There is news today that Newcastle are interested in signing former Manchester United center-back Michael Keane, a player we were interested in last summer before he went on loan to Burnley and finally signed for them full time last January.
Newcastle have hinted that they want to do some deal in January but it’s always difficultly to prise top players from clubs half way through the season, and as well as Michael, Newcastle would also like to bring in another striker in January – maybe Charlie Austin (finally) from QPR.
Mike Williamson scoring against Northampton Town in League Cup
In the case of Keane, the chances of Newcastle getting him could depend on where Burnley are placed at that time in the Championship, but Newcastle can offer a part exchange deal with Mike Williamson, and therefore Mike could be a ready-made replacement for Keane.
In fact when we signed Williamson’s from Portsmouth in January of 2010, he came straight into the side and played very well through the end of that promotion season, and he filled in well for Steven Taylor, who was injured and out for that season just before Mike was brought in for £1M.
Mike’s contract runs our next summer, and so it could be a god move for Mike in January, and Steven Taylor’s contract also runs out, although maybe Steve McClaren would be less willing for the local lad to leave Newcastle at that time.
Burnley are currently in 5th place in the Championship, after their 3-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday, and they have 11 points from six games, just one point behind Cardiff in second place.
Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion won again – this week 1-0 at home to Hull City, who were in second place before yesterday’s game.
The win leaves Brighton 4 points clear at the top of the Championship after 6 games played – and Chris is doing very well.
But back to Keane – it would be a good deal if Newcastle can do a part-exchange for him using cash plus Mike Williamson, who will be leaving the club next summer when his contract runs out.
Comments welcome.
144 comments so far
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:22 PM
Comment #41Bobby, see the U18’s got beat and a man sent off as well, you did say it looked like we were going for a consistent way of playing across all the teams!
welshgeordie9
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:22 PM
Comment #42Dyer to make it 1-2.
SPRINGY
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:26 PM
Comment #43Not the consistancy we are lookin for unfortunately sutty…good team spirit tho….sharing out the cards on all levels!!lol
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:26 PM
Comment #44Springy, he came into the academy and shone for me. Then he had that long lay off and was never mentioned. He’s back now and might turn out to be serious competition for Janmaat on the last performance. Still a lot to do to catch up, but if he can stay fit, who knows? After the red card he just slipped seamlessly into the CB role, where he’s equally comfortable. I hope Macca watched that game! The whole team was good. Not one long goal kick – everything was played out properly. Thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the loss.
SPRINGY
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Comment #45Bobby
Thats the sort of slow improvement yiu want to see under a new coach
SPRINGY
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:30 PM
Comment #46Slow might not be the right word steady probably better bobby
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:31 PM
Comment #47Sutty. Mmmm. Not quite what I had in mind though, if I’m honest; ) The u21 pen was just a last ditch challenge and the last man rule left the ref no choice.
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:31 PM
Comment #48I think we were so awful last season that Ashley’s player portfolio suffered the equivalent of a property crash, and many players became almost valueless.
I think Sammi was offered a contract extension in the hope he will recover a couple of million pounds worth of value playing for someone else.
I can imagine that unless we have a very creditable season and the slump abates, some other “deadwood” that isn’t past its sell-by date will also be offered contract extensions in the hope they regain enough value to redeem them for something.
This is retail policy, not football policy. Something you do when you are left with a lot of redundant stock on your hands.
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:33 PM
Comment #49The table is beginning to look slightly worrying. A win tomorrow is very important, the longer we stay rooted to the bottom 3, the more difficult it will be to escape a battle we aren’t prepared for.
I know McClaren needs time but in this league you don’t get it.
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:35 PM
Comment #50firebug666
The rule for Homegrown changed. Its not between the age. Its from the age.
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:37 PM
Comment #51Alas, I must depart, for to ferry fair maiden in the fiery carriage. (It is red, so…) Duty calling. 🙂
welshgeordie9
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:40 PM
Comment #52What a match this is.
2–2
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Comment #53It is tough early season when a new set-up is finding its feet.
But everyone is finding their feet at this stage of the season. That is why it is important to hit the ground running, and why the writing off of defeats to the likes of York City as “just a friendly” was short-sighted.
It showed we were not likely to hit the ground running.
Much has been made about the Southampton game. Were Southhampton not also finding their feet after significant changes?
Who thinks they will be an easier proposition when we meet them at St Mary’s?
Who thinks any of the teams we have played so far will be comparatively weaker when we have to play them again?
welshgeordie9
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Comment #54I hope tomorrow is going to be like this.
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:42 PM
Comment #55BandB, not sure that’s retail policy, it’s not like retailers are still holding onto pairs of flares hoping they’ll come back into fashion! Usually it’s the opposite, a sale that gets redundant stock off the books
People seem impressed with our spirit this season, take a look at Leicester, now theres spirit to not get beat and to give everything in attack to make sure they get back into the game. Hats off
toon kk
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:42 PM
Comment #56I hope our squad are watching leister play, what can happen when you actually try to get a goal and use pace.
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:44 PM
Comment #57BandB, should have said that principally I agree with what you were saying though, just got distracted by the footy!
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:47 PM
Comment #58I see Leicester are not in need of a great deal of time to settle in with their new manager, coaching staff & players, certainly not now, in goes the third!
welshgeordie9
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:49 PM
Comment #59Nathan Dyer
Get in
Ha ha ha
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:49 PM
Comment #60Sutty,
I did specifically say it would be stock with a shelf life that is presently under-valued, rather than past its sell-by date.
Ashley himself has gambled with holding on to stock that has been wiped out until he can cash in on a slight recovery.
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:50 PM
Comment #61Welsh, looking at your posts he’s scored a hatrick!
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:52 PM
Comment #62As i said after i agree with your sentiments, same for Haris as with Sammi, saw an interview in which he said he’s basically been sent on loan to put himself in the shop window.
toon kk
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:52 PM
Comment #63Leister 3-2 up excellent work ethic, power, pace and determination. With no big names just a team that gives 100%
John Tudor
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:57 PM
Comment #64monkeys chuff who gives one
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 5:58 PM
Comment #65Leicester good work deserve to stay in the league.
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Comment #66Sutty
They didn’t make so many changes aa we did.
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:01 PM
Comment #67Sutty,
I’m sure even Captain Fantastic’s contract extension is all to do with trying to screw an extra couple of million out of him at the end of the season rather than let him go for nothing. As a defender, he has a shelf life in other league’s that we might get a “reliable old banger” price or a part-ex for, rather than just scrapping him.
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:02 PM
Comment #68Will die, what do you mean? They changed manager and bought some new players same as we did! They’re the only changes that effect things on the pitch.
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:06 PM
Comment #69Captain Fantastic – like it, perhaps he should be called Fabby C, like Liverpools ex captain!
Not sure you’re right on that one though as we could have just flogged him to Palace, think McClaren actually thinks he’s great which is far more worrying!
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:07 PM
Comment #70This helpful table shows that we brought in six players and let 14 go.
Leicester brought in nine and let 23 go.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9985253/transfer-window-analysed-where-did-your-club-invest?
BandB
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:09 PM
Comment #71Sutty,
Isn’t the whole deal with Colo though that he wants to return to Argentina?
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:12 PM
Comment #72Am impressed with Leicester, Crystal Palace and Swansea. I am jealous. very good attacking and hard working sides.
We are so defensive and cant attack
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:17 PM
Comment #73BandB
my bad on that. NUFC is jst sh@t
SUTTY1978
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:18 PM
Comment #74BandB
Weird isn’t it, you’d have thought we would be happy to have his problems, performances and wages off the books. I thought we would let him go back to Argentina in the summer just gone for a nominal fee. When palace came in offering a reasonable fee for him you would again have thought we would have jumped at it.
McClarens only player related decisions so far have been to give contracts to players who don’t deserve them.
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:23 PM
Comment #75We have the 6th most expensive squad and we have nothing to show for it. Team full of Internationals. Yes we played against good teams.
1. Southampton – We shld have won
2. Swansea – Loss we cant win against them
3. Manure – We really did our best and deserved the point.
4. Arsenal – We did well with 10 men nothing to show for it.
May b we are not that bad jst a tuff start.
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #76Sutty
Mcca was right no defender was better than Colo that we were linked with. Name one and one u think we wld have signed not ur own fantasy.
magscar
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #77BandB@71
That is what I also understood but when he signed new deal someone posted that his family were back in UK. If that is correct then he may not be prioritising a return just yet. Big pay day in PL is presumably quite a persuader if he has reunited his family. Think McClaren also may be considering his impact in dressing room which is reported to be respected which I am surprised at as it isn’t evident on pitch usually . Coaching position for him also perhaps a consideration as that must also pay more here than in Argentina?
On the retail business points there is some power in your argument. I have no problem with football clubs being run as a business as long as it also benefits the football side. Ashley need only look at Swansea and Southampton models to see how important the quick and effective recycling of transfer cash is to both the business and the football. I hope he has been doing!
John Tudor
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Comment #78wait till after the tenth game
will die for the toon army
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #79Magscar
I think Swansea and Southampton havent put in that much money jst have good managers.
magscar
Sep 13, 2015 at 6:43 PM
Comment #80Will die
They have been recycling the monies they received from their big sales in last few windows not just on transfer fees but signing on fee, wages etc. Southampton in particular have received a fortune in last 2 seasons by clubs willing to pay over the odds (mostly Liverpool) and have apparently used it judiciously . Don’t suppose it has all been spent yet either but compare their spending to Spurs and Liverpool who also received ( and largely wasted) vast sums in recent years – I know which model I prefer.