30-year-old Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope will have his medical at Newcastle tomorrow, and all being well will become Newcastle’s second signing of the summer, following Matt Targett through the door at Newcastle.
Nick has been brought in to challenge Martin Dubravka for the goalkeeper jersey at Newcastle, and he has told people that he has not joined Newcastle to simply warm the bench.
Here’s some of Nick’s top saves, with his strengths being in shot-stopping and coming out for crosses, and generally controlling his box.
His distribution is said to currently be the weakest part of his game, but that will surely improve under the guidance of Eddie Howe.
All top clubs need two top-class goalkeepers, and for an initial fee of only £10M – Pope is a bargain buy.
What do you think?
116 comments so far
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:37 PM
Comment #1they do not want to be here
niafron
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:37 PM
Comment #2Welcome to the Pope!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:38 PM
Comment #3oops sorry, did not to be a flag bearer bhlah bhlah etc etc
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:39 PM
Comment #4The force is strong in the pug
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:40 PM
Comment #5Palindrome and Cyberman are not for us
niafron
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:42 PM
Comment #6@Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
By the way, il learned the England Cricket team is in fact the team of England and Wales.
And the scottish are not even allowed to play test.
How is that possible?
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:42 PM
Comment #7both are buying a player who actually does not want to be here
Davas
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:45 PM
Comment #8Sir P from previous (amended)
I have no idea whether he/they want to be here or not. Its all paper/itk talk at the moment but maybe the contracts wouldn’t start till July 1st anyway. Who knows?
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Comment #9Scots do have a team, as does Wales, however, a test team needs to be ECL standard. Scots are just below the Irish and Namibia. They are getting there like Neverlands.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Comment #10Niafron, you can call me |Peter
niafron
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:47 PM
Comment #11So what does it need to be awarded ECL Standard?
niafron
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:47 PM
Comment #120K, Peter!
jamesd1979
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #13I have a funny feeling both Botman and Ekitike are being lined up to arrive on the same day. Bit of a statement of intent.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:51 PM
Comment #14Davas, as a “tool” who maybe has 10 years, maybe one year due to injury, I would sign yesterday. My neighbour was a premiership and international player. Needed a kidney transplant. I know how they take game time/wage
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:51 PM
Comment #15ECL standard
bettyswallocks
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:52 PM
Comment #16Still a fair bit of wokeism on the blog… Can’t see why some folk can’t just laugh at stuff instead of trying to correct everyone.??
The new anthem has been released for those that are determined not to join in with the banter..:- ” You’ll never woke alone “.
Mister Tuff
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:52 PM
Comment #17Davas – Etikite is more than likely back home in Reims. He was confronted by a fan yesterday – it is presumed in Reims. So he’s not away in any paradise isle.
Mister Tuff
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:55 PM
Comment #18betty – some folk have got no humour – some come on here declaring they have but some faces would crack if they tried to laugh.
Romford mag
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #19Pope is a very good shot stopper!
Dubloon
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #20Ruddy (from last post)
I think that’s the problem and why he’d cost near as much as Botman. He’s young, probably content to do a year or two in the champ if needs be and Burnley will want to build around him. If you could get him for £20 I’d do it, beyond that it gets very risky. Frenchies have bigger need to sell than Burnley I think. Even with burnleys debt issues I think that French tv deal falling through caused more problems. They’re clearing out a lot of players
Does watching ekitike highlights remind anyone else of Peter crouch? Far more skilful and smarter runs but the lad just looks so damn skinny
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #21‘cos they live in the 21st century?
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:58 PM
Comment #22Uh oh!
Radgy righty snowflakes on a summer’s day.
Adamn_92
Jun 22, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Comment #23Woke is a nonsensical term used to try and make people feel guilty for calling out shitty behaviour, whilst that person can then feel better about their own shitty behaviour. Not to mention those who cry ‘sensitive’ and ‘woke’ often react far more sensitively and get upset/offended easier. In my opinion of course 🙂
Broja or Ekitike, it’d be Ekitike for me. One is being chased and watched by top clubs all around Europe. The other was on loan at Southampton and isn’t being mentioned anywhere. I trust the scouts of the top European teams on this one, as well as the natural instincts Ekitike seems to have.
Romford mag
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Comment #24Clint
Name and shame 😉
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:01 PM
Comment #25Rom
Aye… for shame!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:03 PM
Comment #26I have a good joke, getting coat.
Romford mag
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:04 PM
Comment #27Peter
It’s warm , you won’t need that coat ! 🙂
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:04 PM
Comment #28Dubloon
I agree, I’d take Collins for £15m, probably wouldn’t even go all the way to £20m for him but I think he’s got a lot of potential in the game but maybe staying with Burnley and playing regularly is better for him long-term, who knows?
Re Ekitike, I think the first and main thing he’ll work on is bulking up and we’ll have top-class sports scientists, physios, trainers and nutritionists working with him to help with that. I reckon if he does bulk up and adjust to the PL he’ll be a heck of a player.
Re the whole ‘woke’ debate, it’s farcical that anyone tries to insult someone for calling out, as Adam says, ‘shitty behaviour’
If the limits of your comedy, or “banta” is to try and tear someone down, pick on them or worse, actively discriminate against them, then you’re really not that funny – you’re just a dick.
Adamn_92
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:05 PM
Comment #29I do wonder how we’ll line up next season if we do sign Ekitike though. Surely he wants assurances of first team football, in which case do we go 2 up top? As surely Wilson can’t be getting dropped for Ekitike? So we may end up seeing a change in formation next season if we get the players in that we want.
Seaside Toon
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Comment #30Very astute signing imo, especially for the price tag, both keepers want number 1, it can surely only help us defensively
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Comment #31But Ruddy/adamn…
Freedumb of (hate)speech?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:08 PM
Comment #32Dortmund have just signed Haller for 35 million so will they still really be looking for Ettike? As they have also signed Adeyemi
So it might come down to a straight shoot out with PSG for his signature
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:09 PM
Comment #33Ruddy
Na on the ‘bulking up’ idea… That just slows a guy down and changes their game, what’s the point?
Buy a fat £@#£ to start with!
Romford mag
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #34Crouch was a tall skinny bloke , didn’t stop him from scoring in the prem
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #35🙂 Rom
Mund
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Comment #36I’m all for people standing up for what they think is right but if that’s the case they should do it all the time not just hand picked moments…
Can’t be all righteous on one thing but not all
CLINT FLICK
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:13 PM
Comment #37Owen bulked up, lost pace, hamstring problems.
Shearer lost bulk to prolong his career, on Bobby Robson’s 9rders.
Adamn_92
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:13 PM
Comment #38I don’t think Ekitike needs to bulk up too much. Plenty of slender players have made it in the prem and I don’t think being strong and physical is a necessity to be a success or failure. Bulk him up and you risk losing some of his athleticism. He’ll get naturally stronger as he gets older and i’m sure will gain some extra lean muscle without bulking much.
Just look at Rudiger, he really doesn’t look bulky at all and is very slim. Yet he can bully absolutely anyone on the pitch and is a beast.
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:15 PM
Comment #39Nufc-4-eva,
Given that the sacrifice those people who jacked made were probably the driving force of Ashley finally selling up, that’s a pretty shitty attitude imo.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 22, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Comment #40won’t mention the cricket… Doh! we are winning