The Newcastle United Blog

75 responses so far ↓

• 1 dingo // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:44

  how did Wesley knack his ACL?

• 2 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:45

  I think he did it at the end of last season - maybe in the Northumberland Senior Cup final?

• 3 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:48

  Ed. correct. senior bowl final! you can normally find wes in nandos in newcastle now. He is in there everyday. ha ha

• 4 The real big AL // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:48

  Correct Ed, did do it at end of last season, gonna be out for a long while!!! Lets hope that 13 is 15 -16 by the end of the week with aimar a centre half and maybe a full back signed!!

• 5 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:50

  Apparently viduka is out untill october therefore i would like us to sign another striker. What with shola on his way and viduka and carrol injured,

  we couldnt rely on smith,

  also with the uncertainty surrounding oba’s and owens future.

  he would have to be of a higher profile than the likes of leroy lita though.

• 6 The real big AL // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:50

  Ed, are the likes of tozer and lua lua being classed as senior players cos if so our squad really is paper thin!! especially when u consider 4 of that 13 will be given krul harper and forster!!!!

• 7 LondonToon // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:56

  Aimar sounds great, but I feel he’s too much of a gamble. Some people have been equating him to Duff in that he’s older, will be on high wages and is probably past it - and that’s my worry.

  I for one think Duff deserves one more chance this season as he has been recovering from a career-threatening injury for the last year or so, and hopefully he’ll play a lot better this season.

  But it seems too much of a risk to take on another player in a similar situation, and we should go for someone younger and hungrier. Only problem is: there seems to be a lack of good young creative midfielders who would want to play for us!

• 8 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:00

  i would like to see duff leave.

  he has nothing left in the tank.

  if he was to play against us for his new team i wouldn’t fear him at all. same goes for smith

• 9 gorskino10 // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:01

  just get rid of Viduka he is always getting injuries he has a string of 1 or 2 games then misses a few with strains and pulls, we dont need him get Eren Dirdiyok and that will be fine by me and even release Viduka and Barton as there on stupid money each week.

• 10 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:03

  gorskino- very few will disagree with you.

• 11 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:03

  Its rediculous!! IMO we need about ten quality players either talented youth or players with international experience! each position needs two players!! + we must get rid of the trash!! SMITH, DUFF, AMEOBI and look for replacements for GEREMI and almost finished VIDUKA and CACAPA as they have this year left on there contracts!

  NO NO NO to ferdinand!! he’s a bad player and a bad boy!
  Come on KK, Wise and Co. pull your fingers out!!!

• 12 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:04

  i totally forgot about cacapa.

  he needs to leave also. very poor!

• 13 Kash2 // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:05

  @London Toon: I really like Aimar. His quality is undoubted, and I read somewhere that he was described as the most technical Argentinian of his generation. I honestly think he would have the same effect as Hleb did for Arsenal! I hope we sign him, as KK will get him fit and get hom playing his natural game, which is running at defences and creating chances!

• 14 Kash2 // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:07

  I think KK has trust in Cacapa. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played next season! Same goes for Smudge, I expect to see him up top for the Toon!

• 15 daiv // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:07

  I can’t believe Viduka is injured again. he hardly plays. Looks like we will have to rely on Smith to get us into 5th place. Come on Alan get us 15 or 20 goals this season.

• 16 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:08

  Kash2 must agree, + with us having jonas he might sway it for us!!!

• 17 ToonKing // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:08

  lol were like Turkey at the Euros……13 players….jesus….that’s a basketball team for god’s sake….get out there and sign some players…asap!!!

• 18 Wesley // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:08

  Lets get some players. I agree with broon ale, if Leroy Lita isnt good enough for reading how is he ever good enough for us?

• 19 ToonKing // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:11

  personally i am willing to give Cacapa and Duff another chance. we just can’t allow them to leave…we have almost no players left. i dunno why everyone is skipping this part, THIS IS SERIOUS !!!!

  plus Cacapa was still fairly decent if you ask me, he had a few really important, game saving tackles.

• 20 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:12

  daiv - I have agreed with previous comments and part of this comment! but SMITH! scoring 15 - 20 next season? when he hasn’t scored for three seasons would rather keep AMEOBI!!!!

• 21 craig chisholm // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:12

  Ha Ed, i just mentione this on another one of your posts - i thought we had 12 players in for pre season, 13 though is still - PATHETIC

• 22 Steve T // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:13

  I think Duff is finished. Remeber he has a very similar career threatening injury with his knee in 2005 and he’s not been the same player since!

• 23 The real big AL // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:14

  ToonKing, I haven’t skipped this part. i noted that we only have 13 players n training at present and 4 of them are keepers and 2 are 17 & 18 years old!!!

• 24 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:15

  i know its a matter of opinion,

  but howay man, capapa. half decent.

  what games did you watch!

  he was worse than bramble.

• 25 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:19

  Is Ashley going to spend some decent money, to bring in enough quality or are we going to end up with average players because he wants to save money!!
  Ive agreed that things needed to be done, and we need to stop wasting money! but if there’s no money?????
  most players we seem to be going for are rated at £4million does that not say it all!!! can we really get QUALITY for that?

• 26 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:20

  Cacapa is one of our better defenders, he is most definitely the smartest, he just struggled with adjusting to the physical side of the premier league, he will be much improved next season if we keep him i think

• 27 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:21

  @Hate Prawn Sandwiches

  If Wenger can get Clichy and Cesc for next to nothing, im sure we can get quality for less than 4 million

• 28 Davies // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:25

  I liked Cacapa. He did put in some good performances, and saved our skins in a few games, especially when the Brum came up to SJP. I think he was man of the match for that one. I seem to remember a certain Jailbird handing him the bubbly afterwards.

  Anyhoo. I reckon as a Brazilian international and a five time french league winning captain, he’s pretty good. His best years are probably behind him, but I reckon whatever he’s got left is good enough for at least one season.

• 29 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:27

  Spyro - Agreed, but how often do players like that come along? We are all NUFC fans we just want the best for our club!!! but is it really going the way we thought?

• 30 Neil B // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:27

  You’ve got Beye confused with Faye in this article Ed, Beye has retired from International Football and was pictured driving into training.

  I’m not that fussed how many showed up for pre-season training, it says 13 senior players which means this is a perfect opportunity for a lot of out younger players to get to know some of the senior players better and pick up experience.

  Nothing wrong with that.

• 31 Martin // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:27

  I’m trying to take possitives out of everything today…This one is tough - hopefully it’ll be a big enough shock so as to be a kick up the arse with regards to transfers…This time next week it’d be awesome to see another 2 or 3 new additions…wishful thinking though

• 32 MAG PIE // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:27

  Cacapa had a mare against Pompey but otherwise looked composed and decent. He’s hardly been given a chance to settle and become a regular has he? When Silvestre and Vidic first palyed for Manure they looked dodgy. Give him time. I think if we’d stuck by Rozenhal and FatSam hadn’t messed him about - he could have been very good - with a bit of bulking up for the Prem Lge. Beggars can’t be choosers - new starts for Smith, Duff, Cacapa. For me, Viduka is the biggest disappointment and must make way. Just like at Boro - 1 or 2 good games followed by injury or 1 or 2 anonymous games. Need better up front. Shola’s had his chances. Let’s see Carroll given a fair crack of the whip.

  My tean to start the season

  Harper
  Beye
  Faye
  Taylor
  Enrique
  Duff
  NZog
  Butt or Sidwell
  Spiderman
  Owen or Martins (assuming still here)
  Smith

  subs Given, Edgar, Cacapa, Lua, Carroll plus 2

• 33 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:29

  i agree with you MAG PIE, Viduka is awful 50% of the time, and great 50%, then he gets injured for a few games and the cycle continues, he is not earning his wages and he should be sold, he aint one of a kind for gods sake

• 34 broon ale // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:30

  davies. it was against fulham away. the game barton scored the penalty.

  that was cacapa’s one and only good game.

  he is simplly not good enough! he will not be in the team next season.

• 35 Jim // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:30

  Here’s a rumour I just picked up at:
  http://www.football-rumours.com

  “My Uncle works for Newcastle United and is a good friend of Mike Ashley.

  Arshavin has already had a medical and is just agreeing terms before signing on Thursday.

  Michael Owen and Joey Barton will both go to Everton with Mikel Arteta coming the other way, done deal, nailed on.”

  … It might be utter 541T but an interesting thought! (and yes, I know what Arshavin’s agent said)

• 36 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:32

  Hate Prawn Sandwiches, i know what you mean, but if we got a midfielder who can assist half as many as cesc does each season i will be satisfied, we just need to get a good scouting system and set of coaches in place and we will find quality on the cheap. I agree Ashley is seeming cheap, but it is not necessarily a bad thing, it will only improve our reputation and stop other teams from trying to swindle us

• 37 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:34

  Cacapa’s pedigree says it all

• 38 LondonToon // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:35

  We’ll spend some money, don’t worry. Consider Modric, had he signed, would have cost £17m or so plus about £60-70,000 on wages so I’m not worried about the finance side.

  Re Aimar: if we did sign him, where would that leave Owen? I don’t think we could play Aimar in a 442 - he can only really play in the hole. Owen has to play, so I’m guessing we’d play 433, putting Aimar in Owen’s deeper role, pushing Owen up top. Does that mean Martins is relegated to the bench? I’m not convinced of an Owen/Martins partnership, they just seem to alike, although they’re both 2 of our best players.

  We do need a bigger squad, but we need to be patient and not rush into some transfers. People have been going on about Derdiyok, but what do we really know about him? He’s only played in the Swiss league, has a very poor scoring record, and I’m doubtful he’ll ever get close to Owen at his worst.

  I get the feeling fans only want him because he’s young, tall and says he wants to play for us, which I must admit is very refreshing. But is he good enough?

• 39 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:36

  Aimar can play RM

• 40 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:39

  Nice to see you back Ed. It would have been a shame to have lost the blog in this format as it is such a good (sort of ) social club where like minded people can exchange views and ideas. I always like to think of it as being in a pub where you can have a bit of a chat and yes at times it gets a bit heated but within socially accepted limits.

  As for the blog theme, it is a little worrying especially where the likes of Smith and Viduka, both of whom I had expected to see replaced by now, being vital to the squad. Personnally I like Capaca and I do not think we have seen the best of him by any means. And as for sending the youngsters out on loan, well it could be that we are looking for loan players ourselves.

  Still no need to be to glum yet there is still time for fresh blood, still time for Ash to Splash some Cash.

• 41 LondonToon // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:44

  Aimar RM? I’m not convinced, particularly in the Premier League. And what would be the point, considering we’ve just bought a right winger?

• 42 MAG PIE // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:45

  The silence re transfers suggests to me that NUFC are after some big names, where other clubs are interested, or selling club must buy before selling. Every deal has at least two parties to the transaction. NUFC would want matters resolved before training - as Keegan said before going to USA for his hols. If they were easy targets where no-one else was interested the deals would be done. I’m taking it as a positive sign. 4 exciting deals in the next 4 weeks!!

• 43 Leo // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:46

  i agree with spyro cacapa will be much improved this season because he will have adjusted to the phyiscal side of the game…

  just a quick note to ed, i guess because you dont get british sky sports news i was watching the reports of the players coming back to training on monday and im sure habib beye was going in, maybe you did what many other people have done and accidentally wrote beye instead of faye who is still off work lol.

• 44 Ed Harrison // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:46

  Neil - you’re right - should be Faye and Geremi - will change it.

• 45 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:51

  IM JUST GENUINLEY WORRIED!!!!!!!
  I do believe Ashley wants to sell up!
  he has lost a lot of money and his main company sports direct’s shares are down!! he needs money!! No matter what the club comes out and says? theres no smoke without fire?
  Just want NUFC to do well, and get back to a europe position and possibly a trophy!!
  dont believe ASHLEYS THE MAN TO TAKE US THERE!!!!

• 46 Spyro // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:54

  London Mag Aimar has played on the right for several times Argentina and he is in fact a good right winger so i do not see why you aren’t convinced . Gutierrez plays across the whole midfield so he wont necessarily be playing on the right, it all depends on the formation KK wants next season

• 47 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 12:58

  I would only play Geremi if we dont get rid as back up for Beye!!

• 48 SydneyToon // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:01

  There’s some news on Newsnow that we’re likely to be going for Sidwell. I know this rumour has been around before, and I know that he went for the money last Summer, but I’d really welcome him in the team. He has the potential to be a very good player.

• 49 Ian // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:04

  I hope the signings come in sooner rather than later to get some training in.

• 50 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:08

  wait a minute…… ashavan having a medical agreeing terms on thurs are you shore?
  young jim

• 51 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:08

  This year I can see to be honest transfers in of 3 maybe 4 player! Ameobi, and Duff leave with the rest of our releases and sales! we i feel will us the reserve team members to fill in the holes!!!

• 52 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:15

  Perhaps ed could create a vitual pub for our discussions?
  wot do ya think?

• 53 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:17

  i think we need at least 5 players good quality too and create some compitition for places.

• 54 Stamford Toon // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:21

  If Viduka has achilles problem then I can’t see why he is out for so long. On 2 separate occaisions, and legs, I had a partial tear and complete tear of the tendon (operation and sewn up). On neither occasion was I off the badminton court for such a long time as Viduka is reported likely to be out. I seem to remember that he played with a supposed achiles problem………..it couldn’t have been too bad. I don’t think we are being told the truth.
  I have to say I liked what I saw of Cacapa and in his one very bad game there were times when the rest of the defence was nowhere to be seen, he had no cover whatsoever. In his good games he came to our rescue on a number of occaissions. I am more worried about the midfield and Viduka than anything else.
  Perhaps ed limiting the number of articles on which we can respond will put off the idiotic readers you have had, and the rest of us can have a sensible discussion even if we don’t all agree with each other.
  Thanks for what you do.

• 55 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:21

  i always seem to be last on the blog you have to go swimming at the scool with kids too?
  or is it cause i`m a newbie?

• 56 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:24

  mmmmmmm…… a conspiracy and a plan, food for thought stamford toon

• 57 Tom_Toon // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:25

  I really dont want Aimar.

• 58 Obafan // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:39

  I’ m glad to read that the most out here want Cacapa to be given a second chance. He did not have the best record last year, but let’s be honnest he is a smart player. And to play next to Taylor was not a gift aswell (defo not in the beginning of the season). Cacapa will be very important next year and I would not be that surprised if he was a regular starter next season.

• 59 shearer4pm // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:47

  if the squad is really that think we need to do some work fast dont we dennis, need to bring in player that may not be stars but can do a more than adiquate job of filling in, davis, larson, inler, cambell, players liike that and then bring in the stars that can get the job done and do it well, the owens and martins, find a few more of those and i will be happy

• 60 Hadrian // Jul 8, 2008 at 13:52

  spyro , wenger nicks his wonderkids of the likes of barca, real and ajax ect .
  can you see up and comming young prospects leaving those academys to come and work with richard money and our coaching staff? yeah i didnt think so either

  and yes , our 18 year olds are being factored in the number of senior players we have

  really think we need about 4-5 quality signings in .
  duff , smith , viduka , geremi , cacapa can all be replaced aswell !

• 61 CRAIGG // Jul 8, 2008 at 14:03

  People will slate me but here goes…

  Alan Smith scored on his Leeds debut at Anfield with his first touch, He scored on his Man Utd debut against Arsenal in the Charity shield, He scored on his senior England Debut against Portugal and his B and U21 debuts, To top it off he scored on his debut for Newcastle against Sampdoria at SJP.

  He had goal every 3 games record for Leeds, Scored 10 in his first 30 for man Utd in his first season, Most off those appearances were from the bench after they signed Rooney.

  He was dropped back as a holding midfield player for his 2nd season with them and broke his leg and was out for a year, On his comeback as a striker he scored against Roma in the champions league.

  He has flopped with us no doubts but he started off well with good performances against Bolton and Villa and later played really well up front with Oba against Everton and outstanding up front on his own against Arsenal, Look at some of the comments on Smith after those matches.

  4 Games dont make a season but he can do it and as no-body will buy him he will be a NUFC player, He should start every friendly and a goal or two against even Hartlepool or Doncaster could be the boost that he needs to get his form back.

  I still have his name on my shirt and as someone who witnessed live Smith and Viduka ripping our defenders apart during their Leeds days, I still cannot dislike Smith.

  Man Utd fans never wanted Smith to leave and neither did Fergie or the rest of their squad and lets face it 90% of us would have taken him from Leeds in a flash.

  Just put my Chain mail on, Right fire away.

• 62 Kash2 // Jul 8, 2008 at 14:09

  Whats happening with Chamakh and all the never heard of before players who are class on Football Manager?

• 63 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 8, 2008 at 14:27

  Craigg, when Smith was signed by us I was delighted as I thought he was a really good buy. But even taking into account the mitigating factors presented by you, he does really seem to have lost the plot. Some athletes and sportsman do for some reason become worse and there is no one good reason for them doing so. I wouldn’t totally write him off as they can come back but from the evidence of last season he is going to find it difficult. His touch and control frankly was woefull so KK is going to have to work a major miracle in his case I’m afraid, still you never know.

• 64 LondonToon // Jul 8, 2008 at 14:35

  Smith was by all accounts shocking last season, there’s no denying that. But I still think he’ll have a big part to play next season, as I think Duff will too.

  Both have now had a year or so since extremely bad injuries, and I think both have the sort of characters that will want to prove they can still perform at the top level.

  I’d like a new centre-forward and a new left winger too, but I don’t think it’s going to happen, and if this turns out to be the case, we need to start supporting these guys rather than getting on their backs.

  Nonetheless, last chance saloon for both.

• 65 CRAIGG // Jul 8, 2008 at 15:11

  Bill F

  He hasnt given us anything to defend him with since he joined and certainly hasnt earned his place in the squad but i really think he can still do it at this level, Player lacking confidence can make the most minor mistakes like trapping the ball.

  Owen said that during Euro 2000 Kev was trying to alter his style of play and kept picking at him and subbing him every game in the end he said he was trying to impress him so much that he couldnt do the most basic things.

  Ive seen that in Smith he tries so hard to make an impression that he fouls players and is erratic in passing and finishing.

  London toon

  I cannot see us having much choice other than giving them another chance as i cannot see anyone giving us decent money for them and certainly not paying their wages.

  Duff is another example of a player who has done it in the Past and again i still believe he is talented enough to perform at the top.

  If any manager can resurrect lost causes like Smith and Duffs careers then it is Kevin Keegan.

  Long live the King.

• 66 Fernando // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:13

  talksport reckon smith could be off to Hull with newcastle paying towards his wages.

• 67 matt // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:15

  duff, smith, and cacapa will all be here

  reguarding the “owen and barton to everton for arteta” deal

  maybe there’s some truth to it, who knows? maybe that’s why joey’s situation “hasnt been cleared up yet”. probably a pipe dream to have arteta, as he’s probably one of the best, most consistent midfielders in the world, but, i can dream, cant i? moyes sure is an admirer of owen though, and with all this talk of AJ leaving, it could have some truth. arshavin, arteta, guti in the midfield, wow.

  hypothetically, who would replace owen? (i think i gave him too much credit there. i’ve always said owen out) But who do you think we’d go after?

  i’d like to see derdiyok feeding oba.

• 68 sean667 // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:24

  owen will stay

• 69 Kash2 // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:33

  How class if we signed Arteta. I’d have him over Aimar any day!

• 70 tapir // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:40

  i would rather see new players coming in before we start ofloading someone again….

• 71 daiv // Jul 8, 2008 at 16:51

  London Toon
  If Smith and Duff will have a big part to play next season then we really will struggle.
  Prawn Sandwiches…only joking re Smith scoring 20 goals.

• 72 Leo // Jul 8, 2008 at 21:59

  reading what you said CRAIGG regarding Smith it made me think about how smith did have some good games, i was one of the people who seriously slated smith! and i mean seriously, but i would be willing to give him a chance just like cacapa the keegan effect may take its play hear

  who knows…

• 73 normski1930z // Jul 8, 2008 at 22:15

  tell ya what i would take tim cahill just noo…..

• 74 Aussie geordie // Jul 9, 2008 at 0:36

  I’d love Tim Cahill from Everton I’m with you Normiski. Better than Barton and couldn’t cost more than 7.5 mill.

• 75 Kaz // Jul 9, 2008 at 4:27

  i would give smith a chance. But he have to be in a striker postion to score goals. he have been in midfield for most of last season.