Hughton: "Not desperate".Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton has been speaking in the aftermath of yesterday evening’s reserves victory against Hartlepool Town.
In the interview, Hughton reiterated that he wasn’t “desperate” to bring players in just for the sake of it, but that he would assess any opportunities that come up. He also added that he would get help “from above”. This wasn’t a declaration of religious faith by Hughton, but a reference to owner, Mike Ashley, who has enjoyed somewhat mixed fortunes since taking over the club in 2007.
However, the gaffer was busy assessing one such opportunity, ex Paris Saint Germain trialist, Fabrice Pancrate. The Frenchman is a versatile striker and winger who joined the club for a second time on monday after an earlier stay. As noted in our reserves match report, Pancrate played for around 80 minutes to generally good reviews, providing an assist for one of Newcastle’s goals.
Is Fab fab?Farid Belkacemi, agent of Newcastle United’s ex PSG out of contract signing prospect, Fabrice Pancrate, has been giving the full blather about his client’s potential move to Tyneside. Pancrate’s had a three day trial with the Magpies last week, and is said (by Belkacemi) to be returning on Monday. As is usual with agents who have players out of contract (Pancrate was released by Paris Saint Germain on the 11th August this year), Belkacemi’s waffle was all ridiculously ‘over the top’.
Belkacemi gushed:
“Fabrice loves Newcastle,” adding:
“Many clubs in France want him because he is free. Nantes, Strasbourg . . . they offered him a big contract just yesterday but he says: ‘I prefer Newcastle’.
“The French don’t understand why. They say: ‘But Newcastle are not in the Premier League!’ But Fabrice loves the professional environment, the town and the mentality of the supporters.
“Of course, he is ambitious, and Newcastle is the only team in the Championship he would play for [he’s already been on trial at Sheffield United – wt], because he believes they will soon be back in the Premier League. He told me: ‘I am a black man, but in my blood, I am black and white!’
“So we fly back to Newcastle on Monday night and we hope we can sign next week. He is 200 per cent for Newcastle.” (more…)
