Pascal Chimbonda update
By: j |
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Well I’m quickly becoming the bearer of bad news aren’t I. I had hoped to update you on all sorts of positive signings and other tasty situations developing at St. James’ Park but it seems I keep sending out another lump of coal. Well today isn’t much different because rumours abound that Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda is undergoing a medical with Sunderland.
I’ll update when more concrete information becomes available and hopefully provide something a bit more cheery next time.
Category: Team News
Emre deal to Fenerbahçe finally complete
By: j | Add Comments
This deal seemed liked it took forever to complete however it was announced that Emre Belözoğlu, ex-Galatasaray man and Turkey’s captain has signed with Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe. I’m not sure what the reception will be like for him at Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen Stadium but this will be a brilliant return home for the twenty-seven year-old midfielder and I wish him the best of luck.
Category: Team Newsdon’t expect Jonás Gutiérrez to soon
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If you’re starting to wonder when we’ll see Jonás Gutiérrez debut it might take a bit longer than we hoped and a lot more money then the Magpies had hoped for.
As warned of previously a breach of contract arguement has been filed with FIFA by his former club Real Mallorca, demanding £12m (€15m) in compensation and delaying the appropriate registration. With the process going through legal channels it could extend into a significant amount of time before the necessary registration occurs. With this in mind his first action is most likely, no earlier than the PSV friendly on August 6th.
Updates to follow.
Category: Team Newsdon’t sell James Milner
By: j | 1 Comment
With offers apparently about £10m, pressure is growing on Kevin Keegan to sell James Milner. The twenty-two year-old Winger, a product of the Leeds Academy, has shown remarkable promise and is ready to emerge as a top-flight full-time performer in the Premier League. Already emerging on the international scene for England’s U21, to let go of James is a foolhardy move and must be avoided. While some will argue that these funds could be reinvested into the roster, in-truth, proceeds would like be retained, either whole or in-part. Any proposed sale has more to do with the inability to internally finance new acquisitions and the problems from the destruction of the capitalized value of owner Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, which is worth roughly thirty per-cent of its value one year ago.
With James and Danny Guthrie, we’ve got a great future. Don’t sell it.
Toon Army, please let me know your thoughts on this.
Category: Team NewsMark Viduka’s return
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Kevin Keegan’s concern over the clubs depth was given a solid shot in the arm with Mark Viduka’s comments that he will be back to full training before the start of the season. This is considerably earlier then most estimates of an achilles injury.
Now that is the good news. The “bad news” or should I say realistic news is that medical staff and coaches must make sure the thirty-two year-old Aussie Striker pays careful attention to his fitness work and pays extra caution in trying to push the recovery of the injury. Recovering from an achilles injury is a complex issue and if he is not careful he could re-injure it and possibly end his career. Assuming the published reports of the original injury were accurate, proper recovery from an injury of this magnitude should have seen him through the fall, if not into the new year and trying to compete at this time will radically increase the chance of injury.
Am I being too harsh with this? No, Mark is a strong competitor who wants back on the pitch, which is only natural. However careful attention must be paid with this proper rehabilitation and this takes time.
Category: Team Newsstay the course
By: j | Add Comments
After the Magpie’s solid victory today Kevin Keegan made it clear that as good as the 4-1 victory was, problems are looming on the horizon. His concern was that with an undermanned squad, lacking the appropriate bench strength, things could be a bit troublesome.
I understand his sentiment and while I have been disappointed to see many of our attempts to sign new players fall short, spending must stay within certain confines and investments need to be made in younger players while the future cannot be sold-off. This is a tough choice to make but in a sport where transfer prices have become ridiculous, even though the talent pool as exploded, the answer isn’t paying a kings ransom but unearthing new prospects from around the world and my personal favorite, developing and supporting local talent.
Sadly a division in the sport has been created between those that love the game and support the community between the billionaire’s that looks at a Premier League club as a precious bauble. Once a garage with a vintage Aston Martin or two much less a stable of Arabians would do but no longer as owning a Premier League team is a wonderful dalliance in their lives. Possibly worse than that, is the ownership group keen on a strategic investment looking to hedge its portfolio and profit from the soon-to-be broadcast revenue explosion. With the cupboards stripped empty, they care little of the team and sit perched waiting for the optimal exit point.
For Mike Ashley, Kevin Keegan and company the choice must be a black and white one and to field the best possible team but not to chase the foolish transfer prices and respect financial constraints, which to this date they have done admirably. There is sufficient talent to make a push towards Europe and judging by the heart and soul of the likes of Damien Duff and Danny Guthrie today, Kevin Keegan is just the man to do it. Stay the course.
Category: Team NewsHartlepool United - here we go
By: j | 1 Comment
Opening lineups and a few surprises to say the least. Things to chat about after:
Newcastle United: Shay Given, David Edgar, Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Claudio Cacapa, Damien Duff, James Milner, Nicky Butt (c), Charles N’Zogbia, Oba Martins, Alan Smith
Subs: Fraser Forster, Danny Guthrie, Shola Ameobi, Frank Wiafe Danquah, BenTozer, Callum Morris, Mark Doninger, Jonny Godsmark, Darren Lough
Hartlepool United: Arran Lee-Barrett, Jamie McCunnie, Ritchie Humphreys, Antony Sweeney, Ben Clark, Sam Collins (c), Gary Liddle, Ritchie Jones, James Brown, Joel Porter, Matty Robson
Subs: Andy Monkhouse, Jonny Rowell, Michael Mackay, Richard Barker, Alan Power, Michael Nelson, Willie Boland, Jan Budtz, David Foley
Incredibly it’s raining in Hartlepool
4 minute: After Hartlepool starts off fast, a defensive lapse has Newcastle win the first corner. Charles N’Zogbia takes it but Hartlepool defensively swarm and clear it.
10 minute: First attempt on goal this pre-season comes from Obafemi Martins. Wanders wide of the target
16 minute: After a few modest forays in the offensive front, League One, Hartlepool takes the lead 1-0 with Matty Robson giving the home fans something to cheer about. The winger takes a slick pass from ‘Roo Joel Porter and Matty finishes to the near post.
20 minute: ok, enough of this. Hartlepool has another corner. Cleared-out. Am I really chatting about the Hartlepool onslaught?
32 minute: yes, the Hartlepool assault continues. Gary Liddle, a ‘boro product, snaps a shot 20 or so meters out but Nicky Butt flicks off for a corner. We survive the corner from Ritchie Humphreys who has been with the club since the dawn of time, which flitters just dangerously close. Goal kick, breath easy for a moment.
40 minute: oh look at that, we scored!!! (I don’t do the “GOOOOAAAL” thing) - NEWCASTLE GOAL (1-1): Republic of Ireland’s Damien Duff hits a left-footed shot to far corner from just inside the area, off a solid break lead by James Milner. Oh this will spark even more rumours of James.
Half -
Danny Guthrie and Danny Guthrie on for Obafemi Martins and José Enrique
as a correction Ritchie Humphreys has not been with Hartlepool United since the dawn of time because he was first at Sheffield Wednesday. I only make light of that because he comes from a great Footballing family and a tremendous asset to the game in general. Alas, another story for another time.
50 minute: Danny Guthrie and James Milner are showing a very active pace out there.
my, I can’t tap, tap, tap this in quickly enough
52 minute:oh look at that, we scored!!! (I do need something better than that don’t I?) young, Danny Guthrie threads the ball to Damien Duff, to slams home his second of the day.
53 minute: oh look at that, we scored!!! (again) Danny Guthrie - Toon Army, Toon Army - sparkplug for offense. Danny Guthrie scores from just outside the area. Newcastle 3 Hartlepool United 1
whoops my miserable feed dropped out there for a minute - it’s back
64 minute Shay Given is given a rest as Fraser Forster comes in to see some work
80 minute: as you’d expect lots of substitutions and scoring attempts are becoming a bit scarce
87 minute: not so fast about that. Damien Duff has a lot to say and slots home his third goal of the day as the Magpies take a 4-1 lead over Hartlepool United
Full-time - great story to the pre-season that everyone will be pleased with.
Category: Team NewsHartlepool United today
By: j | Add Comments
We’re only a few hours away till our trip to The Vic and a match-up against League One Hartlepool United (pictured). It promises to be a good affair with Kevin Keegan noting he’s going to be putting out a top-flight “strong” squad. He additionally promises to run-out two or three of the younger players for ten or fifteen minutes. Hartlepool United’s Manager Danny Wilson, has put together a good squad and this will be a perfect start to the pre-season.
All eyes will be directed to Magpie’s new man Jonás Gutiérrez, who has wowed the team in practice and already proven his dedication and commitment by turning aside an open offer of a week holiday so he could get to training. He’s been extremely impressive in practice and this will be a great opportunity to see him perform. Unfortunately young-gun Fabio Zamblera is off at the U19’s right now and will be missed but will be back once that tournament is over.
Reports to follow on the match. If you’re anywhere near Hartlepool get out for a great match and support both squads.
Category: Team Newsahh, how about I call you?
By: j | Add Comments
I know for many the summer period is boring but I have to say I find the “rumour game” is somewhat amusing, if not ridiculous. I’m not sure you can put a percentage on how many of stated rumours have even a shred of fact in them and with the growth of the blogging world, a simple statement gets picked-up and away it goes.
Such is the case with Torsten Frings and links to him joining Newcastle. I think when I first heard of this rumour I just about fell over laughing because it made absolutely no sense. The thirty-one year-old Werder Bremen midfielder has played his entire career in Germany and situated quite nicely in his native country and at this stage in his career, uprooting his life does not make a great deal of sense. However of course in hearing this rumour, I wondered, well…could he?
Thankfully the good folks over at Setanta were able to confirm that no, Torsten is not coming to Newcastle and shockingly no, he has not received an offer or even a phone call. However, and this is a surprise to me, his agent Norbert Pflippen, did mention a move to the top three or four clubs (noting Arsenal in particular) is possible. I can’t see it but possibly in a career that is its final phase, possibly maximizing contract values are a consideration. However lets put a big “nein” to these rumours of Torsten Frings joining us.
Category: Team NewsPascal Chimbonda?
By: j | Add Comments
Amongst the rumours on the street is Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda coming over to St. James’ Park. The competition will be heavy with certainly Martin Jol, his former manager, now at Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga and Everton vying for his services.
Updates to follow but let me know what you think.
Category: Team News
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