Sign him up....Much of the debate and rumour last week was regarding the future of Chris Hughton, and the lack of a new contract for our current manager.
Speculation reached fever pitch in the run up to the defeat against Arsenal which prompted the club to release a brief statement backing the manager and revealing that a new contract for Hughton would be on the agenda in the new year.
After the performance and the widespread backing that Hughton recieved from the players and fans at St James’ Park, I would suggest that Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias move their agenda forward and sort out a new deal for the man who has saved them a fortune by getting the team promoted last season, and looks to be saving them a frotune again this season by getting some fantastic results on a very meagre budget.
Some pundits, like Warren Barton, have suggested that Chris Hughton has turned down a new contract at Newcastle as he didn’t like the terms of the compensation package, but how would Barton know this? I doubt that Chris Hughton will have phoned him up and told him as we have seen time and time again that Hughton values privacy. I smell a bit of bullshit from Barton there! Think about it… (more…)
Oliver: Risible buffoon.Writing for the People newspaper yeterday, Alan Oliver, who is renowned throughout the region for his completely innaccurate and malicious reporting about Newcastle United, and still banned from St James’s Park for spreading falsehoods about the club, was still persisting with the story that Chris Hughton is about to be sacked.
Despite Newcastle’s victory at West Ham which left them in the top half of the table, Oliver insists:
“CHRIS HUGHTON is fighting for his job at Newcastle, with Mike Ashley yet to start negotiations on a new contract.
“Toon boss Hughton’s deal runs out at the end of the season but owner Ashley is in no hurry to begin talks after Newcastle took just one point from three Premier League home games – against Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan.
“And despite impressive defeats of Aston Villa and Everton in the league, as well as a stunning win at Chelsea in the Carling Cup, it is the results at St James’ Park against fellow relegation candidates that have set the alarm bells ringing with the top brass.” (more…)
Hughton: "Big blow".Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton, has been talking to Tyneside newspaper, The Chronic on the “big blow” of losing deputy, Colin Calderwood, to Hibs. He also spoke on the search for his replacement, which, said Hughton, he would be dealing with “over the next couple of days”.
Starting with a tribute to his erstwhile deputy, Hughton said:
“For us it is very much a case of business as usual.
“It’s a big blow to lose Colin Calderwood but certainly one I can understand.
“He’s not only very good at what he does as a coach but he’s also a very good friend.”
On Calderwood’s sudden move to Hibs, Hughton continued:
“When an opportunity like this comes along it is difficult to turn down, and it is no surprise he was in the frame because he has such good pedigree.
“He’s looked to take the opportunity and I wish him well.”(more…)
Carroll - New deal for the new number nine.After what has been a pretty depressing week for us all, mainly caused by the events at Manchester City last weekend, Newcastle fans were last night handed a boost with the news that Andy Carroll has signed a new five-year deal with the club.
I had covered it briefly, very briefly, as I had to go to work shortly after it was announced, and I promised I would give more reaction today, so here it is.
It’s a fantastic move from the club to secure one of their prize assets on a long-term deal and shows a lot of commitment towards a player who could very well end up prison come the end of the month. Carroll spoke to nufc.co.uk about the deal and had this to say;
“All I have ever wanted to do is play for Newcastle United. That’s been the case since I was a teenager, playing for the juniors and reserves, and it’s still the same now.”(more…)
Official statement alert.Newcastle have asked the FA to punish Nigel de Jong for the challenge that resulted in Hatem Ben Arfa sustaining a broken Fibia and Tibula at the weekend.
It is understood that the club are far from happy over the tackle and feel it was ‘unnecessary and used excessive force’.
They are also writing a letter of complaint to the appropriate body regarding the perfomance of Martin Atkinson in the match against Manchester City.
In a statement released on the nufc.co.uk, the official website, the club had this to say;
“Newcastle United FC have today written a strongly-worded letter to the Football Association in relation to the tackle by Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong on Hatem Ben Arfa in Sunday’s Premier League fixture, which resulted in Ben Arfa sustaining a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg.”
“The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against De Jong for the tackle which in the club’s opinion was unnecessary and used excessive force.”(more…)
