After the shock announcement that we had agreed to sell Jonathan Woodgate to Real Madrid, Newcastle-Online asked for your thoughts on the sale and as ever the response was brilliant.

Steve M - It’s all good and well us taking the money now but if we do not sign a replacement of equal quality quickly (like who??) then Freddy Shepherd can kiss goodbye to the Champions League, for next season anyway. You don’t get anywhere selling your best players.

Micky C - Don’t think we can really judge this one until replacement(s) are bought. I hope one of Gallas, Upson, Hyppia or King comes along with Michael Dawson from Forest and that Andy Reid too with whatever is left over.

Sam A - I say Good Luck to him. It’s not his fault he’s the best defender in England and if Real Madrid came knocking for me, despite my undying love for NUFC, i’d probably move as well. I just wish we had held out for slightly nearer the 15m mark. If Woody goes, that’s fine but there’s no point in just having this money in the bank we need to replace him, and quick. I don’t mind if we don’t buy as technically sound a player as Woodgate was and is, but we need someone who is considered at very least international class, established and will lead the back line. Can we get Gallas? probably not but that is the direction we need to be looking in order to replace Woodgate.

Best of luck to him but if we don’t bring in a player of similar quality by the end of the transfer window, it’ll be a complete waste of time, no matter how much money we get in return for his services as it will mean another year playing with sub-standard defenders for what we are trying to achieve. I would like to see Mellberg, Gallas or even Jaap Stam arrive. Just someone with proven, consistent quality and not an up-and-comer as before. If we sell proven quality, we have to replace it with proven quality. Not a Matt Dawson or Calum Davenport. Someone who we will recognise as the man we can rely on as a calming influence. An influence that unfortunately is not provided in O’Brien and Bramble when played together. Good Luck Robson, do us proud.

Harry H - The facts state he’s only been fit for less than half his available games, maybe the management know more than we do?

Scott - When sir bobby sold Woody he would have something up his sleeve. Word has it (from a source) Sir Bobby’s on the verge of singing an Argentinian.

Edmundo - Not happy but 37 out 128 matches is not a good return on 9 million, good luck to him, Man Utd nor Liverpool can stop Real Madrid taking a player so its not surprising. But we had better sign at least two extra defenders to fill the void.

Andrew - There was a double page spread in the Times sports page some months ago where they interviewed Woodgate. The one thing that came over very clearly was his desire to play in the Champions League, and thus guarantee his place in the England squad. We’re out of the Champions League so I’m not really that surprised he’s going. At least Beckham will have someone to talk to what with Owen and Woody! Might keep him out of trouble and who knows might do England some good!

D.Anderson - Sorry to see him go - he was class although he was bothered with injuries. WHO is going to replace him, we can’t go the whole season with a back four which is just above average in ability, surely not - hope you have someone in mind Sir Bobby.

Patrick D - Best defender the Toon has ever seen and he bogs off to Madrid. Cant blame him but we had something special brewing, stars like Kluivert, Shearer, Butt, Milner, England bound Ameobi and all we needed was a good defence. Woodgate was the answer and now the plans have been torn up. Shame really. It’s odd though how Real have gone for 3 English players in their team now. Beckham, Owen and now Woody. I am anxious of the Woody replacement though, probably be some lazy arse who is over rated. 9 million for Woodgate was best buy ever (apart from 15 mil Shearer). I don’t think we can replace Woodgate, sadly.

Robert P - Really disappointed about this. We were so close to building a class team-the reason why we did not get CL this year is because Woody got crocked in the Chelsea match with a few matches to go. Hope we can replace him properly.

Max W - I am very sad to see him go but 14m for someone who is injured half of the season is good business. I would love for us to get Gallas but not too keen on Huth.

Rod M - For one, this Woodgate scenario has riled me. However, it’s not as though we have sold our most consistent defender is it. However, we’ll be lucky to do that if Shepherd, Robson et al don’t pull there fingers out and give Bernard the new contract he bloody well deserves. Fair enough it’s bad that Woodgate has gone but it would be a disaster if Bernard were to go for free at the end of his contract cos of some mix up between his agents and the money grabbers who “run” this so called team.

Dylan - Good business, now let’s get two good central defenders in. (Gallas and Cannavaro would do nicely)

Paul B - If he’d have played in over 100 games of the 128 games during his stay instead of 30 odd we would still have lost him. Except we’d have got £30M+ for him - because he’s the best defender I’ve ever seen in a b&w shirt. Can’t blame the lad for wanting to take a step up in his career and earnings. Good luck to him - and you never know, he might be back one day. Let’s hope so.

Nick R - Doesn’t this leave us with only two centre backs? One of which is Titus Bramble? If a replacement isn’t brought in, and I’m afraid to say that I don’t see one coming, we can say goodbye to any chance of top 4.

Shaun S - Woody was class but he’ll not be missed, how could he be, he rarely plays. £14m is good business, lets just see who comes in to replace him, he’ll soon be forgotten.

JP - If SBR has a good replacement already lined up for Woody, then fine. However, if no new player is forthcoming, then Freddy’s claim that we aren’t a selling club will be utter bollocks, and we can kiss any chance of a top 4 finish goodbye.

John P - Oh Dear! Transfer window closes soon and now we’ve left ourselves with a big pile of cash and a desperate need for a centre back. My worry is that there isn’t a replacement out there who’d want to come to St. James’ and we’ve yet another season of Titus booting the ball out for opposition goal kicks and failing to intercept a single cross! I can’t wait. Although the Toon fan in me is absolutely gutted Woodgate would go, If I was a Smog fan, playing for the Toon and Real Madrid wanted me, I’d be gone like a shot!!! Darren Ambrose opposed to Beckham, Larry Robert opposed to Zidane, Ameobi (3rd choice forward) opposed to Owen (also probably 3rd choice striker!!). For someone with no real ties to the club, not a hard decision to make??

Antonio - As a Real Madrid supporter I was a bit surprised when Woodgate’s name was first mentioned because it isn’t exactly in line with the type of purchases Florentino Perez has made in the past 4 years - especially in terms of his off-the-field behavior nor in his public profile. However, for most fans, myself included, any defensive help is welcome. Also, it seems he was an explicit petition of the coach Jose Antonio Camacho, and in order to convince Floren to spend 20m euros for a player such as previously mentioned, and also injury-prone, he must have something special. Real Madrid has one of the best, if not the best, sports medicine depts. in world football so from my point of view I’m not very worried about injuries, nor am I about his behavior (not with Camacho as his coach), but rather about his adaptation to a very technical league where defenders are expected to be able to play the ball out of danger, to a team with very demanding fans, to a new culture and language (though I read he has been learning Spanish), and maybe most importantly to the man who will be his new partner, Walter Samuel.

Joe Q - Shepherd is a business man and wants as much money as possible he doesn’t care that the Toon have lost their best defender. GET HIM OUT!!!!!!!

No name - Robson talked about a moral duty to the player; I say what about a moral duty to the fans who have paid their money to see top class players pull on the black and white shirt. Shepherd better have two class replacements or he will feel the wrath of the Toon fans.

Artyh - Sad to see him go, a fantastic player, probably the best for a long time at the Toon - but injury prone, and how long will he last before he is crocked again? In real terms a good bit of business for Newcastle IF they spend the money on a top draw defender, problem is who is available and who will actually want to sign?

Eddie T - The sale of woody is absolutely disgusting. Has the club no ambition. No doubt his name was one used to lure Kluivert & Butt to the club, what are they thinking now? are they next, so the club can make a few million profit on their sales. Has Sir Bobby gone soft. We should be adding quality players, who perform when fit. I don’t think anyone would bat an eye if it was Dyer being sold.

Pet Pet - I personally feel that Woodgate is player which Newcastle’s defence needed. Solid and can organise It sad to see him go, but we get the profit of about 3-4mil. Newcastle need him. I am not sure who Bobby will buy? Will the next CB be the same class as Woodgate, or even better? Woodgate is only 24yrs old.

Andy - Absolute catastrophe, only decent central defender we had in our books, and we let him go like that…I speak for many NUFC supporters in Australia when I say it was a real tragedy selling Woody. We better pull our fingers out and find 2 half decent central defenders real quick, otherwise we are in serious trouble. concerned, confused, and hurt. Sydney, Australia.
Richard - Probably good business for a player who was rarely fit. As long as the alleged 13.4 million is spent on a couple of class defenders. Wes Brown can’t get a game at Man Utd so how about him and Southgate for a bit of experience.

Mohamed F - It is a good deal. But Bobby has to find a replacement as good or better than Woody. Gallas (Chelsea), Alex (PSV), Luisao (Benfica), Heitinga (Ajax), Metzelder (Dortmund) or Johnson (Chelsea) are all great players with potential. However, I believe that the best deal would be buying Gallas or Metzelder Chivo would be great but Roma will never sell him.
Andy A - I’m gutted at Woody’s sale, he may not have played many games for us, but when fully fit he was by far our best defender.

Chris B - Football is more farcical than ever. No loyalty to anyone and everyone has their price. Each season every player is up for hire. The logic behind the sale mystifies me. Quality replacement? That’s what we bought him for. I’ll never be back at the Toon…til Saturday when I hope to see Kluivert at the centre of defence. After all he was brought up that way.

My Toon - Players come and go. Our club will survive and we will keep on supporting them whoever comes or goes. We the true fans will always be there.

Ryan - If Woodgate played every game last season and the season before that i’d be mightily pissed off right now. But I’m not pissed off, I’m sad to see him go because the optimist in me thought he would get fit and remain that way for a full season (realistically it will never happen in England). He has a better chance to remain fit in Spain in the warmer climate (though still unlikely). We now have a pocket full of cash and we can buy a couple of defenders, and hopefully a right winger, we have been weak here and we need a great final ball coming in from the right, due to our youngsters not being the finished article quite yet (though they will be). I think the team attitude will be better without him as well, I think when he came to Newcastle he came with a big ego. Anyway I’m not sad to see the back of him (probably the only one).

David - It’s a shame to see such a great defender like him leave, and I personally don’t think we would have sold him if he had played in the vast majority of games during his 18 or so months with us. Because of his injuries, we were never able to play a consistent back four when getting an understanding between fellow defenders is a necessity. There was too much chopping and changing which didn’t allow the unit to gel. We now though, have got decent money for him and also the prospect of dwelling on his replacement. I personally wish him all the best and I am sure the door will always be open for him to return to SJP.

Mark F - What are we going to do, buy players that show massive potential then sell them when they reach there potential? We’re never going to win anything if this keeps on happening. Fat Freddy needs to realise he knows nothing about football and to leave the decisions to the manager. Die hard Geordie my backside!

Zoe F - Even though it pains me to say this, I think that Freddy’s done a good bit of business. Woody was always injured at the wrong moments and never really got a rhythm going. Hopefully we can get a world class defender or rising star like Michael Dawson of Forest to fill that gap in the Newcastle defence.

Matthew - Awful. This is a step backwards. I’m just gutted. We’re supposed to be a big ambitious club, looking to win trophies. Not with this behaviour.

Chris L - I laughed yesterday when I saw the rumours. I thought he was less likely to go then Viera was from Arsenal. I think it’s a disgrace really. I think it puts an end to any realistic hopes of us getting any silver this year. I think it demonstrates the ambitions of the club. We should be getting in another DC to play alongside Woodgate, not flogging him off for half his value.

Tony R - I think the sale is lunacy, I simply cannot see us replacing him within 12 days and the other centre backs we have are no where near up to scratch. Before this sale I thought we needed another quality CB, now apparently we need to get 2, any enthusiasm I had for this coming season has been drained, and I feel robbed. Unless FF really pulls the proverbial rabbit out the hat in the next week I can’t see us qualifying for the Champions League this year.

Very angry fan - I know he might have been injured a bit but why sell him? We have no one to replace. A full season with O’Brien and Bramble at the back doesn’t look good! Please tell us what the F**k Newcastle are doing?

Steve K - Part of me feels distraught because we all know that Woodgate is arguably the best defender in the Premiership on his day. He is so valuable as a player that Real are ready to gamble on his dreadful injury record for the chance to secure a fabulously talented defender. When Woodgate plays his tackles are as valuable as goals. He is a superb player and a superb leader, this can be seen in how well O’Brien/Bramble play when they are beside him. Added to this is the fact that the Toon NEED another central defender to partner Woodgate if they are ever to challenge for the title. Selling him is a hard wrench. On the other hand 15 million for a player who may never play a full season is good business, especially since we are getting a six million return in such a depressed market.

IF, and it’s a big if, Bobby and Fred sign one or two quality central defenders who will stay fit, it will make the difference to the side that Woodgate might have if he was playing. However, Robert Huth, or even Ledley King, are not quality enough to replace Woody. It has to be Gallas, or someone else who is the finished article. No more buying potential…if we want trophies it has to be a top quality defender. As an afterthought, imagine we got this money at the start of the summer. Miguel could be playing on the right side for us, and we could have snapped up one of the top performing central defenders from Euro 2004.

Fireman - Glad to see him go. Great when he’s fit, useless to have on the books with such an injury history. Get Gallas or Bouma.

Mark - I don’t think we should have sold him. He’s the linchpin of our defence and a role model for young aspiring defenders (taylor anyone?). We’ll be worse without him, I have no doubt about that. 13.4 million IS NOT good business considering he’s world-class, I would have expected at least 20mil+ since we now need a replacement equally good unless we’re to go backwards. Once again NUFC looks like it’s run by clowns. Only good thing is he should be a permanent fixture in the England side instead of Rio Ferdinand or John Terry.

Dave O - Great business 13m for a sick note. I hope Real get as much use out of him.

Brook - I have mixed feelings. On the one hand I’m gutted as I thought we were one top class central defender away from mounting a real challenge, now we are two short. I’m sorry but the other centre backs are just not up to it. On the other hand I never really felt he had become a Toon player. Partly because he left Leeds reluctantly, partly because of the lack of appearances and something else I can’t put my finger on. Also he clearly wanted to go as otherwise I don’t think he would have. He’s a truly great player but maybe it is the right move, but only if all of the money is made available to SBR. Fat chance! I’d say Fat Fred has probably earmarked a sizeable chunk for the new manager. Still, even if Bobby doesn’t get it all I personally would be appeased if we bring in a top class replacement, and ideally two, who would play 40+ games a season.

David S - I am absolutely gutted. This caps a terrible passage of time for Newcastle, with the rumours of in-house splits and Dyer’s outburst, the sale of Woodgate was the last thing this club needed. All this sale has achieved is to line the pockets indirectly of Freddy Shepherd and lower fan morale to an even lower level. We were light on good centre backs before the sale of Woodgate, now we are in real trouble at the back. I acknowledge that Woodgate’s injury record is terrible, but I firmly believe that he was going to put that behind him this season. The sale would be fine if we were to go and get two good centre backs, but I fear this will not happen and we will struggle along with what we have got. In a nut shell, we have sold our ambition for £13.4m and once again proved we are a wannabe big club that can’t go that step further to achieve success.

Dan A - Terrible. I realise that when Real come in for a player they are going to get their man. but to not even put up much of a fight to keep him/raise the price, and then turn around and keep Captain Bling at the club after he turns his back on the team; I just have no faith in our chairman or manager now. We wont get anyone near Woody’s quality, and being so close to the transfer deadline, I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t get anyone at all. It’s going to be a long season.

Jonty - If FF rates him the best in Premiership then why have we settled for only half the fee that Utd paid for Rio, eh? If they didn’t want to sell him, then why have we, eh? They have been saying that they couldn’t stand in Woodgate’s way of a move to the biggest club in the world but did he actually ask for the move or was he advised to go because really it boils down to the fact that we are STILL A SELLING CLUB…FACT!

Peanut - Absolutely shocking. What happened to us building a team for the future (around Woodgate). He’s class, and we played so much better with him in the team. See comments on Nufc.com from Freddy and others about a £50m price tag, and if we sold him to Arsenal, we wanted Viera & Henry in return…so much for words. We should never have sold him.

Neil W - Undoubtedly a gifted player - the nearest thing we have to a modern day Bobby Moore. However, I think NUFC did the right thing. With the data available to them, they’ve made the right ‘gamble’. My hope is that they are proven correct and Woodgate ends up injured again in the next 6 months followed by a lengthy lay-off sunning himself in the Spanish sun with Kate, sangria and patatas bravas at his side. But, then again, I’d really like to see him play for England at full fitness - he’s Campbell’s best partner - better than Terry (too slow, scared) and Bart Ferdinand (moments of lost concentration). The true test of whether or not this is the right decision is what NUFC do with the money. For 14 million (plus maybe more from the board) we should be able to get 2 very good defenders (maybe an experienced player and a young ‘un). Overall I think NUFC have been brave on this issue and I’m sure once a footballer decides he’s leaving it’s just a case of getting as much as you can for him as he’ll never honour his contract. Honour is not a word you come across much in football.

Micky S - Woodgate’s sale has left us with a large gap to fill and quickly, especially now the Premiership is under-way. Our defence is prone to hemorrhaging goals as it was and I would have thought it be prudent to sign another top-class centre half BEFORE Woody was sold! My questions would be: How much of the transfer fee will be made available for new signings? (and how much will be banked and paid out in ‘dividends’ to major shareholders) Who will be making the signings Sir Bobby or Fat Fred? Call me cynical but i reckon £5mil on a young centre back to partner O’Brien and then the rest in the NUFC (Shepherd offshore) bank.

Chris B - I can’t believe it personally BUT £14m for a player who only played 30 something games in 1 and 3/4 years can’t be bad. Huge profit for the time he spent here and provided he plays at Real, he will I’m sure become a consistent rock for the English. Now more than ever, a consistent player is badly needed, even if it’s just to keep Bramble out of the 1st XI!

Tombola - I’m gutted that we have lost a player who is probably the best defender in the Premiership. Saying that though Woody has never played more than 23 games in a season in his whole professional career putting him on par with sicknote himself (Darren Anderton). It’s no good to NUFC as a team if his misses more than half the season. And as the transfer market prices seem to be getting more reasonable we could pick up a couple of quality centre backs for the amount we received for Woody. Though unlikely to be as high quality as Woody himself. Gallas is my personal favourite, as too is Upson or even King? I really hope Sir Bobby and Freddy make up for this loss.

Barry L - Gutted!!! The only International class defender at the club has gone. He may not have played many games, but I prefer to look forward to what he might have done. The thought of Bramble and O’Brien in defence worries me. If the club invest in a quality replacement(s), then it’ll probably be good business, but if we sign more “potential”, then we can write the season off again. There are not that many players who are available or will be willing to come, so we need to make sure we buy well. Bouma from PSV or Hyppia would be my preferences, but I, like SBR (allegedly), don’t really have a say in our transfers. Interesting to see what reaction the crowd gives tomorrow. Here we go again!!

Michael B - It could be a good piece of business as he is so injury prone and he hasn’t played for us too many times so with the money we could get a couple of really good centre backs but not Huth. Maybe Gallas, King, Maxwell or Bouma.

Micke - It’s always hard to lose a good player and I think the defense would be very solid with a fit Woodgate in the center. But with the injury problems he has, he would probably only pay about 20 games so in the long run I think it will benefit the club to let him go. Sorry to see him go but hopeful that better things will come.

Jamie P - very very good sale because if i was Real Madrid’s chairman I wouldn’t even pay 3 million for an injured player.

Ed M - I Know, Best defender in UK on his day, but can’t help niggling feeling that 14mill for a player we bought for 9mill and who has played limited football, not really improved and injury prone is good business. Needs to be backed by two quick buys, 1 - Robert Huth, anyone who has the balls to tread on big Al’s balls is solid in my book. 2 - Dawson or the young lad from Coventry, an up and coming youngster as well. TOTAL COST £6 MILLION TOTAL PROFIT £6 MILLION Buy one get one free and cash back, great biz Freddy…

Scott H - as long as we get a decent replacement that actually is available to play for us …..get him sold.

Kevin S - Can’t fathom this one out, far too quick of a sale for me. Shepherd says it was not for the money, well what is the real reason, there is definitely a hidden agenda. Only good business if we get someone in quick, unless this has already been arranged.

Gustav W - This is so god damn fucked up. We can’t get a better player than Woody! He’s the best and it’s wrong to sell him!

Raj - This is a cray crazy deal which we stand to lose out on either way. Woody is by far the best defender in the UK and one of the best in the world. Why do we need to sell him? Do we need the money? How will we replace him? This is one of the worst decisions this club has made. I was gutted when we sold Gazza, Beardsley, Waddle, Cole, Sir Les etc. but I could see a point. Not with Woody I can’t. None at all. Keep up the good work. Regards Raj, Fenham.

Phil - I don’t think anyone can complain. It makes good business sense. Better to have sold him for a decent profit to a Spanish side than to see him at Arsenal or Man U. If he ever did get a full season under his belt there’s no doubt that he’d be gone anyway. Having said that it is sad to see such a great player leave the club. He’s a class act and I wish him well.

Jeff - That is the best bit of business Fat Fred has ever done, use the money to buy King from Spurs and throw in Dyer if Spurs need more incentive. King is going to be a regular in the England side when JW is injured in Spain.

Steve B - We all know what a class act the guy is when he’s fit, we should have been building a defensive unit around him not shipping him out. Its obviously FF seeing pound signs once again, perhaps building a fighting fund for the next manager. Good luck to him in Spain. Perhaps the warmer climate will help him stay injury free after all he ain’t done anything wrong in this, it just stinks when management treat the fans like idiots and try to softsoap them into believing it wasn’t about the money.

Tony A - Well I’m absolutely gutted. I can see two points of view 1. We could be losing one of the best centre halves in the country. 2. We are getting 15 million quid for an injury prone player who, due to injuries has only played something like 38 games in something like two seasons. If Woodgate was fit all the time then I wouldn’t say bugger off to Madrid but personally I think 15 million is a good price for him. I think its a bit like the Gary Speed saga where we were offered 750,000 for someone of his age. All the best Woodgate lets just hope you don’t face us next season in the champs league! *Hopefully*

Mark S - I’m disappointed to be honest…despite him only playing in 28 out of a possible 52 games we have had since his purchase from Leeds. The extremely high potential was still there, the most calming, influential defender we have had for a very long time…and now we have to look for another one. I for one would certainly like to rule out one R. Huth for Chelski - he wouldn’t exactly be popular in the dressing with our current talismanic striker would he???!!! Oh well…that’s my rant over for now. I say good luck to him as a “galactico” and I hope to see him back playing in the most competitive league in the world before long. Kind regards Mark…Howay the Lads!!!!

Dominic D - Considering the injury record throughout his career it has to be a good deal. Better off with someone 80% as good playing 90% of the time. Frankly the deal doesn’t make sense to me but someone has faith. Did anyone hear what the Pope said the other day when he visited Lourdes…just wondering.

Dave D - Upset - Annoyed - Good Business - Always Injured - World Class - Troublemaker? - Need ReplacementS! - Never mind - Good while it lasted - No grudges - Wish him well - Cheers Johnny!

Paul T - £15m is a LOT of money to get for a player who at his best only managed 25 appearances per season, hopefully the chairman will spend the profits on re-strengthening the team before the transfer window closes.

Gary - The club has been very professional in its approach to the sale of Woodgate, they have been dignified in their conduct towards Woodgate and have not impeded the lad in any manner. However, I can not see how the £13.4 million sale of Woodgate is a step forward for the club. At this price Real have acquired arguably one of the best defenders in the world when fit. An offer that is impossible to turn down must surely be in the region of £25 million, not the agreed. With that another quality defender could be sourced along with a handsome profit as payment for all of the associated risks of the sale. At the price agreed, I don’t see that NUFC have done too well out of the deal. I know that when Real identify a target they rarely, if ever, fail in the acquisition. When we played with Woodgate we were defeated very very rarely. I’m not sure where the club goes from here. William Gallas, for example, how much would he cost should Chelsea agree to sell? I’m not sure that there would be much change left over from the money Real have giving NUFC. So what would we have gained? We should certainly get first choice on him when Real choose to let him leave. A Confused Toon fan. Gary.

Peter J - It’s good value 13.5m for a player who never had Newcastle in his heart. Always on the sick bed, always in the sunshine in Ibiza with his lass. Best place for him is Real Madrid. (Well done fat Fred)

Paul D - Its a total joke! We now have just over a week to replace a top class defender, for the fans sake I hope they can come up with someone pretty rapid because we just simply cant challenge for silverware with the central defenders we have at the club at the moment. Fair enough he was injured a lot, BUT when he wasn’t injured he was the best centre back in the country without a doubt. For big Al’s sake and the rest of the Geordie faithful I hope there is a replacement before the transfer window closes because from a personal point of view, its going to be ANOTHER one of those seasons! Whatever happened to Newcastle United aren’t a selling club!

Steve - Potentially one of the best players to wear a black and white shirt. Potentially a persistent sick note. Which one we will never know. We should be excited about an imminent signing apparently. Let’s hope these rumours weren’t created by Shepard as a bit of pre emptive fire fighting.

Marc J - Obviously disappointed to see a world class player, and arguably the best English Centre half around at the moment leave the club, but the fact is he hasn’t played enough due to injury. That coupled with a fee of £13.4m, means we make £4.5m profit on a player who hasn’t, and maybe wouldn’t play that often. I just hope the club invest the money well, in at least one or two replacements for him. We need someone proven to come in for him, not another Titus Bramble! We have enough ‘potential’ at the club, it’s time we bought some proven quality! MJ

Paul H - I don’t think the deal is as cut and dried as it is supposed to seem. You don’t just sell our best defender and one of the best in the world for a £4.5m profit just because it’s Real Madrid! I for one am gutted that he has gone! This should have been his and our season!!

Bella - How can someone out for 3 weeks pass a medical? bobby and freddy says its not about money- what is it about then? 10 days in which to find a replacement-what is it about NUFC and going mental at the start of every season for the last 4 years?

Toddy - I don’t know why we are selling him. For years we have said that we will not let our best players go and now they have let ‘the best centre back in england’ go. Maybe they have some kind of plan involving Dawson or Gallas, but I don’t know what they are doing.

Witters - So long as the replacement is very able and experienced I don’t have an issue with the transfer. Several Leeds fans said to me when we bought him ‘You’ll never get a full season out of him’ which may have been sour grapes at the time but the proof is there to see; 37 appearances out of a possible 128. So my message to Real is ‘You’ll never get a full season out of him’. Hopefully that’s the thinking behind the transfer (not to mention making some cash on him) and with £15m we could get someone nearly as good, not so injury prone and still have some change left over.

Dom H - You have got to be disappointed when a player of his calibre and potential leaves the club we all love. But we all know money talks in this game and to get £14M for a player that has only taken part in 28.9% of Toon games since his arrival you can’t really argue. All I hope (along with you all) is that FF & Bobby’s heads get banged together and they go out and buy two proven centre halves and not ones with, dare I say the word “potential” which was last heard when we signed Titus. Good luck to Woody and thanks for playing for the Toon, it’s been great having you.

Nicky - £13.5m for a player who’s only played in 25% of our games, and making a £4.5m profit has to be good business. If we can get a suitable replacement that will have no injury worry’s, then its gotta be a good deal.

Kristoffer - I feel this is a poor decision from Newcastle’s side, ‘cos they will not find a better player this season at that price. However, we now have to spend wisely. I would go to Italy for Cannavaro or Collocini, ‘coz Gallas ain’t leaving and the rest ain’t good enough. Just my opinion, Kristoffer.

Kris - Its just to bloody stupid for words. £13.5 million so what, in the long run it’s gonna cost us way more than that.

Alvin - This is quite a sad day frankly. Even though he’s not played much for us, he’s always looked class when he does and when he plays, I am always assured that Newcastle will keep it tight at the back when I see them playing on TV. It will be tough to find anyone to replace him and suddenly a season of promise has turned into a season of trepidation for me.

Ragnar S - Jonathan Woodgate is a great player with huge potential. At Newcastle he played very well but like every one knows he was also injured for many games. As a Newcastle supporter I can understand the chairman to sell him and I also understand the fact that Real Madrid is the “Biggest club in the world” and he would like to join them. I think the decision was good for the club but not for the supporters. We always want to have the best of the best but we must understand that we can’t always have what we want. But I would also like to say that there are many players around and I know of one player here in Iceland which is very similar to Woodgate. He plays for the national team who beat Italy 2-0. His name is: Kristján Orn Sigurðsson. I know for a fact that he is very cheap because he plays with KR in Iceland. He is the only player in the national team that playa in Iceland. To be honest I would not like R.Huth because he is very similar to the players we have. We need a strong player which can also run fast. Good job Freddy.
Johnny - I am surprised there are no add-on fees to this transfer, as if Woodgate plays regularly for Real Madrid it is a bad deal for us. However if his current injury record stays the same, it is a good deal as long as we can buy TWO top-class centre-halfs before the deadline.

Shearer S - They tried Campbell, Arsenal were having none of it. They tried Chelsea, having none of it. They try us, 1st attempt accepted, we’ve been mugged.

Carl - Gutted, won’t get a world class defender like Woody for the amount we sold him for, before the the window closes anyway. No one better when fit, Freddy Shepherd is at fault, if SBR didn’t want to get rid of Woody, he should of declined the offer. IMO its time for Freddy to GO.

Kev - Disgrace! How can the club justify this sale? Okay, make a £4.4m profit on him, but hasn’t this sale just cost us £10m in Champs League qualification? What is the aim of the club? I don’t think its trophies somehow. All fans should let known what they think of the board at the match tomorrow. Gutted.

Mike B - We are all aware of the number of appearances Woodgate made for Newcastle, and none of us doubt his outstanding ability when fit. But that’s where the problem lies in my opinion. He’s far too fragile for the role he’s required to play. We need someone who can turn in good performances week in and week out. Someone who can stay fit and when injured, recover from them quickly. Whilst the money we have received is much less than many would have liked, it is still pretty good, especially for someone who is still injured at the time of the sale. If the money is invested quickly and sensibly back into the team, preferably by signing a quality centre back before the transfer deadline, we may all see this as another good deal. I believe the future is still bright for Newcastle and we have some excellent potential in the defenders presently on the books. Whilst Woodgate’s experience will certainly be missed, the disruption to the team through his persistent injury problems will not. I wish him all the best in his new adventure, and will continue to look forward to each and every Newcastle game with the same fervour and relish that I did before he came. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough for me.

Steve R - If we can replace him before the transfer window shuts with a high quality centre half (Gallas) and a young promising centre half then it will be a good deal for both parties. It’s extremely bad news if we have to play until Jan with only O’Brien , Bramble and Hughes as recognised centre halfs with experience. Time will tell.

Thomas B - An absolute disgrace! So much for him leaving over Shepherd’s dead body or for £50 million. £13.4m isn’t even a “monumental” amount considering we paid £9m + signing on fee and wages since the end of last season! The deal just confirms that Doug Hall/Shepherd and the other money men behind the scenes are running this club and taking all the fans for granted! It is them doing all the deals and Robson will have no say whatsoever in his final season! This deals proves that we no ambition of ever competing with the best teams in the world! Did the alarm bells not start ringing at the end of last season when so many fans didn’t renew their season tickets! I for one will not be renewing mine if every penny of the money isn’t spent on an adequate replacement! I think Shepherd will see the true reaction tomorrow when O’Brien, Bramble and Co. are slicing balls all over the pitch!

Adam C - This is an absolute disgrace, fair enough if the lad wanted to go we couldn’t stop him but to negotiate only 13.4 million pounds for the only world class player on our team is stupid and it sends out bad messages, are we now a selling club? After all that has gone on this week this is the last thing I expected, a very bad day in the history of NUFC!

Andy D - That amount of money for a player who hasn’t played since April and whose career has been littered with injuries can’t be turned down. However, if the money isn’t invested straight back in to the defence then it seems pointless. Two quality centre-backs are urgently needed if we are to develop any further.

Lucas A - This “imminent” sale of Jonathan Woodgate, in my opinion the best player at Newcastle United and the best defender in English, possibly European football, is another joke made at our (the fan’s) expense. Shepherd claims that money is not an issue, but then why can’t he just turn down the bid? I’m not professing to know Woodgate but he doesn’t seem like a want away, disruptive player and he seems content on Tyneside. Furthermore, wasn’t it just at the beginning of this Summer when Shepherd fended off interest from Arsenal claiming that Woodgate could only leave “over his dead body” or for a sum of 50 million? Shepherd seems alive still much to discontent, and I don’t think that 15 million quite stands up to the aforementioned figure. Good show!