It’s a good time for Newcastle United supporters right now.
The summer transfer window was very successful and Sam was able to bring in 9 players capturing Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye right at the end of the transfer window on Friday evening – or should we say early Saturday morning 
We’ll take a look today at the squad Sam has put together for less than ₤10M net in transfer funds.
Sam Allardyce - made a strong start to his Newcastle career
We think he’s done a fantastic job and has been ably assisted by chairman Chris Mort and Mike Ashley - who is becoming very popular with Newcastle fans as gets into the grip of their undoubted passion.
We’ll try to get it right this time because when we did this Saturday morning we missed out Albert Luque, who moved to PSG but we don’t know for how much.
We brought in these players with their ages, previous club and transfer fee:
Mark Viduka – 31 - Middlesbrough - free
Joey Barton – 24 - Manchester City - ₤5.8M
Geremi – 28 - Chelsea - free
David Rozehnal – 27 - PSG - ₤2.9M
Alan Smith – 26 - Manchester United - ₤6M
Jose Enrique – 21 - Villareal - ₤6.3M
Claudio Cacapa – 31 - Lyon - free
Abdoulaye Faye – 29 - Bolton - ₤2M
Habib Beye – 29 - Marseilles - ₤2M
That’s a total outlay of ₤25M for 9 players.
The following 10 players moved away from Newcastle during the summer:
Bramble – Wigan - free
Srnicek - free
Moore - free
Bernard - free
Onweyu – Standard Leige (after loan)
Parker – West Ham - ₤7M
Dyer – West Ham - ₤7M
Huntington - Leeds – undisclosed
Solano - West Ham – undisclosed
Luque – Ajax – undisclosed
If we assume we got at least ₤2M for Huntington, Solano and Luque then that’s only ₤9M net Sam spent and in reality probably even less than that.
Here’s what the squad looks like – we’ll put each player down in their preferred position and then have that player in brackets if he’s available to play in other positions. The first names isn’t necessarily first choice in that position and we’ll put the squad in a 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeepers
Given, Harper, Foster
Back Four
Beye Cacapa Rozehnal Enrique
Carr* Taylor Faye Babayaro*
Edgar Ramage (Edgar) (N'Zogbia)
(Taylor)
Midfield
Milner Butt Barton N'Zogbia
(Smith) Emre Geremi Duff
Troisi (Faye) Smith (Troisi)
Pattison
Forwards
Owen Viduka
Martins Ameobi*
(Smith)
That’s 27 players and we have Carroll and Krul out on loan until at least January.
We also believe that the wage bill is now probably more in line with what it should be. That’s because we’ve lost players such as Dyer (₤80K/week), Luque (₤60K/week), Solano (₤40K/week ?) and Parker (₤55K/week) who were probably some of the of the top earners at the club. Since most of Sam’s recruits came from European clubs we think their wages will be a lot less than the players who left. That’s an opinion as we’ll never really know who’s earning what. But if these figures are close to being correct we’ve freed up ₤235K/week in wages with just 4 players leaving.
One thing that’s for sure is that Sam has a lot of choice in nearly every position, and will be able to swing games for us with good substitutes performing off the bench - as we did on Saturday. We do look a little light on the right wing with James Milner the only one who is a natural in that position, now that Nobby Solano has left us.
From the squad above the asterisks are for players who are probably under pressure and may eventually be moved out of the club for new arrivals in January or next summer. For example Babayaro’s contract ends next summer and we don’t think it to be renewed.
As to what Big Sam does in the January transfer window it will depend on hos the team does until then. However, we still expect Edmilson to join is from Barcelona, and then others depending on how those with asterisks perform through December.
We’ve placed a new discussion point on our Newcastle United Forum for the Discussion of our Squad as of now - September, 2007.
What do you think about the squad - and how it can be improved in the future - who should go and who should come - please let us know.
Comments always welcome.
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53 responses so far ↓
1 big pea ov the weab // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:31
i think we have a real strong squad wen duff n barton r back itl b even better a think nzogbia is going to be 1 ov the all time great players his pace is blistering n his eye for goal is second to non keep up the good work guys
2 Hammy // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:35
This looks like a real quality squad, in the past NUFC seem to have bought players out of Shoot magazine, some signings have been that bad you have to wonder if anybody had actually watched them. I have been VERY impressed with the quality of BSA signings, all seem to have captain potential and I don’t think we’ll be hearing soccer “pundits” taking the pi** out of our defence. Hansen is going to be out of a job.
PS. The Villa draw does not look so bad now does it!!!
3 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:35
Ed - no asterisk for Damien Duff? Think he’s been massively disappointing since he joined from Chelsea.
4 aaron d // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:39
Defense looks very strong and have been impressed with them all so far, 3 goals conseeded in 5 games isn’t bad. Cacapa and Rozenhal look like very good signings a lot better than Moore and Bramble last year (too be fair Bramble played alright yesterday).
Feel midfield numbers has suddenly gone from strong to average now with the sale of Dyer, Solano and Luque. Need another right midfield and Troisi is not ready for the premiership yet. Duff and Emre possible players under pressure too as both are injury prone and haven’t really performed well yet. Can’t see ameobi ever leaving probably would be happy to stay as a back-up.
Viduka is ok but is getting on a bit and has looked pretty slow so far, his goal was good though against Middlesboro.
Would like to see leave january less they prove them self. (Duff-4m-5m, Emre 3m-6m, Babayaro 500k-1m, Carr 1m-2m, Pattison-free and possibly Ameobi 3m-4m)
Replaced with Edmilson, Van der Vaart (would light up the premiership), then rotational players for Left, Right mid and def.
Surprised that Huntington was sold and not loaned out. Obviously Sam didn’t see any potental in him.
5 kash // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:42
We’ve never had such a defensive line in our history. As long as we keep up all the cleansheets, then i’m a happy man!
6 Marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:44
I think, that Damien Duff has a lot to prove and hopefully he will prove it. So we will have very strong left wing. From matches since new season I am a little disappointed with our midfield play - we anren’t capable of holding the ball and there is also a lack of creativity I think (but it was better in match with wigan). I hope that Joey fills this weak place - if I can say weak, because is not weak, just our weekest now.
7 Kriz // Sep 3, 2007 at 8:54
I think Emre and Duff should be given this season to prove them selves. Don’t sell them in january, at least not Duff. We need him, or our left side would be as thin as our right side…
8 Ed Harrison // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:00
I thought of marking both Duff and Emre with asterisks but didn’t - doesn’t say they will not be under pressure. We think one strike against them (and include Babayaro in this) is they are always injured so are not contributing - even if it’s not their fault.
9 Lamesley Mag // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:00
The squad has strength in depth but expect to see Babayaro, Carr, Emre, Pattison leave in January. Duff may also leave if he does not rekindle his Blackburn/Chelsea form. He’s been disapointing for Newcastle, albeit playing in an extremely poor team.
If Owen and/or Martins set the PL on fire between now and January expect bids from club sides in the Champions league as they will not be cup tied.
We should keep Ameobi as he’s adequate cover for Viduka when injured.
Young Carrol and Krull should be allowed to learn their trade by playing each week with other clubs and return to Newcastle next season.
Who should we bring in:
Cover for RB, LB, RW, LW and a forward if Owen/Martins are sold.
I’ve never seen Van der Vaart play so will follow him over next few months….
Not sure if Edmilson will come or if needed, (especially at £100k per week), although will improve the squad!
10 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:03
I don’t think BSA and Mort will be selling/releasing anyone until we have suitable replacements lined up - and that includes carr.
I’d like to see someone with genuine pace and an eye for goal replacing duff asap - there just doesn’t seem to be many of them kind of players going spare lately.
11 Ali // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:03
Don’t forget Smith and even Geremi can play on the right if we need emergency cover. Other than that, i’m well excited about the coming season and looking forward to seeing the new team gel!
12 Rich // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:11
squad looks good now, defence and up front is sorted for a couple of seasons now, the midfield area is the week link. I would like to see a creative midfielder and a right winger in to have a team that really could challenge the top 4, hopefully next season!
13 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:14
Seeing as our squad is so much stronger now, how do people feel about getting drawn with Arsenal in the League Cup?
Wenger is bound to play his kids - as he always does. I reckon Sam will field our strongest XI as he’ll be going all out to win that trophy.
I’m going for a Toon win AET. Any thoughts?
14 Marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:14
@ Rich
I will be happy, if we finishes in top six this season. That have to be our goal - UEFA cup.If we can achieve this better player comes in and some like Babayaro, Carr goes out. That is the key to fight with top four - at least I think so.
15 Marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:18
@ Toon Chicken
I will be more than glad to see Arsenal off, but they are playing home and I think, that the boys have to prove themselves. And this cup is their only chance this season, so it will be very dufficuilt game at emirates. I will be satisfied with draw - will it be seconf game at SJP then ?
16 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:20
No, has to be settled on the night. Extra Time and Penalties if need be.
17 Marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:25
Oh .. that changes it. I hope we win at Emirates. It will be tough game, but we have the quality to play and win agains aresenal boys.
18 aaron d // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:29
I am very impressed with Allardyce’s first 9 signing all capable of playing in the starting eleven and some far all have performed well, Viduka, Barton, Rozenhal, Geremi, Smith, Cacapa, Enrique, Faye and Beye for total of £25m. Compair this to the previous three managers first 9 signings.
Robson (Gallacher -700k, Gavilan -£2m, Bassedas-£4.13, Cordone -£500K loan, Cort-£7m, Bernard-Free, Lua-Lua-£2.2m, Acuna-£1m and Quinn -£700k -Total £18.3m) 7 flops and 2 debateble average players in Bernard and Lua-Lua. Also signed N’Zogbia for £250k
Souness (Ronney Johnsen -Free, Babayaro -£1m, Boumsong - £8m, Faye - £2m, Parker -£6.5m, Emre -£3.7m, Krul- £500k, Moore - Free, Luque - £9.5m - Total £31.2m) 6 Flops, 1 captain, 1 to prove himself and 1 potential star. Also signed Owen
Roeder (Duff -£5m, Martins -£10.14m, Bernard-Free, Rossi - Loan, Sibierski -free, Srnicek-free, oneywu- loan) only 7 signing made. 4 flops, 1 yet to prove him self, 2 stars.
All of Allardyce’s sign have the potential to be stars, but its too early to judge yet.
19 valle // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:31
If 5 games played showes a little of what we can expect this season then im a happy man. If we win our game in hand and liverpool and Arsenal does the same then we would lie in 3rd place 2 points after 1st =)
20 Marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:35
It’s very early to judge premier leaugue with only 5 days played. We have all the tough matches ahead of us (arsenal, liverpool, cfc and manu, maybe tottenham and everton). I am curios how it will be in january.
21 valle // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:39
It is very early, but still a great start to the season
22 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:45
It’s crucial we beat Derby as our next 4 Premiership opponents will be West Ham, Man City, Everton and Tottenham - these 4 teams and probably Villa will be looking to challenge us for a top 6 finish. Once we’ve negotiated those lot we should have a fair idea of where we stand in the Premiership pecking order this season.
23 valle // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:54
west ham and city wont be able to be consistant imo, but spurs and everton are indeed rivals we should better if we wanna improve to the next lvl. Fortunately spurs seems to have a very bad start to the season, and we can only hope that they sack jol asap, as i really dont think anyone can do a better job with the players they have (tho allot could do better with their transfers!). If that happens then they will be in a transision period again and then it can go both ways for them, but if it works out it will properly be too late. Spurs seems to be around the lvl we where in the robson period and if they sack now, the same thing that happened to us can happen to them… lets all hope they hire souness after jol is kicked ^^
24 Gallacher the Horse // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:04
Valle, I think our game in hand is against Arsenal (as they played in Europe), so if we win it it’ll put us in an even better position! Although I expect to be quickly corrected if I’m wrong.
25 valle // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:08
Yep thats right, but it might end up being another game that puts us lvl on games played, but we can put it this way… we are 3rd of the teams that has only played 4 games
26 maggpie // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:12
Looking very good.
Anyone know when we last had three consecutive home clean sheets as we just have with Villa/Barnsley/Wigan?
27 Craig Allen // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:12
Thanks Bramble .. for that crappy clearance to Taylor who in turn fed Martins who … well you know the rest Titus…
Thanks again!
28 Craig Allen // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:15
oh and that penalty, pity the ref didn’t call it, Titus - but we appreciate the sentiment anyway and know you tried hard throughout the game.
Now that’s one way to get a welcome like Sibierski next time you guys make your way up north.
29 big pea ov the weab // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:20
@ every 1 toon toon
30 Cyprus Mag // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:22
by my reckoning that’s 23 players not 27-unless you expect Taylor etc to play in two positions at the same time?
31 Bill F // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:23
I still think we need a quality striker, any injuries and we are stuffed.
32 marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:28
@ Bill F
Why do we need another striker ? I think we now have one of the best five attack in leaugue (we and big four) - that puts us in really great possition with the new-look defense.
33 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:33
Not necessarily - Smith can do a job upfront, and it’s about time Ameobi repaid some of the faith that’s been shown in him. Carrol, although far from the finished article can always be recalled in an emergency.
It’s the same for all the big teams though… if Arsenal lose Van Persie, Liverpool Torres, Chelsea go without Drogba, and Man U who are already struggling without Rooney.
34 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:34
above comment in response to Bill F
35 valle // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:40
Strikers are also the last position i would worry about right now, Viduka, Owen, Martins and Smith are all class and when u add a backup of Carroll and Ameobi i think we’re looking more than well.
36 Rich // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:45
we couldnt get another top drawer striker just now anyway. whilst competition is healthy having too many would mean possibly sitting 2 of them on the bench and we couldnt keep hold of our current top class strikers doing that! its midfield we need to worry about if injuries hit
37 Bosck // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:50
bill f - how are we stuffed in terms of strikers we have owen, martins, viduka, smith, ameobi, and carroll if really needed in january. that looks pretty strong to me and i dont think 1 of them being injured would be a crisis, if more than one was injured then ok but you could say the same about most teams.
38 marosh // Sep 3, 2007 at 10:52
Exactly - with the departure of Dyer, Solano and Parker we are little short of midfielders. I would like to see some creative midfielder comming to us in january transfer window. And maybe one right winger.
39 david bulman // Sep 3, 2007 at 11:00
i think people should give duff a chance,hes had injuries and was in a bad team when playing.butt geremi and smith in midfield too similar and create nothing and smith is definetly not a right winger,with barton and that in midfield duff can create chances,would like to see him or nzogbia on left wing and get enrique playing at left back and milner out on right wing.if viduka out for next game would like to try a 4-4-2 with martins and owen upfront.we have a solid looking defence now and will be a hard team to beat,but do need to create more than we have or will be heading for alot of draws.
40 Lee R // Sep 3, 2007 at 11:03
@ Toon Chicken
Carrol can not be recalled in an emergency. the new rules on loan deals is that they must stay on the for the whole of the agreement terms.
41 nightfall // Sep 3, 2007 at 11:39
another striker? we already have too many strikers….but if we sell 1 or 2 in januray, i’d love to see anelka at the club…he’s one of the best in the league…fast, strong, experienced and skillful… but only if we sell 1 or 2…viduka, if he doesn’t start playing like he can and ameobi…
42 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2007 at 13:25
nightfall - regarding Anelka you forgot to mention selfish, money-orientated and prone to the odd sulk or two.
43 Bill F // Sep 3, 2007 at 13:51
I’ve already given my reasons in previous blogs but here they are again. Viduka seems to me to be injury prone, Ameobi just don’t seem to be able to hit the form we think he should (not just me saying it). Smith I think of as more of a midfielder rather than an out and out striker. That leaves the two O’s and if either of them are injured then we have problems. I would qualify my comments by saying if the midfield guys pitch in with loads of goals then it is not so bad. I would like to see Sam get either Fenduono or Piqeuone (spelling not sure for either) or both in January
44 cooldj // Sep 3, 2007 at 14:56
VERY SHORT AT RIGHT MID DUE TO SALE OF SOLANO AND DYER - I REALLY THOUGHT THAT SAM WOULD HAVE KEPT NOBBY FOR THIS REASON AND IM GUTTED TO SEE HIM GO - I ONLY HOPE MILNER AND ZOGGY STAY FIT, ESPECAILLY TILL DUFF COMES BACK (CAN OPERATE BOTH FLANKS!!)
is troisi ready yet!!!???? and have we let kazenga lua lua go (the times says we have!)
45 michael // Sep 3, 2007 at 16:48
We don’t really know much about how we’re going to perform this season as today would have been the first time all the players showed up for training at the same time let alone played together. Enrique hasn’t impressed enough to dislodge N’Zogbia, which is never a good sign with Spaniards on Tyneside. Still the defence has improved remarkably as has the teams fitness, desire to win and teamspirit. We have looked tactically more astute and aware but are yet to fully test ourselves. I do expect both Barton and Duff to make a big impact, and am very impressed with our ever improving injury record.
I still think that Emre is crap. I think any signings in Janurary need to be guys who will make the 1st XI. Van Der Vaart would be a snare (Only seen him play for Holland, but he along with Snjieder are their two best players) although he will no doubt cost a fortune. If we are still in touch with the top four come Jan we could see Michael Cashley spend more than this summer!
46 Ed Harrison // Sep 3, 2007 at 17:01
Where does it say in the Times we’ve let Kazenga Lua Lua go? Haven’t seen it and I’d be really surprised.
47 Johnny Utah // Sep 3, 2007 at 17:08
Dyer is a piece of crap that got stung by the Karma bug…please don’t count him as a RM. Let’s never forget his little tantrum…
As for Duff…he will have to get himself in shape before BSA would even let him on the bench. Zog and Milner will be our midfield and I think they will get better with games. Zog can play in the centre too, so if Duff forces his way in we will find it difficult to accommodate Geremi…who I rate very highly.
Can’t wait for Barton to come back…tough, smart and a good passer…reminds me of Kean-o a bit….and I think we can all agree that Kean-o is one of the best midfielders ever in his prime. If Barton plays half as well for us then we will be challenging for the prem title…not just the UEFA berth.
This is just the start of great times…believe it.
Howay the lads!!!
48 cooldj // Sep 3, 2007 at 19:40
few days ago, with all the ins and outs it said out kazenga lua lua… i hope he hasnt but a couple of people have also mentioned it to me
49 Sinead // Sep 3, 2007 at 20:17
Duff, just before he was injured was beggining to show flashes of his old form, it’s just a pity he was injured. Duff didn’t really get a chance to proove himself at Chelsea like but when I think of Duff I still remember him from the 2002 WC, he was amazing. He still has that magic in him, but he just needs the opportunity to show it and he also needs good ball, good support, which he wasn’t getting when he was playing.
50 Marguerite // Sep 3, 2007 at 22:43
We have NOT let Kazenga Lua Lua go, he was playing for the reserves tonight against Bolton at SJP. We won 3-0. He is registered as an acadamy player.
51 dragoner // Sep 3, 2007 at 22:50
im going to emirates for our carling cup match, my girlsfriend has an arsenals eason ticket…just thought i would share that with you lot lolol sorry
52 Ed Harrison // Sep 4, 2007 at 9:20
Marguerite - I saw that - not sure where that rumor came from - couldn’t find any report on it
53 cooldj // Sep 4, 2007 at 11:41
was in the times a few days ago, when they did all the prem ins and outs (supposedly) im glad its not true!!!!!
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