Visit our other sites:   

Search this blog

  

About this blog

Blog on the Tyne is dedicated to bring Toon fans everywhere the most up to date NUFC views, opinions and comment.

The author Lee Ryder, proudly born and bred on Tyneside, has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.

From the high octane atmosphere of St James' Park to the Premiership grounds up and down the country and into Europe - this Blog has been there.

But the coverage doesn't stop at first team level.

Blog on the Tyne is also proud to be there to witness the future of the club with regular coverage of Newcastle United's reserve side, as well as all things black and white.

Recent comments

Recent Posts

Sponsored links

Archives

Links

News Now
For Love Not Money

Advertiser

Sponsored links


Not the Sho we were expecting

Posted by Lee on July 25, 2008 2:22 PM | 

It wasn't the way he probably planned it and it certainly wasn't the way Newcastle United planned it either.

But nevertheless Shola Ameobi will head to Doncaster Rovers as United's main striker at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Not only does Shola's emergence as the main man highlight that there have been no takers for one of the Toon's longest serving players, but it also underlines the frailties of Kevin Keegan's squad.

And although losing pre-season friendlies means very little at this stage of the year, defeat at Donny could deliver an almighty reality check with the new season now less than a month away.

With Alan Smith and Shola the only strikers available with senior experience, the pair look set to lead the line unless KK opts to experiment by pushing up one of his midfielders.

I guess, that's what pre-season is all about with Jonas Gutierrez still not clear to make his debut due to red tape and the Owen (mumps), Carroll (foot), Viduka (heel) and Martins (family tragedy) all off the radar, for many the lack of transfers will and already have set the alarms bells off.

Panicking of course doesn't really solve anything and by the time August 31 arrives it can leave you with egg on your face.

And no matter what your opinion is, it seems clear that United are unlikely to splash out mega money until the finances have been trimmed down at the club.

Up and coming stars who aren't asking the earth seem certain to be as good as it will get this summer, unless United really do pull a corker out the bag.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Comments (14)

One_SuperMac wrote...

Although I think Mike should flash the cash a bit, this is where I have a little sympathy! How many first team performances has Shola had? He is obviously on way too much money, and I feel that that is where the trimming needs to be!

Posted by: One_SuperMac  | July 25, 2008 3:57 PM

Pedi wrote...

How can we progress from last season when we have less players? The new players we do have, one has no prem lge experience, the other only a kid.

The keegan has said he will look to the fringe players next season probably meaning he also does not expect any decent transfers to be concluded.
I cant see anymore players coming in before the end of the window now, thoughts are turning to the league.

So much for our crack team of head hunters, what has wise and jimmy come up with for us? Nowt, oh maybe the fella that thinks hes spiderman and thats it. I thought that guy had good contacts in spain??? Where are they then?
I dont believe the Keegan doesnt know who he would like playing for us so something is getting in the way of proceedings to get the player, money/man in middle or both.

The fact we have gone for players and not managed to sign them is worrying, moreso the lack of transfers is starting to ruffle feathers of the remaining squad, both harper and given voicing concerns about the severe lack of depth and quality we have.

Posted by: Pedi  | July 25, 2008 5:47 PM

sam wrote...

dont care who is playin tomorrow up front tommorow because what oba is goin through right now is more important

Posted by: sam  | July 25, 2008 5:49 PM

Tardonicus wrote...

On the bright side, there's no better way to build up other club's interest in Shola than by playing him. If he plays anything like Duff did, well then the question would be do we really want rid of him? If his hip is truly healed I'd like to see Shola stick around. I know many feel he had his chance and is yesterday's news but given the way this season is shaping up, I'm rooting for Shola.

Posted by: Tardonicus  | July 25, 2008 7:03 PM

ROBERT SMITH wrote...

Appreciably NUFC needs to be run in a cost effective manner. However, there is a major difference between saving money and false economy. Ashley needs to spend some money in the transfer market to proect the value of his investment. If NUFC become engaged in a relegation battle - its potential sales value will plummet dramatically. Wise & Co are not delivering the goods. Yes - you need to sign young players for the future but some seasoned and experienced professionals are needed now to keep the Toon in the Premiership.

Posted by: ROBERT SMITH  | July 25, 2008 9:40 PM

KARIM wrote...

i hope we give milner or duff a chance through the middle. maybe another option next season. My deepest felt condolences go out to Oba and his family.

Posted by: KARIM  | July 25, 2008 10:07 PM

r.greaves wrote...

look, keegan will get it right and there are a lot of good players at our club and i believe that some of the young guns will suprise a few this season and rightly so too. the young are ready i belive and good luck to them, lets not forget thet a certain wayne rooney was un heard off untill he made his debuet !!! our club needs to get it right from the bottom up and that will take time so please have patience and give mike ashley the support and time that is required to turn our club around so it can head in the right direction for once.

Posted by: r.greaves  | July 25, 2008 10:49 PM

Mal wrote...

'I cant see anymore players coming in before the end of the window now, thoughts are turning to the league'.

Paul -, I think you are being unduly pessimistic, along with many others on this and similar boards. There is still 5 weeks to the end of the window and though we might not get the top notch players, I think there are still a lot of very good players out there who would love to come to newcastle and, at the end of the day, would improve the overall quality of the squad. Let's judge the efficiency of the head hunters at the end of august - I agree our squad is far too small but they know that and, lets face it, they have a lot of competition for the players that are available. As transfers happen at the top end of the market (chelsea, arsenal, liverpool etc), this will create good opportunities lower down and then things will start to move. We know what's happened in the past when we've panicked so let's not repeat those mistakes. How many clubs have signed more than 2 players at this stage anyway?
By the way, if we are thinking to the future I think we should sell one of our top keepers, otherwise how is Krul going to get the experience he needs (and craves for) at the top level?
Also agree with you sam, kind of puts things into perspective.

Posted by: Mal  | July 25, 2008 11:34 PM

Terry wrote...

Hi Lee
I must write this letter to you with regards to Newcastle,
I have wrote before regarding my concerns about the board and the Dennis Wise setup,

What is happening behind the scenes at Newcastle (NOTHING?)

Why did Ashley buy Newcastle to make a huge profit or watch Newcastle go down the drain because the way it is been run that is exactly the direction we are heading???

About three weeks to the start of the season and we are looking grim, Owen has not even signed a new contract yet?
And not even any rumours of any signings,
The signs are not good.

I hope the Newcastle fans voice there concerns out side the door steps of Newcastle we need to do something as we are going to get RELERGATED NEXT SEASON??????

Posted by: Terry  | July 26, 2008 11:49 AM

Joseppie wrote...

Well said Sam, lets hope Oba is guided through this horrendous time for him and his family.

Shola Amiobi is one of the reasons that we have been under achieving for so long. You put nowt in and you get nowt out, it's a bit of a mouthfull, but i'm sure that you understand.

If he remains with the Toon, then he must change his ways, or he'll end up on a free, with no one wanting him, so come on Shola, lets see some hard work and the rewards will surely follow, cos you aint the star that you think you are. Talk the talk and walk the walk please

With a few more signings, then we will do ok and that is all we can hope for, so come on you Mags and Howay The Lads.


Posted by: Joseppie  | July 26, 2008 12:30 PM

Ken wrote...

The squad seems OK to me. Ramage, Emre and Carr (and Ameobi) hardly played a part last season, so they will be no real loss.

Also some of the kids, especially the foreigners costing a lot of money and playing international football, should be capable of stepping up to the first team and doing a good job at the age of 18 and 19.

On top of that, the players are quite versatile - Duff could play left back for example - and Keegan has the imagination to get more out of them. Look at the way he used Owen last season. Genius.

Posted by: Ken  | July 26, 2008 2:54 PM

Sam Allardyce wrote...


I told you lot that Ashley is tightfisted! I begged for players last year and was given naught. It was always about money and never about quality. Fat Fred doesn't look so bad now does he?


Posted by: Sam Allardyce  | July 26, 2008 4:57 PM

Anonymous wrote...

Another great performance by Alan Smith against Darlo today...

Posted by: Anonymous  | July 26, 2008 5:37 PM

Anonymous wrote...

NUFC, is run like a pub side.People ask me, what has happened the Geordie Pride.??? JUST LOOKING AT THE E.C HEADLINES, 2 Newcastle yobs attacking the police.!!, who would want to come to Newcastle ??? 24/1 to be relegated, you would,nt bet against it.yet the bookies have them about 12th. for a Prem. finish. Just goes to prove how poor the Prem is; when you take out the TOP FOUR,the next 4 are no better than average but the remaining 12 are absolute joke,s. Sadly, we are in that allocation.

Posted by: Anonymous  | July 26, 2008 9:47 PM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

Advertiser