Koura: A bonny lad who certainly knows where the goal is!In the last game for Newcastle United’s Reserves clash against a Hamilton Academical 11, it was a young French trialist (named only as “Trialist” on the team sheet) who undoubtedly stole the show.
He scored two goals, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory for the second string Mags.
Newcastle United’s club reporter, Dan King, wrote of the mystery Frenchman:
“Two well-taken goals from a French trialist helped Newcastle Reserves start their pre-season campaign with a win against an experienced Hamilton outfit at the Magpies’ Benton training ground.
“The teenage winger, who has played for his country at youth level, scored twice in the first-half and Marcus Maddison added a third from the penalty spot before Alister Crawford netted a late consolation for the Scottish First Division side, who beat Sunderland’s second-string 3-1 earlier this week and included a host of senior players. (more…)
Highlights of the first of Newcastle United’s first pre season friendly games, this one against German third string side Chemnitzer, at their place, Der Stadion an der Gellertstraße, Chemnitz.
A mostly second string Magpies eleven (with a few big names coming on before the end) succumbed to a solitary goal from Chemnitzer’s Anton Fink in the tenth minute. Sammy Ameobi thought he had levelled later in the game but he was judged to be offside.
New kids on the block, Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana both took part, with Amalfitano starting and Bigirimana coming on as a sub for for Mehdi Abeid in the 70th minute. The highly talented Haris Vuckic also managed to play 70 minutes of the game without breaking something!
Bigirimana: We should find out soon if rumours are true.There seems to be mounting evidence that the signing of Coventry’s Burundian youngster, Gael Bigirimana, is on the cards at Newcastle United.
As regular readers may know, I don’t usually go in for these transfer rumours without solid evidence, however site regular, “Stephen C,” referred me to this story claiming that Bigirimana would be having a medical tomorrow, suggesting it was from a source he trusted so I thought I would check it out further.
Since then two independent sources claim that he has already been seen at the club’s Benton training ground, one from an NUFC fan on Twitta who I don’t know, and another from someone I do know. So, after all that, whilst I wouldn’t claim that it is certain by any means, after checking it out, I certainly wouldn’t discount it entirely either, but whatever the veracity, if he has indeed been at the club for talks and a medical is due tomorrow, we should know soon. The player has been the subject of speculation as a possible Toon signing for some time, with fees of anywhere between £500,000 and £1.2 million being suggested. (more…)
Old codger Steve - Feeling the strain.The forgotten man of Newcastle United, Steve Harper, has spoken out on his thoughts for next season at Newcastle United, claiming that as many as half a dozen players might be leaving, and making an heartfelt appeal for more players in the squad for our upcoming season in European competition.
As to whether this should include any younger, more sprightly goalkeepers to rival him him in the goalkeeper’s pecking order, he didn’t say, though he did have a good old moan about how pre-pre season training is getting ever harder as he gets older. In other goalkeeping news, it seems that Frankenstein’s monster Fraser Forster may well be coming back to Newcastle after all to report for pre season, with a much mooted deal for Celtic still unsigned. But I digress…
Getting back to the Easington shot stopper though, he was speaking to North East news website, “News Guardian” in a video interview on launching a charity “swimathon” called “Reason to Swim” for the Percy Hedley Foundation at Northern Counties School in Jesmond.
Firstly, on his preparations for the season so far, the old codger grumbled:(more…)
Vernon Anita: Pocket battleship.It has been reported by various organs that the agent of pint sized Ajax defender / midfielder, Vurnon Anita has “confirmed” that Ajax have received an offer from Newcastle United.
The agent, Harry Lulofs, allegedly told Newcastle United website, “NUFC Fans”
“Newcastle have made an offer between £5-10 million. I cannot give you the accurate figure, but Ajax have received a written offer.”
“They are very satisfied with the guy [Anita] and want to keep him. Newcastle have been watching him for a long time and really want to sign him.”
“This is the first offer Ajax have received for Vurnon and we’ll soon see how they react.”
“After next week, he [Anita] will be back from holiday and I will meet people at Ajax with him and his dad.”
When quizzed on whether there had been interest from other clubs, Lulofs supposedly confirmed that there were no other offers as yet, but that ex Norwich manager, Paul Lambert expressed an interest before he packed his bags for the Midlands, adding: (more…)
