The Newcastle United Blog

94 responses so far ↓

• 1 Aussie geordie // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:14 PM

  If smith is happy in the midfield get him. A defender with five years champions league experience sounds like exactly what we need.

• 2 e // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM

  so is he sigining or does that last bit mean that we have missed out on him? sorry my understandment isnt so good

• 3 ToonKing // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM

  Sam is the MAN, i like Lyon and watched them play many times, although Cacapa is not that tall he’s a world class defender.

  Sam got Geremi, Viduka and Cacapa for FREE, incredible.

• 4 toon girl 4eva // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:18 PM

  he’s a big strong defender exactlly wot we need…he’ll help taylor and get loads experience from him…if he joins it will be an excellent signing for big sam and the georidie faithfull

• 5 Ben // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:18 PM

  agree with him ^^….on the dyer affiar…im disgusted to be associated with newcastle after what the fans have been giving him….i dont blame him for wanting to move…

• 6 Darren // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:19 PM

  Yeah its a bit mixed up the last bit.

  So is the front picture where it says he’s smiling as he’s signing for Newcastle – he’s not wearing our top!

• 7 Darren // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:22 PM

  Ben – I am disgusted that Dyer has been associated with Newcastle – refusing to play, fighting teammates, out on the drink all the time, etc etc.

  He’s lucky he is still in one piece.

• 8 Gallacher the Horse // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:22 PM

  I think the ‘smiling’ comment is meant to make us laugh – who wouldn’t smile when they find out they are signing for us? Where else could they possibly want to play?!

• 9 joel gledhill // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:23 PM

  just read the first bit (e) and you will get it,do not read last bit it will make you confused (so he is signing today and having medical at st james park)

• 10 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:25 PM

  joel – i was putting it together as i went but it should read fine now!!!
  It all reads fine now.

• 11 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:26 PM

  Apologies to those who were first to read it – hadn’t quite completed it.
  The article is OK now – you people were too quick for me

• 12 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:27 PM

  Gallacher – thought you’d like that

• 13 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:28 PM

  Darren – anyone technicall skilled out there – if they can put a B?W shirt on him we’ll replace the picture with.

• 14 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:31 PM

  Brilliant signing, quality defender seem him play many times.
  Smith will play in Dyers position yes? I saw him play there for Man Utd and his passings and link up play was special, i think he is a much better attacking midfielder than striker.

  Hangeland, Dragutinovic to go? Things are looking up especially after that article. Finally our concerns have been explained.

• 15 joel gledhill // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:31 PM

  sorry ed.harrison i was pointing out too (e) so that he would understand it
  (i understood it)

• 16 Mick G // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:33 PM

  Good news at last . Cacapa seems like another good signing for NUFC althogh I don’t know a lot about him I,like many people trust Big Sams Judgement.Regarding Alan Smith I once saw him playing left midfield for the under 21′s and he was magnificent,maybe if there is any truth in the N’zogbia story he could do a job there.

• 17 nightfall // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:33 PM

  cacapa…good signing…
  as for smith…anyone but him…-> average striker and midfielder with huge ego…i know he’s a “fighter”, but we don’t need such arrogant player…

• 18 joel gledhill // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:35 PM

  tom-tom we have not signed him yet,dont build your hopes up yet you might get diapointed because i know i did last time when i herd about edier gudjohnsson then all of a sudden he did not want to come to newcastle.w/b

• 19 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:35 PM

  I just read from the PSG website that Mario Yepes is available for 1.5 mil, he is a brilliant defender, definitely one for BS to look at.

  Also i do believe we have money BS just wants to pick his players wisely

• 20 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:36 PM

  I did want Gudjohnsen he is a waste of space compared to at least 3 of our other strikers.

• 21 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:36 PM

  didnt*

• 22 jeff // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:37 PM

  Im pleased dyer is away in 8 years you can probably count 15 games if you are lucky where he played a good game…so 15 games in 8 years is crap……..fast player with no final ball dyer all over………..cheers to west ham for taking him off our hands at last………………as for cacapa………sounds the quality we need….smith has the passion the fans love come on the toon

• 23 Darren // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:40 PM

  I’m suprised Smith would agree to come as a midfielder, he said he wasn’t happy playing their for Man U as he wanted back in the England squad (he hasn’t got a chance in midfield).

  This could yet involve Martins…..

  That Da Silva bloke is having his work permit appeal today & Arsenal have said they will cancel his contract if he is refused. Which means they would need another striker & Arsene does like Martins.

  Just a thought

• 24 malaysian youngster // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:42 PM

  hooray.. im glad we signed big sam. he is the most quality.lolx. we dont really need Smith. did you guys miss Jenas?

• 25 e // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:50 PM

  get smith! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w1PGnvUVgi4&mode=related&search= hes way underrated, first touch and passing, tackeling, he will bring somthing diffrent to the sqaud and depth, face it, if its anything like last season we will need him, its will jsut make us that big better

• 26 e // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:50 PM

  bit* not big

• 27 Rich // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:53 PM

  This is great news cacapa is a top player iv watched him a few times for lyon and is solid at the back. Im glad we are getting a top central defender and not just one to make up the numbers what everyone else think? a good left back and a replacement for dyer and we will be fine! hats the news on smith signing ed? some good news at last!

• 28 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:53 PM

  Martins won’t go to Arsenal. He is happy here and can fulfill all his ambitions here too.

  It looks as though we will have Smith and Cacapa and possibly Dragutinovic by the end of the week from what I have heard. Although I won’t believe it 100% until I see a press conference!

  If we play Smith in the Paul Scholes role then I think he will be brilliant for us. That also pretty much covers the centre midfield and attack too because he can play both positions equally well. He isn’t prolific but he’s tenacious and creative, I really think the move could give him a new lease of life much like Geremi.

  I would be happy if we signed Dioup too because he is a terrific player. The priority has to be the defence though.

• 29 SAM // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:57 PM

  Hadn’t heard about this guy Cacapa before. So tried google and guess what – Wikipedia (spelling?) lists his career and has him as a newcastle player already!!!!
  Somebody out there (probably some agent) is quick.

  Everybody says he is a ‘defender’. But is this CB or fullback? Also at 5’11″ he is not tall. I’m honestly more worried about our fullback positions than CB were people like Geremi can always fill-in.

• 30 Kash // Aug 2, 2007 at 1:58 PM

  I told you’s he hadn’t signed for Al-Rayyad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 31 Steely // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:00 PM

  Great news this! I’ve been slating Anal Oliver recently, but if he’s kept schtum on this one all week then he’s done us a favour, as I’m sure someone else would have tried to muscle in on him!!
  Not such a gloomy week now! lol
  Dragutinovic to come in and we’re almost there! If we can get another LB in before the window closes then I reckon we’ll be looking a pretty good bet to be challening for 6th spot this year!!

• 32 Steely // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:02 PM

  SAM! Wikipedia is great…I can’t believe someone out there is so quick off the mark. The Dragutinovic story was his Wiki page about 2 mins after the rumour was on the Sky website!

• 33 ToonKing // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:03 PM

  Also there are 2 great articles with Chris Mort on Newcastle World.

  http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1083434,00.html

  http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1083417,00.html

  My spirits are lifted and i’m positive again.
  Gotta love football and HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!

• 34 ToonKing // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:06 PM

  @Sam : Cacapa is a CB , he doesn’t play either fullback role. He’s not that tall , but strong as a horse and has great positioning.

• 35 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:08 PM

  5’11 is still pretty tall for a centre back. I know he’s not a giant but neither was Alan Shearer or Les Ferdinand but they still won a lot of balls in the air!

• 36 e // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:11 PM

  dont forget martins lol

• 37 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:12 PM

  Wikipedia is updated by ppl, i update newcastle stories.

• 38 Midjew // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:13 PM

  REALLY?? People update wikipedia??

  but surely people could write what they want? not fact?

• 39 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:15 PM

  They do, i looked on the Celtic page and some Rangers fans had written ‘nob’ next to most of the players

• 40 Steely // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:18 PM

  The whole of wikipedia is created/updated by “normal” people. You can amend any of the information on any of the pages, but if you put incorrect information on there (or write nob next to people’s names!!) anyone can also report the information and the administrators will remove it.

• 41 Ross // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:20 PM

  this is good news, i havent seen much of cacapa, but from what i’ve heard, he’s a very experianced, good defender.
  i’d also like to see alan smith at newcastle. i rate him as a player and think he’d play a better role in the midfield than sicknote did.
  spanish news saying dragutinovic has already agree’d to join newcastle.

• 42 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:22 PM

  Darren – Why would Martins deny he is leaving, Sam deny Martins is leaving, Newcastle sit down to renegotiate a contract with Martins, if we were then going to sell him to bring smith in. Makes no sense to me at all.

  I might be wrong but i’d bet my house i’m not.

  What i do think is that this could be the end for ameobi. out of all the stikers he is the most expendable. Carroll is guaranteed to remain a newcastle player either on loan or in 1st team squad. Martins and Owen are the 2 “little speedsters”, viduka (+ possibly carroll if he doesnt go on loan) are the big, strong strikers, and smith could be the forward just in behind the main strikers.

  I know ameobi sees this as the season he can finally prove himself but has he left it to late?

• 43 ToonKing // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:26 PM

  I think Shola will stay, he has more experince than Caroll and although he can be very frustrating at times he is capable of scoring. I think Caroll will go out on a loan and Shola will stay.

  PS : We may have found our new captain in Cacapa.

• 44 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:26 PM

  No we have to keep Ameobi. He has got over the hip injury and will be better than ever. I really think he could capture that “european form” that he hit.

  This could mean that Andy Carroll goes out on loan. I am all for that. The lads 18/19 years old so he has plenty of time to play for us. Send him to Hull or perhaps Wolves or Ipswich, even Hartlepool if possible. Somewhere he will get looked after, bag plenty of goals and develop as a striker.

  It’s something we should have done with Ameobi a long time ago.

• 45 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:28 PM

  add luque as a left sided forward or in a simliar role to smith who can also play right forward then ameobi doesnt really fit in any other role apart from big man up front.

  dont get me wrong its not that i dont like the guy and i think he is better than people give him credit for but if you wanted a 4th/5th choice striker you’d more likely go for 18 year old to give experience and bring through, than reliable 26 year old who has never quite hit the big time and been hampered by injury.

• 46 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:30 PM

  Id like to see Emre captain just because of his work rate, but he is injured a fair bit of the timke and doesnt play regular football. Rozehnal, Cacapa or Taylor should be captain.

• 47 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:31 PM

  True but Luque, Viduka and Owen will all miss some part of the season that’s just the way it is and we can’t afford to let Ameobi go yet.

  Really excited about the new season now

  (I was excited anyway and I knew we would sign players but these are the kind of players we need to sign and more to come soon too!)

• 48 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:31 PM

  actually i think it would be 5th/6th choice striker as i reckon sa would probably rank them:

  1. Owen
  2. Viduka
  3. Martins
  4. Smith
  5. Carroll/Ameobi
  6. Carroll/Ameobi
  7. Luque

  and if luque continues to impress big sam he may move up to 4th or 5th spot.

• 49 Kash // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:32 PM

  @Tom – Emre’s work rate? Are you taking the pi$$?????

• 50 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:32 PM

  Oh something I just thought about. Steven Taylor can play left back!

  I am not saying he should play there all the time but he could play well there if we need him. That would give us Cacapa and Rozenhal with ??? at right back.

  We could play Geremi at right back but I would prefer him in midfield. Although I think he will play 3 positions for us – right wing, right back or centre midfield.

  (not at once obviously!)

• 51 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:34 PM

  We could do with a centre back who can play right back come to think of it. That would really give us some strength in depth

• 52 Kash // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:38 PM

  It looks likely we’re gonna sign that Serbian bloke “Drago” from Sevilla. He plays LB/CB and reports suggest Steinsson who had a good game against us both times when we played AZ last year. He plays across the back 4, preferably RB.

• 53 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:39 PM

  Steven taylor also played very well at right back in his first season in the 1st team squad so he is another option there, reckon he is more likely to appear on the right than the left though.

  just to clear up any confusion above i’m not saying i think we should get rid of ameobi, cos i dont, but if they decided one had to go then i think it would be between him and luque, but luque can play other roles and is thereofre more of an allardyce type player.

  hope shola does stay and gets back to the 1 goal every 2 games that he had under roeder, that would be awesome.

• 54 Magpie Rich // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:40 PM

  If we got Dragutinovic, we’d have 4 great CBs – Rozenhal, Taylor, Cacapa & Dragutinovic. As both Dragutinovic & Geremi can also play left back, perhaps we’re getting close to a full strength team! Would still like Baines though.

• 55 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:46 PM

  That would be great. Maybe Sam is thinking of Steven Taylor at right back for the time being then?

  It would be the best defensive line up we have ever had I think!

  We have never had a problem scoring goals it’s just the fact that we let in goals away from home but if we can strengthen the back 4 then we will do much better. It’s common sense really and good to see Sam taking steps to sort the defence out once and for all. We can then bring the youngsters in gradually because some of the young lads impressed me last night.

  Especially Lua Lua, he looks very similar to Lennon in the way he twists, turns and runs at people. Did anyone else see that in him?

• 56 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:50 PM

  Thanks to the magic of technology and to one of our readers Rick Collins – we can show Claudio Capaca already in action for Newcastle in the famous black and white stripes – he looks good in it – take a look

  http://nufcblog.com/breaking-news-brazilian-cacapa-joining-newcastle/

• 57 Dave // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:50 PM

  Bosck:

  You could be right – Cacapa for captain. If he’s done it at Lyon for 5yrs then he has to be in the frame. I’m also thinking Geremi. Can either or both of them speak good English? Crucial I’m sure you’ll agree?

• 58 StevieA // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:53 PM

  Geremi speaks good english from what I have heard. I would have had either Taylor or Barton as captain but if Cacapa speaks good english then he could be fantastic as captain. He has been there and done it at all levels so he would bring out the best in the defenders.

  It’s all coming together. Let’s just hope we go out of our way to attract the players to the club, full V.I.P treatment the works.

• 59 SAM // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:55 PM

  It will be great to get a decent defence. Of course none of us will ever belive it. I cannot imagine watching the toon winning 1-0 with 10 minutes to go and being relaxed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 60 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:08 PM

  Agreed one of our best defencive line ups in years.

  Taylor—–Rozhenal—–Cacapa—–Drago

  Alot of experience, bar Taylor and strength and ability throughout the back line.

  Brilliant.

• 61 Keep Oba // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:17 PM

  he looks good in newcastle garb…good photo shopping…however Luque might be a bit put off as I believe 19 is his new number.

• 62 paul p // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:19 PM

  we need 2 full backs still. 2 people who can actually play the position. we need to keep it balanced as well. I still think we need one centre half though to put pressure on them all, something we never had under the old regimme. sol campbell could be the captain bsa wants, if we can get him, shorey/baines and a right back, i will be excited. got to say, they all look a hell of a lot sharper on the pitch like, something we have never seen before.

  as for shola, keep him and lets have the competition for places in the team in every position.

• 63 Craig Allen // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:25 PM

  Nice one Sam. I don’t know much about this guy, but like most (if not all ) I trust Sam’s judgement.

  I was thinking a certain Quinton Fortune might not be too bad a signing (if he’s fit?) Man U played him in a defensive role most of the time but I’ve seen him play attacking roles for Man and for South Africa (when he played)

  What do you think?

• 64 Gallacher the Horse // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:26 PM

  Blimey, having just seen a couple of pictures of Dragutinovic, I’d love to see what happens, if he joins us, when Ronaldo tries to prance his way past him on his fairy wings. I reckon we’ll get to see how far Ronaldo can really fly/dive! Drag doesn’t look like he takes any nonsense.

• 65 Gallacher the Horse // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:34 PM

  More on Dragutinovic

  Go to about two minutes 40 seconds to see a defender scoring

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXq8qRjKitA

• 66 Arthur Prince // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:36 PM

  Howay the lads !! Looking good now . no Prima donna’s . Looks like a tough back line now Taylor Rozenhal Cacapa Drago . If Taylor plays RB not sure about that but I am sure BSA knows what he wants . Think Luque could be the surprise of the season if he gets fit . Also looks like N’Zogbia wants to leave also . Shame but Diopp in return plus cash for us might not be so bad . Duff will have to work much harder to get in the side if Luque shows what he is capable of doing . BSA best thing for us since sliced bread . Marvellous . Ok so I get carried away but the vibes for a much better season of achievement are getting better by the signing .HOWAY THE LADS !!!!!!!!!!

• 67 Aidan Murray // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:37 PM

  You’d think Rick Collins would have some real work to do, perhaps Paddy should keep an eye on his surf time!

• 68 michael // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:37 PM

  First of all I don’t think he’ll be captain, as Sam himself said he’s not well known enough and will have to earn some respect (Rozey probably knows of him I’ll bet!)
  Secondly Luque is not seventh choice. He’s already started ahead of Carroll in pre-season, and youtube Ameobi to see why he’s ahead of him (The great Shola Ameobi compilation). If he continues to score he’ll overtake smith and viduka I think. Owens and Martins are the top two surely. We’ll see when everybody is fit.
  If we were to sign Cacapa and Drago (who is a left back UNLIKE Geremi who can play on the RIGHT) then I think we can look to push on up the league. We should remember though that none of the 3 will have done an Allardyce preseason and I think that further quality needs to be sought. Not so rushed now though. Edmilson would be amazing, even if it doesn’t happen til Janurary!

• 69 Arthur Prince // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:41 PM

  Agree re Edmilson as long as he recovers his fitness-.injury to knee wasnt it ?

  Ed How sure is it about Drago ?? Do you know . Seems that he is a must at LB

• 70 Arthur Prince // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:43 PM

  Have we heard how Nicky Butt feels about the changes and his position in the Team . Good poss club captain I feel

• 71 paul p // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:43 PM

  look at the picture… cud be possibly our 2 centre halves to start the season. him and big sol!!! ha!!

• 72 Ed Harrison // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:47 PM

  Aidan – Sure that Rick does but this is of course far more important

• 73 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:54 PM

  Michael, luque may have started ahead of carroll but think if sam had to choose at the moment he’d rather keep carroll. but that was my point with luque i’d still say at the moment he is one of the last options at striker but if he works hard and keeps scoring he has the technical ability to move up the list in big sams mind. meaning that if he is not careful ameobi could find himself behind everyone in the list even without being a bad player himself.

  as for martins and owen being 1 and 2 it depends, probably in a 4-3-3 system they would be along with viduka, however if in some games allardyce opts for the 4-4-2 he is unlikely to play both little strikers, and more likely to opt for one big one small meaning owen and viduka would probably be 1st choice especially considering sam signed viduka.

  as for not giving cacapa captaincy just cos the public havent heard of him i doubt sam would give a damn about that, if he thinks he is a good choice for captain then he’ll choose him especially as he was lyon captain for a number of years.

• 74 reggie22 // Aug 2, 2007 at 3:56 PM

  i think the 1 thing we have all skipped past and that is of great satisfaction to me cacapa used to play for lyon now look at who we are tryin to pursue in january the 1 and only edmilson who himself was a lyon player for about 3 seasons (not exactly sure) who formed a rock solid defence together as center halves so they wouldn’t take long to get back in the swing of things a champions league pairing for newcastle lets just hope we get wdmilson now as this may be a master stroke from sam for him to join his x partner in crime keep up the good work !!!!!!!

• 75 malaysian youngster // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:04 PM

  alan smith is really damn good. he is a fighter. i would like to see a fighter in newcastle. great spirit and determination.if alan smith is a magpies.he will be my new idol.

• 76 PP // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:09 PM

  Given
  geremi rozenhal cacapa drago

  solano barton milner

  smith

  viduka owen

  harper
  taylor
  martins
  duff
  emre

  and still got the likes of
  butt
  ameobi
  luque
  carr
  nzogbia
  baba

  its lukin good, hopefully we can get these three playaz in

• 77 Darren // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:37 PM

  Bosck – I was just putting an opinion forward about Martins, I don’t want him to leave at all but he does have that 13m release clause so we couldn’t stop him going if he wanted too (he says he is happy but this is footballers we are talking about, a very fickle bunch!).

  See http://www.nufc.com for a nice piece on Drago’s temperament!

• 78 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:44 PM

  fair enough darren, but hopefully the renegotiated contract will remove that clause and then sam will:

  a) not have to worry about selling him when he wants to keep him
  b) be able to set his own price if he did decide to sell him.

• 79 Bosck // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:47 PM

  oh yeah saw that one, was just thinking the west ham game could be an interesting one if drago is like that….

  in the red corner we have bellamy, dyer and bowyer,

  and in the blue corner we have drago, barton and smith.

  ding ding. round 1!!!!

• 80 Phill // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:54 PM

  haha, i wikipediad dradutinnovic and this what i found,

  Premier League sides Newcastle (managed by Sam Allardyce) and Manchester City have an interest for Serbian defender. Sevilla will only let him leave for a fee in the region of 8 to 12 million euros. It is likely that he will choose Manchester City over Newcastle United, as Dragutinović dislikes the size of the Newcastle manager’s head. He believes it to be disproportionate to his body.

  lol i love BSA but it made me giggle at the children that edit entrys like that

• 81 Phill // Aug 2, 2007 at 4:54 PM

  dragutinovic**

• 82 Midjew // Aug 2, 2007 at 5:35 PM

  The thing i find really interesting and quite encouarging.

  There was NOTHING in the papers about Cacapa coming to us to talk terms etc etc, that was SO secrative so hopefully that will be same for al players so that NO OTHER CLUBE will jump in there before us, i LIKE THAT!!!!!

  Anyone else agree?

• 83 Tom_Toon // Aug 2, 2007 at 6:22 PM

  Dragutinovic has agreed a deal with Newcastle in principle according to the Spanish press, i trust thme more than the english press, more truth comes out of it and we hope so.

  Who do you guys think will be captain, and who do you think should?

• 84 Rich // Aug 2, 2007 at 6:54 PM

  i think Geremi will be captain.

  Capaca good signing, sounds like Drag is ours aswell accoridng to reports from Spain, starting to look good for next season.

  All we need now is to qualify for Europe and start splashing the cash!

• 85 michael // Aug 2, 2007 at 7:40 PM

  michae owen will be captain. joey barton should be if he’s not in jail.

  p.s. bosck martins isn’t small, owen and martins is nothing like defoe and keane. Viduka is good but doesn’t score significant goals. He only had 4 goals until xmas by which time middlesborough were destined to for midtabledom. Only then did he pull his finger out. Smith doesn’t score any goals. He got anout 5 in two or three years at manyoo! Luque if he finds his form could become a hell of player, and i fancy him to puhs vid for the third strikers jersey.

• 86 michael // Aug 2, 2007 at 7:41 PM

  ameobi is just b*llocks and should be sold to hull so as not to hamper carrolls progress like he did with the younger chopra.

• 87 darren // Aug 2, 2007 at 7:42 PM

  i think its a blessing england chosed mcclaren over BSA because we magpies got a total bargain from this manager! cacapa is strong n with sufficient CL experience, he’s exactly what we need to fit the puzzle in our fizzling defence. smith n barton battling hard in our midfield just make me cant wait for the season to start!

• 88 Rich // Aug 2, 2007 at 8:42 PM

  “I’m 31, I hope to play for three or four more seasons, preferably in Europe, and I hope that my French citizenship will help me.”

  i just found out his real name is Claudio Roberto da Silva, i think Da Silva sounds better than Cacapa… im not really sure how to pronounce it is it ‘Kah-Kah-Pah’ or what?? anyone know??

• 89 ToonKing // Aug 2, 2007 at 10:09 PM

  I think the first C is pronounced as a K (like Kieron pffff), and the other C is like Charity so it’s like Ka-Ca-Pa . At least i think so .

• 90 bob // Aug 2, 2007 at 10:14 PM

  how the hell did the guy do the hole capaca or hw eva u spell it in a nufc shirt?

• 91 iluvnufc // Aug 2, 2007 at 10:36 PM

  Rich

  The second C has a cedilla accent under it so it is pronounced like a S. Therefore say is as follows Casapa

• 92 Rich // Aug 2, 2007 at 10:45 PM

  ^^ thanks man, i think hes supposed to sign with Smith tommorow… at least thats what i get from all the press at the moment. reckon Kieron is off tommorow aswell as long as hes passed his west ham medical.

• 93 Bosck // Aug 3, 2007 at 1:05 AM

  Michael, Martins is 5′ 7″ an inch shorter than owen, he can jump high yes but he is small. and i never said owen and martins were anything like keane and defoe, which is irrespective anyway. as if martin jol is playing a 442 system he will play berbatov (6’2″) alongside either keane or defoe as allardyce would play a small striker (owen or martins) alongside a tall striker (viduka, ameobi or carroll).

  as sam has said he likes the 433 system then i wouldnt be surprised to see martins and owen in the same side but only with another striker in the middle.

• 94 Steely // Aug 3, 2007 at 8:14 AM

  Michael – I think you’re right…Ameobi is tosh!! He’s nothing more than a mediocre player and I think he would be better suited to a Championship side. There’s no way he has the skill to be even thinking about challenging for a place this year, so unless there are injuries he will be bench-warming (maybe not even that!) for the year. If I was him I would move on! At least Carroll knows he’s fresh in the fold and that his future lies ahead of him….Ameobi has been a bit-part player for years and didnt manage to break through! And you hit the nail on the head for me – his on/off games totally ruined the chances of Chopra at Newcastle, who I think would have been ace had he got the games!