if I will regret choosing them, at least in regular teams you have a good chance to advance forward but with the way the team has been since I began has made me just stop buying all things nufc and really just hating the ownership. I hope this team is not stuck in a rut the rest of my life or it's gonna be a long haul for me

Posted by Julio on 02/02/2011

I don't think that losing Carroll is disastrous for the club in the long term.

For me, it's just unbelievably stupid that we haven't lined up a replacement. We were short of strikers before he betrayed us!

Posted by Dave on 02/02/2011

I've been a Newcastle follower from afar (Newcastle, Australia) since I was able to watch real football on TV (yes, before the internet!).

I was devastated when KK left the club back in 1997 - an immediate, awful feeling of defeat. On reflection, this was nothing compared to the ruin that Mike Ashley has brought down on this incredible club. A club that deserves success for the loyal fans that have lived through 14 years of upheaval.

Shame on you Mike Ashley. Newcastle has never benefited from the short game. If you truly had the club's best interests at heart you would know this and allow the club the stability it needs to develop.

My last visit to St James' Park was before the dark days of Ashley. My next will be after the betrayer has gone.

Posted by redyong on 02/02/2011

i have no doubt whose head was turned by the 30-35m pound offer and it's surely mike ashley. a player who has just signed a new 5yr deal weeks ago has no locus-standi or bargaining chip to demand ANYTHING in january. it makes a lot of common sense to believe that ashley saw the big profit and decided to cash in. even if AC develop his potential one year down the road, he probably would not fetch 35m. the price tag was once-in-a-lifetime offer. liverpool isn't a club that would offer that silly money for a relatively greenhorn talent. the truth is, it was silly money but it was not liverpool's coffers. it was roman abramovich's. dont blame AC. blame the moneybags at NUFC. they want the money, and they only way to get their hand on it was to ease AC out.

Posted by Matt Risbeck on 02/02/2011

35 million pounds makes big Andy the 8th most expensive player in world history! It does leave the club quite short up front, but I don't think anyone saw 35 million coming. It really is a good bit of business for a player who only has 11 premier league goals to his name. I wish he hadn't been sold. But it's not as though we were cheated or robbed of a player on the cheap. We did end up with 35 million.
I think what really bothers us Newcastle fans about this whole thing was the pride we felt as we watched him play. After all the turmoil of the last few years, Newcastle finally had something to be proud of. Something to hang our hats on despite the idiot Ashley. "Oh yea, well we've got Carroll" we could say. He was a local lad who enjoyed playing for the club, and was becoming one of the top strikers in the league. For me, the fact that we won't be watching him in the black and white shirt any more is what is really upsetting about the whole thing.

Posted by Louis Lai on 02/02/2011

Wake up man(Tooner Supporter) stop arguing... What is past is past!!! From now on we must look foward!!! Altough Andy Caroll is goon... but we still have new strike forces Nile Ranger and Leon Best... Both of them have the potential and they are young with bright future to go with NUFC!!! Yeah!! Way to go Newcstle United!!! Me born as Magpies,live as magpies and die also magpies!!!!!!

Posted by HRK on 02/02/2011

entire saga is very disappointing

Posted by HRK on 02/02/2011

For one thing I don't blame the manager or the club. I think Carroll forced the issue onto the club when he demanded to renew his contract as soon as he heard that a 30mil offer was turned down. He twisted the arm of the club - either match the salary from Liverpool or I want a transfer. His previous contract was only 3 months old. I agree with Pardew that a player can't hold a club for ransom, by asking a pay increase everytime another club puts an offer on a player..if that is the case, every player will be asking a pay rise every week. At the end of the day, it was Carroll who put pen to paper. As for Ashley, he is there for the money and to him that is just a business transaction. He is not there to benefit the needs of the geordie nation, the community in which the club's past, present and future existence is bound to.

Posted by adam on 02/02/2011

35m for caroll was a good deal for NUFC, what was a bad deal is not getting a replacement, when liverpool was unloading Torres they made sure they got a replacement actually two. Now if you want a big club mentality, there one mr perdew

Posted by Michael Latimer on 02/02/2011

I have utterly lost my faith in the whole world of Football.. It has turned players into commodities to be sold like pieces of meat. Agents feeding these young lads with what they want to here and what they can get for them in the short term... it makes me sick. The Lad Carroll is hardly old enough to make decisions for himself so these money grabbing SOB's are making all the decisions for him putting spins on things he can understand. If he stayed he could have had Shearer legend status and when Ashley has gone we might have a club worthy of the name. This is the worst thing Ashley could ever have done for this club.

Posted by Chris D on 02/02/2011

Everyone keeps saying how this is "Good Business" and all that. Sure it is, if we can buy our way to a mid table position. Thank you Mr. Duffy for finally being the voice of reason to let everyone know that this cash we just got means NOTHING! There's no guarantee it goes to anything to improve the club.

I was always worried about the result with Ameobi starting when someone like Carroll or Martins was not in the starting 11 and now it looks like he's our go-to guy?? That really helps bring on that queasy feeling in your stomach.

Lets just pray that Ben Arfa comes back as fast as possible.

Posted by Mo Anas on 02/03/2011

I believe the actual matter that bothers Toon fans the most is that the 35mil ends up in Ashley's pockets of all places! And it is hard to trust a man that had tried to make a circus out of selling NUFC (twice and failed, for the total wreck of finances that he and prev owners Sheps had turned the club into) with many fans realising that for Ashley the realistic option left for this clown is to milk the club dry while he could.

How can the gaffer manage week in, week out, if the owner's philosophy is sell, sell sell, say KingKev because that is exactly what is happening to NUFC. You need an astute wheeler dealer ala Redknapp that can win matches at the same time, and we tried many - Big Sam including.

It's either Ashley out, or Redknapp in. But for a while now it seems that the circus is here to stay.

Posted by Lo Sconosciuto on 02/03/2011

@Chris D - Maybe it's a good thing Ben Arfa was hurt. Ashley would have tried to flog him too, even though Money Mike doesn't even own him.

Posted by Carl P on 02/03/2011

Going on my 15th year as a supporter of NUFC; I am not surprised by this sale, I am surprised by the short-sidedness of it however. Watching that "game" against Fulham today is a peek into the future. Best, Ranger, Bambi, not much quality there. Watching Oba get plucked from Russia on account of homesickness was an extra kick in the teeth. Why not pick him up on loan if they knew they were tossing Carrol? Ashley, DL, Pardew, steering the lads straight back down, with no one on the books to pull them back up.

Posted by Joseph G on 02/03/2011

First was the sack of Hughton, then he hired a joker into the club as manager, now he let go of our prize asset, ok... EX prize asset.

He got the tails of every NUFC fans didn't he? He knew the fans will get behind the club no matter what and filled his pocket with their money.

What am I trying to say? Let's move on. The day Ass-ley is in the club, there can never be peace and progress.

Posted by wing on 02/03/2011

I share the sentiment of Latimer, I too have lost faith in the game I love. I'm a Gooner. A top 4 side year after year, but we too had lost key players almost every season to the bigger clubs. We got a manager who want to BUILD a team. But is it really possible today? U look at Villa, when going get tough, they went and rob away Sunderland's top scorer and literally killed off any hope of Sunderland making CL. Chelsea, when going get tough, all they needed to do is to steal the best players from their rivals. Liverpool did the same to Newcastle. So, HOW to BUILD a team? The only way to win anything these days seems to be - BUYING it. If u wanna do things the right way, to BUILD a team, you are an idoit. And that's the football world today. It really start killing the love inside of me for my favorite sports - football. cos it's probalby the only sports which had no FAIR PLAY spirit whatsoever.

Posted by ritchie forster on 02/03/2011

read this link to a different slant to perhaps a similar problem or concern.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11695_6714946,00.html

I think Matt Risbeck 19 hours, 9 minutes ago makes a very good point ..."I think what really bothers us Newcastle fans about this whole thing was the pride we felt as we watched him play." ... I hope this is n't ... 'the fall'.

Posted by someone on 02/03/2011

Good article. Sad to see Carroll leave, and another reason to hate Mike Ashley as sympathy overflows from other understanding fans.

Thank God he's not the chairman of my club. But anyway, those who wish Carroll well and will welcome him back when he does, good for you guys, for those who accuse him of blackmailing the club, F you guys. You think you know what REALLY happened behind the scenes? Are you Alan Pardew or something? Are you Derek Llambias? I am not a Newcastle fan but it's this kind of thankless maggot fans who rile me up.

Posted by Joseph on 02/03/2011

As a supporter from the US (Pittsburgh) of Newcastle since 1997 this one really ripped at my emotions. I do not know how the Geordie faithful can continue to stay loyal with Ashley there. I admire your support. The club continues to lose key players every year, managers, no trpophies, no top 4 finishes, the Keegan debacle 2 years ago, suffering through relegation, letting Chris go this year......it is all mind numbing.

Posted by twm on 02/03/2011

That's it. First, Hughton; now, Carroll. It's useless debating whether Carroll wanted to leave or not - no one in his right mind who gives two hoots about this club could have let him go at that crucial moment with the kind of strikeforce we have at our disposal now.

True, Carroll's probably not worth 35m now, but he's young and brimming with potential. More importantly, you can't run a club without a decent striker - and that's exactly what we're left with now. Did Ashley and his lackey Pardew really think we can get by just with Nolan's goals?

Ghastly, naive vultures.

Posted by R1zz on 02/03/2011

It was sad to see AC leave - especially with all the bad-mouthing going on all ways. The vicious cycle of public blame when no-one reading the "facts" from the "reliable" sources "close to" the involved parties actually know what went on. And having seen years on end what goes on in NUFC, I expect a "splash" of maybe 10-12M£ of the fees gained as "substantial" investment.

Players move, and I've been gutted through the years to see people leave my club, felt joy or embarrassment over signings etc.

Now some say here that you cannot build a team. Some say you cannot buy a team. Well, I think both are right. The ideal to me would seem, as in my native Finland, that you have a strong basis of domestic with a few homegrown in the mix, and the buys are REINFORCEMENTS. Blood a few kids every year, buy the RIGHT PIECES, and keep the core. Look at ManU, mid-table clubs, they seem to be doing decently at it.

I think my team is doing quite well in that dept too. Oh, it's Leeds on the up.

Posted by Ian on 02/03/2011

I enjoyed the article and comments. I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember many of these instances - I aslo remember Supermac, Terry MacDermott and Alan Kennedy all being sold before we even get to Waddle and the like. It has been going on for a long time - an old mate of mine always reminded the the same happened with Albert Stubbins.

The point I'd like to mention is I think there is only a point to which Andy carroll can be held responsible. The club appeared adamant that he wasn't for sale when Spurs made their bid and yet L'pool came in and I don't think they were ever told that he "wasn't for sale"?

It is easy to say what you would do if you were him-I'd pledge my future to Newcastle (naturally) and be happy that I was fulfilling a childhood dream. That's of course until my contract was about to come up and they decided to sell me anyway. Howay the lads.

Posted by Texas Red on 02/03/2011

I definitely feel sorry for all you Newcastle fans. As a huge fan of your beer :) Newcastle holds a soft spot in my heart. Unfortunately because of Liverpool's situation, I would rather feel sorry for you than for myself. Fernando Torres is the real criminal here--to us and to you. Because of the complete douchebaggery of his manner to leave the club, we had to make a fast decision, unfortunately for you that decision was to overpay for your star player. We had no real choice, as he seemed to be one of the only players available at the very last minute. I hope that Pardew and the Ashley hog can utilize the money not to replace Ashley's stained tighty whities, but to buy new players to supplement the veteran and young talent you already have. I desperately hope you stay in the Premier League--I would rather see you there than thugs like Wolves or Blackburn. Good luck with your endeavors and I hope you beat the s@@@ out of Chelski next time.

Posted by Chris on 02/03/2011

not matter who says what carroll had a contract which he was obliged to fulfill. All cashley had to do was reject the offer. If they didnt want to sell him then they wouldn't have. look at adam's situation, blackpool said no, he has a contract and so he stays, simple. Its mind boggling that some people are pinning this on carroll. even if he had asked for a pay rise. No carrol you cannot, u have a 5 year contract, reject the bid and he stays. Not to mention hes a local lad, wearing the number nine jersey. u fat cockney b4stard get out of our club!

Posted by Vinod on 02/04/2011

How does it matter what the players and managers say? It is silly to quote them. Of course they will say they love their club to no end and then make a big money move the next day. We all would. Nothing surprising here. 35m for Carroll is actually a great deal for Newcastle whether the fans like it or not.

Posted by Okobi Stanley on 02/04/2011

It's a pity a club i have always been supporting is falling short of strikers after the sell of Andy Caroll and now, Ameobi is injured,if only the club could just summon courage and venture on this unkwown player am sure the club would live to thank God for the day they ever set their eyes on me, my name is Okobi Stanley, a nigerian base in USA, i have been waiting for opportunity like this to profess what i know best to do to the club i love so much all i just crave is a chance to practice with the club thereafter, i leave the club authourity to judge me if am good enough or not but i tell u "A trial will always convince you" just finance my coming there, right now am not playing for any club cos i stay in an area where soccer is not loved, i wouldn't mind playing on bonuses as long as i play for the club i so much love

Posted by Kevin J on 02/04/2011

At first I was absolutely sick about Carroll being sold. Now that I've ben "talked off the ledge" I'm looking at this a little more pragmatically. First, 35M for Carroll was too much. But those Boston guys know value. They were also helped by Chelski's ridiculous offer for Torres. I'd believe Carroll has the bigger upside than Torres. (I honestly see him leaving for Spain in 2 years) So where does that leave the Toon? It's highly possible that they (we?) are staring at relegation again. The game against Fulham suggests that the Magpies will struggle to score goals. Best. Lovenkrands, Ranger are not the answer. Nice players all, but not in Carroll's league. This leaves Newcastle in a bit of a quandry, stay up and you can spend the 35M to purchase a top flight striker; go down, and the 35M goes towards overhead. The difference in TV $ between the Prem and LC is vast. I'm starting to know what it feels like to be a NY Jets fan and I don't like it.

Posted by jj on 02/04/2011

i think its fair to say we newcastle fans have been on the down since the regime of freddy shepherd. till today i still find the sacking of sir bobby incredibly dumb. look where we have gone since then. bottom table finishes, relegations and what more can i add. and then mike Cashley decides to sack hughton when he's done a great result bringing us up and playing some decent football.

Posted by blurgtheamoeba on 02/04/2011

I can't see hw this deal makes sense in any shape or form. 1. I disagree that this is a once in a lifetime offer. I believe in two seasons, developing at home, AC would have been worth that amount anyway, and we could have sold him if he really was that greedy then. We have no replacements. Free transfers omg! 2. Financially, the club has been devalued. Which big name would now sing for alan efing pardew who might have come to play alongside carrol. If we do spend the money (unlikely) in the summer, we will buy either two overpriced gambles or ma bunch of substandard players who together could not match the quality and potential we lost. I hope i am wrong here. 3. I am afraid we are going down again. Pardew does not give me confidence in a relegation fight. 4. Finally, until and unless there is some effort made to sound out the fanbase and to link them to the club mamagement, these descisions are bound to happen. I am proud to be a mag. We will still stick by the club.

Posted by Todd on 02/04/2011

The money was right, the offer too good to refuse, but as the article rightly points out - there was no contingency plan and there is no chance of that money being spent on new players

Posted by don on 02/06/2011

I'm a Newcastle fan, but I think the deal was good for both Carroll and the Club. For Carroll, he will have a chance to play in Europe, which is every player's dream, I guess. I believe that playing at Liverpool will lift his game and help him grow as a player, especially the players around him are better than what we have at St. James' Park. Plus, he will be getting 4 times of his current salary. Who wouldn't be attracted by this???

As for the Club, it was a good business. I don't think anybody would argue that Carroll is worth 35M pounds. Without a doubt, he is good, but he is not THAT good. Anyways, hopefully we will get some good signings and add some depths to the squad in the summer. Otherwise, we will be talking about fighting against relegation every season.

Posted by Fergie on 02/07/2011

Don't get me wrong, I don't like Ashley and I think the sale of Carroll is a disgrace and that the money will not all be reinvested (or will but including wages: a kop out).

HOWEVER, in answer to your question:

"do me a favour and remind me where the tens of millions from Milner, Given, Beye, N'Zogbia and then Martins, Bassong, Duff etc went. Thanks."

On the ludicrous wage bill in the Championship that helped us to keep our best players and return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Posted by Effendy on 02/09/2011

I am from Malaysia and a true fan. People dont believe me when I say that Newcastle would come back from 4-0 and they will score 5 goals. They did but one of them was offside. So i was still right.

Anyway what i am trying to say is I was right and I am right here saying that Andy carroll was overpriced. I mean i was disappointed when he was sold, but 35m is a good sale. And i believe Ranger can be a better player than carroll. You heard if here first.

Actually i am waiting for Marc to write an article on our greatest comeback. Where is it?

Posted by dj on 02/14/2011

good money, bad timing. we were left with no time to replace. at the end of the day we cud buy 10 tioies with that money. I dont like ashley, but if he does reinvest the money into good quality new players then i will hav a bit more respect for him, although worryingly i doubt this will happen. Im proud to be a geordie. i think wel survive this season. wats dissapointing is this is the season we could qualify for europe. all clubs are taking points off eachother. The mackems are s*** and luk at them, sitting in 6th. once again dissapointment and frustration. rant over

Posted by Aaron on 02/24/2011

What about Michel Bastos of Lyon!? Lisandro Lopez is another fantastic option as well. Bastos is very versatile and underrated on the left back/left wing. Lisandro would replace Carroll just fine. Both are just 27! Whatever we do, we MUST spend wisely!

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