With Emre on the verge of leaving Newcastle, and Damien Duff probably on his way to Sunderland, Newcastle fans may be getting a little agitated at what’s going on at the club.
Mike Ashley with fans - he knows what he’s doing
But we think the board is doing a good job of clearing the decks at the club of fringe players, and as long as Kevin Keegan is kept in the loop, we see nothing wrong with what the club is doing right now.
There’s no doubt Duff and Emre are good players, but with all their injuries over the last couple of years, it’s hard to make a case that they’ve been worth the wages Newcastle pay them, which is a lot.
We think the Newcastle board are simply moving out fringe players, particularly those on high wages, so we are ready for the incoming new players.
In the summer we expect Alan Smith to be added to the list of players leaving, because he is number 4 striker at the club right now, if you put him ahead of young Andy Carroll (and we wouldn’t), and it’s certain that Kevin will bring in another top class striker this summer. Maybe Peter Crouch or Bafe Gomis.
So as long as we can get our £6M back for Alan, which we paid to Man United last summer, he’ll also be on his way.
So players we expect to leave or have already left the club are:
Carr, Ramage, Diatta, Troisi, Emre, Duff, Ameobi and Smith.
That’s 8 players from the first team squad.
Players we don’t want to lose include Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner, simply because they are good, young and improving, and their current contracts were negotiated by the current regime last September, so we assume they are reasonable and within the new guidelines.
We’d also want to keep Michael Owen and Steven Taylor, but the club seem to be moving out some high wage earners so they can pay Owen and Taylor what they want - or at least once they know who is left, what they can adequately pay them, within the new wage limits.
That means 8 players will move out, and we have at least five new youngsters who will be in the first team squad next season in Forster, Edgar, Tozer, LuaLua and Kadar, and if we can get 5 new players in during the sumer then it will be 8 gone and 10 in. So if we rely on the youngsters filling out the first team squad and we bring 5 new top players in we should be just fine.
And the money we get from Emre, Duff and Smith (maybe £17M) will fund new transfers of players coming in.
We’ll still have a small squad, but hopefully the quality will be much improved from last season, and the new players we get will have decent injury free records at their previous clubs.
Looking at it that way , there’s definite method in the madness - well that’s probably not the best way of putting it - but there’s a definite plan behind what is happening.
Stay tuned, the Newcastle club is being well run these days, with some good thought given to the overall finances of the club - which of course will come as a shock to a lot of us, who were used to Shepherd’s reckless business model, that achieved very little success at the club.
We welcome a change, and we think it will be for the better.  
We’ll be OK - you just watch.
Comments welcome.
284 responses so far ↓
1 najikhin // Jun 1, 2008 at 14:56
ok..i admit i was panic just now..
2 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 14:57
So many players leaving, KK said he had a good small squad and wanted to add 2-3-4 players !!!!!!
If KK hadn’t been manager I’d be really worried now but I am worried about the rest of them, MA and the “r-squad” etc.
We just have to wait and see who we get in, one minute KK wants EPL proven players and then rumours about non epl players coming in!!!
Always knew this summer’s transfers will speak volumes about the direction of the club, I only hope that direction is onwards and upwards.
3 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 14:58
Who in gods name is gonna give us 6 mil for alan smith, i wouldnt give you 6p for him to be my personal shoe polisher.
4 The Entertainers // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:04
Patients is something as Newcastle fans we should be good at…..40 odd years and counting. However there appears to be alot of panicing at the moment. I agree Ed with your comments, particularly about the players you would like out and the ones you would keep. By the way when does the transfer window open?
5 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:04
Ed - you do realise you’re gonna get a load of posts here slagging “tight arse Ashley” for not spending his very last penny on new players within weeks of the season ending.
I for one agree with everything you have said. We don’t necessarily need a massive squad this coming season - we couldn’t keep them all happy with no European football anyway.
The club is now being run in a proffessional manner for the first time in years and its long term future is a hell of a lot brighter than it was 12 months ago with NUFC almost going belly up into administration under Shepherd.
As I have said already today, the signings will come but a lot of newcastle fans have a knack of being unrealistically impatient which only piles undue pressure on the players and manager.
Lets just get behind everyone at the club, whether its Ashley, Wise, Keegan etc. We are, after all Newcastle UNITED!
6 ToonKing // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:05
i’d give 10p for Smithy and then take him out for long walks in the park…..after all he does draw the ladies…..
PS: nice post Graham…….but i’m still in panic mode….and will be till something happens….this utter silence form the club isn’t helping either.
7 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:06
ToonKing - relax man. Why dont you become manager of Real Madrid as well on FM and sell Smith to them for £25m?
Seriously - I am more relaxed this summer than during the past 3 or 4 close seasons. We have a manager who knows the club inside out and an owner whos not as daft - or as tight as some people think
8 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:10
“The club is now being run in a proffessional manner”
but we haven’t even re-newed contacts for Owen, Oba or Taylor yet ( if these are to be re-newed that is) and weeks/months have passed !!!!
9 craig chisholm // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:11
yeah i have to agree with tom toon - smith is proper dog shit. i reckon we may find a mug to give us around 3 million for him if we are mega lucky. i hope we get some f**king players in though. i think viduka is fat and lazy and thats a fact. i am a season ticket holder and all last season we were all saying to ourselves that he is just too damn lethargic. now granted, he has natural ability and is very good at holding the ball up, his ball work helped owen and marins laot when he played. doesnt get over the fact that he is fat and lazy though. i would like to see crouch brought in in viduka’s place.
i think that would be a massive step in the right direction. we need to keep zogs on the left for sure. also we should keep milner. i like barton a lot but with him doing porridge for a while i just do not know if he will make it back - who knows. so we need a proper play maker in the mid field. risse could be good at the back i think or bridge. either one would be a step in the right direction. but we have to get shot of duffers, smith, emre, ameobi and cacapa and rozza. i liked rozza at the start but he just faded away in the end.
10 neeraj // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:17
summer clearout was always on the card
remember harper’s statement stating- “every player is playing for their newcastle career”.
i am sure 20 mil is also just a media gimmick, nothing else
look the kind of players we got approval for
mordic(16 mil), henry 15 mil at the same time.
i am damn sure the good times are going to comeback.
and guys who are worried of keegan not involved or unhappy with summer transactions, he would have given a statement by now!!!
11 é // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:17
our team next season
buffon
sergio ramos, ferdinand, vidic, abidal
ronaldo, fabregas, gerrard, messi
torres, ibrahimovic
subs. adebayor, cech, terry, kaka, lampard
12 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:18
But their contract have another year to run - its not as thought they’re about to walk out of the door.
Talks have begun (if you believe the press) for both players - and I reckon that both players (especially Taylor want to stay long term)
13 é // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:21
buffon - 30mil
serigio ramos 25mil
ferdinand 30mil
vidic 30mil
abidal 15mil
ronaldo 100mil
fabregas 45mil
gerrard 30mil
messi 40mil
torres 35mil
ibrahimovic 25mil
adebayor 25mil
cech 25mil
terry 25mil
kaka 30mil
lampard 25mil
xD
14 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:21
ha ha a year left on their contracts cool.
15 T.O.Mag // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:25
We need a clear out, but please keep Milner, N’Zog and Taylor
16 Hadrian // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:27
I think keegan has wanted to keep hold of the majority of this squad .
but after showdowns in london he’s having to change his plan’s and work within the boundrys that have been set (whatever they are)
clearing out these high earners is fine , duff is on a reported 60-70k ? emre a similar number , carr was on far to much , as is smith .
james milner is a puzzle , surely he will be on the same wage as zoggy like reported? cant be much more than 30kpw , so im not so why he would be offloaded .
so great , now we have the dead wood on high wages out and the wage bill reduced , who gets to say where those wages are now spent ?
managers should have complete control of the budget , transfers and wages , if keegan want one english player and wise could get two africans there is going tobe a conflict of interests , and who benefits from this ? the fan’s?
half the appeal with keegan is his work in the transfer market ! this wise thing is not looking like its going to turn out well .
17 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:29
Obafan2 - most players will still be lying on beaches or roasting the local glamour models until mid June anyway. So theres no chance of much progress for the next few weeks on any new contracts
18 Hadji // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:30
By the time the market opens we will have all the bad apples dumped and then we will only focus on buying new players without wasting any time in selling.
Good move MA
19 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:31
couldn’t agree more, Graham.
what this site really needs is a forum section, because it’s beginning to get tiresome seeing the same people saying the same thing in every single comments section.
frankly, it’s getting to the point where it’s putting me off reading some of the articles, because i know that if i do leave a comment, it’ll be lost in the mire amongst all the “ashley is tight” “why haven’t we signed anyone yet?” “we’re gonna be crap” posts.
facts of the matter, gentlemen, it’s June 1st. The season only ended 2 weeks ago and the transfer window doesn’t open for another month.
we have already made moves for players, we know this because the facts are there (ie modric, henry) but wild speculation isn’t going to bring in new signings.
why do you need to hear reassurances so badly from the club? we’ve had them before in the past, and l0ook where it got us: inflated player prices, agents touting our name about as a means to bump up their clients fees and wages.
Frankly, i’ll be glad to go back to the old days where the business is done in the board room behind closed doors, and not on the back pages of the f*cking Chronicle.
Lay off the doom and gloom, get some perspective and stop bloody whinging, because you’re starting to turn this place into Caughtoffside.
20 najikhin // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:31
Graham.. take fla-money as an example..
21 Hadrian // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:32
transfer markets open init ?
22 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:34
najikhin - you been drinking? take fla-money? explain, i must be having a blonde day
23 iain // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:34
if we got our money back on emre/duff/smith i would be exstatic and honestly surprised anyone could be that daft too pay that for those 3.
+ about 200kpw of the wage bill, imo on 15m quid signing on 100kpw wages would be more use to us then thsoe 3.
24 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:34
Not till July 1st Hadrian
25 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:36
For gods sake, you can buy anyone whenever you want and considering its the euros this year, now is the time to buy!
26 Barry Bumhead // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:37
“Players we don’t want to lose include Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner”
As far as Milners concered, speak for yourself. The lad tries his best but is a one paced plodder and not a very fast one at that. I say grab what cash you can get for him
27 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:38
well, players can be bought and sold, deals can be done, but the player registrations can’t be transferred between clubs until july 1st.
it’s not technically a transfer window, as much as it is a registration window in that sense, but transfer window is easier for a more general audience to understand.
28 najikhin // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:38
graham…it’s flamini actually..he is on a free transfer..because arsenal failed to tie him before his contract expires..
29 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:39
KK wanted Owen’s contract sorted months ago !!!! also how’d he be on the beach when he was supposed to be playing last Wednesday and tonight? So he’s been about !!!!!!!!
I don’t get wrapped up in the transfer rumour stuff but I am reacting to facts.
TBH I aint that bothered about Owen bit I am bothered when KK has said on a number of occasions that he wanted a new contact sorted for Owen asap and so far he hasn’t had that happen. So fact is SO FAR he’s not getting backed.
I believed the transfer window opened at the end of the season, FA cup day I believed however pre-contracts seem the norm…. Modric for example.
30 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:41
catch 22, tom.
pre-tournament may be the best time to buy players who shall be involved, but their clubs will be less willing to sell then, which is the problem.
look at 12 years ago when we bought shearer after euro96. you can bet we had tried to get him beforehand, but i bet we didn’t bid half as much as we ended up paying.
31 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:47
Im not stupid.
32 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:48
yeah - he’s been about with the england squad on international duty. Taylor has just changed his agent and will have to start from scratch again.
These new deals will happen - but 2 weeks after the season ends most managers, players etc etc etc are taking a break. Things will start to move in a week or 2
33 toonoholic // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:49
and wats ur take on owen, oba ( new one) and taylor contract not getting sorted out chris f?
maybe owen and oba might want more than 80 k , but taylor wont be asking for more than 40 !
34 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:53
my take on it?
well how do any of us know they aren’t in discussions?
it’s not like it will happen overnight, they’ve got 6 months before they need to start worrying about them being able to discuss terms with other clubs (and almost a year before they can discuss with other english clubs).
and Tom, i never said you were stupid, i was merely pointing out that you won’t see many deals for players involved in Euro2008 until after their country is elimated, or the tournament is over.
35 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:55
So it’s OK for us to sell before the Euros, Emre but we can’t buy before them! lol
and Graham, for the last time KK said MONTHS ago that he wanted Owen’s contact sorted out so he could build his team around him, not last week or the week before.
36 scott9 // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:56
i rekon roy keane wud jump at the chance of havin alan smith in his sqaud so wud alot of other bottom half teams so i think we cud get at least 4m for him.i wud like to see
ins
alves/dunne i no its now unlikely
shorey
emana
senagason
swp
gomis is a player i wud realy like to see i think he cud become a great player for us
37 NUFCFAN // Jun 1, 2008 at 15:58
whats the deal on emmaulson from Ajax these days? always liked him and he can cover at left back and midfield and young?
38 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:01
ObaFan2 I think the reason for selling Emre before euro’s is the likleyhood he will be crocked for about 6 months after that tournament and we wont get nothing…Only reason we sold him before Euro’s
39 toonoholic // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:03
chris F , we do need they are on discussions.
the worrying factor is , neither have we heard about an agreement or a disagreement of the contract.
And if you own a club , and if ur player disagrees to renew the contract and you wont offer him a new contract , would you offload ur player ( like owen and taylor) for free or try and get a price for them one year before itself?or push them till december and ‘hope’ ?
so we have every reason to panic about this board , if not transfers , atleast contract renegotiation
40 NUFCFAN // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:03
or cos they were the only team who would buy him!
41 JJ // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:04
Im not panicking yet, but we do need a signing or two in the next two weeks that signals our intentions. Crouch would be a great buy.
42 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:05
And i’m sure that a deal will be put on the table for Owen and his people to sign. But lets face it - Owen and Taylor won’t be back at NUFC until early July so I don’t see why there is so much worrying going on.
Things will happen on current and new players in the next 6 weeks or so…
43 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:06
I think the board are doing a cracking job…Does owen really deserve 110 grand a week…No chance….
Out off pure loyalty to what the club have given him he should take a pay cut and if he does’nt let him go .
44 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:07
toonoholic - yours and mine (and everyone elses) employment discussions are between the employer and employee - no-one else. Any contract discussions should be kept between them and them only.
45 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:09
John it was just an example of pre-tournament deals… and irony but Modric another example?
toonoholic, idd it is a fact that nothing has happened and the the worry is someone we paid £17 million for could leave for nothing next year or even buy the remainder of the contract out.
46 toonoholic // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:11
i am sure , the agents are not on a holiday .
47 Alex // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:12
I am not to unhappy that there is no new signings yet.But as oba fan 2 points out, there is still no new contracts signed by Owen and Taylor ,that is worrying.I cant belive we will off load milner he is the sort of player Wise and co want at the club .Young and improving so that later he will be worth a massive fee.For me getting Viduka off the payrole would be a good move he is just not fit enough and commands a big wage.
48 toonoholic // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:12
Graham we dont have a job that includes 52,000 spectators week in week out .
49 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:15
NUFCFAN - They sussed out he cant really defend at all, the ajax fans are on his back atm.
50 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:17
Right; panic on….Oba could be out for 8 weeks!!!
51 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:18
might be worth letting him go for free rather than paying another 20 mill for him …..
anyway out off the 17mill at fat fred got ten mill of that back from the Fa ..So more like 7 mill
52 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:20
why panic Faustino ….better now than mid season
53 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:20
Toonoholic - that doesn’t matter a jot! personal contracts are exactly that. We have no right to know what Taylor, Owen or any other player, coach or tea lady are getting - especially as NUFC is now a private company. We will here when the contracts have been signed not before - unless the players or agents go blabbing to the press
54 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:26
John…was kind of a joke really - but still…. if it’s true that will be 2 out of 3 strikers out at the start of the season [or no pre season] at least and it aint even July yet!
55 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:29
spot on graham.
as i said, the club’s business should be done in private, not the press and only brought to public attention when a deal is done.
shepherd did his business through the press and look where that got us.
56 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:31
well we could use smith as a striker ..Im joking now… would prefer him to be fit for pre season , but never know, maybe he just wants to skip those nigeria games and go on holiday
57 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:32
Can’t beleive I’m going to say this…but In Fat Shepherd’s defence [shudder/] he was chairman of a plc and things have to be done in public a lot more.
58 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:34
he managed to keep the 100 mill debt in private though
59 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:35
John - in all seriousness I NEVER think of Smith when Im thinking of who’s going to play upfront for the club!!! Not in a nasty way as such, just doesnt cross my mind.
60 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:37
Not really…it just acrewed over a ten year period and the board were very sneaky about it. For instance how much the club lost in the casino venture that fell through was kept in the business pages.
I often thought the outrageous PR we used to get concerning players and staff etc. was provoked in order to keep the white collar goings on in the ‘less read’ parts of the papers.
61 John // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:41
I was a shareholder and I got sent all the financial records off each year…Never once said we owed 100 mill …..
Before any costs going out we got about 85 million a year ( before new tv contract )
62 toonoholic // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:42
no point debating , i still stick to my point that renegotiation is something which shdlnt take too much time. because at the end of the day its the fans that make the club , the club doesnt make fans ( unless its top 4)
63 NUFCFAN // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:43
Shame about emmauleson then, was just thinking if we are getting rid of Duff (hopefully) whats the likelhood of us finally using the so called ’sevilla link’ that Vetere has - could we try and nick Capel?
Big strong quick winger, really rate him.
64 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:45
Faustino, being a Plc means you have to declare your deals to the Plc board, shareholders, and market before confirming them, it doesn’t mean you have to conduct your business in public!
The amount of crap that used to come out of St James’s when shepherd was in charge was unreal, often a lot of it was done to try and boost the share prices (offer for Rooney, anyone?)
65 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:46
I’m sure they didn’t… there’s more loopholes in plc accounting than a Zimbabwe election.
66 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:48
big strong winger? Hes 5ft 8.
67 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:48
I see your point Chris my friend but your only half right. That’s what they HAVE to declare but it isn’t limited to what’s available to you if you put the work in and that’s what Journalists do. There is a lot of info available on any PLC if you go through the beaurocratic request process.
68 Frankieboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:50
With regards Owen, Oba & Taylors new contracts MA is making a definite statement that the club are in control of the situation and will not be held to ransom and that players (and agents) will not be given what they want because they threaten they will look elsewhere cos they may be in demand.
A very simple basic way to conduct good business.
69 Faustino // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:55
Agreed Frankie - imo MA hasnt put a foot wrong…YET!
However I would personally cream if we managed to pick up Coloccini
70 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 16:56
All this creaming is too much for me.
Id be very happy if we got him
71 NUFCFAN // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:00
ok - well then chunky, Duff is more slim and gets knocked off. Capel looks harder! maybe more brutish is what i meant
72 Frankieboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:05
MA will get the job done on his terms.
He will back KK on his intended targets but only at a suitable cost.
Agreed not much action yet but a good businesman is a good businesman. Get it.
73 tapir // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:05
Ed
goal.com reported that Martin will be out for 8 weeks and might miss early season..
so no vids and martin?
new topic maybe ed?
74 Ed Harrison // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:08
Tapir _ I saw that report - hope he’s OK for next season
75 Ed Harrison // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:10
Barry Bumhead - I am specking for myself - the “we” is what I think - I’m not speaking for anybody else.
I just put down what I think and then we can gave different opinions etc….. via the comments.
76 Ed Harrison // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:14
Graham - I think there’s an awful lot of good players out there that will vastly improve our squad - and if Wise, Vetere and Jimenez are any good - we’ll be getting some cracking good players through the door in the next 18 months or so - hopefully starting this summer.
The only concern I have is that they keep Kevin right in the loop on stuff - he doesn’t like it - when he’s not told what’s happening.
77 chuck // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:20
Same old crap from same dumb ass people, if you have nothing imaginative or interesting to add, shut to f**k up!
78 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:22
The constant rumours of players on their way is worrying me, i have come to terms with losing Emre and i will with Duff also but i will not be happy if Milner, N’Zogbia, Owen or Martins are sold off to line our superiors pockets. Ok we will loose Emre, Duff and we will probably loose Smith aswell as long as Ashley lets KK replace these players then there is nothing to worry about, but its the time its taking to get these players in the bag that is worrying me i know the window aint open as yet i (i think) but other teams are tying up players now. Spurs fans can sit back and relax in the euros watching Modric weave his magic aswell as other players they get. We have nothing to look foward to at this present time but i have my fingers crossed we sign a top quality player before the euros.
79 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:24
the nigeria coach said martins *could* be out for 8 weeks.
but then since when have nigeria known what any of their players are up to?
oba doesn’t strike me as the most patriotic of players, he probably just wanted to gon holiday rather than play some pointless friendly.
80 geordie in taipei // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:25
If we’d have already bought someone id be less worried. Please oh god of geordies let us buy someone this week, please please please - just to settle my nerves.
PS: Tom Toon deserves a round of applause for his valuation of smith, 6p, its a fair price for a player that has less skills than a burnt match and a haircut to match !
81 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:30
We might, i heard a rumour that we have been negotiating with Coloccini for a while.
82 Frankieboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:35
Tom Toon
It wasn’t a rumour in one of the nationals was it
83 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:36
Just seen a fair few people say the same thing.
84 leavy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:38
i have noticed we have become very boring as a football team to watch
keegan obviously wants us too play attacking football but we have no centre midfielders who have flair,or wingers who run with their heads up
i cant remember the last time a step over took place on sjp ooh maybe when man u came to town
i would love Andres Guardado just for entertainment purposes lol also i like harry kewell uses both feet good in the air good speed and stamina scores goals from range and close but is quite injury prone .. free transfer what ya think
85 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:40
No, hes on very high wages aswell. Guardado is good but we wont get him. Milan may buy him ths summer, or possibly Arsenal.
86 Frankieboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:47
kewell - No thanks
87 leavy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:48
just because hes young
and foreign doesnt mean hes going to arsenal
also harry kewell is on high wages est 55kpw but if were not paying anything in transfer fees
also we could get him on a basic 20kpw plus bonuses e.g goals or games etc
88 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:48
KK after Arteta.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Newcastle+United
89 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:49
Kewell would not settle that low, he is a injury prone mercenary, and i wouldnt want him.
Guardado has been linked loads to Arsenal and Ac Milan, im not saying its becuse hes foreign he just has and he is out of our target zone atm.
90 Frankieboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:51
Leavy
Think his age and wages go against MA’s strategy.
Havin said that i stated on post last week i would not mind Lillian Thuram coming here short term.
91 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:53
Anyone else heard anything about Collocinni would love to see him arrive at the toon but Everton are also after him which may seem a more exciting place for him to go with the way the two clubs are apart ATM.
92 ToonKing // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:53
Arteta would be a massive signing, but i can’t see Moyes letting him go.
Toon1978 i didn’t know Everton want Collocinni, all i know is Deportivo said 2 english clubs are in advanced stages of the negotiation, those clubs being us and City.
93 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:55
Toon1978, i thought it was man city nd newcastle, everton arent mentioned anywhere.
94 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 17:57
tom toon my apologies yes it is city mate i didnt look properly ooh well then i think we have more of a chance of signing him.
95 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:00
GUTTED:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3637519,00.html
WHY cant we get someone like this
96 Leo // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:00
id love to see how much wage’s had been reduced on the wage bill now, i bet its quite pretty to investors really…. now we can bring quality in please.
we have 4midfielders left 5 if you include barton
97 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:02
Midjew - Dos Santos is considered to weak for la liga, he is going to get mullered in the prem.
98 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:02
ey, i said earlier didnt i that there is heavy rumours about arteta, and up it pops on teamtalk, normally quite a site for a good rumour. but honestly i think arteta would be absoloutley amaising for us, also heard a rumour of villa looking at montolivo. apart from kranjcar arteta is one of my top favourite players inside the prem. what do others think?
99 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:04
I thnk no chance in us getting Arteta and even less of a chance of Villa getting Montolivo.
100 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:04
why do pple realy rate dos santos, i have seen a flea stronger than him.
101 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:06
why no chance then? anyone see how good robben and sneijder looked today?
hennesey was class in between the sticks today
102 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:06
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1780_3637465,00.html
Great Article about Arteta and SWP
IF TRUE.
BUT Can you Imagine them 2 players in our starting line-up
THAT would make my day.
103 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:07
Cos he plays for a better team in Everton, why would he move to a lesser team.
Id love Arteta but not SWP.
104 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:09
Its not JUST about Dos Santos Strength his Ball control and shots are Awesome.
SWP is Brilliant when he plays regularly and he is tiny and bit of a wimp so not much different really.
PLUS they have only paid 6.8m which is VERY cheap so its worth the risk AINT IT
105 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:10
SWP has no end product, and you do have to be faily strong to play in the prem, Dos Santos is just ncredibly weak, he will flop.
106 toonarmy08 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:10
GG7 yeah saw it mate ,thought vdv looked ok aswell.He never seems to lose the ball.Im also not amassive fan of dos santos ,very light weight ,and wouldnt cut it in the pl.Iknow Bojan was keeping him out of barca team for afair few months,and that lad is only 17!!
107 Hadji // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:12
I would like if we give a go for Arnold Kruiswijk cause for sure we could get him on cheap and he’s a quality player.
108 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:12
Well we will see wont we but i think he will do well IF he comes.
Anyway SWP Gets ALOT of Assists when he plays so if he sets up alot of goals doesnt matter to much does it. And they aint anything to do with his strength anyway is It?
109 neeraj // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:13
midjew
there are better players out there than dos santos
i want team players in rather than some individualistic grts, we cant win because of one player,
plus i doubt la liga players coming to prem league,
eg: mendieta, luque, zenden and many more
110 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:13
Just moved to Anderlecht. (Response to Hadji)
111 Hadji // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:13
Terry will crush Dos Santos when they meet,he’s gonna send him back crying.
112 Hadji // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:14
I know,too bad we never made a move.
113 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:14
neeraj - you cant name 3 players that flopped here, there are endless names who HAVE succeded.
Fabrgeas comes to mind
114 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:15
toonarmy08- yes vdv never does, such a good player, will go chelsea, barca, inter or real next year. bojan though mate is 50 times the player of dos santos, he is like messi mark 2
115 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:16
Fabregas was groomed or the prem first, he never played in la liga.
116 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:19
OK - Torres
117 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:21
Torres is an exceptional talent, im not diagreeing with you that player cant come to the prem from la liga, because they can.
118 Midjew // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:24
Like everyone, just want to see one guy come through our doors who is young and has potential or already is.
But HEY arent we all
119 The Entertainers // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:25
Hell, call me a mad man, but i’m all of a sudden feeling quite optimistic about our future. We’re clearing the decks so now we know we HAVE to buy and with a solid bid going in for Modic and strong rumours about Arda and this Argie bloke, we can at least believe we are targeting quality signings,the good times are around the corner kids
120 toonarmy08 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:29
my team 4 nxt season-
harper /given
beye/edgar
enrique/shorey
faye/taylor
collocini/van buyten
joaquin/milner/swp
veloso/butt
arteta/zog
owen
crouch/dukes
martins/gomis(doubt poss)
121 toonfan1 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:35
arteta and swp on top of keegans shopping list. the story is on teamtalk.com which is quite reliable. hopefully these are some good targets.
122 toonfan1 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:38
lol i see someone has already saw it! wat do u think about it. i think it is great news. with emre going, arteta is the perfect player to replace him but i doubt him and swp will come. wat can we offer? big wages which obv ashley wants to cut down on and a big fan base. no european football so im not sure whether we can get the quality in the transfer window that is needed. what do u all think?
123 ToonKing // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:39
we’ll never get Arteta, KK can try all he wants, unless were offering some insane money.
124 toonarmy08 // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:45
Milner and couple amill 4 arteta!
125 Nobby's Dad // Jun 1, 2008 at 18:55
If Arteta is top of Keegan’s list and is to replace Emre this just goes to show that all of this was known sometime ago (ie Emre leaving).
Keegan’s list was supposedly given to Wise about 3 weeks ago…….I think KK let Emre go back to Turkey early so he could sort out this transfer, so to me it’s obvious Emre was never part of Keegan’s plans.
126 Marat18 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:03
how reliable is teamtalk?
Arteta and SWP would be great, really great.
Then they can be followed by Crouch (Gomis or Gomez - being optimistic) and Shorey and Collocini in defence. That will make all Toon fans happy again
127 Hadrian // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:04
Dos santos has years to put a bit more weight on .
you dont see anyone saying dumb stuff like messi is to lightweight do you ?
used to watch dos santos in barca youth team with bojan and he’s got all the tricks there , like you say just needs to work on the final product when under pressure .
a hatrick is no thing to turn your nose up at for a player so young at barca .
and 6-7 million ? bargain imo . spurs squads gonna be impressive as hell next season if all these targets come off .
128 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:06
Collocini would be a great signing BUT what has happened to Arda there has been nothing of late or have i missed something? all these big players we have been linked with has just dwindled to nothing has anyone got anymore news on Arda please?
129 Hadrian // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:11
going to spurs /shurg
130 Marat18 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:12
Does anyone play fantasy-football on uefa.com?
we can have nufcblog.com league there for euro’08.
I have Arda in my team
131 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:13
Hadrian you cant be serious mate?
132 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:23
hadrian- barca wouldnt be dumb enough to let dos santos go if they thought he was as good as people make out
133 leavy // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:35
tbh its intresting watchin spurs
chairman/owners recruit their manager
he wins something and is backed with a large transfer money
this is what we should be doing
not moaning though m.a us a hero in my eyes
getting us running as a proper business
but he must remember were nufc not nu ltd
134 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:35
just imagine this team of the palyers we have been linked with, and have got:
———————Boruc——————————
Beye———collicini—-taylor———–Vargas
Turan——-veloso——-arteta————zogs–
—————owen——–gomez——————-
would compete i would imagine
135 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:39
Why include taylor not faye. Taylor is poor.
136 Marat18 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:40
GG7
even without Boruc (Harper) and Vargas (Enrique) I would be over the moon with that team.
137 Toonboy // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:41
Anyone know if the sun are doing a euro dreamteam???
138 Graham // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:53
Ed - couldn’t agree more. We just have to hope that he is the one making the hiring and firing. I’m sure he is though. If he’s not Terry Mac might have to do some counselling in a A69 layby again!
139 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:56
well tom-toon football expert, taylor as i have seen him have many better games than what i have faye, faye was dreadfull untill last part of the season, taylor has been ok, not great, he is alot younger and with someone qaulity next to him, he will be our future captain and a great english defender.
140 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 19:59
marat- yes of course mate, im just saying as we have been linked to them, and i see boruc as one of the best all round keepers in the world, and i think vargas is the best left back in the world. of course i really do rate jose and of course harper, its just that was the best possible team, some may dissagree
141 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:00
Faye has been our best defender all seson, you dont know what youare talking about, i think 99% would agree.
No hes never going to be our captain or future england captain, he’ll never be a regularly england nternational, hes not very good. He got potential to be DECENT.
142 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:01
Vargas - Best LB in the world, ahaha, that made me laugh.
Heard of Chivu, Lahm, Abidal (on form), Maxwell?
143 ToonKing // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:01
Faye was dreadfull ?? when ?? he was huge the entire season bar a couple of games.
As you said Taylor was ok, but i’d have Faye over him any day.
144 leavy // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:03
taylor would have been im my nufc 11 so dont worry mate
lets see who would be in tom toons 11 probz some unknown spaniards greeks and iraqi’s
lmao
145 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:04
lahm left back, hmmmmm you mean the same lahm that only signed a new deal if the manager promised he would play right back, dont get me wrong of course the others you have listed are really good, its just vargas is playing in a very poor team, and has been magnificent all season
146 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:05
a 31 yo, over a 23 yo? hmmmmm?
147 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:05
Playing in a poor team makes him look good, there are many left backs better than him, Lahm can play either side and he is still better that Vargas at LB.
148 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:05
probably mate
149 Andy1 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:06
Giovani can’t be that good if he’s going to Spuds. And 6.2mil - he’s no Messi. I thought he would be the way they talked about him last summer but he hardly played. He is too lightweight and the only good game I saw of him was last of the season. A hatrick against a relegated team I think.
150 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:07
ok, wer see when vargas joins a good team, he will outshine anyone if he joins fiorentina. personal view
151 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:08
A 30 year old who is currently far better than the 22 year old. No doubt about that.
152 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:10
haha- qaulity, getting picky
153 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:11
If we get a new CB, taylor will be the one being replaced, there is no doubt about that. Taylor’s positioning is he worst attribute, it is shockingly bad, if he can learn that he be pretty good.
154 Andy1 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:15
What about Kightly? He’s linked with a move to the premiership today. Anyone seen much of him?
I think if we are getting rid of high paid fringe players we might have to look at the Championship and pick out the best talent like Moyes has done with Lescott and, to an extent Jagielka. They won’t cost a lot in transfer or wages and their hunger could make the difference.
There are some really promising players in the lower leagues but it will always be a gamble to pick one out. For every Lescott, there’ll be a couple of Nugents.
155 doc // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:16
what the F### out out out with players, trim the wage bill, and get in who?????
lets wait until after Euro 2008 and pay double (sorry we wont buy any players anyone would want) lets pay crap money for crap players
Mike Ashley we know what you are doing you are creating profit, in whatever form that takes, because with profit you have a valuable asset, one that can be sold for profit
Toon lovers dont be suprised to see is wallow for the next few seasons, still sold out every game but with no progress apart from on the balance sheet, and thenMike can sell and do what he does……………. make money !!!!!
156 leavy // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:19
lol well asheley also knows by spending players
making more revenue from merchandise
and thus raising prices will bring revenue faster
m.a will deliver the goods
and tbh the valuation of the club will decrease if he doesnt invest???????
157 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:20
spurs are offering 7mill and 2 players for bentley, but have been snubbed by pandev
158 Nick C // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:21
Tom Toon is spot on. Taylor is at present a very average CB. His positional sense is suspect to say the least and his decision making makes him look a fool. He spends the lions share of each game gesticulating at all around him, when he should be concentrating on his own game.
We need at least one new centre half very badly.
159 Toon1978 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:28
this is off SSN Spurs are even mentioned for this played also what a joke why are Spurs after every player available. Really starting to annoy me now.
Alvaro Negredo’s future will be decided next week, after reports suggested two Premier League club’s had launched bids to land him.
The striker left Real Madrid last summer and joined Almeria, and he shone with 13 goals in La Liga and helped the minnows retain their top-flight status.
However, Real inserted a buy-back clause in the deal and they will now take the player back for 4 million euros (£3.1million) before selling him on - with reports claiming he could go for up to 12 million euros (£9.4million).
It is claimed in Spain that two English sides have made bids for the exciting 22-year-old, with some sources suggesting the two clubs as Newcastle and West Ham.
Tottenham have also been credited with an interest after they scouted him late last year
160 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:32
negredo is a very good player, but i always feel wary of young players from spain.
161 tam toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:34
Faye had a few poor games, he got destroyed by Mc Fadden. Although he played well in a lot of games too. Taylor is way overated, but if you look at our central defenders over the past 30 years. he is probably one of the top 5. Thats how bad they have been.
162 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:37
Then faye must be higher than taylor
163 tam toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:38
Could be, its personal preference but he has defo been a good signing.
164 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:42
Aye, Faye is a good defender.
Taylor is rated because he is a ‘local boy’ hes from London for god’s sake.
165 Geordie Nick // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:43
faye and taylor both are not good enough really, we shud be lookin 2 get 2 better cb’s with faye and taylor decent backup for thm
166 Geordie Nick // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:46
tom toon- taylor moved from london wen he was 2 weeks old, he spent his whole life in enwcastle so he is a local lad
167 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 20:49
id count him as a local lad to be honest
168 Chris F // Jun 1, 2008 at 21:06
of course he’s a local lad, what a pedantic thing to say.
169 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 21:58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywGXKKXrgV4
170 JJ // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:13
Ok, Tom Toon. Name 4 centre backs in English football better than Taylor for their age?
He has potential to be very good. But then so did Bramble so let just hope he turn out better than that.
171 HATE PRAWN S'WICHES // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:17
I totally agree we need new players in midfield, and defence but just think “SUPERMARIO” GOMEZ would be one of the best signings of the summer! imo a better buy than crouch!!
172 Tom_Toon // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:22
In english football, or who are english?
In the prem:
Davies, Wheater, Evans, Onouha, Richards, Song, Kaboul, Senderos, Dawson, Djourou and others.
173 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:26
anyone watching the england game?
174 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:30
Yep, Ashton up front…. Downing lol n Woodgate in defence……..
175 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:31
did you see the bench that cappello was sitting on? the game looks like a 1966 world cup game from the pitch
176 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:32
1-0 beckham?
177 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:33
nope, horrible freekick
178 Ross // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:33
just stuck it on now GG7, had no idea it was on tv to be honest!
179 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:34
I’d rather be playing footy over there tbh even if the pitch is rubbish
Should be an easy training match for us by the looks of it, a chance for England to pass the ball about.
180 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:35
ridiculous time isnt it, defoe should have just scored
181 Ross // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:35
thought defoe was gonna get a touch on that like
182 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:36
4/5-0?
183 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:36
Omg James is so so pap, it s a friendly fgs…
184 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:37
kenwyne jones off already. defo wont score
185 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:38
nah james aint pap
186 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:39
Ashton looks out of his league so far.
187 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:40
Mr Calamity aint pap? lol ….. last keeper I’d ever want tbh, too unpredictable.
188 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:41
Good goal, Downing n Bridge did well.
189 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:42
nah i like james, good keeper, has a few mad moments, been great for pompey, great goal by barry
190 ObaFan2 // Jun 1, 2008 at 22:45
lol 2-0 too easy. Simple goal.