June 2010 Archives

Rarely here in Blog on the Tyne does the subject drift from Newcastle United but after the national disgrace that was England's World Cup exit against Germany I think desperate times call for desperate measures.

For a start, this World Cup has been poor and England have been garbage all the way through, tactically inept and totally devoid of ideas.

Capello was struggling before we even went out there in trying to persuade Paul Scholes to come out of retirement, and succeeding in doing likewise with Jamie Carragher because he knew the current squad is way short.

People have said that some of the England players don't care, well I'd say probably some of them do care but they've been playing as indviduals and as we all know, you won't win anything with 11 people doing what they want rather than working as a team.

The news that Danny Simpson will miss the start of Newcastle United's return to the Premier League may well be a blow but while the popular full-back's injury misery is hard to take for fans and the player alike, it will open a door for somebody else to start the season and stake a claim for a regular place.

Simpson's efforts last season were fantastic and the fact he's played through the pain barrier epitomises his attitude at this football club, an unselfish act that deserves a lot of credit.

From time to time hacks are ludicrously accused of bumping up merit marks to those Toon players who are prepared to talk to journos after games but while Simmo is a top bloke that will always take the time to reflect and chat after games, his solid performances were there for all to see last season.

When it comes to former players or Geordies coming back to haunt Newcastle United the list is endless.

Now after taking part in the club version season after season, how about trying the international version?

Step forward Oguchi Onyewu and the United States...

So Alan Thompson leaves his post as Toon coach after just two years.

Well, whoever comes into replace them, I hope they're good because United have just lost another good man and a proper Geordie who cares about the club to boot.

Thommo the player caused controversy amongst some Mags when he quit back in 1993 in search for first team football.

On reflection that came at a time of smaller squads, squad rotation and resting didn't exist and Kevin Keegan would soon abolish the reserves.

Thompson went on to be a class act for Bolton, Villa and then Celtic and perhaps unluckily won just one cap for England as one of the best left-footed players of his generation.

I don't know about you but getting "geared up" for the World Cup isn't easy when you're a Newcastle United fan.

Transfer investment to most Toon fans probably outweighs the importance of a tournament that is merely filling in the gaps until the pre-season friendlies start again and we can see our beloved side reshaping for what is going to be a crunch season back in the Premier League.

Well, we won't see anything in the shape of new signings for a while yet, July 1 will be the start of any serious wheeling and dealing for Chris Hughton and even then the last two summer transfer windows have seen Newcastle end up as 11th hour players in the great transfer game.