Newcastle United – News Roundup – 22 August 2009.
Posted on August 22nd, 2009 | 65 Comments |
Sky Sports claims that talks are continuing with Barry Moat and two other consortia, as does The Guardian, and both claim some sort of announcement is set for Monday.
The Telegraph claims that negotiations between Moat and Ashley are at an advanced stage and some sort of deal could be closed next week. They also mention that Barclays would like to see a reduction in the £40m loan the club uses to operate before they’ll stamp their authority on any deal for Barry Moat.
The Times makes similar claims to the The Telegraph and mentions that three more players must be sold before Barclays will authorise Moat’s continuing use of the loan facility if he should take over the club. They state that, although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, those players are believed to be Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini. The Times actually has quotes from Llambias who says:
“We have parties who are more or less at signing stage.
“It’s about getting money to the bank. We are in negotiations with Barry.
Llambias said this of the other consortia interested in buying the club (which I presume includes Fanbase 410):
“They are well-intentioned but they have to have proof of funds before we continue and it is a very tall order and unrealistic in three weeks. It is a dream and a very frustrating thing. Football is tough and very fickle. They are way behind.”
So it looks like a straight choice between Moat and Ashley. Either way, the squad will need to be significantly strengthened if we’re going to mount a realistic challenge for promotion.
We play Crystal Palace at 3PM today and according to the club site Joey Barton will not be travelling with the team due to his foot injury. Nicky Butt has however returned to the squad after hand surgery and Andy Carroll is rated as 50-50 after limping off with a groin strain during our mid-week game against Sheffield Wednesday.
Crystal Palace currently sit in 10th place on 4 points after a draw at home to Plymouth, losing away to Bristol City and winning away to Ipswich. Of course in their game against Bristol City they had a perfectly good goal disallowed and this sent Neil Warnock into a state of apoplexy from which he’ll probably never recover.
Shola is enjoying his run as a first choice striker and basking in the new found love from supporters. He told the BBC:
“It’s something that hasn’t happened often over the years but I’m delighted.
“I have finally got a chance to get a run in the team and prove I can score.”
He also told The Chronicle:
“I’m aiming to score more at Palace.
“It’s another opportunity and I’m up for the challenge.
“Confidence is high at the moment.
“My body feels right and is ready for the grind of Championship football.
“If I can stay fit and we can keep pushing as a team, we can really achieve something great here.
“The aim is to win the Championship.
“That is certainly what I’m aiming for.
“I’ve had a great pre-season, probably the best for a while.
“I believe that it is really good for me at the moment.”
Keep on scoring Shola!
Shola ameobi top scorer in the championship this season!
Newcastle united promoted as champions of the league!
Alan shearer manager of the month at least five times!
All it takes for this to happen is mike (c)ashley to leave our club as soon as possible!