The Newcastle United Blog

67 responses so far ↓

• 1 Andy4kin // Jan 31, 2008 at 9:57

  First post!

• 2 Nev // Jan 31, 2008 at 9:58

  we still got 14 hours to hope we will increase are offer lol

• 3 Southside Jordy // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:00

  Mike dig deep you plonker he be well worth the money!!

• 4 yongMalaysia // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:01

  3mill is a good bargain, lets go and get him…

• 5 JamJamJam // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:01

  I live in Derby and most Derby fans would snap our hands off for £3million+ for Barnes … he’s overrated and thinks he’s a lot better than he actually is
  I wouldn’t be too disappointed if we got him, but certainly not worth losing any sleep over if we don’t, there will be far better players for us to get in the summer

• 6 Nev // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:02

  top story on SSN …

  N’ZOGBIA TO SPURS !!!

  I BLOOD HOPE NOT !!

  says Zogs wants to leave for “personal reasons”

  hope this is just over the top media BS

• 7 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:05

  Unbelievable to say the least, IMO Barnes is worth 4 million i thought Mr Ashley had the funds available yet we wont stump up that extra to get this player. Makes me wonder if Newcastle want to sign anybody. It looks to me like Ashley wants all these 16,17 year old players in from all over the world for very little money,wants to make them into top players and SELL them on asa profit, thats what it looks like to me.

• 8 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:08

  How many players to Spurs want for god sake, but if N’Zogbia wants to leave let him leave. No good to us if he aint happy.

• 9 Steve G // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:08

  Where is it written that Zogbia is on his way to Spurs? Hopefully 10m then, he’s overrated!

• 10 sparetheman // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:10

  N’Zogbia is good to us even if he is unhappy. He’s been our best player all season. I will be massively disappointed if he goes.

• 11 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:13

  barnes isn’t worth the money that Derby want. We were only gnna get 2.5 million for MIlner remember? I knw who i’d rather have.

  Anyway, N’Zogbia hasn’t been our best player at all. Butt has been on a diferent level to everyone els for 18 months now.

• 12 sparetheman // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:14

  I really hope you’re kidding Joe.

• 13 Hammy // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:16

  Different Level? you Nicky Butt joe?

• 14 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:17

  I will admit that i would be devastated if N’Zogbia left,if he does leave then it shows how much of a joke our club has become.

• 15 Jamie // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:17

  Bit depressed to be honest regarding the lack of transfer activity! its going to be a shite end to the season by the looks of it, Yeah we have our quality players coming back from Africa, but we need to strengthen other areas.

• 16 J // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:19

  Joe - ARE YOU NUTS??

  BUTT IS CRAP!!!!!!!!

  Him and smith are both not worth having. butt gives away the ball ALL the time and never passes to OUR team.

  OH and HOW annoying why havent we got anyone, who said we dont need players cos they are STUPID!!!!

  I really hope summer is different.

  and WHERE does it say N’Zogbia wants to move to spurs?????

• 17 Nev // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:19

  just found this …

  http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=76666

  us going for Kevin Prince Boateng … plays fors Spurs and was player of the year in Germany last year i think

  attacking midfeilder , seems to me the kind of player we need

  part ex with zogbia on the cards ?

  ALSO …

  http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/newcastle/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/01/30/SOCCER_Newcastle_Maradona.html&TEAMHD=newcastle&DIV=prem&TEAM=NEWCASTLE&RH=Newcastle&PREV_SEASON=

  players meeting Maradona after Arsenal game

  i herd he was at Chelsea the other day aswell

• 18 mark // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:19

  Butt has been our best player like.

  NZogbia can go, he just runs into trouble, head down and run, thats all he does then OOF, over hit cross, OOF rugby shot over the bar by 5miles, somebody should tell him we need points, but we arent going to get them that way.

  Barnsey, lets get him in ffs, 3mil! come on ashley you fat tight f’in b@st@Rd

• 19 Obafan // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:19

  N’Zogbia to Spurs; I hope this another rumor. I really don’t know what to think anymore.

  On the one hand we need time to rebuild the club.
  But on the other hand the offers made (for Barnes) are a bid ridiculous and it seems like the board or KK do not want the player that much. Then I ask myself the question if they don’t want him that badly why make an offer which you know will not be accepted.

  Strang, strange, strange, …

• 20 mark // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:20

  the zog story is lies anyway

  12 days ago…

  http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=74468

• 21 Nev // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:20

  J - doesnt say anywere lol …. just on SSN as their top story

• 22 SteveM // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:22

  I believe its a negotiation tactic - if clubs believe we will not up our bids - they will not try to take advantage of newcastle’s wealth - refusing to up our bids now on players could lead to massive savings in the summer - when if we bring big players in the 20-30million mark we wont be paying 30-40million for them - it makes sense in the long run to have a reputation for not paying inflated prices for players

• 23 ELFER // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:23

  N’Zogbia is nonsense, he loves the chlub and the fans and so we do. I understand his frustration playing as LB - but this is the fault of the transfers, we desperately needed a second LB backup during january window!!!

  Nevertheless, I think it is best to not hurry and take time on evaluation who should join our KK revolution in january!

• 24 J // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:24

  WELL N’Zogbia is NOT leaving.

  Keegan is very honest and wil say how things are…

  He said only YESTERDAY

  That NO ONE was leaving AT ALL he needs everyone.

  Although if we loose nzogbia and get berbatov i dont mind ha ha

• 25 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:24

  Nev theres nowt on SSN web site about it. You winding us up

• 26 Hammy // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:24

  Zog is one of the few players we have that has match winning ability….however I think he is a bit of an odd-ball between the ears wise and relies heavily on senior players for comfort and support.
  He just needs a big fookin’ cuddle like.

• 27 Davey G // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:24

  For Sky sports news see Pandev to toon, berbatov t toon, Descahmps to toon………….need i go on.
  KK has stated it would be suicide to let anyone go in this transfer window!!!
  What personal problems would a 20 year old lad have that would make him want to move to London??
  Why not off to France??

  If he doesnt want to be here, he should come clean, forget the personal problems sh*te and just go.

  i dont forget that easily and can still remember the texting scandal that happened last year!!! A COMITTED PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!

• 28 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:26

  Did anyone watch the match the other night? As usual, 1 player wanted the ball back and tried to get it. Butt. As things stand, people are raving about players who are playing terrible. The fans love Milner because he tries as hard as possible but there is no end product. Zog the other night wasn’t interested. He was awful.

• 29 JamJamJam // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:27

  n’zogbia’s agent is willie mckay … nuff said

• 30 thelongshanks // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:27

  Butt is absolutely rubbish!cant pass and has probably the worse long shot i have ever seen.Ok he can tackle but thats it.Nzogbia leaves i will be devestated.Giles barnes worth more then 2 million that is a cheeky bid,MA you are tight not shrewd.Jenas cost 5m,dyer 6m,young 9m,walcott 14m this is the going rate for young english talent and we bid 2m and what has that got us in the past? 2m= stephen carr.

• 31 Nev // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:27

  toon 1978 - im watching SSN now at home on my TV

  and its says it on the yellow scrolling bar … its been there for 20mins + lol

• 32 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:28

  Davey G spot on. I remember it too. Shay Given wanted to punch his lights out.

• 33 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:32

  He’s right it is on SSN. BTW, i don’t want him to leave but if he does then surely we will look for an exchange for someone like Defoe or Chimbonda or maybe a midfielder?

• 34 Jonnie // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:32

  I am in full agreement with Stevem’s post, and honestly believe that Newcastle are stamping out the image that a wealthy club pays over the odds for players. Imagine if we pay over the odds now in this window! We would suffer for it in the summer when we start to build our new team. I agree with KK , there isnt much in this tranfer window avaiable that is better than our current FULL squad.

  On N’zogbia… if he is unhappy, let him go, we only want fully committed players at our club, have you forgotten last season under Roeder when Charlie boy, sat through the pre match briefing chatting on his mobile? and refused to play… humpy little french git!

• 35 Len // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:33

  I would say 2 plus incentives is about right. His best game all season was against us, which tells you something. Other games he has odd moments but thats it. I like Nicky Butt and realistically he is a player you bring on for the last 20 to kill the game. Thats about as long as he can run for.

• 36 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:35

  Spurs are doing my head in how many players can you get in a squad.

• 37 Jammy // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:35

  I’m with Joe regarding Nicky Butt, he has been the most consistent player for nearly two seasons now. Granted before that he was awful, but has gone full circle and showing some great form. All those slagging him off, wonder how many go to the games and watch him week in week out?

• 38 Chicken // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:36

  SPURS DENY THEY TRYING TO SIGN N’ZOGBIA!!!

• 39 Obafan // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:37

  Jammy - Butt can’t kick a descent pass. he perhaps takcles a lot, but he needs to tackle that much because 90% of the time he is the one who loses possession the most.

  I liked his free kick last Tueasday tho’.

• 40 drh // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:37

  for too long we have paid well over the odds for players, I for one am glad to see the club finally standing strong. They obviously valued him at x why pay y when it is double what you think he is worth! He also hits very hot and cold, also if he was that good would he not be ahead of Milner at u21 level, I think not. As kk has said, why buy if it isn’t going to improve what we have! Stick to your guns the toon and end the years of paying shit loads for loads of shit!

• 41 mark // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:39

  Texting Scandall??????????????

  what?

• 42 SuperShearer // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:40

  Guys Sky Sports just reported that Tottenham have rules out a move for N’Zogbia. Besides if we were going to sell him the bid would have to be the 8-10 million margin as I don’t see that we would want to sell him or need to. There may come a point in the summer when we look to a big clearout but players like N’Zogbia won’t be involved he is a very talented player and is very young. I like the fact that we are buying young, would love us to sign Kalouda he looks amazing, has pace, skill and knows how to score from midfield. Barnes would be good but only for the right price and we don’t want to be ripped off.

• 43 GM // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:41

  says on ss web site they spurs are after downing - - think if zog goes then MA will have to bring in a big signing as fans will be well p’d

• 44 GM // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:44

  ss web site now say spurs rule out swoop for zog !!! they are just a bunch of rumour spreading cu*s

• 45 mark // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:47

  If we lose Zog, who really cares? hes an idiot with no footballing brain.

• 46 toon1978 // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:48

  Feckin Spurs what a bunch of planks one way to turn a players head and unsettle him, greedy self rightious arses.

• 47 JamJamJam // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:50

  haha, its blatantly not spurs doing the rumour spreading … it’ll be willie ‘dodgiest agent ever’ mckay trying to get himself an extra holiday in the bahamas or something

• 48 Luke // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:50

  looks like simple business to me… you don’t fly in waving your cash about.

  as much as it might be annoying not to get things sorted out quickly, I’m happy we’re not following the abramovich model.

  others might disagree, but it’s for the club’s well being. ashley didnt paid off the debt, only to make the same mistakes again: that is to say paying through the nose for flops and increasing debt and hence insecurity year by year. freddy always said he ‘backed’ his managers, but at a price.

  rest assured he’ll put his money where his mouth is though, just on his terms.

• 49 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:52

  It’s that feckin agent Willy Mckay again! He wants a good shoeing that prick. he says there are talks when there aren’t. What a complete tit.

• 50 Dragoner // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:53

  Joe i was at the match and Butt is crap, who cares if he tries to get the ball, he gives it straight to their team every time, he is old and still hasn’t learnt how to pass, rubbish player

• 51 joe // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:55

  mark - when Roeder was going through instructions for our match in the dressing room away to Watford i think, N’Zogbia sat ignoring him and texting on his phone, the rest of the players were furious.

  He acted like a right prat.

• 52 Dragoner // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:00

  why are newcastle united trying to pull the wool over our eyes by filling our news with crap opinions from our current players, this is a TRANSFER WINDOW, i want to see new faces, not Duff, Given etc talking S**T again!

• 53 Dragoner // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:03

  in terms of the Barnes bid, i think we are calling their bluff, no1 else is going for Barnes right now, so if he doesn’t come to us in january, he will go for really cheap in the summer. We are waiting for Derby to crumble, and if they dont we will probably up the bid a 1million or at most 1.5million, we are after a bargain here

• 54 Bill F // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:13

  Fact is if a club wants good players they have to be prepared to pay the asking rate. All of the talk about trying to show we are not going to pay over the odds is rubbish. If we don’t then we will not sign any new players the other clubs couldn’t care less and why should they. To get someone like Berbatov you need to splash out well in excess of 20m. If Ashley isn’t prepared to do that then none of our bids will be taken seriously at any level. As the old adage goes sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate. Another 1m for Barnes isn’t going to break the bank.

• 55 Nobby's dad // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:15

  Mark ….when I was watching Roeder’s team playing I spent a lot of time texting!

  Barnes…..why do we want to pay over the odds for a bloke who doesn’t even start for Derby!! These type of players are NOT our future. I may be wrong but he doesn’t look to have any pace….this is what we need, everything in our play is too pedestrian. Remember when we used to break with Robert, Bellers and Dyer - we frightened teams.

  Few good players are bought in January, we were in for Woodgate and it’s a shame he didn’t want to return as he’d have made a huge difference. However I’m satisfied we’re not going out buying rubbish. Lets take stock, have a good look at who we want and who we have and move in summer. As a final thought we should be making approaches now for Kenwin Jones - he’s quality in a poor team and oh how that would p*ss the Mackams off.

• 56 Toon_Under // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:18

  Joe, I think I know where you’re coming from. I kind of agree, and this drivel about Butt is starting to annoy me..

  In a team that passes short and often, and doesn’t rely on a defensive midfielder to hit long balls and cut teams open, Butt is a good fit. He is what you expect from a defensive mid and he works his socks off chasing things down plugging the gaps. He was everywhere in both the Arsenal games, and while he may have given away an own goal, at least he was back with the centre backs covering like a defensive mid should.

  In truth, he has only really struggled since we lost the creativity in the side . And that’s because he’s been told to change his game.

  For those who are ripping him about his passing, think about who else in our midfield can hit a good pass over distance to cut teams apart? I can think of two - Emre and Barton. Problem is one is just coming back from leg irons (and may be back there soon) and the other is constantly injured or suspended. And anyone who says Duff or Milner, you must be having a laugh. Try as he may, Milner can’t even cross to save himself, and both he and Duff can’t hit a good pass over distance either (nor can they stop cutting inside). And let’s be fair to Geremi by not even mentioning him…

  I’m not saying Butt’s passing over distance hasn’t been crap - we can all see it is - but just that making long passes is not why he is in the team. Where are the boo boys when the rest of our midfield forget how to tackle?? FFS, after watching both Arsenal games I think N’Zogbia would struggle to get a ball off the Michelin Man. Let’s see how he goes in the smoggies game when he has someone like Barton or Emre next to him who will do their job and leave him to do his. Rant over!

• 57 TS // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:21

  I’m with you Dragoner. Looks like MA’s just playing hardball with Derby. They know they’re going down and they’re gonna need the money. Barnes will go in the summer if he doesn’t go today and Derby will be in an even worse bargaining position by then. I reckon Jewell will crack before midnight.

• 58 steve k // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:23

  As has been said before on this point, Newcastle don’t want to get a reputation for overspending on players, otherwise we will find it very difficult to sign players for a reasonable amount.

  The comments on this page suggesting N’Zogbia would not be missed go in the same category as those who questioned Given’s ability. By far and away our most talented player, and given he’s developed under a managerial merry-go-round he’s developed very well indeed, now just needs a decent coach.

• 59 AdamCF // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:28

  I can’t believe some of you guys. How fickle are you?

• 60 Dragoner // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:30

  what do you mean adam?

• 61 Hadrian // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:49

  calling one our more gifteed players in zoggy shite .
  if he’s shite what do you think of the other 10 players out on the pitch ? :O

• 62 Rich // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:57

  Id be gutted to see Zog go, but id be tempted with a swap for Lennon?? or even Downing from the scum?

• 63 sparetheman // Jan 31, 2008 at 12:11

  Toon_Under, it’s not that it’s just Butt’s passing which is been below par. If you sit and actually analyse his whole game you can finds holes everywhere. His passing over long distance is bad, yes, but I also honestly think his energy is low, his positioning is terrible (watching him track back sometimes I often wonder why he’s not tracking back harder and faster) and for a defensive midfielder his tackling is massively overrated. He’s also no Dieter Hamann, who has a massive pass completion percentage this season - Butt often loses possession of the ball.

  People think just because a player puts in lots of tackles (which is natural in the defensive midfield position) that means you are a good tackler. I think it’s a gross misunderstanding when people say players like Butt and Smith are good tacklers. They are NOT good tacklers - they try and make lots of tackles but rarely do they get the ball. Look how many free kicks they concede, how many yellow cards they pick up.

  All in all, he has been a terrible player for us and I’m staggered some people don’t agree with this point of view. We should be looking to replace him as soon as possible in my opinion.

  As for your criticisms of N’Zogbia, Duff and Milner. They all have their weaknesses, sure, but they also have their strengths. Maybe if Butt was a better dribbler or a little faster I’d forgive his misgivings in other areas of his game too. In all honesty though, I struggle to find his strengths.

  Rant over!

• 64 Dragoner // Jan 31, 2008 at 12:21

  i never called zoggy crap, he is my favourite player, anyway, people who say 5 mill is a bargain for barnes are really clueless, just because english players are over priced doesn’t justify paying 5 million for a player who is going to leave in the summer anyway, derby are not in the position to be making crazy demands, 3.5 million is MAXIMUM they deserve, or they can lose him in the summer for 1.5 or 2 million. Up to them

• 65 Toon_Under // Jan 31, 2008 at 12:48

  When I was thinking back, Hamann stood out as the last good DM we had, and I was and still am disappointed we sold him. His passing was good, he was a genuine goal threat and he provided good cover. Butt is no Hamann though, and i agree there are a lot better players out there.

  When he was at Brum and at the start of the season he played fairly well. In my opinion, his poor play now would have something to do with him being asked to extend him game but no doubt he is getting older and worse - why else would Fergie let him go?

  When it was him and rozy in the centre against arsenal we had a CB trying to be a DM, and a DM trying to spread the ball and launch attacks. That’s not his game, and it’s no wonder why he loses possession. When Barton came on though, things did seem to improve. For me, that’s because Butt stopped trying to hit killer passes.

  The bit lacking from his game is when we’re going forward and that is a shortfall if are looking for a more complete midfielder. I would prefer to see Barton and Emre together, because I think Barton might be more of a complete player than Butt. But KK will play a DM, so I chose Butt over Rozy because of his short passing which isn’t too bad.

  My point with Butt’s tackles is that at least he puts them in. Yes he typically gets the man, but at least he asks the question and often those tackles or breaks in play give our guys the chance to get back into position. If that sometimes costs him a card, then so be it - I can live with that as long as it doesn’t cost us a goal. Smith shouldn’t be playing or at least should be docked 5% of his weeks pay each time he slide tackles to make him stay on his feet.

  Yes Butt has been poor lately, but so have a lot of players and you don’t go from a solid player to complete garbage in half a season. I guess I’m just a little irate that he seems to be made the scapegoat when quite a few other players are playing worse and he is being asked to play a role he cannot play. But I know what you’re saying - my ol’ man says pretty much the same thing! (Maybe that’s why I can’t accept it )

• 66 Leo* // Jan 31, 2008 at 14:39

  i hate that whole ‘personal reason’ thing, its crap. if it is true that he has said that, then bugger, another jj in disguise… loyalty is obviously not in his dictionary

• 67 hanzemre // Jan 31, 2008 at 14:55

  Hopefully on Sunday against Smoggies & forthcoming games we’d get the players who ever play to their best including Butt, Milner, Duff, N’zogbia, Smith, Owen. Then we can forget who were crap. Coz’ they’re all supposedly good enough. Howay the lads!

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