Kevin Keegan seemed to be quite satisfied with the workout the Newcastle team got this afternoon at Doncaster.
Kevin Keegan - quite satisfied with the game today
After 87 minutes Doncaster Rovers striker Stuart Elliott scored the only goal of the game, which was played in unusually hot conditions, with the temperature around 77 degrees Fahrenheit for the majority of the game.
Despite the loss, Kevin was happy and as upbeat as ever, as he said after the game:
“It was a really hot day and a few players got 90 minutes under their belt,”  “We go to Majorca next and if it’s any hotter than this I’ll be surprised.”
“It was a good surface and it was a really good work out.” “Nobody tried to kick each other and there was some good football played.”
“You don’t like losing games to a soft goal but we did create a few chances.” “We had ten players missing today for different reasons, so we’ve got something to add to that.”
Talking for the first time about the tragic death of Oba Martins’ mother in Lagos Nigeria last week, Kevin said:
“I told him to go home,”
“It’s just a terrible thing to lose your mother. He’ll come back when he’s ready, however long it needs to take.”
“He’s a very fit boy and has done all his pre-season and will not be lacking too much in that department.”
We know Oba was very close to his mother, and it may take the youngster some time to get over the terrible shock that it must have been.
So we should assume he will now miss the start of the season, and we’re sure that’s the way Kevin and the club are thinking.
It’s just such a terrible blow for the youngster.
Comments welcome.
56 responses so far ↓
1 Black and White Blood // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:42
Could we really want a better man in charge of our club – Keegan is a gentleman, he must be an inspiration to his players!
2 Alex // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:54
That’s why we are going to be a much better team this season Black and white Blood. Keegan is pure class and that rubs off on everyone around him.
3 Punk Skunk // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:00
KK, wor secret weapon!..
4 TC // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:10
Wor Kev! Proud to be a Geordie…
5 Mad_Magpie // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:15
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/football/article-1038869/Wenger-fights-6m-Senderos-Four-gone-Adebayor-wavering-Arsenal-boss-win-latest-battle.html?ITO=1490
Bid for Senderos? Same article quotes Keegan as saying signings will be made between 7-10 days
6 Alex // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:30
If you believe that report then Arsenal are in deep trouble . Senderos does not really excite me though , for that sort of fee we could do a lot better . So as the article says even Wenger admits that the guy is not good enough for the highest level
7 Brazilian Geordie // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:32
I agree with Keegan. That’s no reason to worry. We absolutely could win that game.
First, it’s just a preparation. We’re missing too much players. The bench seemed like the Reserves Team. And we lost because of an individual mistake. This things happen sometimes. No worry, the team played well, despite the missings.
8 Black and White Blood // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:39
Sorry - bit of a Highjack…
Would all you die hard Toon fans both young and old please sign the online petition to have Jossys Giants released on DVD - Anything to promote NUFC..! All you older ones, remember finishing school and racing home to catch JG on TV – Am I hitting a mid life crises or what?
http://www.petitiononline.com/jossy/petition-sign.html
Thanks guys
9 Brazilian Geordie // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:49
Well, I really don’t like to say that friendlies are some shit. No, but it’s a preparation.
And maybe Oba’s case had influence into the squad.
10 Alex // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:53
black and White Blood i thought that my mid life crisis was bad .but each to there own as a fellow Toon fan i will sign the petition.
11 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:00
Id love Senderos to come.
12 reedy // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:01
yeah i agree with alex, you should not read too much into preseason results black and white blood. Especially when so many of the first team squad werent even playing
13 Black and White Blood // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:02
Alex - I fully agree with you.
Just hearing Keegan fills me with confidence, unlike most managers, Keegan loves the club…
this speaks volumes…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KHPCQW_VdP4&feature=related
14 sweendog // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:03
After this an obvious need for a creative midfielder .. even though it was a friendly how many clear goal chances did we get??
15 Irish John // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:03
think senderos would be a great little siging…Couple years ago he looked immense for Arsenal..
What age is he now? anyone know?
16 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:07
only just turned 23.
17 Black and White Blood // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:08
God how players have changed….Ronaldo springs to mind…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S_KSWseOaaE&feature=related
18 sweendog // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:08
senderos .. brings back memories of titus shambles .. no positional sense ..
19 sweendog // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:13
more cheerful news spelling out the board not backing keegan..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1038845/Newcastle-turmoil-8217-s-Keegan-suffering.html?ITO=1490
20 Nick C // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:21
I just got back from Doncaster. Newcastle were pathetic apart from Guthrie and Bassong. Smith and Ameobi were playing against three young foreign trialists and did nothing. Our crowd seemed very drunk at first, then as the afternoon wore on and hangovers kicked in there was the beginnings of Ashley abuse to be heard. Dark days.
21 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:22
Wouldnt object to Senderos but £6 Mill is a bit steep.
22 Nick C // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:23
Please could all you guys say a prayer for Kenneth Rowe. A Geordie lad and a member of our family who was killed with his dog in Afghanistan this week. It is all over the news. A handsome 25 year old with his full life in front of him snuffed out for no reason.
23 Neil Snowdon // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:26
Dear Ed,
Just got back from Donnie. Lovely day today in the Uk. Everything marvelous apart from the result at the Keepmoat. Some observations first hand :
Bassong looked cultured and assured at centre back. He’s tall and has pace. Hard to judge against a rather weak Rovers strike force how he would fare against top class strikers, but he did his chances of a transfer no harm today.
Guthrie is industrious and a good passer. As he tired some of his passes went astray, but he is willing and seems determined to make a mark.
N’Zogbia warmed up well after a quiet start and was our best performer imo.
Tim Krul pulled off two excellent saves, one immediately after he came on. Isn’t it ironic that we have 4 or 5 top class performers in goal. Oh for the same level in other areas of the pitch!
Enrique’s slip probably underlined that we need competition there. Yes, I know he has potential, but I feel a Shorey or some other experienced defender is a must.
Ameobi showed yet again why he will not make the grade at the highest level. He had two gilt edged chances, but his strike ratio is too low and he fluffed both badly.
Smith, unfortunately, proved what we all can see. Post injury he lacks pace, guile to find space and only when he reverted to midfield late on did he make a positive pass forward.
It was good to see the lads on the pitch after weeks of theorising on the blog.
Regards,
Neil
24 Alex // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:48
Neil
How was Donnys Ameobi , was he any better than his brother ? If so maybe we could do a swap . Little brother for big brother plus Smith
25 Chris // Jul 26, 2008 at 23:59
@ Nick C, sorry to hear your bad news mate, my condolences to all your family.
RIP Kenneth Rowe.
26 Richard D // Jul 27, 2008 at 0:03
Neil Snowdon, I agree the best chant of the match was “Ameobi sign for west brom”.
If he’d took ten shots at John Lennon then he would still be alive.,get rid. Smith wasn’t much better though !!!!
27 Black and White Blood // Jul 27, 2008 at 0:05
Nick C - so sorry to here of such news, my thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
We owe these boys so much out there, I for one say THANK YOU - Its people like these that make our world a safe place.
28 Nick C // Jul 27, 2008 at 0:10
Thanks lads. He is a hero.
29 51times // Jul 27, 2008 at 0:25
Nick C - It always saddens me when I hear one of our boys in Iraq or Afghanistan has died, it’s even worse that he was a Geordie. My condolences to you and your family in this dark time.
30 domtoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:05
Whilst I appreciate the enthusiam and optimism on this blog from some no doubt fantastic supporters, all I can say is this:
It was Donny - we should have won outright.
Any other team in the premiership would have managed at least an exciting draw and from what i’ve read (see NUFC.com - bastion of honesty and down to earth reporting ((no offence Ed…), we are severely lacking on all fronts.
Keegan keeps talking in ‘hopefuls’, our players seem knackered, and our squad is incredibly thin.
We must start signing players starting this week. Failure to do so will show only one thing - lack of intent and frighteningly shallow recruitment.
I’m all for stability and professionalism (which the club appears to be doing very well), but come start of the season, we NEED some quality signings.
Anyone who disagrees with the above I think is disillusioned. We need further strength in depth. We take 3-4 injuries next season and I’m sorry but I see only one outcome - relegation battle.
Ho-hum :o|
(PS posted again from the Donny 1-0 article - I’d like to know people’s responses - I was optimistic and had faith in the recruitment team, but that is quickly waning)
31 domtoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:06
Nick C - my condolences pal - so very very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you, your family, and the Geordie life lost.
Best wishes and God Bless.
32 richie // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:21
nick c-sorry for your loss
lads any thought on posible players coming in,,
i hope the diouf story is true
33 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:28
Nick C - God bless!! our thoughts go out to all his
family!
34 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:32
personally wouldnt like diouf!! at the club!! dirty dirty player! we would only be interested because he’s cheap!!
35 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:38
diouf has been linked with sunderland for £2.5million “sunday mirror”
just all paper talk BS!! hope he goes there!!
36 Hadji // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:52
Nick..Please accept my condolences to you and your whole family.
And i wish you all the strength in the world to survive this tragical death from your family member.
R.I.P Keneth
37 domtoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 2:22
I don’t want Diouf. No way I can cheer on a guy who played for a team I watched us pound 3-1 then afterwards when walking to the away pub saw him in his Ferrari doing the lap round the stadium’s roads (flash tool!!!!!) gave the middle finger too, had two fingers shown in return, then wanged my bottle at.
No. Damn. WAY!!!!!
38 ScottyT // Jul 27, 2008 at 3:47
eh?!?! hv ppl gone mad. senderos is feckin sheet man! always tha weak link in arsenals defense. plz god dont let him come here. a take tha pee owt of me cockney m8 cos hes gt senderos man hes awful. nd i thort tom toon was sposed to be a gd ’scout’ tut tut.
39 ToonLoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 4:37
GIVEN 2 ARSNEL–news now web site
40 sirjasontoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 8:01
Senderos…please no !
Just a quick one lads when Keegan came back and chatted with Mort and Ashley do you think he was promised more money than he was getting to spend at the moment?
I know the media make stuff up but the phrase “war cheast” seemed to be flavour of the day around that time.
I am all for a stable balanced Toon but if keegan is not backed as i said in january he will walk and that is the last thing i want.
We seen what Keegan can do towards the end of last season and his passion and love for newcastle is infectious I just feel it will be such a shame if we lose Keegan a second time due to lack of financial backing…I am not asking for show pony players just players that want the chance to play their hearts out for our club.
41 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 8:13
is this the actual start of the collucini transfer ..
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/deportes/2008/07/27/0003_7016881.htm
42 shearer4pm // Jul 27, 2008 at 8:19
bbc reporting that diouf is having a medical at sunderland today, 2.5 mil, bargain and i think he could of doone a job for us at that price
43 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:02
can’t have a more unpopular player at a more unpopular club
44 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:06
are newcastle trying to swap senderos for given .. god help us .. senderos is nothing short of shocking .. you can’t have a brainless centreback even if he can play football .. as we all know from titus shambles
45 scotty // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:09
All these players we’re being linked with reminds me of the days FFS was at the helm. These types of players are a gamble to say the least. IMO nothing looks at though it has improved - although i’m sure it has.
I still think KK is the right man given time - but he needs to be backed. I honestly thought we would have been the one club who would have been busy from day one of the transfer window.
Taking players on trial sums it all up - and “registering your interest” in a player makes me laugh. Surely if you want a player you don’t want to tell the whole world before you make a bid?!?!?
I for one was gutted that we didn’t buy Kapo for that kind of money. These are the types of players i’d be going for - the best players from relegated teams.
Overall, the result today means nothing, it doesn’t mean we’re going to get relegated next season. And i’m glad to see some of young guns get a taste.
46 euanpolo // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:13
We’ve agreed a fee with Plymouth for Spear - 250k . Spear will probably sign on officially on Monday.
http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=117154
47 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:14
scotty agreed .. the result yesterday was just a work out .. but even our second string should be easily beating doncaster, so this spells out our problems of creativity and squad depth .. makes for worrying times if we get a few key injures.. I for one have always thought keegan is the best man for the job .. but even the best man can’t work miracles and if we don’t invest next season could be a relegation fight (with injures) .. or just as easily mid-table mediocrity .. but nothing else..
48 scotty // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:15
euanpolo - i was just about to say the same thing. Some good news - hopefully we’ll get more next week
49 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:16
euanpolo bit of good news there .. still one for the future though but glad to see him coming..
50 euanpolo // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:17
Yeah, its nice to get some good news on transfers for a change.
51 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:20
I’ve a feeling there must have been a showdown with MA behind the scenes .. keegan seems very upbeat about transfers ..and we’re now linked with bids instead of pure newspaper speculation.
52 Frankieboy // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:38
Nick C your relation is a hero like all serving Queen and country, our thoughts are with you.
A definite NO to Titus Senderos we have had our fair share of comical defenders here.Would not touch him with the proverbial barge pole.
The same goes for Diouf, a football talent no doubt but the big headed spitting machine is not for us.I would rather somebody punched me in gob than be spat at.
53 paul // Jul 27, 2008 at 10:27
i agree if we do not sign anybody in the next week we are doomed.
i think if we dont sign anybody keegan will walk and i dont blame him because hes had no backing from the board.
i think mike ashley is just here to make a bit money which makes me sick least with douglis hall and freddy they put the money in to buy top players.
i just cant see him spending no money weve got the smallest team in the prem if we dont get ant players in we will go down so the best thing for this club is to get rid of mr ashley and get somebody who really care then least keegan would get support because we are not going anywhere with this team.
54 Richard D // Jul 27, 2008 at 10:59
This is the coloccini article translated by google “The central defender’s Deportivo, Fabricio Coloccini, moved the club an offer to buy Newcastle’s English.
The Argentine international zaguero had already tried to leave the white entity last summer, before a proposal of Zaragoza, but Deportivo’s refusal to sell it ended in a verbal agreement to sign his transfer this summer.
After they had sounded names of teams like Barcelona, Valencia or footballer still awaiting that any of the clubs concrete in writing their intentions.
Meanwhile, Coloccini was disputing a couple of meetings relating to the classification playoffs for the World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010.
It is not the first time that Newcastle is set at one player in staffing deportivista, as was the team that makes few seasons fichó Albert Luque.
The Argentine does not want to waive his salary and rolled the club wishes to do business with their sale. ”
Maybe ???
55 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 11:16
more baptista stuff .. from the ever realiable sun
http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-utd/newcastle-utd-news/2008/07/27/newcastle-will-pay-7m-for-real-madrid-star-79310-21412552/
56 sweendog // Jul 27, 2008 at 11:17
also burdisso .. but I think the quotes are from the star .. but they’ve mentioned wise in there .. not sure if its a quote which whould determine if its true or not.
http://www.firenzeviola.it/index.php?action=read&idnotizia=27697
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