Still nothing directly from Kevin Keegan today but a good interview with our former captain Geremi, in today’s Evening Chronicle.
Geremi – impressed with what Kevin has done so far at Newcastle
And Newcastle midfielder Geremi, who always seems so positive, today paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, after he helped turn around his Newcastle career, which didn’t look too good when Kevin rejoined the club in mid-January.
Geremi was of course stripped of the Newcastle captaincy by Big Sam, and it was given to Alan Smith, but he says he has no hard feelings about the situation.
Well, he certainly started to play some excellent football under Kevin Keegan towards the end of last season, as most of the lads did, once Kevin had time to sort things out.
Geremi told the Chronicle today:
“When I came back from Ghana I wanted to play, of course.”“But I knew I had to wait as Kevin Keegan was checking other players.”
“I trained, he saw the way I play and he adjusted the team.” “He’s found a solution and now the team is doing well.â€
“When Kevin came in everything was new to him, including the players. He had to learn about what he had here.”
“He tried a lot of things and now he has found the right solution.â€
“If you look at the squad, there are a few players who have as much experience as me.” “And we must all help.”
“We had this horrific period, and at that time the senior players had to lift the young players who didn’t have the experience.”
“Now we have to continue that.â€
Kevin has been back at his desk since last Monday but we have yet to hear from him at all.
There was also news today that Executive Directors Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez are both in Dubai on club business, but what that business is, we don’t know.
But it hasn’t stopped some from saying Mike Ashley is selling the club, which is pure nonsense of course.
The two directors are said to be heading to Spain, for Newcastle’s pre-season trip to Majorca for the Multi Media Sports Cup.
These recruitment guys certainly get around.
Comments welcome.
44 comments so far
Bucks_mag
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Comment #1he has always looked rubbish playing for us, and yet we do better when he is in the team. Strange
toonfan1
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Comment #2i hope that geremi isnt in the team next season as he is to slow for the midfield and isn’t all that good.
Kaler
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Comment #3The stats don’t lie, we did perform better as a team when Geremi was on the pitch. I wouldn’t say no to keeping him in the squad on sensible wages, but some competition is definately needed for the midfield positions.
51times
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Comment #4Yeah it’s weird, he hasn’t really played well yet he still got assists and goals in our run at the end of the season. He’s a good guy to have in the dressing room too.
ScottyT
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Comment #5exactly bucks_mag.. i dnt like him as a player jst dont think hes good enough our centre mid is awful atm. if he takes corners and freekicks next season i myt be temptd to create a petition to stop him lol
‘These recruitment guys certainly get around’.. and do SFA it seems atm but lets hope im wrong.
Graeme
Jun 30, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Comment #6Its not just competition we need in midfield – lets have a bloody midfield first!!!!!
Cyprus-Toon
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Comment #7Well the way its going, KK won’t need to get rid of the reserves as we won’t have enough players to have a reserve team anyway, so I think we need to keep all the players we have (22) until we start to buy some because if we don’t, we’re not going to be able to field a team at all next season>> 🙁
I’ve no idea what MA is upto but if he wants to sell up, why wait till this late in the transfer market, as it will stuff up whoever takes over to buying players, if this is bull like the rest, then get your hands deep in those pockets MA & give KK some money to buy players with… 🙂
Vitorbarbosa
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Comment #8Finally, the last day of June.
Hope more news starting tomorrow.
We had let so many go, we sure will take some player in.
Btw, Geremi stabilize the team when he is playing, although not always good all the time.
HalftimeBovril
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Comment #9I thought Wise and Jimenez were in charge of all player negotiations, unless all our top targets are in Dubai on their Hols what are they doing there???
Leo
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Comment #10too rights we need a midfield before we have competition there….
geremi has done what he had to in an unspectacular fashion that doesnt get him noticed but he is efective hopefully we can get someone who is better in though
TooooooN
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Comment #11he will replace butt at defensive midfielder next season
Punk Skunk
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Comment #12Gez ain’t too disimilar to senna for spain…Has an influence, simple as…Experience is always needed on the pitch!..
The Entertainers
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Comment #13I would like Geremi to stay, he did contibute to our survival run and a lot of ‘fans’ seem to quick to discount that.
I believe it was more to do with the formation change Keegan introduced, rather than individuals leaving or returning to the first team.
Regarding Geremi, i believe he can still play a role in the 4-3-3 setup, but would not like to see him in a 4-4-2, as i believe Butt should be the defensive player and Geremi lacks creatvity and pace to play any other role in that formation.
Completely different topic, but strong rumours that Spurs and L’Pool are doing a swap tomorrow, Crouch for Keane and a few pounds going to Spurs
Faustino
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Comment #14On a seperate note….does anyone know how long Barton’s trial or that kind of trial will go on for?
Davies
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Comment #15I like the guy. Admittedly he can look slow and a bit crap sometimes, but he definitely has an influence on the team. Stats say that we played badly without him. What more can you say?
I’d like to see someone younger and faster in though. Whilst Milner is right sided and both younger and faster, he lacks the discipline to hold back. Sometimes you don’t want the ball to go straight down the wing as quick as possible. I think that’s where Geremi made the difference toward the end of the season.
Somebody younger, in a similar mould who has the same discipline, but with the speed to run the ball up when requiried is what we need to add to our midfield. Lennon’s quick, but is lacking the experience to know when to run, and when to hold up play at the side of the field.
Any ideas?
Punk Skunk
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Comment #16Faustino, i think it’s decided today mate!..One way or another!..
The Entertainers
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Comment #17@ Fautino
Trials can go on for a while mate, the quick ones tend to be where there is a change of plea.
Dont hold your breath.
Besides i still believe the start of training is more significant than this trail. As Newcastle knew this was coming up and still signed him.
However next Monday when Barton does not turn up for training, he breaches his contract and could be sacked!
Tom_Toon
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Comment #18Davies – Roberto Hilbert or Darijo Srna.
Roberto Hilbert is younger and quicker though.
Both can play RB or RW Hilbert can also play LW.
Punk Skunk
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Comment #19Davies, maybe cut one of Milner’s legs off, that’d slow him down…Or maybe tie him & lennon together?.. 😀
…Sorry man, na, i’d play Milner in a more central position, don’t really think he’s an out & out winger…Same goes for Zog!..
WIGAZ
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Comment #20@halftime boveril, maybe those two are in dubai on their hols coz the deals have been done! i may be hoping & dreaming but just maybe wise & jimenez have tied up all the paperwork & £ bollocks & now KK is just sorting out the squad no’s etc that a manager does! in recent times we’ve let everyone & their dog know WHO we’re after! IF, and only if MA & CO are being cloak & dagger in order to sign real quality right from under the noses of big boys whilst their sleeping then i’m sure we’ll be doing Oba style flips! but that’s one hell of an IF!!!!
Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Comment #21Does anyone else see the Spanish victory as an omen. An under achieving top team finally winning something.
Punk Skunk
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Comment #22Y’don’t mean england win a match do ya’ Bill?..
…LOL!..
The Entertainers
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Comment #23Bill you cant mean………..Villa?
Tore Torell
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Comment #24Geremi is a stabilizer, he makes the others play better even if he might not be the fastest player we’ve got. I’d select him over Butt, Smith etc any day, today Geremi is the best passer of the ball in our squad.
Toonsolja (in london :( )
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Comment #25i hope u r right wigaz and bill, the silence is killing me though, totenham are scaring me though they have bought some high quality players, and aparently we are after some of there rejects ( i hope that its bullshit), but nuthing would make me happier than doing another double over them. anyway i hope nufc reveal 1 or 2 players tommorow make us fans happy and show intention for next seoson, and show other clubs that we aint just there to make up the numbers.
iain
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Comment #26i agree he did ok in the 433 but if we go back to 442 i thin kwe will struggle badly unless we sign a lot of top players.
the 433 covers our back four much better, gets owen, martins and a target man in the same team, gets the best out of or poorer players ie geremi, we keep possesion better, allows beye to get forward more. just and alround better thing for the team. i am dreading us going back to 442 next season as we will really struggle.
spurs are the last team imo with any really good players who play 442, imo if they went 433 with the players they have/had they would be a much better team.
pretty much every team pushing for europe plays some sort of 433/451/4141.
we dont have the players nor teh sqaud for a 442 formation.
harper
beye faye taylor enrique
butt
milner nzogbia
owen
martins carroll
krul/edgar/geremi/smith/duff
to me with no new signings thats the best team we can put out vs manutd for the opening game.
Graeme
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Comment #27Bill, does that mean blunderland stay up?????
HeronMag
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Comment #28I think we’re all delighted with the job that KK has done so far. Most of us remember fondly just how brilliant it was in the 90s.
However, we expect big things of our club. Unfortunately the current squad is under strength and desperately needs some creative flair injected into it. KK is not going to be able to repeat anything remotely like his previous success unless we are successful in the transfer market.
As yet, we don’t know how well we’ve done. The club has been conspicously quiet over the past few weeks.
Lets all pray that KK has things sorted!
Keep the faith, Howay the lads!
gorskino10
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Comment #29For one how can he be captian he is a shocker and he is to old for his position we need pace for wingers even if he plays holding role you still need a guy who can run all around at every posistion even do more work than the midfielders just dont use him hes crap.
HalftimeBovril
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Comment #30@ WIGAZ
I hope your right and I guess time will tell. The clock however is very much ticking and I think this week will be a bench mark of how our recruitment policy is working out.
If no signings are announced or we hear nothing ‘official’ from the club then the first seeds of worry will sprout
Faustino
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Comment #31BILL F – The omen comes in the shape of what happened in the World Cup that followed Spain’s previous victory in the European Cup.
Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Comment #32I must admit I was thinking more along the lines of us actually winning something as an under achieving top team. 🙂
WIGAZ
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Comment #33Change of subject, some dude on sky sports website (Toon Fan) claims he heard from our medical staff that they were preparing a medical for john o shea! what you guys think? prob BS but i’d def take him! can play equally as well at CB & DM! heard some more smoke about Baptista too! saying he’ll sign this week! i’d take him as well! just think we could play o shea at back with taylor & baptista in mid with butt or up front with Oba & Owen! my ideal team, hopefully to come true in the next 2 weeks or so:
Given/Harper
Beye Taylor O shea/Faye bridge/enrique
butt/Huddlestone
Mil/Swp ZOG/VDV
Aimar/Arshavin
Crouch/Guiza Owen/Oba
I know there aint much chance of AA but we can hope! Comon fat boy get your Chequebook out!
scottish mag
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Comment #34barton has just pleaded guilty to assualt on dabo
scottish mag
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Comment #35i was just told that the reason that wise and jimenez are in dubia is to talk to PABLO AIMAR AND HIS AGENT about transfer to NUFC
although the guy that told me does wind me up sometimes, he did tell me about spear 2 days b4 all the websites reported it and last year told me about enrique b4 any of us knew it off the villareal website so he might be telling the truth this time, i hope he is aimar woud be a quality signing.
Tom_Toon
Jun 30, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Comment #36O’shea is fkin shite!
WIGAZ
Jun 30, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Comment #37Scottish Mag! i hope thats true like! that would be a great 1st signing to kick things off! get some creativity in! Tom Toon which CB would you get in then? we’ve had far worse CB’s at our club than o shea! boumsong,bramble,marcelnio Roz Cacapa! list goes on & on! Truth is we aint had a quality CB since Woodgate! taylor is good & will be great but needs Experience next to him! Wished we’d got woody back but f him! lets hope he has another shocker against the toon next season! ha ha!
michael
Jun 30, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Comment #38Geremi is only saying that so keegan doesnt get rid of him which i think keegan should do coz he is shite bottom line chelsea knew what they were doin went they wanted rid of him. free bargain my arse.
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Jun 30, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Comment #39Geremi – IMO should go! even with a couple of assists and goals last season he isn’t creative, he’s no good at set peices or corners so overall is crap!! I feel we could bring in a player to replace him for the same wages or less that would really do a job!!! GEREMI MOST GO!!!! included the rest of the rubbish!!!
SwedeEric
Jun 30, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Comment #40For me he can stay, nice lad =) But want to se a starting 11 where he is nowere to be seen…
aimar might be in Dubai for a holiday, who knows… Beckham also has a place there on that Palm island, Victoria might be missing Metrocenter and the weather here in the northeast, and want to leave Sunset Boulevard and California…