It’s very likely that Newcastle will sign a couple of players from the lower leagues in England this summer.
Danny Graham – 25 year-old Gateshead born striker
And there is a report from Sky Sports this afternoon that Newcastle are interested in Watford striker Danny Graham, who is 25 years old and was born where?
In Gateshead of course, the same place as a certain Andrew Carroll, which is just across the River Tyne from Newcastle.
Graham was brought up in Leam Lane in Gateshead and went to Heworth Grange Comprehensive School, and he played once for the England U20 side back in 2005.
The 6’1″ Geordie has finished the season as the top scorer in the Championship with 24 goals, and of course last season Andy scored a good 19 goals while playing in the Championship last season, and proceeded to notch 11 goals in the Premier League before the end of last year.
Graham was also chosen in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, for his exploits this seaosn.
Graham started his career with Middlesbrough back in 2003, and was sent out on loan to Darlington, Derby County, Leeds United Blackpool and Carlisle before signing permanently for Carlisle in 2007. He played 20 times for Middlesbrough with two goals between 2004 an 2006.
In July of 2009 he finally joined Walford, and in 98 games in the last couple of seasons he has scored a decent 41 goals, albeit in England’s second division, and in his career so far, Danny has played 286 club games and scored 86 goals.
Sky Sports is reporting that the Magpies have been keeping close tabs on him and scouting reports on him have apparently been positive.
It will be a huge risk if Newcastle sign the Geordie 25 year-old – turns 26 in August – since he is completely untested at the highest levels, and seems to have been a bit of a journeyman player until he joined Watford.
And Newcastle have to be very careful that they don’t just go for cheaper players who may not have the necessary class or skill to make it on Tyneside.
We can just see the headlines that Newcastle replace Andy Carroll with £3.5M signing – that’s a guess at the fee – but he was born in the same place as Andy Carroll.
It would be ironic if Danny was indeed signed to replace another Gateshead born striker – the £35M Andrew Carroll – who is now plying his trade at Liverpool – when he’s fit and is already a full England International.
We have not seen this player play, so it’s hard to offer any real view on how good he is, or could become, so if any readers have seen him, they may like to comment on what he’s like.
Comments welcome.
135 comments so far
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 8:56 AM
Comment #121last season when we went down n we hardly bought anyone was the perfect time to blood 6 or 7 youngsters into the team but no everyone said this seasons to important, then we get promoted n pre season comes tavernier n vukic r class but then season starts same old this season is to important n t will be the same next year manu produce at least 3 or 4 a year every year
daneevz
May 12, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Comment #122I hear a lot regarding a new takeover with sum1 offering ashley £250+m and could be within nxt 2 weeks?? any news lads Ed?
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Comment #123its no good signing these kids like moyo on a 4 year deal, vukic on a 5 year deal n not seeing them emerge untill theyve 6month left on there contract
i mean look at lualua down to his last year was outstanding at brighton yet they still aint signed him up, ferguson won player of the month for march hes down to his last year aint signed him up
players like moyo he has a hard first season coz he been injured n id expect a season to get settled but if he was in france still he wud b playing first team footie
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 9:03 AM
Comment #124dont start with the takeover talk again if all these rumours about meetings n stuff r such common knowledge it wud b in the press
daneevz
May 12, 2011 at 9:05 AM
Comment #125true … bit of a false hoper!!
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Comment #126i really dont understand ppl wanting a takeover did no one watch lord sugars programme about the way clubs are run if u did it will make u thankful we hav ashly here
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 9:13 AM
Comment #127plus ashly is a tight greedy twat according to most of u why wud he sell for 250mill when if his 5 year plan is to himself back that 100mill we owe so the club wud b debt free n in europe hopefully do u know how much he cud sell a club for that was debt free n had european footie ya talking 400/ 500mill u think he dont see that
Rotonda heights
May 12, 2011 at 9:13 AM
Comment #128Davytoon,
Maybe you answered your own question about a takeover as it seems these youngsters will never get a proper chance as we are appalling at bringing our kids through.
Glad to see beardo doing such a great job with them and he’s got them playing football, not pardwho’s long ball and percentage crosses.
davybtoon
May 12, 2011 at 9:20 AM
Comment #129rotonda – pardew is ahlys guy hand picked for the job, ashly vision is to produce our own talent like arsenal n man u n after 4 year were starting to see that talent surely ashly brief to pardew was u gotta start producing kids
lesh
May 12, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Comment #130Daneevz, it was me wot put the bid in and the reason it’s not to be announced for a couple of weeks is that they’ve got to wait til I get paid!
The Entertainers
May 12, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Comment #131Just have to agree to differ on the kids.
No way should they be looking at the first team. Some of the names mentioned have barely left school, never mind the first team!
Wenger, the apparent master of bringing on youth rarely brings kids into his first team.
Look at the players he sends out on loan season after season.
Even the fab 5 a Man U that season had been out on loan first. Beckham spending time at Preston.
Like i said Ranger is ready to be pushed and hes should be given more playing time between now and end of season no doubt. Next season i still believe he can go out on loan for the full season and get his confidence and hunger soaring!
As for Moyo etc give me a break, this is not a play station game and thankfully the managment dont respond to some of the requests on here. Theres a reserve and youth teams for a reason!
lesh
May 12, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #132Davybtoon… MA’s dropped some whoppers but better him than some investment fund!
Rotonda heights
May 12, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Comment #133Davybtoon,
I think what would help ashley get on board with people, and not wish for a takeover is if :-
1) We were either bringing through our own kids Like Moyo et al more or others like Sigthorsson for example.
2) Not have a manager continually linked to medocrity such as C.Cole, Konchesky, Reo-Coker, Bothroyd etc and who forever sings Perch’s, Smith’s and Shola’s praises.
3) Have a manager whose team plays attractive football.
Beardo really puts shearer’s ego to shame as he has no problem working his way up from the bottom.
Ericles
May 12, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Comment #134Maybe Graham has something to offer. Let us not forget the good service Alan Shoulder from a local lower team gave to our club.
Crawfordladd17
May 12, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Comment #135In
Rondon £5m
Sow £10m
N’Zogbia £8m
M’Bengue £6m
Wendt Free
Samba £7m
£36m