Is that a football and some Bovril on the horizon?

BigBadHoss wrote...

Despite all the hilarious talk from the tabloids and broadsheets (who frankly speaking, are just as bad yet supposedly offering a better quality of 'reporting') I'm rather enjoying the way that Newcastle are going about their business quietly. No pomp and circumstance regarding 'hollywood' signings, and if we can add a player per week to the squad between now and the first day of the season, i will be a very happy supporter.

In addition to clearing out the dead wood (Smith, N'Zogbia, Duff) and tying down a few players (Oba, Owen, Milner) and bringing in a proper playmaker for the middle of the park (Am i the only one who thinks Aimar would be a snip at £7 million?) coupled with an experienced centre half and cover for the full back positions, with KK giving everyone the belief they have sadly lacked in recent times, i feel we could be on for a top 8 finish, and who knows? Maybe sneak into Europe. If we can start this season the way we finished last seasons then anythings possible!

Posted by: BigBadHoss  | July 14, 2008 1:59 PM

Paul Patterson wrote...

So. . .How have you been. . . ?

It’s been a long summer, but then again maybe it hasn’t, for I can still remember the nasty stench that Sham Allardyce left us with in January, only for Kevin Keegan to begin the fumigation.

Over the last few weeks, it seems that Kevin has been given the task of assaulting the top 6, without the tools of a side aiming to stay in the league, with all to show for two months of searching, being a continental import and a raw recruit with limited Premier league experience. Hardly the big picture.

Now I’m happy with what I hear of Jonas Gutierrez and he seems to have the eccentric flair that attacking players need to separate them from the also-rans and mercenaries that have littered our club over the last decade.

Danny Guthrie is a decent recruit, but he must be given time to bed in, much like Gutierrez, but at least he may have a bit of steel, which if resorting to stereotype on imports, might not be and may just be the flair player we need without the battling qualities- which I’m not saying he doesn’t have, but we might just have to compensate for that possibility.

We are woefully short of a side capable of fighting it out in run of Premier league fixtures, if you take into account injuries and suspensions (Baring in mind we have an incarcerated player on our hands already) we are looking at trouble if we get so much as a raft of yellow cards early doors.

It’s well documented that we need a centre half, but please lets say no to Anton Ferdinand as he doesn’t seem to have the desire for London, so he’s not likely to want to slog it out for some black and white striped northerners is he? I’d rather get Aaron Hughes back and cover the whole back four.

Then we must get a different option up front, as Mark Viduka can’t be relied upon and Alan Smith- er, isn’t a footballer in my eyes. I’m happy enough with Owen and Martins and Carroll needs to be nurtured, but in the meantime we need a solid goalscorer. I would consider a snaky bid for Ruud Van Nistelrooy personally.

So welcome back- The merry go round is back.

Enjoy the ride.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | July 14, 2008 3:44 PM

Shane wrote...

I agree. This regime's had a lot of stick but in my opinion they've gone about things in the right manner. Transfers dealt with professionally. Expectation levels are being kept modest and even the pre-season schedule has obviously been well thought out. But we all know that the southern press doesn't need ammunition to shoot NUFC down, they'll make anything up. 'I hear george bush wants to buy newcastle so he can knock down sjp to drill for oil' (wouldn't put that one past the daily mirror).
Keep up the good work Kev, ignore the doubters and lets all get behind the lads this season

Posted by: Shane  | July 14, 2008 4:59 PM

ronnie lambert wrote...

At this moment in time Lee, a bit nervous, but hopefully between now and then a ' few ' more signings, including a couple of known good players will calm the nerves. Yes the Keegan man can make stars out of mere mortals, and young Guthrie looks the part to many of us, but that sickening feeling in the pit of your stomache that you used to get when you knew the local copper was coming to see your parents at 7 0-clock that night persists. We desperately need some encouragement from Ashley right now. He's had time to get his spies reports on how restless the natives are getting, and he can salvage this whole sorry looking mess with absolute dignity by just discretely phoning KK to grab a couple of big names before the new season. Then he can say with his head held high," What crisis ?, we had them in our sights for months but waited for the right moment to pounce." But I've always been a dreamer, ask wor lass.

Posted by: ronnie lambert  | July 14, 2008 9:01 PM

Charles wrote...

A long summer, eh?
Seemed only like yesterday the premier league ended.

I am satisfied with the signings already, and welcome future signings as well. We've got one thing right, and that is sacking Big Sam early January before he makes any more trouble.

Danny Guthrie is a fine fellow, but like all the players, he's got to win the fan's support, and not merely by name or class. Truth is, I'm backing Guthrie to achieve at Newcastle, an immediate replacement for old man Butt. For the time being, hopefully Butt can teach the lad a thing or two.

We just lack a decent midfielder and a striker who can match Viduka's physical and control. Mark's achievements have been satisfactory (Especially if he keeps A.Smith on the bench, I don't care who he is.) but as usual, he gets injured too much and a replacement is needed to tend his wounded foot.

Before that...does anybody realized that Newcastle are already news target already? The current blight of negativity is always plaguing the Tyne side, can't tell why. (Perhaps the pope have linked Newcastle with the Satan.)

Lee, we've not even started playing and already 'big shot' journalists are sharpening their axes. According to recent news:

KK's to be sacked, jumped or made uncomfortable.

New Signings failing as usual.

And Newcastle United gets the boot to championship level next season.

One article shows it...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/37700-new-2008-2009-football-season-predictions-part-1
(Can you believe they've put Hull above us and bestow Sunderland an 11th spot! Roy Keane's influence must have clouded Sunderland with a shield against negation.)

Posted by: Charles  | July 15, 2008 12:48 PM

dave wrote...

Aimar expected to sign for Benfica, another class act lost, WAKE UP WISEY!!!

Posted by: dave  | July 15, 2008 1:31 PM

Snapper wrote...

Would give anything to shut Bernie Slavens gob, the conceited smoggie, who claimed to be a Scotsman but played for the Republic as one of Jack Charlton 1 pint of Guiness and your in brigade, a right pain in the Ars nal

Posted by: Snapper  | July 15, 2008 5:04 PM

bendy wrote...

the two signing's look positive and both are the right age. I think Bridge would be good signing and would be happy with a centre half, centre mid, playmaker and a forward. King Kev will wave his magic wand and work a miracle like always.

Posted by: bendy  | July 15, 2008 7:42 PM

Duncan wrote...

Ive heard from a watertight source that we'll be making a major European signing tomorrow. The same source told me days in advance Michael Owen was on his way here and that Fat Sam was on his bike :ninja:

Posted by: Duncan  | July 15, 2008 8:42 PM

Dave B wrote...

Buying clubs fall loosely into two categories, the already haves and the wannabees. Most players without an emotional tie to a club (i.e. Alan Shearer) will by and large opt for the already haves.

In order to redress the balance somewhat the wannabees will offer 'silly' packages to attract players to the club. Now we all know NUFC have fallen fairly and squarely into this category and have been flirting with this approach since we bagged Keegan first time around.

The upside of this wallet out bravado is that it's great for the fans in the transfer window. On the flipside this policy attracts the mercenary of the worst kind.

I have friends and colleagues representing most football affiliations and they all say a similar thing. Newcastle don't win trophies they 'win' trophy players. And I have to agree. Fans of the 'big' clubs real and plastic, obtain the excitement from finals and God forbid winning things. Our excitement in recent times has been, who we in for now? We can't help ourselves as we're dependent on this seasonal fix. It's almost become part of the supporter DNA.

As an addict myself I know I have to begin the process of rehabilitation. It aint easy but it starts with this transfer window. Obviously I have withdrawal symptoms and the occasional lapse which largely translates to screaming 'why not us!' at Sky Sports or Teletext when I learn of a decent player going somewhere else.

But I'm trying to be brave. With the support of friends and family I might just get through this. I might just take my seat at the first game of the season without that fleeting image of us winning the league.

For once the team on the pitch has a real chance of outstripping my expectations - and this I think is a very good thing indeed.

Posted by: Dave B  | July 16, 2008 9:21 AM

ron lambert wrote...

Ninja was reading yesterdays chronicle that nufc were making enquiries about Aimar. Just kidding Ninja, does your source work in the airport ticket office where Aimars agent booked his flight to toon? Either way I hope you're spot on cos I've been harping on about the lad for 2 months.

Posted by: ron lambert  | July 16, 2008 1:23 PM

billy k wrote...

For practically a decade now we have sadly lacked any real strength,depth and class in the defence department. Yes, we have Taylor and Beye who have both already proven that they have what it take's to be part of a premiership back four. In Enrique we have a left back who looks like he 'might' well make the step up. But in Faye I think we have a player who's form will change like the wind and there will be many a heart-stopping moment at the back, whilst he's in the team. He may do well for one or two games in a row, but through a whole season you will see it littered with mistakes.
We (as always) are screaming out for quality defenders!! Yet there is no talk of any defenders coming to the toon. The failed attempts to lure Anton Ferdinand out of the smoke, was never gonna happen. Newcastle just ain't 'bling' enough for young Ferdinand. Although I think it would have been a good move for us and him.

Matthew Dawson is another name being banded around. I would see that as a good buy. Young, eager to prove himself, english and 'fairly' cheap.
Taylor and Dawson wouldn't be a bad place to start.

But what we really need at centre back is a (or even better two!) experienced, international(s) to bring the likes of Taylor, Dawson (if he came) and Faye on. Give them confidence and show them a few tricks of the trade. Richard Dunn would have been perfect. But that deal is never gonna happen.

We have signed Spiderman and Guthrie, both midfielders. Hopefully Spiderman will load the gun for our forwards to fire and Guthrie will give us a bit of steal in midfield. Let's not forget that we have some smashing players already here and only need some creativity in midfield to make it stronger.

We don't need any more fire power up front with Owen, Martin , Viduka and young Carroll coming along nicely. That's assuming that there's no long term injuries to our main three strikers of course!

So come on Keegan , Wise, Ashley. Let's address this defensive problem that has been with us for far too long and cost us dearly in points, league positions and I'm sure (if it had been address fully years ago) Trophies.

Posted by: billy k  | July 17, 2008 12:13 PM

ron lambert wrote...

AARON HUGHES,AARON HUGHES,AARON HUGHES. What are they waiting for? The mackems will have him shortly.

Posted by: ron lambert  | July 17, 2008 3:07 PM