It turns out that if Kevin Nolan needed any advice to join Newcastle he got it from one of our great midfielders of seasons gone by – the great Gary Speed.
Gary Speed – while at Bolton Wanderers
Speed – who of course played under Sir Bobby Robson and helped Newcastle reach the Champions League, was apparently more than quick to advise Nolan just what potential that still lies on Tyneside, whatever the doom and gloom merchants keep saying.
And we just have to put a quote up from the great Uncle Bobby when he was at the club, and was talking about Gary Speed – Bobby said:
“We’ve got great speed in the team, not just Gary Speed, but great speed!”
Oh, the ways Bobby used words was magic to the ears. 😀
Nolan told the Evening Chronicle today:
“I’m very good friends with Gary Speed. He rang me and asked me if I was OK, and if I needed anything.”
“He said it was a great club, and that it’s got a special place in his heart.”
“I’ve heard him talking about it in the past, and it was a no-brainer when they came in for me.”
“It’s a good challenge for me.”
Nolan can’t wait to play against Sunderland tomorrow and he will be delighted to now have the Toon Army on his side, for a change:
“You’re always fighting the 12th man – the fans.” “You’re always playing against them. Being 50,000, you do hear it.”
“You always try and block it out. I can’t remember having too many good times.”
“I hope that everyone else who comes to St James’ Park finds it that way, and you just ask the fans to make it as intimidating as possible.”
“Especially from now until the end of the season, when we know we’re in a battle.”
”We’ve got to make sure we go from strength to strength.” “We’ve got to start going in the right direction.”
“The fans can make a big difference, without a shadow of a doubt.” “I know all about the Toon Army, and I’ve heard all about them since I’ve been here.”
“That’s the only thing I’ve heard, how great the fans are.” “We know the atmosphere’s going to be great on derby day.”
“We just hope they can keep that going until the end of the season.”
“I’m sure they will, because of what I’ve heard and seen.” “This is going to be a little bit bigger than a Lancashire derby.”
“There will be a lot more people there, and it’s a bit more do-or-die than it is there – no disrespect.” “It’s one I’m looking forward to. ”
This lad is already talking like a captain of the club, and he will be a strong candidate to replace Michael Owen once Owen departs in the summer, and most fans will welcome the vocal Liverpool lad as the new leader on Tyneside.
Kevin has given a spark already to lots of Newcastle fans, who are little short of delighted to see such a fighter with spirit arrive on Tyneside, at the same time as one of our children, N’Zogbia moves out of the club.
The game tomorrow now has a little extra spice for Newcastle fans with Nolan playing, but we desperately need all 3 points and if we can do that by 3:30 pm tomorrow afternoon, we’ll be able to celebrate indeed.
Because then we’ll be in with some kind of a chance of actually winning our fight against relegation.
And don’t anybody believe that relegation would be a blessing in disguise, because in truth it would be an absolute disaster for the Newcastle club.
Comments welcome.
366 comments so far
Dragonera
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Comment #81Can we have a weekend where we are not tracking Spurs’ performances…please.
shearer4pm
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Comment #82the people up there moaning cus stoke beat mancity,
our premier league survival cannot be held in the hands of other results, we got ouselfs into this(1 way or another) and we now have to get ourselfs out of it, stoke beat mancity well done stoke, it doesnt mean we are worse than stoke cus we lost to man city, 2 totally different sets of results, nout to compare, we need to stop making excuses already and get behind the team, i believe that we can do it, but seems like some people on ere have already given up tbh
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Comment #83Can anyone actually believe that we still haven’t sold all the tickets for tomorrows match?
Think that shows the dissapointment for the fans at the minute
AussieToon
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Comment #84Who gives a flying feck about Spurs?
We should be worrying about us, not them.
As for us, if we don’t improve our squad significantly this window, we will go down and it will be Ashleys fault, not injuries, not lack of form, definitely not the supporters, it will be 100% Mike Ashleys fault.
leekirtley
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Comment #85tommorow we will push scumland into the bottom 3 nolan to score first nufc to win 2-0 100-1 on paddy power
leekirtley
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Comment #86i know stuart but aswell its on t.v n alot of ppl r struggling £££
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Comment #87Leekirtley- That shouldn’t matter, it’s the Mackems man!
I think it will still be a sell out but in the past I couldn’t have imagined it taking this long to sell out.
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Comment #88New article and a nice reminder on my site for all Toon fans 😀
Taylor is costing £1.5m and Wigan are signing Insomnia or are we getting £6m and P/E?
toonoholic
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Comment #89commons scored against coventry.
if nzogbia goes we shld try and get him.
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Comment #90Least Hull are winning!
1-0
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Comment #91Doocey- Do you just come on here to advertise your site?
Ed won’t be happy trying to nick all his punters!!! lol
toonoholic
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Comment #92stuart so are bolton and fulham against totenham and portsmouth.
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Comment #93If N’Zogbia goes?
N’Zogbia’s good as gone 😀
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Comment #94Stuart no!
I don’t go posting links do I?
I’m on here all the time because I’m a massive Toon fan and Ed’s site is teh best Newcastle site around 😀
toonjerry
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Comment #95Hopefully smoggies and big sams mob will be a draw.Has anyone heard anything today about potential transfers.
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Comment #96Doocey – Calm down son!
Only jokin ya….
Anyway wha about this Veloso? Your mate got any other info on him?
I cannot see it happening like…
We need some other signings if Ashley is making an appearance.
Although on his past history he might think that Nolan signing is ‘wow signing’ and think all is forgotton
Simo
Jan 31, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Comment #97Surely we must of made an approach for Saviola!?
I would expect Taylor plus 2 more!!
BigB75
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Comment #98Man City now are going to give us 15mil for Given.
Norn Iron Magpie
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Comment #99Taylor signed yet?
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Comment #100I hope for 2 more.
And I certainly hope Ashley thinks Nolan is the ‘wow’ signing. He’s in for some shock if he does!!
toooooonfan
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Comment #101Taylor move fallen through
something about wages same reason wigan cant get him to sign a new deal. he’s a greedy git!
Norn Iron Magpie
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Comment #102toooooonfan
Your jokin?
pubcat
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Comment #103Nolan and Taylor are probably just the sorts of players we SHOULD be getting in!
Let’s just say in the event of a worst case scenario and we went down, I believe Nolan and Taylor would stick with us. Though I love the idea of getting Veloso, Mbia etc that is much less sure. If we can survive this season, then we can maybe think about adding the likes of a Veloso.
Mind thee, it’s still vital that we have that extra edge and flare (not that Nolan and Taylor don’t have it, but you know what I mean). I think Martins is possiibly our most important player right now.
Dragonera
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Comment #104Norn
Yes he is.
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Comment #105Corse he’s joking!
Taylor wouldn’t give up an opportunity like this up..
He’ll be getting more money here than Wigan
ziad
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Comment #106Tomorrow is really amust win! But the most important thing is that we regain a shape for our team . 2 more good signings required!!!!!!
Now lets beat the scum !
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Comment #107Has Taylor officially signed? No official website article yet anyways
toonoholic
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Comment #108does anyone know what wages nolan is on ?
toooooonfan
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Comment #109i’ve got a mate who works as a cleaner down at the training ground in wigan
said he saw taylor and his agent having a heated discussion and said that taylor was saying something along the lines of “they wont pay it, they wont pay it”
my mate is a wind up merchant but he said he was serious on this one
toonjerry
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Comment #110I think they may be just concentrating on the game tommorow and we wont find out much untill monday.I really hope they get someone worthy
Doocey
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Comment #111Nolan is on £55,000 a week.
Dragonera
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Comment #112toooooonfan
You are a liar and an attention seeker. Don’t be a sheep, avoid the bandwagon at all costs…
toonoholic
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Comment #113maybe they were talking about nzogbia not agreeing a fees with wigan ?
and so the deal fell out and agent was saying newcastle wont pay cash for him ?
toonoholic
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Comment #11455k ouch thats a lot . sell geremi now !
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Comment #115Would’nt it be fantastic if he is paraded him before kick off with Veloso and someone that we did’nt know was coming or Saviola.
Hold up. Is that a Rice Crispy up my nose? Must have dosed off there for a second
sirjasontoon
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #116Alex Toon..you seem to have “nobs” on the brain..you confused lad ? well you have come to the right place,theres a Tool on here called A.O/NANDO,FERNANDO/TROOPER..you will get all the “nob”you like from him.
Alanmc09
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #117We should have a wage cap like arsenal!!no gunners player getz ova 80,000 a week!!
So dat means fabregas gets dat much and owen gets 100,000…….AMAZING
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #118tooooonfan- Ya mate must have bloody good hearing and even better sight as Taylor has been in Newcaslte all morning having a medical.
Nolan on 55k a week! I thought we’d stopped paying people more than 30k a week now?
azim
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #119oh no…hull 1-1 wba.worrying signs
Stuart79
Jan 31, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #120Basta*d WBA have equalised!