It’s hard to know exactly what to make of the current situation on transfers at Newcastle, with our exploits so far this summer yielding nothing, zilch, in terms of senior players coming through the door.
Alan Pardew – we’ll have a great squad
Newcastle have tried to bring Mathieu Debuchy, Douglas, Vurnon Anita and Andy Carroll to Newcastle this summer, but so far have come up with nothing to show for the efforts, although there were reports in the Dutch press last night that Newcastle could sign Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita by Friday, but how true that is we have no idea.
Alan Pardew had hoped to have brought in one and maybe even two players last week, but nothing materialized, and his word to Newcastle fans is to keep patient.
Romain Amalfitano, Curtis Good and Gael Bigirimana have all been excellent signings, and we paid just less than about £1.5M for the three of them, and that has to look very good value for money, having now seen all three of them play.
But we think Newcastle’s squad is stronger than it was this time last year, with youngsters like James Tavernier, Mehdi Abeid, Sammy Ameobi, Haris Vuckic and Dan Gosling all having improved from last year, and we also have the three new recruits to further fortify the squad.
This is what Alan had to say in the Shields Gazette today:
“My message would just to be patient,” ”We’ve got a great side, and a great underbelly to the team.” “If we add one or two, or even three, we’ll have a great squad.”
The transfer window runs out three weeks come Monday, and if we can get a full back, center-back and striker through the door by then, we should be in great shape, as Alan says, and then we’ll find out if we have improved from last season, once the new term gets underway.
Comments welcome.
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73 responses so far ↓
1 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Ok Alan Pardew, i’m waiting and being patient.
2 Markaccus // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:09 AM
FB either side. CB. CF. That will do.
3 Beattie25 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Bambams
I don’t like you.
Thought I’d get it out of the way.
Your doom mongering is laughable given the fact the Pardew was probably responding to a question from a journo asking for more detail about Good.
Pards said he can play LB as well. This was an insight into the player and you take that and presume that we can’t sign anyone and that Good is our LB cover and blah blah I fell asleep.
Get your head out off your inflamed anus and stop smelling your own crap
4 Super Magpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:09 AM
We’ve been waiting for 2months, are you trying to drive us all insane?
5 Dannyo // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I don’t sense last summer frustration when we didn’t get that 2nd striker through the door. AP seems content, and if he’s content, then we should be too.
Altho it’s bloody hard.
6 Ketsbaia9 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Anita
Debuchy
Remi
Douglas
I’ll be happy with that. We will still need an attacking midfielder and a fourth striker.
7 Beattie25 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Got to agree with Pards here as that I what I and many others have been saying since January!
8 Super Magpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Beattie
That bit at the end Made me giggle abit.
9 Markaccus // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:12 AM
That’s very succinctly put, beattie, and very colourful! However, I can’t disagree, as I also tire of comments being taken out of context, and doom and gloom mongers.
10 Beattie25 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Swear to god this iPhone is going through the window in a minute.
Stop predicting my words you illiterate a.I. son of a bitch.
11 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:13 AM
I’m first…ok i’m a bit miffed and disappointed. This moment of bring first especially for the first time had been bigged up by so many on here that ever singe I have been dreaming of this day and finally it arrives and…nothing. What was all the fuss about???
12 Super Magpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Kets
I doubt we’ll sign 4 players especially if Remy will cost around £12-15m.
13 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Being*
Since*
14 wynsleap // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Ed – I think you already made a statement a few days ago about the squad being stronger this season and quite a few on here including myself disagreed with you.
By keeping on saying it doesn’t make it true.
Give us Debuchy (or Van der Wiel), Douglas, Anita and another good quality striker THEN we’ll have a better squad this time round but not until then as far as I’m concerned.
15 Markaccus // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Kets, your list of players gets longer by the day. We don’t need 6 first team signings!
16 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Mutiny , dont worry mate the prize is a free season ticket. Should get it in the post in next few days
17 Dannyo // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:18 AM
@JimmyMagpie
Tav is probably more suited as FB, i don’t doubt that. But i reckon he showed in portgual thathe can do a makeshift role at CB. He’s got a good jump on him, and being one of pace he can make up for mistakes in time on some sitations.
I liked the look of him at CB, altho on the ball, he’ll be comfy wherever, even as an RW me thinks.
My only concern for him at CB, would have to be if he drifts forward too much. U can go far as FB, but need to always position yourself defensivly at CB, as u dont want to stretch the backroom too much then be caught out.
Again tho, he has the pace to make up for it.
18 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:18 AM
wynsleap, ed is not MA its not down to him to sign players
19 jesperfuglsang // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I know Pardew would like to get some first team players over the line; who wouldn’t
But there is a difference between wanting something and getting something.
My fear is we won’t get any first team players – Debuchy was the obvious one and that doesn’t look to happen.
We might sign a few more development players, but as for the first team we might have to brace ourselves for the worse
My hopes are a CB
…anyway I think we can cope until January if the worse does happen.
20 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Teq
I sense trickery and deciet.
21 MagpiesFlyHigh // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Still want a CB.
Am okay with Simmo as he is solid in defence, regardless of his lack of attacking style but
would really like Anita in as he adds so much tactically.
Am less bothered about CF if we use Amal and Gabby in that nippy striker role. If either of them comes good 2012/3 we will tear defences apart.
I like the way Cabaye and Tiote are gonna bring Bigi on and reckon part of the strategy is to get consistency as our top guys will breed quality in the youngsters.
Kets
Please stop the Panini approach.
Trading cards is not the same as real players and you are totally unrealistic.
22 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Wynsleap…Whereas if you keep saying it isn’t makes it true? Each person is entitled to view things differently, saying it over and over does not make it true, no matter which side of the argument you’re on.
23 jesperfuglsang // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM
whenever I hear this Panini approach I get hungry
I don’t know why lol
24 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Danyo – Pardew has no option – if thay won’t sign the players, he has to be content, but if he is, he’s contradicting what he himself has been saying ever since the end of last season about the defence being a top priority, especially centre back.If we don’t buy decent centre back and full back, we’ll regret it big time.
25 MagpiesFlyHigh // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Would you guys prefer to see Perch depping as CB or Tav ?
No brainer … Perch is versatile but is no CB, DM sure
Tav seems to be playing CB with more assurance even though he may prefer FB
26 Dannyo // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:23 AM
@wynsleap
What foot did u get up on in the morning.
We’ve not removed one blue chip player and added super talents from various leagues which they’ve excelled in.
All the players will be more gelled, we’ll start the season with HBA and Cisse, pre-season has been better, and the underbelly, as AP states, is very strong now with the new additions.
We can get stronger yes, but we’re currently allot stronger than last season.
I’ve only read u saying we’re not, so i dunno who else u’re including in your little gang there.
27 Markaccus // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:23 AM
MFH, panini approach no good? What? Even if I get a rare, shiney version of Paul Scharner?!?!
28 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Mutiny, OK i lied , if what i said was true Indian Magpite would have all of the Leazes end by now
29 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:23 AM
I would accept if we only got a cb as I think we would then be able to cope till January espec sincr it’s unlikely we will lose cisse and BA to acon. And the midfield and full backs should be ok
30 MagpiesFlyHigh // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Jimmy
Agree … I actually think the CB is the most important of the summer signings.
31 MagpiesFlyHigh // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Lemons
Trade it quick
32 Graeme // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:24 AM
What Pardeau says is probably correct, but its what he has been saying for three months, which seems like a year already!!
Get Anita and a good FB signed up and it would no longer be a dream!! Time to extract digit and sign some contracts – use a pen, not the extracted digit though!!
33 Ketsbaia9 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:24 AM
I’m afraid we do. Simpson is the worst defender in the league. Would rather have Chris Gunter in our team than him.
If we fail to sign Remy, I’d like us to go for Konate for £2m.
34 MagpiesFlyHigh // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM
sorry markaccus
35 Ketsbaia9 // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Centre back is Perch’s best position. He is 3rd choice at the moment behind Coloccini and Saylor.
36 jonny-intense // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Personally, I think the squad is stronger this season. Amalfitano is twice the player Guthrie will ever be and will be able to actually play for more than 60 minutes. I liked guthrie but he was unfit. We need another young striker but we could also have the next best thing in the development squad. I say we should sure up the defence with at least a centre back and see how we go until January.
We always bang on abotu how good our youngsters are going to be – time to step in my opinion.
37 Dannyo // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:26 AM
@JimmyMagpie
Aye, i too want that blue chip CB, it’s inevitable thatSaylor will get crocked again, sadly. As AP previously said tho, it has to be a goalscoring one.
Holding out for that one player is a bit of a trademark for us.
What choice do we have but being patient to?
CB, LB and a striker for me still. A versatile midfielder…good, but my 4th choice area of improving.
38 jonny-intense // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Perch is not a centre back, at all.
39 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Kets did your mother drop you on your head as a baby.
40 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Magpies – I would rather not see either at centre back, nor Willo to be honest. Colo needs strong physical presence next to him, preferably with a bit of pace. Changing tack, am I the only one who would like to see a decent young keeper, because the thought of anything happening to Krul, ane Elliot or Harper having to play frightens me.
41 FatmanJoe // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Perch isn’t very good at cb at all. Don’t know who suggested that he was but no, just no.
Rb he’s fine but I think he’s actually strongest at dm.
Cb is a massive priority and at this stage would be happy with just one big signing in that position what with the players we’ve got who can cover the otter positions.
42 toonarmydownsouth // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Repost
Beattie
Cant see the mackems and there team of has beens doing fcuk all tbh
As for the bindippers i think the key point, as you said, is he inherited a team where all the ground work had been done and they had a stability about them for me it remains to be seen if hes good enough to intergrate a bew system in to a team who perform with huge expectations especially without the financial backing dogleash had i think “king kenny” may have done a fair bit of damage to the fools
Wynsleap i agree with ed that we look stronger coming in to this season especially with addition of cisse and a fit marv and a fit benny that will surely give us a huge lift of course theres always room to strengthen
Jimmy mabe pards see a lot of potential in good and sees him as strengthenig the defence, also your post a few articles about the amount of crap being posted about cabs, disappointing dude talk about hypocritical some posts what they say is a fairly reliable source linked with manure has told them and you dismiss it as crap, yet post what your source tells you and then get shirty when ppl question it? Not on, also i doubt madame cabaye would discuss transfer with mrs jimmy whilst walking her dogs like, normally think your post are a pretty intresting read
43 jonny-intense // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Harper can still do it in my opinion and Krul looks robust enough. Having a top 2nd string keeper has made spoilt us a bit really as other teams have a first teamer and mediocre back up, by and large.
44 Rowan Milsted // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:32 AM
The three new youngsters seem to be coping well so far and in terms of youth we are in a good position, probably better than last season. It’s great for the club and for football as a whole to have players like Sammy A, Vuckic, Abied, Santon, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Good etc all coming through and hopefully making it as first team players in the next 1-3 years. Exciting times for us, and financially sound too.
The main worry is that squad is still to small. There just isn’t enough cover. 3 senior signings (or 1st team signings, whatever you want to call them) would do us. An injury to a striker or a CB will set us back. The plus side is that many of our youngsters will get a lot of game time with things as they are, especially in European and perhaps domestic cup games. It may come at the cost of success, depending on how well they do in such a short time, but it would be great to see our youngsters playing important games for the club rather than rotting on the bench, like so many of the big teams (Man City are very guilty of this – not good for football).
It echoes somewhat of last season that we are still in need of a CB and striker. Unless we’re going to pull another Cisse out the bag in January then we really should do something now, but it’s gone very quiet in the forwards department. Hopefully the Anita story has some truth to it as he looks a very good player. Any more news on the Ajax £10M double swoop story?
Anyway, glad we don’t make silly, knee jerk signings or get held to ransom, but please Pards and co, get at least 2 more over the line. CB, RB and striker.
45 AMEOBI // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Kets,
What’s wrong with Simmo? He’s a good player just doesn’t attack the wings. I’m happy with Simmo.
The fact you said Christ Gunter over him, you daft?!
46 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:37 AM
TDS – I wasn’t trying to rubbish anybody’s source mate, I was talking about the reasons for Cabaye’s absence from the team, The lad hasn’t been too well recently, but as I said, should be ok for Cardiff and Spurs, as Pardew has comfirmed today. Knew he wasn’t too well because he only lives 2 doors away from me, and his wife told mine at the back end of last week. They walk the dogs together when Madame is home.
47 FatmanJoe // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:39 AM
I really think if we’re not getting debuchy then focus on bringing in a lb instead. I’m sure the only reason we said we were going for rb was because this top French int who’s pally with cabs suddenly became available for a low fee. Now that’s proven not to be the case at all we need to focus on our left side. That’s been begging to be filled for ages now and loads of our players can play rb.
48 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Jimmy what breed of dog does Cabaye have?
49 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:41 AM
By the way I did NOT say they discussed transfers, just that Yohann wasn’t feeling too well, and wouldn’t be going to Holland with the team, that’s all. The other poster was trying to say something else about his absence. I think I have been vindicated by what Pardew has said today. Anyway, I’m off, other things to do. Thanks for the chat. HTL!
50 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Tequila – they don’t have any. Madame Cabaye walks a few dogs for neighbours who work, a common thing I believe.
51 wynsleap // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Dannyo – Just having a ‘ reality’ morning I’m afraid.
You did say you worried about Saylor’s tendency to be injury prone. I worry about Shola, Marveaux and possibly Ba too. Jimmymagpie worries about a lack of good central defenders apart from Colo so I think it’s fair to say that the squad will only improve once we get some signings in.
52 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Shame, i was hoping for a lurcher. I like lurchers
53 jimmymagpie // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Tequlia – not a dog lover myself mate. Our’s though is for the wife, so I tolerate it, but I must admit I’ve grown to quite like the loveable lump – labrador. Bye.
54 tequilamag // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:51 AM
Cheers Jimmy. Catch u later
55 brian kilclines pony tail // Aug 8, 2012 at 11:55 AM
we need a first team striker and a RB, im happy with perchy, willo and good for cover at CB for what our seasons targets will require, a point we should all remember.
if we can bet shot of Oba and simpson we should then add a midfielder/LB (anita) as it looks like amalfatano will play on the RW as 2nd fiddle to hatem (remember jonas can also play there).
If we were in the champions league and going for top 4 then we would need a top CB and another top striker on top of all this, but we’re not, so we wont.
56 Benton Toon Exile // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:00 PM
I was at Spurs last season when we got spanked 5-0 and our underbelly was well and truly exposed..
Couple of senior players still required for me to finish top 6 again.
57 Jesus1983 // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I hope Anita does sign but i don’t think that is the position we need to strengthen most. We currently have the best CM pairing in the league imo (Tiote and Cabaye). Jonas also proved last season he can do a great job in there and we have Abeid, Bigi and Gosling as cover.
I’d also love Debuchy but we still have Simpson (for now) and have Santon, Raylor, Tav and Perch who can play at RB. We also have Santon, Raylor, Perch, Tav, Good and Fergie who can play at LB.
Why haven’t Newcastle learned from last year about CB’s? Steven Taylor as good as he is will not be fit all season and Williamson is pretty poor. If we fail to sign a CB and Coloccini gets injured then our season is in big trouble!
58 Jesus1983 // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Pardew also stated at the end of the season that a tall powerful CB who can score goals was the main target – why have things changed?
59 Robby Bobson // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Everyone keeps sayin we NEED… well we dont really need anything. We have full backs who are decent but abit more quality would be nice, we have a few CMs in thr underbelly of the team with gosling looking good in.pre season but cover for cheik would be a.plus and up front we have several.players who can.come in now including sammy, or we can switch to 433 and make use of one of our many wingers.
60 Robby Bobson // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Not sayin its an excuse.for.not buying anyone but its annoying seeing long lists of.positions when we finished 5th last season with this team minus best and.guthrie.
61 toon_asprilla2012 // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:56 PM
I think pardew is right we do have to be pateient plus we have been active but active it seems on set players, like pardew was quoted saying he has given DL and LEE an A list with few players on there ie de jong, Douglas, debouchey, Anita and pardew said he don’t realy draw up a B list as he wants the A listers. There is no point buying for the sake of it. Everybody going on about full back and striker and centre half but i think we need another playmaker in midfield, cabaye has the eye for a pass and through ball and spreding play but we need a midfield player that can skip past opposition midfield and drive with the ball, too much pressure was on Ben arfa to do that last season. Maybe play a midfield of tiote DM cabaye and guti CM playmakers as guti has a trick or two n drop shoulder and get away and Marv left wing n hba right wing cisse up. What you think lads?
62 Ketsbaia9 // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Can’t wait for us to get rid of Simpson and Williamson. They are always costing us points. Gunter is miles ahead of Simpson. Simpson has never made an international appearance.
Perch should be utilised as a centre back. He is much better in the air than Williamson and is strong in the tackle. He is definitely not a defensive midfielder.
63 toon_asprilla2012 // Aug 8, 2012 at 12:57 PM
I think pardew is right we do have to be pateient plus we have been active but active it seems on set players, like pardew was quoted saying he has given DL and LEE an A list with few players on there ie de jong, Douglas, debouchey, Anita and pardew said he don’t realy draw up a B list as he wants the A listers. There is no point buying for the sake of it. Everybody going on about full back and striker and centre half but i think we need another playmaker in midfield, cabaye has the eye for a pass and through ball and spreding play but we need a midfield player that can skip past opposition midfield and drive with the ball, too much pressure was on Ben arfa to do that last season. Maybe play a midfield of tiote DM cabaye and guti CM playmakers as guti has a trick or two n drop shoulder and get away and Marv left wing n hba right wing cisse up. What you think lads???
64 Ketsbaia9 // Aug 8, 2012 at 1:08 PM
We could play Ben Arfa and Gutierrez on the wings and Marveaux in the middle. Marveaux has to play.
65 toon_asprilla2012 // Aug 8, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Yes marvueax and guti have to play! Gutti lifts and sets the “hardworking” rate for the team and that will rubb off on the players, marvauex seems to be the one with the creativity this pre season skipping past players and playing the delicate passes to feet or through ball. Guti and Marv can also rotate from cm to lw
66 toon-hendy // Aug 8, 2012 at 1:35 PM
I think Perch was our best player towards the end of last season, don’t understand how he didn’t get in the Ireland squad for the Euros. That trapatelli knows nowt!
67 geordie157 // Aug 8, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Perch is Irish?? kets, I have to disagree perch looks best as a dm, where he can break up play, man mark players. He does alright at right back, but think centre back he is only ok alongside Colo.
68 Made a ma beed // Aug 8, 2012 at 2:06 PM
We need a striker! We only have Shola as a back up to 2 african nations strikers, who presumably will be fasting.
We need a quality RB or LB if Santon switches, we have not got top quality in there.
We need a strong CB beside Colo, Taylor injury prone, Willo ok as 4th choice.
We need a goalkeeper to back Krul and put pressure on him, Harps has had it. Elliott will never have it!
69 LooneyToon41 // Aug 8, 2012 at 2:36 PM
@57 Jesus1983. Of course we’ve learnt from last year regarding CB’s. That’s why we tried to bring in Mariappa from Watford in January (now at Reading) but wouldn’t pay over the odds. The same applies this window, we won’t pay over the odds, as this restricts us longer term. (Think Liverpool!) We should NOT bring in bodies just for the sake of it. Hopefully, we will find a quality CB at the right price.
70 toon_asprilla2012 // Aug 8, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Lol we need a man city owner then
71 toon_asprilla2012 // Aug 8, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Lol we need a man city owner too then
72 mr.guilfoyle@hotmail.co.uk // Aug 8, 2012 at 9:42 PM
we are stronger than last season. we have a young and continuously improving squad. we`ll only sign if we sell for the remainder of this window.
73 DaveLC // Aug 9, 2012 at 6:53 AM
They don’t want to pay over the odds for players. That’s fair enough. But it just seems to me that the likes of Lambias have under valued Pardews targets. If I were the lille management I wouldn’t accept 5-6 m for Debuchy….would you??
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