Archive for tag: Newcastle United left-back.

Pieters deal dead, Cissokho deal cooling. Santon now seems most likely.

August 30th, 2011 | 34 Comments |

Santon the most likely new Newcastle United left-back.
Most likely option
Erik Pieters’ alleged move to Newcastle United appears to be dead in the water, interest in Aly Cissokho is cooling, so Davide Santon seems the most likely to be our new left-back.

It seems press reports that Erik Pieters is ‘close’ to joining Newcastle are wide of the mark if the Dutch press is anything to go by.

Various Dutch newspapers are reporting that Pieters will stay at PSV after talks with Newcastle broke down last week.

It’s seems that a disagreement about transfer conditions was at the heart of the problem, although some of the press are suggesting that, because the talks were dragging on, PSV withdrew anyway because they would not be able to find anyone to replace Pieters at this late stage in the transfer window.

Pieters’ agent, Piet van der Pol, said: “PSV will not sell Peter.(more…)


Derby win will help with transfers, says Pardew. Perhaps beginning with Cissokho?

August 21st, 2011 | 24 Comments |

Aly Cissokho on Newcastle's radar according to rumours.
Door open, says Lyon coach
Alan Pardew intends to use yesterday’s victory over the mackems as a springboard to entice more action from the Newcastle United board in terms of transfers.

Yesterday’s result was extremely satisfying – as any win over the hapless mackems is – but I think we’d all like to see a new left-back and a new striker in before the transfer window closes.

Pardew is obviously thinking along the same lines, which I must mention to my psychiatrist in case agreeing with Alan Pardew is indicative of something worrying. Pardew said:

A victory like today helps me with Derek and Mike to go upstairs and say, ‘Come on, let’s try to get them in this week’.

We want to get the right players and we want to get the best value we can, and we are trying to do that.

The group I have got is sound. They are aware to balance us up, we perhaps need a left-back in the building and we need a striker in, and that’s what we are going to try to do.(more…)


Wayne to Bridge the gap at left-back?

August 17th, 2011 | 42 Comments |

Newcastle allegedly thinking about loaning Wayne Bridge.
Somehow I doubt it
Newcastle United are allegedly considering a move to take Wayne Bridge on loan if they fail in their attempts to sign Erik Pieters.

This is one from the Daily Mail. They claim we’d consider paying £80k/week to bring Wayne Bridge to Newcastle on a season long loan if we don’t manage to sign Erik Pieters.

Personally, I think that’s poppycock and the Mail doesn’t even attempt to justify its claims in any way whatsoever. It merely states that we will ‘consider a fresh move’ for the player if all else fails.

I rather suspect such ‘consideration’ will amount to about 2 minutes of side-splitting laughter from board room at St James’ Park. Manchester City are apparently not keen to pay any of Bridge’s wages if he goes out on loan and there are even rumours that they want £2m up front merely for the privilege of loaning a player from them.

I really can’t see any of this appealing to Ashley’s methods of running a football club. And rightly so in this case. We need to ‘build’ a team for the seasons ahead rather than just plug holes in it for the short term. (more…)


Pieters move looking likely but striking options remain glum

August 13th, 2011 | 12 Comments |

Erik Pieters is one step closer to joining Newcastle United
Likely move, I'd say
Erik Pieters is looking all the more likely to join Newcastle United after his recent comments but the hunt for a new striker is looking a bit glum just now.

It looks like PSV’s Erik Pieters is one step closer to becoming our new left-back as PSV boss Fred Rutten is almost conceding defeat in his attempts to keep the player at his club. Rutten said:

I would lie in the road to stop him leaving but I fear I cannot block his transfer to Newcastle.

He is a brilliant defender, but, if it is right for him and the club, I cannot say no.

Many press reports are saying that a £6m deal is in its closing stages and, whilst we might be without a first choice left-back for today’s visit from Arsenal, we should have one in time for the derby game next weekend.

The situation regarding a new striker is less clear, but to be fair we’ve only needed one since January so it’s a 7 month rush job in terms of recruitment.

One of our targets, Eren Derdiyok, has slammed the door in our face saying:

I did not realise they [Newcastle] were watching me, but it does not make any difference to how I feel about my future. (more…)


Pardew explains the Enrique hole. Oh, and Xisco’s gone!

August 12th, 2011 | 41 Comments |

Dennis Wise's wonder boy returns to Spain.
Gone!
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew tells us why we didn’t have a replacement for Jose Enrique already in place, and Enrique explains the reasons for his departure. Oh yes, and news about Xisco.

As if in reply to Jimbob’s post of yesterday Alan Pardew broke his lengthy vow of silence to tell us why we didn’t bring in a replacement for Enrique some time ago. Pardew said:

I am sure some of the fans will be asking why we had not brought a left-back in earlier.

The difference was if Jose had signed we would have ended up with two very, very expensive left-backs and that is something we could not afford when we are trying to create the best side.

We need that money in other areas and of course we do not have the striker to cover the line yet.

I understand a big bulk of our fans just want our best players wanting to stay here – it does not always work like that, unfortunately.

Which really means the Mike Ashley would not risk any money on a new left-back whilst there was still a smidgen of a gnat’s willy of a chance that Enrique might sign a new contract. (more…)