There was news in the Chronicle before the narrow 1-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach this afternoon, that Newcastle will go back in for top striker target Charlie Austin this coming week, with the hope that we can get him over the line before our first game against Southampton a week tomorrow.
It seems that the only thing holding up the deal is the fee still has to be agreed between the two clubs, and with Charlie willing to come to Newcastle and no other clubs willing to pay the £15M QPR want – Newcastle are hoping to get a deal under £15M.
Charlie Austin – McClaren wants him at Newcastle
Austin’s contract runs out next summer and there will be pressure on QPR as the end of August approaches, and they stand to lose out on a big fee for their top striker – if they continue to hold out for the full £15M.
And it seems that head coach Steve McClaren has made it very clear to the Newcastle Board (make that Lee Charnley in particular) that this is the man he wants in as soon as possible.
But on the evidence of pre-season the highest priority for Newcastle would seem to be to bring in another center-back, with a mistake by Steven Taylor costing us the match today with other areas of the team looking fairly decent.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini wasn’t even in the squad today, so that Achilles injury of his has seen him miss every single pre-season game.
Maybe if he’s fit he could play a part next season, but his status is now really up in the air and it doesn’t help Steve McClaren as to what they should do with Fabricio – and whether he needs to bring in another center-back.
Crystal Palace are said to want the Argentine, and we don’t even know if the Argentine wants to stay at Newcastle for the final year of his contract, and if he does that may help the central defense problem we have.
Newcastle may however want to get up to £3M by selling him this summer, before he becomes a free agent next summer – when he will be 34.
Newcastle have brought in Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht yesterday and he played 30 minutes at right back in today”s game, but another top center-back for say £10M to £16M would be money well spent by Newcastle.
What we really need is both Charlie Austin and a top center-back brought in next week – before the season kicks off.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
53 comments so far
ShirebrookToon
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:14 PM
Comment #1Think we need fcuking defenders man!!!!
loonie-toon
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:16 PM
Comment #2Sure we can get both a cb and Austin by next Sunday
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:21 PM
Comment #3I almost fully agree with kets, even though he is deliberately a k8nd of comedy accouny.
We need another CB. We need a full back who can do both sides, and we need a fast forward who can play wide or central (a bit like pedro but obv not him because it would never happen) a winger maybe.
boater
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:22 PM
Comment #4Been a while but I thought I’d add my own tuppence before disappearing again for another season or two.
1) Unconvincing pre-season results but it should ward against complacency in the opening games – plus strengthens MCs hand in requesting another player.
2) Don’t expect our defensive frailties to disappear overnight because we throw more £££s at FM fantasy CBs. Wishing away Coloccini for e.g. strikes of the vain glorious. Coaching and ample DM cover are just – if not more important. Happy to see Williamson upgraded but it won’t cure our ills overnight as you all seem to have convinced yourself by sheer force of repetition.
3) Abeid, Sammy and Vuckic would have been decent young developing squad players to have kept next season – helpfully none of whom would demand a cast-iron starting spot every week. All shone at times last season and pretty much delivered on any sane expectations. If Aarons is (heaven forbid) lost in a last minute Arsenal/Liverpool deal, the decision to let Sammy leave will look a lot worse.
4) Relieved to see Gouffran not figuring today. The points with/without gouffran differential in the team were astonishing last season – including several late capitulations after his coming off the bench. I don’t like to paint a scapegoat but he was visibly costing us points last season – not just failing to contribute a la Obertan.
Overall I’m happy with McC and his coaching team’s start. Signings so far all make sense. We may struggle for fluency in the first couple of games but I can see things improving overall, in terms of style and energy as the season goes on.
Beyond the back 4, it’s hard to fit the current supposed starters into a single team sheet for next week – let alone adding the likes of Austin, Shaqiri, Thauvin, etc. to the mix. (Always gives me a laugh to see people’s fantasy international lavished sub benches on here). We’ll see. Enjoy the season lads and lasses. HTL!
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:24 PM
Comment #5*kind of comedy account
*and a winger, maybe
Moonraker15
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:25 PM
Comment #6According to Smc we aren’t in for Austin and he rates Colo highly !
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #7Just got back in from game
Sad to say same old same old –
But-
New lads look a cut above what we have and once they gell looking forward to seeing them play together
They looked much more comfortable on the ball and off the ball – their movement caused us problems all afternoon
Their no 8 Mahmound Dahoud and 34 Granit Xhaka ran tyhe show
McLaren going to have a problem on his attacking midfield combinations who to pick
AND a much bigger problem with defence – looked ok when had time but soon as opposition ran at them Taylor and Wilko hadn’t a clue what to do.
Taylor ‘the octopus’ would of been off in a premiership match for pulling back the goalscorer.
A lot to sort out before next Sunday.
My MOM – Anita – controlled the game at the back – kept it simple
Perez showed his class when he came on lovely dinked ball to DiJong who fed Mitrovic who should of scored.
Worst TOON players – Colback looked lost -went around fouling all afternoon and Cisse still looks out of sorts
PS
I would put a bid in for Xhaka tonight – oozed class
Moonraker15
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:28 PM
Comment #8Reading between the lines according to Percy, he wants to sign “warrior” Coloring !!!
Ketsbaia9
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Comment #9We shouldn’t have let Raylor go until we got a replacement in.
Moonraker15
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #10* Coloccini
Blackley and Brownlie
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #11We need Austin to give Mitrovic a fair chance. The new lads may have looked good (I wasn’t there) but it’s likely that the rest will drag them down to their level rather than the other way. We need a few more top players to tip the balance.
Get Mbemba in straightaway at CB. Get him up to speed asap. Stick with him through the bad times. I can’t be on with protecting new players from the game they love.
will die for the toon army
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #12Achilles injury is a hard one. Colo might b out for e whole season or 6 months though. Tiote is a cracked now.
SUTTY1978
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #13Just seen McClaren on SSN, we have no interest in Austin and have had no communication with QPR over him. Hopefully that puts it to bed and proves what a lot of bollox Journalists/ITK’s talk
nufc 11
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:31 PM
Comment #14Think we might be in for zouma on loan if Chelsea get stones him and Austin would be some window to be fair if not I’d like Michael Dawson frn hull and matty Phillips frn qpr
Sazzer
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:33 PM
Comment #15Can people stop mentioning Shawcross. Cahill, Terry or Kompany if we are going for PL experience and unrealistic.
John Tudor
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #16turn your back williamson out
pass to oppos taylor out
Noel Worst
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #17Well done Schteve for ramming the Austin rumours back down the ITKs throats and the nebulous charade that passes for sports journalism. Simply not needed.
Do these people ever take a step back and think “What am I doing with my life?”.
Belfast
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Comment #18Ian last article
We weren’t great and we weren’t bad, somewhere in between.
That’s my analysis. Booooooooom ! 🙂
will die for the toon army
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Comment #19That puts it to bed. Austin off my list. Now I think with e way Mcclaren plays we r in for another winger and CB. but I think he waiting on Colo.
Abdennour and Shaqiri
John Tudor
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Comment #20paddy mcginty is a better cb than all we have
Ketsbaia9
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:39 PM
Comment #21Haha that’s hilarious. We’ll probably end up signing Mauro Zarate, Shaqiri, Kongolo and Van Dijk
andrewsneill
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:39 PM
Comment #22While another centreback is obviously a priority the fact that we’re playing our new centreback as a rightback shows that cover for that position is also needed urgently. A winger who actually stays wide would also be a priority for me as it was far too slow on both flanks for most of the game with some bright moments provided by Aarons only. His injury record, however, shows we probably can’t rely on him all season
Belfast
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:40 PM
Comment #23What did he actually say then ? It’s always good to see the bullshitters outed, but I quite liked the idea of signing Austin.
bob
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:41 PM
Comment #24Of course another striker of Austins, calibre is a must mugs bleating on about the defending Newcastle, aren’t scoring, Fools!
Reyantoon
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:43 PM
Comment #25Charlie
Fair assessment.Haven’t impressed by Anita all the time but he looked excellent today.But u seem a bit harsh on colback.Evenif his crosses and set pieces look below bar,he made some important tackles and interceptions.Overall,
haven’t seen anyone poor today.Krul look a bit shaky for me interms of passing and distribution.Apart from that,almost all worked thier part and must say good effort!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:48 PM
Comment #26reyantoon
Cheers
I don’t know if you noticed that Krul did very little hoofing the ball and passed it out a lot more.
Maybe McLaren and coaches have been working on distribution
welshgeordie9
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:49 PM
Comment #27SKY SPORTS BREAKING NEWS
Newcastle have signed Charlie Austin on a five year deal.
welshgeordie9
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:49 PM
Comment #28Just teasing guys
Ha ha ha
Moonraker15
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:50 PM
Comment #29Belfast
Smc said there has been NO contact between the club’s re Austin and that it was just media hype!
However he also indicated that he wanted to keep Colo, but Pardew was singing his praises as though he’s defo wanting him. Now with 1 year left on your contract at age 34 the club will defo want to sell him.
Reading between the lines they’re saving Colo for transfer and I bet they have someone lined up 🙂
welshgeordie9
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:51 PM
Comment #30Sorry about that i couldn’t resist it, with all the crap stories flying around.
Noel Worst
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:56 PM
Comment #31_______________Krul_______________
Janmaat___Mbmeba__??????___Haidara
_________Anita_____Colback
_______________Wiji
_______Perez___________SDJ________
_______________Mitrovic
That’d be my team next weekend. Really scratching my head at the CB situation if we don’t get anybody in before then. I’d rather Lascelles than than Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.
I know that won’t be the team as we haven’t played that shape in pre-season, but it allows Wiji, SDJ, Perez to play in their best positions.
John Tudor
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:57 PM
Comment #32oybnh
Belfast
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:57 PM
Comment #33Thanks Moonraker.
I think the club have promised Coloccini he could leave if they receive an acceptable bid and aren’t playing him in case he gets injured. I don’t think he’ll go to Palace though, probably Spain, Greece or back to Argentina.
Jib
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:58 PM
Comment #34BREAKING NEWS
Swansea just wins european capital of culture for 2016
Ha ha ha
Sorry lads just couldn’t resist it
Jail for Ashley
Aug 1, 2015 at 6:58 PM
Comment #35moron !
welshgeordie9
Aug 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Comment #36Oh come on guys where’s your sense of humour.
Jib
Aug 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Comment #37Belfast
Colo might join Jonas at Olympiakos
JamesToon
Aug 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Comment #38Got to admit, the style of play has massively improved under McClaren. So much more enjoyable and attractive to watch. Players looking more confident on the ball and we just look more expansive in possession, and out of possession a few players starting to develop that habit of pressing for the ball, however there’s still the few who don’t seem to have that hunger yet I.e Sissoko imo
JamesToon
Aug 1, 2015 at 7:03 PM
Comment #39My team v saints would be:
4-2-3-1
Krul,
Janmaat, Mbemba, Lascelles, Haidara
Wijnaldum, Colback
Sissoko, De Jong, Aarons
Mitrovic
ilovetoon8788
Aug 1, 2015 at 7:05 PM
Comment #40Good to know the Austin rumors is all dead now. Not bothered as we don’t need him. We need another Cb in urgently though.