Martins - One of our former stars.It’s been a turbulent 12 months for Newcastle United, but after a season in the second tier we can now once again, ahem, look forward to the regular visits of Manchester United, Chelsea and all the rest.
It took some luck, some balls of steel, a bit of skill and many more factors to click into place all at once for us to secure promotion, but in the end it was very much a case of mission accomplished as Newcastle pretty much blew the rest of the Championship away.
Newcastle are back in the big time, back where it can be argued that a club with infrastructure and fanbase we have belongs, and we also have the chance to get back at those players who left us, the ones who got asked to shape up or ship out after that 6-1 pre-season defeat to Leyton Orient last season. That is not to say that I blame them for leaving, not one bit in fact, and I believe that those players leaving was the catalyst behind this new found team spirit that we keep hearing about. Having said that, it’s still always nice to get one over on your old colleagues, even Jose Enrique admitted recently he would be itching to do just that. So with that in mind, just what have they been up to whilst Newcastle have been away? Do we have anything to worry about from our former players? (more…)
'Sebastien was the player to take'Harry Redknapp has made a sensational claim that it was Iain Dowie who recommended to Harry Redknapp that Sebastien Bassong would be ripe for a move to Tottenham Hotspur if he and Shearer were to vacate the managers position at St James Park. According to Harry, he also picked Bassong for Redknapp as the best player to pick for ‘Spurs out of the Newcastle squad.
Harry said:
“When we played Newcastle last year I spoke to Iain Dowie and Alan Shearer after the game and they spoke about the team, they were in desperate trouble,” Redknapp said.
“Iain said if they didn’t stay at the club and one player did become available, Sebastien was the player to take. They couldn’t have recommended him any higher. (more…)
Bassong: Finalising 'Spurs deal.Newcastle United centre-back, Sebastien Bassong, has been in North London having a medical for Tottenham Hotspur, as the final parts of a deal which has been mooted for some time are thrashed out. The fee is thought to be around £8-10 million, though Bassong was signed by Newcastle’s then Director of Football, Dennis Wise, for a mere £500,000 a year ago.
Despite his meagre pricetag, Bassong was voted Newcastle United’s ‘Player of the Year’ last season, though the field was hardly strong in what was a very disappointing season for the Toon to say the least.
Bassong, 23, has stated that he has “no choice” but to leave Toon, as he strives for Premiership football and a permanent place in the Cameroon first team.
Speaking on his time at Newcastle, he said:
“Playing for Newcastle was a real honour in front of the supporters at St James’s Park.
“It has been an unbelievable experience for me.
“But I have always said that I wanted to play in the Premier League and that wasn’t possible with Newcastle. (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…)
Bassong: Leaving ASAP.Newcastle United Centre back, Sébastien Bassong has given an interview to the media about the reasons why he is deperate to leave Newcastle, saying:
“I have to leave – for the sake of my career!”
The 23 year old defender, linked with several Premier League teams, has now been relegated two years in a row, leaving relegated French Ligue 1 team, Metz to join the Magpies after impressing ex-Director of Football, Dennis Wise, and ex manager, Kevin Keegan in a trial for the club.
He has, of course, become a very popular player with fans since making his first appearence in a friendly against Doncaster, where Toon fans chanted “If number 46 (Bassong) scores, we’re all on the pitch!” He was also voted as Newcastle United’s “Player of the Year” by fans last season.
Bassong continued, saying:
“I have a lot of respect for Newcastle and the supporters – everybody knows that – but I want to play in the Premier League, and I think I deserve to play in the Premier League,”
“I would like to play in the Premier League with Newcastle but, for the moment, it’s not possible.(more…)
