Most likely rumour?It’s the day before the transfer window closes and it’s a Sunday, which means it’s double trouble from the rumour mill at Newcastle United.
The first unsubstantiated rumour of the day is that, after having their ‘paltry’ £23m-£25m bid for Andy Carroll rejected, Spurs have been told by Newcastle that they must bid £30m to get the player. I find it hard to believe that Spurs have been told they must bid £30m or that they’d get Andy Carroll even if they did bid £30m.
Andy Carroll is of course for sale, despite insistence by the club heirarchy that he isn’t. Every player has some price which, if offered, would see him sold. But I think it’s the case that Andy Carroll isn’t for sale at any price that would be reasonably offered by a club this January.
The second unsubstantiated rumour of the day is that Newcastle are trying to sign Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood in a £500,000 deal. Westwood does have a good record, picking up various Player of the Season awards, but what about Tim Krul? Would we be looking at Westwood as our number two keeper ahead of Krul or our number three keeper behind him? And would Westwood move if it was the latter? (more…)
Shola: Fully fit for return on Sunday.As Newcastle prepare for Sunday’s derby against Sunderland, Magpie’s manager, Alan Pardew, has reassured fans that Mackem nemesis, Shola Ameobi, along with winger, Jonas Gutierrez, left back, Jose Enrique and centre back, Steven Taylor, will all be fully fit for the game.
Shola has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the last two games while Gutierrez, Enrique and Taylor all missed the previous game against Stevenage. Vintage centre back, Sol Campbell, should also be fully recovered from a virus and available for selection.
Pardew told local newspaper, The Journal:
“The injury news is looking positive for us and we should have some important players back. (more…)
Freddie Sears - potential Newcastle target?The latest from the transfer rumour-mill has West Ham striker Freddie Sears as the next Newcastle United transfer target and potential exits for Campbell and Enrique.
I’m not sure where the Sears rumour started but various reports have Pardew bemoaning the fact that the team suffered on Saturday due to the absence of Carroll and Ameobi and is thus looking at Freddie Sears to increase our striking options.
I’m a bit dubious to be honest because Sears’ first team record with West Ham isn’t exactly prolific (2 goals in 29 games), although he has apparently impressed in the reserves.
Maybe he’s ‘one for the future’ but that seems to be at odds with the rumour starting on the back of Carroll and Ameobi’s absence from Saturday’s game.
Personally I give it less chance than Kylie ringing me up to offer herself for a night of passion and adding “do you mind if I bring my sister along“. But what do I know?
An additional rumour has Sol Campbell returning to Arsenal. This makes a bit more sense given Wenger’s evident admiration of Campbell and Campbell’s very public disapproval of the sacking of Chris Hughton. (more…)
Well 2010 is nearly a piece of history as we prepare to welcome in the new year. So what better time is there than now to look back at he best goals of 2010?
Of course, some of these goals will have come in The Championship, which is where we are going to start with contender number one.
Pardew: More depth required.First it was the Arsenal model, then, briefly, the Aston Villa model. Now though, it’s the ‘Spurs model that Newcastle United should be aspiring to according to new manager, Alan Pardew.
Speaking to local rag, The Chronic, Pardew expressed his admiration of the North London side saying:
“Let’s be honest – They are a very, very good side.
“They had people who could really influence the game on the bench, and for us, we need to add that sort of quality.
“That’s what we hope to aspire to.”
Speaking on Newcastle’s previous defeat, to Manchester City, Pardew added:
“I thought we put a better effort in against Manchester City, if I’m honest in terms of threatening the goal, and that was because of our quality in that final third of the game. (more…)
