Newcastle fans got a dose of reality in the second half of today’s game against title-chasing Chelsea, after the Blues moved to a higher gear after half time, and ended up comfortable 2-0 winners, after a very even first half, in which Newcastle were slightly the better side.
Chelsea showed just how better a team they are than Newcastle, when they moved to another gear after half time and scored their go ahead goal after 15 minutes of sustained pressure.
Ballack scored another great header and such an important goal, after being picked out from a free kick by Didier Drogba. Yes, the Ivory Coast International makes goals as well.
Ballack seems to make a habit of scoring important goals in his career, and has come good for Chelsea in the second half of the season.
The Newcastle defense was under intense pressure for 15 minutes after half time, but some good defending from the home side, and excellent blocks, particularly from young Steven Taylor has the Magpies hanging on.
Just before Chelsea got their goal John Terry had thundered a header against the cross-bar following a Malouda corner.
Newcastle as usual didn’t give up after going a goal down, and continued to attack Chelsea, but today they only could create half chances, which they didn’t take.
Then Owen just missed getting on the end of a cross, when he seemed to have a gaping goal in which to slot the ball home.
In fact Owen had two half chances in the first half, but Newcastle never had a clean cut chance today, only about 3 half chances, which they failed to take.
While they were the better team in the first half Chelsea woke up after half time and showed the Newcastle crowd just how good they are, and illustrated what Kevin Keegan has been saying for a while - it will take some time to be on the same level as the top four teams.
Oba Martins had a great game and there’s just no way this boy cannot be a prime striker at the club next season. He had an excellent game, and was always a threat to Chelsea, and will have impressed many onlooking managers.
At half time Viduka was withdrawn and Smith came on in Mark’s place, but we badly missed the hold-up play of Viduka, and it’s important that we get someone else this summer who can play the hold up game.
Another forward is needed, to back up Viduka, , who is so important for the team, but is often injured. We wonder whether Smith is good enough for Newcastle next season.
After 82 minutes Chelsea scored a wonderful goal as they passed the ball through midfield and Malouda was sprung clear to push the ball past Steven Harper, who had no chance.
Newcastle played very well today, and can hold their heads high. Steven Taylor was excellent at the back as was big Abdoulaye Faye, and up front Oba Martins was the star man of this Newcastle side.
There’s no way we should let Martins leave Newcastle.
As far as new signings in the summer we suggest we make that at least 6 top-class players, if we are to stand any chance against these top four teams next season.
And we need at least one point against Everton next week, as we are still on 43 points, which is our worst ever points total (last season) in the Premier League.
Comments welcome.
96 responses so far ↓
1 Ant // May 5, 2008 at 18:21
Oba…I will lose a leg for your signature!
2 ToonKing // May 5, 2008 at 18:21
Smithy and Duff are useless, we need to get rid fast…
3 Vitorbarbosa // May 5, 2008 at 18:21
Some changes to the side, but I see a very bright side.
N’Zogbia is good, Martins, wondering if he is playing midfield in the second half. But he passes and holding the ball well.
Duff is still recovering, still lack a bit of pace.
Overall, a performance to be proud of. We are not the best attacking team, but certainly Chelsea has one of the best defence.
4 toonoholic // May 5, 2008 at 18:22
Smith is shite .
5 Taiwantoon // May 5, 2008 at 18:22
Oba was superb in the first half. His pace was our biggest weapon today IMO.
6 Midjew // May 5, 2008 at 18:23
Well,
WHAT CAN I SAY!!
For the FIRST time in a long time, I Enjoyed watching the whole game, regardless of us lossing.
We played SO well for our ability, everyone seemed to work hard, even though there was some slack/dangerous Passing in 2nd half.
There was Some GREAT CHANCES, made by great players, Martins, Owen.
Duff and N’zogbia both on left looked great and it would be a shame to loose n’zogbia.
I think from watching that ALL we need is…
DM - Butt getting on a bit and passing bit slack when he gets tired which is quick.
AM/Playmaker - WE HAVENT GOT ONE!!!! (owen is a striker)
Striker - We need a STRONG Striker, like Gomis, a Fitter younger Viduka.
CB - A New PL Defender (Like Dunne)
and
Maybe a new winger and LB
Then we could have… (Maybe???)
———–Given————
Beye—Taylor—Dunne/Faye—Bridge(He’s was great today)
SWP—Veloso—N’zogbia
——-Owen———–
—-Martins—Gomis—
BUT….. and this is a HUGE BUT…
Just listening to keegans comments after the game and it DONT SOUND GOOD.
DONT GET UR HOPES UP…
He just said we will never compete with Chelsea and MIGHT GET 2 or 3 players in, if that.
and he said he will HAVE to cope with players hes got.
OH DEAR… Dont soung promising COME ON MORT AND ASHLEY GET YA MONEY OUT
7 Shanghaitoon // May 5, 2008 at 18:23
I’d say Owen’s chances were more than half chances… He just had some bad misses today. We have a long way to go …
8 warm bench // May 5, 2008 at 18:23
initial impression..
smith - waste of space
martins - headless chicken.
butt - poor distribution + crap marking for the 1st goal.
faye - good performance, strong challenges
barton - kept running.
taylor - good performance
geremi - ok
owen - missed too many chances and gave the ball away too easily
viduka - was missed when he was subbed
discuss
9 Ant // May 5, 2008 at 18:26
KEEGAN JUST SAID HE DOESN’T WANT ANYONE!!!!!
What? You can’t be serious Kev?
10 goalcentre.com // May 5, 2008 at 18:27
Full Match Highlights:-
http://www.goalcentre.com/newcastle-united-vs-chelsea-highlights/
11 toon_mad // May 5, 2008 at 18:30
Alan Smith must go, if rangers decide to buy him then WHY? although he might suit the sort of football rangers play, slow and boring.
wouldnt be surprised if n’zogbia left aswell. in terms of re-signings and signings i hope that owen and martins resign because they probably the best two forwards we have. i would like to see two new world class midfielders, a striker or two (not d.bent) maybe crouch to replace viduka. and a couple of defenders.
12 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:30
Second half was men against boys.
Unbelievably KK has just said on TV that there is not much money and he will stick with this team. How depressing. MA what is going on? Cough up or ship out.
13 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:32
Cheating Chelsea!!!… They dont deserve to win the league going about the game in that way… That being said, we werent THAT good in first half and we sucked big time in 2nd half. We simply didnt pass well enough when they put us under pressure and way to may passes where long balls that ended up as Chelsea attacks… Thought Butt did well, and to some extent Beye and Taylor. Enrique did well going forward but had problems defending and our entire attack looked 2nd rate with Martins the best of the Bunch today, tho he IN NO WAY deserve the blind following that some fans seems to afford him. Barton was bad, and i would like to know his passing percentage for todays game and Smith just dont take his chance… Duff looked ok, tho he tripped 1 or 2 times and Harper was good, tho he could have done better with their second chance.
14 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:32
I knew we would lose when SMITH came on. We are playing with 10 men with him. To think hes on £65K a WEEK. Beggars belief. Id pay him 65 PENCE.
15 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 18:32
he wants people ok, seemed to me like he was saying there aint going to be any money - the pessimism sounded from this club of late is scary, seriously worrying and will remain the case until we start and make waves in the transfer market - in a mere matter of weeks we have went from talk of a squad overhaul to 4-5, to 3 or 4, to now, as KK just said, 1 or 2 - he just said he aint going to have the money so will have to stick with what he has - another season of frustration then
16 Petworth Mag // May 5, 2008 at 18:33
How’s about Obi Mikel from Cheski?
17 Hamas (51times) // May 5, 2008 at 18:33
Another false dawn for Newcastle United then.
18 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:33
Ant (comment 7)… Where did you see/read that?
19 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:36
So Mort comes out and say there is money and that people just didnt come because of londons bright lights, while KK tells us that he aint being backed?… I hope that is all a misunderstanding, because otherwise we are looking at another bunch of bull being served us like in the FF days
20 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 18:36
and to think, this comes in the same day that Morty has been making his mouth go about backing KK with lots of money - what the hell is going on at this club?
was it just me or did KK look annoyed when he was talking about it? will Owen, Martins and Tayls sign new contracts if we aren’t going to show ambition?
for me, if we want to compete for Euro places NEXT season we need to be spending at least 60m as Big Sam has just pointed out
21 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:37
Midfield is desperately slow. You can have either Butt or Geremi there but not both. We need some box to box dynamism in midfield. Butt and Geremi just stand around and pass the ball. Chelsea’s midfield overran us 2nd half because they are fast and mobile. Butt and Geremi are old men.
22 KKN39 // May 5, 2008 at 18:38
Owen just forgot his boots today which is really bad. hope it’s just a one-off thing . however on the bright side we are creating a few “more than half” chances against a top team in europe. hey pick just one, anyone of the guys in blue he may cost more than the 1st 11 or 12 men of Wigan or Derby (and we did lose 4 pts to Derby this season?!). also, just hope it’s good sign that Zog starts playing for KK …
23 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:38
Btw, we cant overlook our height problem… Our team is simply to small and the centre back we are after will have to be as big and strong in the air as Faye, we could also use a big defensive midfielder tho.
24 Hamas (51times) // May 5, 2008 at 18:39
I hope we don’t turn into a selling club again. I don’t think a lot of our older supporters could take it again.
25 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:41
Daiv… True. so in our 6 man attack when we go forward, 3 of them are actually stationay (Dukes, Geremi and Butt), leaving us only 3 to try and run at defenders.
26 Taiwantoon // May 5, 2008 at 18:41
It makes me wondering if King Kev was not too impressed by Wise’s list.
King Kev had some short term signings in his last spells for a purpose and it seems Mort is not too aware of that.
I have said quite a few times that I am still not convinced by Ashely, and I am really worried now.
27 AVRAM // May 5, 2008 at 18:43
SMITH CAN F**K OFF!!!
28 valle // May 5, 2008 at 18:44
If Mort and Ashley dosnt show ambition over the next two seasons, the lynch mob will come for their heads for sure!!!, i dont think we can take any more underarchieving and false promises after being robbed to cruelly of the success we should have seen in the last decade.
29 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:47
KK is seriously worried about the signings situation. That came across on TV. No money .Hope we do not settle for expensive flops like Darren Bent. MA has to deliver or he can push off.
30 Steve_48 // May 5, 2008 at 18:48
Just back from pub so apologies if any typos
Look, we played really well 1st half, attacked when we could defended like troopers and justified the 0-0 @ HT, but simply put we ran outa steam 2nd half, men against boys I’ve read and it about sums us up 2nd half; nevertheless remember Owen had 2 chances one off the line by an England defender [who incidentally cheated by taking Owen out in 2nd half] and the 1st one in 1st half when he coulda taken another touch to round Chec.
Good display 1st half, ran out of ideas 2nd half; Smith did little, sorry but not good enough for our style of play, needs to be sold. Quite why Zog was left on the bench for so lolng surprises me given his quality and ability to cross which is what we lacked today down both flanks.
Anyhoo, off for another lager and some chow
Anyone else with a view?
31 Nick Dryden // May 5, 2008 at 18:48
Number one priority above all else, come the final whistle of the season is to get rid of Smith. What an appallingly atrocious player and thick as they come to boot. You knew as soon as he came on, it was game over. This recent unbeaten run when he hasn’t been playing is not a coincidence!! Smith should be closely followed by Duff, Geremi, Cacapa and Carr.
32 briss264 // May 5, 2008 at 18:48
The second Viduka went off and SMith came on we we’re absolute shite with moments from Martins that gave us any hope. I was cleching not to throw things because every fing time smith touches the ball he does something wrong. He’s never in the right areas and hes trash. Carrol would have done a mich better job if he were given the chance today! Too bad the duke had to come off that early tho.
33 Nick Dryden // May 5, 2008 at 18:51
stomach turning to see ”nothing’s my fault” Allardyce again. The biggest ground emptying turn off in the game and truly a boil on the face of good football.
34 Steve_48 // May 5, 2008 at 18:51
Nick - you said it matey, Smith was appalling today, sell, sell, sell.
35 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:52
Hamas
If we turn into a selling club, we’ll get relegated.
If KK says he cannot attract the best players, or the club will not give him money, I expect him to resign.
36 Slam Dunc // May 5, 2008 at 18:53
I think all Keegan was saying is that you can’t compete against the top 4 when they have players like Schevchenko, Lampard and Joe Cole waiting to come on.
Also that you can’t get those players at Newcastle or anywhere else without Champions League football.
Think he’d just seen the class of Chelsea and was trying to manage everyones expectations next year.
37 Ginkoh // May 5, 2008 at 18:53
We can’t change our chances to scores, That’s it ! If Owen can grab his chance it may be 2-2 or 2-1. but that’s football. Now ca can play a lot better football, no doubt. Best team won but not our day too.
38 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:54
Nick Dryden
Spot on with the sales. Smith is worst player I have seen in NUFC shirt for many a year.
39 Hamas (51times) // May 5, 2008 at 18:55
What actually happened in the game, and what happens at Everton next week, don’t matter anymore so I don’t see the point in talking about that. What is more concerning is our apparant lack of ambition in the transfer market. What’s going on at the club I wonder?
40 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 18:56
If KK only signs 1 or 2 players as he has stated on TV, we’ll end up 9th or 10th. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. NOT WHAT I WANT TO HEAR.
41 Griff // May 5, 2008 at 18:57
SMITH :@
The bar i was in laughed when he came on, NUFC fans with their heads in their hands.
Every touch he fell over. Every. Touch.
Then HE was the on marking Ballack for their first goal.
He’s gone so bollocks its unbeleivable, at least he could pass at manu.
42 Steve_48 // May 5, 2008 at 18:58
Ginkoh you’re right Owen should have scored twice in 1st half, one off the line and second could have taken another touch to take around the keeper - made the world of difference today, have to say though based on 1st half we played really well, hope this is reflected in threads previous posted
Griff: defo spot on re their goal he just left Ballack standing for their first goal.
43 greek toon // May 5, 2008 at 19:01
I concur with what has been said by many others…as soon as I saw Smith come on for the 2nd half I just groaned in despair. I am so bloody annoyed with Keegan today as we all know that he was one of the main reasons we were playing so shite until at last being left out of the 1st team. And of couse he did absolutely nothing to redeem his poor reputation. He is simply not a footballer. It is not just that we think (know) he is shit, his teamates also know it and it must seriously affect team morale when he comes on.
Bollocks!
44 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:06
gutted we lost the game but overall I’m more pleased than disapointed. C’mon folks this is the one of the two best teams in Europe and the individual displays from our side weren’t at all as bad as some make them out to be. Apart from Enrique making the odd bad attacking pass the defensive unit have built up in bucket loads compared to mid-season. Taylor’s postional play was second to none for most of the game as was Faye’s. It was Butt letting Ballack in for the first goal but overall he played better than to be judged on that alone. What is all this against Barton, some of his lobbing passes made most of our chances! He ain’t no Van der what sis name but he as well as Smithy don’t half but the effort in which is what we want don’t we? Which is more than I can say for some of the other signings we’ve had in recent years. AGREE that Geremi and Butt are only keeping their places warm but give some a chance, (Barton and Smithy) run of games, good attitude, Keegan’s magic; look what he did to some of the players in the entertainer’s team, he made W. Barton an England player and some who would never of had a shout. Sorry for the rant but we need to have some loyalty to some particular players and not only for the team who have showed us balls and character….cast your mind back….C’mon lads, Keegan, great stuff. Let’s add to this squad not decimate it…
45 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 19:10
the only way 1 or 2 players would suffice is if they were seriously phenomenal which KK countered in the same talk there - when we are all fully expecting at least 4 players out, KK surely cant be serious about only 1 or 2 coming in (3 tops??) - it worries me that MA has seen these players playing well over past month and thought ‘ooooo, well that’s something, I thought i was gonna have to break the bank for players, but hey, thank Super Kev, he will get these lot into Europe’ - i seriously hope this hasnt happened or we are gonna falter again - each season we are falling back as teams above are pulling away - looks at Spurs man, one place above signing Modric
46 daiv // May 5, 2008 at 19:12
Jimi
Give Smith a run in the team? You must mean Hartlepool ladies. Smith is the worst player in the football league never mind the Premiership. You need to see a doctor.
47 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:13
Took me so long to write my first rant that even more have come on to slag Smithy.
(Every touch he fell over)..Jesus what F###ing game were you watching! He wasn’t great but how long has he been warming the bench, how long has been played out of position. Give a lad with the right attitude a chance PLEASE!!
48 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:15
daiv… on how do you judge Smith been the worst player in the premier league?
49 Alex // May 5, 2008 at 19:18
If what Keegan said is true and there is no money ,then we are going to be stuck with the likes of smith ,Geremi and Duff and it also asks the Question will Owen,Martins and Taylor be here at the start of the new season?Lets all start praying that there is Money or next season will be a real relegation fight.
50 Leo // May 5, 2008 at 19:18
has anyone not noted how shoking the refing was today, the linesman needed some specs and just didnt have them, he was missing everything even balls which had gone over the line right next to him.
the ref cannot count to 10 yards, and when they didnt get the 9 yards he was not making them push back or booking them for it.
their goal came from a free kick which should not have been given he was a complete disgrace, i dispise webb more than uriah rennie
51 Taiwantoon // May 5, 2008 at 19:19
Jimi, are you actually Smith?
Kidding mate, but I can not agree with that. Smith is really not doing enough…
52 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 19:21
agree with you Alex - if we don’t spend I am afraid this team will struggle yet again - yes, we have improved over recent weeks ten-fold, but would any of you be confident with this squad in a bid for Europe places? I certainly wouldn’t and could only see us in second half of table unfortunately
53 Leo // May 5, 2008 at 19:21
jimi, smith is the worst player in the premier league, who could be counted as worse? he simply does nothing, just like everyone above has said when he came on for the dukes i knew they wud win. first half i sat there singing along thinking they cannot score because we are threatening so they dont fully push forward
but low and behold viduka gets a nigle and smith comes on and ruins it for us again
he cant do anything let alone score, and for a striker that has to be something you look in the mirror and say, “i am really sh1t arnt i”!
54 valle // May 5, 2008 at 19:21
KK
“Maybe the owner (Mike Ashley) thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can’t.”
Sounds like a clear message to me…
“I haven’t got enough money and I wouldn’t be able to get the players anyway, so I will soldier on with what I’ve got and maybe add one or two, maybe three depending what’s available.
Not the optimistic guy we heard a couple of weeks ago is it?
55 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:26
Taiwantoon… Don’t get me wrong, of course he ain’t doing enough but give me a man who plays with his heart on his sleeve any day and I’ll give him more than a few chances compared to someone who doesn’t give a monkeys which team he plays for…Drogba for instance..
56 valle // May 5, 2008 at 19:26
Leo… Agree, the ref wasnt at all strong enough to quell the cheating chelsea superstars… Some of the things they pulled off had me screaming my lungs out… Good thing i aint a pitchside staff member or i would have knocked Terry so hard he would be sh*tting teeth after that stunt he pulled of when Cavalho went off
57 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:29
Leo… your actually accounting the Chelsea win soley because of Smith?!!! Jesus what’s happening man!!!
58 Taiwantoon // May 5, 2008 at 19:30
I think he was only trying to say that we can not do it overnight.
He mentioned “maybe the owner thinks we can bridge the gap”, and this shows, perhaps, Ashley is willing to do something. (I am personally not yet convinced by Ashely tho.) Come on, let’s concertrate on a top 6 first. Anything can happen once we are in the “big 6″.
59 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 19:32
it is worrying aint it Valle - why cant this clu just have something to really sing about? always this doom and gloom and debate as to whether or not MA is going to be right for us - tbh, if he aint going to back KK this summer with a lot of money to give us hope of Euro qual he can sod off, he will sharp lose fan support - in fact, the chatter from friends and forums would suggest it is dwindling already - if he is serious about the toon he HAS to make a serious statement of where he wants to take this club and how he is going to do it, NOT by employing Deputy Chairmen to deal with hospitality issues, but by signing quality and giving KK what he no doubt promised him in January
60 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 19:35
obviously we cant compete with Chelsea at the moment, they are miles ahead of us, but we HAVE to compete with those below Liverpool and above us, and to do that we are going to have to invest huge amounts of money into the playing staff - 1 to 2 signings aint going to do that is it
61 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:37
Where has all the optimism gone! We lose 0-2 to the 2nd best team in Europe….? And the blog goes to pieces! I personally think that this was a clever stunt by the ever increasing genius of Keegan to get Ashley out of the casino and back into the real world!
62 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 19:40
i seriously hope you are right Jimi - MA has to show intent as soon as this season closes - there is only so far his cheerful character will take him with the Toon faithful
63 valle // May 5, 2008 at 19:43
ToonDaft… The thing that hurts the most is all these false promises we have had to injure isnt it?… First we took a decade of bull from FF, then the story appeared that we had a tycoon ready to take over who had a strategy to get us into Champs League in 3 years and make us championship contenders in 5 wasnt it? (Wonder if that was all bull to get the fans behind the bid?)… Everyone was over the moon and finally the toon would rise again… 10 million net spend later and our ever optimistic KK seems to have lost all hope of ever catching the top 4… Someone killed that optimism and my money is on Mort more than Chelsea im afraid… I know, i know its only start of the summer, but seing KK likes this makes me fear for ANOTHER false dawn for NUFC.
64 valle // May 5, 2008 at 19:46
jimi… I hope your right, but then the questi0n is… will it work?
65 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:47
Toondaft…I agree mate, but when the season closes would be the perfect time. Imagine how much all our potential targets prices would rocket if Ashley came out now flashing the cash!
66 Taiwantoon // May 5, 2008 at 19:47
Jimi, I am still hpeful and not at all depressed by the result. We did well enough considering it was against Chelsea. What worries me is the amount of promise and lack of activity from the board. But I can be wrong as they might be working their socks off on potential signings to back KK behind the scene.
67 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:51
Valle..he didn’t seem that pessimistic. If I’m correct KK has always said it would take a few seasons to catch the top four. So he ain’t saying anything different, right?
68 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 19:53
Taiwantoon…I agree mate (quote 65) think we were typing at the same time!
69 toonarmy08 // May 5, 2008 at 19:56
we have money ,we bidded 15mil plus 4 modric ,8mill 4 woodgate.What i think kk meant was he doesnt want the geordie faithfil to get carried away.Chelsea have spent 200-300mill to get the team they have,and mike ashley probably cant afford to do that,(he aint abramovich),Dont worry guys im sure we will bring in 4-5 players as kev said before.Keep the faith,we did ok today!!
70 valle // May 5, 2008 at 19:58
jimi… Im not up for searching for old stories, but yes 2 weeks ago (or before the Modric transfer whenever that happened) he was talking about how we needed to take chances for the big timers and even before then (around 1 moth ago) he was saying something like “people tell me, you cant go for that player, and i say why?. Why cant Newcastle get top players, and they cant give me an answer” something like that he also talked about how our fans and stadium would sell any player to the club… I think its on the official site… Since then, it seems like he has realised that he wont be backed to the extent he thought he would.
71 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:00
exactly toonarmy08… in fact how many top four clubs were bidding for Asprilla when we landed him..kk rules in the transfer market.
72 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:02
that was different times… the top 4 clubs have MUCH more money than the rest these days… look at Chelseas bench for crying out loud… Everton will finish with more than 10 points up to the top 4 and the last placed top 4 team liverpool have only lost 4 times this entire season… it will take years with serious backing to get in there… If you only have moderate backing and still add the years, then we will be no better off than the chasing pack of Everton and Villa.
73 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:06
Valle.. I think our club and fans…and manager can attract the top players. I just think you shouldn’t take his comments tonight to literally, it’s just political. Ashley wouldn’t have funded the moves for Woodgate or Modric if he didn’t want the best player’s. Besides if we can somehow get Van der man he would be a far better signing than Modric.
74 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:08
Jimi… Agree about VDV, but the common story for why we didnt get Modric was that we wouldnt pay up, giving Spurs the chance.
75 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 20:09
totally agree with you Valle in quote 70 - well said! it seems that every time we speak with KK we are going for one less player - after Everton game my money is on him saying “well, we will have to see, we will hopefully bring in one good player to boost this bunch”
76 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:12
Thought Mort came out recently and said he went there for less money and european football…or is that just politics too!
77 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:16
ToonDaft… I think we will be driven as any oher buisiness, we wont invest more than we earn and the keyword will be profit… I know we havent given MA allot of time, but KK’s mood today have spread across the screen im afraid… something seems wrong.
78 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:20
I don’t think anythings wrong. Like I said before if Keegan came out and said I’ve got 60+ to spend everyone would be raising their prices. It’s just common sense and the best stage to try and get the best deal. How can things have changed so much? Nothings happened, unless Ashley’s bet on 17 again!
79 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:21
Valle..C’mon mate we have to make a profit or….
80 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:23
jimi… well you where the one who was talking about tactical interviews earlier in regard to KK saying he didnt have allot of money, now you dont beleive in tactical interviews?… Surely FF could tell Mort all about how to delay the questions from fans and media by making false promises… Listen im not saying that Mort and MA arent going to invest as a fact!… Im just saying that KK seems to have lost faith in where we can go, and then you can think about why that is.
81 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:24
I hope with all my heart that your right jimi… i really do
82 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:28
jimi… No we cant worry about profit if we want to be serious about Europe… Then we have to take a chance with our investment, much like buying stocks… If it pays off, we will get the further profit of whichever European competition we got into, if it didnt, MA’s wallet will take a hit… From there you make the larger investment aiming to go into Champs league, and thereby MA will take a larger hit on his wallet… I know its his money, but after what was said when he bought, i kinda thought he was prepared to take that chance.
83 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:29
Valle…Don’t understand your first sentence correspondinding to me because I do think it’s all a political game. I think A and KK are laughing behind the scenes (not literally) but they’re trying to get the best prices for the best players.
84 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:32
Jimi… it was a respond to this
Thought Mort came out recently and said he went there for less money and european football…or is that just politics too!
Comment 76
85 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:33
Valle…you want another Leeds. Ashleys’s wallet will only go as far as his advisors will tell him…fact…..anybody you brought in would be the same… except I suppose if you or me just won some then it would be wahhey!!!!
86 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:34
Jimi… Mate, as i said, i wanna beleive your right, but KK is either very good at acting or im very bad at reading peoples emotions… He seemed trule beat down to me mate
87 valle // May 5, 2008 at 20:36
Leeds… No!!!… Semi Chelsea where an owner whith a wallet is our sugar daddy… YES!!!… Im afraid thats what is needed in this day and age if you look at team like Everton who play so good with what they have got, but just cant compete over an entire season with the players they have… You need serious investment.
88 Jimi // May 5, 2008 at 20:48
Valle…I agree mate but something inside just can’t help feeling that supporting and running Newcastle is gonna mean more undisiplined hearts, more heartbreak and hope and hopefully some silverware along the way. I just don’t think we’re gonna do it how everyone else is gonna do it, if at all! But that’s the only way it’s gonna happen, and wouldn’t it be the best and fitting tribute to the mass if we did!
89 ToonDaft // May 5, 2008 at 21:01
I agree Jimi with keeping our cards close to our chests, but he also said 1 or 2 players - what’s that about? also, it was Ashley who apparently said or strongly believes in, not so long ago either, the number one business ethic - the notion of having to speculate to accumulate - the Toon need to seriously specualte - if we speculate well, we will accumulate in the long run via Euro pay offs, extra TV revenue and higher comp prize payments
90 valle // May 5, 2008 at 21:15
A club of our size you would have thought was a title contender if you didnt know any better wouldnt you?… I wanna see us go there again, but i have no illusions as to what it takes, and cash will be one of the ingredients needed… and lots of em…
91 Petey // May 5, 2008 at 21:20
Couldnt really be happier is a bit of a lie if i were to say that, but todays game comes close. It was a good game, 2 good sides, one winner. That winner being champions leage finalists and premier league runner-up/winners. How can we be negetive if we put up an amzing fight? Stevey T was amazing, martins was quick and had loads of enthusiasm. Owen was being owen unfortunatly this match and couldnt find the net but ill let him off. Things are ok at the club, with the current squad we are second best team in terms of recent form. We will get signings in no matter what KK says, theirs no way us fans will let the club get away with ZERO signings.
Cheer up all, today is a good day to be a newcastle supporter. Be proud, chin up, and wai till nexts seasons 5th place fight.
I do however want zoggy to stay, if ur reading this zoggy, stay at newcastle, ill give you my full, yes FULL, merlin Football sticker book if you do. (ur not in it tho, but i can draw u in)
92 ObaFan2 // May 5, 2008 at 21:49
Valle, you copy/paste a comment about blind faith for Oba !!!!!
Look at the polls that Ed has set and see how many times Oba’s top or near top ie. motm !!!!!
I for one would be happy to watch this guy play football any day of the week.
93 valle // May 5, 2008 at 23:06
As your name tells me you would be… Listen, there is as much i like about Oba as i dislike… I just feel people are at times giving him a god like status where he can do nothing wrong… he played well today, actually he was the best of our attackers, but he wasnt THAT great. He didnt score like the rest of them and tho he actually played his partners, he still failed to release the ball fast enough at times.
94 ObaFan2 // May 6, 2008 at 1:46
Valle, listen, we played against one of the best defences in the prem and CL finalists.
He was so quick running down the left that no one in the team could stay with him.
I agree he isn’t the finished article but I’d rather have him in the team than the vast majority of other EPL strikers.
95 valle // May 6, 2008 at 8:27
Yah he was our best attacker yesterday, cant argue with that… But before i surrender myself to his fanclub he will have to cut out those frustrating performances, where he simply wont play Owen for instance and instead shoots from an impossible angle, or when he time after time miscontrols the ball straight to the oposition… When and If he can cut those from his game and play with more intelligence, then he will be GREAT, maybe even world class, but they are such important attributes that untill then, he will only be ok/good in matches in my book.
96 ObaFan2 // May 6, 2008 at 11:44
Yes Valle I can agree with that, Duke certainly wasn’t upto any pace yesterday to keep with him but still he (Duke) did better than Smith.
Oba’s getting to the age now where he should be improving and I’ve always believed he’s the KK type of player and hopefully Oba can learn from such a person.
Shame that ok/good is about the best we have as the team is a little lacking in some areas, mainly midfield.
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