Newcastle are very thin in central defense at the moment, and it would be a bit of a calamity if either Steven Taylor or Colo were injured.
Mike Williamson - out another 6 weeks at least
Mike Williamson is still out injured, and we suppose that James Perch, Danny Simpson or Tamas Kadar could play in central defense, but neither gives you too much confidence, that they can excel in that position.
Normally we would think that Tamas Kadar could get the job done, but he’s been told to pull up his socks, if he wants to have a future at Newcastle, and that was a big surprise.
And the news today is that while center-back Mike Williamson is making good progress from the ankle injury he picked up at Scunthorpe, he is still a full six weeks away from returning to training, which doesn’t sound too great to us.
John Carver talked about Mike today with the local Newcastle press:
“Mike could be around six weeks away. In the meantime, James Perch knows that he could be called into the fray, and he can operate in a number of positions, including the center of defense.”
Mike Williamson is a legitimate Newcastle center-back, in that he showed last season he’s good enough to play in the Premier League, and he’s had an unfortunate start to this season with injuries.
Mike has 49 appearances so far for the Magpies, but has still to score his first goal, since the 27 year-old was signed for a ridiculously low fee of £ 1M in January of last year from Portsmouth – what a bargain he’s been!
We may see Newcastle go into the market for a center-back in January, when we could also potentially see another full back brought into the club, if the club can find a good enough player, who comes cheap enough.
That seems to be Newcastle’s transfer policy these days, doesn’t it?
Oh yes, and a striker should be brought in to replace Andy Carroll, and Newcastle may even have to pay £10M or more for a suitable replacement.
After all the club received a phenomenal £35M for Andy Carroll, who is not a regular starter for his new club, Liverpool, at the moment.
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7
103 responses so far ↓
1 JimmyToonToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 1:55 PM
1st!!!!
2 OttersPocket // Sep 14, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Kadar’s problem is that he has picked up a constant stream of injuries over the last 2 seasons, if he can prove his fitness this season he will get a new contract. He is still rated highly within the club.
3 JimmyToonToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 1:58 PM
I recon Mike did prove his worth last year, but he’s defo not a polished all round Premier League defender. He’s prone to the odd howler, and re-enforcement’s need to be purchased after Crimbo.
HWTL
4 Dannyo // Sep 14, 2011 at 1:59 PM
@OttersPocket
Yup, really hope he’ll keep fit this season, he’s done well when he’s played, but no use keeping a player who u KNOW will play 10 matches a season just cause of his fitness for the next 3 years.
In any case, he’s decent cover at LB if he stays fit and produces the goods for the reserves.
5 Mags // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:00 PM
OttersPocket (2)
I hope you are right, I have been trying to get some updated info about him from the club, & requesting all the local journos to ask questions. May I ask your source for this info?
6 Ollieh51 // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Kadar got a run out yesterday, anyone know how he got on please?
7 estechco // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Is Santon not meant to be able to play CB too?
8 OttersPocket // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Mags
Another of the reserve team players, wont say who tho.
He also said Santon is unbelievable and cant wait to see him in first team, said he would not be surprised if he ended up at ManU or Chelsea eventually.
9 JimmyToonToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM
I thought Santon could play right across the back 4?!
10 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Bonjour messieurs.
Santon can play CB and i suppose Raylor too. Ferguson can play LB, so useless to panic, we got the players we need.
11 Mags // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:10 PM
OttersPocket (8) thanks for that info.
From the times he has made appearances in the first team I have been impressed with young Kadar. I hope he stays injury free and shows his early promise.
Makes it more important when you see how threadbare our central defence is.
12 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Well, except this damn left footed natural LB…
13 AshtreeKid // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:14 PM
niafron, raylor cant play centre back, if he can then so can ameobi!
14 joppadoni // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:17 PM
raylor is right mid or right bk only
15 mikenotiades // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Kadar played really well @6. He is getting stronger all the time and he’s intelligent as well as being technically gifted, Kadar over Perch every time… I really don’t understand why the hierarchy persist with him so much, he must be an angel or something… Yeah, Santon was described as the new Maldini, Maldini was a center back right? A very good center back.. Santon made some good runs yesterday, but as gosling pointed out, no one understands him yet so it’s all sign language and intuition at the moment, tricky, strong, clever football player Santon is
16 joppadoni // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:20 PM
niafron, speeds what you need over favoured foot matey.
17 AshtreeKid // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:20 PM
think you could play him centre mid as well
18 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Santon can cover across the back with fergie or raylor dropping into LB.
Perch (yak) can cover RB or CB
Saylor can do a job at RB if its needed and willo is fit
Jonas could be an emergency fullback
There are options there, and thats before you start to consider the young lads. I remember Nicky Butt playing at CB for ManU a few times… and Huth playing CF for chelsea.
All teams have to adapt at times
19 AshtreeKid // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:25 PM
mike, maldini started out as one of the best left backs in the world
20 joppadoni // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:25 PM
lets be honest Ash when hes not taking freekicks he isnt much good anywhedre. id have him right wing though for sure i like his willingness to play anywhere though so raylors spot on in my book
21 joppadoni // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:28 PM
maldini didnt start that way i think it was after his 2nd game tho Ash lol
22 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Raylor can play everywhere. He is the swiss knife of NUFC!
23 mikenotiades // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Cheers Ashtree, that does ring a bell. Agreed about Raylor, he’s onnly useful for set pieces, alreet squad player though me thinks.
24 AshtreeKid // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:30 PM
for the next game I’d put him right wing gives us extra protection against zog and keeps his set pieces in the team, then I’d move obertan to play behind the striker as his movement and ability to commit defenders was one of the few bright spots against qpr.
25 Symo22 // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:32 PM
Not being funny but id rather drop tiote back to play cb than have perch come in for us! It would be a Nitemare!
26 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:34 PM
According to Tioté last games, wouldn’t do that…
27 Jail for Ashley // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:42 PM
That Eric Pieters would have been perfect,rather than having your emergency cover as a permanent position.
28 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:45 PM
@ Jail
Agree – hopefully we’ll nick him in Jan – but I would imagine we’ll probably try to hang on and take him on a Bosman in June.
29 Dannyo // Sep 14, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Pieters has signed an extension until 2014 lads, so no freebee there.
30 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:02 PM
And moreover, these transfer talks are tiring… SItuation will be totaly different in January, useless to already comment about it.
We got a team, we live or we die with it.
31 shamsoftabriz // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Pieters is young, versatile, and technically skilled. If all that separated us and PSV were 1 or 2 million pounds we have to up the bid.
32 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:04 PM
niafron – glad to read some positive comments.
Must say some of yours make me chuckle (in a good way!)
Should call you Niafron of Arc
33 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:11 PM
@Drongo.
Yes, awarrior maiden who heard voices, this perfectly match me!
Ahah!
34 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:17 PM
@ niafron – are you in fact Sebastien Chabal?!
35 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Well a warrior maiden who heard voices… At least, this is the official version.
She was probably not a poor illeterate peasant girl, but the daughter of a rich farmer, and was educated within the house of a noble lord.
With some beautifull Knights… So she probably receive a long military training, and was certainly not a virgin!
But you Know,as english troops were in fact french warriors from Gascony and Normandy (and the english kings were of french origins) a strong symbol was needed to mobilize the people against the “foreign” invaders.
And it was at the time a prophecy about a maiden choosed by god to save the Kingdom of France.
Well, french royal propaganda was more efficient than the english one!
36 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Arf Chabal… What a shame Liévremont didn’t pick him…
At this subject, after your victory against Argentina, you will finish first of your group.
As we got no chance to defeat the Blacks in a group game (french mentality), you know what it mean?
37 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Yes I would be taking Chabal every time, if only to play the last 10 mins.
Im fairly sure he could do a half decent job at CB for NUFC too.
As for your game against NZ, it depends entirely which France turn up… on your day you can beat any team. But never consistently enough to do it on successive weekends in a knockout tournament.
That, I feel, is England’s strength. And of course a very lucky group.
38 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Girl you thought he was a man,
but he was a muffin….
39 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Well, no way we beat them in not decisive game. We will let the match go, simple than that. You’ll see that, we will lose by at least 20 points.
40 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:35 PM
@Mike
YOu mean Chabal look like frank Zappa?
Ahah!
41 SincerelySamuel // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM
id stick Raylor at CM nxt to Tiote with cabaye at CAM playing off Besty
42 Dannyo // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Interesting comments from Beardsley on Santon if u read between the lines:
“He played for Italy Under 21s last week, so he wasn’t desperate for a game, but he needed to know how we play as a Club. That was the idea and John Carver (assistant manager) was here to watch him.”
Good article on Santon, but what got me thinking a bit is the comment on “how the club plays”. We played 4-5-1 in that game i think, with Gosling behind Donaldson. So Gosling can deffo do that position, but it seems 4-5-1 is what we’re looking to do for the first team aswell.
I think Pardew has done 4-4-2 cause he feels only Ben Arfa suits being behind the striker. With “average” strikers playing alone up top, it seems he thinks we’ll lack firepower without Benny.
Maybe we’ll try Gosling behind the striker on Saturday?
Just a thought.
43 niafron // Sep 14, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Gosling, Obertoon, Marv…
Lot of contenders for playing CAM.
44 Dannyo // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:02 PM
@niafron
Then why aren’t we playing it is my question? Was that not what Pardew said, or implied he wanted to?
45 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Niafron
Kind of, if you squint at the screen and dismiss the fact he has twice the bulk….
46 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:20 PM
anyone seen much of the news on a 2.5 million payment gone astray during the JB transfer?
Looks like QPR have pretty much paid a transfer fee to Joey…
47 AshtreeKid // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:38 PM
think it all wne to dodgy willie mckay who apparrently worked for QPR on the transfer to be able to get paid an extortionate amount. Think NUFC have reported him to the FA?
48 BiffBaffBoff // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Whoa, Donaldson is a striker? I could have sworn he was a midfielder, at least a few seasons ago? Has he been converted into a striker then?
49 drongo // Sep 14, 2011 at 4:55 PM
mckay seems like a right snake – almost as bad as Skye Andrews – I thoroughly enjoyed running up a ginormous bar tab for that helmet whilst he was trying to impress a group of 15 year old girls.
50 toons4eva // Sep 14, 2011 at 5:09 PM
beardsly on davide santon…
Reserve team boss Beardsley has played both with and against some of the greats of the game during an illustrious career, and explained how Santon reminded him of a legend and a fellow Italian.
“I was very impressed. He is obviously very comfortable and, it may be a bit too high praise at the moment, but he looked like a young (Paolo) Maldini,” Beardsley told nufcTV.
“He was calm in possession, played the right ball nine times out of ten – which is a good average – and he looked like he has class.
“He looked very comfortable and if he needed to step up a gear then he could have.
51 toons4eva // Sep 14, 2011 at 5:13 PM
watching the game on monday……
gutierrez attacking game was not best that day coz he had to track back and help out raylor al the time and you can see that his game is being affected because of that…..santon should start and defintly best should be our one striker and 3 in midfield…….cabaye tiote and guthrie if need be….guess gosling is a bit on the recovery road…..and krul;s kicking has got to defintly improve….as for the rest have patience guys…the football will come out soon…..i have been impresses more with taylor than coloccini….his postional sense has improved a lot…..lets hope we can keep it tight at the back…..HWTL
52 OttersPocket // Sep 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM
BiffBaffBoff //
Donaldson started as a striker and was converted a couple of seasons ago, looking at it it looks as though they have done it to try and improve his touch and awareness and now moved him back up top. Apparently he is the quickest player at the club.
53 toons4eva // Sep 14, 2011 at 5:55 PM
i don t think they moved him to improve his awarness and touch but i remember them saying midfield was his best postion so they made him play there but he used to score heavly for the youth teams when he was played as a striker….and have seen him play but defintly not the fastest…..though he is fast….
54 planb // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Watching the pile of crap on monday should wake people up from their coma to the fact we are a very average team who will be lucky to attain a lower mid-table postion theres no goals in that side!
55 Stuart // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Oh great, planbollock is back.
56 planb // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Thanx stu you hero
57 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:28 PM
Planbuffoon.
58 jimiley // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM
What is needed on this blog is a little more faith and trust in our club. MA has made mistakes but at least we are making progress under his stewardship. He has saved our club from the knackers yards and he deserves credit for that. We should all get behind Ashley and treat him with the respect he deserves. We have to believe in him and Pardew because if we doubt him, then we are doubting the club and what it stands for. We would be in a sorry mess in that case. 4th spot already. Onwards and upwards I say.
59 MacToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:48 PM
http://www.true-faith.co.uk/tf/editorials.nsf/LookupUNID/B8A1A026F08FE59580257901003E09B2?OpenDocument
Another interesting read and there’s plenty of other good articles about on the web but very few are supportive of Ashley and his direction for our club.
60 jimiley // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:48 PM
Planb
We do not need to score many goals because we have a great defence. Centre mid is rock solid and Jonas and Obertan can supply the bullets for Shola and best to score goals. 4th place does not flatter us. Wake up and smell the coffee man.
61 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Jimiley
You weren’t funny 3 months ago….
62 GeordieToon89 // Sep 14, 2011 at 7:03 PM
http://www.nufc.com/
look at the first article image..
looks like the stadium will sat
Sportsdirect.com Newcastle United
63 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 7:08 PM
The times they are a changing.
64 Jail for Ashley // Sep 14, 2011 at 7:18 PM
Jimiley,
Are you a wind up merchant or do you honestly believe that
65 WWJBD // Sep 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM
How good is the CL song?!
66 jimiley // Sep 14, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Jail for Ashley
What do you think?
67 southafrican magpie // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:41 PM
Have u seen the new sign on our stadium? Its called sports direct.com Newcastle United.. Mike Ashley has definitely gone to far this time!! Is the club getting any money for him to advertise? That’s what I want to know
68 MacToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:45 PM
Before blackburn game eaststand will read (puma logo) sportsdirect newcastle united sports direct (puma logo).
We were told this last week and from a good source.
69 ilovetoon8788 // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:46 PM
Good job. Part of Carroll’s money is used to fund the change of signs in the stadium for Ashley to advertise his main company..It has definitely stayed ‘within the club’ as answered by Llambias. lol.
disgraceful.
70 MacToon // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:51 PM
lol, just think of all the extra revenue we’ll have from the extra sponsorship deals
71 Milking Mikes' bulging pockets // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:57 PM
How hasn’t Roy Keane being sectioned yet?
72 solano // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:59 PM
Great link Mactoon @ 59….so spot on I wonder if they have plagiarised my comments over the last few months on this blog!!
What frustrates me is TF and Co. have the ability to organize and galvanize support towards doing something pro-active in exacting change, but choose not to act upon their words.
73 Dannyo // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:04 PM
@southafrican magpie
U mean the £140 mill already invested in the club?
It’s a shame to make the stadium look like a monstrous advertisement made of concrete and steel tho.
But still, there’s shitloads of clubs looking like a commercial.
74 joe // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:20 PM
If anyone is watching the man city vs napoli game, watch napoli’s strike, who’s playing up front alone. THat’s the kind of striker we need, who can drop deep, drive at the defence, and play through balls for the wingers.
75 toonthompson // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:21 PM
joe edison cavani
76 joe // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Yeah sorry his name slipped my mind for a while there.
77 BiffBaffBoff // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:52 PM
http://www.nufc.com/2011-12images/east-stand-14092011.jpg
Ouch
78 BiffBaffBoff // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:54 PM
On the plus side, the pitch looks amazing!
79 mattnufc // Sep 14, 2011 at 9:59 PM
I like how everything at St James’ is emblazed with sports direct advertisement but when asked if we will receive any profits from sports direct Pardew replies with a laugh and says “They’re two seperate companies.”
80 ginkoh // Sep 14, 2011 at 10:01 PM
No surprise at all atm. It doesn’t mean I like what they are doing but no way I can do anything about it. Just live with it.
81 Geordiefan // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Lineup against Villa:
Krul
Simpson Taylor Colocinni Santon
Gutierrez Gosling Cabaye Marveaux
Obertan
Best
82 NUFC-BRAZILFAN // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:03 AM
It looks like Fulham lied to Ruiz to get him. He thought he would be able to play in the Europa League but he can’t, and they just told him after he signed.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3814682/Martin-Jol-failed-to-tell-Bryan-Ruiz-he-was-banned-from-the-Europa-League.html
83 NUFC-BRAZILFAN // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:08 AM
but I still think our offer wasn’t serious after all
84 mattnufc // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Lineup against Villa:
Krul
Simpson Taylor Colocinni Santon
Obertan Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Gosling
Best
85 NUFC 1892 // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:22 AM
TEAM THAT WILL BEAT VILLA:
___________Krul
Simpson Taylor Colocinni Santon
Gutierrez Tiote Cabaye Marveaux
__________Gosling
___________Best
SUBS:
Ba Best
Guthrie Gosling
Sameobi Marveaux
Shola
Raylor
Obertoon
Harper
86 p // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:13 AM
Tough match away to villa
87 p // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:14 AM
@85 marv playing and on the bench?
88 GeordieToon89 // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:24 AM
anyone else see tht Maiga has been kicking off again since he didnt get his move to us tht they president promised him, Well he’s been told he will train and play for the reserve team for the foreseable future
89 NUFC 1892 // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:28 AM
@87
Sameobi to replace Marveaux, Ba to replace Best, and Guthrie to replace Gosling (only if any of these 3 starters aren’t playing well)
1-0 to the toon !!!!!
90 aussiemag // Sep 15, 2011 at 4:11 AM
Any news on HBA
Anyone know when hes back at all?
91 aussiemag // Sep 15, 2011 at 4:15 AM
___________Krul
Raylor Saylor Colocinni Santon
Tiote
Guttierez Gosling Cabaye Marveaux
Ba Best
92 Brutooon // Sep 15, 2011 at 4:33 AM
Raylor CAN play Left Back but there is NO WAY he play there the remaining 34 games
Santon will be our no 1 Left Back.
93 Daft_lad // Sep 15, 2011 at 6:39 AM
So St James’s is blighted by another tacky SportsDirect.com logo….what’s next? Changing the team name? Will we end up being called SD Newcastle United like Eindhoven sponsored by PSV? There has to be a line where this guy stops…..
Villa away coming up and I’m certain changes will be made….Gosling, Santon and Marveaux in. My heart says 5-0 to the Toon, but then that’s what it says every week lol…..Its going to be a very tough game for us….Im realistically hoping we can edge a 1-0 but would gladly take a draw now if it was offered….Sadly my head says our luck will come to an end and you just know itll be Nzogbia…..but you never know; with a few changes and different formation this just might be the week we click….
94 redondo77 // Sep 15, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Against Villa:
———————————-Krull—————————–
Simpson——Saylor—————–Colo———-Santon
————-Raylor/Gosling——–Tiote———————
Jonas/Ober—————Cabaye————-Jonas/Marv
————————Best/Sammy/Ba———————-
Btw Tav will be back soon.
Would love to see Abeid,Smith, and Guthrie play some part.
Streete & Dummet are looking good as backup.
Anyone know about Zamblera?
95 Jail for Ashley // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Redondo,you covered yourself by pretty much naming the whole squad in ya team
96 Ollieh51 // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:42 AM
@ Jail For Ashley – Yeah, but he has Smith in there…
97 JimmyToonToon // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:42 AM
@Aussiemag HBA is back training with the first team and will hopefully get a game against Forrest on Tuesday. Can’t wait to see him back in the squad like.
HWTL
98 JimmyToonToon // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:43 AM
@Aussiemag HBA is back training with the first team and will hopefully get a game against Forrest on Tuesday. Can’t wait to see him back in the squad like. HWTL
99 redondo77 // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:50 AM
@Jail
I didn’t name Shola and Lovenkrands.
If any of those names play on that position, I’ll be happy.
Because I think Tiote has no competition for his spot.
100 Jail for Ashley // Sep 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM
I hope Obertan comes good,its nice to see Fergie get it wrong every seven or eight years or so.
101 OttersPocket // Sep 15, 2011 at 10:45 AM
mattnufc
All clubs have logo’s etc all over their stadiums, Man U have a massive Nike tick in their Seats, Liverpool used to have Reebok written in their, do you think Man U get any of Nike’s profits?? Dont see the problem at all with having other companies logos in and around stadium.
102 OttersPocket // Sep 15, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Daft_lad
PSV were founded by Philips hence the name.
103 Daft_lad // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:20 PM
OttersPocket
Yes founded and sponsored by Philips hence PSV (Philips Sport Vereniging) ….better marketing strategy than just calling it Eindhoven. Lets hope Ashley doesn’t get any bright ideas
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