The Newcastle United Thread

[Geordie Ahmed]

A HUGE game for us tonight away to Birmingham. It is definately going to be a tough game. Birmingham have become a decent side under McLeish especially at home. Im not too optmistic about winning, a point wudnt be too bad a result.

The home game against Fulham next week is the VITAL game, that game is a MUST win. Failure to beat Fulham at home and we are going down, of that Im sure.

 

[madaboutlfc]

you geordies are a strange lot.. extreme at both ends.. sadly this is the pessimistic time and you think you can go down.. Newcastle wont go down.. its too big a club to go down and has too many good players for it to go down.. unbelievable really

 

[Amir]

Newcastle for all their moneys worth deserve a title. Hopefully they will win the Championship next season. Good luck Geordie

A friend told me this one:
Fire brigade phones Bobby Robson in the early hours of Sunday morning...
"Sir Bobby, St James Park is on fire!"
"The cups man! Save the cups!" replies Sir Bobby.
"Well...the fire hasn't spread to the canteen yet, sir."

 

[madaboutlfc]

Newcastle for all their moneys worth deserve a title. Hopefully they will win the Championship next season. Good luck Geordie

A friend told me this one:
Fire brigade phones Bobby Robson in the early hours of Sunday morning...
"Sir Bobby, St James Park is on fire!"
"The cups man! Save the cups!" replies Sir Bobby.
"Well...the fire hasn't spread to the canteen yet, sir."

well I bet even winning that championship( if they were to get relegated which i dont think they will) will mean more to GA than Man United winning the quadruple

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

you geordies are a strange lot.. extreme at both ends.. sadly this is the pessimistic time and you think you can go down.. Newcastle wont go down.. its too big a club to go down and has too many good players for it to go down.. unbelievable really

Maybe we all suffer from Bipolar Disorder

Actually I am definately not representative of all the fans - a lot are still optimistic and think we will stay up. The turning point for me was the Blackburn game at home, we dominated the game and were the best side by far BUT we lost to a 90 minute goal. All it takes is another one of those matches and we are gone.

Im hoping we can get 4 points from the next 2 games, if we can get that then we will be in a decent postion. 6 points would be AWESOME and my pessimism will definately be converted into optimism. Anything less than 3 points would most certainly mean we are going down.

I guess time will tell - we need to start by beating Birmingham tonight.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

well I bet even winning that championship( if they were to get relegated which i dont think they will) will mean more to GA than Man United winning the quadruple

I would go further and say winning a match means more to me

Its hard to explain to some people exactly what it means to be a genuine fan, what it means to have the team in your blood, what it means when the club overtakes your life and dominates your mood and how you feel etc etc

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Newcastle set for 'biggest' game

from bbc.co.uk/sport

Newcastle's Premier League game against Birmingham on Monday is the biggest in the club's recent history, according to goalkeeper Steve Harper.

The struggling Magpies sit only three points above the relegation zone and are two points ahead of Birmingham.

"The next two fixtures, this one and the one against Fulham, are the biggest in our recent history," said Harper.

"We have got to get a minimum of four points from them. We cannot afford to lose either of them."

Newcastle have not won a top-flight game since 15 December and have claimed only two points since Kevin Keegan was unveiled as manager on 16 January.

His side travel to St Andrews on Monday before meeting another struggling team, Fulham, at home on Saturday.

Harper, who has been at the club for 14 years, insists the players have faced up to their predicament.

"Of course we have mentioned relegation," he stated.

"We looked at the situation this week - the teams around us, where we stand and what we have to do over the next nine games.

"There are nine teams down there with a chance of going down and, unfortunately, we are one of them.

"We have a little mini-season now to save ourselves and we have to roll up our sleeves and get on with it."

Keegan, whose side also meet Reading and rivals Sunderland before the end of the season, has told his players they must win the 'mini-league' at the bottom of the table.

He said: "We have talked to the players this week about this being a nine-game season now - 'There are nine games left, these are the fixtures, these are the ones we have at home, these are the ones we have away and this is what we expect of you'.

"We are trying to focus on winning the league we are in down at the bottom."

He added: "We are a big club, we are in a position a lot of people think we shouldn't be in but the reality is that we are there.

"We will be looking for a lot of character, a lot of strength and a lot of team-work, getting together and making sure as a unit we are hard to beat.

"If we do that, with the ability we have, we won't have a problem."

Keegan has a selection headache up front, with Mark Viduka fit again and Obafemi Martins also pressing for a start.

Since his return as manager, Keegan has generally opted for a forward-line pairing of Michael Owen and Alan Smith.

He is right in that these 2 games will define our future. I hope the players are up for it and dont give up even if we concede first, its about time we showed some bloody fight

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

30 mins to go - Im getting well nervous now

 

[Toony™®]

30 mins to go - Im getting well nervous now

I know what you mean.. i am hoping for a point. Brum have been playing pretty well of late against teams in the top half.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I know what you mean.. i am hoping for a point. Brum have been playing pretty well of late against teams in the top half.

Yeah I would take a point right now - Birmingham are a very good side at home under McLeish and it will take something to get a result.

I see Keegan has picked Viduka, Owen and Martins - a bit of a gamble since our already weak midfield is even weaker

 

[Raul Madrid]

1-0 down to Birmingham.

How about sacking the entire defence for starters?

 

[Amir]

1-0 down to Birmingham.

How about sacking the entire defence for starters?

I am sure they can borrow some from Real madrid. They atleast know how to score...albeit it may be the wrong net but a goals a goal

 

[Raul Madrid]

make it 1-1

 

[Raul Madrid]

I am sure they can borrow some from Real madrid. They atleast know how to score...albeit it may be the wrong net but a goals a goal

hilarious

 

[Toony™®]

opitch was a leveller. made footballers look like playing with stumps instead of feet!


fulham game is a must win now!

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

opitch was a leveller. made footballers look like playing with stumps instead of feet!


fulham game is a must win now!

Definately BUT before that we need Man-Utd to beat Bolton.

The 2nd half performance was definately encouraging - If we play with that passion, drive and effort then we should do enough to beat Fulham.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Have to say well done to Michael Owen, I have criticised his commitment and desire the past few months BUT last night he was very good. He was running round plenty, getting stuck in and he showed brilliant determination to score that goal. I mean he was a yard or two behind 4 Birmingham defenders when the keeper saved the shot BUT he got there first, brilliant stuff

If he can play like that until the end of the season I will be very happy.

Martins tho was the man of the match, 1st half the whole team was average BUT in the 2nd half we were much improved and Martins was full of running and commitment. He created the goal for Owen, the initial header he won and then to get a shot away, all very good play. He was understandably dissapointed to be taken off BUT I hope he plays on Saturday.

 

[Saj]

Kevin Keegan insisted there would be no fall-out with Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins over his reaction to being substituted during the Premier League clash at Birmingham.

Martins impressed in what his first start under Keegan after returning from the African Nations Cup with an ankle injury and set up the equaliser for Michael Owen in a 1-1 draw at St Andrews.

But he showed his displeasure when taken off with 10 minutes to go and appeared to ignore Keegan's offer of a handshake before sitting at the back of the dug-out.

Keegan felt the need to console Martins and admitted the player had every reason to be unhappy as he stressed the move was purely tactical and no reflection on Martins' performance.

It was a similar scenario to Tottenham striker Robbie Keane's reaction after he had been replaced during the second half of Sunday's match at Manchester City.

But Keegan welcomed the passion shown by Martins which he felt was echoed by the character and determination shown by his side after trailing to a first half goal from James McFadden.

Keegan said: "I haven't got a problem with him (Martins). I wouldn't be happy to fetch a player off and then seeing them doing cartwheels and being pleased to come off.

"You've seen it with Robbie Keane as well the other night. I like that in players. All right, I went over to him afterwards and said I know it hurts when you come off.

"But it was not for his performance. It was just tactical and myself saying 'let's just shore things up here'. Obafemi put a really good stint in.

"He has every right to be disappointed but I think whoever I fetched off at Birmingham would have been disappointed because they certainly were committed.

"There is no problem. We won't fight or fall out."

Keegan is hoping the point at Blues will be a platform for an upturn in fortunes.

He said: "The players showed a lot of character and resilience. They've been accused of not having enough of that so maybe it is a start of something really good.

"When you look at the names on our team sheet, we shouldn't be down the bottom, but we are, and they've got to show another side to their character.

"It is different for some of these players but I've never doubted their character. You've never heard me once criticise any of them.

"I think the character is there. The confidence has been the big problem and we will take some confidence from that second half performance at Birmingham.

"Away from home, it was probably equal to how we played at Arsenal in the first half of my first game in the FA Cup."

Birmingham are sweating on the extent of the medial knee ligament damage suffered by midfielder Sebastian Larsson after a first half challenge from Nicky Butt.

The Swedish international was due to have a scan today and Blues manager Alex McLeish admitted he can ill afford to lose any of his first choice players.

He said: "We can't really afford to lose the players who are in the starting line-up every week because we don't have the strength in depth. Seb has got a medial ligament injury.

"We hope it won't be a long job because he has been exceptional for us recently and we lost that bit of impetus he can give us after he went off."

McLeish took optimism from another excellent performance by McFadden who scored his fourth goal since moving from Everton for £5million in January.

The former Scotland boss said: "James has certainly taken on the mantle of the price tag and being a Premier League player and being a Scottish international and he knows that comes with the territory now.

"People will be looking up to him and expecting him to do something for the team - and he is certainly fulfilling that."

http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...ccer/08/03/18/SOCCER_Newcastle_Nightlead.html

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Im sure the media got excited when Martins was angry BUT as always there is nothing to report. He was understandably upset he had to go off cos he played well BUT he didnt throw his shirt to the ground (Shane Long style) nor did he avoid the manager.

Martins loves playing for us and he will be a big player for the next couple of months, he will give 100% that is for sure.

 

[Amir]

Im sure the media got excited when Martins was angry BUT as always there is nothing to report. He was understandably upset he had to go off cos he played well BUT he didnt throw his shirt to the ground (Shane Long style) nor did he avoid the manager.

Martins loves playing for us and he will be a big player for the next couple of months, he will give 100% that is for sure.

He wasn't that bad to be honest...nothing in Robbie Keane's league. Though that just shows their passion. But Martins was a tank. Its amazing to see how he gets off decent shots from awkward positions. He almost scored on a couple of those but the Brummies keeper (Taylor?) was quite good that night.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

He wasn't that bad to be honest...nothing in Robbie Keane's league. Though that just shows their passion. But Martins was a tank. Its amazing to see how he gets off decent shots from awkward positions. He almost scored on a couple of those but the Brummies keeper (Taylor?) was quite good that night.

I never saw the Robbie Keane incident so cant really comment on that tho I would expect the captain to behave slightly better, Martins is young and loves playing for the club. The fans were dissapointed he got subbed and were cheering his name afterwards aswell. He is well loved and long may that continue

Yeah Taylor did well, Martins has very quick feet and he even has some venom in his weaker foot - Birmingham are lucky Martins never got an opportunity to let fly with his left foot in the box.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Tears prove that I care – Martins

from icnewcastle.co.uk

OBAFEMI Martins has told how Kevin Keegan was quick to dry his tears of frustration after the Newcastle striker made his anger known following his substitution against Birmingham City on Monday night.

There has been plenty of justified criticism of the Magpies this season, but Martins refutes the charge that too many of the players simply do not care enough about the club’s plight.

The former Inter Milan front man’s actions also backed up his words as he gave a full insight into what Keegan said to him after he had angrily stomped off the pitch when he was replaced by Charles N’Zogbia late in the second half at St Andrew’s.

In fact, rather than cause a problem between the two, Martins suggested the spat had actually increased his respect for Keegan because of the way he handled the incident.

“I like the manager, he doesn’t mind people showing emotion on the pitch and that is good,” said Martins, whose substitution also did not go down well with United’s supporters, who booed the decision before chanting the player’s name. “He knows that I wanted to try and win the game and he is happy with that sort of attitude.

“We are not angry with each other. I was upset when I had to come off, I didn’t want to go off because I wanted to help the team. I wanted to help us try to win the game.

“I felt we were going to get the winner and I was frustrated when I saw that I was going off. There were a few tears because I was frustrated and emotional, nobody likes to be taken off and I’m no different. It was a big game for Newcastle and I was desperate to do something on the pitch which might have got us all three points.

“I didn’t understand why I was being taken off so I made my feelings known, but the manager was brilliant. He said he understood how I felt, he didn’t get angry at me, he just explained why he had done it.

“He told me to relax because I had played well and that I’d been taken off because it was a tactical decision, not because he thought I wasn’t playing well.”

In many ways, Martins typified United’s performance on Monday night as he made up for an anonymous first-half display with a vastly-improved show after the break.

And the 23-year-old insisted the players had shown they have the qualities needed to survive this season as they responded positively to Keegan’s half time team-talk.

He said: “I think it was a very good point in the circumstances because we were in a difficult situation at half time. It was a game we could not afford to lose, because if we had done we would have made things a lot tougher for ourselves.

“There was a big improvement in the second half, we sat down and we talked to each other at half time. The manager told us what he expected from us, that we had to improve and we went out on to the pitch and did that.

“We were 1-0 down again and that has been a problem for us during our poor run, but we didn’t collapse. We didn’t concede a second and that was important. I never give up and you know when there is just one goal in it that you still have a chance to win the game.

“We had to stay confident in what we were trying to do and I think you saw the spirit and determination in the side. It wasn’t a great performance, but we fought for each other, which is what you need to do at times like this when you are worried about relegation.”

Given Monday night’s result and the important role he played in the build-up to Michael Owen’s crucial equaliser, Martins – who was part of a three-man strikeforce alongside Owen and Mark Viduka – hopes the Magpies can take their second-half performance into the game against Fulham this weekend.

He explained: “If we carry on playing like we did in the second half I think the season will have a happy end. We have to stay positive, in our thinking and the way we play our football.

“It’s not going to be easy against Fulham, none of us think that, but we have to try to carry on where this game finished. If we play like we did in the second half against Birmingham, we know we can win that game.”

Martins class as always

Now hopefully he can score a couple on the weekend

 

[Amir]

I never saw the Robbie Keane incident so cant really comment on that tho I would expect the captain to behave slightly better, Martins is young and loves playing for the club. The fans were dissapointed he got subbed and were cheering his name afterwards aswell. He is well loved and long may that continue

Yeah Taylor did well, Martins has very quick feet and he even has some venom in his weaker foot - Birmingham are lucky Martins never got an opportunity to let fly with his left foot in the box.

Even a captain has to cry sometimes...like Gallas Albeit for different reasons.

No but honestly, if you watched the game you would have seen he did not deserve it. Berbatov was doing nothing and he probaly should have been the one subbed off. The minute Keane was off, it was liek you are taking the pace out of your attack. Keane was the only one making things happen. I believe Tottenham needed a goal to tie, meanwhile at Martins stage..the game was already 1-1.

I can understand that both players were upset for good reason.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Even a captain has to cry sometimes...like Gallas Albeit for different reasons.

No but honestly, if you watched the game you would have seen he did not deserve it. Berbatov was doing nothing and he probaly should have been the one subbed off. The minute Keane was off, it was liek you are taking the pace out of your attack. Keane was the only one making things happen. I believe Tottenham needed a goal to tie, meanwhile at Martins stage..the game was already 1-1.

I can understand that both players were upset for good reason.

Yeah that was brilliant captaincy from Gallas . . . . NOT.

He is a big girls blouse who needs a slap or two to sort him out. That incident imo has played a pivotol role in the title race, I bet Fergie was well chuffed when he saw Gallas losing the plot

 

[Toony™®]

We just have to win at fulham... draw wont be sufficient.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7296166.stm

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

We just have to win at fulham... draw wont be sufficient.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7296166.stm

Agreed - a draw or loss and we are going down.

We also must beat Reading and the Mackems at home - if we can do that then we have a good chance of staying up

 

[Toony™®]

Agreed - a draw or loss and we are going down.

We also must beat Reading and the Mackems at home - if we can do that then we have a good chance of staying up

I have us on 41 points on that predictor thing.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I have us on 41 points on that predictor thing.

Me being the pessimist I had us on 38 - However im not totally confident about the Reading or Sunderland games, I have a feeling we will drop points there.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I had forgotten what it felt like to win BUT it definately feels great. Hopefully we can get a few more wins and survive this season.

It was a nervous performance from the players BUT fortunately we scored an early goal, that helped a lot BUT I was worried we will concede BUT we held firm, and then Michael Owen grabbed the 2nd goal to calm everyone's nerves down.

Owen is scoring important goals for us now BUT more importantly he is playing very well at the moment. His overall play is very good and he does give a 100%

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ameobi leaves for Stoke on loan deal

from icnewcastle.co.uk

SHOLA Ameobi had one foot out of the Newcastle United exit door last night after he agreed to move on loan to Stoke City until the end of the season.

Ameobi has been keen to leave his home-town club for several months, but his request to be allowed to join a club on loan were rejected by Sam Allardyce and, initially, by Kevin Keegan because they felt the squad was too small to allow anyone to leave.

However, the striker finally got his way yesterday with Championship promotion hopefuls Stoke heading a group of clubs keen to take him away from St James’s Park.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 46 goals in 227 appearances for the club, of which 92 came as a substitute, started Keegan’s first game in charge against Bolton Wanderers but he has not been seen since – with the 18-year-old Andy Carroll preferred on the bench in recent weeks.

The former youth team graduate, who gets married in the summer, has only made eight appearances all season and has privately admitted his career has stagnated on Tyneside.

Ameobi, who should make his Stoke debut against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow will hope to use his temporary switch to the Potters to secure a transfer at the end of the season, although he is understood to be wanting to move to a Premier League club.

A good move for all concerned. Shola Ameobi needs to leave cos his career has ground to a halt and Stoke have got themselves someone who imo is perfect for the Championship.

Ameobi has been at the club for years and has failed to break into the side so it makes no sense keeping him - Also with Andy Carroll progressing Shola wasnt going to get a look in.

Good luck to him

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Also we have recently been heavily linked with Jose Antonio Reyes, that surely has to be rubbish.

Firstly he is not all that anymore and is barely playing for Atletico, also the reason he wanted to leave Arsenal was cos amongst other things he hated the weather, well its no better here in Newcastle.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

RESULT
Tottenham 1-4 Newcastle

Brilliant win for us - lifts us to 12th in the table and gives us much needed breathing space.

I didnt see the game BUT it sounds like it was an excellent team performance, everyone played their part in the win. Keegan has got us playing some good football, it took a while BUT atleast it has clicked at the right time. A couple more wins will be nice, take us to the summer with plenty of confidence and a chance to refresh.

Bring on the signings - Berbatoon would be nice

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

RESULT
Newcastle 3-0 Reading

Excellent home win that puts us 12 points ahead of 18th placed Bolton and that should see us safe.

That is 3 wins on the trot which isnt something we have done for a while now. We have taken 10 points from a possible 12 and removed talk of relegation now.

As for the game it was important we won and it was great that all 3 strikers of ours got on the scoresheet - a ringing endorsement for Keegan's selection. Also Habib Beye was excellent and has been excellent for us this season.

Atleast now we can concentrate on next season - might aswell enjoy ourselves until the summer (hopefully hammering the mackems along the way) and then bring in some players

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

i've got a sneaky suspicion that king kev won't see the season out...discuss...

the media allready seem to be sharpening their knives:

quite a few "bitchy" comments about "no win yet," "no goals yet," intimations that wise and co. were appointed without kk's approval

but more so because the sparkle from kk's eyes is not there this time around...

The sparkle is back

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

haha, i remember u saying not so long ago that newcastle had a better midfield than spurs.

cant wait to play the barcodes on the 30th march

Out of curiosity what was the wait like?

 

[TAK]

The sparkle is back

it is too

now what the xxxx is our midfielder doing sat next to wise at a barcodes match?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...all.html?in_article_id=557653&in_page_id=1779

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

it is too

now what the xxxx is our midfielder doing sat next to wise at a barcodes match?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...all.html?in_article_id=557653&in_page_id=1779

Thats Alan Thompson right?

Well he is a Geordie, maybe he used his mate Wise to get some decent seats

 

[invincible]

I've read reports linking Metzelder and Newcastle United. I think he is a class player and will definitely strengthen their defence.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I've read reports linking Metzelder and Newcastle United. I think he is a class player and will definitely strengthen their defence.

We have been linked with quite a few players of late BUT he is the only defender that has been mentioned.

The figure being quoted is £10 million which is not bad BUT he has had injury problems so he may well turn out to be another Woodgate

 

[invincible]

We have been linked with quite a few players of late BUT he is the only defender that has been mentioned.

The figure being quoted is £10 million which is not bad BUT he has had injury problems so he may well turn out to be another Woodgate

Yep, was thinking along the same lines. But injury problems aside, both Woodgate and Metzelder have proved to be class players.

Do you have any players in mind that you are looking forward to seeing signed by Keegan ?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Yep, was thinking along the same lines. But injury problems aside, both Woodgate and Metzelder have proved to be class players.

Do you have any players in mind that you are looking forward to seeing signed by Keegan ?

Well when it comes to signings im a little unrealistic

I would love to see us sign Berbatov, Quaresma, Veloso, Deco/Moutinho and Brown

BUT its hard to say who we will get cos it depends on how much money the owner is going to give KK and also how persuasive KK can be - cos he will have to convince players to come here despite no europe on offer.

A more realistic target will probably consist of players like Bentley

All I know is that its going to be very exciting this summer providing cash is given to KK - im sure he can persuade players to make do without europe for a season, Rob Lee said it best "KK could sell sand to the arabs"

 

[Toony™®]

woohoo!

we are top of table last 6 form guide.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

woohoo!

we are top of table last 6 form guide.

Its great isnt it

14 points from a possible 18, unbeaten in 6 games.

We havnt conceded a goal this month

Lets hope we can continue this form for the last 3 games and take it into next season

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

[B]Pos	Team		Pld	GD	Pts[/B]
12  	Newcastle  	36  	-16  	43
13 	Sunderland 	36 	-20 	39
******************************************
15 	Middlesbrough 	36 	-19 	36

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Atleast we top the north east table

Also I have to quote a smoggy from another site - a post he made when we were struggling.

It feels good to be the best side in north east and table never lies, I always knew our season would be back on track as soon as we had most of our players back from Injury we have not good a bad first team 11 while the geordies are very poor defensively and I dont see beye and faye making a massive difference to them and Ive said it on numerous occasions no Jan signings will cost them, I think if they sack keegan before season they risk further collapse but something needs to happen otherwise championship is where they are heading!

You are right the table never lies

This is to all those that thought we were going down :107: :107:

This is to all those that supported us

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Kevin Keegan has today paid a huge compliment to Newcastle Billionaire Owner Mike Ashley, by thanking him for not interfering with things at the club.

Keegan is just delighted that Newcastle’s owner does not interfere in day-to-day football matters and that’s fine with Kevinm as he talked today to the Sunday Sun:

“It’s fantastic working for our owner,” “I never see him, and there are no leaks coming out of the club at the highest level. There can’t be when you never talk.”

“What is happening to Sven-Goran Eriksson is beyond belief,” “I believe Sven’s remit in the first year of his contract was to get into the top half of the table – and this is the best season City have had in the Premier League.”

“If Sven leaves City then they’ve got to treat him well. He’s done nothing wrong. They need to pay his contract in full, shake him by the hand and treat him with respect.” “They need to let him go and get another job and there will be hundreds of people who want him as a manager . . . maybe even our fella. You don’t know.”

“Nobody’s safe – but have they ever been? These things will happen more and more as you get more people with money, who have no real idea about football, running clubs.”

“The problem is when they are not prepared to leave the running of those clubs to people who do know football. That’s why Sven is in the position he is in.”

The situation at Liverpool is also not good, and American owner Hicks has been far too outspoken in his criticism of chief executive Rick Parry amid an Anfield power struggle that’s currently ongoing.

Keegan said:

“They’re a club I love and I think Rick Parry has been treated disgracefully.” “What so-called businessmen, who are supposed to know about etiquette, are saying publicly in interviews should be said in the boardroom between individuals.”

“I’d like to think that’s the way it works at Newcastle. People always try to shoot holes in you but they can only shoot holes if you leave the gaps.”

“What I see – and I have my own opinion – is a guy in Hicks trying to get someone so riled that they’ll buy him out for more money. That’s what I see.”

“I might be wrong, but if that’s not the case then why don’t they just get together in a room and work a way through it?”

.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Its great to hear Ashley doesnt interfere with the day to day stuff at the club - he has been a great owner for us and seeing whats happening at Citeh and Liverpool im more grateful for it

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Also have to add Stoke being promoted should mean we get ourselves £4 million for Shola

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

The clearout has started for us

Ramage, Carr and Troisi are leaving the club.Their contracts were up in June

Ramage - was offered a new contract BUT he wants first team football which Keegan cudnt gurantee him

Carr - good riddance to him

Troisi - a little dissapointed cos he supposedly did well in the reserves and was spoken highly of, i was hoping we could have kept him on and sent him out on loan

 

[Nakhuda]

I remember saying a few weeks back that Newcastle will not be relagated when others were in a state of fear!.

 

[TAK]

geordie, why is there so much media interest in todays meeting betweeen chairman and keegan?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

geordie, why is there so much media interest in todays meeting betweeen chairman and keegan?

Media up to their usual bo11ocks - saying KK close to the sack etc etc

Its been ages since we have been involved in any 'dramas' and any hint of it and the media goes gaga

Keegan is actually meeting the owner, who supposedly wasnt happy with Keegan's comments that Newcastle isnt breaking into the top 4 anytime soon.

Also some have suggested he is getting everyone to sit round the table (KK, the Chairman, Wise and his 2 fellas) and lay the cards on the table - no bs, no dramas and take it from there

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Also Alan Thompson is joining our coaching staff - ironically he was shipped out of the club back in 93 when he reportedly had a barny with Keegan

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Kevin Keegan is set to continue as Newcastle boss following clear-the-air talks with owner Mike Ashley.

The pair's relationship is reported to have soured after Keegan claimed that Newcastle were unlikely to break into the top four during his time in charge.

But after the meeting in London, chairman Chris Mort said: "It was a good meeting. It was both productive and constructive."

Keegan rejoined Newcastle four months ago and successfully avoided the drop.

.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ashley is not stupid - the guy has the backing of the fans even tho he is not a Geordie and he wudnt do anything to jeapordise that (thats if he planning on staying with us for the long term)

We all know who the fans would back between the two if anything happened

Anyhow its all media 5hite in anyways - they were just discussing whether to sign Messi or Kaka

 

[Nakhuda]

Discussing if they should sign Messi or Kaka!!?.Can i have some of whatever you've been drinking!!?

 

[TAK]

Also Alan Thompson is joining our coaching staff - ironically he was shipped out of the club back in 93 when he reportedly had a barny with Keegan

probably explains that picture from a few months ago

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

probably explains that picture from a few months ago

It certainly does - with all the southerners infesting the club it makes sense to surround it with people with a bit of Geordie pride

Time to get Jimmy Nail and Ant and Dec here

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Discussing if they should sign Messi or Kaka!!?.Can i have some of whatever you've been drinking!!?

Does the fried mars bars have a negative impact on your sense of humour?

 

[Nakhuda]

Does the fried mars bars have a negative impact on your sense of humour?

No b'cos i don't eat the stuff!.Happy!!?

 

[Amir]

Discussing if they should sign Messi or Kaka!!?.Can i have some of whatever you've been drinking!!?

Funnier thing was Keegan WAS ACTUALLY thinking of bringing henry over. )

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Funnier thing was Keegan WAS ACTUALLY thinking of bringing henry over. )

There you go talking out of your behind as usual

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

No b'cos i don't eat the stuff!.Happy!!?

Doesnt bother me BUT clearly something is wrong (well other than being scottish that is ) with you when you fail to pick up obvious sarcasm

 

[Nakhuda]

Are you writing from the same hospital as the other Geordie Gazza or do you not recognise a dry SOH!!?
You're right though that i am special in many ways living in faraway galaxy .

 

[Amir]

There you go talking out of your behind as usual

Nope, just reporting what came out Krazy Kev's behind. Read the papers.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Nope, just reporting what came out Krazy Kev's behind. Read the papers.

Stop looking at a 57 year old mans behind, it aint healthy

what papers would that be? what was it you was saying about The Sun and Marca?

I ACTUALLY listened to the entire interview he did for local radio when that Henry thing came about in the papers and here is what happend

A young kid called the radio station and asked King Kev "If you could sign any player in the world who would it be?" King Kev responded by saying Henry and then said why Henry is awesome - at no point did KK say "we will be trying to sign Henry" or "Its a player we are after" etc etc

Read that, weep and go feed your moose

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Are you writing from the same hospital as the other Geordie Gazza or do you not recognise a dry SOH!!?
You're right though that i am special in many ways living in faraway galaxy .

You was actually being sarcastic in post 938?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

So Amir you decided to ignore post 948?

No surprise there then

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Kadar earns Hungary call-up

from bbc.co.uk/sport

Newcastle teenager Tamas Kadar has been included in the senior Hungary squad for the first time.

The 18-year-old defender, who has previously been capped at Under-21 level, has been selected by new national boss Erwin Koeman for friendlies against Croatia and Greece.

Kadar joined the Magpies from Zalaegerszegi, for whom he made his debut as a 16-year-old, in January.

Impressive stuff - I have seen him play twice for the reserves and he was good, other people who regularly go to reserve matches have been impressed by him aswell. It would be nice for him to make his debut and hopefully he will continue to progress

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

We have been linked with Marouane Chamakh today, he is a Moroccan striker currently playing for Bordeaux. I cant recall seeing him play in the Nations Cup BUT i hear he is a tall target man

Also we have been linked with Cervet, he is the scary looking centre back for Turkey who was a bit of a rock for them in the group games - he missed the match against Croatia through injury

and we have today been linked with Pablo Aimar - his agent has mentioned this altho unsure how much of it is genuine or whether we are being used to gain a bit of attention. The figure being reported is around £5 Million which would be a cracking deal imo since the likes of Arshavin are unrealistic targets now

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Money lands role as United youth supremo

from The Journal

NEWCASTLE United have appointed former Walsall manager Richard Money to the newly-created post of Academy director – and handed him a key role in owner Mike Ashley’s blueprint for securing the future of the club.

The highly-regarded Money was appointed over the weekend and The Journal has been informed that his remit includes overseeing every one of United’s youth teams from under-nine level through to the reserve side, which has been earmarked to become a testing ground for the club’s emerging young professionals in future seasons.

With United owner Ashley targeting youth development as a key part of ensuring the club’s long-term health, bringing in Money with such wide-ranging responsibilities can be viewed as a significant appointment.

Money will lead a large staff at St James’s Park including former Leeds United midfielder Alan Thompson, who has been appointed to coach the club’s under-15s and under-16s from next season.

Former Walsall manager, Richard Money

NEWCASTLE United have appointed former Walsall manager Richard Money to the newly-created post of Academy director – and handed him a key role in owner Mike Ashley’s blueprint for securing the future of the club.

The highly-regarded Money was appointed over the weekend and The Journal has been informed that his remit includes overseeing every one of United’s youth teams from under-nine level through to the reserve side, which has been earmarked to become a testing ground for the club’s emerging young professionals in future seasons.

With United owner Ashley targeting youth development as a key part of ensuring the club’s long-term health, bringing in Money with such wide-ranging responsibilities can be viewed as a significant appointment.

Money will lead a large staff at St James’s Park including former Leeds United midfielder Alan Thompson, who has been appointed to coach the club’s under-15s and under-16s from next season.


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As yet, there is no word from the club about how Money’s appointment will affect the position of United’s current Academy manager Joe Joyce. For his part, Money is relishing the chance to shape United’s youth development programme.

“It is a wonderful job and I’m relishing the chance to get started,” said Money. “This was too big a club to turn down. I have enjoyed being a manager for the last four years but this job at Newcastle is too big a challenge and too big an opportunity to turn down.

“I have enjoyed my break (since leaving Walsall) – it was a very tough two years with a lot of hard work to do. And while I enjoyed being a manager this is at a different level and it is something I am relishing. I am really looking forward to it.”

The club have begun to invest heavily in player acquisitions at youth level – with Ashley sanctioning an outlay of £250,000 to bring in Plymouth’s 15-year-old forward Aaron Spear. If Spear signs he will join Swindon prospect Ben Tozer, 18; Hungarian youth international Tamas Kadar, 18; French striker Wesley Ngo Baheng, 18; Italian forward Fabio Zamblera, 18; and 17-year-old Swedish goalkeeper Ole Soderberg – all signed since the turn of the year. Money, who holds the Uefa Academy director’s licence, has been out of work since resigning from the manager’s position at League One Walsall at the end of April. Although his name may not be familiar to many Newcastle supporters the 52-year-old performed admirably on a tight budget at the Bescot Stadium. But it is his work with young players that has secured him the role at St James’s Park. He was head of youth at Aston Villa and Coventry City before he moved to Sweden and Australia to pursue a career in management, and has extensive contacts in academy football.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

NEWCASTLE United fans have been reassured the signing of winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca represents a major coup as Spanish football expert Gerry Armstrong dismissed comparisons with Magpies misfit Albert Luque.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Mallorca midfielder, who is a commentator on Spanish football for Sky Sports, is adamant United have pulled off a remarkable signing in Gutierrez, who he believes was the best winger in La Liga last season.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp had spent the last eight months trying to persuade the 24-year-old to move to Fratton Park and Armstrong insisted Newcastle had beaten several other Spanish and English clubs to land a player he feels is perfectly suited to the English game.

United have not had much luck when it comes to signing players from La Liga, with £9m flop Albert Luque the last player to swap the Spanish sun for Tyneside three years ago, while injury-prone centre-back Marcelino was the last player the Magpies signed from Real Mallorca back in 1999.

Armstrong, though, is adamant Gutierrez – who is believed to have bought out the last two years of his contract at Mallorca to facilitate a move to England – will prove to be a far more successful acquisition and wholeheartedly praised the winger’s work rate, as well as his creativity.

“It really is a major coup for Newcastle United and Kevin Keegan will be absolutely thrilled to get him because a lot of clubs were after him from La Liga and the Premier League,” said Armstrong, who spent two years with Mallorca and is still based on the island.

“I know for certain that Harry Redknapp will be absolutely gutted Jonas has gone to Newcastle because he has spent the last seven or eight months trying to get him to sign for Portsmouth. A lot of clubs have been watching him, but Newcastle have pulled it off.

“Jonas is a great signing for Newcastle and the fans should be thrilled that he will be at St James’s Park next season. It is a real statement of ambition in the transfer market and it will help the club look forward after the troubles it has had recently.”

United manager Keegan has been desperate to add some creativity to his midfield after identifying this as the major weakness in the side last season and Gutierrez, who has signed a five-year deal, is tipped to provide a productive supply line for Michael Owen and the rest of the Newcastle strikeforce.

Armstrong said: “For me, he was one of the best players in La Liga last season and the biggest single reason why Real Mallorca had such a good year. Danny Guiza was the top goalscorer in Spanish football last season and he got his ammunition from Gutierrez, he created the goals for him. I’m sure Michael Owen will be looking forward to playing with him.

“I don’t think Kevin could have signed a better player for Newcastle from La Liga because he has all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League and I’m really interested to see how he does.

“He is tall for a winger, and he’s quick and strong. He has wonderful energy levels and will work really hard for the team. He also knows how to defend and he’s not scared to tuck in when he has to. He is a great team player because that is something all the Real Mallorca players had to be.”

Like all foreign players, Gutierrez may take some time to settle in the North East, but for the first time since Laurent Robert, Newcastle appear to have a genuinely exciting winger on their books.

Gutierrez – who is famous for wearing a Spiderman mask when he celebrates scoring – will not link up with the rest of the Newcastle squad for at least another fortnight as he was involved in Argentina’s summer internationals.

But, when he does, Armstrong expects him to become a big hit with fans and team-mates alike because of his approach to the game.

He added: “I know Newcastle have not had the best track record when it comes to signing players from Spain, but Gutierrez is Argentinean and he has a different style of play. He’s certainly not another Albert Luque. Argentinians generally have a good history in English football, going back to Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa at Tottenham, and I’m confident Gutierrez will be a success at Newcastle.

“Obviously, it is always difficult moving to a different country, with a different language and it will take some adjustment which can take time, but I really do think he will adapt to English football because of the type of player he is. Newcastle have obviously done their homework.”

Gutierrez’s arrival would appear to have ended Newcastle’s interest in Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon, while there will also be new question marks surrounding the future of James Milner.

Huge praise for Gutierrez - best winger in La Liga last season?

I hardly watched Mallorca play last season so i barely got to see Gutierrez BUT he sounds like a good player, and hopefully he can be a success here

Look forward to seeing the Spidey celebrations

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

from icnewcastle.co.uk

NEWCASTLE UNITED have dismissed talk of a potential takeover today as "absolute nonsense".

Fans woke up this morning today to headlines that US investors were interested in a buyout and Mike Ashley was prepared to sell the club.

New York finance company InterMedia Partners were said to have bid for the club but the private equity investors were reported to have been put off by a £420m asking price.

Yet the club have denied Ashley wants to sell the club.

Reports in Friday's press claim representatives of owner Mike Ashley had met counterparts from New York-based private equity fund InterMedia Partners.

It had also been suggested that Ashley was willing to sell for a fee of £420million - around £286million more than he paid for the club last summer.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Obviously the club is gonna deny it BUT i would be surprised if Ashley sells (obviously if a silly offer comes in he will sell BUT that wont happen)

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Guthrie seals move to Newcastle

from bbc.co.uk/sport

Newcastle have signed midfielder Danny Guthrie from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Bolton, agreed to a four-year contract at St James' Park.

"I'm happy to be joining Newcastle - I cannot wait to meet the boys and get started," he told the club website.

Manager Kevin Keegan added: "I'm delighted we got Danny. He proved himself in the Premier League last season so he can play at this level."

The central midfielder was a hit at Bolton and scored a spectacular goal on his team debut against Fulham in the Carling Cup.

Last month, Guthrie, who also spent half a season on loan at Southampton, was reported to be part of an exchange deal which would see midfielder James Milner head to Anfield.

The former Manchester United trainee becomes Keegan's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca.

This isnt the kind of signing i was expecting BUT it certainly isnt bad - a couple of million and he can be a decent squad player, i thought he did okay on loan at Bolton

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

We are being heavily linked with Pablo Aimar - accordin to the papers we will be signing him in the next few days for £7 Million

I would be happy with that - he is a class act, didnt have the best of times last season with Zaragoza BUT a fresh challenge will do him the world of good

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Actually ignore what i just said - he has agreed terms with Benfica and will sign for them once he passes his medical tomorrow

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Papers claiming that Anil Ambani is interested in buying newcastle for £260 Million BUT that a singapore based global investement firm is also interested

I am a fan of Ashley BUT i would love it if Ambani buys us - would be brilliant BUT since it came from News of the World its most likely rubbish

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Anil Ambani Toons Up

from newsoftheworld

By ROB SHEPHERD

THE world’s sixth richest man will not be wearing a black and white Newcastle shirt in the St James’ Park directors’ box.

He will not rub shoulders with the Toon Army on away trips or press the flesh with them as they jostle through the turnstiles.

And he won’t be buying pints in the Bigg Market’s bars and flesh pots. But what billionaire Anil Ambani will do is turn Newcastle into a club that can finally mount the kind of challenge at the top of the Premier League the most devoted fans in the country have dreamed about.


Ambani, 49, is the man behind one of the two potential £260million bids to buy out Toon owner Mike Ashley and transform English football’s greatest under-achievers.

India’s second richest man — who has a personal fortune of £21BILLION — has been in negotiations with Ashley for several weeks, and has made it perfectly clear he will rival Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in the spending stakes.

A figure of around £150m has been discussed in Ambani’s inner circle with the telecoms magnate only too happy to sanction such a sum for players.

And he can afford it.

He is TWICE as rich as Blues’ billionaire owner Abramovich, who has a personal fortune of just £11b.

Ambani’s Reliance Communications (RCom) is the largest supplier of mobile phones on the sub-continent and one of India’s most successful companies in a market that rivals China as the biggest boom economy in the world.

Ambani — the 2006 Businessman of the Year — moves in the same powerful circles in India as Red Rom does in Russia. He is a friend and confidante of politicians as well as one of the most successful businessmen of the last decade.

He is married to former Bollywood actress Tina Munim and one of his two sons is at a private school in Kent.

But Ambani is not alone in his desire to make Ashley and offer he cannot refuse.

From the Far East, comes the Profitable Group, a strategic global investment company that has made a name for itself as one of the shrewdest dealers in a fluctuating market — and who now has eyes on a Premier League prize.

In their armoury is Steve McMahon. The ex-Liverpool star made a name for himself as a TV pundit in Singapore working for ESPN.

The Scouser has been appointed Profitable’s Commercial Director in charge of strategic sports investment.

McMahon gives Profitable, who targeted Everton earlier this year, an important weapon in any takeover talks — a man who knows football clubs inside out and who can provide Profitable with vital insight.

What both sides deliver, though, is a get-out for Ashley.

For all his good intentions when he shelled out £130m to buy Newcastle in July last year, it has become increasingly obvious Ashley has struggled to fulfil the dreams of the Toon Army.

Admittedly, those dreams bordered on the rabid, but they bore no relation to the plans Ashley had.

He envisioned a club run on an ethos of good housekeeping, conservative spending and a reliance of young, home-grown talent with potential sell-on profit.

Ashley’s cause hasn’t been helped by his dependance on a London-based cabal of Dennis Wise, Tony Jiminez and Derek Llambias, alienating the Tyneside faithful even after the return of Kevin Keegan.

What the black-and-white faithful will think of their beloved club being run from Mumbai or Singapore is another thing.

But what will keep them happy is a determination by the prospective new owners to supercharge St James’ Park with a cash injection that dwarfs Ashley’s. Certainly, RCom are comfortable discussing their plans to not only book a permanent place in the Champions League but also a Toon invasion of India.

It is the last great untapped audience for English football and Ambani’s advisers have seen the massive potential of an exclusive stake in a market numbering billions.

RCom already have a major stake in India’s entertainment market, and also own power plants and financial services companies.


While Profitable Group will still have a major say in any Toon takeover, RCom’s bid is further down the line.

There is a widespread belief from those closest to the potential deal that papers drawn up by Ambani’s legal team could even be lodged with Ashley’s lawyers by next week.

That would open the door for RCom to proceed with due diligence — and be a concrete step towards buying out Buckinghamshire-born Ashley.

Ashley made it clear last month he would be happy to talk to any investors who could ease his financial burden.

But neither RCom nor Profitable are interested in sharing Newcastle — they want to own it outright.

Even though Ashley is said to want £300m for Newcastle, analysts believe an offer of between £250m and £275m would be enough.

Where that would leave Keegan’s future is open to doubt.

Neither of the prospective buyers want to alienate the fans by dumping Keegan immediately, but there is a feeling in both camps that a high-profile and experienced foreign manager is the key to progress. What is certain is that RCom are intent on bringing the very best to St James’ Park.

Like Abramovich at Chelsea, the financial muscle of the Indians is astonishing with a money-no-object attitude they bring to all their businesses.

There is still some way to go before any deal is struck but even the ultra-conservative RCom delegation are said to be hugely excited by the prospect of taking control.

Ashley has done his best on Tyneside by attempting to bring a sense of financial realism to a club that, according to former chairman Chris Mort, was close to folding like a house of cards.

But Newcastle fans don’t want realism, they thrive on fantasy — and the kind of fantasy Asia, not a sportswear billionaire, can bring.

 

[jusarrived]

Papers claiming that Anil Ambani is interested in buying newcastle for £260 Million BUT that a singapore based global investement firm is also interested

I am a fan of Ashley BUT i would love it if Ambani buys us - would be brilliant BUT since it came from News of the World its most likely rubbish

there have been reports in indian media as well ....knowing the ambanis am not too surprised ....I really doubt they have any kind of interest in the game , though they can pump in more money than any one ......will that really help ?