Tough acts to followOn arrival at Newcastle United Demba Ba was handed the number 19 shirt, leaving the number 9 shirt vacant. Does this indicate that there are plans to recruit another striker to fill it or is the shirt going to be retired for a while?
The Newcastle United number 9 shirt is of course sacred. Leaving it unfilled for a while – after Obafemi Martins moved to Wolfsburg – was a deliberate ploy by former manager Chris Hughton who said:
“It’s something I’ve done deliberately. We have a lot of strikers here and I’m quite sure that every single one of them would have wanted to wear the No 9 shirt. As soon as I came to this club I knew what it meant and it’s both my decision and a combination of a few things.
“It can be a heavy number to carry, a burden, and wearing it is an achievement which I want somebody to grow into. I want somebody to earn the right to be Newcastle’s No 9. I don’t want to suggest that the strikers here aren’t worthy of it because each of them has a real strong value.
“I don’t anticipate years going by without one, but I know what the number nine is and I don’t want it to be an issue. The only issue I want is the normal stuff of the team performing well or not performing well, winning games or not winning games, and that’s very much team based.” (more…)
Welcome to St James's!Newcastle United have announced on their official website that a deal has finally been struck for ex West Ham player, Demba Ba, in what is thought to be a three year deal.
This would take the player to 29, which seems to be a new ‘magic number’ when it comes to Newcastle player’s and their contracts.
On his signing, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew said:
“Demba made a great impression with West Ham last season and is a great signing for the club. He has pace, excellent technical abilty, is good in the air, and, it goes without saying, has the ability to consistently find the back of the net. Moreover he has a great passion to play for Newcastle United.”(more…)
Welcome to St James's!Newcastle United have announced on their official website that a deal has finally been struck for ex West Ham player, Demba Ba, in what is thought to be a three year deal.
This would take the player to 29, which seems to be a new ‘magic number’ when it comes to Newcastle player’s and their contracts.
On his signing, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew said:
“Demba made a great impression with West Ham last season and is a great signing for the club. He has pace, excellent technical abilty, is good in the air, and, it goes without saying, has the ability to consistently find the back of the net. Moreover he has a great passion to play for Newcastle United.”(more…)
