There has been much talk about who Sam will allow to leave in addition to the players he has already let go – who were out of contract.
The following players all have active contracts at the club – but the next thing we’d like to see is for Sam to transfer list some players.
This may not happen until pre-season training starts in July – to give Allardyce a chance of looking at the players first hand.
We list some players – comment on them – and then say whether we should keep them or let them go.
Emre Belözoğlu
- Kieron Dyer
Kieron has been linked with Tottenham – probably because his friend Jermaine Jenas is there. Kieron has never fulfilled his promise at Newcastle since he was signed nearly nine years ago – but it may be that Allardyce can bring the best out of him – and he may be fitter – and able to play more games for us than ever before.We wouldn’t want to see Dyer go at this point – maybe give him a season under Sam and see how he does.
Our view – KEEP for one year. - Celestine Babayaro
Celestine is injury prone and it’s hard to get 25 games out of him in one season. He’s a reasonable player – but nothing outstanding. In the time he has been at Newcastle (signed January 2005) he has appeared 71 times for Newcastle – starting 69 games – not too many. Whether he goes will depend on who Sam brings in but if he does bring two full backs in – then Celestine is expendable.
Our view – EXPENDABLE – for a nominal fee. - Stephen Carr
Carr has never been the same player he was since he was badly injured at Tottenham. He is not particularly good defensively – and has been responsible for a few give-away goals last season. He is also injury prone – and we don’t seem top get a lot of games out of him. Since he signed for us three seasons ago he has started 97 games for us – given that James Milner had 53 appearances in one season – that’s not many.
Our view – KEEP for one year. - Scott Parker
A good player who had a great first season – and is now captain. Has not enjoyed the same success this season – in large part because of injury. Has had a few run-ins with the crowd – though not sure why – since you cannot accuse Scott of not always trying.
Too good a player to let go at this stage – he could be fantastic under Big Sam.
Our View – KEEP - Charles N’Zogbia
A good player who has some flair and ability but lost his way a bit this season – though he did sustain a bad injury which kept him out of the team for a while. Building up a reputation as a difficult player to handle – and he’s French. Welcome Sam Allardyce and we think Charles will be fine – and we may start seeing some good play from him again – though when we bought Duff last year it has led to some of Charles’ disenchantment. Far too young and good to let go at this point.
Our View – KEEP - Emre
Emre has not settled down well in his two seasons at the club and certainly the racial goings on last season didn’t help – and he seemed to miss a lot of games last year. He has committed himself to Newcastle – but may be the mid-fielder Sam thinks is expendable – and we keep hearing Beyern Munich may be interested in him as a replacement for Owen Hargreaves – who is on his way to Manchester United.
Our view – Expendable for a suitable fee (₤6M) - Alan O’Brien
Alan did not get many games at all on the left wing last season with Duff, N’Zogbia and Sibierski being ahead of him in the pecking order. O’Brien is a Republic of Ireland international but it may be difficult for Alan to get a game next season and Sam may consider loaning him out to a Championship team. Wolves were interested last year. If – by chance – Diouff is brought in from Bolton – it could be the death knell for Alan – who may then be put on the transfer list. He’s made 9 appearances for Newcastle with a single start.
Our view – Put out on Loan – May be expendable depending who’s brought in
We would like to keep Owen and Martins – as long as they want to stay – and can see the future opportunity at Newcastle.
Martins should not be a problem but Owen has still not addressed Freddy Shepherd’s question of last week – about if he wants to stay at Newcastle.
We think one mid-fielder and one more defender will leave before the season starts – and we would pick Emre and Babayaro right now. O’Brien is at a cross-roads and anything could happen in his case.
Players not mentioned here we would keep.
Well – there we are – that’s what we think – let’s have you ideas and opinions on this.
11 comments so far
Valle
May 19, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Comment #1Emre is far better than Dyer, and he has more purphose to his game than Parker who should be chanied to the anchor role and dont go past the halfline if he stays, because tackling and effort is all he got. Also, sell Carr and Ramage along with Baba. We also need a better right wing, but milner could stay and perhaps gain a few years under the mentorship of…Lundbjerg perhaps. All in all, there are only a few players we should see as untouchables unless they are unhappy, and those are: Duff since he will shine under big sam. Taylor since he is a good prospect and a geordie. Butt since he brings medals and exp and is a good pro and mentor for the young ones. Given allot like Butt but without the medals, also the best keeper in EPL. Owen, since he is our only world class player and he can shoot us to greater things.
Ed Harrison
May 19, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Comment #2Valle – think that Ramage can still be a decent player when he knows his limitations and becomes a no nonsense player – should see how he does under Sam. Dyer still owes Newcastle for what we have done for him – why i think one more year – and see what Sam can get out of him.
Arthur Prince
May 19, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Comment #3Peter Ramage is NUFC through and through . With proper coaching will be a great assett to the Squad Wouldnt sell him . Too good although does need some experience to get the best out of him . Heart in the right place . Can cope with that
Ed Harrison
May 19, 2007 at 1:32 PM
Comment #4Arthur – He certainly played well with Taylor when they had a run of 9 games in succession at the heart of the Newcastle defense last season. The own goal he gave away against Bolton last December was because Srnicek was in goal that day and they weren’t used to each other. He’s a great tackler and always gives everything he has got for the club.
Owen
May 19, 2007 at 3:15 PM
Comment #5Well thought out piece but I’ll have to disagree with a few points.
Babayaro and Carr simply have to go. They have been woefull and constantly look as if they would rather be somewhere else. These two are probably the worst fullback pair in the League. I still think 75% of the Toons defensive problems stem from these two.
Nobby can still be our back-up right full, but a pair of quality fullbacks has to be our first priority.
There is no point in selling Ramage, he’s a great squad player and plays with more heart than half the waster’s we’ve signed laterly. He’s not world class but I think he knows it and is happy doing a job for the Toon. We need him as back up for Taylor and a real experienced centre half.
I’d love to see us keep Charlie Zog but if he’s not happy then goodbye. We’ll get decent money for him. He’s been a better player for us than Duff, so I’d keep him and sell Duff, but the ball is in his court.
Now onto the big problem.
As much as I think Scott Parker has been an excellent signing he is far, far better as a holding midfielder. Which means he can’t really play alongside Butt. Unless we’re playing a 5 man midfield of course ( something Sam does like). Again he dosen’t look happy, If he want’s to go back to London we should cash in now. (I still can’t belive I said that).
Emre should be given a year, he is one of our few real creative plays.
Duff should be given until January, if he’s still as shite as he has been then the Macems will give us £5million back for him.
Dyer is in the same boat as Duff, he should have untill January at the most, then if he’s not playing as he can, Spurs can have him.
As for Michael Owen, the silence is deafening…………………..
Neil
May 19, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Comment #6I have heard it all now that someone thinks Milner needs mentoring. I would definitely keep Parker. Emre and Dyer can go for a fair price. I would keep Babayaro as back-up. Carr can definitely go. O’Brien should certainly be loaned out to a Championship side.
Tooner
May 20, 2007 at 2:06 AM
Comment #7I really doubt Dyer would go to Spurs with his salary. He’s making a ton more than their top player.
Ed Harrison
May 20, 2007 at 8:53 AM
Comment #8Owen – wouldn’t be surprised if Parker leaves us – looks like Curbishley is very interested. Have a feeling Big Sam will need to sell a couple of players he can get good money for. Butt is going to be a big player for us next year – Sam wanted him at Bolton – maybe he can play for a good few more years like the great Gary Speed. We need Gary as coach at Newcastle !)
2knee
May 23, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Comment #9Babayaro, not up to the Premiership, should go Carr now well past his best let him go to. Who else would depend on who can be brought in. Salano keep him for a year or two starting to age but a great player. Scotty Parker good player not a captain though, Butt would do a better job unless we can buy one! Would love to see Martins stay scored loads of goals in a poor side what could he do with better service and a goos partner, Owen?. Need another striker and a dominating centre back who can teach Taylor to be a team player and not a prima donna.
Greg B
Jun 3, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Comment #10Out:
Harper – Been a fantastic servant, deserves first team action that he wont get at newcastle. Krul an able understudy for Given.
Carr – Has been poor defensivley and suffered several niggling injurys.
Babayaro – Not good enough, injury prone.
Ramage – Not good enough.
Parker – Good player but Sam will want to bring in his own players. The reported 8mil bid from the Hammers is a fair price and should be taken.
Butt – Honest player but as with Parker can easily be replaced.
Solano – Not good enough.
Ameobi – Goal return per games played nowhere near good enough. Would prefer to keep Owen and Martins plus bring a new top drwer striker in, Pazzini from Fiorentina would be a mouthwatering prospect!
jason masters
Jul 5, 2007 at 7:41 PM
Comment #11eeeerrrr parker’s already gone to west ham weeks ago- hello!!!!