There were three strikers Newcastle were said to be interested in this January, one was Bafe Gomis of Lyon, and the other two were PSV Eindhoven striker Ola Toivonen, and Heerenveen’s 24 year-old striker Alfred Finnbogason.
Ola Toivonen – likely to stay at PSV
We should probably cross Ola off the list, since it seems that PSV may be able to persuade their striker to stay with them, and www.telegraaf.nl is reporting that PSV Technical Director Marcel Brands is confident Toivonen will stay at the Dutch club.
This is what Brands had to say today:
“I have no indication that he does not intend to sign. Otherwise, he would not let us wait so long. Why would he do that?” “Talks were agreed last week when Mino was in America,”
“We need to see if we will meet or speak by phone.” That word deadline is not applicable. We have made the appointment, which Ola agreed would happen before he joins up with the national team.”
Mino is Toivonen’s agent Mino Raiola, so we’ll have to see if PSV can get a deal done to keep their Swedish International striker.
The news was that Ola was available for a cut price £2.5M, since his contract runs out at the end of June.
Bafe Gomis would be available for around £4M, which is less than half the price Newcastle agreed for the striker in August, but Joe Kinnear couldn’t get the deal done because of the excessive fees his agent demanded.
And Alfred Finnbogason was offered to Newcastle for £5M in the summer, and he would presumably be available for that same fee in January.
Those transfer fees are within the range that Newcastle can afford for players these days.
Comments welcome.
109 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #41Hate watching that little dwarf Owen with the squeaky voice on as a football pundit as well.
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #42Jesper…I did? Which one? Let me know and I’ll frame it 🙂
Tuff…I’m starting to wonder whether Ashley can count beyond the number 5.
GeordieTwo
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:07 PM
Comment #43Right back to work at Manly Men Inc. Now where’s that pillock who came up with the Manly Man Snuggy?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:09 PM
Comment #44Ibiza…I am not worry about Benny not being introduced ot being introduced for that matter, but worried about why Pardew cannot seem to utilize and get the best out of flair players…for the good of the team?
…so are we just settleing for what we can get from our manager? For me this is not just about Benny – he is just an example of our problem, which goes alot deeper than him 🙂
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Comment #45*worried
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Comment #46Ibiza…the point you made is in post #33
…quickly copy past it and savor it 😉 lol
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:18 PM
Comment #47Jesper…Oh right, the bit about being proud of my nose hair? 🙂
Not settling, just prioritising. When something isn’t working, for whatever reason, go back to basics.
I do feel that with our current coaches (not just Pardew) that any change in style will have to be gradual.
We also have a team that was so knocked of confidence from last season, that perhaps too much change would be detrimental to them.
I love flair players, but perhaps I am a bit too English old school in that I generally do favour that “to the death” and hard working spirit in players.
Nothing worse for me than seeing a talented player strolling around the pitch, apart from maybe an untalented player strolling around the pitch 🙂
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Comment #48Ibiza…I am done with the gratual thing 😉 been to long already lol
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:38 PM
Comment #49Jesper…Glad to hear it, what are you planning? 🙂
Just read that article in the mag. Interesting.
What I make of it is that Ashley has done a fine job in alienating the fans to the point where the club no longer generates the same amount of money.
Whilst the low ticket prices have been called a great move by him, would they have needed to do it if he hadn’t p*ss*d off as many of the supporters as he has?
On commercial income, how and why has he managed to almost half it? I guess relegation would have impacted somewhat, but surely not to the point where we couldn’t get back there or there abouts?
Hmmm…
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Comment #50Ibiza…planning?
I just think he is way in over his head when it comes to running a football club – you have to be more hands on and he is down there in London and are leaving all the important decissions to others.
He might have to give his go, but you cannot run a football club like that. Pardew once said that he has more or less no contact with Ashley!
There are probably plantly of ways to up revenue, but you need to know hoe to do it – be clever and all that. Just look at Spurs.
The there is the whole SD fiasco – he might be a self made billionaire but he is a freaking idiot 😀
yo-yo
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Comment #51Ibiza
Yes – but confidence should be high and we have a decent number of players with ball skills.
Maybe, just maybe, the coaching drills are just not adequate to get the pass and move approach ingrained so it is second nature
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #52yo-yo….Did my post appear that I was saying it was all about confidence? I didn’t mean that to be the case. Of course, training methods etc will be a huge factor. It was more an also ran thought.
Jesper…”I am done with the gratual thing 😉 been to long already lol” – Well, what are you planning then? 🙂
Who is in over their head? Ashley? Actually, they all are to some extent.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:01 PM
Comment #53Ibiza…give ’em hell 🙂
…no more mister nice guy lol
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:02 PM
Comment #54Ibiza…they most definitely are!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Comment #55Ibiza…I am buying a new car do you know where you can get somethin to protect the back of the frontseat from Villads boats? 😀
* and we are not buying a Seat Ibiza 😉 lol (we did look at it though in a stationcar model)
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Comment #56Jesper…Ermm…why do I feel I’m missing a joke there?
I suggest being nicer to him, then maybe he’ll stop trying to kick you 😉
sweendog
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:15 PM
Comment #57What about Andre Ayew as the new striker .. Marseille may sell as his contract is running down ..just 18 months left
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:25 PM
Comment #58Good evening gents.
Nice to see some very familiar faces on here tonight. Just settled down to watch Dortmund game. Promises to be a cracker.
How are we all? On topic, think it’s a non starter. More press talk. Either that or Ed is his agent and is hoping for a big money move to fill his wallet! 😉
I know we arent world beaters, but he simply isn’t good enough for this club imo.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:33 PM
Comment #59Ibiza…no pun intended 😉
…getting a Renault Clio St.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Comment #60Evening Torq! How have you been mate? Still globetrotting across Europe?
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:38 PM
Comment #61Hello Jesp.
Yeah still at it. Always pretty busy but this season seems busier than the last. (although I prob say that every year – probably just me getting older!) 🙂
Are you keeping well? What are your thoughts on our season, thus far?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 7:50 PM
Comment #62Torq…well it’s always good keeping busy
…the last two performances have been good no doubt – hope we can keep it up! besides that it has really been a sad season; both in terms of the appointment of JFK as DoF, Ashley’s lack of interest in the club, Pardew’s inability to utilize flair players, inconsistency and so forth…
What’s your thoughts?
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Comment #63Much agree, my friend. Whilst performances have been improved recently, our inconsistency is terrifying! When you look at our squad on paper we have some fantastic players (albeit not world class) but we are struggling to get the most out of them.
No matter what Colo does this season, or in the summer, personally I feel he hasn’t been good enough, and a CB needs to be signed in January. A winger such as Ayew would be an excellent acquisition and secure Remy permanently would do for me. Yes we do need another striker, but nor going to push my luck! 🙂
However is pardew the man to take us forward? I dont believe so. A nice a bloke and as passionate about the club as he is, technically he is lacking. Ash is doing an amazing job at alienating us fans, the appointment of JFK still amazes me to this day.
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:03 PM
Comment #64torq
Very well put, couldn’t have put it better myself.
Also is anyone watching the dortmund arsenal game tonight? Brilliant from dortmund, look how high they all press as a unit, wish we could do that…no reason we couldn’t if we wanted, press high and in numbers.
At one point dortmund had all 10 outfield players in the arsenal half when attacking and 9 in when pressing to defend.
They may be technically better than us but no reason we can’t press the same way and defend like that. Would allow us to use players like benny and marv better too as they can do the hard work pressing and really exploit the space winning the ball that high up.
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:03 PM
Comment #65And just seen a stat….without cheating anyone care to take a guess what dortmunds average possession is per game?
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:05 PM
Comment #66torq
on the striker we linked with in this article….its a non starter for me….why buy a player who is at best a slight upgrade on shola…should be buying an upgrade on cisse/remy to push them even more, not just backup who won’t keep them on their toes.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Comment #67Torq…I still don’t understand after 6 years, that Ashley haven’t come to turns with the idea that he has to be more hands on?
…if money is his only religion, then surely he should be more hands on and show more interest in learning the trade? I have a hard time understanding this union between the two – Newcastle and Ashley that is 🙂
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Comment #68TS…keep me posted on how far back their wide men track back will you? 😉
…and how many players they have in and around the box when going forward! You are a sport mate!
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Comment #69Sage – I would guess at around 65% average? That being extremely conservative. They are so good at keeping the ball and remaining calm when there appears to be no space whwhatsoever in the middle of the park.
They play some wonderful stuff. Have the game on now. Interesting listening to Michael ballack in the build up when he referred to the ‘new’ style of German football both league and national sides. Something England coukd learn a lot from.
Would love to see us press higher than we do. However I’m not sire confidence in our back line allows us to do that. Our midfield feel they need to overprotect our defense therefore aren’t able to press as much. Willo, for all the stick he has taken, has been a breath of fresh air this season.
Dortmund just have quality all over the park, and with players such as Gundogan, Hummels and (or course!) the PEA not in this XI they are an incredible outfit.
nufc7lad
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Comment #70Sunderland still in the league cup
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Comment #71torq
True it’s easier to press if you have total confidence in all areas of the team…still think there is no reason we can’t. Maybe drop off against the top top sides if they aren’t comfortable doing it but against sides around and below us we should be able to pressure them.
And no where near with 65%…average of 46%. They don’t do what barca do and hold the ball, klopp said this week if he had grown up watching this current barca team he would have taken up tennis…said its all about winning the ball and instantly going forward, don’t pass back and keep the ball, just attack quickly and defenses will eventually crack under the pressure.
nufc7lad
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Comment #72@TorqToon
Theres no Lukas Piszeck either, their qualaity right back
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Comment #73jesper
posted something last night, negredo for city…playing as a centre forward but i counted a good 6/7 times in the game he assisted the right back on the edge of his own box when others were out of position and he still managed a hattrick.
Also just seen cazorla for arsenal doubling up with gibbs to help the defense. So others do it as well.
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:20 PM
Comment #74Jesper
I also agree he should be more hands on, but if he can’t he should appoint expereinced football people in key positions…both financial and footballing positions that is.
Why miss out on revenue into the club, especially when wanting to be self sufficient, when all it takes is competent and experienced football managing directors and marketing directors to improve the income. It’s dropped by half since he took over.
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:21 PM
Comment #75http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/86669/business-booming-for-newcastle-united-owner-mike-ashleys-sports
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Comment #76Nufc7 – that shows true depth in squad.
Sage – Then I guess they just do more with the ball when they do have it.
Good stat though, nice work! 🙂
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Comment #77not just us he treat with a lack of respect…its his staff at sports direct too
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Comment #78torq
yeh i thought it was ineresting…its because there is a high turnover of possession…they attack right away so often broken down as most attacks dont result in goals….but they then win it back quick too.
them, bayern and madrid are the most exciting teams in europe by far in my opinion.
TorqToon
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:25 PM
Comment #79Sage – I agree, sir.
This was always going to be my game of choice tonight, even over barca vs Milan.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Comment #80TS…Negredo is a forward, so if you are counting on Citeh to score chances are he will be the man…I am more interested in the wide players, both in terms of goals and tracking back
…so you never see Benny track back is that it? 😉