Liverpool have decided to sell Peter Crouch to the highest bidder in January, and that will start a scramble for the hugely under-rated Liverpool striker.
While we have no idea whether Big Sam rates Crouch, he causes so much trouble with high balls in the opposition penalty area, that we think he could be a good acquisition for Newcastle.
Peter Crouch - there will be a big scramble for his signature before January
The initial signs are that Newcastle have already registered their interest in the 6′ 7″ striker. Certainly Glenn Roeder was a big fan of the Macclesfield born striker, and we certainly need another big striker up front to help out Mark Viduka, who tends to be injury a lot through the season. It also looks certain that Shola Ameobi will be leaving the club in January. Crouch’s future has been the subject of intense speculation this season but it’s being reported that manager Rafa Benitez has finally lost patience after a change in the striker’s attitude.
Benetiz believes Crouch’s status as an England player has turned his head a little and affected his work ethic that made him such a good team player when he arrived from Southampton for £7M in 2005. That attitude will not be a problem for Big Sam, who will sort Peter out quickly in terms of his attitude, but Peter will get a lot more game at Newcastle than he did at Liverpool. He will also get the chance to partner his England colleague Michael Owen.
Liverpool will of course try to secure the highest possible price for the 26 year-old Crouch, and there will be no shortage of offers. But it’s up to Big Sam whether Newcastle will pursue the Liverpool man. However, there have been early signs of interest not only from Newcastle, but also form Portsmouth and Aston Villa, and a move abroad may also be a possibility for Crouch. The initial quote for Crouch is £15M, but that’s far too high, and we think somewhere around £10M or less will have Liverpool doing business for the tall striker.
If Newcastle are interested, the time to move is now, and we would expect both Big Sam and Chris Mort to be involved aggressively in trying to recruit Crouch in January. Peter is a proven Premiership player who scores a lot more goals these days, and is so much better with his feet than many people realize.
We would like to see Newcastle move very aggressively for Crouch, and have him tied up before the January transfer window even opens. Crouch has played 22 times for England and scored 12 goals.
But what do you think? Is Crouch the type of player we should be signing in January? Let us know.
Comments very welcome.
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125 responses so far ↓
1 bobby // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:23 PM
I would bet any money he does’nt just retire and that he continues to dispense words of wisdom to any who will listen. Including (especially even) Newcastle if any one there has the gumption to ask. so if Ashley or Mort ever read this blog, as Hadrain has already said you have a font of knowledge at your disposal, “USE ITâ€
Leo // Nov 16, 2007 at 13:56
great article to read, based on the true greats we have recently had at our disposal. shame we disposed of him when we did, Sheppard= gutless scum.
it does bring a tear to your eyes when you hear about how many illnesses he has had in the last 15 years, why does it only happen to the great people.
Ashley and Mort give the guy a motivational role at the club, he is such a idol for so many players so i think he will help them from needing to ’soul search’ even if it is just to keep the man occupied, also give him a lifetime seat in the directors box, we all know he deserves it.
btw what is wrong with people who write on the blog making paragraphs rather than just typing miles upon miles of words in a big big line, makes it really hard to read.
2 bobby // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:24 PM
the problem for the vast majority of geordies is we expect imediacy.new manager,new owner,new chairman and 9 new players in one pre season and suddenly the fans are expecting us to challenge the top four.the problem is this was never going to happen in sams mind and the minds of those fans who appreciate that substantial change to the extent of what we endured in the summer was always going to take time. the majority of fans who arent prepared to wait and call for sam to be sacked or meat and drink to rival fans who could see from the outside looking in, (just like the normal geordie) that imediacy in the current climate is impossible. patience, stability, structure are ingredients this club has never had and never will as long as the majority of the fans are expecting some sensational reprise and return to the keegan era style football. untill we learn to be patient i fully expect the press and rival fans alike to ram the words up our deluded Hoops. in reality, all 3 north east clubs are struggling. I seriously can not understand why roy keane is not under pressure at sunderland. 1 point from 21 is relegation form. their failure to beat a team as disjointed and dispirited as us was a demonstation of how toothless they are. 35 million spent in the summer on players which can not cut it in this divison. if you look at who they bought at the prices they paid and compare that to the players we bought at a net amount of approx 8 million even the most hardcore boro or sunderland fan would have to conceede that keane and quin are not exactly in tune with the transfer market. to conclude this epic point i must say that i feel in time, with patience newcastle can be a good team. much love.
Leave a Comment
3 Tom_Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:34 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
4 MattyDread // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Ed that’s the most ridiculous picture I have ever seen in my whole entire life. Why would we want to sign a comedy shaped frisbee?
5 Callum // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Theres a few funny videos on youtube with crouch in that position, similar to the one about BSA a month or 2 ago
6 Hadrain // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:47 PM
i dont like the style of play u need to use crouch to get the best from him , but thats what we look like were trying to play anyway .
id bid for crouch only if owen is still going tobe around , if were to flog owen id want that money spent on anelka .
7 Rafa The Gaffer // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Crouch is a very good player. He is under-used at Liverpool, but has grown an attitude problem because of it. Liverpool tend to sign your attitude problems (Bellamy), so it would be nice to see one going the other way. He may get to partner Owen, but rumours are that Owen wants out, so we’ll have to wait and see. Crouch would do very well at Newcastle and would definitely improve the squad, but if like you say, you want to deal sorted before the window opens, then you’ll have to pay the top money upfront.
8 Cyprus Mag // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:51 PM
I like Crouch and he would be a good acqisition for any team. My problem with signing him is it would encourage Sam’s high ball even more.
9 Brisbane Mag // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:01 PM
I’m not a Crouch lover, but if Liverpool offer us 10M for Owen plus throw in Crouch we should consider taking him……..
10 jiM Baker // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:11 PM
i think Crouch would be a good signing for Newcastle.
I’d say he’s better when the balls played to feet rather than in the air.
11 Bill f // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Are we being taken to task for our mode of grammatical expression, bl**dy hell we’ll be getting marked out of ten next.
Still it’s nice to see someone attempting to educate us morons.
As for Crouch I would open negotiations straight away to get him. I have always rated him. Wonder if they would sell us Kuyt as well.
12 nightfall // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:28 PM
i read ramos wants owen… if that’s true we should exchange him for berbatov… he can also create chances/score goals out of nothing and that’s sth. we need… especially if we’ll keep playing like we do now (players sending long balls up front and hope for the best)…owen can’t play like that…berbatov and martins can!!!
13 Kash // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:29 PM
We’ve been linked to a number of big, strong, quick forwards who are young. Why pay for an overated lanky prick who blatantly can’t head the ball and tries to drop off like a link man and congests the play. Not having it!!!
We need a big man who stretches the field of play, sign the bulgarian kid if he’s any good. For gods sake give Andy Carrol a few chances instead, at least he can head the ball!
14 Craig Futers // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Why would Crouch go from sitting on Liverpools bench to sitting on ours?
Cos i wouldnt play him infront of Viduka, Owen or Oba. Even if all else fails we could play Smith or even Ameobi lol
The money it would cost to buy Crouch (to sit on the bench) could be spent alot more wisely. I think this is a case of “buy him so no else can”
15 Kash2 // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:36 PM
Alan Oliver has surprisingly just written quite a good article. For once he has a valid point. Wow
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2007/11/16/stats-not-so-good-sam-72703-20116563/
16 briss // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:50 PM
getting rid of owen for crouch is a sin to God! no matter if their is 10 mil involved
17 ChrisM // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:51 PM
I think this stoey is a load of monkey jizz. Notice no quotes or citations.
Take its a quiet period at the moment Ed.
Along with the Ben Haim story yseterday think you’re really clutching at straws. So i dont think its even worth wasting time at work discussing it.
I mean the heading ‘Newcastle go after Liverpool’s Crouch’……..only mention in the first sentance of the second paragraph that you dont know if BSA is even interested.
Now that aint journalism……but if toatlly skint you could probably get a job at teh Daily Sport!
18 Tom_Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Rather have Younis Mahmood for a 5th of the price
19 yemozone // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:57 PM
we dont have to waste 10m on crouch.he is not worth it.
If liverpool is selling 5m ,then he will be a good buy but anything higher than that is rubbish.
WHY NOT GO FOR ANELKA WITH THE MONEY
20 steve // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:03 PM
If we buy Crouch we need to keep Owen, however we can probably dispense with any midfield playmakers ( which we already have ) as we’ll obviously play to both BSA and Crouch’s strengths i.e. long high ball
21 adaaaam // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:06 PM
i think its easy to see that when crouchy plays for england our worst stuff is when we try to hoik the ball up to him from anywhere and the stuff tha actually seemd to work was gettin it into his feet or onto his chest around the box, hopefully BS hasnt missed that fact and if we do get crouchy it ll influence our style in a good way?
22 yh // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Never really liked him but he seems to be getting his act together this season – the limited football he has played looks pretty decent…
Yeah but Anelka would be an even better buy I guess.
23 Ed Harrison // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:20 PM
It’s true he would encourage the long high ball – probably too much. But we don’t always have to do that. Anyway – that’s a good point. The other guy we like in Nicholas Anelka – who’s getting back to his form of his early days at Arsenal.
24 ChrisM // Nov 16, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Can i just say gentlemen……..Where the f*(&k is the evidence for this??????
There are no citations or quotes or nowt. I’ve just told a scoucer sitting opposite me here at work and he read in the papers in the last couple of days quotes about how he’s an important member of the squad.
25 Rich // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Id pick Anelka over crouch but either player would be a massive improvement from Ameobi, id even he happy with Cardoza, mentioned on a previous blog.
26 Bill f // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:31 PM
I’m not sure that he is that brilliiant in the air, anyone who has really watched him will know he has a good all round game. He gives good options for any type of game. Definately go for him Sam.
27 Paul // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:38 PM
YOUR ALL FAKE PLASTIC GEORDIES!
IM A REAL GEORDIE OIOI A TRUE FAN SEASON TICKET HOLDER FOR 15 YEARS GEORDIE BORN AND BREAD BLACK AND WHITE ALL THE WAY WOR KID. CROUCH IS A BONNIE PLAYER BUT MARK VIDUKA WILL DO FOR ME. WHAT IS THAT 1ST GUY WHO COMMENTED TALKING ABOUT? GIVE WHO A MOTIVATIONAL ROLE? HOW IS SHEPHERD GUTLESS AND SCUM? DO YOU KNOW HIM? NO. DIDNT THINK SO.
28 JoshI // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Thing is he can use his feet just aswell as his head, so you have the option of playing to his feet aswell, use a mixture of long balls and balls to feet and he will be an excellent signing. i really rate crouch i think for he could be fantastic! and by the sounds of it there is a real chance we could get him. This article about transfers is the most exciting i have read.
29 joel gledhill // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:55 PM
peter crouch is the main man everyone!
from what i have heard he has never had a bad game.
we need a good header of the ball,and we should play martins with him,because owen is not comitted and viduka is getting old and he will need replacing soon.peter crouch is rated because every time he has came on he has scored! CAN NO BODY GET THAT IN THERE HEADS (HE COULD BE A TOON LEDGEND)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30 joel gledhill // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:56 PM
CROUCH IS BRILLIANT!
31 JoshI // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:56 PM
p.s I gotta admit that picture is extremely ridiculous! especially with the blue out in the background. Tis funny though
32 Micky Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Ok, lads and lasses(?) I’ve been reading this site for ages now and I can’t believe the negativity towards Owen. We must cut Owen some slack. Even the great Sir Alan and Sir Les would have trouble scoring with the same distribution of the ball Owen currently gets.
People moan about signing Crouch and how we would just play the ball into him for him to head it into goal. Er, Isn’t that what we used to do with Shearer. No body complained then. I love Shearer, I even named my B&W cat after him, but he was allowed some mistakes because he was one of us. Perhaps we should do the same for our current crop of strikers.
33 ChrisL // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:42 PM
If Arsne Wenger was our manager, I’d have no problem with us signing Crouch… But sadly I fear that most other managers in the Prem (including our Big Sam) will see having Crouch as an invite to hit high balls long.
The trouble with that is he’s cr*p in the air. He’s REALLY DECENT with the ball at his feet (hence why he’d work for Wenger), but if we get him in to win long balls, we’ll see just how many needless fouls can be given away by one man (not always his fault either).
He’s a good striker but not the man for the Toon at the moment (though obviously he’d be better then Shola).
34 iain // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:08 PM
i think its an urban myth that crouch is any good in the air, owen taking the ball of his head to score against argentina is a great example. he fouls players becuase hes always backing in trying to control the ball on his chest rather than flicking the ball on with his head whilst his back is to goal.
crouch is just a good cf with good control/creativity and a decent scoring record.
as far as good headers of the ball goes for target man we have one in smith who if we are going to hump long balls up the pitch to, he will win more in the air than crouch or viduka whos knackered legs wont let him get up very high to compete for balls.
crouch imo is the same as berbatov both target men but not in the sense that they win loads of aerial balls their hold up play is based around their first touch with their feet and not their heads.
if we want a genuine aerial threat there is no better than dean ashton imo he can power headers in like shearer used too and hes got a very good footballing brain/first touch and a decent scoring ability.
problem is owen/shola look next to usesless for us so in reality imo we could easily improve by signing 2 new forwards suited to the way the team is playing.
bobby – i think your wrong i think the majority expect to see a team of highly paid international class players do the basics of football right. and that is something that has been missing since sir bob was our manager and something sam seems to be ignoring in favour of new and unfamilior formations, players in new and odd positions and tactics that are outdated and wrong for the new even richer premier league where even teams like man city/pompey/everton/balckburn can assemble good footballing teams.
if we did the basics right we wouldnt be the only team to have lost at derby, that points to imo a complete lack of understanding between players and manager becuase hes trying to be too clever.
35 vincent // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:09 PM
omg….please dont let this happen..
36 micepie // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:23 PM
There are so many comments on this that it’s hardly worth adding another, but oh well. When Liverpool signed Crouch I wondered what theyw ere doing, but I think he’s a really excellent striker, as skilful with his feet as in the air.
I’d love him to come to the Toon.
Ideally, Crouch, Ben Haim and…er, that Russian geezer (and also a very young player or two thrown in if that’s not asking for too much all in January)
37 Pedro // Nov 16, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Buy JOAQUIN. Buy JOAQUIN. Buy JOAQUIN. Buy JOAQUIN.
38 Keep Oba // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:13 PM
is he my favourite player? no….does he score goals? yes. Hes even goofier looking on the pitch than Ameobi, but the guy gets some results…especially for England…why he isnt considered to start more for England with 12 goals in 22 games surprises me, but whatever. Id rather have Jozy Altidore or Andrey Arshavin (versatile..can play wing, forward, deep forward or Attack Mid).
39 Stephen // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Forget Crouch over rated……………….
If we want a player lets go all out and get Ashton.
40 kopi 67 // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:20 PM
hope we can get him…
but i still think we should persuade anelka or arshavin in attack line
how many transfer kitty in this jan…..
41 Doc // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:25 PM
lets be fair, owen is either finished or does not want to be part of the toon, first bid of over 6m get rid of him
crouch better than owen for sure and might actually run around a bit making himself available for passes high and low
martins to partner crouch or viduka,
we then need a super sub forward for cover, hmmm what about andy carrol ?
42 Snake // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:28 PM
Crouch is s**t. Much rather go for someone else, plus we’ll pay a fortune for him and he’s not worth it. Would rather have that Cardoza from Benefica we were linked with. Crouch s**t. Ive seen some great strikers play for Newcastle and Crouch I shudder at the thought and I repeat, we’ll pay a fortune for him.
43 Tom_Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:31 PM
Why do we want other teams cast off this is regular newcastle bullshit where we by cast offs from other teams, sick of it.
44 Tom_Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:43 PM
sounds like milner is playing immensely well and the commentators are very impressed with domovchivsky
45 dougnufc // Nov 16, 2007 at 6:53 PM
Domovchivsky ain’t that bad
46 scotty // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:21 PM
I hold a season ticket and i’d rather see crouch on the pitch than owen – simple fact in my opinion is i think owen is finished. I hope i’m proved wrong between now and jan, but that’s how i feel. We would all like to see good passing on the ground but the current manager and the previous two couldn’t provide us with this – crouch will love this style of play and he’ll win most in the air – buy him!!!!
47 Leo // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:37 PM
matty dread, i was trying to think what he reminded me of, a comedy frisbi is what he looks like.
no doubting that he is a great footballer and would suit newcastles long ball play.
48 Leo // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:37 PM
michael owen is injured again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
49 toonfan1 // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:39 PM
nooooooooooooooooooooo i cannot believe it!!! does the injury look serious leo
50 Leo // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:41 PM
apparntly its a thigh strain! dont know if that is serious.
51 Tom_Toon // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:41 PM
Ahaha what a muppet, ium not glad hes injured because he is our player but now myfave martins can play more
52 Leo // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:42 PM
it was quite funny listening to the commentators on sky sports 1,
“its a big blow to england and michael owen…blah blah blah, oh and newcastle”!!! fkrs
53 Keep Oba // Nov 16, 2007 at 9:30 PM
hmm..Owen gets injured and Crouch scores? with his head? (didnt people used to say Crouch wasnt good with his head?)…anyways this comment thread should turn interesting…
I like Owen (not as much as Oba of course) and I hope only the best for him while hes in a Newcastle shirt, but even his supporters on here know that we are always on eggshells in regards to him getting injured. the man was not blessed with good thighs…he pulls hamstrings and thigh muscles more than Pippo Inzaghi is called offside. I dont want to be down on him…its just the facts
54 iain // Nov 16, 2007 at 9:34 PM
crouch isnt winning much in the air as ive said he prefers to trap the ball and bring it down (that doesnt make him good in the air), hes alright with his head but hes just misssed a sitter from 6yrds as well, that for a guy his height was laughable.
the first one sorta hit his head rather than crouch rising like a salmon to power it home.
as for owen ill stick with my beliefs that the sooner we get rid of him the better.
55 Keep Oba // Nov 16, 2007 at 9:43 PM
iain–”the first one sorta hit his head rather than crouch rising like a salmon to power it home.”
well…thats probably since hes 6’7….if that was Oba he would have had to jump about 9-10 inches at least to head it..dont knock the guy for not having to jump to head it. Also..he is not terrible with his heading ability. People make him out to be AWFUL at heading. No he isnt the best head player to play the game, but he is better than most at it (maybe not technically, but his size makes him at least decent). Anways…ive seen him head home enough shots to be happy with his ability there, and whats wrong if he also likes to trap the ball and bring it down?
He is not someone I am dreaming to see in a Toon Kit…but if hes here I will support him. Do I think there are better players we could get? Always…but you cant say hes unreliable. Unflexible? sure…but I would be at least a little curious to see him paired with Oba…could be interesting.
56 iain // Nov 16, 2007 at 9:54 PM
im not saying hes crap in the air, but the first one did hit his head, it wouldnt of if hes shorter and the chance he missed at the back post was easier than the goal. the thing is with the second if the guy could actually jump he could get more power on chances like that yet he cant which means any half decent 6ft ch can make up for crouchs hieght by making a good jump, something good ch do time and time again against him. i still believe hes better with the ball played into his feet than his head. im just guessing but id bet he creates or scores more chances with his feet than his head.
im just not sure if sams hit and hope football would bring out the best in crouch. and i still think we need a replacement for owen more than we do another target man (unless shola and one of smith or viduka leave) especially with oba goin to the ACN.
i dont want to be relying on owens fitness to get us through the period oba is away otherise the football will just become more hit and hope than it is now with two target men playing and no one running in behind.
id happily swap owen for crouch and sell shola as long as we brought in a finisher that runs in behind like anelka.
57 Keep Oba // Nov 16, 2007 at 10:11 PM
yea…I would take Anelka…except he doesnt go batty with his contract sometimes…If Bolton lose Anelka in January they are goners for sure.
58 ToonKing // Nov 16, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Owen’s injured against Austria………..damn it…………i will be the happiest man on earth when Russia trashes Israel tommorow.
59 Gordon // Nov 16, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Second completely invented news story in two days following “Newcastle Try Loan Deal for Ben Haim”.
Because Ed thinks ‘it makes sense’ doesn’t mean Newcastle ARE going to do something.
If I wanted to read idle speculation written up as solid fact I’d buy the Daily Star.
Your previously high standards are dropping Ed.
60 Keep Oba // Nov 17, 2007 at 2:17 AM
Gordon…lay off Ed…he does a damn good job maintaining this website day in and day out and if you want something different go somewhere else or make your own blog. I would guess it would suck terribly compared to Ed’s blog. Fact is this blog has taken off wonderfully in less than 7 months. It has plenty of stories, entertainment, and a nice comment forum. Ive read other teams Soccerlens blogs and compared to nufcblog.com they arent even in the same league.
You say the Ben Haim talk is rubbish and it just because Ed thinks it makes sense you say it doesnt mean Newcastle are going to do it. Well yea..not every story brought up on here about a future possible player automatically means we are going to get him, but its good to get the fans talking about what could happen. Would Ben Haim be my favourite addition? not at all…but does it make sense he could come here in january? sure does, with Big Sam being here. Does it mean its going to happen? certainly not, but doesnt mean we cant discuss on here whether its a good idea or not.
So quit telling Ed how to run his blog that you read probably daily until you come up with a Newcastle blog that runs 5 or 6 stories a day so you can see how easy it is.
If you have a suggestion for Ed I am sure he would love to hear it, He is quick on corrections and has added things Ive seen people suggest. But dont tear him down. Hes doing us all a service that we pay nothing for. You should be thanking Ed, not ripping on him. If you dont like this blog you can go be a fan of Sunderland. Im sure they have wonderful blogs.
61 briss // Nov 17, 2007 at 3:10 AM
OWEN + VIDUKA INJURY AFTER INJURY AFTER INJURY!!!! so much B.S.!
62 Aussie Geordie // Nov 17, 2007 at 5:02 AM
Owen is out for a month with a thigh injury suprise surprise. It was sustained on his standing leg whilst taking a shot. His career is over if his natural striking action is injuring him. If we can get crouch we should. I’m glad martins will get to start a few games now.
63 Bob // Nov 17, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Totally agree KeepOba, to find 5 or 6 articles a day on the Toon is not easy.
Ed’s doing a great job.
64 JoshI // Nov 17, 2007 at 9:24 AM
So Owens out. Will Viduka be match fit for Liverpool? Im willing to bet my house he is out again for a period of time between the Liverpool game and the end of January. Smiths just not good enough to partner Martins, Ameobi is either leaving/not good enough. That leaves us very short on Strikes that will play well and score goals. We could really do with Crouch/Anelka. To me, either of them would be qual signings.
65 Rob kirton // Nov 17, 2007 at 9:40 AM
No need to get in a flap about Owen and Viduka being injured for short period of time. We have Martins – Smith – and dare I say it Ameobi. It is a better situation than last term when we had sometimes only one fit forward. I seem to recall one game having Ameobi lumber around upfront by himself whilst hindered with a hip injury.
Martins should now be a starter with either Viduka or Smith. No bad thing in my opinion. January may still need us to look for re-inforcements given the fact that Amaeobi is not up to scartch and two of our forwards have a poor injury record.
66 JoshI // Nov 17, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Smith isn’t the right player to partner Martins, Viduka can but as i said, im sure he will be out again sometime in the near future, therefore 1 more striker is a must if we want to continously build the squad throughout the season. We then hopefully won’t have to resort to using Smith with Owen/Martins.
67 dougnufc // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Smith was class with Martins in the Everton game IMO
68 Ed Harrison // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:44 AM
The Newcastle United Blog will be off the air for a little while. We have been trying to change servers and it’s taking some time to get everything done.
Not sure how long this will take but we’ll be up just as soon as we can.
We apologize for this.
69 dougnufc // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Oh…
Between Domovchyski might be joining us
70 Bill f // Nov 17, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Just testing to see if posts still coming through on this, if this only one we can use for moment could be some sort of record.
71 Bill f // Nov 17, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Doesn’t really matter If Ed makes stuff up or not, (don’t think he does). Fact is it is a vehicle for others to add their own input.
The initial subject matter just gives a guideline that isn’t always followed anyway. I see it as a vehicle for getting my viewpoint across (even if at times I’m talking through my ass).
Iv’e been an Owen supporter up to now but he seems to be a permanent accident, so agree with the sentiment that it’s time for him to go as he is going to be crocked more often than not. New strikers please Sam.
Get back soon Ed.
72 Gordon // Nov 17, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Judge for yourself Keep Oba:
http://soccerlens.com/there-should-be-no-i-in-european-group-qualification/3589/
73 toonfan1 // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:19 PM
yhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh israel 1-0 russia!!! england are lucky if result stays the same!!
74 Hadrain // Nov 17, 2007 at 7:04 PM
gutted for our scotish neigbours , shocking free kick the ref gave .
russia looked tobe getting back into the game in the second half , i hope isreal can hold off.
75 Eve // Nov 17, 2007 at 7:27 PM
1-1 Russia equalised.
76 ToonKing // Nov 17, 2007 at 8:01 PM
Feel really sorry for the Scots, they deserved to qualify…
Israel won 2-1, fookin’ lucky England…..grrr …..hope Croatia beats them….
77 toonfan1 // Nov 17, 2007 at 8:15 PM
toon king wat nationality r u? i thought u where english obviously not lol
78 Bobby Ollox // Nov 17, 2007 at 8:17 PM
fantastic – Israel won – whoop de f*&*(king doo – that means that Smith and Owing get the chance to get injured in yet another waste of time tournament instead of earning their time doing their day job.
79 Ashton // Nov 17, 2007 at 8:37 PM
ToonKing
Shut the f*&k up you yanke piece of shit
80 Tom_Toon // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Aye toon king i dont want them to get to the finals we are winning 1-0, almeida!!!!!!!!!!!!
81 Tom_Toon // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:18 PM
on the subject of crouch i was thinking Makukula could do as back up for us he isnt playing to badly these days.
82 ToonKing // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:11 PM
I’m not English, but i lived in England, in Newcastle, for a couple of years and that’s when i fell in love with NUFC. I love english people, but the national team doesn’t deserve to qualify. But football isn’t fair, look at Scotland, they deserved it and they missed out. + i totally agree with Bobby Ollox.
@Ashton, i’m not a yanke, god forbid. I hate the tossers.
83 Hammy // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:20 PM
How lucky can England be????? Mclaren must have cut a deal with some genie…anyway he could come to regret playing a friendly with Austria before an important game with Croatia, must have been making the most of it before he gets the boot.
Anyway the rollercoaster continues…luckily I got off at the start.
84 Hammy // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:20 PM
I see you fixed the clock Ed…nice one.
85 Tom_Toon // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Sam Allardyce tried to sign him for bolton last season, glenn roeder tried to sign him when he was at west ham and we tried to sign him when he was 22 (ariza makukula) scored 6 goals ni 10 games for maritimo so far this season and thats with worse service than our strikers are get5ting and 1 goal in 1 for portugal. We could buy him for less than we sell ameobi for and save on wages and we can boast another full international.
At this moment i dont think we should be buying many young players s we neeed to build the foundation for the next few seasons, maybe just a few youngsters but not major investment as our first squad is up to scratch atm
.
Ariza Makukula:
Injured/Recovering: Apps = 29 Goals = 3 (POOR, ino)
Not Injured: Apps = 101 Goals = 41 (Fairly good)
The main thinmg about him is his link up play its pretty god damn good his strength aswell, he is 6ft 3/ 6ft 4 and 92kg. A complete Viduka type of player he should set us up for the next few seasons he is also at his peak
86 ToonKing // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Yeah, i saw Makukula in he’s 1 single cap for portugal and he was pretty impressive. i would welcome him.
87 Tom_Toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Bendtner is another possibility.
88 Hadrain // Nov 18, 2007 at 12:59 AM
tom-toon ,
buying young players is something we should be doing .
the only way to aim for trophys within the next 5 years is to buy young and work them into a team thats half decent , we have quality enough tobe aiming for a euro spot in the next 3 years , if we buy some young superstars now and work them in over time , 5 years in we should have a fantastic chance at succses.
if we grab some 18 year olds they should be starting to come into their own in a couple years time .
by then the academy should be in better shape and churning us out some talent we pick up from hospital maternity wards .
89 Sinead // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:35 AM
Hammy, England, when it comes to qualifing get all the frikin luck I swear, whoever came up with the “Luck of the Irish” most have been off their head when they did cause when it comes to football we seem to constantly be luckless.
In other news Ireland drew with Wales 2-2, it was a good match..fair result, actually really entertaining for two teams playing for second place. Ireland were just fighting to stand up again. But, like I know I’m “slightly” biased towards Given, but Sam has to be off his head, out of his tree if he doesn’t play Given against Liverpool after tonights display. Absolutley nothing he could have done about either of the goals, the first being a superbly place header in to the very corner of the net, just nipped in, no was marking him and the second was a penalty in like the last min. But what we say tonight from Given made me smile cause it wasn’t just Given being good, it was Given being Given, old Given like, pre West Ham self, he was agile, sharp, alert. Brilliant display all round. Now unless Sam falls and hits his head that makes him blank out that preformance or Harper discovers he’s superman then I can’t see how Harper who, infairness had 2 less then average games could keep Shay out after that display.
90 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:12 AM
Sorry Hammy but you are English so you can’t get off, like it or not. It’s a bit like a disease once you’ve got it you are stuck with it.
91 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:31 AM
Whoever we want to see signed, it’s looking like Sam intends to give Shola a few runs out. He just keeps coming through the doors of the Last Chance Saloon.
Would’nt it be ironic if he suddenly transforms into our new star. As someone no doubt said, Is’nt life funny.
92 indian toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 8:10 AM
england dont deserve to qualify…!! id be dissapointed if they do.. i feel so sorry for the scotts .. toughest group , gave everyone the run for their money..
93 JoshI // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:48 AM
I really don’t know why that Ashton Tosser is on this blog and commenting :S what shit comes out of his mouth (or backside) is completely ridiculous! He just rips the piss out of commenters who are giving good opinions. I say ban him, he never has anything constructive to say.
94 JoshI // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:55 AM
I am English and i want us to qualify, yet i would be so intrigued to see action the FA take if we don’t. Also it would just be interesting to see what everyones attitudes to England becomes. But MA needs them to qualify or he will have one or two spare shirts lying around
95 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 10:15 AM
JoshI, I agree that Ashton has a bad mouth at times, (been on the end of it myself). But trying to gag someone is the start of a slippery slope and every one is entitled to express themselves imo.
I think he is trying to make valid points in (seemingly) the only way he can.
96 JoshI // Nov 18, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Well yeh obviously they do, but you’ve got to try and stay reasonable, something Ashton can’t seem to do. People like him are just degrading the site, always negative and abusive.
97 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Depends how seriously you take comments like his, personally I don’t take to much notice of them.
On a more serious note I see that Boro may be trying to palm Huth off on to us. If he is’nt good enough for them then I don’t want him. I’ve always thought he was another slow lumbering hulk.
And regardless of how England have played if they end up in the top two of the group then they do deserve to qualify and I do want them to, so there!!!
98 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 11:18 AM
That last comment was aimed at the English and non English detractors.
99 Tom_Toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 11:31 AM
We (portugal) are still qualifying if we get a draw
100 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Tom-Toon good luck to another under achieving team. (Really)
101 big pea ov the weab // Nov 18, 2007 at 12:28 PM
why is there no blogs on this site off yesterday or the day b4 ? were r u ed?
102 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:12 PM
Ed is reconstucting the site, if you look at some earlier blogs you will see an explanation.
We are missing you Ed get well soon.
103 Eve // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:43 PM
So, was anyone besides Given (who I heard had a mighty game) playing yesterday??
104 Bob // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:46 PM
Emre scored for Turkey, I believe.
105 ToonKing // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:55 PM
yes Bob, he did score. So that’s good news. But Owens injury really brought me down
106 Ed Harrison // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Owen is now almost 2.5 years through his 4 year contract at Newcastle – and if things go on like they’ve been – I cannot see why Newcastloe would renew his contract – he’s nor been worth 105K/week – mostly because he’s always injured. Not his fault I know but it’s a fact.
107 Bob // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Owen’s injury pissed me off quite a bit as well – although he must be feeling worse.
How many times has he been injured this year? I’m sure he has already picked a thigh strain and a groin injury as well.
Not good, and I fear for his career if he cannot strike the ball without straining his plant leg.
108 Bob // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:11 PM
Agree Ed – I’m not sure if Ashley will want to pay Owen’s wages for much longer due to the sheer amount of playing time he misses.
As mentioned, I fear for his career.
109 Ed Harrison // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:15 PM
UPDATE ON NEWCASTLE UNITED BLOG
We may be down for a few more days yet unfortunately. We are moving our nufcblog site to a new hosting service – and separating from our former sister site – SoccerLens. When we get back on the air we’ll be completely a completely independent site.
But the moving service is currently waiting details from SoccerLens, so they can complete the move. Unfortunately it’s out of our hands right now.
We apologize to our readers for the down time. This is the only way we have right now of communicating so keep checking this article’s comments for any updates.
Once the moving service gets the information from SoccerLens, they tell us http://www.nufcblog.com will be back up fully operating within two hours.
110 ToonKing // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:20 PM
What really pisses me off is the Austria game altogehter. Why on earth did the Mug Macca play a friendly before the most important game of he’s career ????
God, how stupid can u be………….
111 Tom_Toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:26 PM
That stupid.
112 Tom_Toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Maybe we can get some new strikers in as their is an abundance of quality ones, for our young target man, hugo almeida is the man.
113 Toon Chicken // Nov 18, 2007 at 4:12 PM
As much as I think Steve McClaren is a total imbecile I very much doubt it was his idea to organise a friendly against Austria.
Friendlies are masqueraded as opportunities for managers to tinker with their tactics and team selections, but are more often than not arranged purely for marketing and financial reasons.
While we’re on about England I’d like to say that I was in the pub cheering on Israel last night (a bizzare situation to be in). I’m really pleased we’ve got a chance of qualification now, but I am sad that we will now probably have to endure McClaren’s ugly mug for another 6 months at least.
And for anyone that says that England do not deserve to be there. Why? Have Russia or Israel been better during qualification? No. Were they the better side when we played them? No. If England do finish in the top two then they deserve to be in the tournament. End of.
And can I just say that I actually wanted Scotland to qualify, but after watching a handful of their sorry little supporters that choose to live in OUR country and then support Russia – well you got what you deserved in my opinion!
114 A geordiedoonsooth // Nov 18, 2007 at 4:52 PM
most of the people on here can’t be proper Geordies if they were they wouldn’t want Scotland to win & Eng;and to lose. Italy winning in the last couple of minutes was brilliant & I don’t care how England get there as long as they do.
Just read that BSA is after Diouf is he for real???? We shoould be after top class players not plonkers like him. NUFC also need to be playing exiting football not the sh*te we have played in the last 4-5 games. If w ecarry on like we have doen I can’t see us finishing in the top half.
115 Sinead // Nov 18, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Do England deserve to go through..no, will they anyway, probally ya. They get all the luck, breaks, favours..etc 99% of the time, the result will go in their favour. We rarely get breaks, so much for “The Luck Of The Irish.”
Did the others have better campaigns then England, ya. Do teams who do deserve to qualify fail to qualify, yup.
Does that ever matter no. Same old story, different competition.
The Scottish are pissed off, ya know you do get over that, believe me, I know, that’s the general feeling over here towards England. When it comes to campaigns though..ie..Euro’s and WC’s our favourite thing to do here when we’re not in it, is to make fun of England, their delusional media, public, team and management. It’s sounds mean but it’s not really, it’s just a good laugh. It’s what we do. Like especially when you flip from their analysis to like the BBC or Sky and you’re like were we watching the same match?? And then you flip over toe our channel, RTE, not that analysis isn’t biased, makes sense, is honest and it’s frickin brilliant. Especially when England are playing. It’s hillarious like. They don’t restrain themselves if you know what I mean.
Do I want them to qualify, meh, not really but it’d be boring without them, we’d have no one to make fun of..no offense.
116 Toon Chicken // Nov 18, 2007 at 6:53 PM
No offence Sinead. But the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all crap. Sure they have one or two decent players, and I’m sure if there was ever a GB & Ireland team it wouldn’t just be English in the starting XI – Giggs (before he retires), Bellamy, Gordon, Given maybe even Healy could all stake a claim. But the simple fact is, apart from the odd gifted player here and there, all of those teams are made up of middle of the road Championship footballers – or Englishmen who knew they’d never be good enough for their national team so went looking for their family tree to see if they having Welsh (or Irish or Scottish…) second cousins.
Luck doesn’t come in to it. It’s a league, everyone plays each other twice, home and away – there are no lucky draws and any freak results are usually cancelled out in the return fixture. And so without question the best two teams finish at the top of the pile.
Now you and the Welsh and the sweaty’s can knock England as much as you want. We don’t really care. Because, come the summer, we have another major tournament to look forward to.
117 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Assuming we beat Croatia of course.
I really do not know what it is with the other British countries and England. Personally I like to see all of the Home countries doing well in the various competitions after England of course.
Do you really hate the English, if so why are you Newcastle supporters it is an English team.
118 Toon Chicken // Nov 18, 2007 at 8:25 PM
Bill f – “Assuming we beat Croatia of course.”
Haha – yeah – you know we’re not gonna do it the easy way.
89th minute, free-kick, 25 yards out. Step forward David Beckham.
Come on England – I believe!!!
119 Bill f // Nov 18, 2007 at 8:37 PM
Toon-Chicken, That will do me.
120 Sinead // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:12 PM
I never said we were any good, but if you actually believe that luck doesn’t come into it then you’re slightly delusioned. Like oh I don’t know, last night.
“Luck doesn’t come in to it. It’s a league, everyone plays each other twice, home and away – there are no lucky draws and any freak results are usually cancelled out in the return fixture.”
I’m sorry did you not see the game last night??
I could go on for years, ye always get the breaks, be it results, groups etc. We were saying it at the start of the Euro campaign about ye’re group, we presumed ye’d go through easily we didn’t think ye’d strugle, and we deffinatley didn’t think ye’d have to rely on another country to get ye through.
“all of those teams are made up of middle of the road Championship footballers – or Englishmen who knew they’d never be good enough for their national team so went looking for their family tree.”
Em, I can’t speak for the other countries but on the Irish team most are 100% Irish and if not by heart, (we’ve this thing called passion) and they play with more pride and passion then ye do and actually want to play for their country, shock horror I know.
Championship players??
Given,
O Shea,
Dunne,
Finnan,
Ireland,
Reid,
Hunt,
McGeady,
Doyle,
Keane,
Are just some, and then there’s players for the future like
Long,
O Brien,
Potter,
Gibson,
McShane,
Miller,
Douglas,
Stokes,
Murphy.
I could go on if you like. They’re the good ones, I can mention the bad ones if you want.
If ye’re so good why are ye struggling in a “no no” group, and why are ye struggling for players??
121 Tom_Toon // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:53 PM
Chikhaoui for the toon, perfect successor for mark viduka, the new ibrahimovic.
122 Rich // Nov 19, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Toonchicken- thats a lot of crap, im with Sinead on this one,Im scottish and if we had played England this qualifying campaign we would have beat you home and way no question!Im Newcastle through and through and i want England to qualiufy also but to say we and Ireland are crap is way off the mark!
123 Bill f // Nov 19, 2007 at 5:14 PM
Apparently Ben Haim and Arshavin both had good games so if we can get them, great.
124 Lawman // Nov 19, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Not a fan of Crouchy but undeniably, he DOES deliver as a striker unlike some of the ones currently on NUFC’s book. But definiteky NOT for £15m. Only agree to the deal if we could get him for less than £9m.
Ameobi should definitley go. Don’t think we need Viduka either especially if BSA DO decide to go for Crouchy cos if needed, Smithy can always step in. Better freeing up money for players elsewhere i.e. defence! Crouch and Martins upfront and only keeping Owen for when the African Cup is on – loan him out for half year when Martins returns – that’s if he’s still fit and didn’t injure himself during the few weeks covering for Martins!!!!
Need an overhaul of the defence. Keeping only Rozenhal Enrique and Taylor.
125 Leo // Nov 19, 2007 at 5:38 PM
lawman i wouldnt disagree with some of what you said, but as i said some, come on who is going to loan owen off us, why lend him out to someone so he can waste away his contract and leave on a free.
we do not need a total overhaul of the defence come on, faye beye rozehnal have been awesome, taylor is getting better slowly, cacapa had two bad games because he was unfit, he was inexperienced in these league therefore didnt realise that a little nigle on a player would be eaten up by the oposition in the premierleague.
i fully believe that we will bring two more fullbacks in january sales. i hope one of them is matt taylor of pompey, he is awesome, and has a nack as scoring awesome goals against us.
right back alan hutten is being linked, but they may just be agent talk, but he looked really good against italy.
i cant get to write comments on the new site ed because i never became a member, as i didnt realise you could, how do i become one??? many thanks Leo
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