Little Vurn: NUFC's "marquee" signing in this window.As you no doubt know only too well, the Summer transfer window ended at 11pm on Friday evening. But are you happy, or not, overall, with the comings and goings at the club?
Reviewing the ingoings and outgoings at Newcastle United during this particular window (see table below), nine players have left the club and four have come in. I have included Ryan Donaldson and Phil Airey in the nine outgoings as they both enjoyed at least one or two outings for the first team in the past, though I have omitted several other Academy players who were released by the club in the infamous “night of the long knives” at the Benton Academy, when at least seven young prospects were axed in one go, plus the slightly older Kadar.
Though the figures are approximate, the overall spend for the club seems to be a figure of around +£2.64 million to +£3.14 million. Looking at the individuals involved will always be something of a subjective thing, but having a bash at some kind of assesment, I would say that the club has lost three squad members who had been very handy for the club when the inevitable injuries occured, or when more regular choices were fulfilling international commitments in major competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations. We also lost the all but redundant Alan Smith (and his huge wages), the talented but constantly on loan Fraser Forster, the once regarded as highly promising defender, Tamas Kadar, who never quite failed to live up to earlier expectations, as well the two bairns mentioned above. (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…)
Forster - Celtic Bound?Newcastle United Goalkeeper Fraser Forster is approaching the end of his second loan spell at Glasgow Celtic, and decision time is fast approaching over what happens next for him.
The big keeper has in the past been the target for some unfair and unhelpful comments from some sections of the United support. Personally, and as a plastic Celtic fan who probably has seen more of him than most, I rate the lad highly, and would much prefer to see him back at United next season, where I think he could give Tim Krul some serious competition for the No1 spot.
Forster has done well at Celtic, and has developed into a very good keeper. Neil Lennon, Manager of the Scottish Champions also rates him highly, and has already begun to set out his stall with a view to taking him permanently. This of course will depend on what view the United heirarchy take. It will also depend on whether any silly money is put on the table for Tim Krul’s services this summer – it has been rumoured, for example, that Tottenham Hotspur see him as an ideal replacement for the ageing Brad Friedel. I’m sure they do! But whether they have enough money to buy him is another matter! They can always have Rob Elliot of course. (more…)
New keeper at the ToonNewcastle United sign a new goalkeeper after loaning Forster out to Celtic.
It appears we have actually signed a new goalkeeper. Or are about to, depending upon which newspaper you read. There isn’t yet any official confirmation from Newcastle United but I get the impression this is a done deal.
The keeper in question comes in the shape of Rob Elliot, who currently plays for Charlton Athletic. He’s actually played for them since 2004 but was loaned out between 2004 and 2007 to, variously, Bishop’s Stortford, Notts County and Accrington Stanley.
Scaling Elliot would take a 6ft 3in rope, he’s 23 years old and has just over 140 league appearances to his name.
Apparently Ben Hamer has been handed the number 1 shirt at Charlton this season and a lot of Charlton fans expected a possible exit for Elliot.
There have been no reports of a fee yet but he was contracted with Charlton until 2012 so I presume there was one, although I can’t imagine it was much. (more…)
Scotland boundCeltic reach an agreement to take Newcastle United keeper Fraser Forster and Toon wannabe Maiga speaks up about his omission from Sochaux’s European squad.
Celtic claim to have reached an agreement to take Fraser Forster off our hands. Apparently it’s along the lines of a season-long loan with some sort of option to buy the player after that.
Celtic manager Niel Lennon said:
“A deal has been agreed. There are a few little snags to overcome but we hope to have him registered in time for tomorrow night.
“If that is the eventuality of things, we would be absolutely delighted. He has been the main target since the end of last season.
“We did put a bid in but it was knocked back but we worked hard in the background to try to bring him in so I’m very, very pleased.”
Forster was loaned to Celtic last season and broke the club’s clean sheets record while he was there and was also quite good in goal. Forster had previously expressed a desire to return to Celtic this season although Alan Pardew was keen to see how he measured up against Krul and Harper between the sticks during pre-season before letting him go. (more…)
