According to the Sunday sun, Charlie boy is caught between us, them up the road and the hub cap thieves for his next and maybe his last big move. Nothing new here of course but with Liverpool seemingly chasing Downing as their number one target and the lad himself wanting to go there; noocarsel, according to the Sun are eying up new potential targets should they miss out, the feeling for me is straight forward. We've chased this lad for 18 months now. Bruce knows the lad and the lad knows Bruce. Both are comfortable with each other and there is simply no info or mention of the lad from the corridors of powers to be at SAFC, OR the lad himself. he would be first choice here and the big signing of the season for us. He could link up with a manager he admires and knows is wanted by. Am I the only person who is convinced more and more as the days roll on, that the deal is practically done for us? I think he is destined to be a black cat next season and I reckon the only thing holding up the deal is Wigan replacing him beforehand and that's the reason its all gone very quiet. I may be totally wrong of course but I just get the feeling that the nitty gritty of the deal has been done and the announcement imminent.
Not so sure mate... I have a sense that his demands are holding things up, which gives me an uneasy feeling about this deal.
I think if it were that simple, the club would have moved on and targeted other alternatives. The fact that all parties seem very casual about events leads me to believe that the deal has been done. Its all about Wigan keeping their fans happy by selling N'Zog and replacing him immediately with a new face. He is our number one target and has been for 12 months and if were not going to happen, I think it would have been put to bed by now and a new left wing target mentioned. We are linked with NO other left sided midfielders at all to my knowledge.
If it came down to just us two in the race, I think we would win it. He has already admired us, everyone apparently close to him has said he would love a return. He has kept his house in Newcastle and would be a first choice player here. @MsiDouglas thinks he will come to NUFC, Luke Edwards thinks he will go to SAFC, Lee Ryder thinks he will come to NUFC, no one knows. One thing is for sure, if he chose one of us, neither of us match up to that 'big move' for him.
He could live in Newcastle and play for us. However, I think hes off to the mags. I think he will probably choose them over us if they have an offer in going off what I've read in the chronicle but I am also aware that what was said could have been took out of context. Fingers crossed still !
We were in for downing and I think whelan would be reluctant to sell to us, he will want to sell to villa
I have a differing view Cest but like you rightly say, who knows. I think he sees us and Newcastle as second best and its Lierpool he wants, if they go for him he will join them but I think they see Downing first choice. To me he knows we want him and have for some time,Wigan have said he can go and I would assume we have bid what they want so if its us he should be here. Newcastle wanted him in Jan and I'm sure have bid what Wigan want so same applies. If all these assumptions, and thats all they are, are correct then at best we get a player who sees us second choice, same with Newcastle. I think we both should say sign now or forget it.
sorry but i dont think you have a chance with this one, its tough to get players to play in the north east but if they're gonna come here then we are the bigger draw imo. then again i think he will go to liverpool so it doesnt matter who is more attractive in the north east dose it.
But its whether he wants a new challenge or too pick up where he left off. He might see Newcastle as a club which are going less places then when he left or he might see them as a club who are rebuilding for top 7
In all honesty, and I know I will get shot down for saying it, I can no longer get excited about him and I hope he goes to you or Liverpool. I just get a very bad feelng that if we do get him it will all end in tears, 18 months is long enough for me.
Under the Halls and Keegan I think you are right but today, Newcastle are seen as a bit of a joke mate and not just on Wearside. Your club no longer has any aura about it, other than that which Fat Mike has put there. It ain't a good one. We are a very settled club with good owners and a chairman respected and loved far outside of Sunderland and the NE. We have a manager that N'Zogbia knows and has played under successfully already and if he were geographically unsure of us it would be the same for you. We are after all only 10 miles apart. Where he lives is immaterial as many SAFC players live north of the tyne and many noocarsel players live south of it too. No-one thinks he would be living in Southwick or Witherwack do they? I think Badger (cant believe I am agreeing with him) has hit the nail on the head though. Whichever of the two he could chose, it wont be the big move he craves and Liverpool will always be his first choice. Whether they see it that way will determine the battle of the two NE clubs is to begin in earnest.
I think the truth is somewhere in between you frenchy and cest. I dont think there is any doubt the Newcastle has been a far bigger draw than Sunderland for a long time, it could still be to a player who knows little but history about the two clubs. Newcastles off field problems with Ashley sent all the wrong messages out then your relagation set you back. Gyan and Sess, IMHO, have done a lot to lift Sunderlans image and in N'zog we have a player who know the clubs, the history and importantly the set up and manager.
As much as I agree we are not as big as what we were, you still only finished 1 point ahead. It seems you are making yourself out to be a better attraction, yet you haven't done anything to make yourself noticed outside of England. We have signed Cabaye, who has decided to give up Champions League football to come and play for us, same with Ben Arfa, Tiote, all gave up CL football to come here. Our French attraction at the moment will stand out to N'Zogbia, he will have mates here, and will realise that Blanc is more than likely to come and watch 4 of them, rather than just himself at Sunderland.
Difference is that their CL football was also playing in a league with hardly any coverage and nowehere near the money - they've just stuck themselves in the window by going to Newcastle. N'zogbia signing for Newcastle when a large number of the fans have slated him?? Would definitely be clever really when half of your fans hate him
He didn't exactly get the best reception off yourselves. The thing we have in our favour is that he has already stated he thinks we are a big club and enjoyed his time here.
SSN were earlier saying that Liverpool had turned their attentions to Lennon after a failed attempt to lure Downing. Not sure how true this is but that's what they were saying anyway. Could end up a two horse race for N'Zog and I think Brucie will swing it our way. Finances will dictate where he goes and with Newcastle's wage cap I think we will get our man.
I'm confused now, you were all saying we were paying Demba Ba 60k a week, barely a wage cap is it? You won't be able to offer much more than us, that's if you can in the first place. Wish it was over though.
