Cabaye

He won't be replaced, at least not adequately. I suspect we're going down.

 

Is that you Mr T?

 

This.

Mike public tells people £25m so it just about fits.
If he does go, I thank him for all of his efforts and look forward to a good spending spree.

 

A touch overly dramatic maybe?

 

Not that it's always a true reflection of what's happening but sky have suspended betting on Cabaye signing for Monaco. It's normally done just to cover any potential losses though rather than based on the actual goings on.

 

Bought an orange away top with Cabaye 4 on after seeing him play in his first game. He just seemed to ooze class and did things instinctively, almost always pulling off what he was going for. However he's just one man and life will go on without him.

 

Siem de Jong is a great shout to replace Cabaye, especially if he wants to come. Would rather have a player who's got leadership qualities and has his head in the right place than one who's just had a poor season and bouts of depression, harsh as it may seem.

Also, I suspect Cabaye was initially brought in as a potential replacement captain for an outbound Coloccini, in reality he's shown himself to be too much of a dirty player to command the respect of referees, and if Colo's staying next season Cabs may see himself dropping off the radar for the French national side without the captain's armband raising his profile.

If we get good money for him, sell him. Even without De Jong we're looking at a potential 3 man midfield of Anita, Tiote and Sissoko who on form would hold their own against most teams in the Prem. Would ideally like to see some more attacking finesse there though.

 

For that kind of money it's a no brainer. There was a time when no amount of money would have been enough to convince me that he should leave, but last season, injuries taken into account, he was really poor.
His attitude and discipline concerned me also. He can be a nasty little beggar when rattled and picks up too many cautions for my liking. Have to admit l was one of those who backed him for the captaincy when Colo was out, but have to admit, that he hasn't got what it takes.
Of Monaco want to spend stupid money on Cabaye, let them have him. Everything about him recently says he doesn't want to be at Newcastle. Cash in and move on.

 

Great minds!

 

Indeed we are x

 

Sky have suspended betting on Yohan Cabaye.

Although Yohan Cabaye is a technically gifted player, €28m would be a completely overwhelming offer. Providing we spend £7.5m of it on Will Hughes as well as investing into our youth academy and higher quality facilities for them we ought to be laughing.

We should be listening to offers for the majority of our imports and focus on domestic players who not only boast technical ability but also the required mental attributes to form a great team. The lack of talent we offer the national team is just criminal, having such little talent from the academy and indeed our own nation is quite indicative to the poor state of the club on many levels. It needs changing and we need less of the bunch who are using the club to get to other clubs such as AC Milan.

 

The point you make about improving the academy is really important, it's an obvious failing in the current set-up and essential to the long-term development (and cheap financing) of the club. But I really don't get the brick wall mentality you seem to have about British players; a lot of the time they're no good, most of the time they're overpriced, and the vast majority of them would rather play in Manchester, Liverpool or London than here. So the net result is that we get the scraps that the other clubs don't want. It's a losing strategy.

By all means if we improve coaching at the youth level and at grassroots level in the local area we will see players coming up who are also fans. But seriously, Danny Simpson and Dan Gosling are also rans, and if they were any good they wouldn't be playing at Newcastle United.

 

Your reply was well thought out and has the right questions so I'll try my best to give the right answers.

The first point you made which I've highlighted is your accurate comment regarding the standard of the national team is admittedly a much lower standard to the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and even France and Belgium not to mention that Scotland and Wales are closer to catching England up than we are in catching Germany or Spain. My reasoning for this is merely the lack of options that Stuart Pearce and also the lightly talented manager/coach that is Roy Hodgson actually have and that is certainly not helped by clubs like us who can realistically offer only Steven Taylor to the senior squad and Gael Bigirimana and Adam Campbell to the u20 team.

Your second point is the over inflated prices of English players and I totally agree, When you have Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Joe Allen being sold for obscene fees although they are very good players. Having said that, talented English players at a good age can be bought for reasonable fees providing you look at the right places; for example.

Burnley Striker Charlie Austin: Value - £4.5-£6m Potential Value - £7m - £12m
Blackpool Wide Forward Tom Ince: Value - £6m - £8m Potential Value - £10m - £18m
Peterborough Forward Dwight Gayle: Value - £2.5m - £3.8m Potential Value - £6.5m - £14m
Birmingham Winger Nathan Redmond: Value- £2.7m - £4.3m Potential Value - £6.8m - £10m
Leicester Winger Ben Marshall: Value - £2.7m - £3.2m Potential Value - £6m - £8.5m
Derby Midfielder Will Hughes: Value - £7m - £10m Potential Value - £16.5m - £22m
Millwall Midfielder Liam Trotter: Value - £2.5m Potential Value - £5m - £7m
Ipswich Full Back Aaron Cresswell: Value - £4m - £4.5m Potential Value - £7m - £10m
Huddersfield Keeper Alex Smithies: Value - £3m - £4m Potential Value - £6m - £9m

I'm also sure somebody with a better knowledge or even somebody who is even more sad than I can come up with a better list from of the top of his head.

 

If this is true, at least he's going to a foreign league. I'd have hated seeing him play in the Prem for another team. Was a great little player for us and was one of the major reasons we finished 5th in 2011/12. Good luck to him at Monaco, and hopefully we can sign an adequate replacement

 

Didn't Blackpool just quote £14 million for Tom Ince ? When Holloway enquired about him. Not that realistic if true, but you know what paper talk is like so who knows.
Nathan Redmond looked a really sharp and talented prospect and is definitely the kind of youngster we should be seeking to sign.

 

It's a great deal if it happens but he won't be easy to replace. Whoever we get needs to have the experience and temperament to set the tempo of our play. De Jong could do it, maybe even Rodwell, but he's more direct, finding a player with the required level of skill and composure won't be easy, although I could see Anita doing a good job. We'll see, it's a real test of Ashley, but if we get this money it will fill the coffers to ensure we strengthen the squad properly.

 

Ian Holloway was quoted those figures for the two of Ince and Phillips

 

Marin also could be possible, or de Bruyne on loan.

 

Ah, now that makes a little more sense, still a bit steep though.

 

He'll be hella easy to replace. Anita's bored.