Nearing first-team fitness?Davide Santon looks to be fairly fit after playing the full 90 minutes of a reserve game against Swansea and does Jonas’s interview indicate that Colo is angling for a longer contract?
Davide Santon completed the full 90 minutes of our reserve game against Swansea last night, which we won 5-3. Santon only had his knee drained earlier this week and it looks like he’s already reaching a level of fitness that could soon put him in line for a first-team start.
Nile Ranger – who, like Santon, had part of his body drained at some point in the past, although in Ranger’s case the part drained seems to be somewhat north of the neck – also played the full 90 minutes and scored from the penalty spot (the other goals were scored by Michael Richardson, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling and Greg McDermot). I’m not sure how much Nile Ranger figures in Alan Pardew’s plans after his recent spate of alleged misdemeanours but I suppose he’s another attacking option, albeit one that’s a fair way down the list. (more…)
Loves playing for NewcastleJonas signs a new contract with Newcastle United, much to Alan Pardew’s relief.
It seems that Jonas Gutierrez has managed to see eye to eye with the club in a way that Barton and Nolan couldn’t because the club has signed him up for another four years.
He’s previously expressed an interest in playing in Italy, but it seems his desire to stay at Newcastle overrides that. Jonas said:
“I’ve said many times that I love playing for Newcastle. I love the city, the fans and the team. So I had no hesitation in signing a new contract. It has been a good start to the season and this is a great place to be.
“I am proud that the manager and the board see me as part of the long-term future of Newcastle. I have always given my best here and I will always do that.” (more…)
Demba Ba: Hat-trick hero and M.O.T.M performance.Right, let’s have some ratings for the Blackburn win!
It was pretty much good stuff all round with a decent showing from a team that’s starting to gel. Very few black marks, the odd smudge, but nothing we couldn’t surmount.
Here goes!
Tim Krul 7.5:
Tim is fast becoming yet another top Toon ‘keeper and Toon legend at a young age. He did most things well, well, he didn’t have too much to do! Maybe needs to bark at his retreating defenders a bit to get them into position when facing an attack, as it was a case of players stood waiting for the shot that got Blackburn back into the game with a goal. Not wholly his problem though.
Danny Simpson 7:
Getting better with every game. His only smudge was backing off a bit when Olsson put the cross in for Hoilett to score. Got up the field to support (even in the dying minutes), but got back to defend. Good fitness too. (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…)
Somehow I doubt itNewcastle United are allegedly considering a move to take Wayne Bridge on loan if they fail in their attempts to sign Erik Pieters.
This is one from the Daily Mail. They claim we’d consider paying £80k/week to bring Wayne Bridge to Newcastle on a season long loan if we don’t manage to sign Erik Pieters.
Personally, I think that’s poppycock and the Mail doesn’t even attempt to justify its claims in any way whatsoever. It merely states that we will ‘consider a fresh move’ for the player if all else fails.
I rather suspect such ‘consideration’ will amount to about 2 minutes of side-splitting laughter from board room at St James’ Park. Manchester City are apparently not keen to pay any of Bridge’s wages if he goes out on loan and there are even rumours that they want £2m up front merely for the privilege of loaning a player from them.
I really can’t see any of this appealing to Ashley’s methods of running a football club. And rightly so in this case. We need to ‘build’ a team for the seasons ahead rather than just plug holes in it for the short term. (more…)
