Nolan has stolen the three points!For such a relatively average game, this one managed to have a little bit of everything. And yet for the majority of it, Newcastle fans were once again left wondering whether this was going to be another long, hard season. With inept displays from Harewood, Carroll and in particular Gutierrez in the first half and everybody else just apparently and not for the first time, stuck in second gear, it looked like it might actually be a long, hard afternoon.
Once more Chris Hughton ignored what seemed to be the obvious opportunity to play Ranger but was forced into changes as Kadar came in for the injured Simpson. Nicky Butt also returned to first team action for the suspended Smith. Otherwise, we looked the same as we did against Scunthorpe, yes before someone says it, not great!!
I don’t get Gutierrez, I really don’t. For the umpteenth time I watched a game where he over-elaborated and held possession when the easiest thing and right thing to do, was to pass it. Instead he held onto the ball for far too long, got tangled up in a challenge and either lost the ball or threw himself on the floor in a heap. Anyway, Doncaster came here seemingly with every intention to try and play but with ex-Toon player, James Coppinger in the side, they never really looked like threatening. And then on 18 minutes they scored……..when a flick from James O’Connor to Sharp led to a low right-wing cross that seemed to take a deflection that picked out Dean Shiels who had the easiest of jobs to tuck it away. However, that goal was self-inflicted as Kadar had given the ball away cheaply and the defending was half-hearted. (more…)
Our top scorerKevin Nolan has been chatting to the press and said that Newcastle United must win today against Doncaster Rovers or we could have another ‘crisis’ on our hands, then goes on to state that Mike Ashley isn’t so bad once you get to know him.
About today’s game, Nolan said:
“I accept that if we don’t beat Doncaster at home then even some of our own fans might describe the situation as a crisis.
“That is down to their expectation and there is nothing wrong with having expectations. The fans should have high expectations, especially in this league with the quality we have got in this squad.
“We should not be losing three games on the run at Championship level anyway. It is an expectation that we put on ourselves.
“If it does happen on Saturday then no one will be more disappointed than the 11 lads that leave the field in Newcastle shirts. We need a reaction.”
Which I suspect is exactly what there’ll be if we lose. I doubt our decent start has pleased the press much and they’ll be as eager as usual to carry reports of our demise (ooh, that’s bitter and cynical Hugh). (more…)
Not a single serious bidderAfter a summer of discontent at Newcastle United, with the club having been up for sale since May, we’ve failed to attract a single serious buyer.
It seems Moat was all mouth and all the other ‘bidders’ were either publicity hunters, time-wasters or chancers who only expressed an interest in the hope of purchasing way below Ashley’s £100m asking price.
A few weeks ago I posted an article which quoted the Telegraph’s ‘source close to the club’ as follows:
“No one has come up with any money – no one.
“Barry Moat and the South Africans have one thing in common – they are all talking but they have no produced any money.
“There will be some preliminary conversations late in the week and I would think Barry Moat will have some provisional discussions with them although I can’t underline provisional enough.
“Until someone comes up with the money Mike Ashley has got to stay in control of the club. He has got no choice.” (more…)
Rudolfsen - on the radarAccording to The Chronicle, Newcastle United are tracking a 21 year old striker from Norway.
The striker is a lad called Joakim Rudolfsen and he plays for Norway’s famous third-tier Mo IL side. Apparently he was first spotted by Dennis Wise and has continued to be tracked by Norman Wooster, our Scandinavian scout.
Apparently Rudolfsen recently scored a hat-trick in 14 minutes against Asker and has scored 18 goals in 18 games this season already.
The Chronicle speculates that Hughton might make a move for the striker in the January transfer window, but I doubt it myself. Rudolfsen is the sort of striker who looks like an investment for the future and I’d be surprised if that interests Mike Ashley at the moment.
Even though Rudolfsen would only command a nominal fee I think Hughton’s concerns in the January transfer window will mainly be related to the current campaign. (more…)
New top manChris Hughton will be appointed as permanent manager of Newcastle United after the weekend’s visit from Doncaster.
Apparently Chris Hughton has been offered a £250,000 a year deal which is believed to be the same package that David O’Leary turned down in August.
I have no idea why O’Leary turned down the manager’s job at Newcastle United of course, but I would guess he feels he’s worth more than £250,000 a year even as an out of work manager coming into a Championship club.
£250,000 doesn’t seem a lot to me. Okay, hang on, £250,000 a year is a fair wedge of money to me and I could certainly afford a new hat on that sort of money, but I’m talking about in relation to players on our books who’ll be earning £2,000,000 a year. But I suppose market conditions dictate salaries and some players are simply valued higher than their managers.
Anyway, I presume Hughton’s happy with the deal and is looking forward to taking charge of the club even if it is only for the rest of the season.
Hughton talked about the team and our current rough patch yesterday, saying: (more…)
