Newcastle keeper currently on loanNewcastle United have agreed to extend the loan of bright young keeper Fraser Forster to Norwich City until the end of the season.
Forster is Newcastle born and bred, playing for the Toon since the age of 11. After a brief spell on loan at Bristol City, the Hexham born keeper has really impressed at Norwich City keeping a clean sheet in 8 out of his 12 games. The deal means that Forster is now eligible for Norwich in future FA Cup ties with a 2nd round tie coming up against Carlisle on the 28th November
Norwich manager Paul Lambert said : “I think Fraser has done phenomenally for us and he’s got an understanding with the back four and is performing really well.
He said: “You need a presence and some of the saves I see him make, even in training, I think how has he got there?
“He’s only 21 years of age and goalkeepers can play for a lengthy time in their career. He’s done great.
““We have no chance of keeping him, the hopes they have got for him,” said Lambert. (more…)
Hughton considers squad4The yanking of my chain continues with cooler statements from Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton regarding the potential signing of Sol Campbell. Rumours abound as he seeks to reinforce the squad in the January transfer window. When asked about signing Campbell, Hughton replied;
“I think there is always an interest in quality players that might become available, he said.
“You do get names thrown at you and often they are not names you have actively sought.
“The situation with Sol is he we don’t know where he is at the moment. He is still a Notts County player and it’s not clear when he is able to play. Sol is one of a few players that we are interested in.”
It seems that the interest has been generated by Campbell’s camp as Sol has shown a desire to play for the Toon. Sol is currently still on the books at County, after a high profile and less than successful move. With a successful career playing for Tottenham, Arsenal and Portsmouth he is keen to seek a new home. Perhaps Sol is being astute in these ‘credit crunch’ times and thinks he has the opportunity to re-use some of the black and white from the ‘Magpies’ of Notts County, whilst minimising fuel costs on his trip into work from Northumbria. However he may need to show similar consideration to the pockets of the Toon if it comes to a signing.
Meanwhile, for Hughton, work is pretty busy. There is additional speculation around signing Gary Caldwell and Hughton’s immediate focus is on concluding a way ahead with Fabrice Pancrate.
Needs more games?Cold, damp and pretty miserable, and that was just my fatha. Well no actually, the weather did a good impersonation of mid-December (or else I’m just getting auld). And the first half of the Newcastle vs Hartlepool reserve match sort of felt a bit sorry for itself at times. But with the news that Fabrice Pancrate would be gettin a trial run-out in tonights game and Peter Lovenkrands would be getting some much-needed match fitness, the gate was somewhat swelled by it’s usual numbers and the atmosphere was quite vibrant.
Starting off the night by heading to The Strawberry from work, I realised it had been a while since I’d been in for a pint. It might be my last for a while, judging by the funny looks I got from the regulars looking over my shoulder as I opened my IPhone to browse the blog and discovered picture after picture of naked men. ‘Summat funny about him’ the look said, so I finished off my Babycham and headed to the East Stand.
Eagerly grabbing my A4 teamsheet, I sat down to study the first eleven and realised I only knew half of the team. What happened to the reserves being for first teamers down on their luck? It’s not really ‘the stiffs’ anymore is it? Anyway, some ‘Poolies’ behind me, were inferring that it was a strong eleven that they had out, so our youngsters seemed set to face a stern test. (more…)
Pancrate ready to seal a deal?It’s a cold, damp and blustery day over here in Newcastle, so what better way to spend your evening than to go and watch a reserve game eh? Well that’s what the Bowburn branch of nufcblog.org has decided to do tonight, and I’ve even roped in my old man to come and keep me company.
Of course, it’s free and we’re playing Hartlepool United so there’s a little bit of local rivalry going on, particularly as my mate supports them. So there are two good reasons to go. Plus they’ve moved the venue from Whitley Park (where yours truly used to grace the beautiful turf, back in the day) to St James’ and have opened up the East Stand to supporters. That makes it a bit easier with me being in town already.
It’s admittedly been a while since I took in a ressie game, and it gives me a chance to see some of the young ‘uns that I haven’t seen play a full game. Mind you, I’ve once again managed to miss out another potential 90 minutes of football for Nile Ranger because he’s away with England U19s. I’ll also miss out on seeing Shane Ferguson, Callum Morris and Brad Inman who are all away representing their respective countries. (more…)
