Newcastle have not signed any player since they brought in Sylvain Marveaux in rather dramatic fashion on June 18th.
Wayne Routledge – moving to Leicester City?
But Newcastle are continuing to move some fringe players out of the club.
There was news last night that Wayne Routledge is close to joining Leicester City, after Nottingham Forest, Swansea, Cardiff and Chris Hughton’s Birmingham were also interested in signing the player.
Leicester are backed by rich Thailand investors, and it seems they are willing to meet Wayne’s wage demands and the fee Newcastle are asking, which is reported to be close to £2M.
And there was news on Nile Ranger last night, as relegated Blackpool seemed to have Nile signed up after agreeing to a £1.5M fee.
But it turns out the Tangerines were not able to match the wages Nile is getting at Newcastle, and the 20 year-old seems to have pulled out of that deal.
Nile signed a lucrative five year deal at Newcastle only last Ocotber, and of course he will want any club he permanently moves to, to match those wages, if possible.
The Daily Mirror were reporting last night that the two clubs were now trying to reach an agreement on a loan spell at Bloomfield Road for the Londoner.
Other players likely to be involved in moves away from Newcastle this summer include Alan Smith, James Perch, Kazenga LuaLua and Xisco.
Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Jonas Gutierrez and Leon Best may also move on this summer, but we are hoping they will all still be Newcastle players come September 1st.
If that’s the case then Newcastle will have stronger squad than last season, which has to be good.
And these articles are simply some of my thinking on the news of the day related to Newcastle United, and I welcome other views on the stories.
Comments always welcome.
121 comments so far
Ollieh51
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Comment #1Anyone else getting worried that we’re going to be injury ridden and struggling again come December?!
jettson
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Comment #2time to move out the deadwood, but we must buy a striker or two, and full back cover.
im hoping for more of gcarr’s magic !
a.barry
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Comment #3Ollieh51 don’t worry mate start worrying iff were in this position in september!
Ollieh51
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #4This is madness though, we were crying out for a right sided midfielder last season with a bit of pace and now we’re selling two with no apparent replacements coming in?
Not cool!
I’m really, really happy with the business done so far so shouldn’t complain just yet!
ross armstrong
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Comment #5how can you be really really happy when weve spent 4-5 million on 1 player and 3 players for free? i dont know what to think!!!!
we need a good striker in asap!!!!
Stuart
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Comment #6I think alot of our injuries were down to the training pitch Ollieh.
Now that we’ve got the undersoil heating there should be alot less injuries around december time.
geordie.In.Taipei
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Comment #7i can attest to hard ground and injuries, broke my arm last week playing footy. And if Mike Ashely is reading “im cheap and available”…..how mamy people are wonder
nden85
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Comment #8doesn’t matter if we have loads of injuries come december because the master plan has already accounted for that and budgeted for £35m to be left over for then. now that’s what you call foresight.
geordie.In.Taipei
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Comment #9i can attest to hard ground and injuries, broke my arm last week playing footy. And if Mike Ashely is reading “im cheap and available”…..how mamy people are wondering if we will sign jay boothroyd? he is free!!! if he signs thats the ulitmate kick in the nads, as then it will be icing on cake for the those who think Ashely continues to talk BS.
Stuart
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Comment #10Haha, very optimistic thinking there nden.
a.barry
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Comment #11Olleih its not great but look on the bright side we have done really well considering the players we have for the price we payed. I totally agree with what you say we need an out and out winger as much as a striker!
geordie.In.Taipei
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Comment #12ps: i am one of those who thinks ashley talks Bollocks, n nden85 I AGREE
Stuart
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Comment #13We havent been linked with him at all Geordie in taipei, if the club were after him AP wouldnt be in the press saying we’re working hard on bringing in a european based striker.
Just because they’re free doesnt mean we’re after them. We only take good free players eg Ba and Marvueax.
dave_barron363
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Comment #14Olleih you are forgetting that Dan Gosling is back fit now and played RM when he played for Everton, and with Jonas, Marveaux and Shane Fergie all fighting for the LM position i can see Jonas being switched to the right if we need him too as we all know most of his crosses with his left foot are a bit feeble.
I am still optimistic that we will sign a decent ST and even though everyone will slate me for saying it, having Ben Arfa and Gosling back fit is like having two new signings
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #15Im glad we are getting rid of the deadwood.
Many of them will simply be bench warmers and, not only that, they will be taking up a place in the 25 man squad list which could be occupied by someone else.
We really need the likes of Airey, Vuckic, Tavernier etc, to step up to the plate this season and produce the goods when called upon.
a.barry
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #16does anyone think Pardew will move Jonas top RW and play marveux play on the left?
Ollieh51
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Comment #17Hopefully the pitch development helps, but I did also feel that we needed to have a bit more depth to be able to alter our approach to some games?
@ Ross (sorry for the essay coming here mate!)
Kev wouldn’t have had game time next season as HBA will be doing his role and supplying more ammo for whoever our striker may be as well as getting goals.
With Best, we have someone that could do a job, 6 in 12 is a great return for a debut PL season and he has the aerial threat and right and left footed finishing to do well.
Cabaye can do a better job for the team on the whole and is more dynamic, quicker and fitter than Kev too. Too many times I forgot he was on the pitch after Carroll left. He got 15 goals from CM the other season in France.
Ba will arguably bring in as many goals as Carroll in a season and give us a better method than dropping everything on his head with his running in behind etc.
Marveaux adds depth to the left and will be if nothing else a great sub and squad addition with a bit of class.
In Cabaye and Ba, we have two players at the same cost , (almost both in wages and transfer value) that will chip in with more assists than Kev, and more goals I reckon.
You really that upset Kev left for a 5 year contract with WHAM in the Championship?!
a.barry
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Comment #18to*
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Comment #19DJ Campbell & Jay Bothroyd are both QPR bound according to reports yesterday.
a.barry
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Comment #20I would of liked DJ campbell even as a squad player i think he would come and he is a good goal poacher.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Comment #21How about this lad…
http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/0,24035,15198,00.html
Rotonda heights
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Comment #22Perch, Guthrie and 2M for McGugan.
Smith to anyone.
wynsleap
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Comment #23If, as you say Ed, that there is a good possibility of all those players moving out soon, (and that’s apart from Ranger and Routledge), Pardew will need to sign around ten or eleven new players considering he was complaining at the end of the season that the squad already wasn’t deep enough.
Unfortunately I don’t think the bloke or the club have the nous, ability or will to make that many purchases.
We’re strolling on rapidly to the start of the season and it looks as if that £35mill. is going to stay where it is.
As for statements like the free transfers costing big money – that beggars belief – apart from the £35mill., just what is the money for the season ticket sales, sponsorship money, vast TV payments and shirts sales etc. going on?
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Comment #24@22
I dont think I would just give Guthrie away, he came in a couple of times last season and did a job.
Also, for a squad short on numbers, swapping two players for one doesn’t really make sense.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Comment #25@23
You think running a football club, stadium, training facilities, players/staff wages etc is cheap like?
Ollieh51
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Comment #26@ Dave Barron
I stand corrected!
New striker is a must.
LB – replacement/back up = maybe 2 players.
RB – Back up for Simpson.
3 players maybe and we have sufficient cover all over.
Guthrie did a decent job last season, I think people forget how good his range of passing is.
If anything, keep him as a holding player, bring in a McGugan type and we have a decent squad (finally) to give the cups and league a decent sustained effort!
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Comment #27@26
And that is virtually what AP has said.
Naylor plus 2 others.
I think we are on the right track to be fair.
Dannyo
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Comment #28The complete lack of longterm thinking amazes me, It’s astonishing to read all the people who wines cause we haven’t spent enough money.
/facepalm to those
ck1978
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Comment #29I’m happy with our transfer business so far and I definitely agree it’s time to move out the dead wood and reduce the wage bill…. however I do think we are leaving ourselves short of cover for certain positions. We desperately need a decent striker, left back and right midfielder! I’m all for giving the younger players in the squad there chance now like Vuckic, Ferguson, Kadar as if there ever going to progress they need playing time but we still need to bring in some quality signings to add depth to the squad. I’d love to see us get Shane Long as I do think he would complement Ba and Ben Arfa well. I know Ashley’s being very careful (Greedy) with money but we need to invest in 2 or 3 quality players/players with potential and i’ll be more then happy come 13th August.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Comment #30Corinthions bid £35 – £40M for Tevez.
Wow, thats big money, but same value as AC? Tevez is a far better player than AC.
dave_barron363
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Comment #31Everyone is constantly saying we need to get back up for this position and that position next season and talking about buying new players, why dont we do what most of the other top teams do and give you the youngsters a chance. Tavernier plays CB/RB so can be cover for Simmo, You have Kadar and Fergie who are cover for Enrique and then dont forget Donaldson, Vuckic and Airey as attacking threats!
Tommyy
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Comment #32I’d be slightly disappointed to see Routledge go, I think he could be a great impact player and could certainly stretch defences in the last 20 mins! Not only that but he is a natural right winger and can provide competition and squad depth, what we are crying out for!
On a different note, I don’t suppose any of you would know anyone who would be interested in renting a room in a house in Jesmond with 3 students for 12 months? I’ve just been offered work placement in Nottingham so can’t take it up, but they are making me pay the whole rent unless I can find someone else to fill it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Dannyo
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Comment #33@ NUFC_Richyg01 // Jul 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Blame it at manager overpricing UK players. Someone read the interview with Scholes yet? It really makes sense allot of what he says.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Comment #34@29
AP has claimed that he wants 2 more players, and that did not include the ongoing Naylor saga.
Since then he has said we need another striker, so it looks like we are gonna get what we want, hopefully, like he says, before USA trip on Sunday.
Stuart
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Comment #35He isnt english though Richy so the prices arent so stupid lol.
Ian Magpie
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Comment #36Well as they say lads, ‘Its early days’ However, no matter what the Ashley fan club say (can’t believe people can actually back this man) he and those running our club have form and has been found to be a proven liar (FACT)!!! I wouldn’t trust any of them with a bent penny! Unfortunately we have no choice but to stew as the clubs PR is pathetic to say the least! Anyone who knows football can see we desperately need a class striker and in all honesty another central defender. I think we have enough options in midfield but a right sided midfielder would be welcome. Moving out players will free up wages but weve already freed up around 100k per week in wages already (Nolan & Cambell) and thats without the AC money?????? That should count for two of the three signings we have made already????? Is last seasons wafer thin squad that struggled after the sale of AC really any stronger? Time will tell and I will happily eat my words but I have always backed what Kevin Keegan said and I just don’t trust Ashley! If you move players out, better players must come in for us to improve and with Ashley, I cant see it.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Comment #37@33
Yes, I read that and he does make a lot of sense, why the FA cannot see it I do not know.
WWJBD
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Comment #38So it looks like Ranger is staying at the club and is just away on loan? Gutting
Routledge is away. Bad decision imo he is a very good impact sub/back up
Naylor is pushing for a move to us. Finally some good news I dont know much about him but he wants to move to us so thats good.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #39@36
Why not judge at the end of the window.
I dont like MA, but I like what he is doing in making the club financially stable, and bringing us inline with the FIFA rulings early.
I honestly think if MA had not come in then we would have been the next Leeds Utd or even Wimbledon.
Put it this way, Im far happier to go on as we are than play fantasy football like Citeah or Chelski.
I think our squad, at this point in time, is stronger than the squad that ended the season for us.
Stuart
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Comment #40‘If you move players out, better players must come in for us to improve and with Ashley, I cant see it.’
Well so far we’ve lost Campbell Kuqi and Nolan and brought in a quality striker in Ba, a french league champion in Cabaye, a decent winger in marveaux and a young prospect in Abeid.
I’d say they’re better players, wouldn’t you?