Anyway, over to Chris:
“We are constantly looking at possible signings, but there isn’t anything pressing at the moment. I can’t see anything happening in the short term. We don’t want to sign players just for the sake of it, they have to be the right players as we work towards the January transfer window.”
Referring to the return of ‘big hitters’ such as Coloccini, Steven Taylor and others, he added: (more…)
We’re almost a third of the way through our new season in The Championship and surely the players at our disposal must be half-decent seeing as we’re sitting pretty at the top of the table?
Clearly, some of us have different ideas about the quality in our squad and argue that our position is as much to do with luck and the lack of opposition. I’d probably agree with some of that but you can only beat what’s in front of you (to coin a well-worn cliche). Mind you, we could be here all night talking about the entire squad, so I’ll split it out a little.
For what it’s worth here’s my own term review of the the keepers and defenders. I’ve only included the lads who have played at least a couple of games so far – (more…)
Despite having plenty of possession and creating a number of decent chances, Newcastle spurned several of them and were unable to prevent Scunthorpe scoring twice and that was all it took to swing this game the Iron’s way.
Due to work commitments, I was left to listen to the game on Radio Newcastle and the commentary of Mick Lowes and former assistant to Sir Bobby, John Carver. It didn’t sound great. Scunthorpe were backed by their biggest crowd in 21 years, and as with many teams this season, were obviously pumped up for this as they’re playing a relegated ‘big boy’ who are second in the league. But Newcastle appeared to have the better of the first quarter, although they couldn’t convert possession into goals.
Scunthorpe began to have the better of the play towards the end of the first half but the teams went into the break all square. Having missed a chance before the break, Woolford made no mistake after Khizanishvili was outpaced by Hooper, to make it 1-0. Hughton responded by swapping Geremi for Harewood but it was Kevin Nolan who equalised just after the hour, following what sounded like great build up play. (more…)
The law of averages suggested that our luck was due to run out sooner or later again, and that when playing badly, some team at some point would take advantage. That team was Nottingham Forest. Of course it didn’t help that our, surprisingly, solid defensive start to the season was shattered with the news that both Steven Taylor and Coloccini would be missing. Really, of all the recent admissions I’ve made over things I’ve said which I never thought I’d say, to say that I never thought we’d miss Colo is right up there with the corkers……
But it’s a fact, he’s settled in a unit and has looked half decent at this level so missing both him and the combative Taylor was sure to spell trouble. Particularly when Forest came into this game with some decent form and two strikers proving to be a handful. However that aside, staying with the word ‘average’, does the whole set-up still not smack of something distinctly average? (more…)
Fabricio Coloccini picked up a groin strain and Ryan Taylor picked up a calf injury during Saturday’s game against Ipswich. Danny Simpson is also sidelined with an ankle injury from the Plymouth game and is doubtful for this week’s games. These add to the longer-term injuries of Shola Ameobi and Joey Barton with the latter now expected to be out until Christmas with an ankle injury.
Hughton said:
“As ever we will be assessing everybody as we go along.
“Ryan has been suffering with a little tightness in his calf and is a doubt. But Fabricio looks the more doubtful of the two and we are probably more hopeful on Ryan.
“Danny Simpson has got a chance but he is again touch and go. And providing Jonas gets through the next few days without any problems, he could also be back against QPR.”
So it’s good news about Jonas but there’s going to be some defensive reshuffling needed. (more…)