We had hoped rather wistfully last week, that all four Newcastle players that had been offered new contracts would sign them by the end of the year, but now we know that will not happen.
Nicky Butt – the more quality players the better
At least one player, captain Michael Owen, as we learned yesterday, will delay any decision on his Newcastle contract until the end of the season, and that gives ample time for clubs to come along and offer him good terms and a fair sized signing-on fee to join them.
While it’s disappointing news, that’s the way these things go sometimes, and Joe will now need to concentrate now on bringing in some good new players in January.
As usual we’ve been linked with multiple players, the most well known being left back Leighton Baines at Everton and West Ham’s center back Matthew Upson, and both would be more than decent acquisitions to our squad. News is that Joe has already put in a bid for a left back in England.
There are rumors that West Ham may have to sell players in January, but we don”t know how true that is, or whether we really need another center half in January.
We will need get a center half during the summer, because we think David Edgar and Claudio Cacapa will both be allowed to leave the club, maybe even next month.
There have been reports that 32 year-old Spanish International defender Juanito of Real Betis interests Kinnear, but we have no idea if there’s any truth to those reports.
We have also been linked with 18 year French whiz kid Mamadouu Sakho of PSG, and we would love it if Joe can bring this 6’2″ youngster to the club, as he will only improve in the Premier League. And he may not have finished growing yet either.
And some players we were linked to in the summer, we will be linked with in January, whether or not there’s any truth to the reports. 😀
Nicky Butt over the weekend called on Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to give Joe Kinnear the finds he needs to strengthen the side.
Nicky said:
“There definitely needs to be investment in January,” “We need two new players at least. And if we also keep the experienced players we’ve already got, we will be fine.“
“It’s a big club and if we get the right players in and financial backing we will be up there. But you look at what we have got now, and although we have quality, if we get one or two injuries, it gets really difficult.”
“The more quality players the better,”
“You need challenges in training, in games. You need to compete. You get lazy and you think you’re first choice if you don’t have competition.
“If it means buying two midfielders in January, then I’m all for that.”
It seems to be true that players appreciate the competition for places, because presumably they want to be part of a successful side, and that means having a strong squad, which we just don’t have at the moment.
We made a hash of the transfer market in the summer by not bringing in enough players but Guthrie, Bassong, Gutierrez and Coloccini have been great quality signings for us, and that will give Newcastle hope that other good players may be on their way into the club.
22 year-old Spanish Under-21 International Xisco is a bit of an enigma who we haven’t seen play much, and of course Uruguay midfielder Igancio Gonzalez, has hardly played at all, and he’s out with an Achilles injury until March.
Joe may want to bring in some loan signings too, so we don’t know if it’s possible to cancel Gonzalez’ loan with his club Valencia, although there’s probably documentation that we signed, that says we have to keep him, if he gets injured.
We’d like to see 5 good players brought in next month, and we wouldn’t be bothered much if Edgar, Xisco, Cacapa and Smith are moved out.
But Smith will not be fit until late January, so that may prevent him being sold in January, although a loan deal, maybe to Everton, may be a possibility.
That’s if the Merseyside club want to take a striker who has yet to score a goal for Newcastle, but it could be a good move for Alan, nevertheless.
There again, after what Joe has done with most of the players in the Newcastle squad, Kinnear may fancy his chances of getting the best out of Smith, and that is one reason he may elect to keep the England International at least until the summer.
What do you think of all this?
Let’s know your own ideas and opinions – comments very welcome.
112 comments so far
cause I got the girth
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Comment #1do you ever sleep Ed?? 😉
Spyro
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Comment #2Alright lads,
Predictions and teams for Wigan please.
I know we hae a bad record there, but i am feeling confident.
0-1 the Toon
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Comment #3my fream signings
lb=maraque(good on fm)baines,taiwo(i realize this si unrealistic)
dm=o’hara,tymoschuk(depending on where he is going)hernanaes(i realize this would be an impossible signing but i did say dream signing)
creative cm or cam=elano,johnson(if city sign big he may get pushed out the team)witsel(good on fm) my dream dream dream signing arango
rm=kightley,valencia(if possible)
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Comment #4spyro
we should win but i am tryin ot to expect anything
JoshNufc91
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Comment #5we will completely dominate wigan and be 4-0 up…in the first half. then 2nd half we’ll go to hell and lose 5-4 🙂
Robby Bobson
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Comment #62-0 to the toon for Wigan. They arent playing the best football at the moment and we are.
For january N’Zogbia seems like he wants to leave..so be it. 7-8 million seems fair and we could get Vetere out there looking for a young replacement.
Leighton Baines would slot in nicely, but i would also like a defensive midfield playmaker, in the mould of Carrick, as Barton/Guthrie are likely to be box-to-box but lack creativity.
The player i think we should (and should have) signed is Oscar Trejo from Mallorca. We were interested in the Summer then signed Xisco so not sure if we got knocked back but he is a quality player, who could even replace Zoggy and would be good to see him just floating behind Martins and Owen.
Juanito talk is just agent talk probably, as he wants a big money move for himself. That PSG centre back seems great on paper, but he wouldnt get many games at the moment if hes only 18. So why not sweeten the deal and sign him in January, but he joins us in the summer/summer 2010 when he would be 20.
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Comment #7I believe we will kick ass at Wigan…..
Sweet Revenge.
Bramble to fall on his HOOP a few times and to handle the ball and give away a Penalty.
Spidey to Score,Oh that would be so sweet to the the mask come out.He Deserves a goal for what he has done so far.
0-3 Yee Feckin Ha
Toon Olly
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Comment #8good words about smith, i’d love to see kinnear get the best out of him, and if got an odd feeling he might…
squad for wigan:
Given
beye colo bass enrique
jonas guthrie butt duff
sirjasontoon
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Comment #9Won’t believe any player links and speculation after the last windows and disappointment,Arshavin,Turan,Modric the list was endless.
New Striker please.
Owen rot in the reserves and take armband off the scouse twat.
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Comment #100-3 to us
Toon Olly
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Comment #11good words about smith, i’d love to see kinnear get the best out of him, and if got an odd feeling he might…
squad for wigan:
Given
beye colo bass enrique
jonas guthrie duff
N zog
Owen Viduka
Bring on butt for guthrie and possibly ranger/xisco for the duke?not too sure if they’d be up to it though at a ground where we have such a bad record and need the win…
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Comment #12Bramble to handle the ball and give away a penalty and to fall on his HOOP a few times during this walkover victory ;-)))))))
How sweet revenge that would be
tino97
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Comment #13I would be happy with a draw. Titus always seems to have his one good game of the season against us. It will be the same team as spurs. Except Ameobi being replaced by Viduka if fully fit or by Duff. It will be a tough match. They have some dangerous players, Heskey, Zaki, Valencia!
In the summer we were linked to dozen of players. The ones we signed first, we were never linked with!
Toon Olly
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Comment #14prediction 2-0 the toon…although im wary of steve bruce…really rate him as a manager
JoshNufc91
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Comment #15spiderman cant use the mask in his celebration :/
we ended a shocking run of results at fratton park recently and hopefully a win at wigan will send us into the liverpool game full of hope. liverpool are beatable. scouse toss
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Comment #16Squad for away Victory::::::
………………Given…………..
Beye..Colo…Bassong…Jose
Spidey..Butt..Guthrie..Nzog
…..Oba…..Owen……
Subs:Lua Lua,Ranger,Tayls,Harper,Duffer
NB:Spidey to Score-Would be great to see the Mask come out,he deserves it for the work he has put in
Spyro
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Comment #17In an interview JK spoke about possibly playing Duff and N’zogbia in the next match. I think the team will be
————————-Given———————-
Beye———Colo—————Seb——–Jose
Jonas——–Guthrie———Butt——-Zoggy
————————–Duff———————-
————————-Owen———————-
milnerfan
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Comment #18im feeling 1-3, owen zog and duke if he plays
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Comment #19JOSH
How come Spidey cannot use the mask??????
Where did you hear this?????
JoshNufc91
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Comment #20it was on sky sports a few times, the FA banned him from using it in his celebrations. killjoys or what?
Toon Olly
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Comment #21yeah it’s true he cant get the mask out
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Comment #22marty i heard that too if i could be arssed id get u a link stupid rule if you ask me
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Comment #23I just cannot wait for Jonas Gutierrez to do the siderman mask !
What do you say Spyro, obafan. obafan2, tomtoon, etc. etc. etc. etc. ¿¿¿???
viva jonas !!! creo Jonas es magnifico !!!
Dillon
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Comment #24Last week Joe Kinnear said he might have to look around the Championship for signings, dose anyone know any good players in that league?
jim
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Comment #25aye sirjasontoon! owens took the shine rite off our xmas! after a canny run aswell-goody two shoes little prick-hope we get 10 mil for him then he gets injured long term when weve got rid-our medical team has nursed him for 3 years and wrapped him in cotton wool-payin him an absolute fortune for crutchin about-good return eh! now hes delayin on a great contract offer for someone of his age who has a tendancy to get injured-still cant believe it! captain?? captain prat! “hey owen captain prat! tie him down to the old railtrack! “
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Comment #26does any 1 know why it has been banned
Robby Bobson
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Comment #27Gutierez deserves a goal but he didnt score once last season so dont think he will score tomorrow.
I dont think he has a great technique at striking the ball so dont think we will see many 25 yarders from him. But who cares when he has the running ability, work rate and vision (his assist for Owen against Stoke) he has.
Robby Bobson
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Comment #28And people having a go at Owen…i can understand his decision.
But he should not be captain if he doesnt no if he wants to play for the club. Habib for captain!!!
Smeg_Head
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Comment #29Just looking at your dream creative center midfielder there in Elano, I know he was spectacular at the start of last season, espacially against us, but he has been deliberately left out of man city side because he is not good enough.
Man City Will offload him in January if anyone comes in with a resonable bid i’m sure. But if your expecting the Elano of last season then you might be dissapointed.
Baines is a very good left back, he has a very powerfull shot, clocked 70mph free kick against man United and also creates a bit like Zog does but with higher crosses rather than low ones.
I havent seen Xisco play at all apart from against Hull and tbh that game is an exception to all players. He doesant seem like this wonder kid signing we thought, I think he was just one for the future as Ameobi was about 6 years ago. It would not make any difference if he was sold or stayed because he wont get many games as we will play our best strikers who are Owen, martins, Viduka and then Xisco.
Ignacio Gonzalez well i mean wtf? What was the point in getting him exactly? Even as a loan its pointless. Seems all our big signings get a massive injury and play half the season in bit appearances. If he was fit to play i’d play him ahead of either butt or gutherie so at least we had 1 attacking center mid. he is actually a very tidy player, despite being creative he can also distribute the ball better than butt but also keep it. He is a ball carrier. Probably the best center mid partnership we have is Barton and Gonzalez.
C acapa- he can leave tbh he has done nothing of positive significance to warrant a place even as a sub. Same goes with Smith, I mean you just cannot play a striker who never scores. benitez wont play Keane, who is actually more capable than smith, I think smith too higher wages and no point to him at all.
I think ameobi is on the whole worse than smith despite the fact he scores some goals. I just think Prem level is too high for him, i’d rather play an un-tested yougster than him because i feel the balance of the team is affected when he plays. Although smith does not score there is more balance in his play and movement.
Dillon
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Comment #30Oh and i think Zog could be left out until he’s sold, if what the papers are reporting is true. Kinnear wont take that.
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Comment #31Why can no one speak or write in Spanish ?
I make comments in spanish, however no one bothers their arse to reply in spanish …. how do you think Colo or Jonas feel ???
Mucha suerto mis amigos geordie !!!
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Comment #32http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=aAaVDSH47pI
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Comment #33high jordan
mucha=many
amigos=griends
beyethegreat
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Comment #34http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=mIK8NAEyu0E&NR=1
Obafan
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Comment #35What stupid rules by the FA.
If you score you can’t use a mask to celebrate it; but if someone makes an awful tackle in the middle of the field and the ref doesn’t give a red card; I don’t think the FA will suspend the player. How stupid can the board be.
Spyro
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Comment #36Sorry Hugh
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Comment #37Hey Beye !
Muchas Gracias
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Comment #38¿ Y tu, Syro mi amigo. cuantas años tiene ?
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Comment #39Spyro,
I am a born and bred geordie from North Shields, but now live in Spain.
I love the toon, and see them play every game here !
I read Ed’s blog with, what cannot be described than no other than an obsession !
Hugh Jorgan
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Comment #40Sod it, that should have read ‘Spyro cuantas años tiene ?
How old are you