Kevin Keegan has said today, he is quite confident of adding new players to his Newcastle United squad in the coming weeks.
Kevin Keegan - confident about bringing new players in
Kevin has identified defenders as the primary target through the August transfer window.
Newcastle have only signed Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Guthrie so far this summer - and the manager is keen to add to his defensive options.
And only today he gave a full game to 22 year-old Metz French Under-21 International Sebastien Bassong, who is on trial at the club. Seb played at center-back for the whole game and looked more than useful.
Kevin was speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Doncaster:
“Hopefully over the next week or two there will be one or two new faces in, but it’s just as important to get players back who are missing.”
“We’ve got no cover for right or left-back at the moment and that’s probably the two most important areas.”
“We’ve got plenty in midfield and up front.”
” James Milner, Gutierrez will be fantastic then we’ve got Owen and Viduka to come back and so on.”
“Because we’ve got as many not here today as were here so you’ve got to bear that in mind.”
“We’re looking at two or three players, but we get linked with so many players it’s frightening.”
“Left-back is a specialized position, so is right-back, we went from Christmas to the end of the season with one left-back and we will get another one definitely.”
It would be interesting to hear what Kevin thought of Seb Bassong this afternoon, as he is a left sided defender who can play center-back, as he did today, and he can slot in easily at left back.
On the other hand Argentine International center-back Fabricio Collocini can also play at right back, so perhaps these two would be good signings for the club, because they could also cover at full back.
But we also probably need another central midfielder, however with the good form of Danny Guthrie, and Joey Barton almost certain to come back and be given another chance - we could be OK in that part of the field.
It also appears that Kevin is satisfied with his strikers, which tells us he is going to keep Alan Smith at the club, so we have Martins, Owen, Smith, Viduka and young Andy Carroll battling it out up front, with 18 year old Italian Fabio Zamblera also coming through nicely.
We also have other youngsters at the club such as 17 year-old Kazenga Lua Lua, who we think can force his way into the first team squad this coming season, and do a job for us when required.
But it looks like our young defenders such as Ben Tozer and Tamas Kadar will be shipped out on loan, maybe even for a full season to gain the necessary first team experience they now need.
Those are good and positive words from Kevin - but we’d still be happy to see 5 new senior players come into the club before the end of the month, and then some good youngsters, like 15 year-old Aaron Spear, for the future.
Comments welcome.
57 responses so far ↓
1 Dips // Jul 26, 2008 at 18:59
I’m thinking today’s result was probably an eye opener, maybe it will shock MA into etc into action. I think we will get some signings in next week.
2 smithy // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:01
we need anouther striker aswell as a left and right back
3 Ben_BKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:02
Bloody hell Ed, you’ve got as many advertisements as an F1 driver’s suit on the site now, it’s a bit distracting to be honest.
Hopefully Keegan will be right, and we’ll get some players in. Although I would prefer us to get in a striker and a creative midfielder at least, along with a couple of defenders as well.
4 The Second Coming // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:02
I wouldn’t be so sure Dips. Reading that article, we’ll probably offer Bassong a contract and go for a LB. Other than that, I think we’ll go with what we have.
5 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:04
Rumours are we are close to Diouf, i really hope so too.
Creative, can play on the wing, upfront (4th choice striker, he is better than Smith and can score goals) and in the centre behind the front 2.
6 pak (* toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:07
i cant believe that we lost to them if we cant beat them then what bwt the teams in epl
we need some class signingz coming through or else wer screwed!!!!!
7 Ben_BKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:07
El-Hadj Diouf? He’s a decent player but I’ve always hated him…
8 Mad_Magpie // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:09
I agree on Diouf, hopefully he has changed from his spitting days. If he just sticks to his football he is a good player.
9 xfer // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:09
How doesnt? =p But hes a good player, and one of Bolton’s asset. Whats his age though? 27?
Not a priority signing imo.
10 dougnufc // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:09
Hell no, not Diouf, he is a not bothered type of striker and has a poor scoring record
11 sean667 // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:10
why are we excited about diouf the spitter?
Apart from wot tom toon said.
12 Ed Harrison // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:10
Ben -BBK - got to pay the bills somehow.
13 simon P // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:12
Diouf……..is someone having a foofin laugh.
Why are we being linked to troublemakers and below average chaff.
MARK MY WORDS….
If there is no investment in quality, we will struggle.
At the moment, we haven’t a snowball in Hell chance of getting into Europe.
14 domtoon // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:14
I don’t think you can really criticise Ed for putting ads onto his blog unless you’re donating to the site regularly. Sheesh.
15 Boater // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:15
I hope we don’t get diouf.
For me the absence of an intelligent ball playing attacking midfielder is STILL the top priority… cover for full backs would be a good idea… but to go into next season with jail bird barton as our no. 1 central attacking midfielder tells us everything we need to know about our summer with Ashley and Wise, etc…
Aimar was gutting, are we getting to the stage where a big punt on Arshavin would be worth another go?
It’s all very well having top wingers and strikers but we will fail to progress without a TOP attacking midfielder brought in NOO!
16 toonfan1 // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:18
does anyone remember that game back in the 05/06 season when we lost 2-1 to Bolton at st james. diouf really wound up the fans by doin silly celebrations etc. good player crap attitude
17 Toon1978 // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:20
Has anyone got a link to this diouf story. I am not sure if i am totally happy with this kid coming to NUFC after all we have had our fair share of thugs. An does anyone know how close we are to getting him?
18 Ben_BKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:22
I know, I’m just messing about the adverts
Although there seem to be a lot more on now then there were before….
And yes toonfan1 I remember that game, and that’s the reason I hate him the most.
19 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:22
One of our regular readers ad a text from his uncle that word in Bolton is that it is almost a done deal, hes a reulgar poster and hasnt posted any rumours before so now reasons not to think any of it. + there was a rumours of vitalfootball.
20 AndyNUFC // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:25
Good shout on Diouf TT, would have him any day over Smith. IMO we NEED 5 more players, but NOT a left back, I thought Enrique did ok last season… Although he isn’t helping himself with today’s error! Get Collocini, an attacking midfielder (Fernandez?) Defensive midfielder, and a striker. Maybe another RB and sign up Bassong.
21 beye the great // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:27
dont want diouf not because of his spitting or lack of quality but because we have plenty of players in his positions such as milner zog spidey duff owen martins viduka carroll ameobi smith and maybe others i cant think of but i think we need 1 player in cm who can crwate something and a few defs then we aare covered
22 Ross // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:27
diouf is an average striker with disgusting habits.
remember his celebrations at sjp? i dont think many people would exactly be over the moon if he appeared here this summer.
23 KKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:28
I would prefer Diouf to Ameobi/Smith any day. What u guys think about Mark Bresciano from Palermo? Rumor has it he’s up for sale. Although he is 28 so doesn’t quite fit in with the current policy.
24 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:29
Bresciano has been very good when i have seen him.
25 Ben_BKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:30
beye the great, I’d certainly say that Diouf is better than both Ameobi and Smith, mainly cause he actually score goals. And also as Tom_Toon said, he can play in quite a few positions.
26 KKK // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:35
Viduka could possibly attract Bresciano from playing together for Australia. Also i think his wage demands are rather low compared to the likes of Diouf.
27 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:36
come on lets face it most if not all players are better than smith and ameobi would carry smith on my back to rangers!!
28 Chris // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:39
I agree Diouf is better than Smith and Ameobi, but the problem is we can’t get rid of them. So unless one of them goes then I can’t see Diouf coming here.
I’d love to see the back of Smith, He’s on stupid wages and as long as he’s here, I fear him getting games for us and doing nowt. Can’t see anyone wanting him though and even if they were interested they’d sharp be put of by his wage demands.
29 Stantos // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:51
hi, guys it was me that posted about diouf, like I said in my origional post, i’ve not posted any rumours before and and have no reason to lie. Only time will tell I suppose. I think he could do a job and KK could get the best out of him.
My uncle was attending a business meeting at the reebok. Like I said i’m not saying it’s gonna happen especially with the summer we’re having but thought i’d pass it on.
On today’s game, who care’s about the result ??? Fitness is the key, and was anyone really expecting goals form smith and shola? I wasn’t lol
30 toonarmy08 // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:51
where has the diouf rumour come from guys??
31 Stantos // Jul 26, 2008 at 19:58
apart from the text I recieved (see earlier post) a couple of sites have mentioned it, although only rumours by the look nothing concrete
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=792493
32 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:00
and it is on vitalfootball.
33 Stantos // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:01
yeah 2 or 3 sites since this morning, maybe there is something in it ?
34 SingaporeToon // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:10
You guys think he is creative enough to be a playmaker or strong enough as a holding striker? If not why are we signing him?
35 Stantos // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:16
Right wing or just off the striker I think. He’d be a good signing and above all he’d be a pain in the ass of whoever we’re playing. That’s gotta be good !
36 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:27
Diouf plays the Owen role for Senegal and he is awesome at it, Bolton missuse him on the wing IMO.
Just let him drift and he will create.
37 Black and White Blood // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:28
I would be content with a creative midfielder, that’s where our problems occur in my opinion – not enough chances are created!
From reading that brief extract, I got the distinct feeling Keegan was trying to sound pretty upbeat, a subtle attempt to inform fans that he’s not going to be able to attract the number of, or type of players fans were hoping for…….
“Hopefully over the next week or two there will be one or two new faces in, but it’s just as important to get players back who are missing.â€
Don’t get me wrong, I’m one of the few who actually believe what MA is doing to be the correct thing. Nevertheless, if Keegan feels he requires extra funds for players or staff, I would be bitterly disappointed if MA didn’t support him.
38 toonfan1 // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:29
diouf probably wont come as keegan has already said that he is after a right back and left back first.
39 Macas // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:38
If we sign him it will be because we can get him on the cheap
40 Dondatta13 // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:48
Just shows the state of this club. To think, that class A PRAT Shola Bambi-obi will still be a footballer, sorry, premier league footballer with NUFC in the comming season erk’s me big time! This guy should be up for fraud or get done for false advertising at least. A footballer you most deffinately are NOT!
We have Smudge …. another stain on Newcastle, horrendous, hopeless and hapless! I mean, a striker who doesnt score? PLEASE…
We still have an idiot sitting in jail in the form of Mr Barton.
Owen, supposedly ready to hold us to ransom. He’s 28, very injury prone and wants well over £100,000 a week or he will take his ball and walk away for FREE (Cheers you gready little pleb).
We have Jonas Gutierrez at the club BUT NO REGISTRATION? (is this mushroom season? am I tripping? has someone served up some freaky fungus or something?)
We have a “team” of recruiters, jetting all over the world, Yes THE WORLD (which I hear is a canny big place) trying to find players? Jason and the Argonauts found the golden fleece, in the middle of know where hanging on a small tree after going through hell to get there. These tools cant find players OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORT ON THE PLANET.
Then we have our owner, yup, a BILLIONAIRE. Only NUFC could go out and sell up to the worlds tightest billionaire. A billionaire who wants his players to purchase there own club suits. A billionaire who wants to slash the wage bill (even though TV rights bring in around £35Million revenue) as well as a stadium full to the brim with 52k people, most of who are wearing expensive NUFC replica shirts! He puts up season ticket prices and has only spent around 5 or 6 million (im being kind here) Pounds on new players. ALL TWO OF THEM (Well as we dont have the Jonas registration, so really id say ONE signing). I cant flippin believe it. Seriously Hollywood couldnt make this crap up.
We have the smallest squad in the whole league both in height (probably) and number (deffinately) ………
Then reports suggest we are in for a lazy, foul person who thinks its all in a days work to SPIT in the face of another professional!
yes, My club is a joke and I HATE THAT FACT
41 Punk Skunk // Jul 26, 2008 at 20:50
Well said B/W blood, we need a creative mf’er!..
…& after all, it was an NUFC XI, not exactly time to over react, tho’ it’s obviously a disappointing loss!..Ah well!..
42 jack // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:34
tbh, I’m a bit worried by Keagan’s comments. Only a week ago he talked about 4 quality players… now its 2 or 3! For me, the main need is a dominant central midfield and centre half, but Keagan says we’re OK in midfield (!) and up front, and the main priority is left and right back! Unlike some on here, I’m not panicking about our lack of signings just yet, but the quotes from Keagan today did little to encourage me that we’ll address our problem areas
43 reedy // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:37
diouf isnt a gr8 player and the last few times he has played up here hes been booed. He is a dirty player who i dont think fits in with what the club s trying to create. probably best staying away from him in my opinion
44 Gareth // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:43
Diouf - regardless of his ability; please no. Horrible individual. My mate at work has gone so far as to say that if we sign him, he’s defecting to Sunderland. I’m taking that with a pinch of salt, but you get the idea. Don’t sign the Camel! (…spitting, do you see?)
45 Tommy // Jul 26, 2008 at 21:48
Diouf is a good player. I don’t worry about how they act on the pitch, I’m more concerned about how they integrate and get on with everyone else at the club..
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46 toon4lyf // Jul 26, 2008 at 22:51
ad say get collicinni d’alsssendro sorin
47 chuck // Jul 26, 2008 at 23:26
Diouf, Good player and have to say I agree with Tom Toon, missused by Bolton as a winger.
Like Milner and N`Zogbia can play the wing but more effective in the middle and if he does come, could be a surprise.
48 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jul 26, 2008 at 23:36
d’allesandro has gone to inter.
i played against palace last night, and victor moses was there watching, and the rumour why he wasnt playing and someone said he is expecting to sign for newcastle within a couple of weeks. maybe maybe not, he is a bloody great player so the palce players were saying
49 Tom_Toon // Jul 26, 2008 at 23:39
Internacional in Brazil!
50 AndyNUFC // Jul 27, 2008 at 1:58
Whos this Sorin like? Can’t be too bad for a free transfer?
51 ScottyT // Jul 27, 2008 at 3:54
oh dear not diouf. tha spitting eedjiot that he is.
tryin to get as many ppl like joey barton as possible are we. no thank you. surely there are betta thn diouf nd senderos owt ther fgs.
52 Taiwantoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 4:46
Diouf is a good player, but we definately shouldn’t sign any more bad boys. We have had enough of it.
53 toptoon // Jul 27, 2008 at 5:39
it’s quite depressing to be honest! where settling for mid table if where lucky, i feel sorry for KK in a way, but more so for the supporters! bit late now but, haway MA put ya hand in ya pocket man, give us sumthin to shout about!!!
54 kagthemag // Jul 27, 2008 at 8:11
looks like diouf is signing for the mackems!!! get in!! him and chimbonda what a couple of tossers & well suited to the mackems.
we need to invest in better quality than diouf man ffs! is that the level we’ve set our selves at?
55 eric crammy mag // Jul 27, 2008 at 9:39
we need more than a couple of new faces , with the way the forwards get injured we could end up with ameobi & smith up front bags full of goals there not diouf though dean ashley would be perfect with the wingers we have at the club now .
56 Michael // Jul 27, 2008 at 13:01
What a depressing interview that is!
He’s happy with the midfield which means we aren’t getting a creative midfielder. It also means that our CM partnership is going to be Butt and Guthrie which will be tore apart by most teams in the top half of the table.
Apparently he is only looking at 2 or 3 players, I’m sure last week he said he wants 4 players. Imagine if by the end of the transfer window we only have 2 more players in, presumably both defenders. We will be a bottom half team at best and to avoid a relegation battle would be the priority.
57 LoonyToon // Jul 27, 2008 at 23:37
Ok time for a big moan.
I’ve just come back after 2 weeks abroad and I am absolutely gutted, gobsmacked, and completely disheartened.
I was worried about the lack of transfers before I went but now I’m completely sick of the management (but not with KK). The transfer policy is a joke.
We are 3 weeks away from kickoff and I cannot understand why we don’t have most of the squad sorted. Surely we need people in for the preseason games to allow them to gel and get settled in. Deja vu - I say that every year.
I think the club is showing no ambition and if they are it’s very little. And if we are hoping to get possibly 2 players in the next 2 weeks I’m still not overly excited. Only 2 more through the door 1 week before kickoff with a really thin squad ?????. I’m really trying not to swear here.
Yes I know we are getting kids “for the future” blah blah blah but it’s no good putting these “prospects” into an average team. They need class around them (in my opinion) to fulfil their “potential”.
Let’s just hope King Kev can work his magic on the field.
Oh and another thing. Why is Shola still here. And why is Owens contract STILL not sorted.
Howay MA get your wallet out you tight git. I know he’s sorted the financial side out but he needs to spend. It’s an old but true saying “You get what you pay for”.
I think he was winding us up when he first bought the club and said he wanted to win the league in 5 years. Is that right. Was it 5? I’m not sure but did he say he wanted Champions League in 3. PR bull I think. He definitely said something like that I just can’t remember the years.
Come on MA show your ambition.
This is the worst I’ve felt for a long time. I love the club and just don’t want it to go stale.
HOWAY THE TOON.
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