Hughton - Can he cut? Maybe he can...I think it’s fair to say that the feeling of a fair few Newcastle fans would be lifted by us claiming three points against Wigan at the weekend.
It’s a must win game in the eyes of many, a feeling that I tend to agree with. After disappointing home defeats to Blakpool and Stoke, Hughton will need to ensure the team bounce back against Wigan.
In fairness we have been playing well, really well at points, and we have deserved more than we have got out of some games. Some poor luck, like against Blackpool, and some awful decision-making from certain match officials have transpired to work against us at times this season, and I feel that is contributing to the sombre (ish) mood amongst fans at the moment.
The reality is that depsite the bad luck and despite the fact we have been playing fairly well, it doesn’t change the fact that we have just the seven points to show for our efforts so far this season. It’s about time that changed! (more…)
Smoggie Ranger?News emerged yesterday suggesting that Middlesbrough could be looking to take Nile Ranger to The Riverside on loan.
Now apart from all the jokes about empty seats at their ground and the less than glamorous surroundings of Middlesbrough, I actually think that this would be a good move.
I don’t know about you guys and gals, but I’m getting increasingly fed up with what is looking to be some of the best youth talent we have had on our books for some considerable time not getting as much as a sniff of the first-team. Highly coveted youngsters like Ranger and Haris Vuckic will just stagnate if they aren’t given the opportunity to flourish.
First-team football should be part of any young players development. No amount of Under-18 games or reserve matches will beat the cut and thrust of playing in the first team. A case in point being Kazenga Lua Lua who is currently plying his trade at Brighton, and is earning numerous pladits for his performances by all accounts. (more…)
Niko - A free signing next summer?Newcastle are looking to snap up out of favour Tottenham Hotspur winger Niko Krancjar on a free transfer this summer.
Various Sunday papers are suggesting that the club will be looking to secure a deal in January when the Croatian midfielder will be free to talk to other clubs and look for a new deal elsewhere, much like our very own Steven Taylor can do if he wishes.
Krancjar has fallen down the pecking order at White Hate Lane of late and is said to be evaluating his options. It would be a good move for Newcastle if they could secure the services of the 26-year old and he would provide some direct competition for Wayne Routledge on the right side of our midfield, but I have a feeling that we won’t be the only club that is interested in the player. (more…)
Intentions?The latest hot topic regarding Newcastle United has to be the signing of Andy Carroll to a new long term contract with the club.
It shows just how much Carroll loves the club. I mean genuinely loves the club. He has shown commitment and has stated that the only thing he ever wanted to do was play for Newcastle.
He is living the dream at the moment, the dream that you or I will have shared at some point no doubt.
It would be nice to see the same commitment from Steven Taylor if I’m being honest with you, but I have my doubts over the intentions of the adopted Geordie. I understand I will be treading a fine line on this one and some people may not like what I am writing but at the end of the day it is my opinion.
My gut feeling is that Taylor, despite his claims in the press that he wants to stay at Newcastle, will be fixing up a move away in January. I will happily be proved wrong mind as I would much rather have him in the squad than be without him. (more…)
Carroll - New deal for the new number nine.After what has been a pretty depressing week for us all, mainly caused by the events at Manchester City last weekend, Newcastle fans were last night handed a boost with the news that Andy Carroll has signed a new five-year deal with the club.
I had covered it briefly, very briefly, as I had to go to work shortly after it was announced, and I promised I would give more reaction today, so here it is.
It’s a fantastic move from the club to secure one of their prize assets on a long-term deal and shows a lot of commitment towards a player who could very well end up prison come the end of the month. Carroll spoke to nufc.co.uk about the deal and had this to say;
“All I have ever wanted to do is play for Newcastle United. That’s been the case since I was a teenager, playing for the juniors and reserves, and it’s still the same now.”(more…)
