Newcastle players celebrated at their Christmas party over the weekend by getting dressed up in various costumes.
Here’s the tweet sent out by Christian Atsu which is doing the rounds on the Internet and since nothing untoward has been reported – the lads must have behaved themselves.
Can you tell who is who in this photograph – I know the guy in the white shirt at the front – he looks like an American!
Love it at winter wonderland with these costume wears. #London #ninjatortoise #spiderman ??? pic.twitter.com/l5X615hlPS
— Christian Atsu (@ChristianAtsu20) December 18, 2016
Here’s the latest from the Old Geordie Geezer.
34 comments so far
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:08 AM
Comment #1Siem de Jong is definitely made of glass !
After tempting fate last week by declaring he was raring to get back to NUFC in the PL he sustained what is believed to be a season ending groin injury this weekend.
http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/27264099/__Siem_de_Jong___Grote_domper___.html
grote domper = big downer
G
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Comment #2The bloke has no luck at all with injuries
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #3By contrast Florian Thauvin (who is still contracted to us until May 2020) is knocking doors out of windows at Marseilles.
He is talking about being selected for France but is sending out mixed messages about a return to England , he clearly feels he has unfinished business here.
http://9societe.com/2016/12/18/thauvin-voque-son-avenir-en-quipe-de-france/
G
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Comment #4I was very wrong on Thauvin, I believed we had signed the new Ginola. Better off without him.
giimps
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:32 AM
Comment #5Dont think wel see either of those here again, its a shame about Siem, i liked him, he keeps the ball moving forward with quick incisive passing and movement, had no pace though and is unfortunately made of bolsa wood and sugarcane.
I would have liked to see him under Rafa if fit, Thauvin was never really given a chance here, for some reason the fans got on his back for being a bit lightweight and not seeming to care or work hard…..i dont think there were many who couldnt be tarred with the same brush last season but he was highlighted due to his flamboyant dress sense…..i think he could have torn this league up and who knows maybe gained the work ethic others in the team have gained, i suppose wel never know if the rumours of the buy out clause are true and hes played enough games.
But its onward and upward for us, Forest revenge on boxing day and i cant wait……bring it on!!!!!
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Comment #6glimps
You are spot on with your assessment of FT.
He had good September 2015 with us but seemed to suffer in the fallout of the 6 -1 pasting from Man City 03 October
He didn’t get on for our following game where we pasted Norwich 6 -2 at home.
He became a whipping boy for a section of the fans and the rest as they say is history.
manxpie
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #7Giimps it’s Sheffield wed on boxing day forest the following Friday
hibbit
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Comment #8Giimps
heres your christmas present
Sheffield Wednesday
Championship
St. James’ Park
Monday 26th December
Kick-off 7.45pm
Live on Sky Sports
martoon
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:22 AM
Comment #9I’m a little concerned about the January period – with about 4 players off to the AFCON (including Diame & Atsu), Shelvey likely to be suspended and Colback’s eye injury seems to be quite serous with no specified return we could be left a little light in midfield.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:23 AM
Comment #10Het is groot domper en niet grote welk is en Engels great. Jij eikal.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Comment #11martoon,
We need a CAM and LW anyway, January would be a good time to bring them in.
hibbit
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Comment #12wel or welk that is the question
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #13Jail
from the garbled nonsense you posted from Google translate . I think you are trying to say “big” and “great” are totally different words .
Really !!!
microbar
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Comment #14That must be Jonás Gutiérrez in the spiderman outfit.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:39 AM
Comment #15And why would you need to use translate Jib,I thought you spoke more languags tgan Peter Ustinov.
martoon
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Comment #16Jail @9 – That’s true but unless we get them on Jan 1st they are not really going to be ‘up to speed’ in time.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:48 AM
Comment #17Riven’t kea lads – what I have seen of opposition players this season –
I would make a bid for Wigan’s, Yanik Wildschut –
Took Anita to the cleaners midweek and was MOM on Saturday scoring 2 against Ipswich and also led Huddersfield defence a merry dance the other week.
Jib filled me in with his credentials and what the Boro’s Karanka said about him
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Comment #18I think Rafa in his 6 months in the Championship has spotted that there are some quality players down in this division that have slipped through the net .
I think he may shock us with some signings in January.
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:51 AM
Comment #19Siem’s injury might affect us more than people think if hes out for the season its likely he will be sent back to us in Jan and be back on our wage bill with no way to get rid of it…that could affect our recruitment
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:02 AM
Comment #20WWSBRD
SdJ is on a contracted loan until May 2017 so for PSV it’s just tough titty.
However in the longer term he is contracted to us until June 2020.
He’s 28 next month so they may have to be some rethinking of things this Summer.
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Comment #21Jeffery
Remy was on a contracted loan to Palace until the same date, he got injured and it was cancelled. If PSV can cancel the deal (which considering Siems injury history it would of been very naive for them not to include such a clause) they will, why would they continue paying 40-50k a week for an injured player when they dont have to?
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:19 AM
Comment #22WW etc.
Either way , that’s why insurance companies exist and it’s naive in the extreme to say his wages would affect the clubs transfers in any way.
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Comment #23Jeffery
In what way is it naive to suggest adding 40-50k to the wage budget (which is always been the number Ashley has paid closest attention too) could (might want to notice the wording I used) have an affect on recruitment?
Id imagine u have no idea how insurance works in the football world or what policy NUFC have taken on (I have a bit of experience in insurance and it can be incredibly complex with a huge amount of options for exactly what is covered and what isnt, also its affects on the prices charged of which NUFC lean towards the cheapest option). Since its Xmas I will save u googling it urself
http://www.stirrassociates.com/player-salaries-whilst-injured-situation-across-europe/
Thats the first applicable result and even it doesnt actually answer questions over the liability of the club towards its wage structure
jayphoto
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:11 PM
Comment #24Siem must have some kind of gyspy curse! his injuries aren’t even always the same area.. he’s had lungs, eyes, groin, hamstring… the guy is made out of glass and ribbons!
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Comment #25wwSBRd
All that link does is prove how uncomplicated footy insurance is.
If a couple of no mark preening ex Belgian footballers with aspirations to write players tweets for them can understand the ins and outs then I’m sure most folk can.
Nice to hear you have been an insurance salesman – most folk have tried it until they get a proper job.
jayphoto
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #26Think we’ll see a fair few changes when we get promoted! Managed to get to 4 games so far this season and probably watched another 5 or 6 on tv, and my assessment on a few things is thus:
We’re really good at controlling and seeing games out, even when we don’t have the ball we are in control. On Saturday I watched Burton have all the play, yet very few chances, always felt Newcastle had another gear or 4 if needed.
Atsu looks better on tv than live! Live he is sloppy, poor control etc just rapid, but on TV he looks far more dangerous.
You need to see Gayle live to really appreciate how good he is. The amount of bended runs that guy makes that go missed on tv is unbelievable, never stops! Really lost his markers consistently throughout the game! Compare this to mitrovic, who barely moves, and seems to prefer beating his marker rather than losing him.
Shelvey on tv looks like a miserable c**t! But live, he looks like a decent guy enjoying his football. Hes often smiles and joking with teammates and opposition, never see this on tv games though!
Teams target our left side! Harder to see this on tv, but live, every single game I’ve been to, the opposition have largely attacked down the left more than anywhere else!
Diame – on tv, Diame hasn’t looked great, but live… he actually looks a bit lost. He scored against burton and wigan, but he looks like he actually doesn’t know what position he’s meant to be in. I don’t think he’s a natural number 10, he works hard though and has a crunching tackle and drive, would love to see a natural number 10 come in and Diame play alongside shelvey!
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Comment #27Jeffery
All that time frantically googling and thats what u come up with? I despair for u
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:35 PM
Comment #28jay
Am not sure Rafa is convinced by Atsu in terms of signing him full time (I think there’s a player in there but that’s me) I think of Goofy gets a new deal then we aren’t signing Atsu
jayphoto
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Comment #29Anyone notice Adam Armstrong isn’t even making the bench at Barnsley these days? Be surprised if the club keep him there past January!
WWSBRD
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Comment #30jay
Ur timing of a comment is pretty spot on haha Chron just ran an article about it
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-reach-decision-adam-armstrongs-12341768
Apparently hes been injured recently
Lindisfarne
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Comment #31Jayphoto
Agree with your review of players performances live and direct observation versus what the TV cameras show. The different perspectives can have a massive effect on how much we appreciate the players fielded.
I hope we pick up some new players this January and Rafa could certainly have pinpointed some potential talent. However, it is little tiring hearing about Will Hughes.
jayphoto
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Comment #32@WWSBRD – I don’t think we’ll sign Atsu either! For me he isn’t premier league level, his technical skills are pretty average! Wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t start next season with a completely new left winger as even if Gouffran signs, I don’t see him being first choice.
Rafa is ruthless and he’ll know what’s needed for the premier league is a world apart from whats needed at this level. Personally think in the system we play, the 2 wide players need to be goal scorers and contribute more in that form as Gouffran in particular doesn’t score or assist all that many in comparison with a player like Knockeart which is probably the level we should be looking at
lochinvar
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:44 PM
Comment #33Suggest that next year all the players have tattoos of poppies on their arms and then sue the hell out of this disgraceful organisation for infringing freedom of speech, etc etc etc
Fifa has fined all four home nations for displaying poppies during World Cup qualifiers around Armistice Day.
England and Scotland players wore armbands featuring the symbol when they met at Wembley on 11 November.
Wales and Northern Ireland’s respective games featured displays to mark the event on the pitch or in the stands.
England have been fined 45,000 Swiss francs (£35,311), Scotland and Wales 20,000 Sfr (£15,694) and Northern Ireland 15,000 Sfr (£11,770).
martoon
Dec 19, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #34lochinvar – I agree the fines are a disgrace but what I find puzzling is why are the fines different – surely the same offence merits the same fine?