We are short of strikers and now it could be that captain Michael Owen will miss the start of the season with injury.
Michael Owen - may not be fit enough for Old Trafford
Manager Keegan hopes to include Obafemi Martins at home to Valencia this coming Saturday after a knee injury has cleared up, and the plan is also to give Michael Owen a game on that day.
Kevin told The Journal today:
“Michael will be back with us, hopefully on the bench in the second game on Saturday, but it will take some work to get him fit,â€
“We have to be different with him as he picked up a calf strain.â€
That now looks as though Michael may not make the game against Manchester United a week on Saturday, which will be bad news for the Newcastle supporters, and a bit of a surprise.
The Valencia match on Saturday will be Newcastle’s very last game before the competitive action starts. The time is also dragging on Michael’s new contract, and there is still no new news on that front.
However, Kevin seems unconcerned when asked what progress had been made with Owen:
“I don’t know,†“I have been concentrating on stuff out here.”
“I’ll find out when I get back but I am not worried about it.â€
Keegan seems justifiably concerned about the unavailability of some of his senior players, and it’s really bad news when after a full summer of rest players cannot make the first game because of long term injuries.
Kevin continued:
“I can’t fault their attitude but we had 11 players who weren’t even involved against Mallorca,†“We could have had another team out.”
“We are down to one forward and have also lost the underbelly of it with (Andy) Carroll out for a month and (Kazenga) LuaLua, who would strengthen your bench.”
“We don’t have many youngsters at the club. Some of the kids we have really are kids.â€
There’s a classic quote from Kevin - some of the kids we have really are kids.
One for the future no doubt. 
We do seem to have injury problems that are now threatening to keep captain Michael Owen, as well as Mark Viduka out of our opening game at PL and European Champions Manchester United - not good.
Comments welcome.
137 responses so far ↓
1 gorskino10 // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:04
man I love this owen is plauged with injuries and he feels he is worth 110k a week what a joke next he’ll have skyverlitous or something, we don’t have a chance against man ute as we won’t score we hope we can pack midfield and struggle to get a draw is there any good news coming put of nufc.
2 andyglostoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:07
call me a cynic but maybe this is owen ,knowing that if injured now no club would put in a decent offer for him before the end of the transfer window,so owen refuses ashleys new pay deal and then gets a free transfer at the end of the season with a big payday ahead!but then again i am a cynic at times
3 ObaFan2 // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:07
If Owen makes an appearance on Saturday V Valencia he’d certainly be in the team for Old Trafford?
4 Ericles // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:08
Owen injured again…again…again…again…Viduka? I am getting a bit fed up with these expensive part-timers at NUFC.
5 Matt Lacey // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:11
…and we haven’t bought a new striker… why? 2 of our 3 decent strikers are injury prone, and the one that isn’t is injured anyway!
6 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:12
Are we in a time loop?
7 andyglostoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:14
maybe owen thinks we are going to get thrashed at old trafford and would rather watch from home!
8 Owld NME Gadge // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:15
This makes a mockery of the boasts about how fit we are.
Fed up with the lies eminating from NUFC these days.
9 hitman // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:18
its a worry,because if we get a hiding off manu the backlash towards ashley will be deafining.
10 DanToon // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:19
Useless!
11 faustino // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:20
PANIC…..PANIC…..BUY……BUY!?!?!*!?!*!?!
only joking.
Common tactic to report your best striker is going to be injured for a game.
12 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:22
……………Are we in a time loop?
13 Curly-cinni // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:24
owens injured again…so what else is new?
14 domtoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:24
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh what is happening to our club?? When will the nightmare eeennndddd??
15 dingo // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:28
Are we in a time loop?
16 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:28
………………………………….Are we in a time loop?
17 ObaFan2 // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:30
You mean like a Feddy film where you think you’ve woken up but still stuck in a nightmare…………
18 domtoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:31
are we in a time loop?
19 Yo // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:31
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is nothing in that article suggesting that Owen will miss the Old Trafford game.
He is injured yes, but don’t be surprised to see him on the bench at the very least come opening day.
20 9 Shearer // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:32
Owen will play, sign a new contract and get one passed united. Him and Beye are the missing factor at the club.
21 tyneside tommo // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:32
What a cynical lot you people are today. Michael always gives 110% for the cause and to suggest he’s trying to duck out of the Man U game is just ridiculous.
However, only as a precautionary measure you understand, I took the liberty of submitting Michael’s name to the “Can You Live in the USA” site.
Only I ran out of time when attempting to fill in his medical history.
22 Davies // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:37
Mixed reports really, some papers say Owen’s okay, others are saying he’s not.
If Keegan thinks he’ll be okay to face Valencia, surely he’ll be all better the following week to face Man Utd.
I really do hope that Moyes is after Smith. Be nice if he’d take Barton too. I Barton even allowed in Liverpool at the moment?
23 Davies // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:38
Oh yes, and are we in a time loop?…..
24 James // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:40
Owen will start against Man Utd and will score
25 ObaFan2 // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:41
Moyes has more sense, unfortunately for us and can’t see him being at Everton much longer as Everton are not backing him either!!!!!!!!!
26 Graham // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:41
The bulk of you lot are a disgrace to NUFC and Owen! Do you think he buggered his ankle on purpose when he saw the fixture list?
Stop being so negative and cynical and start getting behind the team, management and owners for a change
This isn’t aimed at everyone but certainly the bulk of the numptys above!
27 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:42
Erm ….. What happened with this Coloccini signing?
People dont like us knocking Ashley but the guy doesnt really help him self does he?
He’s purchased the football equivalent to a Humvee (Hummer) but cant afford to put petrol into it
Is he an idiot? lol
28 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:44
probably!!!???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
29 ANON // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:47
he’ll come off the bench and get a consolation goal
30 Graham // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:49
Yeah obviously any idiot can amass a £2bn fortune can’t they?
31 Yo // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:51
HPS! Do you know that you end every sentence with an exclamation mark! Has anyone else noticed this! It is starting to annoy me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
32 Yo // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:56
Some you really are flogs… Do think Ashley got to where he is in life by being an ‘idiot’?
FFS the man has saved this club from the brink and slowly but surely the ship is going back on course.
What do you lot expect? That he just snaps his fingers and Kaka lands on our pitch?
33 samvil // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:58
If KK said MO will be on the bench against Valencia, why wouldn’t he feature against manu?
34 hitman // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:59
graham ashley is pleading poverty he puts up season ticket prices,but hardly puts any money into the first team.
35 Yo // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:02
samvil- Exactly mate, exactly. It seems that some of the flogs on this sight enjoy moaning for the sheer sake of it.
You would think we were in bloody League 1 the way some of you moan on a daily basis! Lighten the f@ck up!
36 hitman // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:02
wheres the money that was promised to kk.
37 AndyNUFC // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:04
Owen: So erm, Wise, you got that £120,000 a week with bonuses contract sorted out?…
Wise: Well Micky, i’m pretty sure you’re aware that Ashley wants a wage structure that will benefit the club financially and also mean that players actually earn their pay?
Owen: Hmm, well, that’s all very fine and well, but if you have another look, i’m actually Michael Owen, y’know, Liverpool, Real Madrid and England international Michael Owen?
Wise: Well that’s a good example, the wage structure means that reputations do come into it, but overall appearances, performances and form are more important. We thought a pay-as-you-play offer for you would be good, seeing as you’re slightly *as in over a year out* injury prone.
Owen: Ah right, I see what’s going on here. Nevermind, i’ve got a trick up my sleeve, it’s called, ‘injured-when’you’re-not’ sort of offer. Yes, i’ve mastered it to such a fine art that i’ve got a private doctor on speed dial to give me silly injuries on the spot. Get a load of that with your “no more mercenaries” policy!
38 Bucks_mag // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:09
the same thing happened last season as well
39 Relegatedatthestart // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:13
This has been one of the most depressing pre seasons that I can remember. I just hope and pray that the management are hiding a top class signing or two!
We are looking at a relegation fight if Wise and his troup dont get anyone in. Owen is holding out to see if any top class midfielders are arriving, and if they dont lets kiss him goodbye.
Sorry to those whom are more optimistic than myself, however it really has been hard to see any change from last season.
Spend Some Cash Ash
40 Bob // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:15
As long as he’s fit for Bolton, that’s fine.
We need the points at Bolton and we need to get through in the cup, we can write off the Man Utd game.
41 Viper // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:15
“…kids really are kids”. Yeah. What happened last time the reserves were ignored?
STILL small squad.
42 sirjasontoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:16
So much spin so little Action.
This window is driving me of my rocker,Butt on about europe and all that nonsense we are bottom half of the table at best.
Still waiting for the “24 hr” signing keegan promised on Friday…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
We are a joke.
43 Gazzatoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:17
why are you moaning about money being promessed? have you all forgot we bid £16 mil for modric not too long ago so clearly there is money there! just the fact players dont want to come to a club thats not in europe and no longer paying stupid wages
44 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:20
He must be borderline Graham …
Its canny well documented that he purchased the club and didnt even have the sence to check the books. Then surprise surprise he finds out we have £80 million debt …. That, if true, is idiotic.
He must be on another planet if he didnt know football clubs need players and that players cost money …. and HE is the one who has to buy them as its his club that he bought. If he was that worried about his cash he should have had a partner to START WITH.
Now he wants someone richer than him, to take less of a stake in HIS club and plow in Millions for transfers? Why would anyone in their right minds want to do that? I dont see why anyone richer would want to play second fiddle to Ashley?
Idiot ? maybe maybe not … you decide
45 steve // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:22
If we’re stuck with Smith up front we may as well just hand Man Utd the 3 points now and save the journey
46 sirjasontoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:22
Is Ken Wainwright and Mike Ashley related?
Both spouting the i am skint nonsense…they are not skint they just have no ambition and are tight.
47 benny // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:24
David Albelda has called a press conference for today after training. I wonder if he is coming here. I heard at work last week that he was going to spurs for 3million but you never know. Surely spurs will run out of money soon if they sigh corluka,arshavin and villa.
48 Macas // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:26
Everton have signed NOBODY. We have 3 signings already and another on the verge of completion, with another couple to arrive. We currently have FIVE strikers injured. So why dont we wait until the season starts and players are fit before slagging off the club. A week ago the club was being knocked on here for signing bassong, who no one had heard of before. A few days later and everyone is singing his praises, saying what a great buy he has been. Why dont we just trust Keegan and the club to deliver the players we need for the season ahead. Personally I think that after Coloccini we will make 2 more signings, an established left back and a top class attacking midfielder.
49 sirjasontoon // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:28
The 80mil dept is just spin as well..has anyone seen proof of this?
His team of financial advisors must me muppets to miss that one if it ever existed anyway.
If he has payed a debt you wouldn’t just bang the 80m cash in one blast you would negotiate payments.
Keegan to walk before Xmas worth a wager !
50 Hadji // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:30
Gazzatoon……Wtf makes you so sure that he placed a bid for Modric.
1.He made that scenario so the people like you actually believe that we went for him.
PHANTOM BID or HE MADE AN OFFER KNOWING IT WILL BE REFUSED SO HE’LL HAVE THE SUPPORT FROM THE FANS LIKE YOU WHO THINK HE GAVE HIS BEST TO SIGN MODRIC.
51 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:32
sirjasontoon, I thought the same, then Harrier on another thread put me right.
He said something along the lines of the banks that we owed the monies to had a clause that said they could ask for the monies (£80Million) to be paid in 60 days in certain circumstances.
Harrier seems to know what he’s talking about im just passing on what he said mate …
52 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:32
Woke up this morning feeling good, thought I would check out the blog to see what good news there was in the Toon world.
Strange I thought, a feeling of deja-vu coursing through my mind.
Not much happening on the transfer front, Shola still with us and …………..Oh no, Owen is injured, it can’t be, have I stepped into a Toon version of ground hog day.
It was then it the horrible truth struck me………………………….I’m in a Toon loop.
Heeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllppppp!!!
53 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:33
Freddy bid for Rooney as well …. lol
54 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:34
Ed, your headline is slightly misleading. I’ve read all the quotes and nowhere does it say that Owen is likely to miss the Man U game. In fact it says he is hopeful for the Valencia game. Surely if he is fit for that he will be fit to play at least some part against Man U?
Lovely to see it dragged all our fickle ‘fans’ out of the woodwork though. No wonder the press love winding us up. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if those that are suggesting Owen is ducking out of the Man U also think that convicted criminal Barton deserves his £60k a week contract. Have a word with yourselves will you.
55 Relegatedatthestart // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:34
38 Gazzatoon -There was never 16 million for Modric!!! Stop living in a false reality and see that we have an owner who has lost a lot of money recently. Intertoto cup is what we are aiming for this season and that is looking like a BIG ask with the squad we have
56 Shearer#1 // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:35
Well we’ve def made a £10m bid for Coloccini so I think money is being made available. I’d swap Smith for Leighton Baines & spend all our remaining transfer funds on Arda Turan & Moutinho or a big striker. Looks like Saha is going to Sunderland for £8m & 50k a week. If he wasn’t so injury prone I’d like to see him at Newcastle.
57 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:44
People say that we should get behind the team (which, when the league kicks off, we will do) but the FACTS are ….
Newcastle United as a team, leak goals…
Newcastle United as a team, cant score….
Im just a very very worried supporter at the minute. When the club give me something to be positive about, I will be positive.
58 hitman // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:46
whats going on with coloccini…if ashley is willing to back keegan the fans will back ashley simple as that…
59 WIGAZ // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:54
I think this is Bollocks! if owen makes any kind of appearence on sat of course he’ll play at man u! think KK is just trying to play mind games with Fergie, for old times sake & that, then spring the surprise that owen is playing! but fergie aint that stupid he’ll prepare for Oba & Owen, mind you if we sign a new forward like derdi or gomez then he wouldn’t be able to prepare for that, just a though KK!
60 Eyeball // Aug 5, 2008 at 13:56
Surprise Surprise owens injured!!!!
Ill give it two games before duffs knackered again and Big Vid will be out for 2-3 weeks after the man Utd game!!!
61 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:17
Hook, Worm, Line, Sinker,Reel ‘em in!..
…Flap, flap, flap!..(Gaspin’ for breath!)
62 neeraj // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:17
adv of selling owen
a) 10 mill
b) saving of 2mill in salary per yr if we put our money on another decent who could score 10-15 goals an year and that 2mill*4=8mill can be used on another decent signing
c) get rid of injury prone player who unfortunately unsettles the whole squad
d) we can use martins more ( more fit+ committed)
loss if we sell owen
a) psychologically we will be losing once great player…………..
so its better if we sell owen now, coz i feel he is just playing around with the club with his contract and is here just because of the money he is getting…….
so get in derideyok play him along side martins…. atleast he can be used for assists
and would be rearing to achieve great heights
63 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:30
neraaj, you wont get £10Million for Owen as he only has a year left on his current contract. He can start to talk to teams as a free agent in 6months time.
So why would a team pay £10 Million for someone who they can get for free very very soon?
The MAX we could hope for is 5-6 Million
64 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:31
Are we in a Toon loop?
65 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:42
I agree with GAZZATOON … all these f ucking fans saying SPLASH THE CASH ASH and s hit like that ….. what makes anyone think we are an attractive option? .. before people start rattling on about loyal fans and greeeeat place to live and all that sort of s hit (which i DO agree with), FOOTBALLERS FOR THE MOST PART COULDNT GIVE A S HIT ….They want to challenge for honours … THEY DO THINK THEY WILL DO THAT AT THE TOON - AND RIGHTLY SO … So, NUFC have to build and build using cheaper options with the talent to take us higher … eventually we will start to attract the top playes .. Ashley has no doubt been trying to secure great players and offering HUGE money - BUT THEY WONT COME UNTIL WE ARE A MORE APPEALING OPTION …GET IT IN YOUR F UCKING HEADS … On a slightly lighter note i spoke with a couple of lads from Venezuela and Brazil who were both amazed that we were close to securing Collicini they said he is WICKED, however, Spiderman is just a horse who runs and runs … not that great .. Cheers.
66 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 14:56
Toonpipes, I would have to disagree. Good players are available to teams like us for the right price. They cannot all sign for the top clubs, they will take their pick and what is left we will fight over with the other clubs. The Toon have been in the european competitions more than out of them in the past 10 seasons so we do have a name in Europe and I think that many very good players know this and realise that we will be back. (hopefully very soon). The one factor that will convince them to come to us though is the Splashing Of Cash, they want to see committment by a club to show it has ambition. At the moment the signs from us do not look too convincing however. Ashley needs to show us and them that he means it.
67 chuck704143 // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:04
just read on skysports rooney has oicked up a virus and will miss the start of the season, more mind games do we think ????
plus no anderson, nani or ronaldo
not quite the goos news we were looking for but if its true we may just do a reading and catch an unprepared man utd and get a draw…
or even better the unthinkable may happen and milner may hit a ball towards the far post in the 92nd minute with the score at nil nil and oba climbs above ferdinand and gets us all doing cartwheels !!!!!!!!!!!!
68 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:08
Bill, we aint nothing at the moment mate .. minor miracle that we secured the horse and that we so closely linked with Collicini .. in addtion .. you are classic of the person on here who forgets about the amount of cash MA has already injected, i would dare to suggest you arent being reasonable considering the current economic claimte .. he is trying to place the club in a steadier position .. simply chucking money at it wont necessarily work + that doubt is enough to make a business man like MA reject the concept .. granted his approach is more methodical and will take time, however, it is the most economic approach and that is the perogative of the owner who has just saved us from serious financial crisis . ..
69 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:10
Footnote: problem is of course that his sensible approach probs wont wash with the fans …..
70 ende // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:20
I love when fans think they know how simple it is to own and run a major sports franchise. Talk about muppets.
71 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:20
Toonpipes, perhaps we should approach the Dragons Den.
I’ve no problem with the sensible business approach to running the Toon, it makes sense.
But he must have realised what he was buying into, (Even that extra surprise debt). I’m not advocating he spends gazillions as per Chelski but a certain amount of risk has to be taken and to be seen to be taken to be a successful modern football team. If he aint prepared to speculate then he should sell up and move on to something more secure such as property. Plenty of that going cheap at the moment.
72 toonarmy08 // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:24
at least rooney and ronaldo out against us ,that wiil keep score down abit ,only got tevez giggs nani scholes to worry about now:) .wtf is going on with collocini ,pissing me off now ,ive kept calm all this time ,but cannot believe how long this is taking !! would luv an explanation ,kk wise anybody !
73 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:25
He has speculated - to the tune of 200 million ! … He will spend more, i have no doubt, he would just like to do it in a sensible way .. Owen was not sensible … and look what it got us .. Collicini whist costing £10 mill at 35kt per week is sensible .. i reckon he would happily to more like that .. mebs 5 more .. IF HE COULD GET THEM …
74 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:30
Toonpipes, Ashely has not INJECTED cash into NUFC.
HE MADE A PURCHASE
He bought HIMSELF a premier league football club and please before you say he cleared £80 Million debt, thats now £80 Million of HIS debt that he cleared.
He could have looked at the books and walked away.
I wish people would stop puting Ashley across as some marter
Any injection on his part would start now and be on new recruits and as yet we are doing some bargain basement shopping (some quite shrewd).
Remember this guy thinks nothing of putting hundreds of thousands of pounds on ONE spin of a roulette wheel ….
75 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:39
Infact my initial comment was slightly sarcastic, he has gained a football club valued at £120mill or so??, BUT if there was £80mill of debt which is now HIS debt as you state, then that is without doubt an injection of £80 mill which i dont have + i suspect you dont either tho apologies if im wrong …. I didnt say MA is a marter, its the comments about him not spending and about how the toon should splash the cash which are irritating as a) he has spent cash, substantial amounts and b) he is simply trying to run the club as a business, which does not involve simple splashing of cash .. no successful business splashes cash willy nilly + they only could if they had SPARE CASH which they could do without - we do not have spare chash, but i suggest + again i could be wrons, MA is trying by being smarter with the transfers + smarter with how cash is spent to try and ensure that NUFC generates money to spend on ..guess what … PLAYERS!! .. HA HA!. WHAT A CONCEPT .. If all of your speculation that MA is here to buy the toon and sell to make a profit, hes gon want to take the toon higher to MAKE MORE MONEY - so we will benefit in then end .. its a win win, WE JUST NEED TO PATIENT
76 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:40
Toonpipes, I totally agree with you. A few more like Collocinni (or even a bit cheaper) and I would be as happy as a pig in sh*te. And they are out there.
I have a name change lined up especially for when that happens but am getting just a wee bit impatient for that to happen.
77 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:45
Oh god!..
…Anyone interested in to & froing between slagging/praising what Ashley has done re: buying the club, debts, whatever, etc…Go
& knock y’self out at company house or where ever…’cos it’s really boring now…It doesn’t matter how well someone explains the machinations, someone else will come on here after(sometimes days after!) & just start again!..
…Soz, i’m just sick to death of it…Support y’team, FOREVER, come what may!..
78 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:46
sensible post Toonpipes
79 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:46
Again you seem to have missed my point mate, the £80 million debt was part and parcel of the purchase of the club. It just means the whole purchase cost him about £210 Million and not the £130 he thought it would.
Its not an injection of cash into NUFC, that starts AFTER he has bought the club (Debt n all).
How much money has he “injected” after the outlay of his purchase (£210 million) ?
To the lay man, average joe on the street … yes more than a lifetime of earnings.
But for a Billionaire?
80 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:47
lol 100% right Punk Skunk
81 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:47
Way the Telegraph are running a story saying it is that mega-rich Indians company that have denied wanting to make an investment in the toon, and that the man himself could still be interested in going into some sort of partnership with Ashley. Maybe that could be the catalyst we’ve been waiting for.
Although I agree with pipes - just cos we got £238 squillion to spend doesn’t mean VdV’s gonna tear up his contract with Real and hop on the next ferry to the toon.
82 xfer // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:49
Desperately in need of a striker. Cant start the season with Smith or Ameobi or we will better the head-to-head last season against Man U.
83 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:51
Apparently Chopra’s looking for a new club
84 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:53
ST/AM i would like to see are any of the following.
Baptista
Bendtner
Derdiyok
I really dont understand that if Madrid offered us Baptista, why didnt we take that opportuinity? He can play both ST & AM and is top class on his day, and average when off form. He would be on less than 95k, which is what ameobi and smiths wages are combined. get rid of those two.
85 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:54
Ta Spyro, Know warra mean?..
…What is this ‘operation mindf**k, or what?..
…Lol!..
…Knew i could rely on you mate!..
86 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 15:59
Personally I’d rather have Andy Johnson than Bender and the Beast.
87 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:01
Yes Spyro,
any of them or all…Also, still like Larsson, Pogrebnyak & Inler!..
…Also reckon Baptista is underrated, he didn’t get enough time/chances at arse!..
88 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:01
Not johnson, surely…couldn’t even make it at neverton!..
89 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:03
why would you want andy johnson when we have martins, a better, small pacey striker?
I say Bendtner, Baptista and Derdiyok because all drop deep and help create when played up front, and all can play AM. We need a strong hold up striker as viduka is going to play around 10 matches next season.
Bendtner is class, people forget how young he is as he is so big and strong, he hasnt had a solid run in the arsenal squad and yet he still proves from time to time just how good he is. If we could get him and give him more first team football within a yr the top four would be knocking on our door for him
90 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:03
Bendtner reminds me of a certain Alan Smith when at Leeds, the thought of signing him and watching him “progress” the same way Smith has makes me shudderrrr…
91 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:06
oh god, comparing Smith and Bendtner is ridiculous, they are nothing alike…in any way. Chelsea enquired about Bendtner but were told he was not for sale during last season
92 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:06
& johnson’s gone to fulham!..Phew!..(£10.8m, wasn’t it?..eeek x100)
…& Bendtner is sooooooo much better than smith it hurts!..
93 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:07
Smith was a talent while at Leeds … I wish some people would read
94 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:09
Smith was decent/good at leeds, people tend to remember him being better than he actually was there
95 hitman // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:09
THE SILENCE FROM THE TOON IS KILLING ME…
96 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:10
This big man / little man theory is a myth. It isn’t necessary. Many clubs have been successful with 2 smaller strikers.
Plus I don’t particularly rate Bender or the Beast. At least AJ has a proven scoring record in the Prem. If we were to go for a big man I’d rather have Crouch or Ashton - but no chance of signing either of those now.
97 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:11
smith was defo overrated at weeds!..Never saw anything in the lad & when we 1st heard rumours last year i thought no way is fat sham ‘that’ dumb, little did i know!..
98 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:12
plus they are both overrated, especially Ashton who i wouldnt touch with a stick, fat lazy lump who could never cut it for england, he is wank
99 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:12
chicken…Agree!..
…Spain in the euros?..for eg!..
100 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:15
Torres is not small Punk
101 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:15
Spyro, thats exactly what Bendtner is now (good/decent). I watched a few Arsenal games last season and he was being openly jeered by the home fans for dare I say performing Shola-esque in front of goal.
However on other occations he’s looked decent
102 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:15
How can you say Ashton couldn’t cut it for England? He’s only 24 and has only been capped once. He’s had bad luck with injuries, that’s all. Decent record with U21’s 4 goals in 9 games.
103 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:17
Aye spyro, but y’also couldn’t call him a ‘big ‘un’, could ya?..
104 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:17
Chicken say Ashton couldnt cut it for England because he is one of the most immobile strikers i have ever seen, cant stand watching him, he moves in slow motion even when he has the ball, plus he is fat
105 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:18
Torres is very tall Punk, and also very strong
106 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:18
How tall?..
107 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:18
fair enough Dondatta, it is true that many arsenal fans dislike him, but they too forget just how young he is and that he never gets a good run in the first 11
108 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:19
Torres is over 6 ft
109 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:21
Honest?..Ok, i take that back…But i still reckon it’s true that you don’t NEED a big/little combo!..
110 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:22
Yeah, Torres is 185cm (6′ 1″) but he doesn’t play like a typical ‘big’ striker. He plays on the shoulder of the last defender and relies on his pace. Not with his back to goal like Big Dunce or Veruka.
111 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:22
i agree to an extent that its not vital, but it does however provide us with options
112 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:24
Thanks Spyro, Im glad we can discuss stuff without resorting to childish put downs that you seem to get on alot of other forums.
So then, when will we sign Coloccini?
113 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:25
Romario and Bebeto
Rooney and Tevez
Defoe and Keane
sure there’s loads of other successful partnerships that dispel the big man/little man myth
114 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:26
your right chicken, torres doesn’t pla with his back to goal and does rely on his pace and strenght, but that is because Torres plays in teams where an additional man in midfield is not needed. Both Spain and Liverpool have great midfields so he doesn’t need to ever come deep. We on the other hand dont have a great midfield so a strong striker who can come deep and help create would be a bonus
115 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:26
Owen and Martins (if only BSA had given it a chance)
116 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:27
Ok, that sounds authoratative, i stand corrected!..I thought he was about 5′ 10″, or something…Or whatever that is in french!..
117 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:29
Aye Spyro - we need good players, period.
I don’t care if they’re midgets or giants to be honest - we need some new blood - but not just to make up the numbers - we need real quality.
Our squad was thin on quality and numbers last season - since then we’ve let 6 go and signed 3. I’m not ower grand at maths but that equation doesn’t equal a good season ahead in my eyes.
118 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:30
Keane is not a big man, but when played with Defoe he plays the big man role, comes deep, holds up the ball and helps create
I personally dont feel the Rooney - Tevez combination is proven, they had a few matches last season where they combined well but it wasn’t consistent. The media just overhyped the pairing because they are Man U. There were a fair few times when the two looked to cancel each other out
119 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:31
Yes spyro, not vital, but worth having as an option…Just not as a rule, don’t want much of that hoof & see game…That’s not to say it doesn’t work sometimes tho’!..
120 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:33
Bang on Spyro!..Rooney is patchy!..
…But the manure/fa/pundit police will come round & shut y’up for saying that!..
121 Spyro // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:38
i know punk, im expecting a knock on the door any minute now lol
122 Chicken // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:45
I wouldn’t say Rooney is patchy. I just think he needs to add a few more goals to his game. I actually think he might thrive whilst Ronaldo is out of the team. Well, maybe not actually, as he appears to contracted some kind of tropical disease from his time in Africa. Mind you, I’d still have a bed-ridden Rooney over a fully fit smudger or strolla any day of the week.
123 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:52
Let’s just say, i’m glad he didn’t come here, don’t think he woulda worked out, know warra mean?..Not with £25/30m on his head!..
124 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 16:59
Punk Skunk comment 77 - thats comment that sums up the problem we have … the fans divent really care aboot how it works they just want to spend cash !! … as chicken refers to, hilarious how many fans on here were talking about VDV coming to the toon .. HA! .. what a joke .. NEE CHANCE …. suprise he goes to Madrid .. fans need a wake up on here .. i know you dont like to try and ustand whats going on Punk, apologies for intruding on your dreaming ..
125 joe. // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:02
what is actually wrong with him the welsh twat?
126 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:04
Toonpipes, mate i actually totally agree with what you’re saying!..It was the nay-sayers i was talking about…I was bein’ purposely vague, so i didn’t get ‘em all on ma back!..
…Soz that y’took us the wrong way man, y’bang on!..Uh oh, i can hear the pitter, patter of little nay-sayer feet now, downer!..
127 TOONPIPES // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:07
Dondatta - yrs 79 .. It is an injection mate .. MA paying off a debt from his money means that the club, who ‘owned’ debt not longer has to find finances each month to service the repayments. Therefore releases cash into the working capital of the club that was previously tied up and also makes us a more attratice proposition to other lenders if we need money to finance our operation .. sorry mate - i disagree ..
128 Punk Skunk // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:26
Some of the guys on here have almost ‘perfectly’ explained the situation, several times, but still people don’t get it!..
…They just come back & forget it was ever explained…Sadly!..
…I’m a realist man & therefore totally down with the financial business required to own a football club!..
129 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:33
Toonpipes your free to disagree my friend but I still think youre looking at it wrong.
Youre still calling his purchase an injection of cash. Nope, he bought something, that something was a club in debt. Now then lets break down, what you just said :-
“MA paying off a debt from his money means that the club, who ‘owned’ debt not longer has to find finances each month to service the repayments”.
My reply to that is, we were in debt, yes .. Mike Ashley PURCHASED the club (and debt that came with it) so that means its HIS debt that he cleared. All bets were off when he agreed to BUY the club
“Therefore releases cash into the working capital of the club that was previously tied up”
My reply is, It releases funds for MA instead of it going to the banks, can now go to him as its HIS CLUB
“and also makes us a more attratice proposition to other lenders if we need money to finance our operation” ..
My reply is … Ah ha (alan partridge impression), now we are getting there. At this point we look to MA to START AN INJECTION of cash (from himself or a bank).
Like I said in my earlier post (comment #74)
UNTIL HE BUYS PLAYERS HE HAS INJECTED NOWT, ONLY PURCHASED A CLUB FOR HIMSELF.
130 Spot The Zebra // Aug 5, 2008 at 17:50
We need to add more pace a guile to our attacking play which been sadly missing during the preseason friendlies.
Neither of our two wingers Duff and Milner possess these attributes and only Obafemi gives us genuine pace up front.
131 eric crammy mag // Aug 5, 2008 at 18:39
so what ,rooney and ronaldo are out to cant see them panicking , wonder why smithy is on fire he had a shot the other neet ,smb
132 peter // Aug 5, 2008 at 18:57
u know wot? im sick of checkin this page twenty times a day and seein nowt!anyone agree?i thought ashley and king kev would be at least tryin for the van der vaarts,arshavins etcetc-even the mackems are splashin the cash and beating us to bids for shorey etc,i know kev said no title challenge but deep down he and we all wanted massive changes and expected them!think il start n follow hull or sumit,been waitin since 1982 for newcastle to win sumit and still no hope!!its boring! and a rip off at todays prices!
133 Dondatta13 // Aug 5, 2008 at 19:16
Keep the faith Peter, Im sure we will make signings but what standard of signings? Id brace yourself for some shrewd buys rather than the VDV’s of this planet lol
134 Marty // Aug 5, 2008 at 21:24
Smith will score a hat-trick against manu on the first day ha ha ha
135 eric crammy mag // Aug 5, 2008 at 22:46
marty
phone the doctors i fear for your health lol smb
136 Reb // Aug 5, 2008 at 23:26
Am I missing something? Keegan says that it will be work to get Owen fit for Valencia, but he should be on the bench (in another interview w/Keegan, he suggested Owen would play the last half of the match v. Valencia). If he’s fit for Valencia, he’ll be fit for ManUtd a week later, one assumes.
Nothing has much changed on the Owen front, tbh. All summer it’s been said that Owen was being prepped to be available v. ManUtd. Yes, it’s unfortunate he missed nearly all of the preseason, but if he’s fit for the league matches, that’s more important, one should think.
Besides, isn’t there an England match coming up? Surely Owen will be fit in time for that. I mean, isn’t that what most NUFC fans have accused him of all along — only being interested in England? Especially if Rooney is out…England will come calling if Owen is fit.
137 clinta // Aug 6, 2008 at 2:30
Seems KK’s not too fond of a soley youth policy that the clubs put in place with that comment.
thought we were going to be the fittest squadin the premiership this year? 11 players not fit enough to walk on a pitch suggests not.
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