Have we been nicking Premiership balls?Just how much can you discuss the same thing, day after day? Well to be fair, we’ve given it a good go but rather than rant on about the off-field stuff, I thought it might be time to reflect on the on-field matters at Newcastle United.
We’re almost a third of the way through our new season in The Championship and surely the players at our disposal must be half-decent seeing as we’re sitting pretty at the top of the table?
Clearly, some of us have different ideas about the quality in our squad and argue that our position is as much to do with luck and the lack of opposition. I’d probably agree with some of that but you can only beat what’s in front of you (to coin a well-worn cliche). Mind you, we could be here all night talking about the entire squad, so I’ll split it out a little.
For what it’s worth here’s my own term review of the the keepers and defenders. I’ve only included the lads who have played at least a couple of games so far – (more…)
Taff landOne of the problems of living in South Somerset is that I’m only Devon and Cornwall short of being as far as it’s possible to get from St James’s Park and still be in England. One of the advantages of being in the Championship, though, is that there are a few more away games within reasonable driving distance.
One such place is Cardiff, which is about 50 minutes up the M5, across the new Severn Bridge and another 40 minutes down the M4. Getting to the M5 was plagued, as usual, by the network of farmers who arrange to get their tractors on the roads whenever I get my car out, but the journey was otherwise only interrupted when I picked my father-in-law up from Magor on the way. We found some great parking right next to the entrance thanks to some advice from a Scunthorpe fan I read on web site.
The last time I was at Cardiff City was in 1981 when they played at Ninian Park (we won 4-0) but they now play at a new ground which is a stone’s throw away from where the old ground used to be. Throwing stones at the old ground is in fact all it was good for but the new ground is decent enough with a 28,800 capacity of which 25,600 seats were taken today.
I was sat right in the back row and I’d left my specs in the car, so I squinted through most of the game trying to follow the action. It started well for us attacking the goal at the far end and for the first 20 minutes or so Cardiff hardly troubled our half at all. I wouldn’t say we were particularly inventive but we certainly dominated and Guthrie found himself with a shooting chance early on but was denied by a decent sliding tackle from a Cardiff defender. (more…)
One of these will own the club.There are rumours that Newcastle United will make an announcement about the sale of the club on Monday, although I can’t find a direct quote from anyone at the club about this announcement. Other rumours suggest it may be late next week before we find out anything.
Sky Sports claims that talks are continuing with Barry Moat and two other consortia, as does The Guardian, and both claim some sort of announcement is set for Monday.
The Telegraph claims that negotiations between Moat and Ashley are at an advanced stage and some sort of deal could be closed next week. They also mention that Barclays would like to see a reduction in the £40m loan the club uses to operate before they’ll stamp their authority on any deal for Barry Moat. (more…)
Hopefully nothing is at 70% offIs it really time to hold our breath? Could the end really be nigh?
Sky Sports News is reporting that Wolfsburg have agreed a £9m fee with us for Obafemi Martins. Though it’s yet unconfirmed by Newcastle, Oba was left out of the squad for the friendly against Leeds, which has given credence to the claims.
Speculation is also mounting about an imminent agreement with Spurs to ship Bassong off to White Hart Lane. Habib Beye threw a paddy after being taken off in the game against Leeds and given his recent comments, he could also be on the way out. Guiterrez, Coloccini and Xisco are all being monitored by clubs in Italy and Spain and Krul is apparently being monitored by Arsenal.
So if the Martins sale becomes fact then it stands to reason the other speculation could materialise into reality. Of course, more pertinently or at least as pertinently, is the implication that if Martins is allowed to leave then the ’embargo’ placed on transfers has been lifted. Which means either new owners are now calling the shots and making their first business decisions. Or Mike Ashley is getting his fire-sale underway and it’s anyone’s guess what that could mean for us. (more…)
