Late news tonight, being reported by The Daily Mail, that Middlesbrough are interested in taking Newcastle striker Alan Smith to the Riverside Stadium in January on a permanent deal.
Alan Smith - Middlesbrough join the race for him
Everton are reported to have been keen to sign Alan in the summer, and would like to take him on loan in January, but they may be pipped by Middlesbrough, who could sign him on a permanent deal this month.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate must be desperate to add some steel to his young team, and Alan Smith can certainly give them that, either up front or in defensive midfield.
And it seems that Alan is one of the players Newcastle would be willing to move on in January, since they are well endowed in the striker positions, and would also like to relieve the wage bill, since the former Manchester United and Leeds striker is on £60K a week wages on Tyneside.
Smith has been out since early September with an Achilles injury, but is set to return to training next week, and he should be ready to play within a couple of weeks.
It seems that Southgate would rather buy him now than lose him to Everton, who are keen to get him on a loan deal in January, and then sign him permanently in the summer, when they will have some transfer funds available.
But this has to be good news for Newcastle and Joe Kinnear, if it’s true, and no doubt if this goes further Boro will need to ensure Alan has fully recovered from his Achilles injury, and then there is the small matter of the fee.
The general figure quoted in August was around £3M, but that may go higher if Middlesbrough want to quickly secure the former England striker.
Comments welcome.
200 responses so far ↓
1 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Despite his lack of abiblity to do anything and concedes stupid free kicks, he would be better than Butt in centre midfield but hopefully (lets stay optimistic) we bring one or two CMs in.
No use up front. Sell him!
2 NewManager20092010 // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Sell, Sell, Sell, Sell, Sell!
3 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Sell and replace and thats good business ..
Sell and not replace with a DM and Ashley cronnies are dragging us down more.
4 Y2J // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I don’t know if this has dawned on anyone, but we have agame against that Hammers that we are no where near ready for with regards to players. It is paramount that we make some movements over the next two days.
5 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Y2J .. we’ve no DM .. we’re f**ked and its a relegation 6 pointer.
6 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Collocini as DM .. with Taylor and Bassong in Defence could be a good idea.
7 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Add another one to the otboun list which now reads:
Given
Enrique
N’Zogbia
Barton
Geremi
Xisco
Smith
Not all of these can be true so i guess we have to treat each of these stories very lightly just like we do with our transfer rumours of players coming in.
8 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Geremi will play DM on saturday.
9 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM
*outbound
10 Stardust // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Taylor should be chopped up for firewood
11 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Dan157 .. I do think this is a goer though .. smith for 2+ mill .. if I was everton/smoggies I’d give it a try .. you’d think though 3-4 is more likely.
12 Spyro // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Taylro should be learning from and act as cover for Beye. I think RB is his best position.
13 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Dan157 .. geremi is the most likely if hes still here .. if he’s there we can only play one way and thats full on attack… we sit back and we’d be shot as we don’t have any good tacklers in the middle of the park ..
14 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Against West Ham we should play Owen from deep with Geremi in DM. We are at home, so Kinnear needs to grow some balls stick his neck out and go for three up front!
15 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Collocini is supposedly a good DM .. played there for Depor .. but agreed him and bassong work the best as the 2 CB’s
16 Stardust // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Spuro – he cant play a line and when exposed at RB he will ruin the whole back 4 as his tendancy to drop off and play his own game is astounding.
I change what I said about firewood though, he is too thick to burn
17 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Smith is no good to anyone at the min as he is injured but we may need him back unless signings are made. £2 million is a poor return for a player we payed £7 million for only 18 months ago.
18 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Robby Bobson .. do we have 3 good strikers ..??? I count 1 fit(owen), 1 bambi (Average) and 2 injured .. the rest aren’t good enough.
19 Seymour Butts // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I suggest we all cross our fingers and hope this is true.
20 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Are there any decent boro players we could do a swap deal with. Those words decent and boro players don’t go together that well do they.
21 Ivor Hardon // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:14 PM
spend some money ashley you tight git.
22 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:15 PM
sweendog – we have xisco and Carroll but i suppose they would be no better than playing lualua centre midfield.
It all really depends if Guthrie or Zoggy get fit for Saturday.
23 Ivor Hardon // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Dan157 .. agreed
24 Ross // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:15 PM
dan-downing, haha. “alright boro..aye we know you turned down 15 mil for downing, but how about we just give you alan smith, and you only have to give us downing. dont worry, we’ll skip the extra cash, just downing
”
25 Auschas // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:18 PM
This weekend
…………………Given
Taylor…..Colllo…..Bassong….Enrique
Godsmark….Geremi…..Charlie…Jonas
………..Ranger….Owen
26 toonoholic // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:19 PM
given sell
geremi sell
nzogbia sell
smith sell
barton sell
owen sell
buy none !
europe! here we come!!
27 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Robby Bobson.. too important a game for Xisco or Carroll .. I reckon
Given
Taylor Collo Bassong Enrique
Gutierrez Geremi N’Zogbia
Owen
Ameobi Duff
28 Spyro // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Ross
LOL
29 SouthernGeordie // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Is Carroll actually any good whenever i have seen him, he has looked totally out of place big and unthreatening
30 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Ross
Downing yeh. Well he may be decent (and i say decent as i think he is vastly overrated) but the one position we do not need is a left winger as we have 3 players can operate thers, Jonas, Duff and Zog. How about trying a swap with Adam Johnson + Jonathon Grounds. Not who i would ideally like to see us sign but it’s getting bodies into the squad isn’t it.
31 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:22 PM
SouthernGeordie .. carroll is improving but not too good so far..
32 Spyro // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:22 PM
SouthernGeordie
I too am from the South and have the exact same view of Carroll. Maybe it is a southern thing eh?
33 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Caroll isnt going to loose us the gam but not exactly going to win it us either. He just plays to make up the numbers.
Is Zoggy fit? I thought he was subbed vs Hull because of injury.
34 brendanm // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:23 PM
the hammers are going to hammer us. damn i need a thesaurus.
35 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Is Adam Johnson a right winger. i think he is. If he’s a lefty then it’s no good a swap.
36 Auschas // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Carroll could be every bit as good as Crouch given time and good training.
37 Ross // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:27 PM
dan-i dont think downing is really needed. He’s canny but its not like i’d be running to get him. i cant beleive they’ve rejected 15 mil if im honest.
As far as Carroll goes, i think he looked canny against Hull. should have scored though.
However, his attitude is apparently shocking? Hopefully he turns it around. I’ve also never been angrier than when he came on against man c i think it was? all he had to do was run his socks off for 10 minutes and he strolled round like he’d have rather be anywhere else in the world.
38 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Carrol needs to use his strength more. He looks like he could be the most powerful striker we have had in a long time but just needs to put himself about a bit more.
39 nightfall // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:28 PM
hope this rumor is true…i’d give them smith for free…they only cost us money…3. 4 mil a year..6.5 in fee plus 3.4 x 4 = 13.6 mil…so BSA blew 20 mil on this…”player”…
40 SouthernGeordie // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Definatly a southern thing Spyro – i would opt for the young lad Ranger at least as sub – by all accounts he is a ballsy little f*cker and that is what we need.
41 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Robby Bobson .. zogbia is 50/50 at the moment .. dummies and pram syndrome after trying to engineer a move to arsenal… but probably fit IMO
42 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:29 PM
I remember Buffon ranting how grat Carrol is after he banged one past him. So much expectations then, just like there was with Chops when he started breaking through.
43 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Carroll’s way off the finished article .. he needs run outs in minor cup games to get used to playing in the first team .. so far his career hasn’t took off, he should be alot better .. like someone said earlier his attitude seems to be the problem.
44 SouthernGeordie // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:32 PM
I would like to see something of Rnager, by all accounts he is a ballsy little git but that is what we need. Not some ineffective bean pole, Ranger when i have seen clips looks like he hassles people and that is what we need!!
45 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:33 PM
SouthernGeordie .. agreed .. love to see Ranger on the bench at least this weekend.
46 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Downing i wasnt serious about as only spurs will pay that sort of stupid money for him anyway. I think even Man City would feel ripped off for £15 million. But players do have to start coming in soon it’s a must or else you just cannot see us going another 1/2 a season without having to play those young 17 year old lads. We are very close to doing so now as they are already our bench players. You just have to take comfort in the fact that the people at our club cannot help but see it, well unless they have their hands over their faces and pretending we are fine.
47 Joe // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:34 PM
slight problem with this i think boro are a bit short of cash and they don’t want to sell so i think this is a non runner
48 Ross // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:34 PM
see with the state of our squad, we cant even afford to be selling alan smith man. He’d be starting on saturday if he was fit.
49 RyanToon // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:35 PM
sell smith now
50 CLINT FLICK // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Ross-
51 sweendog // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Ross .. agreed but sell and replace with a DM .. one who can tackle,play it simple and has pace and we’ll be a much better squad for it.
52 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Do a straight swap with him for Leighton Baines and just cut our losses. £7 million or not we need players in now and the longer we wait the more the prices go up towards the end and make things more difficult.
53 SouthernGeordie // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Im pissed off we didnt look at Appiah – know he has had is problems but when he has played he as looked class – bloody spurs!!
54 Ross // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:43 PM
sweendog-thats the ideal situation mate, but the chances of it coming off? who do we replace him with!?
Sad fact is he’d genuinly be starting. See if Butt, Barton and guthrie are all out with injury, that means we have geremi to play in the middle. Bugger it, maybe we’ll finally be forced to go 4-3-3. although we dont have 3 fit strikers either do we? lol.
55 Robby Bobson // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Southern Geordie
I was thinking we should have gone for Appiah. But then i wondered why nobody in Europe has taken him for 6 months, then settles for a trial at Spurs.
56 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Well it’s almost 8 days into the transfer window, thats about 1/4 of the way through and still not a dickie bird of serious signings. The January transfer window usually flies by which is why you have to have things lined up in advance. I’m praying something happens before the West Ham game to give the whole atmosphere as i don’t think we have ever been as desperate for players, even in the summer.
57 Dan157 // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:46 PM
*to give the whole atmosphere a lift
58 Ross // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:49 PM
dan-not a chance mate. its a shame but its 3 days until the hammers game. we’re not the quickest to wrap deals up even when they’re near enough done.
Fair enough its only the papers who are saying we’re at a loose end have no one to sign, but surely if it was nonsense we’d be making progress and at least some sort of noise would be coming from the club. Fact of the matter is JFK has came out and said that our original plan has fallen flat on its face, and we’re scrambling to find a plan B by the looks of things.
59 Waddle's mullet // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Getting scary boys.
Always said some one would be in before friday.
think some thing is up!!
60 TNK // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:56 PM
heard that smith is goin to boro in a swap deal that would see mido come to newcastle…
61 Waddle's mullet // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:59 PM
TNK
Smith worked his socks off today.
Not far away
62 sweendog // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:00 AM
TNK .. watch yer shoes mate
63 SouthernGeordie // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Is anyone else starting to question JK abilities – i was never a fan and yes at first i found his press rants fun and his energy a breath of fresh air – but now he just comes out and spills BS – MA is obvoisly saying one thing then once Joe comes out with it MA goes back on it, Joe should learn to play the waiting game and dont count your chickens. Rumour has it Shearer put 10m on Joe to be manager when keegan went and now he is minted and wants to buy the club – sorry that was a dream
64 Waddle's mullet // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:03 AM
SouthernGeordie
Great!! very funny.
JFK is very clever in what he does with the press.
65 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:16 AM
As i try to do with every transfer window, (i give this speech too), i think i’ll just try ignore the whispers and wait to see whomever it is stamped across the front of .co.uk…i’ll probably end up a recluse, but we’ll see what happens.
66 Uncle Archie // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:16 AM
where u hear the mido thing TNK?
67 Auschas // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:20 AM
FROM THE SUN
ALAN SMITH hit out as Newcastle agreed to swap him for Middlesbrough striker Mido.
A source said: “Alan’s really angry about this. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and wants to do well — at Newcastle.”
Smith, a £6million signing from Manchester United 18 months ago, was never informed the clubs were in talks and found out only last night — but he has no intention of quitting St James’ Park.
Newcastle are now threatening that Smith will never play for the club again if he does not accept the move.
Smith, 28, sees the attempt to flog him behind his back as a massive slap in the face after spending three months working furiously to get fit following an ankle ligament operation.
The source added: “He is back in training and should be ready for selection by the end of the month.
“He does not want to go anywhere else.”
COURSE NOT CAUSE HE WONT GET PAID AS MUCH FOR NOT SCORING GOALS
68 Auschas // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Ohh he has been working hard to get fit for us….at 60000k a week he bloody well should be.
How can it be that the one players 99% of fans want to see go is the only one who really wants to stay??
69 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Mido is one of my favourite players when on form and fit.
70 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:25 AM
thats hilarious from the sun. more fantastic journalism. Mido to newcastle? are you actually kidding me? the lad wouldnt sign for us if his life depended on it!
71 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I know, which is a shame.
What a dela that would be for us though.
Boro would be mugs to do it, well they are mugs though.
72 Uncle Archie // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Sling your hook Alan, unlike Xisco you’ve had your fair share of chances. I’d prefer Tuncay like but can’t see that happening lol.
73 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:31 AM
“yeah im delighted to sign for newcastle. the stadium is excellent, and they’ve got a fantastic fanbase. When they’re not singing about me having bombs or comparing me to a terrorist, of course”.
74 Auschas // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Whats his injury record like? I would be happy with the deal although the sun has got to be full of crap.
We will lose Viduka at the end of the year and probably Owen. That will leave us with Martins and Shola…… I’d rather have Martins and Mido with Shola, Carroll and Ranger there if needs be.
75 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Oh dear, not again.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/08/newcastle-rangers
76 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:36 AM
it would be an excellent deal for us, a mindless deal for them. the fact of the matter is, it just wont happen, not in a million years. There’s just no truth in it, even if there was i wouldnt blame mido one bit for bluntly refusing to come anywhere near us.
77 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Portsmouth’s valuation of Barton is only £5 million as well. About what we payed for him. Didn’t they get 15 mil for Defoe and 20 for Diarra. We should be squeezing at least an extra 1 million out of them.
78 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:38 AM
An old knackered Barry Ferguson is all we can afford seemingly.
79 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:39 AM
dan-the fee being spoken about up here is 2.5 million. its been quite heavily reported throughout scotland over the past week or so, its made the headlines of the back pages for a couple of days.
Its shocking but i can see us pushing on to sign him.
80 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:39 AM
do you’s think that if we buy ferguson, barton will be shown the door to pompey?
81 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:40 AM
NOOOO. I’m going to go and stick me head in the fire.
82 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Made the back pages? The Barry Ferguson thing deserves to be one of the News of the World’s big scandal stories cos that’s what it is on Ashley’s behalf.
83 Boater // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Mido for Smudge…. at first I laughed but thinking about it – if there is ever a possibility to generate a stranger-than-fiction headline – which by the way the press will no doubt exploit to revisit the islamophobic toon piece – NUFC will always grab it with both hands.
Anyone else think that Connors looked special for Derby tonight? What’s the story there like?
84 nightfall // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:44 AM
i don’t really care who we swap smith with…everyone’s better then him… i’d even swap him with aliadiere…who i rate as much as these guys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne3ap03HlzA
85 Uncle Archie // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Bartons our best Midfielder we can’t let him go. Doubt he’d fancy Pompy anyway, probably the only prem team in a worse place than us right now.
86 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I think we are already about to create a stranger-than-fiction headline with Barry Ferguson. Only a suicidal mag could have written that one but it’s about to come true by the looks of it.
87 Auschas // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Does anyone but me think Given is undervalued by other teams. They want him casue he is world class but they pay the offer a pittance. Given is worth two Parkers so what ever they buy him for we should charge themdouble for given. I would not mind taking a few mill off to get Johnson in exchange though.
88 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:46 AM
dan, the scottish sun had a picture of ferguson on their back page a few days ago, and went with the headline “LIAR”, covering the smith reply to kinnear claiming we’d enquired about him. I realllly hope its all nonsense. like i’ve said before, if Barton goes it’ll be the last straw for me.
89 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Barton is good friends with Tony Adams through the sporting chance clinic he went to where Adams used to to conferences and seminars. It is the reason why Adams is the only manager out there to give him a chance.
90 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:47 AM
*to do
91 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Boater – COMMONS looks a good little player.
92 Doocey // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Of course Mido would love the move to Newcastle, especially after the abuse he received in the derby weeks back. Smith won’t leave don’t worry. As for the lb, any updates waddles mullet?
93 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:50 AM
What is going on at Rangers. They seem to be having a sale going on at the moment. Kris Boyd (the league’s top goalscorer) for £3 million. Either it’s saying something about Scottish football or Rangers are just desperate.
94 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:50 AM
I dont think Joey would want to leave us anyway if im honest. We’ve stuck by him and he thinks he owes us. unlike owen, i think he has a bit of loyalty about him.
anyway, i’m not discussing Barton leaving because it isnt happening. This whole Ferguson malarky is paper pap and i refuse to beleive we’ll be shelling out 3 million on a 31 year old, average central midfielder. he’s like nicky butt with a few more years left in him, surely not.
95 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Ross
What sort of player is Barry Ferguson. What does he actually do on the pitch? Would we be better off having a turd sandwich laid down in the center circle cos i fear that we would from what I’ve heard.
96 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Rangers need money or they lose their stadium.
97 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:53 AM
dan157-there’s been talk of boyd leaving Rangers for a long time now. He is the league’s top scorer by like 6 or 7 goals as you say, yet he isnt started week in week out. he doesnt feel he’s been given his chance in the international team and has thus refused to play for them whilst burley is in charge of the squad. I think a move to England was inevitable. he’ll be a good purchase for a championship team and will bang them in there too. I dunno how he’d survive in the prem. his record is impressive though.
98 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Ferguson is a defensive mifielder, he is injury prone and has an attitude. He is garbage. He takes about 58 touches to decide where to pass the ball.
99 Doocey // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Yeah, Barton won’t be leaving.. About Commons, was a good player when a forest, next big thing he was going to be… Still decent though, great goal tonight.. Btw a signing is immenent at Newcastle..
100 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Tom_Toon
Can you give me an insight into your reaction if we signed Ferguson. Who would you punch first?
101 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Doocey
Yeh we know. And it isn’t pretty
102 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:59 AM
dan-Ferguson suffered a bad injury like, played half a season or so with serious ligament damage and has never been the same since. He’s only recently returned to fitness having been out for a lengthy spell with yet another injury. If im completly honest about him he’s old, relatively slow, nothing very special at all. alot of my mates (celtic fans, but they have a point) call him the crab, because he just seems to pass the ball left and right rather than forwards.
103 Doocey // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Dan157
the signing won’t be ferguson either, don’t worry.
104 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Ferguson would get absolutely murdered if he came back to the premiership then. The one thing you need is a bit of pace. Nicky Butt is starting to suffer for that now with his legs being finished. Jesus can you imagine them 2 having to start in the middle, I’d be getting a rope and stool out.
105 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Dan157 – Whoever is closest at the time.
106 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Doocey
Hopefully your right however with Kinnear apparently having so little to spend he is a cheap option and that could become a major factor.
107 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Most people in Scotland, even Rangers fans call him Barry ‘Backpass’ Ferguson.
108 Tom_Toon // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Doocey – Who is the signing then mate?
109 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:09 AM
dan157-ferguson and butt in the middle would be like putting the ball in your own net to give the other lads a 1-0 head start. i know that sounds ridiculous but it quite seriously would be disaster tactics. I suppose you could argue it was his own fault, he played a good few games with snapped ligaments i think it was, had he just got the op when it was needed, he might not have deteriorated so quickly.
He can do no wrong at Rangers if im honest. He’s like a hero to them, but even their fans are now admitting they’re just looking to cash in on him as they see he’s slow, old and even struggling a little to keep up with the SPL.
110 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:09 AM
How crap must he be if he is forced into making a back pass against the likes of Falkirk and Motherwell.
111 dan // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:11 AM
I think the Furguson thing was a red herring.
He was crap for Blackburn years ago so why would he be suitable for the premiership now at 30.
The Scottish League is well, well below the standard of the Prem. Have you ever seen Scotland win owt?!??!
112 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:12 AM
dan
He is nearly 31.
113 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:13 AM
On the 2nd of February he will be 31
114 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:15 AM
” Excellent, i am looking forward to playing St Mirren’s 10 man defence at Ibrox next week with Bawwway controling the midfield.
Pass it back, pass it sideways, pass it back, pass it sideways and so on.
”
——–
there’s a quote from a scottish forum, commenting on the return of barry ferguson.
115 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:15 AM
However, keep in mind this is all paper dross and there’s a good chance not a word of it is true!
116 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:16 AM
You do hope it isn’t true however most of the stories linking us with players have been mainly with him, plus they have resurfaced as well which isn’t a good sign. Than and with Ranger’s needing the money you could say it’s very likely to happen.
117 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:17 AM
*That and with
118 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:18 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A45532839
just read the first page of that Dan, thats all that has to be said regarding Ferguson. Obviously the majority of those are Rangers fans.
119 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:22 AM
One thing i notice in the way that we are talking is the complete lack of faith we have in both our ability to spend and actually being able to attract anyone half decent. That sort of thinking hasn’t been around for about 18 years or so. It’s not a nice thing to have back.
120 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:24 AM
I’ve just read it and it’s safe to say there wouldn’t be a riot in Glasgow if he left.
121 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Dan-i’ve never been negative when it came to us. Alot of my family (Who granted have had to watch it alot longer than me, im only 21 like) are really negative about us. as far as they’re concerned everyone on the park is crap and we’re destined to end up in blue square prem or somethin.
It’s only recently that i’ve started to wonder, and see the negative side of the story. Normally i’d be canny optomistic. I know i’ve been slating ferguson alot tonight going on about how disasterous he’d be for us but i still dont beleive a word the papers say anwyay. But aye, i think its just the way the clubs being ran, recent results, all the injuries. There’s literally not one positive thing happened for us, for quite some time. The only news we get is of Owen wanting to go, Given wanting to go, charlie publically stating he wants to leave, another injury scare, kinnear being worried about lack of money. Its all negative negative negative coming out of the club and it naturally has an impact on the fans, and i’d imagine the players too. We just need some positive news and as per usual everyone will wonder what the fuss was all about, but until then its doom and gloom, typical newcastle!
122 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Ross
Most fans were positive even in the last transfer window when the standard of players we were being linked with was far greater. Even read this from just over a year ago.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2948442,00.html
He is even quoted there as saying he wants to come. Compare that to now with Barry Ferguson and you get my point
123 Ross // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:37 AM
dan157-i remember it well, because i’m happy to admit i was one of the ones who thought arshavin was the best thing since sliced bread at the time.
haha
Fair enough no one could anticipate just how big he’d have become, but imagine watching him put in those performances at the Euro’s knowing he was a newcastle player. To have a playmaker like him at our disposal week in week out would be fantastic.
i say week in week out, no doubt he’d have picked up one of our trademark injuries
124 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:42 AM
We had the chance to sign Diarra for 5.8 million last year as well, even had a bid accepted but Allardyce was sacked the same day and it fell through. The Luka Modric thing was so close as well but Spurs nipped in at the las minute. Elano was a choice for Fat sam but he chose Smith.
A lot of opportunities were missed to assemble a squad and now with Ashley losing 2/3 of his fortune the most we can bid for a player is £3-4 million.
125 dan // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Does anyone else think City wanting Given for £8M is just rediculous.
They are supposidly the richest club in the world and similar keepers like Buffon and Casillas are worth about £30m.
If they want to build a fantasy team and money is no object we should milk them for everything we can get and Given is a ‘top 4′ keeper with at least 5 years in him.
Imagine the players we could buy for £30M.
126 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:45 AM
Well we wouldn’t get £30 million, 12 at most i think. I remember watching us spend £50 million a few years ago however we had the misfortune of it being at the disposal of Fat Freddy and Graeme Souness.
127 RyanToon // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:53 AM
ive heard we could be signing barry ferguson tommorow
128 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:55 AM
RyanToon
I know it’s heart breaking isn’t it. That is how low we have gone.
129 RyanToon // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:57 AM
its so annoying, but from what me mates have heard he will be at the training ground tommorow
130 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:01 AM
The Guardian have just done another story about it. I posted it above. At the training ground tomorrow? Well I’m still praying it’s not true but if i see him driving up to the little benton training ground with David Craig stood there then i’ll know it’s true.
131 RyanToon // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:02 AM
given
beye coloccini bassong taiwo
jonas guthrie ferguson duff
martins owen
probably just sign two players IMO
132 RyanToon // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:04 AM
well its wat me mates have heard, there pissed off bout it, i suppose well see 2moz, im off now, be bac k on here 2moz for more gossip ha ha
133 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Ferguson is too slow as are Duff and Owen in that team. You have only got Martins and Jonas that can run from the midfield and up front.
134 Dan157 // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Good night.
135 Partizan // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Wow…talk about debts,check this out!
http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/01/07/1048072/new-report-reveals-massive-debts-in-la-liga
136 toonoholic // Jan 8, 2009 at 3:56 AM
It has been reported that Mike Ashley has developed hearing problems recently. There are speculations that keegan and ashley last had a debatable conversation regarding ashley going to a bar with underage girls. In the end keegan said, he did rather get to a disco.
The next day ashley signed xisco.
Recently kinnear told ashley,
we sold em milner , lets get barry fer good son!
rest is history.
137 Rohan // Jan 8, 2009 at 4:58 AM
It really is amazing how quickly this year has passed. Around this time last year we were wrapped up in the euphoria of Keegans return, now we are wondering wether Barry Ferguson will be signing…
138 Zangwill // Jan 8, 2009 at 6:34 AM
Good news for him and Newcastle
139 The Entertainers // Jan 8, 2009 at 7:50 AM
I dont understand the Ferguson signing.
He appears to be injury prone, the wrong side of 30, and past his best.
Even his best was prehaps never good enough for the PL.
He just does not fit the ‘Ashley signing’ mould.
The only thing i’m hoping is that the papers normally get it massively wrong with Newcastle and i’m hoping there way off the mark on this one too,
140 lesh // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Doocey // Jan 8, 2009 at 0:56
……… Btw a signing is immenent at Newcastle…..
Is Doocey David Craig by another name?
141 The Entertainers // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:28 AM
The Smith / Mido is the worst made up story i’ve ever heard.
Seriously, Mido to Newcastle.
Clearly the journo’ has completely forgotten all the abuse from the idiots in our crowd for 2 seasons running!
I can believe that Boro may be interested in Smith, but the Mido side of the story is pure fantasy from the idiot with the laptop and a contract with the Sun!
Take a bow Mr Shaun Curtis, your the winner of the ‘I’ve got nothing new on Newcastle, so i’ll make it up’ award.
SCUM!
142 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:43 AM
I second that The Enterainers. As soon as i saw that i story i laughed. According to every newspaper in the country is saying every player is leaving including me and i work in a call center ffs thats how bad it is. the footy xfer news in the Sun is that bad if you wiped your arse with it there would be more shite on your arse than the bloody paper
143 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:50 AM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WCXdlxZ5RiM
144 The Entertainers // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:50 AM
The problem with The Sun is although are a national newspaper, they do like to regionalise their back page.
So the back page in Newcastle will be different to the one in London.
As we are a 1 club city, they have no choice but to print about Newcastle United everyday. The club keep such a tight ship regarding news these days the journo’s are making up more and more rubbish.
Mr Curtis is clearly a talented writer, its just a shame he works for the Sun and not fictional novels, he’d make a mint.
145 Nick // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Smith is appallingly poor. It’s time he realised we should not be a charity for useless players who can’t score , make goals and have an IQ in double figures only.
146 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:02 AM
In a way am glad the london dont see the storys they print about us cus they would have a right laugh at us even more than they are doing now. But saying that we would probs laugh at the storys they print about the london clubs. Am suprised the storys they print actually makes it on to the paper its self.
147 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:04 AM
I read the sun version a peed my pants laughing so much.
I want to email abuse to the writer at the sun becasuse only an idiot would come up with that sh!t!!!!!
Considering we were racially abusing mido (apparently) the chances of him coming to the toon is so doubtful!!!!
Bollox
148 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:05 AM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KG7e_yBbTTc
Where it all began.
Have you lot signed anyone yet??
149 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:12 AM
http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/01/08/kinnear-may-land-ferguson-for-3m-61634-22639354/
Our first signing = possibly maybe not
150 Ian // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Mido to Newcastle would be a brilliant move considering our lack of spending.
We definately have a quality striker problem, Viduka brilliant but never available, Owen could go out at any time with an injury, our best striker by miles Martins with a niggly injury may have problems for the rest of the season and only Ameobi left, Mido is similar in play to Martins, the opposition have to keep players back as he is a danger on the counter which takes a little of the pressure of the back four and midfield, he scores but provides a lot of assists which is good for the last months Owen is here but also ties in well with the way Martins plays.
If Mido was on a two year plus deal it takes a lot of the pressure off signing an Owen replacement in the Summer, if Mido and Martins link up well and Mido settles they could be our front two so all we need sign is a reliable back up, or see if Nile Ranger could fill the position.
Mido is an excellent player who could do a job for us for one or two seasons, let him rebuild his career with us and if he wants to move on let him go dont get in to battles with him like other clubs have, we could turn a profit with him, I think he realises his career is slipping and has something to prove, Southgate was a fool not to keep playing him when he was on top form early in the season, Mido earned a permanent start.
The Mido move sounds to clever for us, we will probably sell Smith and buy no-one.
151 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:17 AM
I cant believe for one second that mido would sign for you lot after all the racist abuse he got from your fans.
Anyway, he is useless. He is very lazy and has a weight problem. I was delighted when spurs got rid of him.
152 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:18 AM
AO you not froze ya t!ts off yet? hows the book coming along?
153 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:19 AM
hammy14- the book is coming along nicely. shall i put you down for a signed copy?
154 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:21 AM
AO – whats the book? How to talk bollox and pi$$ off people???
155 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Just heaing that newcastle have accepted an offer of 9 million for shay given from city, I was hoping we would get him.
156 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Barton could be off to portsmouth. Not sure that is a good signing for them. Has kinnear been promised money from the sales of his squad. If not you could be in a bit of bother!
157 TooKing // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Well to be honest Mido is no good but he’s still better then Smudger….Mido at least scores a few but he too is very injury prone.
158 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Prone to getting mistaken as a shoe bomber too (allegedky) ha ha. Sorry bout that.
159 TooKing // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:28 AM
If we do sell Shay for a good price but the money is not released for transfer i’ll burn down St James park.
160 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:29 AM
AO nah thanks mate as am jus asuming ‘ my life from the speciman jar ‘ would jus be a lot of scribble cover in pi55 stains nd plus i read enough shiite about the toon anyways. so am ok matey
)
161 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:30 AM
toon graeme- well done pal. Newcastle fans have been bleating about how the chants werent racist and denied the shoe bomber comments were made. Then a fool like you just goes to prove that there are idiots at newcastle who would make those comments and do find them funny. What an ignorant fool you are.
162 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Tooking – burning the ikon that is SJP is a bit drastic. Can you you just track down the London head office a torch that tw&t instead.
No that I condone such violence – except in extreme circumstances.
Getting bored of all the england cricket balls on all sports news channels. SSN have an articel coming up on a double sided bat — oooooh exciting!
163 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:31 AM
hammy14- haha. great title.
164 Toon Graeme // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:33 AM
AO – Yawn mate. You a fine one to talk. Sol Campbell ring a bell.
165 Ian // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:34 AM
There are whispers that Wise is either demoted or about to be demoted to the academy only, doesnt sound good for the transfer window.
166 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:34 AM
AO it depends what define funny i suppose cus theres a lot of lefty PC morons that take a joke into a form of abuise as when we the pi55 is taken out of everyone not just certain aspects of socaity and thats also me saying aswell that who ever racially abuised mido is the product of cousions marrying each other and it ruins the imiage of the clubd and game.
167 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Make the most of your remaining time on here A.O
your card is marked.
168 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:47 AM
toon graeme- i dont find the abuse directed at sol funny.
169 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Be glad to see the back of you to be honest,proper pain in the ass.
170 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Glad you like it AO jus though it be a good reflection of your life as it your autobiography
am sure you agree?
171 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:51 AM
sirjasontwit- haha. have you gone running to ed , you little baby. how childish can you get. 34 years old and you are running to ed because you are made to look stupid when you try to get involved in arguments with me.
Oh well. I have about 200 + computers i can use at work so logging on under a new name shouldnt be a problem.
Really cant believe how childish and pathetic you are. hahahaha.
172 TooKing // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:52 AM
just frustrated Toon Graeme, i don’t mean it.
But if i ever see Ashley around St James i’m sure to drop a rotten tomato on him.
173 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:52 AM
hammy14-without giving you to much praise i did find it amusing.
174 StevieA // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Can’t see Mido getting past security at the airport
(due to the look-a-like thing with Richard Reid)
Seriously though if he had the right frame of mind and the right attitude then yes swapping Smith for Mido would be a good deal for us. Smith just hasn’t captured the form he is capable of and needs a fresh start I think, he is not going to be a first team player at Newcastle anymore.
175 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:56 AM
I don’t think I am the only one A.O.
You really have gone out of your way to spoil this blog for everyone and it aint going to be tolerated.
So like I said enjoy your remaining days.
176 tim krul // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Mido is quality!
177 TooKing // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:57 AM
If Harry manages to sign Downing then Bentley is sure to be axed from Spurs, i think he might be worth a punt, we could put him back to his natural position as a right winger as Jonas is naturally a left winger and he plays much better on the left.
I reckon we could get Bentley for around 8 Mil.
178 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:57 AM
you priase a geordie dont change a habit will you lol. Sirjasontoon im sure he is partical to a pain in the arse dont get him to excited lol
179 BATTY // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:00 AM
SIRJASONTOON THE GRASS
180 BATTY // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:03 AM
AO GOT MORE LOYALTEY THAN ALOT ON HERE FOR HIS TEAM .SELL GIVEN SELL OWEN SELL ZOG SELL GEREMI YEAH SELL FCKIN ALL OUR PLAYERS AND BUY SHITE
181 Karltoon // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM
LIKE SPURS
182 tim krul // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM
sirjasontoon- you are pathetic. I for one enjoy the banter. It is dicks like you that start arguments with AO. AO makes a few snidey commemts but is people on here like you that start with the jew hating and the stabbing comments. i dont normally post but your childish grassing him up to ed has wound me up.
get a life sirjasontoon.
183 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Yawn…another wind up merchant.
184 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Batty what are you on mate i think you have gone a bit ‘ Batty ‘
185 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:07 AM
btw how is Sirjasontoon a grass?
186 Karltoon // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I assume he must tell on people..
187 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Another Muppett Ed..probably A.O. on 1 of his 200 computers.
Ban.
188 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Becasuse I let A.O know he is soon to be banned.
189 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:11 AM
i no that lol but what has he grassed about and on who?
190 BATTY // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:11 AM
SIRJASON TOON DO U KNOW OUT ABOUT COMPUTERS AND IP ADDRESSES GOT TEN PAGES FULL MUPPET
191 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:11 AM
sirjasontoon- grass!
192 Karltoon // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I dont think we could get Bentley like.. Think he still thinks he’s alot more prolific than what he’s shown.
193 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:13 AM
So Enjoy his company while you can lads…I am sure we will all get over the loss very quickly.
SJT
194 AO // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:14 AM
hammy14- because i make sirjasontoon feel like the insignificant twerp he is he has emailed ed to get me banned after prompting from beythegreat.
As i will make this my last post i would just like to wish you well for the season and i hope and pray that one day the police find the unsuitable images on sirjasontoons computer.
195 bowburnmag // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:16 AM
It appears Smudger is kicking off about this now. Of course The Sun are reporting he’s allegedly kicking off about what could be just pure and utter conjecture. So one paper could be making something up and another writing a story about the consequences when in actual fact, none of it has happened Don’t you love the rags and the fact it’s impossible to know what to believe anymore?
196 Karltoon // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM
BATTY – If you’re such a whizz on computers have a look for your pi55ing caps lock key.. It’s usually between ’shift’ and ‘tab’.
Batty & AO – If you’re going to insult people and/or try to belittle them, at least do so with correct spelling and use of grammar. Otherwise you’re constantly leaving yourselves open for mildly witty and patronising responses. Such as this.
197 BarmyArmy // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:22 AM
SSN: 7.23 Newcastle forward Alan Smith is reported to be unimpressed by plans which would see him move to Middlesbrough as part of a swap deal for Mido, according to The Sun.
Yeh because I bet Mido would love to come to SJP after all the “abuse” that he started crying about!
198 HAMMY14 // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Fair do AO but you have to admit that you do wind him up sumit cornic. Me personally i think your posts are amusing and us lot can rip it out of you. But with you being a spuds fan you do go on how ‘great ‘ you lot are we say thesame about the toon difference is tho is that we are all fans of the same club. You have to admit that you stir it so do expect a reaction
199 sirjasontoon™ - Let's Riot // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Yup he will be sorely missed.
BAN.
200 Piers // Jan 8, 2009 at 12:59 PM
For flucks sake let him go!
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