New left-back needed at the ToonNewcastle United midfielder Joey Barton fires off some parting shots as he heads for the exit along with left-back Jose Enrique. The club must now look at how these players will be replaced (if indeed they will at all).
Joey Barton was given a two-week fine for his renegade Twittering yesterday, which probably comes as no surprise to anyone. It certainly didn’t surprise Barton himself who said:
“Ha ha the inevitable, 2 weeks wages fine has just arrived. Needless to say it shall be appealed forthwith.”
Barton also accused the club of releasing ‘false reports’ about the situation to the press, saying:
“Everyone here knows I speak the truth.
“I also have too much respect for my teammates and the fans to get in a tit for tat war with them. I have too much self-worth and dignity.”
He was also apparently quoting both Orwell and The Smiths on Twitter but this particular debacle is beginning to get on my nerves now so I won’t bother with the quotes. Barton was made to train alone yesterday and I reckon his inevitable exit will come quite soon. (more…)
Done and dusted, just aboutNewcastle United’s Wayne Routledge only needs a medical to complete a move to Swansea. Meanwhile, Joey Barton’s situation continues to dominate the NUFC headlines.
Unfortunately, besides the Barton furore there’s little else happening at the club just now.
It seems that Wayne Routledge has agreed personal terms and has all but signed for Swansea City now, assuming he passes the medical. A club statement from Swansea City read:
“Swansea City is pleased to confirm that personal terms with Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge have been agreed.
“It follows on from an agreement with Newcastle over an undisclosed transfer fee and the 26-year-old is expected to arrive in Swansea for a medical before signing a three-year contract.
“The former England Under-21 international will be joined by Middlesbrough striker, Leroy Lita, who is also due to have a medical before completing his transfer.”
Apparently Routledge is due in Swansea today for the medical and Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers hopes it will all be wrapped up in time for their game against Celtic tomorrow. Routledge is signing on a 3 year deal and whilst the fee is officially ‘undisclosed’ it’s thought to be worth about £2m, which I’m sure will be reinvested in the club*. (more…)
Joey Barton - GoodbyeIn one of the most anticipated Tweets in human history, Newcastle United dissident, Joey Barton, has been on his Twitta page again. He once promised on there that he would “I will tell all when the time is right.” Earlier today on his Twitter page, he made a series of Tweets, saying first, somewhat mysteriously:
“I’ve seen this happen, in other people’s lives and now its happening in mine………..”The Smiths…….
Then the mundane:
“Training done for the day, off to buy some books and have a coffee.”
Later he then tweeted:
“I wont be commenting on situation at Newcastle again, as I feel it helps nobody and serves no purpose. Hope u all understand.”
A little respect (just a little bit) Newcastle United have had a trying summer both on and off the pitch but how does that bode for the season ahead?
It’s a fine old kettle of fish isn’t it? This pre-season, that is. We’ve had some poor results on the pitch and the various missives from people like Nolan, Barton and Enrique have done little to enhance things off the pitch.
First up, the friendlies we’ve had. I’m not convinced as to how much of a yardstick for the coming season such games really are, but let’s hope they’re not a particularly accurate one.
One school of thought says friendlies are all about experimentation and that players don’t really get out of third gear for them, but another school of thought says that’s nonsense and that when players are on the pitch they’ll play with all they’ve got for a win.
When my mate – who currently lives in Hong Kong – visits, we traditionally have a ‘friendly’ 4-way competition that involves darts, pool, table football and – bizarrely – tennis. Whereas we might start off with a friendly game of darts, I can tell you that by the time we’re huffing and puffing in the fifth set of a tennis match it’s anything but friendly! (more…)
Enrique: Right or wrong?Of course, as most of you will no doubt know by now, disgruntled left back, Jose Enrique, the subject of much contract and transfer speculation over the past few weeks has been extremely critical of the club’s transfer policy and claimed that they “lie all the time”.
As my esteemed collegue, ‘Thump’ also reported on the pages of this ‘blog, he also accused them of lying “all the time” on his official Twitter page, which seems to have gone missing in action. To refresh your memories, the war of words started back in May when master of discretion, Alan Pardew, started giving a running commentary on the players contract renewal before they had even begun saying:
“We have been waiting to see his representatives, they are due here in the early part of next week.
“We are going to make Jose a very, very good offer and we are hoping he is going to accept it.
Adding a note of caution though, he then continued:
“We are realistic about Jose, because the ball is in his court on that one, not in ours.
“He will be offered a fantastic contract here, he knows that, but still it is going to be down to his decision. I am still hopeful.”(more…)
