Barton: Impressed with QPR's ambition.After all the fuss and bother of the past few days, the now ex Newcastle United midfielder, Joey Barton, has finally mulled things over, and signed a deal for West London club, Queen’s Park Rangers.
There seems to be some confusion as to whether Barton has signed for three or four years at his new club, on wages that have been estimated at around £80,000 per week, though nothing official or definitive seems to have been made public at the time of writing. If these figures are roughly correct, it would mean that Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley has played right into the hands of Barton and his agent, Willie McKay, by offering the midfielder on a free transfer after his outbursts on microblogging site, ‘Twitter’. Both Barton and McKay could also be in line to receive a lucrative signing on fee in the transaction.
Speaking to QPR’s official website, the Barton said of his move to the capital:
“It’s been quite a whirlwind, so to get things finally sorted and draw a line under it all is a great relief.”
The conclusion I came to is that I think it depends upon how you define ‘different’. Are we talking ‘different’ in the way an otter is different to a sewing machine or is perhaps the devil in the detail?
At it’s most basic level, I think Pardew’s right. Most transfers probably happen as a result of some sort of consensus between the manager, the scouts and the owner or board, but I think where the difference lies is with the amount of input each particular party has on things. (more…)
Mike Ashley: No shame.I’ve been thinking about Newcastle United’s membership policy on away matches.
Now, I’m sure you remember our first match of pre-season, where a few morons decided to invade the pitch at Darlington, inciting trouble between both sets of fans. If you can’t remember what I’m referring to, check out Thump’s piece from July, when United announced the membership policy.
There was much debate at the time, as to whether this was the right thing to do. “The minority have spoiled it for the majority” was the cry from some fans. Now I understand there is no excuse to invade a football pitch and cause trouble, but I think this membership policy has many flaws and I’ve been questioning why the club have sanctioned it.
I’ve recently returned to the UK after travelling, so obviously I’ve not been able to see any matches while I’ve been busy enjoying the wonders this planet has to offer. I’m situated in Sheffield at the moment, where some of my family now live. While I’ve been away, Newcastle spent a season in the Championship, meaning certain members of my family could catch the local Newcastle away game.
Being down in Sheffield meant they enjoyed games such as Doncaster, Sheffield Utd, Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest. They also made a few trips up to St James’ Park also, but getting the chance to see United close by really does help considering not everybody can afford to travel across the UK to see every away game. It’s not that they don’t want to see them all, it’s just that there is a financial crisis going on, we live in a country where every penny someone earns could well be the last and many people’s jobs are not as secure as they used to be. (more…)
Paranoid? Or are we out to get him?How will this summer’s transfer window end for Newcastle United? This humble writer thinks it will end with a gamble.
I can tell you how I think the transfer window will end for us and that’s with a mad dash on deadline day to try and get someone on the cheap.
It’s possible that we might recruit somebody before next Wednesday but I’d be very surprised if we get both a striker and a left-back before then.
Ashley seems to have this fear that we’re being ripped off because other clubs know we need particular players but personally I think that’s hogwash. If any club puts in a bid it’s because they think they need a player – why would they be bidding otherwise?
Some clubs need players and other clubs are prepared to sell players – that’s what football transfers are all about. Both clubs will try to get the best price they can and we’re no different from other clubs in that respect. (more…)
Gutierrez: Why not?News has come into the offices of NUFC Blog Interntional that an Argentinan International full back is currently on Tyneside and is ready to play for the Magpies!
His name is Jonas Gutierrez, he is currently 28, and is known for his daring and mazy runs down both flanks. Gutierrez is not entirely unknown to Newcastle United fans, having played for the club since 2008, when he was signed on a five year contract by well known double act, Dennis Wise and Kevin Keegan for an undisclosed sum. Since then he has become something of a fans’ favourite, playing in 115 games and scoring seven goals.
The player has already been helping current stand in, Ryan Taylor, and said of his assistance to Ryan:
“For him, it’s a new position and I know that, so I try to help him when I can.
“But I think he’s playing better game-by-game. He played well against Arsenal, but this was better than the last game.(more…)
