The Sun is reporting today that it will be Aston Villa who will sign 26 year-old free agent Micah Richards from Manchester City and not Newcastle, who are also reported to be interested in the former England International defender.
Micah Richards – while on loan at Fiorentina last season
The Sun is reporting that when Micah returns from vacation next week he will take his medical at Villa, and if all is OK then he’ll sign along the dotted line for Aston Villa, and it will be a first success in the summer transfer window for new manager Tim Sherwood.
Newcastle need to bring in at least one new center-back this summer, with some of our central defenders leaving the club – and news yesterday that 31 year-old Mike Williamson was getting close to joining Leeds United.
Sunderland are the other club said to be keen to sign the 13 times capped Manchester City defender and apparently have offered him £90K/week in wages to sign for the Black Cats, but Micah turned that down and will sign for Villa.
Newcastle do have some other central defender targets and we hope the Magpies will be going after Celtic’s 23 year-old Dutch center-back Virgil van Dijk.
Newcastle were reported to be close to signing the 6’4″ Dutch U21 International at the end of last summer’s transfer window – but didn’t.
Virgil was supposed to be a replacement for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa who we had loaned out to Roma for the season.
That meant we had only three experienced center-backs last season, and when that was reduced to two on January 1st, when Steven Taylor ruptured his Achilles.
Why didn’t we get a center-back in during the January transfer window to strengthen the squad, and we wondered why we struggled in defense this year?
That was just one of the big mistakes Lee Charnley made in January.
Micah Richrads would have been a decent signing for Newcastle, but we do have other targets, and as long as we bring in at least one good central defender this summer, we’ll be happy enough.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
195 comments so far
chasing_rabbits
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:06 PM
Comment #161Jesper
Not at all, I was hoping for Garde since we were first linked with him. The point I was trying to make was that, which ever was it’s looked it, surely McClaren being appointed is a plus? Most of us were convinced that Carver would be given it full time, or at least revert to his previous post. Sacking him & stone was the first time the clubs shown any balls for a long time. And I hope they did that because they want the new coach to be able to coach his way.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:13 PM
Comment #162Oh dear
https://nufcdigest.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/desperation-rhetoric-from-newcastle-united/
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:14 PM
Comment #163chasing_rabbits…surely after Ashley’s interview something had to give!
…Carver would leave or so would Charmless (both would have been better). I didn’t think Carver would stay, but that doesn’t mean I am going to except “crap” Ashley is going to throw our way.
I am not overly please with the appointment of SM nor that he’s on the board. See more concerns with that to be honest.
expatmag
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:15 PM
Comment #164Chasing Rabbits
Take it as read, a new coach or manager who has been stalked holds all the cards.
I would be surprised if McLaren hadnt laid down the conditions on staffing, budget and transfers knowing how long the club have been persuing him.
I just hope he is man enough to tell them where to stick their job if Ashley and Co. renege on any promises.
As I see it, he will have a hard enough time convincing players to come to the club due to the adverse reputation gained during the Ashley era.
chasing_rabbits
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:21 PM
Comment #165Kilcline
Shawcross yes, but I cant see him leaving Stoke for us.
Walcott?! Are you serious?! I’m sure we’d all love to see that, but he would never leave Arsenal for us. Garbutt is another unproven player, we need to strengthen with experienced players at the back. Whoever comes in at the back needs to be able to shoulder the blame when things go wrong. Benteke isnt going to leave to take a step sideways. His ego wouldn’t allow it. Especially when clubs like Liverpool express interest.
expatmag
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:23 PM
Comment #166Realism seems to be going out the window today with some of the players being mentioned…..makes me laugh.
Average_Contents
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:25 PM
Comment #167Tfl
The letters embarrassing to say the least with the added bonus of it also looking like it’s been penned by a 10y old.
Please come back, we’ll be better we promise.
Honest.
They claim to understand the fans are vital but past actions over a period of 8 years point to the contrary. More recently the contempt with which the fans forum have been held in also say bollox and are just playing upon our loyalty. Again.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Comment #168chasing_rabbits …we will see how much will change soon enough 😉
…as of now nothing has really changed.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:28 PM
Comment #169AC it’s horrendous isn’t it?
toonbrother
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM
Comment #170charlie austin is a fox in the box type player
he and cisse arent that different
if you play him as a lone striker as pardew often did cisse he will score very few goals
personally i think cisse is worth holding onto if he is interested in staying that is
what we need is a different kind of striker a targetman who isnt easily outmuscled by defenders and can hold on to the ball
someone like andy carroll, chris martin or troy deeney to complement cisse
cheers
sgitr
Criminal
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM
Comment #171Kilcline
you are chatting utter shit.
You lived in Swindon? I live in Hampshire, Bournemouth is 95 miles away from Swindon. Austin has never had a stable/horse in Swindon, had you said the outskirts of Salisbury you would of been right.
I play Sunday League with a lad who knows the QPR kit man and won a game of golf with Rio Ferdinand (Rio didn’t show because of the passing of his wife). He has a lot of ties with QPR and even he doesn’t know what is happening with Austin, so I’d love to know how you do.
chasing_rabbits
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:30 PM
Comment #172Expat,
I made a comment earlier that I hope he laid down the law before signing. It sounds as though he will have more influence on signings, for now anyway. And he’s been allowed to bring his own coaching team. As for attracting players, it cant be easy to sell the club to any player who’s looking to develop their career, especially with all the negative press over the last few months. But everybody to come out & speak about McClaren had good things to say, so I’m hopeful he can still convince people to sign. We’ll see!
jazzyp
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:31 PM
Comment #173Chasing rabbits @158
Well put sir. Something had to give after the disaster of last season and mistakes were made at all levels by the board.
getting rid of Carver and stone was a plus point. Releasing the dead wood is a positive. transfer listing the likes of Gouffy and Obershocker has definitely got to be a step in the right direction.
We all would have liked to have had a top notch manager like De boar come in, he probably would have attracted a lot more players as would a viera.
I wasn’t over the moon with McLaren appointment but will get behind him rather than jumpingon his back labelling him a yes man. And there fore starting the vicious circle we have had before with Percy and carver
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:32 PM
Comment #174How many seasons have we been told told top 10 was a minimum requirement and seen no consequences for that delivering?
…hot air and false promises is what it is!
jazzyp
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:36 PM
Comment #175NufcNews ?@NufcNews9 · 43 mins43 minutes ago
That Charlie Austin tweet, was about him joining #CFC not #NUFC deal should be done when returns from England duty
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:37 PM
Comment #176Mr Tickle is he having a laugh?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Comment #177Jazzy…are you using some of my post to highlight how much you agree with post #158? 😉
lesh
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Comment #178Tfl
That letter to ST holders fails to grasp the point that folk’ll be prepared to fork out their cash only when top players are actually signed, to add to the appointment of McLaren and his entourage.
If they think that a new HC solves everything for the fans, no way Jose does it.
Phase two of the package is get new players actually signed, without selling our top players) and when that’s actioned, ST sales might pick up.
Fans are hardened to the speculation about players and wary of more ‘couldn’t get ’em over the line’ excuses.
Austin’s a case in point – get the agreement firmed up and get him signed!
jazzyp
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:40 PM
Comment #179@joey7barton Cautiously optimistic, best coach and tactician NUFC has had for a long time, I wish him well.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:40 PM
Comment #180Lesh couldn’t agree with you more
Criminal
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:42 PM
Comment #181He did used to have horses in Lambourn, which if you lived in Swindon you will know. However that was a while ago.
jazzyp
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:44 PM
Comment #182Jesper
Afternoon mate
Nah mate it just makes me smile how people on here and who support the club can see things so differently at times. But that’s what makes the blog so interesting when you can challenge others opinion. So long as it doesn’t step the boundaries as some have done on here when the trolls and Wums were in abundance on here
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:46 PM
Comment #183Criminal doesn’t Charlie have a couple now with Tom Dascombe? and he’s based at Manor House Stables in Cheshire but he used to train in Lambourn
Criminal
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:50 PM
Comment #184I have no idea ToonFromLeeds
I was just stating that Kilcline would have no knowledge of knowing Austin’s intentions with the facts he stated (which weren’t facts tbf)
Thump
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:52 PM
Comment #185Heh, people still want to sell Jonas and Raylor. They’re gone, via a phone call from Honest John.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:52 PM
Comment #186Oh no Criminal I know, I had already suggested Kilcline was talking bull
Criminal
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:55 PM
Comment #187I know you did : )
Jib
Jun 13, 2015 at 2:59 PM
Comment #188I see the Gloucestershire press corps thinks we’ll get CA
http://www.stroudlife.co.uk/Transfer-Gossip-Charlie-Austin-verge-Newcastle/story-26687295-detail/story.html
Sliema
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:00 PM
Comment #189TFL
Crazy desperate letter to send out. They’re probably going to blame a lack of enough investment this year on fans not renewing season tickets.
The truth is that if we are actually aiming for all that is being claimed then the first step is buying players to allow that to happen. If we do that the tickets will sell and the stadium will be full every week.
Totally unnecessary to beg for season ticket sales like that. And pulling on the heart strings of the fans who are already making a tough decision by giving up their seat!
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:02 PM
Comment #190Totally agree sliema its despicable
JDdubai
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:04 PM
Comment #191Austin and Shawcross should be the 2 players we pay top money to get in this summer – of the CBs around he would be the no1 choice for me, tough, no nonsence, would organise the others and proved it in the PL.
Realise it is a long shot but he would be worth paying 10-12m for just to finally get that leader at CB that we have needed since forever.
Average_Contents
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:11 PM
Comment #192Austin has horses? No. Just no.
Another Owen in the making 😉
Too interested in his fcuking horses and not enough football was that little blurt. Plus his voice is one of the most monotonous I’ve ever heard.
All the passion of a dead fish.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:15 PM
Comment #193AC Tom Dascombe is Owen’s trainer too 🙂
Average_Contents
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:16 PM
Comment #194Jib = jane = Jeff = ????
I’ve got a few ideas but I’d get banned for the mere mention of them.
MrMojoRisin76
Jun 13, 2015 at 3:45 PM
Comment #195Then Jane must stand for Jeff,Ambassador,NarniaEast.