Some good news today is that Joe Kinnear will have 5 new players to choose from, that he didn’t have available to him a short 8 days ago.
Oba Martins – to start up front with Andy Carroll?
New signings Ryan Taylor and Kevin Nolan will be available of course, and Oba Martins, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka have all trained well this week, with no repercussions of their injuries.
All three will be included in the squad for the vital game at WBA, where a win would do a lot to calm Newcastle fans’ nerves, that’s for sure.
Joe talked today about the squad for Saturday:
“Oba, Smudge and Dukes have all trained well this week and were out there this morning at St.James’,”
“I expect them all to take some part in Saturday’s game, all I’ve got to decide is if it’s from the start or from the bench.”
“I’d probably say Oba is the closest to starting and I’ll have another look at him on Friday.”
“It’s a massive boost having them back and you can sense an increase in the intensity of the training.”
“They are top-quality players and having them, as well as Ryan Taylor and Kevin Nolan, join in this week has really lifted spirits.”
The interesting choice will be who Martins is paired up front with, and certainly Andy Carroll looks in the best form at the moment, as Shola looked way off the pace last Sunday.
And we know the Carroll – Martins partnership has looked good in the past.
We’d like to think our terrible results of the last 8 games will come to an end, now that we have 3 new signings and some of our injured players coming back.
But the proof the pudding is in the eating, and the lads still have to do a good job on Saturday to capture all 3 points.
But at the very least we know Joe will have many more options than he’s had over the last month.
Now if only we can keep these players fit through the end of the season.
Comments welcome.
226 comments so far
RyanToon
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Comment #1la la la la mark viduka!
oba obafem obafemi martins
come on smith lol
RyanToon
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Comment #2is kevin picking the team? surely keegan aint back is he? lol
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Comment #3Dont get me wrong I am happy that we have the lads back, especially Oba.
My problem is, depending on how the game is going, will JFK make the right tactical change with enough time to effect the game.
If Oba doesnt start, who does he start upfront. Carroll & Smith or Carroll & Loven.
I still say we should go guns blazing at 4 3 3 but cant see that happening – not with JFK
Ed Harrison
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Comment #4Looks like I still have Kevin Keegan on the brain – changed it 😀
MarkO
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Comment #5What MA has to do before the start of does next season :
Get rid of Derek Llambias and bring in a chairman that knows about football
Bring in Huub Stevens as manager
Release the big wage earners and replace them with players like Bassong
Invest more money in the youth system
Spend all transfer funds or at least make them available.
Ed Harrison
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Comment #6I like 4-3-3 too … we have 5 strikers fit now.
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Comment #7MarkO,
Who is Huub Stevens when he is at home like?
Pons Aelius
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Comment #8Thank God our best player is coming back!
With Martins up front maybe we can start climbing the table!
ronaldeano
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Comment #9I hope Martins comes back with a bang and scores a few screamers like tho one he scored to sink spurs!
What a goal that was!
I bet spurs wish they had him in their relegation scrap, because their strikers are not even a pimple on Oba’s arse! :p
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Comment #10Ed – I love 4 – 3 – 3 too. Goes well with the terrace chant – “Get into them F**k them up!”.
If JFk uses it I will probably pass out. But no fear of that. Unless…. nah. Never happen.
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Comment #11Martins has to start. He is a loose cannon and can create chances for himself. Very important when you dont get much service from the midfield.
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Comment #12I think Nolan will be better this match. He will have had time to learn and settle in with our team. Step up fella. Still gutted about Barton being crocked. Not bothered re MO.
Wigaz
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Comment #13Fantastic news Ed! you’ve cheered me up brother. I think Oba will shine big time whilst crocker is out AGAIN. Although he’s only out for 2 more games isn’t he? screw it if Oba’s banging em in leave MO on the bench. Team vs Wbrom:
========Harper========
STaylor=Colo==Bassong=Enrique
RTaylor=Butt==Nolan==Duff/Loven
========Oba====Carroll=====
bring Dukes on about 70mins or smith give em a decent run out but i dont think Carroll should lose his spot just coz their back.
ronaldeano
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Comment #14Agreed Wigaz
Carrol should start with Oba, Ameobi shouldent even travel
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Comment #15Wigaz agreed.
What we have been lacking is the strength in substitutions. Now we have ‘options’ and hopefully by 70 mins we are in comfy winning position so get some of the sicknotes back out for a jog on the pitch.
craig s chisholm
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Comment #16wigaz, for me we should put nolan in the hole, its perfect for him.
Wigaz
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Comment #17Good shout Craig! I do think we’ll see Nolan get forward a lot more in this game as him & butt have had a bit more time to sus out how each other play & not to mention havin ryan taylor who can help out defence wise will be great. I’m actually looking forward to it. We just need a nice little winning run of about 3 games to create a gap & pull us out of it.
Toon Graeme
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Comment #18Enrique to have a good game down the wing.
Jonas can put his feet up as he needs the break. We got international break then its everton home.
That will be an interesting match.
Cant call that one – but its wba first and its game by game now!
mozza
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Comment #19jfk never changes it quick enough for me, it always with about 5 mins to go when he uses his subs, i dont’t want to see smith play or ameobi
Joseph
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Comment #20How the hell do you get a nickname like smudge anyway
MarkO
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Comment #21Huub Stevens is the former PSV manager Toon Graeme
Our team:
Krul
S. Taylor–Colo–Bassong–Enrique
LuaLua–Nolan–Butt–Loven
Oba–Carroll
NepToon
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Comment #22Kevin Keegan was banned from driving for six months today, after a court heard his head was in “turmoil” after a meeting with NUFC bosses.
The former Newcastle manager was given a £750 fine with £35 costs and a £15 surchage for doing 36mph in a 30pmh zone on the A69 in Corby Hill, in Cumbria, on August 27 last year.
Keegan, who did not attend today’s hearing, already had nine points on his licence.
A statement – described in court as being from his partner was read out to Carlisle Magistrates which said: “He had just come out of a very stressful meeting with Newcastle United Football Club and his head was in turmoil.
“He is an excellent driver.”
In a statement, Keegan himself said: “The A69 is a very difficult road in terms of speed restrictions because it continually changes.”
Kevin Keegan left his post as team boss on Thursday 5 September last year after falling out with the club’s hierarchy.
durhammag
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Comment #23Really hope he keeps the faith with Carroll. I have said it before but the only way this lad is going to get better is by having a decent run of games. A goal against the Baggies will do wonders for his confidence. Hope JFK doesn’t ditch him at the first glimpse of Owen’s return
MAG PIE
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Comment #24…………………..Harper…………………..
Taylor(S) Coloccini Bassong Enrique
Taylor(R)………Butt………….Duff……
……………………Nolan…………………….
…………Carrol…………..Martins………..
Tom_Toon
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Comment #25MarkO – You are probably the only Newcastle fan that would want Huub Stevens if they were informed about him.
HE IS THE MOST DEFENSIVE MANAGER EVER! He makes Fat Sam’s teams look like Keegan’s of the mid 90’s.
MarkO
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Comment #26We can’t play Duff he is crap and this is a good game to give Krul a tryout although JFK won’t ever give him one. Also one game for LuaLua to show his skills. I mean we will easily beat the Baggies with Oba back so give those two a go.
brownrob
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Comment #27Looks like Keegan has been banned from driving for 6 months…
Looks like he threw away another 12 points! 😀
Geordiedoonsooth
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Comment #28After all the sh*t flying around about the Toon I don’t give a f*ck anymore or do Yes I do I can’t help it their in my blood. Come on you black & white so & so’s lets get 3 points.
MarkO
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Comment #29Yes, but at the moment we need a steady manager that will win us games and he is that.
Alex
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Comment #30—————-Harper————–
S Taylor–Colo–Bassong—Enrique
R Taylor——-Nolan———Duff
Martins——Carroll——-Lovenkrands
THis team would tear WBA defence apart , Altough they play good football their defence is poor and cant handle pace . Lets let Martins & Lovey loose on them , Carroll is starting to look like the CF we need
Ben_BKK
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Comment #31Alex – I was thinking of a formation like that, I think it would work well, especially as Lovenkrands has similar pace to Martins, and they can both speed around Carroll and cause the defence havoc. At least, that’s what I’d hope they would do…
Troy Stavers
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Comment #32GENUINELY SORRY FOR PUTTING THIS ON ANOTHER THREAD! FOR THOSE WHO’VE READ IT OBVIOUSLY SKIP PAST.
THOSE WHO HAVEN’T PLEASE READ EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS.
Dear Mr. Ashley,
I am a life long Newcastle United supporter and would like you to know how I feel about the way the club is being currently run.
I do not have the resources to have the privilege of owning such a great North Eastern institution, which represents the hopes and dreams of many thousands of individuals in the region.
However, you do.
I am not going to go into great depth, of what I would like to see happen to the club but I will make it succinct and to the point;
Please use your staff efficiently, make them do their homework between each transfer window to identify suitable targets which are going to enhance and improve our first team. I say first team because at this moment in time that must take priority above long term youth policies.
By doing this, once the window opens, your well prepared staff will be able to put their plans into place, make a realistic bid and have a full transfer window to negotiate.
However, this is what appears to have happened since you and your staff have been at the club;
In the preceding weeks to the window opening, your recruiting staff remain absolutely silent whilst your team manager, whether it be Keegan or Kinnear, inform the fans that players will be bought and the fans will be suitably pleased. They reassure the fans the recruiting staff have a plan to buy the targets which will improve the team.
What happens next?
The window opens and speculation mounts, fans expectations are raised but nothing happens. Fans become bemused, frustrated, angry and expect to have information from your staff as to the transfer situation. The weeks go by without any activity yet games are being played with a severely under strength squad and we continue to struggle at the foot of the table without gaining valuable points which may save us from relegation. It always comes to the final weekend of the window and no transfers have been made. The only information comes from the manager who has to speak on behalf of the recruitment team and in hindsight, have clearly been misguided by the recruitment team. Keegan and Kinnear have both spoken on tv to explain why our best talent is being sold, i.e. Milner, n’Zogbia and Given, but the recruitment team will replace them with the money they receive, with quality signings which will improve our team.
The result:
We sell our best talent on the final weekend of the window before making any buys ourselves. The buys we finally bring in are clearly cheaper, less talented and unproven in the premiership.
There have been four windows since you took charge and so far you have made approximately £10m profit on transfer dealings. Our team has steadily dropped further down the league and has spent most of this season either within or perilously close to the drop zone.
The last window closed a few days ago and you have made an 8m profit having sold two established premiership stars and brought in a striker who had to have a trial before given a contract until the end of the season, a player who had lost his place in another relegation rival and a young player who was relatively unknown who cost nothing.
Yes there were reports of the club making half a dozen large bids for star players, strangely all made on the final day of the window. This has happened on each of the four transfer windows you have been at the helm, however on each occasion, we are repeatedly rebuffed by their respective clubs.
Finally, Mr. Ashley, I want you to know that I understand about the world financial crisis and the major impact this has had on your own personal financial fortune. However, the way I see it is, if things remain the same, this great club which you own financially and thousands own spiritually will slip back to sleep like it did in the early 80s and was kindly woken by your predecessor Sir John Hall in the early 90s.
Let us not forget, you are not the only one suffering financially. Many thousands within our region have been forced to sell their houses because, like you bought big in the boom but when the bust came, they had to sell up and take a loss. Many of those, I am sure, could have remained in their houses and tried to get through the hard times but it would have meant their family going without. Their children who have no influence on the situation would have suffered greatly. For that reason, those home owners have sold up and moved on to pastures new. Unfortunately they are the hard facts of biting off more than you can chew.
I now plead with you to take a long hard look at your situation and take the actions which those home owners have had to take. To sell up to a buyer who will pay a realistic price, even if it means you lose a substantial amount of money. Luckily for you, this is not your home, your kids won’t suffer. You need never come back to Newcastle again. Due to the lack of time you spend here anyway it would not be a hardship. You would still have many hundreds of millions in your bank. More money than the 50 thousand fans could muster together.
I hope this letter has made you think about how I feel and hope it influences your future decision to sell up.
Please reply to this letter if you feel it warrants it.
Kind regards,
Troy Stavers
Toon_Ksk (Huh? u mean David Craig is real?)
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Comment #33Troy, you attention-whore, find an alternative way to send your message across.
Bosck
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Comment #34joseph, smudge is a common nickname for people with smith as their surname
Troy Stavers
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Comment #35I spent a bit of time on that, im gonna get my money’s worth. lol
by the way brownrob, class joke!
ToonAce
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Comment #36We should be able to win a game now that Charles Insomnia and his attitude has gone!!!
JFK has gotta go 4-3-3 from the start!
Archie Mag
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Comment #37lol brownrob
Tom_Toon
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Comment #38Troy – Stop polluting the threads, I want to take about something remotely related to the topic, not get into a Ashley debate.
MickMack
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Comment #39Troy – Just Stop it! Stop it NOW!
Apologising before you paste it again – doesnt make it ok. Its like me saying “No Offence Troy””But you are a Tw*t”. You would still be offended. Not saying you are one like – you are probably a very sound chap.
DevonMag
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Comment #40brownrob, very good 🙂