Every player has a price.If we were to listen to the naysayers and those in desperate need of a long course of anti-depressants, the starting XI will be gone come the summer transfer window.
We have always been a selling club, will always be a selling club and unless Ashley leaves, we will remain a selling club. After all, the proof is in the pudding and so far Ashley is just looking to line his pocket with gold. A nugget of truth that somehow ties into todays gutless performance – everybody is for sale. Or something.
The fact is, we aren’t. I know, it’s incredible to think that, but we aren’t a selling club. This season we have sold Andy Carroll.
No, that isn’t a pause for dramatic effect; that’s actually the only sale we’ve had this season. Yes, players have been sent on loan. Yes, players are ‘rumoured’ to be leaving, but if paper talk was 100% true then we’d have Messi and Ronaldo roaming the midfield with Podolski knocking in 80 goals a season and a bench made up of Gervhinho, Hulk, Robben and Shola Ameobi. (more…)
Tim Krul on one of his murderous rampages.With an injury to Steve Harper that could see him out for the rest of the season, the responsibility falls to young Tim Krul to take his spot at the Gallowgate between the uprights.
We expect ball catcher extraordinaire Steve Harper to be back for the beginning of the 2011/2012 season, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Easington born ‘keeper. There are question marks surrounding the rightful owner to the number 1 shirt just 2 seasons after Harper finally claimed first choice goalkeeper.
Steve’s position in the squad is constantly under threat from Tim Krul and Hexham born Fraser Forster. Fraser doesn’t want to sit on the bench, and Tim is more than willing to do that to cement his place at St. James Park. With youngsters Jak Alnwick and Ole Soderberg steaming up through the ranks, we’re reminded exactly how blessed we are in the goalkeeping department here at Newcastle.
The unfortunate thing for Tim Krul is that even if he does manage to take the shirt from Harper’s back, he still has Fraser Forster to contend with. With them being of similar age, it will be even more difficult for Tim to retain the shirt, or maybe for the club to keep Forster on the books – after all, he doesn’t want to warm the bench. (more…)
Alan Pardew: A man on a contradictory mission.We all know how reclusive a man Alan Pardew is. He’s a man who likes to keep his friends close and his enemies even closer. His love of the consonant that ‘F’ provides see’s it trickle into the number “free” and the act of “finking”, and most fittingly, he loves to use double negatives. We believe that it comes from his mission in life – contradictions.
In all seriousness, Alan Pardew is a man who has a thought and believes it must be shared and heard by anybody with ears. Sadly, in the blogging business and as fans of Newcastle United, that more than often means us.
After his public warning of Cheik Tioté earlier in the week, he has come out today and seemingly took back those statements, or at least the negative connotations.
Pardew is, of course, simply a man who speaks his mind and as we’ve seen so many times before, that can be misconstrued. I don’t believe that Pardew set out with the specific intention of criticising Cheik Tioté as much as I believe that Mike Ashley refused a pie in the hospitality area. He was simply answering a question in the way that felt most natural to him. (more…)
Like a swan, only more Yugoslavian. And taller.The 34 year old Yugoslavian has barely had a sniff of a football, but can he do a job for us?
I’m probably in the minority when I say that Shefki should get more than 3 minute cameos here and there, but I was also in the minority when I backed Leon Best and look how he turned out for us. Of course, the 34 year old Finn doesn’t exactly have age on his side but he made more of an impact in front of goal in his 5 minutes on the pitch at Villa Park than young Nile Ranger made all game.
After being haunted by the turmoil of his youth and later seeing a tragedy strike his close friend, and fellow footballer, Besian Idrizaj who unfortunately passed away aged 22 after a heart attack. Kuqi’s face is weathered by age and experience, but the question still remains: can he do the Newcastle United shirt a service?
Alan Pardew has mentioned that Kuqi’s personality would be perfect to wear the famous number 9 but also concedes age and lack of ability would ensure he never wears the famous shirt and to an extent, I agree. Shefki Kuqi has spent most of his footballing life in the Championship with occasional spells in the Premier League and he has never and will never set the footballing world on fire. (more…)
Still having nightmares about Philippe AlbertAs Manchester City celebrate their 1-0 FA Cup win over their rivals Manchester United, Newcastle prepare to break a 7 season curse.
Yes, it’s been 7 seasons since we’ve beaten Manchester United at the Cathedral on the Hill. The last time coming with a 4-3 victory, courtesy of an own goal, with the late, great Sir Bobby Robson steering our black and white ship. Of that game, both Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi remain – both of them being unused substitutes in the last fixture.
Wayne Rooney has been declared available for the game after serving his ban for swearing, and perhaps more worryingly, veteran Ryan Giggs will also be available for selection.
As a wise man once said: “F@£k”
Long time Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will be looking for more than just a ‘response’ against the Magpies and will be looking to extend that 7 season statistic as Arsenal prepare to shorten the 6 point lead, and Chelsea still struggling to find form after a blistering start to their campaign to retain the Premier League title.
Tim Krul on one of his murderous rampages.
