On a free, from Germany, Hamit Altintop?Bayern Munich utility man Hamit Altintop has been linked with a move to Newcastle this summer as his contract expires at Bayern in June.
The beaten Champions League finalist had appeared more frequently towards the end of the season as cover for Franck Ribery, but opportunites look to be limited at Bayern Munich next season due to Ribery and the return of their highly prised youngster Toni Kroos from a couple of years out on loan.
It is that apparent lack of games that is forcing the Turkish international into considering a move away from the Allianz Arena, despite having been offered a new contract with the German side. There is apparently firm interest from one other club, and it does appear that at 27 years old, Altintop is considering his next career move carefully. (more…)
Lovenkrands: A story of turmoil, tragedy and success.The last in the series of our player reviews for the 09/10 season will take a look at our strikers and how they have done this season.
We have already worked our way through the team starting with goalkeepers before moving onto have a look at our defence and midfield. Our strikers have been very important for us this season and have combined to score over half of our goals this season, 47 of them in fact, and they have been spread pretty evenly between the various front men. For the first half of the season we spent our time playing mainly one striker with Kevin Nolan in an attcking support role, something that has probably helped Nolan score so many goals whilst limiting the chance of any strikers hitting the 20 goal mark. Still, it’s a team game as the saying goes, and as long as the ball is hitting the back of the net I don’t really care which player scores them. Let’s take a look anyway. (more…)
A beautiful strike from the Great Dane!As I took my seat at a rainy Loftus Road, it was amongst the home supporters, so it was always destined to be something of a quiet afternoon for me! As we waited for the game to commence, I reflected on my first visit to see the team in the capital this season, the 6-1 thrashing by Leyton Orient, and how far they had come since that time under the leadership of dynamic duo, Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood. From an uncoordinated rabble that was riven apart by division and lack of leadership, to a cohesive unit.
After a minute’s applause for recently deceased QPR legend, Tony Ingham, the kick-off was taken. There was some excitement as Newcastle went on the offensive almost from the off. Wayne Routledge fired in a cross, which was headed behind the goal by QPR’s Leigertwood. The resultant corner was also dropped invitingly into the area, this time by Guthrie, but the effort was cleared. A few minutes after this (about five oir six minutes in after checking), Guthrie attempted to supply Ameobi with what would have been an excellent chance, but the ball was out of control, which may have had as much to do with the highly ‘greasy’ playing surface as anything else. Around a couple of minutes later, Routledge made a decent turn and shoot, but, alas, he fired stright into the arms of the QPR goalkeeper, Radek Cerny. (more…)
Unassumingly efficient?If anybody looks back and wonders when the tide of discontent finally turned, then last night’s game might well have been it. When the third Newcastle goal went in, there was a hearty and sincere rendition of ‘Walking in a Hughton Wonderland’ ringing around Level 7. For those who aren’t aware of the significance of that, it implies a form of acceptance from the most vocal part of the ground and arguably the most vociferous. Not perhaps, acceptance of those on the board but a firm nod of appreciation at the man who probably deserves it above anybody else.
The singing was spontaneous not contrived. It was a natural response to a moment when we ultimately put yet another win beyond any doubt. There was a relief in that chant, from fans who you sensed were previously ready, willing and able to let the manager know they had his back but unwilling to break ranks from those who lumped him in as part of the Ashley crew. It almost happened against Preston and there was a spattering of pro-Hughton singing but it was half-hearted and almost through gritted teeth. (more…)
