Pieters: Fatty's wallet remains closed.De Telegraaf in the Netherlands have reported that Newcastle United will only pay a maximum “ransom” of €5 million (around £4.3 million) for PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands left back, Erik Pieters, which falls far short of the £6-7 million PSV are looking for.
However they also state that the reason is that moneybags Manchester City have revealed that they would be willing to pay a “substantial share” of the wages of redundant left back, Wayne Bridge, in a loan deal, with a rental deal for Bridge being allegedly a more appealing option for Newcastle United’s notoriously mean owner. It goes on to report that Ashley would be looking for Man City to pay at least 50% of Bridge’s current £90,000 per week salary.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, went to see Pieters for himself in yesterday’s game between PSV and ADO Den Haag, a game which I saw myself due to the wonders of modern televisual technology. Pieters looked solid enough, not so much an attacking left back in the manner of Ashley Cole etc, but that is not a criticism. However the quality of opposition left alot to be desired.
Speaking on a possible move to the Magpies, Pieters himself has said:
“I’m open to this step, but if it fails I am not disappointed.”
Match highlights ADO Den Haag v PSV Eindhoven.(more…)
Mehdi Abeid in training with France U18s.Welcome to the third in my small series of ‘blogs looking at Newcastle United’s new signings in the latest transfer window. In this episode, I will be looking at free RC Lens youngster and French Under 18 international, Mehdi Abeid.
Much attention has being focused on the last three Newcastle United signings, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux. However Newcastle United first signing of the close season, 18 year old Mehdi Abeid, has been somewhat overlooked. Like the older Cabaye and Marveaux, Abeid was previously playing in the French leagues, in this case, now relegated Ligue 1 side Lens. Abeid signed a five-year deal with the Magpies on 27 May 2011, just before his existing three year contract with Lens expired at the beginning of June. On joining Newcastle United, the player said:
“The leaders of the Magpies told me about their project and rely on me for next season. For my part, I intend to give everything to evolve in the Premier League.”(more…)
Marvellous Marveaux in action for Rennes.Welcome to second in my small series of ‘blogs looking at Newcastle United’s new signings in the latest transfer window. In this episode, I will be looking at free Rennes signing and French Under 21 international, Sylvain Marveaux.
Like the previous subject in this series, Yohan Cabaye, Marveaux is another very versatile little Frenchman with silky skills on the ball. He is just over 5’7″, has a very good turn of speed, and can play in a variety of midfield places with aplomb, though he has been mostly employed as a left sided or central attacking midfielder. He received 11 caps with the French Under 21 side, scoring 4 times, which isn’t bad at all really. However unlike Cabaye, he is yet to play with the full national side. His club scoring record At Rennes was 18 goals in 118 games.
Although a deal for Marveaux has been fully agreed, he will not become a Newcastle United player until July 1st when his current contract with Rennes expires and he becomes a free agent. On his agreement to join the club, manager Alan Pardew said: (more…)
Cabaye? Whey eye!Welcome to my small series of ‘blogs looking at Newcastle United’s new signings in the latest transfer window. First cab off the rank will be Yohan Cabaye.
Cabaye, who’s recent signing was broken on Joey Barton’s Twitta, and this ‘blog, was signed from Lille OSC for £4.3 million, which must be something of a bargain for someone who is thought to be something more like £8-10 million. Lille, a very good and stylish attacking side, won the double of France’s Ligue Un Championship and Coupe de France last season with a host of very talented players such as Gervinho, Moussa Sow, Eden Hazard and not least, Cabaye himself.
He comes from a family of footballers. His father Didier played for French side Lens until his professional career was ended by a serious injury remiscent of Hatem Ben Arfa’s when he sustained a double leg fracture. His younger brother Geoffrey plays in the French lower leagues with Iris Club de Croix. (more…)
I'm not so sure...So at the time of writing, Newcastle United club captain Kevin Nolan, is on his way to join freshly relegated West Ham United.
Before this news broke, I was in the process of gathering some statistical analysis for the past season, focusing on our top 5 performers in the Premier League. What I found was quite interesting, even more so, taking into consideration, recent events.
The statistics I have gathered are from the ‘Actim Index’ found on the official Premier League website. The index, and point scoring, along with a brief explanation from myself, is calculated as follows:-
1) Winning performance
Points awarded for time on the pitch in a successful team. More points awarded to individuals if they are on the pitch for a full 90 minutes.
2) Players performance per match
Points awarded for positive actions such as shots, tackles, clearances, saves and passes. Points are deducted for negative actions such as shots off target, misplaced passes, fouls and yellow / red cards.
