August 2006 Archives

And so it looks like Middlesbrough are playing hardball with Newcastle United over Mark Viduka on transfer deadline day.

Viduka is suggesting he wants to quit Teesside and join United but Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has said he’s going nowhere.

News that the Aussie could be set for United resulted in a mixed reaction earlier today but one thing he has took with him wherever he’s gone, amongst other things, is goals.

With the clock ticking towards midnight though, United’s transfer activity this summer could end with Damien Duff, Oba Martins and Guiseppe Rossi in the bag.

And so it looks like Middlesbrough are playing hardball with Newcastle United over Mark Viduka on transfer deadline day.

Viduka is suggesting he wants to quit Teesside and join United but Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has said he’s going nowhere.

News that the Aussie could be set for United resulted in a mixed reaction earlier today but one thing he has took with him wherever he’s gone, amongst other things, is goals.

With the clock ticking towards midnight though, United’s transfer activity this summer could end with Damien Duff, Oba Martins and Guiseppe Rossi in the bag.

He’s spent more time on the treatment table since leaving Newcastle than any where else but Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is ready for a return to the Premiership.

The injury plagued defender will be back in England for 12 months with Middlesbrough currently the favourites to bring the Teessider back home on a loan deal.

Woody had some world class performances for United and there are plenty of Geordies who’d have him back at the club.

He’s spent more time on the treatment table since leaving Newcastle than any where else but Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is ready for a return to the Premiership.

The injury plagued defender will be back in England for 12 months with Middlesbrough currently the favourites to bring the Teessider back home on a loan deal.

Woody had some world class performances for United and there are plenty of Geordies who’d have him back at the club.

You have to say that Newcastle United players let more than themselves down at Villa Park.

There was always a chance that it is was going to be Villa’s day with newly installed tycoon Randy Lerner sat in the stands for the first time.

And then there was Villa hero and lynchpin Gareth Barry also on a high after penning a new deal at the start of a new era under Martin O’ Neill.

But the fact is Villa are still a poor side and United should have more than a 2-0 defeat to be mulling over during the international break.

And as Cleveland Browns chief Lerner will find out - Villa Park won't always be this full or as noisy without the Toon Army in place.

Where were Newcastle United yesterday though?

You have to say that Newcastle United players let more than themselves down at Villa Park.

There was always a chance that it is was going to be Villa’s day with newly installed tycoon Randy Lerner sat in the stands for the first time.

And then there was Villa hero and lynchpin Gareth Barry also on a high after penning a new deal at the start of a new era under Martin O’ Neill.

But the fact is Villa are still a poor side and United should have more than a 2-0 defeat to be mulling over during the international break.

And as Cleveland Browns chief Lerner will find out - Villa Park won't always be this full or as noisy without the Toon Army in place.

Where were Newcastle United yesterday though?

It may have been an instantly forgettable evening at St James’ Park last night but to use a traditional footballing cliche - it was the result that counted.

In all honesty the performance was quite good apart from a lack of ruthlessness in the final third.

And had there been somebody to polish things off in the danger zone it could have been a heavy defeat for FK Ventspils with enough chances created to win two or three games.

It may have been an instantly forgettable evening at St James’ Park last night but to use a traditional footballing cliche - it was the result that counted.

In all honesty the performance was quite good apart from a lack of ruthlessness in the final third.

And had there been somebody to polish things off in the danger zone it could have been a heavy defeat for FK Ventspils with enough chances created to win two or three games.

At last it looks like Newcastle United fans can celebrate a new striker.

Is he 21? Is he 28? Is he from Cameroon? Is he from Nigeria?

My opinion is nobody will really care how old he is or if he comes from Mars - as long as he scores goals.

At last it looks like Newcastle United fans can celebrate a new striker.

Is he 21? Is he 28? Is he from Cameroon? Is he from Nigeria?

My opinion is nobody will really care how old he is or if he comes from Mars - as long as he scores goals.