[Blue Baggie]

Sam won't suffer any fools and he has a clean sheet. No favourites or automatic selections. Interesting few coming weeks.

[drewks]

OK so here we go - speculation starts on what Big Sam will do:

Tomkin (Palace) and Tosun (Everton) links already plus tenuous connections with Ayew (Swansea) and Gray Watford).

Interesting. Sam will obviously know the first 2 there pretty well, and know they can do a job for us

[Slick_Footwork]

Based on history, I think Sam will be looking to sign a combinative defensive central midfield player.

He's always gone for one of those in previous roles and considering we're crying out for one, I think history will repeat itself.

[WBA-Josh]

I'd be happy with Tomkins and Tosun. Tomkins and Ajayi should in theory create a solid base to the team and Tosun would give us another option up front to Grant and Robinson. Of course it could be just putting 2 and 2 together by the newspapers.

A defensive midfielder to partner Livermore is very important. That way we'll have a strong spine to the team and Gallagher can play further forward as a 10.

[Blue Baggie]

Now the dust has settled, I hope Sam brings a few in from the cold
Kipre - Grosicki - Field - Harper - Gibbs - Peltier - Austin all have something to offer if not get rid of them

[Slick_Footwork]

Andy Carroll linked.

Not sure if there is any truth or paper talk as he was previously managed by Allardyce. Would be a risk given his injury record, but would certainly give us a plan B. I actually watched Newcastle beat West Ham in the 1st game of the season and Carroll started that game and played well, so was surprised he was subsequently dropped. I wouldn't be opposed to it on loan as he's a lot different to what we have and could be a good foil for Grant if we went 2 up top.

[drewks]

Andy Carroll linked.

Not sure if there is any truth or paper talk as he was previously managed by Allardyce. Would be a risk given his injury record, but would certainly give us a plan B. I actually watched Newcastle beat West Ham in the 1st game of the season and Carroll started that game and played well, so was surprised he was subsequently dropped. I wouldn't be opposed to it on loan as he's a lot different to what we have and could be a good foil for Grant if we went 2 up top.

I agree. I've always quite liked Carroll - I think he's got more to his game than a lot give him credit for.
As you say though Slick, his fitness has always been an issue; for 'a big strong boy' he spends an awful lot of the time out injured

[BaggieSteve]

Andy Carroll linked.

Not sure if there is any truth or paper talk as he was previously managed by Allardyce. Would be a risk given his injury record, but would certainly give us a plan B. I actually watched Newcastle beat West Ham in the 1st game of the season and Carroll started that game and played well, so was surprised he was subsequently dropped. I wouldn't be opposed to it on loan as he's a lot different to what we have and could be a good foil for Grant if we went 2 up top.

If only there was a Plan A

[Baggiebob(BBB)]

Now the dust has settled, I hope Sam brings a few in from the cold
Kipre - Grosicki - Field - Harper - Gibbs - Peltier - Austin all have something to offer if not get rid of them

Kipre -
Grosicki I'd like to see, seeing G has been scoring goals for country and 2nd team.

Andy Carroll linked.? Maybe as we have taken a few injury prone players in the past few years.

Seems that Livermore has blotted his copy book already.

[Baggievicar]

Andy Carroll...Victor Anichebe...Daniel Sturridge...
If he could be guaranteed to stay fit, yes.