There’s a report in the Star today that former Middlesbrough star Stewart Downing was made aware that Newcastle were interested in him only a day before he signed again for his home town club – presumably to finish his career where he started it under now Newcastle manager Steve McClaren.
A young Stewart Downing at Middlesbrough
Stewart came through their impressive Youth Academy and was given his first team debut when Steve McClaren was there back on 24th April 2002, in an FA Premier League game away at Ipswich Town.
Stewart has talked about Newcastle’s potential move today:
“The only thing I heard about Newcastle was from Slaven. I didn’t get any contact and I didn’t know anything about it until he told me – and that was the day before I came here to Middlesbrough.¨
“It was news to me, but I was too far down the line with Middlesbrough.¨ “Once they came in, I spoke to the Chairman, Steve Gibson, and he said he could do the deal, so I wasn’t going to say ‘no’.¨
“I think it will be tough for him. They’re a very demanding club and crowd.¨ “He’s spent big on a couple of players and the pressure will be on him to do well.¨
“If he does not get a good start, the pressure could be on him, but I hope he does well because he’s a decent man” “I had a really good time with Steve. He’s a very good manager and a good coach.¨
“He will make Newcastle hard to beat and do the best he can.¨ “But the Premier League is a very tough league.¨
Steve McClaren had a poor start to his management career at Middlesbrough back in 2001, when they lost their first four games, the fourth one being a 4-1 home defeat to Bobby Robson’s Newcastle – and that was the first goal they had scored that season.
They then had two wins against Leicester and West Ham to relieve the pressure.
Stewart would have added some experience to Newcastle, but we thought it was a good move for him back to Middlesbrough.
Hopefully they can get promoted this season back to the Premier League, after getting so close last season when they lost the play-off final to Norwich 2-0 at Wembley.
Comments welcome.
46 comments so far
Belfast
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:29 AM
Comment #41Hahaha Aye that’s right Wwsbrd
Says a lot about your stories when somebody thinks Indi Kalia or some other wrongun is writing them.
will die for the toon army
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:31 AM
Comment #42How is signing Carrick an ambitious move
chasing_rabbits
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:32 AM
Comment #43WWSBRD
You think Austin would price himself out of a move to a PL team, just so that the press can sell papers?!
No truth in it whatsoever, more bullturd from the press. Even been denied by Austin’s Dad.
Belfast
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:33 AM
Comment #44I actually used to buy the Daily star years ago haha well until it turned into a z list celebrity w@nk fest.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:33 AM
Comment #45Tsunki,
West Ham had a similarly awful run of form to us at one stage. They weren’t exactly a top team. Downing and Sakho dragged them through to where they were. He was their second top scorer and their leading assists.
Are their players that much better? They can’t be otherwise why would we be turning our noses up at one of their top players last season?
magscar
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Comment #46JFA
Just catching up this morning and haven’t yet gone through all threads but see your response to me from last night.
Taking you at your word ( am aware of various issues some have with Ian Toon but not the detail and hasn’t been my experience as you say) I can see why you have it in for him. But isn’t your reposting of old posts ( for no clearly discernible reason last night as far as I recall without going back through thread) simply going to prolong the issue between you.
Blog has been a lot better since club has gotten into gear and no I am not yet totally sold and am still being reserved. Surely you would agree though that differences between posters over who should be sold or not, possible formations etc are much preferable to slanging matches and oot lists. Even if not contributing I have once again begun to enjoy reading the blog at various times of the day after shunning it a few months ago as it was doing my head in. Doesn’t mean we all have to agree.