The Newcastle United Blog

66 responses so far ↓

• 1 Bev // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:03 PM

  Another good day to be a toon fan, hope he is better than Baines, I expect he will be if Sam has paid that much for him. Just hoping for a RB, Playmaker in midfield (big signing?) and on more CB if Drago doesn’t sign.

• 2 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:04 PM

  Well done to Sam for lowering my stress levels…..I hope to see him on the dugout for many great years to come.

• 3 Ed Harrison // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:04 PM

  Bev – right – agree – If Sam gets to talk to Drago – whatever Ivaca is currently thinking – we must still have a good chance.

• 4 Murvar // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:06 PM

  Yes – Sam’s understanding of the player’s own perpsective seems to be a major asset; such a change from the Souness “bash ‘em into shape and get em to learn to survive in the jungle ” approach which is well suited to the playground but not the world most grown-ups inhabit. Geoff Boycott once said that attention to detail was the hallmark of a true professional; Sam seems to know that and we will all benefit from it – players and fans alike.

• 5 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:07 PM

  Yeh two more signings and we will be a real threat this season, i think if we are going to sign a top quality playmaker its likely to come out of the blue as the last thing we need is a price hike…ive been really impressed with how the board has handled the comings and goings, we havent been held to ransom over the price and i don’t think I’ve seen a season like this where we have seen so many bargains. I think the days where we are forced to pay over the odds is behind us…great time to be a newcastle fan again

• 6 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:09 PM

  Ed, how would you line us up with a fully fit squad this season?

• 7 9thJune // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:09 PM

  How come in all the ‘Newcastle have agreed a fee’ talk beforehand it was £4 million and now suddenly it has become £6 million. Methinks that the press have forgotten to convert from Euros!!!

• 8 toonoholic // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:11 PM

  baines to everton confirmed in skysports so looks like we need to get drago or turn attention to shorey if we eye another left back
  yeah another right back and a decent playmaker and i think we are back to get our lost spot !

• 9 9thJune // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:11 PM

  Enrique vs Baines?
  Both u-21 internationals for their respective countries.
  Both cost around £6 million (see above?).

  Baines is 5’10″ and a converted left winger.
  Enrique is 6’0″ and a defender by nature (the Bull!).

  Think Sam made the right choice….

• 10 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:12 PM

  Ha yeh 9th makes a good point it seems a silly error to make i just hope hes worth it..

• 11 Tom_Toon // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:14 PM

  Enrique is 6ft 1 and baine sis 5ft 7 actually

  Your not ‘The Bull for Nothing’

• 12 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:16 PM

  i really hope DRAGO signs, hes obviously going to be a CB for us but will be very good as cover for Jose at LB.

  the only down side is i think Drago might look at our team and wonder ‘Will i be first team material?’ – MY GOD, a quality defender questioning wether hes going to get into the starting 11 at the toon! its a miracle!!

  i also heard another miracle on Sunday, get this the commenttaor said:

  ‘Newcastle hold a very solid line in the back four, sampadoria will have a task on their hands’

  once again, MY GOD a pundit giving the toons defence some praise… i havent heard that since the days of Woodgate.

  come on DRAGO!!!!!

  and lastly, this will bode very well for young Albert in my eyes… hopefully it will give him a very good mate to help him improve his game and his love of NUFC!!!!!!! all round what a cracming signing… not only will he stregthen our defence but i feel hell bring our team much closer together… as ED rightly says.

  im so happy , i just need a few more signings before i can climax

• 13 Ed Harrison // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:16 PM

  9thJune – maybe they thought it was 6M euros – which is almost exactly (0.67 conversion rate) 4M pounds – think that’s what happened
  Another mystery solved.

• 14 Ed Harrison // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:22 PM

  Tetsuo – once the transfer business settles down with Drago this week – i’ll bring out something on Sam’s new squad – think it will surprise a lot of us how Sam has strengthened it enornmously with his 7 signings so far – think there’s still probably at least 2 more to come.
  Next one has to be Drago – i thought we would easily get him but he’s now having 2nd thoughts since the President and Manager at Seville are trying to persuade him to stay – good that Sam is going over there himself – to flex his significant persuasive powers. Of course we don’t have European football but think the Enrique news and signing has to help us. We should know later in the week.

• 15 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:26 PM

  Yeh ill look forward to reading it Ed. Its nice that were in a position where its difficult to pick a formation or a starting 11 and i think most will have a completely different opinion to others, i’ve never had such a hard time figuring out who will play in a while and it feels damn good !

• 16 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:47 PM

  @ ED Harrison:

  dnt forget man, the transfer window doesnt close for another 3 weeks

• 17 michael // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:50 PM

  Sam seems to have turned Stephen Carr back around. With Geremi also able do we need another RB as our main priority?

• 18 Alex // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:53 PM

  If Drago really wanted to come he would have put pen to paper by now.He is using Newcastle to get a pay rise from seville.

• 19 TOON1 // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:58 PM

  Ed -in your opinion after listening to what sam has said ,do you reckon there will be any more signings after Drago???Hope so !Dont need that much more now.

• 20 MagpieRich // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:58 PM

  Here’s my best line-up (based on everyone being fit). What do you think?

  ………………….Given
  Geremi…Taylor…Rozey…Enrique
  ……Milner….Barton….Zog
  …………………Smith
  …………Viduca……..Owen

• 21 Tom_Toon // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:58 PM

  Mario Yepes is available for 1.7 mil

  I said this a while ago, he is a very good cb.

• 22 Joe // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:59 PM

  I agree this is the first time in years where a fully fit squad doesn’t choose its self .. Surely a few more?? Drago.. possibly another midfielder( Attacking ) .. Woudn’t mind a right back although I think Carr has had a good pre season.. P.S we obviously had more than 10 Million to spend

• 23 MagpieRich // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:04 PM

  A more defensive line-up would be:

  ……………….Given
  Carr……Taylor…Rozey…Cacapa
  Milner….Butt …..Barton….Smith
  ……….Viduca..Owen

• 24 Alex // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:18 PM

  ……………Given……. Carr…Taylor..Rozy……Enrique. …..Geremi…Barton…. ………..Smith….. Milner…Viduca..Oba

• 25 Murvar // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:23 PM

  And in the first preliminary round of the Weetabix Trophy:

  ………………………….Harper
  Ramage…….Huntington…….Cacapa………..Babayaro
  Solano ………Dyer……………Emre…………Duff
  ………………..Luque………….Martins

• 26 Ed Harrison // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:36 PM

  Tried to put down the best team – and kept missing out star players – our bench is going to be so stong this year – players like Luque, N’Zogbia, Martins, Ramage can do a real job for us coming off the bench during the games.
  Still think Dyer will move to WHU this week…..and it weill be a good deal for us – with the real character displayed by some our new players like Smith, Geremi, Cacapa, Viduka etc – he seems out of place.

• 27 LiamBirchy8 // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:51 PM

  Hoyte, Drago, Shorey and Diop to sign for the toon! Then we would have a class team with only given with a guaranteed place in the first X1.

• 28 Alex // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:52 PM

  Ed Martins should be starting every game, not coming off the bench he is quicker,stronger and has more technique than Owen.

• 29 Edd Case // Aug 6, 2007 at 8:55 PM

  9thjune – How come in all the ‘Newcastle have agreed a fee’ talk beforehand it was £4 million and now suddenly it has become £6 million. Methinks that the press have forgotten to convert from Euros!!!

  it says 9.3million euros on the official site – unless, of course, that includes wages etc.

  i read that as this was just the fee as it’s not usual to let the press know players wages too.

• 30 Tom_Toon // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:02 PM

  Hoyte, dont joke mate. Shorey no thank you. Drago yes please. Diop, why?!?

• 31 Dingo // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:02 PM

  Edd… read up>>>> ed solved the mystery for us with his 0.67 echange rate…. as for releasing transfer fees to the press, you only have to do that if you are a PLC (publicy listed company) as NUFC are now privatly owned by MA he does not have to disclose the fee at all. I guess the reason we have the actual fees is to show the other managers in the prem that they have wasted a lot of thier cash. Bragging rights go to BSA for this close season.

  go on sam!!

• 32 Dingo // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:04 PM

  Edd just read you comment again… I all the excitement of the last few days I missed yer point…… youre right players wages are not ‘normally’ given to the press unless it is sensational. sry for that plc rant!

• 33 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:04 PM

  ^^ that does not include wages, thats is 9.3 million euro dollars for the player lock stock & barrell.

  the press dont know anything, until we do… im sure youve noticed! everything else is 90% made up.

  Martins is ahead of Owen at the moment…. who ever puts Owen ahead of Martins is crazy, Martins has played his arse off… owen needs to work his socks off to get back into the team.

  I very much doubt Sam will put Owen ahead of Martins until either Owen starts cracking in the goals or Martins stops.

  and lastly, with all the Banter on here imagine what its going to be like when we start playing serious football!!!!!

  I CANT WAIT!

• 34 Craig Allen // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:05 PM

  Yeah I saw that too 6 Mil

• 35 Edd Case // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:08 PM

  9,300,000.00 EUR = 6,316,574.63 GBP

  That 9.3million figure is from nufc.com.

  So, to answer 9thjune again and to save confusion, it would appear that the transfer fee IS approx 6.3million quid.
  Obviously the 4million figure banded about by the press was too low.

• 36 Edd Case // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:09 PM

  *should say nufc.co.uk – the OFFICIAL site.

• 37 nightfall // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:09 PM

  martins will be picked ahead of owen…if they’re both staying… owen will get his chance during ANC (jan-feb)…

• 38 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:23 PM

  Martins has simply been a much better asset for us than Owen and i think after last season he deserves to start. Although i think Owen will have a better goal return(if hes fit) and its easy to forget how good he can be due to the fact we havent seen anywhere near enough of him, i think it would be better in the long term to put our faith in Martins as we all know in a few years under BSA he could become the best striker in the premiership. What is clear though is there could be alot worse things to have a headache over…

• 39 Graham // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:30 PM

  Couldn’t agree more Rich / Nightfall. Even if he was fit (something tells me at least 6 weeks away) I would have owen warming the bench and watching Oba bang them in.Lesser managers in the past would have played Owen just because he’s Owen and onw of the 1st choices on the england teamsheet. but I hope that Sam remains strong on this one. I would rather see Newcastle win a corner than england win the world cup!

• 40 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:31 PM

  ^^ testuo – i agree… these are all GOOD headaches though.. who to play Owen or Martins, Rozey or Capaca, Taylor or Drago (hopefully) compare that to last season!!!!!

  And we nedd to keep Martins no matter what, we ant forget that Owen scored 7 goals in 13 starts and 1 sub appearance, so thats 1 every 2 and he wasnt even firing on all cylinders, but we need to replay Oba we cant just send him to the bench the moment owen is fit because 1. Owen is 28, hes hopefully got another 4-5 years in him.

  Oba is 22, we should have another 10 seasons out of him… i hope thats 200+ Oba goals… i hope alot of them are like the one against Spurs

• 41 Lenny // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:32 PM

  El toro will be a big player for us this season, ive seen him play in spain and hes class! excellent buy!!

• 42 Tom_Toon // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:45 PM

  I think we should try and sign Digao on loan. Digao is 6ft 4 and 93kg centre back/right back.

  He is 21 and the younger brother of Kaka who AC Milan want to go on loan for some experience.

• 43 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:50 PM

  can anyone on NUFC TV get the archives to work?? im trying to watch Obas goal against Spurs but it wont let me

  I cant download it and when i click ‘View In Popup’ which it should stream in Media Player outside the web browser it tries to play it then says ‘error’ anyone have this prob?

  i just want to watch some of the good ol days

• 44 Dani G // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:52 PM

  The more signings Big Sam brings in the more belief and confidence the team will go into the season with. Although I am extremely happy about the signing of Enrique (having not bought a left back since babayaro ) it is a lot of money to spend on a relatively unknown youngster. Im sure Sam can bring the best out of him but he will have to deal with him carefully seeing as spaniards seem to find it hard to adjust to the premiership. However, he is tall (6,1) , strong (nicknamed “the bull”) and, hopefully, fit.
  This man has the potential to do great things at the toon but ONLY under the careful guidance of Sam Allardyce.

  Howay the toon!

• 45 apan // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:54 PM

  SERB TO SNUB MAGPIES

  Newcastle United may miss out on Ivica Dragutinovic after the Serbian defender admitted that he would prefer to stay at Sevilla.

  St James’ Park boss Sam Allardyce has travelled to Spain to let Dragutinovic know what is on offer at the club, but that may not be enough.

  Well at least we got Enrique

• 46 Murvar // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:56 PM

  I can’t see Oba starting ahead of Owen when both are fit. Oba can be dynamite and instinctive in the box but his control in open play – or when he has time to think about it – is utterly woeful and so many attacks break down with him. Sam will have to coach that out of him but it seems to me that’s why he was sold to us – in Italy possession is more precious than in the Premiership and they won’t put up with it. Mind, I would play both of them against a team of dwarves – PORG United maybe. Shola increasingly looks the odd man out with Carroll coming up fast on the rails.

• 47 Ashton // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:08 PM

  Hey guys read this

  http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=50781

• 48 rich // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:14 PM

  Ashton –

  Tribal Football make everything up, they have no credibility in here.

  accoridng to them we wouldnt Have Oba, Owen, Given, Taylor, Zogbia, Smith or Milner… they are all playing for other teams to fund Mike Ashleys 140 million purhcase of the Toon for future apartment complexes and disneylands.

• 49 Edd Case // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:24 PM

  Tribal Football and Alan Oliver is the same thing, that, I am utterly convinced of.

• 50 MagpieRich // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:28 PM

  Anyone else concerned about cover for the goalkeeper position?. If Given’s injury gets worse, we’d only have Harper left, as Krul is on loan (until 1st Jan,08). If Harper were also to get injured, who else is there? Or is it possible to recall a player who is currently on loan?

• 51 Jeff D // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:52 PM

  It is possible to recall a player on loan Rich.He is still a newcastle contracted player.

• 52 Tetsuo // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:53 PM

  Its important that we have players who are 100% dedicated to bringing Newcastle success and move away from the mistakes we have made in the past by recruiting players who are only interested in benefiting financially. We touched upon Drago using our interest as a way of getting his own cash hike at sevilla and his actions since would suggest this is the case. There is still three weeks left until the transfer window closes and we have three premiership games in that time so hopefully that will give more of an indication about where we need to strengthen…good times ahead

• 53 Jeff D // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:09 PM

  Drago is a very experienced no nonsense dependable defender.He has given 100% for club and country on the occasions i have seen him.He would be a great addition to our squad.

• 54 Ed Harrison // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:31 PM

  Toon1 – If we can get Drago I still think Sam will get one or two players. Think he may go for a RB still and a midielder – depending who’s available.
  But even without Drago -> Rozehnal, Cacapa and Enrique will make a big big difference in defense and Geremi in midfield. The squad is looking stronger especially with N’Zogbia, Milner, Luque, Carr and Martins playing really well under Sam with renewed enthusiam for some of them like Luque and N’Zogbia.

• 55 bw positive // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:35 PM

  Don’t want Drago. A. for 2.5 million Seville don’t rate him that much, B. 31, ZERO premierleague knowledge, C. Emphasised money a little too much for my liking. Again, its about character and quality. His quality is unproved in the premierleague, however his character is plain to see. Bump that 2.5 upto 5 and make Shorey a player that will not only compete for an england birth reguarily raising his stock, but one that will also guarantee quality. For me, Drago is a on paper is quality, but the man has no comprehension of Newcastle united if his only quote regarding a potential move, harbours on his financial benefit.

• 56 Tom_Toon // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:55 PM

  Shorey doesnt even compare to Drago. Drago is so much better than Shorey its unbelievable.

• 57 michael // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:58 PM

  I would still love Silvestre, or someone of that ilk. Premiership experience and proven quality at a top club. That would mean Heinze, Bridge or Riise. Not Nicky Shorey who is much the same prospect as Enrique.

• 58 anonymous // Aug 7, 2007 at 12:01 AM

  The real reasion for Dyer leaving is hees a wanted man on tyneside after doing dirt on a gang members daughter.

• 59 ToonKing // Aug 7, 2007 at 12:22 AM

  Someone made a simple comparison of Baines and Enrique, same aplies for Shorey.

  Enrique – 21 years old, good prospect, steady progress from youth team upwards
  Shorey – 26 , the man was languishing at Reading from 2001 !! He had 1 good season.

  Enrique – 6 ft 1 (El Toro )
  Shorey – 5.9 (NOT El Toro )

  PS: If rumours are true Sam and West ham are chasing Shorey——-> Shorey is a West Ham fan.

• 60 rich // Aug 7, 2007 at 7:50 AM

  Magpie Rich – you are forgetting Fraser Forster hes our 4th string goalie.

  On the Drago front i just read this on NUFC.com…. as they say its starting to seem like this guy has used us as a patsy to get a big pay increase with his current cliub :

  The player was quoted last week as saying:

  “This is the financial opportunity of my life and do not want to reject it.

  However by Monday that had become:

  “Not everything is about money.

  “In a few days, maybe on Wednesday or Thursday, we will make a decision, but I think that I am now closer to staying here.”

  back to the drawing board Sam!

• 61 Shearer 4 pm // Aug 7, 2007 at 8:42 AM

  what if we get rid of dyer for 5m and lucas neill or 3m and matthew upson both quality defender plenty of experience west ham fully stocked up in defence neill would mean that sam could use geremi in the midfield, and wecould get that money grabbing keiron dyer off the wage bill. although neill quit captain of blackburn for a relagation certain hammers but that was a football desision so… the swap seems unlikely but either would be a good idea, or a stright swap for ferdinand.

• 62 nightfall // Aug 7, 2007 at 10:45 AM

  goalkeeper? i think we should get slovenia international samir handanovic as a back up keeper… given is a legend, but harper…not so sure about him… handanovic is 192 cm/92 kg…and i’m telling you…he’s the next petr cech…

• 63 Tom_Toon // Aug 7, 2007 at 10:59 AM

  If he was he wouldnt be playing for Rimini, if we had to get a secind goalie it should be Stekelenburg from Ajax.

• 64 nightfall // Aug 7, 2007 at 12:02 PM

  he plays for udinese

• 65 rich // Aug 7, 2007 at 12:03 PM

  we dont need another keeper.

  if Harper gets injured we have Fraser Forster, but Givens injury is not serious so dont fret.

• 66 Andreas // Aug 7, 2007 at 1:47 PM

  @bw positive have you thought of changing your nick to “bw negative”? Everyone is ofc entitled to an opinion but it feels like most of your posts are negative (could also be that you want to lower the expextations and be positively surprised).