LOL at the kit, not many Magpies of that colour. I have never been a fan of owners or managers of clubs being fans of their teams. They tend to rule with their hearts rather than with common sense. We had the same problem at Leeds and look where we are now I would much rather see a professional [businesss]team come in and run the club. It will be better for the club in the end.
City were linked to Toure last year - although Toure is our best defender I would do the swap. I just don't see City doing well until they replace Hughes, I just don't think he'd ever command the respect of the big named players they hope to pull in. It's just fantasy football for them but can all these "stars" play together? Lat year they spent a small fortune on new guys and their best player was Stephen Ireland.
Thanks Alen, Arshavins agent disapoints me, however I can't see him fitting in Barcelona squad yet. He'll end up like Hleb and spend most of the time on the bench.
Yeah, well if he goes we can at least say we got something out of his time here. He had some great performances. EDIT: Apparently there's been some confusion. Arshavin no longer has an agent according to his own comments. He said he would represent himself. I wonder about the Melo signing, if it happens. He had 20 total bookings last year - 17 yellows and 3 reds, that's worrisome. I like that he's aggresive but wow, that's quite a bit. I hope he can tone it down if he comes to England because we can't afford him being suspended and him missing significant time in matches. Also, Jo back to Everton on a year long loan.
Would you believe that he was a player deemed not good enough by Newcastle when he joined on loan two seasons ago .
Even though Ashley was'nt originally a fan of Newcastle when he bought the club, he tried to act like one when he did, but still seemed to have a plan. Once the pressure came on after KK left, he seemed to lose the run of himself and his decision making became worse. Its a pity what happend to Leeds, Ridsdale really did a number on what was an historically big club in English football. At least you are showing signs of being on the up after reaching the League 1 Playoff's. Next season I expect you lot to get promoted, which will be good to see. One thing I'm sure we can agree on is that Dennis Wise is a little p***k
I couldn't agree more, no point picking up a midfield "hardman" when he's likely to miss half the season suspended. WTH is going on With Arshavin? Maybe he didn't like the way his agent was working and took his comments about playing in Spain one day as a hint he wanted to go immediately? * Also like the move Everton made by keeping Jo for another year - classic example of a big money spend by Man City but he just didn't fit in. I was rooting for him in the secondhalf of the season.
Yeah and that's the only thing that really worries me about him. I am out of words to comment on Arshavin's deal. If he doesn't want to stay, just get it over with already. Yeah I really like Jo. I watched him in U-21 with the Brazilian squad and he was very impressive. Hope he sticks in the PL and has success. Everton stated that they would have bought him long ago but don't have the money to afford him.
This is a bit odd I'd say. Hope not. RVN back in the PL? Kerlon's dribbling skills are ridiculous. That's about all I know about him, lol. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8138992.stm
looks like the race for Huntelaar is heatin up. Cant see Milan being able to out-spend United though with the Ronaldo money.
Canada wins 1-0 at Gold Cup knocking off #90 El Salvador who are still alive for the World Cup Costa Rica is next
It seems like your right, as Milan have now pulled out of the Huntelaar sweepstakes. Villa may arrive as well? They gonna play him up front with Eto'o? Also, apparently Juve is closing in on a deal for Fiorentina's Melo. EDIT: Not anymore. The deal fell through. This is crazy and I have this weird feeling that this is going to end up like the Nasri and Arshavin deals; it'll drag out for a while before he eventually signs with Arsenal. Man City is ready to make another bid for John Terry and Terry wants to talk to Abramovich.
This is really interesting and makes me wonder about the state of our club. I know we have a lot of young guys in the reserve squad and a couple that have made it to the first team. I wonder if guys like Jay Simpson, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey get first team appearances this season? All three have been very successful with the Arsenal reserve squad and I could be wrong here but I think Wilshere has also logged one appearance in the UEFA Champions league tournament at one point. All three have been discussed heavily though and I wonder if they get shots this season. Another couple guys is Carlos Vela and Nick Bendter. Vela's been on loan but has shown brilliance at times and has shown flashes at Salamanaca and Osasuna at times. Could he get his shot? Bendtner has seen some appearances but I know some fans haven't been pleased with him. He's still got potential though. The only reason I bring up these names is because we've only acquired one player, Tomas Vermelean (sp?), and haven't sold Adebayor to acquire another striker nor have we seen any type of communication between Wenger and the names that have been rumored/linked with the club. I know the whole Melo thing has been on-going but we haven't really done anything with Fiorentina from what I've read. The Fiorentina boss has said that Arsene and him want to talk about an Eboue - Melo swap but nothing has come out of that. I haven't read anything on the club talking to Hangeland or Matthew Upson or anyone else. I however have read that the upper management wants the players to start realizing their potential because its always being discussed but they feel like no significant steps have been made to actually realizing it, which goes back to what I was talking about earlier. Are we going to see more of the young guys playing? The Wilshere's, Diaby's, Djourou's, Vela's, Bendtner's and possibly Ramsey? I'm thinking yes because of the funds but I could be wrong. Also another thought, how do they plan on playing Arshavin, Fabregas, Rosicky and Nasri all at once? Arshavin and Rosicky on the wing? Also, Emerald, did you hear the rumblings about the Newcastle players revolting?
Onyewu goes to AC Milan and hardly a discussion about it? He may actually get some quality 1st team playing time there with the problems they have in the center defense. Onyewu could possibly be that team's consistent starter soon enough. And if Juve don't get Melo because of Marchionni, I'll be extremely upset
Arsenal linked yet again. Also, successor to Shearer? All from Sky. That's what it's looking like at the moment.
God I hope this is false. Also, according to the Daily Star, Barca has about 50 million in budget and if Arsenal refuse to sell Cesc, they'd offer a player swap and cash. That player would be Yaya Toure many think. Looks like Mourinho is having trouble. Ouch. http://blogs.soccernet.com/paperround/
I have Alen and it does'nt surprise me. Like the supporters they have become dis-illusioned about what is happening (or lack of). Its difficult for them because they dont know if they will be sold or staying put. At the moment the players are actually in Ireland getting ready for their first pre-season game (unfotunetly I cant attend as I have a wedding to attend that day). Will be intersting to see what happens though and what sort of team is put out. On the Vialli rumours, at this point I'm not paying too much attention to specualtion because there has been so much and yet little progress. Even today I have heard Ashley hopes to have the club sold by Sunday. Until new owners are in place, I'm not going to take much interest from what I'm hearing in the media.
Also Alen, I think Bassong would be a nice addition for Aresnal. He's a solid player and our best player by a long stretch this season. He's young, quick and not afraid to go into a challenge. His age and the fact he still has alot of time and the tools to develop into a very good player, will attract Wenger. His roots in French football mean that Wenger will probably have alot of information on him form scouts also.
Nice! Thanks for the information. Btw, off-topic note but I love your avatar. I see. I would think that the questions surrounding the club also hinders their ability to sign players. I haven't heard anything of N'castle going after any young guys, have you? Also, what are your expectations for this upcoming season? Promotion? * Have fun at the wedding. For Juve fans, specificallly Eop. And last, Arsenal were said to be trying to sign Fabian Delph of Leeds Utd but the offer was rejected. I don't know how true that is but I read it on Sky. Also this got me a bit excited, its about Bassong.
Not a thing has been happening Alen. Ashley is 100% concentrating on the sale of the club, but is looking to get every cent he can, meaning he s draging it out in the process. Like its very strange to see a club like Newcastle go down and yet not a single player has been bought or sold and we are now into the middle of July. Because we dont have a manager, its pointless bringing in players and on top of that it would'nt make sense for Ashley to spend money on players when he is not going to be around. On selling players, I really do believe that there has been little interest from other teams in the players at Newcastle. I would have expected Martins, Bassong, Viduka, Beye, Taylor and Enrique to have attracted interest, but seemingly not the case. Maybe they are waiting till the club is taken over so they can get a better deal? Cheers Alen, hopefully it should be a good day, but I'm still disappointed to be missing the match. Not often they come over here. Also you will be happy to hear that Arshavin has denied reports linking him with a move to Barca http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5424217,00.html
Real have now withdrawen their interest in Fabregas. Only Barca to worry bout now. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5424473,00.html
Thanks for the news. Did you catch Miguel Veloso looking to quit Sporting Lisbon? That would be an interesting signing for many, including Arsenal. Wonder if Arsene goes after him. Sporting is looking for €10million. I was unaware of it as well? EDIT: Also this; http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2527185/Barca-in-new-bid-for-Fabregas.html If that is true, there has to be money issues at Arsenal. Wonder if they are in the same situation as AC Milan was with Kaka - needing to sell one of their top players to get money. Usmanov has already talked about the lack of money and the infusion of 60 milliion pounds was refused IIRC.
I dunno if I would pay too much attention to what Laporte said about Fab in the Sun. In that entire story there was only one quote. All he really said is that they have'nt ruled out going for, which is what we pretty much knew already. Basically making a story out of noting IMO. As for Aresnal not being given the funds to bring in new talent. If that is true, then selling Fab may be a worthwhile solution. I would push the asking price up to around £50m. If Barca dont want to match it, Fab will stay. If they are willing to give that much (and I think they would be) then Aresnal can get 4 or 5 quality players and make the squad stronger. But in saying that, I dunno if Aresnal could replace Fabregas.
True. I think Barca's budget is £50m, isn't it? I recall reading something about it being in that range. Agree on strengthening the squad. However if Arsene got that money, would he spend it on a experienced centre back for example or would he go with a quality, young guy who he can develop down the road? (i.e. Bassong) I'm thinking the former but it wouldn't surprise me if he went with yet another young guy. That's the issue. How can we replace his abilities? We would have to shell out big money I would think to get a guy that is capable of doing the job that Fab would have done. I wonder if the pursuit of Melo had anything to do with Fab's future.
I don't see Arsenal signing Veloso, I'd be suprised if we sign anyone else to be honest - there may be a late bid for Hangeland (sp?!) of Fulham but thats it. The boards refusal to take up the £100m loan (or even a fraction of that) was petty and just done to stop Usmanov and Dein from having any kind of influence. The "youngsters" had better be ready as they'll be called upon a lot more this season. If Cesc went, that would be the final straw that would see the club go backwards for quite some time. We are at least 2 years away from selling him (I think every gooner expects it) but we need someone to step up. PS; Ignore whatever you read in the Daily Star unless you see the same report in another paper - some of the stuff they come out with is shocking! On a brighter note I hope to get my tickets this week for the Emirates cup - looks to be an entertaining weekend and can't wait!
Today is proving to be a huge day for Man City Firstly http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5430969,00.html Secondly http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5430942,00.html
Jesus. When I said to sell Adebayor, I figured out of the league. If we sell him to Man City, he's going to bite us in the ***. And I've heard really good and bad thoughts on Chamakh. He's one of those guys that makes you want to run your head into a cement wall from what I've seen. He lacks touch consistently and he doesn't always finish in front of the net. On the bright side, he's got good ball control and dribbling skills as well as the ability to make plays in the air, which I think we desperately need. I'm just not sure we should buy him. I've got mixed feelings. Something comes into mind. If we get quite a bit of money for Adebayor, I think we could be targeting a few French players. I know that Arsene almost bought Hatem Ben Arfa a summer ago and I'm thinking if he rounds up the money, he could be after him again. I also know that he wants a holding mid because Felipe Melo is likely headed to Juve so its going to be Matuidi (St. Etienne I think) or Chantome (PSG). Arsene almost bought Chantome last year as well but fell just short. I think this may be the off-season where he purchases him. Chantome is strong and is young. He can push the ball forward and play defence well IIRC. Matuidi is basically the same as Chantome except he probably won't ever be a world class mid. One last name is Frederic Nimani. He's a 6'3" french striker and winger who has shown flashes of potential at a young age of 20 and from the little I've been able to see online, he moves pretty well. I know Arsenal have been linked to him in the past and we need a tall target so if a deal with Chamakh would fall through, Nimani could be the next one targeted. He had success at Monaco for a short time and then was loaned out quite a few times.
Thanks Emerald - have been so busy with the kids the last 4 or 5 days that haven't been able to get on web! I'd be glad to see the back of Adebayour but you don't want to see to someone looking to break in to the top 4!!! Maybe their "alerting" Milan ?? I've not done my homework on Ben Arfa but we could do without anyone else thats got a worse touch than death! I'm kind of hoping that Eduardo makes a full recover to be honest - its good to see him back in pre-season training.
Must have big windows at City's new stadium if they want to pay him that much a week!! Is it me or are some of the figures being thrown around this summer in transfer fees and wages reaching ridiculous heights? You would think the credit crunch has passed! I don't like the way this is heading. It's the average fan who will be priced out of going to games. After Setanta failed not so many years after ITV digital collapsed it shows Sky is really the only broadcaster who can survive and will ultimately reduce what their willing to pay the premier league which means the clubs are going to have to get money from somewhere else - increased ticket prices, even more kit changes - at the moment if I wanted to go to a game (say Watford as its local) even a championship game its close to £120 ($200 I think) if I take my kids, buy the programme, food & drinks - thats a hell of a lot of money just for 90 mins!
