A return to action for Barton and Cabaye.The latest of Newcastle United’s pre season friendlies sees the Magpies facing Championship side, Leeds United, at Elland Road.
Of course, like Newcastle, Leeds are a large one club city, and like Newcastle United, Leeds United are a cautionary tale that even the mighty can fall through mismanagement in the Boardroom. Thankfully for Newcastle though, we managed to make it back to the promised land of the Premiership in one season, whereas Leeds still have been frustrated in their attempts to return to where they should be as one of the traditional big clubs of English football since 2004. Last season, they just missed out on a chance of a promotion playoff place after finishing seventh in the final Championship standings.
Speaking on the upcoming game, as he does about almost everything, Alan Pardew said that he was looking forward to having some “creative force” back in the side now that the team are not encumbered by the Gestapo like forces of US Immigration. I once had to turn down a chance to appear on Jay Leno’s ‘Tonite’ show in the US because of them so I bear a personal grudge, but I digress. Getting back to the bloviator himself, he said: (more…)
Haris Vuckic - potential star?Haris Vuckic: a name that top teams all across Europe were screaming out for. Trials with AC Milan, an interest from Manchester United and it was Newcastle United who landed his signature – a 16 year old Slovenian wonderkid.
Given his recent problems with injuries and fitness, a lot of people questioned whether or not “wonderkid” was a foregone conclusion and if he really is as good as he was touted to the fans. Haris, however, is taking all of that in his stride and during the three game tour of America, he is trying to change that.
A lot of 18 year olds at clubs tend to be fairly scrawny – their body waiting to fill out properly. Haris, on the other hand, has a frame that you would expect to find on a 25 year old midfielder – and he plays like one too.
Many of us may have seen the young lad play at reserve level and will know how he plays – direct, powerful, fast. (more…)
Man kicks football - whatever next?Newcastle United latest: Liverpool allegedly closing in on Enrique, Swansea City make improved bit for Wayne Routledge, the US tour gets underway tomorrow at Sporting Kansas City and the FA are awaiting reports about the pitch invasion at Darlington.
The whole Jose Enrique situation is beginning to grind on me at the moment, so I’ll be brief.
According to press reports, Liverpool are ‘closing in’ with an £11.5m deal for the player, which – if true – must be a very recent move by Dalglish’s mob because just a few days ago Alan Pardew said this in relation to the Enrique situation:
“We have had no concrete offers.”
I’ll be disappointed if he does go to Liverpool after all his crowing about wanting Champions League football although, if he’s clearly not going to sign a contract for us, I’ll be glad to see the back of him so that we can recruit a replacement left-back well before the new season gets under way. (more…)
...and yet we still lack depth.Interesting scenes today as Newcastle United fans chanted “If Sammy scores, we’re on the pitch”… and then Sammy Ameobi decided it would be a great idea to score.
Needless to say, on fled hundreds of Toon fans, some of which travelling all the way from Newcastle upon Tyne, forcing the referee to actually postpone the game. During the madness, a steward was hit in the face by a Darlington supporter, which I’m sure we can all agree is simply out of order.
Newcastle United were at the Northern Echo Arena for the second time in as many pre-seasons to open up their pre-season campaign. Fraser Forster began between the sticks with Hatem Ben Arfa making his first appearance since his horror tackle by Nigel De Jong. Joey Barton scored after just 3 minutes and at some point afterwards (relying on Twitter for information here!) Sammy Ameobi dared the Newcastle fans with his goal. (more…)
Only left due to KinnearA source close to Charles N’Zogbia indicates that the player really wants to return to Newcastle United and only ever left because of Joe Kinnear.
According to The Star, Charles N’Zogbia is most certainly Newcastle-bound, which would seem to suit the voters on this particular blog. As our vote stands as I write this, 80% of readers want The Zog back at the Zoon, although only 33% would pay Wigan’s ‘special’, inflated £12m price for non-Champions League contenders.
The newspaper has sallied forth and hunted down a ‘source close to The Zog’, who had this to say:
“Charles never really wanted to leave. It was Kinnear he fell out with, not Newcastle.
“He has kept in touch with several of his former team-mates and told them he would love to go back.” (more…)
