Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz.You’ll probably have noticed that there isn’t a lot going on at the moment regarding Newcastle.
Things seem to be ticking along nicely, which is a concern that I will get to later, there is no football to come for over a week, all of our transfer deals have been done and the window is now shut, and there wasn’t even a surprise omission from the squad of 25 for the first half of the season.
I mean compare it to just one year ago when the club was still on the market and new buyers were apparently being sought, we didn’t actually have a full-time manager, the transfer window had just slammed shut with only one addition is the shape of Peter Lovenkrands, and most of us were still reeling from the fall-out from relegation. So in comparison it is pretty boring at the moment. (more…)
Sol in days of old.You know that bandwagon that Joey Barton started the other week, the one where he said he was looking to play for England? Well it seems he isn’t the only one with fresh international ambitions.
Sol Campbell has now thrown his hat back into the England ring and has his sights firmly set on an international recall.
I can’t blame the lad for having international ambition. Why not? If he can prove himself worthy of a call up for England by playing suitably well for Newcastle then why shouldn’t he be rewarded with the opportunity of adding to his 73 caps? Unfortunately, I just don’t think it will happen, regardless of how well Sol may end up playing for us. It won’t happen for one reason – his age.
Campbell will be turning 36 in just over two weeks time, and that will rule him out for England in my view. In my opinion, if he proves he is good enough then he should get his chance again, but following England’s disastrous showing at the World Cup there appears to be a move for the national side to move forward and look to the future with the next generation of England players. (more…)
The squad of 25...Newcastle officially named their squad of ‘no more than 25 players’ yesterday, and to be honest there are no real surprises contained within it.
Firstly, let me apologise for the relative lateness of this. Most of you know that I try to be on the on the ball as much as I can with things like this but I had a rather important hospital appointment to attend yesterday, then a series of meetings at work which meant I wasn’t around as much as I would be usually.
Anyhoo, where was I? Ahh yes, the squad of ‘no more than 25’. The only real point of interest over the announcement was regarding defender Steven Taylor. He is out until October through injury and has yet to sign a new contract at Newcastle, which is why he is on the transfer list. People were looking to see whether or not he would be named in the squad or not. You’ll no doubt already know by now that he has so I will spare you the dramatic build up. (more…)
Things are looking up right now.Does anyone else have the feeling I am experiencing at the moment? Pack the jokes away, I mean the feeling of, dare I say it, happiness?
At this precise moment in time I don’t think things could be going much better for a Newcastle fan. It’s all relative of course, and we could be in the Champions League, 1st in the Premier League and so on, but we’re not.
However, we have made a rather solid start to life back in the Premier League. It’s only three games in and I understand that it may be a bit too early to judge things, but surely most fans are happy with the start we have made this season? A solid performance at Old Trafford, a 6-0 hammering of Aston Villa, and a point away at a ground that is notoriously tough to visit all combine to add to the feel good feeling. I mean, if you were offered four points after playing two of last seasons top six and away at a relegation rival in the first three games of the season, you would have taken that before the season started wouldn’t you? I would. (more…)
The most impressive signing of the window.Well that is it for the summer transfer window, and all in all I have been pleasantly surprised with the business that Newcastle have conducted.
Newcastle have swelled their ranks with five senior players over the summer, and one of those in particular has been rather eye catching.
Hatem Ben Arfa is the signing which most fans want to see in action. The 23-year old Frenchman should be just what the doctor ordered and will add some gallic flair and creativity to the ranks. The lad has undoubted talent, although there will no doubt be question marks, as there is with most overseas players, whether or not he will be able to produce those moments of magic we know he is capable of in the Premier League. (more…)
