|
latest news and gossip . Right Click and select "RELOAD" |
|
latest news and gossip . Right Click and select "RELOAD" |
(mm-dd-yy) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dabizas and Anderson have been sold. Although they have both been sold at a loss, most at Newcastle will be glad to see the back of them. Last night Andreas Anderson, was sold to IFK Gothenburg, for a Swedish record of £2 million. this is a loss of £1.0 million , but atleast he has gone.Although he tried hard he was just not good enough for the premier league. All but one of the Newcastle players will be happy at the move. Silvio Maric may feel that he could be this years player to moan about now that Adde has gone. Today it was announced that the Nick Dabizas has been sold to Leicester city for a knock down One million pound. That is another million lost , but again there was no future here for the defender that had clearly lost his confidence. Dabizas was actually the fans player of the year 2 years ago after a good start, that says something about Dalglish's dodgy purchases doesn't it? last year though Dabizas completely lost it , All the best to them both, hopefully they can start afresh at their new clubs. Ruud Gullit has actually managed to sneak out 10 players since the end of last season. To see the full comings and goings click on the MONEY PAGE, which lists all player transactions since Keegan started splashing out the cash back in 92.. I don't need to tell anyone that TOMORROW IS THE BIG KICK OFF DAY. Surprisingly there were a few tickets still for sale. Freddie Fletcher may be slightly worried by the apparent pessimism at the moment. In a season that sees 14,000 new seats becoming available at a cost of £42 million Newcastle United need to have a good year . He states that there are actually 16,000 on the list and urges any one wanting a seat to get on the waiting list as soon as possible. I am starting to have my doubts on wether or not all the seats will be taken. I would think that there are many thousand on the waiting list that use friends and relatives seats each week. When there seats become available next season will the original holders renew their tickets? Like I say we need a good season another bad year and there will be empty seats next season. I believe that Newcastle's pricing policy must also change. There has to be a huge family enclosure created with real discounts for the children. They are the fans of the future and giving them really good low priced seats will ensure that they get well and truly hooked. I would have thought that the away corner and the bottom half of the S J Hall stand would be a large enough area for a family stand. Also asking some of the players to acknowledge the kids after a game for a few minutes, possibly signing a few autographs and having a few pictures taken would be a nice touch. As it is at the moment at St James' park, if a parent takes their child it will cost atleast £540 a year for season tickets for the two of them making it the 3rd most costly club in the country to have a pair of "family " season tickets for. Charging at least £208 a year for a kids seat is far too much. Most other clubs in the premier league offer a half price childs ticket,. indeed Sheffield Wednesday's youngsters can get in for every game for £75 per season. I think the board must sit down and find a plan that will encourage more kids to attend after all they only have to give them 5 or 6 years of cheap seats, and a bit a entertainment and they will be hooked for life. With 60 years or more of full price seats it would be wise to start the kids off at a reasonable price. Think long term Mr Fletcher. (need a new PR manager? .... I'm Free) and Finally , if you were wondering why I haven't done this column, much this week, I have been updating the picture Gallery, with all the ins and out over the last 6 months it is taking longer than I thought. It should be just about up to date by now. CLICK HER FOR THE LATEST TEAM PHOTO along with hundreds of pictures of the Newcastle players. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Wednesday 4th August |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Rob Lee saga continues, indeed it's only just started but is likely to cast a cloud over the start of the season. Robert Lee has said "I am very hurt " at the way he wasn't allocated a squad number. Certainly it seems very harsh although Lee insists "I am not going to be pushed out". Unfortunately I think he will be, Lee wont want to play in the reserves for another 2 years. He would be better off going to a club where he appreciated. The fans certainly appreciate him, and don't like the way he is being treated, but we don't know the full story. It would have been better if Kenny Dalglish hadn't given Lee a three year extension to his contract last season, Lee would then have been allowed to gracefully find another club at which to finish his career. He could have bowed out with dignity rather than ending his stay here on a bitter note. There are two sides to every argument, Lee may think that Gullit will get the push if there is a bad start to the season, so is staying just in case. On the other hand Ruud wants some fresher younger players, and probably feels that Lee should have accepted one of the offers from Fulham, West ham, Southampton or Leicester, all of whom would have paid a million for him if he would have dropped his wages a little. Personally If I were Gullit I would have given him a lower number and made it clear to him that he was further down the pecking order than last year. On the other hand is he not better than the likes of Speed and Maric in midfield? Who's to say, We all have our own opinions, I suppose the only way to find out is if Lee does move on, we will be able to judge if he still has it in him or not if he plays for another club. I feel that Lee will accept one of the offers that will soon come in for him again, if only to prove a point to Gullit that he was wrong to treat him this way. To me it's a bad decision to not give him any squad number, giving him a slower quad number would have sent the same message to Lee without being seen as being over harsh. . This is bound to affect morale both on and off the field. It has put a lot of pressure on Gullit and on Dyer who now takes over the number 7 shirt. I hope they both can handle it and I hope Lee finds another club soon, for the sake of all parties concerned. Another blow to Newcastle, during last nights reserve game (Hartlepool 0 - 0 ), in which Pistone, who was said to be on the verge of a transfer to Galatasaray was injured. He hobbled off on crouches and the deal which Newcastle said was never on is now certainly off. If he was about to be transferred then playing him in a meaningless reserve fixture is stupidity. Add to this injuries to Charvet, Dumas, Ferguson, Dyer, Glass and Given and questions must be asked on wether or not the heavy pre season training that Ruud has chosen has been worth it. Only time and decent results will tell. With only 4 days to the kick off it's hard to be optimistic, We need a shot in the arm, a pick me up to lift spirits both on and off the field. Howay Ruud what have you got up your sleeve? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Monday 2nd August |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Is there any significance in this? Is there anything in a number? The Squad numbers were announced today and there are a couple of unexpected omissions
Also no numbers for Pistone who looks likely to go to Galatasaray and for Georgiadis, who must surely have signed for Salonika by now.The biggest snub though goes to Rob Lee. He has not even been allocated a squad number which is likely to prompt him into accepting an offer from one of the clubs that have been after him. Leicester, West Ham and Southampton would still want him, but he would have to drop his wage demands slightly It's a cruel way to deal with one of the best servants to Newcastle United throughout the nineties, but realistically if t we want youngsters such as Dyer, McClen Robinson and Coppinger to join the first team the older players no matter how loyal have to move over for the younger lads.. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sunday 1st August |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Shearer scored two, but the new defence let three past them In Newcastle's final pre season friendly against German club VFL Bochum. Newcastle, who hadn't taken Sweeper Franck Dumas with them,due to a slight injury sustained against Stoke last week, reverted to a 4 - 4 - 2 formation, the starting 11 were. Harper Charvet .... Marcelino ..... Goma ....Domi Solano ....ketsbaia ....Speed .... Serrant Shearer .... Robinson. By all accounts it was another dull start, Shearer had his best game so far, getting two goals from open play. Unfortunately the defence still hasn't gelled, and despite Harper being fully fit he could do little if the players in front of him still insist on casually giving the ball away all to often .With only one week to go until the big kick off things are not looking too good. Charvet picked up a knee injury and with Griff suspended, the right wingback position is not as Gullit would have wanted. Problems also on the left with Serrant being given every chance to stake a claim for the forthcoming season, regrettably he just doesn't seem up to it. Hughes filled in for Charvet at half time,once again doing a steady job. Later in the second half Maric was given yet another chance to show what he can do, replacing Robinson. He again showed what he does best, makes a hash of things. I believe, he needs to start the season in the reserves, getting his mind and his game back together again. We all know that he is good player, just lacking in confidence. A few reserve games in the new Premiership reserves league with the pressure off him could see him regain the confidence that he once showed (for Zagreb). The last thing we need is another JDT, we already have one of those, and he has been conspicuous by his absence in the majority of the Pre season games. Surprisingly Dyer was also out of the reckoning last night, Ruud preferring to leave him behind in England to recuperate after what has been the most gruelling pre season training ever experienced. Indeed the poor results have been blamed on the players simply being too tired to give 100%. This policy by Ruud of pushing players as far as they can go,could well reap rewards later in the season, however all it has done to the uneducated such as myself is to tire the players out, many of whom have picked up niggling injuries. The following week is believed to be a week to wind down a bit, and for those little knocks to heal. It looks very unlikely that Ferguson, Glass or Given will be fit for the start of the campaign. Reports that Ferguson is finished have been laughed off by Newcastle's coaching staff, although the question posed to Gullit as to wether he would be interested in signing wantaway Leeds front man "Jimmy " Hasselbaink, was met with silence. It is strongly believed by many (including myself) that Gullit has a final player up his sleeve, to bring in this week. Hopefully this will bolster confidence both within the team, and amongst the fans. Replica shirt sales would go up as well . I don't though believe the "Jimmy" will be that player. Finally , to cheer all the toon fans up, "THE HEARTLESS ONE", has found a club that want him. Turkish club,Galatasaray are poised to sign Alex Pistone, although the fee is believed to be half of what Newcastle United paid at around £2.25 million, it is unlikely that it will be refused. George Georgiadis is finally on his way (again) The on / off saga with Greek club Salonika is said to have been resolved. They are believed to have offered Newcastle the £450,00 that Dalglish paid for him last year, which will be accepted by the Newcastle board. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Friday 30th August |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Newcastle fly off to Germany today to play Bochum tomorrow. One player that won't be coming back with them is Marc Ziegler. The 24 year old German goalie won't be joining Newcastle after all. Ruud Gullit thought he did OK but was no better than Shay Given or Steve harper, who seems to be Gullit's along with the fans favorite. It is believed that Gullit will be looking for an older more experienced goalkeeper for Given and harper to hopefully learn from. This week has seen rumours of Diomede joining Newcastle, it is just that, a rumour. Ruud will be making another signing before the season starts, although I cannot reveal the identity, I believe that the signing will go down very well with the Newcastle fans. Expect an announcement very soon. Duncan Ferguson is likely to be given a first start in a strong team tomorrow. It is believed that he will play for around an hour with Paul Robinson, given another chance to claim a place for next season as United's Super Sub. Hopefully I will have some details in the early hours of Sunday morning regarding Saturday night match. Over the last couple of days I have taken a few pictures of St James' park. See the latest pictures here |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Thursday 30th July |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Stoke's match last night which we won 2 - 1 has a report on Away the lads, Ruud was once again in action, and I believe that he will register himself as a player. He was certainly one of the best on Display, and is 36 year old Too Old? As a reserve sweeper perhaps? The reserves were also in action last night against Boca junior juniors. They were outclassed by the young Argies, despite having Rob Lee and Nick the Greek in the team. they lost 2 - 1 A good sign was fully fit again Steve Harper back in goal. As for the rest of the team, there were a few unfamiliar names on the team sheet, as the cream of the youngsters were playing down at Stoke. I took a trip to St James's park today, the stadium is growing daily. I got a few pictures which I should have the site tomorrow. Finally, What do you do if you see someone in New Zealand wearing a Man U top? FIND OUT WHAT DAVE DID. And Finally ... Finally, Ruud has been busy today, negotiating for a new player, Expect an announcement probably tomorrow, if not, definitely by Monday night. If I reveal what I know, then I won't be told again (if you know what I mean). |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For
the latest national and International football news check out team
twaddle, for Newcastle United news, read on ...........