It’s really frustrating that Newcastle didn’t get a top striker in this summer.
Leon Best – after scoring first goal on Sunday
But once we saw Newcastle were in very late last night for FC Twente winger Bryan Ruiz, that smelled of desperation, which we pointed out in our report, and so it turned out to be.
But of course Newcastle are not exactly where we were on February 1st, one day after Andy Carroll’s sale to Liverpool, because we did add to our striker ranks in the summer.
Newcastle brought in free agent Demba Ba, so the four strikers Newcastle have to do the business at least until January are Demba Ba, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi and Leon Best.
20 year-old Nile Ranger is still around, but his career at the Magpies would appear to be over.
The two players who are now vital to Newcastle up front are new boy Demba Ba, and of course Leon Best.
Best showed in January that he can bang those goals in when he’s given a chance, and at least the positive after yesterdays’ failure to bring in a top striker, is that Leon will get another big chance at Newcastle.
And we think this lad can get the job done for Newcastle once again.
His two good goals on Sunday against Fulham got Newcastle all three points, and he knows what it’s like to score goals in front of Newcastle fans – it’s just fabulous.
And with Newcastle seemingly short again in the striker department, we look to Leon to again do the job for Newcastle, and we think he can do exactly that.
While most Newcastle fans are disappointed that a top striker did not join the club, Leon will be happy he will get his chance again at Newcastle. Take it Leon.
And now poor Alan Pardew, whose job it was to identify the players he needs, but it’s then up to LLambias and others to get them into the club, will again have to explain why his two bosses, LLambias and Ashley failed to get the job done.
At least it will be interesting, but on the positive side of things, Newcastle brought in some good talent this summer, although we lost some valuable experience in Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, and that’s a concern.
The pick of the new arrivals are probably Yohan Cabaye and Davide Santon, and we wonder if Newcastle managed to sign 20 year old Frenchman Danny Situ?
But we expect to still do quite well this season, and hope we can be in the upper half of the table come January.
Wonder what free agents are out there that Newcastle could still sign?
Comments always welcome.
93 comments so far
Mr.TooN
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Comment #1Hey i’am 1st
thornus84
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Comment #2in best we trust!! chins up lads HWTL
jimbola
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Comment #3Darnel Situ signed for Swansea!
Mr.TooN
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Comment #4i think it will be orite at least we did not panic buy any1!!!
leazes upper ( moved to the gallowgate )
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Comment #5If any of our strikers get injured we’re in trouble.but hey they’ve only had since Jan to find 1.well done fatty and dekka
mylestoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Comment #6It’s not great that we didn’t get a striker in, but i think the squad is strong and can push for top 8. Maybe in january we might get another striker in. But I dont think its doom and gloom yet. We should wait and see what happens over the next few months. Best and Ba could come really good over the next few months and we could see a rise to stardom for 1 or 2 players.
Hold your heads high lads, HWTL!!!!
leazes upper ( moved to the gallowgate )
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Comment #7At least cabaye looks a good player so not all bad
WWJBD
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Comment #8I really like Best. Hard worker and when full of confidence he scores goals for us. Ba should come good now he is back on the food diet. Shola and Lovenkrands still have some goals in them as well. Gutted Ranger is still here but maybe he will grow the f up and play football not gangsta
I feel no need to comment further on the transfers
toonruz
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Comment #9The only acceptable alteration to the Newcastle United sign on the East Stand #NUFC #Ashley
ichrisho
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Comment #10Thats sad if Best is our only hope… BA will come good… and BEST can put them away from 4 yeards… might work,,,
brotherken
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:20 AM
Comment #11can we still sign loan players? or just free agent?
geoff777
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Comment #12@brotherken
Just free agents until January 2012
davybtoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Comment #13to all u ppl planning a protest or turning ya back heres an idea, FIND A BUYER FIRST U TOOLS, its pointless trying to get rid of someone without having someone to replace why dont u use your own theory that u use for selling players with the owner
toonruz
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Comment #14brotherken
just free agents
MrToon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Comment #15Another Mr toon hey. Grrrr
SaulToon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:24 AM
Comment #16LISTEN UP ALL YOU BITCHES AND MOANERS WE HAVE TWO GOOD STRIKERS IN BEST AND BA, SO SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS IF WE DIDN’T SIGN UP ANY OTHER STRIKERS. WE ARE NOT IN THE REGIME OF SHEPARD WHO RAN US INTO THE GROUND FOR THE HOPE, HOPE, LOOK AT THE WORD, OF US WINNING SOME HARDWARE. WE ARE UNDER A NEW BOSS, ONE WHO IS A SMART BUSINESSMAN AND WILL LEAD US TO SUCCESS ONCE FFP IS ENACTED. COME JANUARY ALL YOU TW*TS WILL NO LONGER BE ASKING FOR A NEW STRIKER BC BA AND/OR BEST WILL OF ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A 15+ GOALS A SEASON STRIKER. YOU’RE ALL A BUNCH OF SPOILED BRATS USED TO BIG TRANSFERS THAT WASTE OUR BUDGET, BUT GUESS WAT THAT’S NOT HAPPENING ANYMORE SO GET USED TO IT. WE ARE NOT THE BIG CLUB WE USED TO BE AND WE WILL NOT BE FOR A WHILE SO THERE IS NO USE TO BE BITCHIN AND MOANING. ALL WE CAN DO IS BE LOYAL, LOYAL, I EMPHASIZE THIS WORD, AND SUPPORT OUR CLUB AND PLAYERS. SO INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING WHERE IS A NEW STRIKER YOU SHOULD BE CHEERING FOR OUR TEAM. THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD OF SUPPORTED THE BUDGET OF THE TEAM HAD WE SPENT ALL OF THE MONEY WE GOT IN THE TRANSFER MARKET FOR MORE THEN 2 YEARS. IT’S SAD THAT SOME YANK THAT NEEDS TO GET US AS EARLY AS 4 AM TO SUPPORT HIS TEAM IS TELLING YOU THIS, SO BUCK UP AND SUPPORT YOUR TEAM.
nick_9
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:24 AM
Comment #17really hope our attendances dont dip to much, if they do Ashley will have to put more money in to the club. Football is fickle so after a few good results they should be back.
geoff777
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Comment #18@davybtoon
How do you keep on going?
Do you shake your head … tell yourself .. “that never happened” 100 times and you memory wipes itself.
Your one deluded moron mate.
cla5hb0y68
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Comment #19On the day that Ashley failed to bring in a much needed striker, the ‘Newcastle United’ sign over the east stand is taken down. An action that can be described at best as insensitive, at worst as sheer spite.
GeordieMeerkat
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Comment #20We can sign free agents as long as they were out of contract prior to the deadline and can get a keeper on an emergency loan if required.
geoff777
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Comment #21If any one sees Stuart in here would someone paste this for him?
Stuart // May 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Haha good idea snubs.
How about this angryman, if we sign either Gervinho or Gameiro you stop posting on here.
If not I’ll stop posting
davybtoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:28 AM
Comment #22nick we stay were we r in the league they will keep coming
in a way i wish we hav an amazing season n they miss it
ronaldeano
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Comment #23Ed.. “poor Alan Pardew”!!!
He’s just a yes man paying off his gambling debts!
LewSpi
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:30 AM
Comment #24I think the initial anger and emotions for most of us has died down now, the Geordie in us will begin to shine through, because no matter what is happening at board level, you’re still gonna get behind your team on matchday and support them, it’s just the Newcastle way, it’s innate up here.
Having said that, I cant wait to see the grovelling which they make Pardew spit out at his press conference. Definitely going to have to be careful with his words.
davybtoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Comment #25geoff – i understand why ppl hate ashly so much but even u can surely see unless u hav a buyer turning your back or protests will achieve nothing, as we all kno ashly wont sell unless he makes a tidy profit
JackButler
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Comment #26Lets hope that AP give’s Best a good run now, how long is Sholla out for?
Cardboy
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Comment #27Disappointing to say the least. Is that MAN U lad still a loan option? Time for some of the younger lads to grow up fast, and we do have some great ones breaking through. HWTL
LewSpi
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #28Could be worse guys, we could be Everton.
davybtoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #29n theres no point in not turning up this season we all hav our tickets now so jus support the lads n lets a hav a great season
kingkev9
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #30Davey- how do you do it? How do you just continue to ignore everything that Ashley has done and is doing to the club?! Do you work for him? That’s the only explanation I can think of.
Another profit made, wage bill reduced. This is going to happen in every transfer window.
Tiote, Colo, Jonas, Krul next, will you blame them too?
And I suppose your happy with the famous NEWCASTLE UNITED lettering coming down too?
jusDev
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Comment #31one word: frustrated!! i see there are people tryin to be optimistic bout the situation but i just cannot wrap my head around this…WE DINT GET ANYONE EVEN CLOSE TO BEING OUR NEW NO 9!! our final day moves reeked of desperation and the cisse thing, bidding 10 mill for a player with a 14 mill release clause reeks of everything rong wit the management… one injury prone striker brought in over the entire summer to add to our incredibly awful list of lovenkrands and ameobi…best looks aiight but stil not a 20 plus goal scorer…another season of underachievement ahead lads…
ilovetoon8788
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Comment #32I’ll say it again from the previous blogpost.
Most are blinded by the need of a striker which in actual fact is no totally a need.
Have you guys noticed our backline. Its thinner than paper. We didn’t have a single centreback for us in our last game. Knowing our luck with injuries in the last 10 years, 1 more injury might really stretch our backline too much.
Imagine Perch having to slot into the centreback. We needed defensive covers more than strikers.
ramboreilly
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #33I seem to be alone on my reservations on leon best,from his debut up to his two goals last weekend I have not been impressed.He lacks pace,does not dominate in the air,or bully defenders nor is he technicaly gifted.His reccent goal scoring record is good,but this is only over a short period.He has playes for seven seasons and has score only 50 goals at lower levels.
I hope he comes good but 15goals a season i dont think so.
kingkev9
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #34As for attendances I know fans who have went for 40/50 years but REFUSE to go now until Ashley goes. I’ve had my season ticket for 25 years but if he’s still here next year then I’m off too.
P.I.
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #353rd post a charm?..
Just gonna re-post my comment on this thread…
Well it’s safe to say I knew it would end up like this but I’m still absolutely devestated!
Around lunchtime they’ll wheel some mug out infront of the waiting media in an attempt to feed us the usual sh*t sandwich.
I can’t believe they think that the public will buy their lies again. It stands to reason they didnt even try to sign Ruiz, bidding 11million out of nowhere after they’d not bid over 7million for the whole rest of the transfer window. And Ruiz was practically signed sealed and dellivered for Fulham. It was nothing more than a PR stunt, backed up by the president of FC twente who claimed Newcastle hadnt even bid for him.
I read on here in the early evening yesterday the amount of muppets stating things like “I cant wait for the neggers to eat humble pie when we sign Ruiz”
Typical morons who believe Ashleys propoganda and allow him to function at the club exactly how he wishes.
The sane ones amongst us have known from the very start that Ashleys game plan is to save as much money as he can. He might have replaced Enrique but it was still at a profit.
Today we will hear about potential players signing in January (which again is absolute tripe) and in January they’ll give us the old line “clubs dont want to sell their best players halfway through the season. We will have to wait for the summer”
What transpired last night was once again an absolute joke, even Sunderland managed to get a centre forward through the door. We had no intention of doing the same.
If Pards has any backbone he’ll walk away. But he also has no intention of doing so as he’s part of the Cockey Mafia crew and knows his place. I dont go along with those of you who feel sorry for him because im sure he knows exactly the score before each window. What he says in the press confrences is always just more smoke and mirrors to cover Ashley and Lambias.
It’s now a proven FACT that Ashley has lied AGAIN.
Judge us at the end of the window they said. Well they can count themselves well and truely judged. And the verdict is: GET OUT OF THE CLUB!
davybtoon
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #36kingkev – i couldnt giv a toss about ashly, all i care about is the team n it is getting better
as i hav just said instead of turning your back come up with a buyer to get rid of him otherwise the if gates drop players will want to leave n then whos to blame?
JackButler
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #37The only positive I can see that with Ashley driving the running cost right down, this make’s us a far more attractive option for someone to come in and buy us out!
Clutching at straws I know, but that’s all I’ve got left after last night
jusDev
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Comment #38@ilovetoon8788… agreed that we need defensive cover, but wouldnt put it ahead of our total lack of striker options…
kingkev9
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Comment #39Agree Ram, he is slow, always offside, contributes so little during a game, he isn’t good enough.
JackButler
Sep 1, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Comment #40davybtoon
We’ve bought really well during this window but the lack of a center half and a striker all that hard work can be undone with one or two injuries