Definitely knacked, but how bad's Shola?Well it looks like Toon wing wizard, Jonas Gutierrez has definitely sustained a significant injury. Argentina team doctor, Donato Villani has officially announced that he will be out of next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay with leg muscle problems. This comes in the wake of Newcastle United’s tough clash with the Terriers of Huddersfield, where a reluctant Chris Hughton was forced to bring on some of his bug guns to eventually triumph over tenacious opposition.
Villani announced to the AFA (Argentine Football Association):
“Jonas Gutierrez suffered a muscle injury in his right leg playing for his club and will not be able to take part in the national team’s next commitments against Brazil and Paraguay, scheduled for September 5 and 9,”
The situation regarding Fenham hitman, Shola Ameobi, is somewhat more vague however. Chris Hughton’s assessment, made in the wake of the Carling Cup clash with the ‘Udders was:
“Shola has turned his ankle and to be fair to him he came straight off the pitch when he felt it so hopefully that has minimised any damage.”
Meanwhile Joe Kinnear’s best friend and renowned symbol of journalistic integrity, Simon Bird, has since reported that (more…)
Megson confessing his desire for Nolan.Current Bolton Wanderers manager, Gary Megson, has come out of the closet and declared his desire for Kevin Nolan to make a return to the Trotters. Nolan had a long spell at the Lancashire club, spending some ten years there from 1999 to 2009, when he signed for Newcastle United in the January tranfer window.
Speaking of his wish to welcome back the Prodigal son, Megson remarked:
“I didn’t particularly want him to go in the first place,” adding:
“It’s just an enquiry, we’ve asked someone to find out if Newcastle would be interested in loaning Kevin back to the football club and we haven’t had a response as yet.
“We’ll see, because we were told that Newcastle needed to move one or two players about due to the fact they had been relegated.” (more…)
Toon's dynamic duo at work.Huddersfield manager and Toon old boy, Lee Clark, a figure still held in much esteem on Tyneside, has paid tribute to the managerial dynamic duo of Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood. Speaking after his side’s nailbiting encounter with the Magpies, he said of the pair:
“Chris and Colin have done a magnificent job to focus on the players, and the players have to take credit as well.
“With all that’s happening around the club, they have focused on the job at hand. And they have got to do their job and hopefully get them back in the Premier League”.
Toon, who’s revolving door manager policy of last season eventually resulted in relegation, have made a good start to their Championship campaign, despite an ever dwindling first team squad. Although the competition is undoubtedly much inferior to last season, mostly in terms of technique and pace, Toon at least seem to be finding the consistency they lacked with the ever changing leadership of last year. Yet Hughton, a man who enjoyed great success with the Republic of Ireland and Tottenham as a player, and continued success as a first team coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager (twice) at ‘Spurs, has had difficulty gaining the respect he deserves on Tyneside, and which he still enjoys at the North London Premiership club. (more…)
Nolan: Not gannin' says agent.In the wake of recent Mirror rumours linking Toon midfielder, Kevin Nolan with a return to Bolton, Nolan’s manager, Mark Curtis has come out and said that Kevin is happy at Newcastle, and relishing the chance to fight for a return to the Premiership. Curtis told the mighty Shields Gazette today:
“Kevin’s happy at Newcastle, and wants to help them get back into the Premier League,”
27 year old Nolan has been back in the goals this season, scoring twice in pre-season friendlies, contributing a goal in Newcastle’s last Championship encounter with Crystal Palace, and getting the crucial winner in the 84th minute of last night’s Carling Cup clash with Huddersfield Town.
Speaking of the nerve jangling confrontation with the ‘Udders, Nolan commented:
“It felt very nice to get the winner. It’s always great to get a two-yard tap in, and Shola did fantastically for me.
“I’m delighted to get on the scoresheet again. Hopefully, it’ll continue – not just my goal streak, but the winning streak. That’s the main thing – we’re all delighted with the win.
“You always enjoy it more when you win like that. We could have made it a bit easier for ourselves, but we’re just delighted to be in the next round.” (more…)
Looking to realise potential?Maybe the players will trot out to the The Simpsons theme tune shortly as Jay may join Danny, if news that we’re interest in (Homer) Jay Simpson is accurate. SSN are reporting that he is set for a loan move away from Arsenal and they’ve had enquiries from both Premiership and Championship clubs.
It’s understood that the promising young forward is wanted by QPR, Sheffield United, Swansea and of course, not forgetting the Toon. Simpson was on loan at West Brom last season, only scoring once in his 13 games but impressing nonetheless with ability and pace.
Yet to make his league debut for Arsenal but having scored twice in three Carling Cup appearances, Wenger thinks highly of him but seems happy to let him gain more experience out on loan having spent a year at Millwall as well, where he score 7 goals in 41 games.
So another unproven forward to come into the mix then? It’s a case of hit and miss with most new players but it would be more reassuring to get someone with experience and proven pedigree. (more…)
