Alan Brazil commented on his radio show yesterday and insisted that a deal to bring in a striker from France was “100% done” although I remain sceptical until something turns up on the official website. However since then several other people have latched on to it and seem to go along with what Brazil was saying, including Mark Douglas who I personally hold in very high regard when it comes to transfer targets and speculation. Hi Mark…
Of course the name that everyone expects it to be will be that of Modibo Maiga who despite being in a fine run of form is still unable to shake off the Sochaux boo boys after his antics in the summer where he effectively refused to play for the club as they didn’t accept a deal for him to leave the club.
While Maiga might be the overwhelming favourite in terms if adding a striker, he isn’t the only candidate. I only say this because Newcastle have a habit of pulling something unexpected out of the hat in terms of transfers, so should we expect this alleged one to be any different?
While Liverpool turn to Tyneside for all of their scouting needs, we tend to turn to France. That in turn means that there is a fairly long list of French players or players based in France that we’ve been liked with. Mevlut Eridinc is one and Nolan Roux is another. Moussa Sow….. You get the point.
I’m hopeful that there is a striker lined up for January. In fact I’m hopeful that there is a striker and defender lined up for January if truth be told. To me, if we get both, then we will have a very good squad with options all over the pitch. That, in only our second season back in the Premier League, would be cracking.
Time will tell of course as transfer windows usually leave a bitter after taste in the mouth of NUFC fans, initially anyway, and there is always a chance we could see players sold aswell as brought in. However it’s important not to get too downhearted when a player leaves, even though it’s tough not to at times. I think the replacements we’ve found have been more than adequate and I think the club have earned our trust a little bit on that. They’ve earned mine anyway.
What do you make of it though? Do you think the rumours are true? Do you think it’s Maiga or someone else? What do you want to see in January?
A point on Monday and we’re third!
Stuart79(Quote)
thanks arsenal,now newcastle just need 1point to go 3rd after monday match. 😆
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
I’m just surprised Newcastle didn’t try to sign Bendtner or Machieda even on loan in the last transfer market.
dansportzblog(Quote)
No one leaving would be a welcome change,and no more injury’s.Manuer, Arses,Chelski are all crying out for a Tiote 👿 . Ideal world 🙄 , Classy striker, 2 backs,1 Centre back , for cover.1 LB, switch Santoon right. Cut more dead wood,Perch will never make first choice , not even decent cover .IMO. Lastly, send Strolla to a well Man’s clinic to see why the hell he cant play 3 games in a month. 😛 .Stato’s out there he he ever played 6 games in a row in the 13 years he has Etched a living @SJP
toonarmybill(Quote)
I know Stu and AoD!!! Its crazy, if we were to go 3rd its not going to last but I will enjoy none the less if it happens 🙂
Yeah I agree with toonsy a striker and a defender ( more importantly imo ) and we have a strong squad. Very excited about the season ahead
Johno Toon(Quote)
Unwashed down 1-0 😆
Johno Toon(Quote)
Stuart79
October 29, 2011 at 14:40
A point on Monday and we’re third!
—————-
😯 I still can’t believe it
MDS(Quote)
Kuqi scored again. could he resign in january
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
TlR – Don’t joke 😯
Actually had a soft spot for Kuqi. Nowhere near the best but he never had a bad word to say about us and just got on with doing whatever he did. Train usually 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Pardew said Kuqi is one of the best guys he ever got to manage. He was the nicest guy in the world, usually took on more of a coaching role to the younger players as opposed to being a player himself and he relished his last chance at a top flight team.
I’d take the big man back as a coach when he retires. May be a while though since he is still doing the business down a few leagues.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Think we have got Maiga like cant really see it being any of the others but then again, i thought we had Erdinc in the summer so what do i know ehh.
I would love a defender aswell but im not sure if i would prefer another starting full back or another CB. Cant see us signing a CB to sit on the bench so think it will be a full back who can play centre aswell. Utillity is key to a good squad imo
Icke(Quote)
Maigatron!! lol
OHurley(Quote)
Maiga, Pieters and Ridgwell. Colo signs a new deal, know one leaves and we kick on to hopefully a europa league place, AP is a legend, everyone’s happy 😀
Belly(Quote)
Belly-
Is it ok if Smith leaves? lol
OHurley(Quote)
Yeah totally, let’s get a couple of the youngsters out on loan to top championship sides too.
Belly(Quote)
Agree with FJ about Kuqi. Love the bloke as a person. Came from nothing in a war torn country and was grateful for his chance.
At least he didn’t slag the club. Neither did Carroll to be fair. Nolan, Barton and Enrique however…. Can’t stand them for that. They got their move now pipe down.
toonsy(Quote)
I trust the scouts if its Maiga then cool but i dont mind but if colo goes to liverpool i will be livid hes the best player at the club and you cant replace those players unless you spend big bucks colo must stay .
keith(Quote)
Toonsy: Working on a couple of articles for you 😀 finished my work
I agree about Kuqi in the sense that his presence helped some of the younger lads at the club. I was really amazed when I heard his story about his childhood, seems like a top bloke
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
FT Norwich 3-3 Blackburn. A massive point for the Canaries as they fight back from 3-1 down to rescue a point. Reovers players continue to argue with the referee after that last-gasp penalty award.
Karma is *****. 😈
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Toonsy – War torn country? Thought he was Finnish?
Stuart79(Quote)
Anybody got a link for the bindippers match
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
If its Maiga the we have a problem in January because he will go straight to the ANC and we will be without him , Ba and Tiote for about 6 weeks or so . Looking at it from that point then i hope its Erdinc , Roux or someone we have heard nothing about . Looking forward to mondays game , our lads will be fired up to claim that 3rd place , i think a very hard fought 2-1 win is on the cards .
Axel(Quote)
Judas has just scored for the bin dippers the tw@t 👿
Axel(Quote)
Any signings in my opinion will be a bonus as although we have numbers, we don’t have any quality up front (Ben Arfa and Ba excluded). However it is my understanding that Maiga will be playing in the African Nations in January.
I agree with Keith though, we really must keep Colo and our best players. Any more sales of key players without quality replacements could be catastrophic.
As for Kuqi, he might have been a fine guy but should never have been brought to the club.
Sirhc(Quote)
Hi Mike…. ?!!!….what the ****?!!
Anyway, the cup game against Blackburn just nailed on how desperately upfront we are, the stats show that we are creating the chances but there only seems to be Ba who can put them away… and he will go to the Africa cup.
For me, we need 2 strikers, would be happy with Maiga and personally would like Luuk de Jong.
Regarding other possible signing, would love to see Pieters in the black and White stripes, and perhaps 1 other defender.
If we can do that and get Colo sorted with a new deal, I’d really fancy our chances for the 2nd half of the season.
We would do well to arrange afew pre-contract agreements for free transfers in the summer as well tho.
Before all of that, we have to beat Stoke on Monday, a win and good performance is vital
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just checked out the Stoke record, and they don’t score too many goals either. A draw would do nicely, then we’re up to third. Amazing !
Munich Mag(Quote)
I have a real bad feeling that Collo may leave in the January window. 12 million quid for a 29 year old centre back, could be difficult to refuse.
As always, if we replace Collo with a younger and potentially better player the fans may be pacified, but the majority of fans would be really up in arms about it. Cannot see Pardew agreeing to it either like, hope I’m wrong. The longer it takes for Collo to sign a new contract the louder the rumours will become. 👿
Munich Mag(Quote)
Plus the press will be trying there best to disrupt the harmony at the toon.. 👿 👿 👿
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM i don’t think that will happen, the easy thing for some press outlets to do at the moment is state that liverpool are looking at our players etc they just need a story to fill time and most of the rumours are made up anyway
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
What is the point in accepting £12m offer from Liverpool though if we aren’t going to spend the money on replacements as has been proven time and time again munichmag. The sale of Andy Carroll should put us in no doubt that the money won’t be reinvested.
Sirhc(Quote)
MM I really cant see anyone paying £12mil for a 30 yr old with only a season left on his contract. and as I said before I cant see him getting the armband unless the club were pretty sure he was going to stay, unless that was a sweetner to help convince him.
Sure if there was any truth in it we will be losing Raylor to liverpool aswell 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Blackburn were asking £16m for Samba, hes only 26 though
Premandup(Quote)
Prem I think Samba is a real cracking player, and I think they would be fuked without him
Big Dave(Quote)
In fairness Colo is out of Liverpool’s transfer policy. They are also looking at younger players etc etc. Colo is not the ling term option they are looking for in my opinion.
toonsy(Quote)
Stuart – Yes Kuqiis technically Finnish but only thanks to immigration and becoming a National for them. Originally he was from one of the countries involved in the Kosovo conflict. Him and his family fled to Finland from over that way when the war was on.
toonsy(Quote)
wont this lad be at the ACN in january..
hitman(Quote)
Hitman – Yep although he hasn’t played for Mali in their last few games I don’t think???
toonsy(Quote)
Boys and girls…I hope you’re right about Collo. I would love to see him stay on at the toon.
However we will need a replacement eventually, and Pieters would give us options at left back and centre half. Also the lad coming through the bairns seems like a canny prospect, Remy Street I think he’s called, though he still young and way down the pecking order at the moment.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m not completely sold on us buying this guy, he seems like a livewire that we could perhaps do without. If he comes I’ll support him, he looks like a very good player and could add something to our attack. but his antics during the summer don’t fill me with confidence.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
A striker and Pieters will do me this January.
Get rid of Smith and that will free up room for two new signings in the wage bill.
Just hope we don’t sell any of our better players, although alas I think we may.
Stuart79(Quote)
Zoe tbh I dont think he has done anyworse than what Benny done, actually I would say Benny done worse he came over here to the club without having permission.
Stuart how are we going to get rid of Smith ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
stu i dont think we will get rid of any of owa top players in january,the time to worry is the summer,we all know ashley likes a profit.
hitman(Quote)
Dave: I’m just concerned he might be too hot to handle
Aparently Smith has been in the dressing room fiering the players up before and during a game. I don’t think anyone will take Smith as he is ob high wages at the moment
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Maiga seems to have a bit of edge about him, and hoyed his toys out of the pram last year cos obviously the bloke had his heart set on a move to the toon and something happened which caused things to fall through. Remember the noises he was making at the time, I thought he reacted somewhat naively at the time.
This time round, if the deal comes off then we’ll see what the lad is made of. We’ve persevered to get him so the club must think highly of him…assuming he is coming of course 😳 😳
I wouldn’t hold an error of judgement against him for his reaction. If he had a track record of causing trouble that would be another issue, but it doesn’t seem as if that was the case. He just wanted to move to the toon and got himself a bit excited the lad.. 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Zoë…good to hear Smith’s doing something for his exhorbitant wedge 🙄 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich: I bet you that’s Pardew’s secret weapon when things are going wrong, unleashing Smith on the players!! 😆
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Laurel and hardy will sell in January Oliver hardy needs to recoup his doe and wants it done as quick as possible
Johnny v(Quote)
Zoë, do you remember Alan Smith from his time at Leeds ? He was a real good striker, fiery type but a good striker, a great hope for England. I would go as far as to say the Leeds period was the highlight of his career, cos after a few injuries his carer stalled big time. Pity really, cos he’s a player you want to have alongside you in the trenches, but his injuries obviously caught up with him.
His huge salary and lack of game time has blighted his late career, but you cannot blame Smith for the fact that he was offered so much money. He also repaid a lot of favours with his efforts in the promotion team..
Speaking of players picking up good money and not playing, how much longer do we have to endure Xisco at the club ?…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’ll go on paper as saying that I was amazed and chuffed at getting £35m for Andy Carroll…(though we should have reinvested that money)
and if we are offered £12m for Colo I would snap there bloody hands off.
No disrespect to Colo (and I’d be genuinely pleased if he stayed) but if we got that money and spent it wisely on the likes of Pieters and others… do it.
We are an outstanding bunch of fans but appear to have an absolute blind loyalty and sometimes miss the big picture
Sharpy17(Quote)
Zoe I know what you mean but I cant see him being any hotter to handle than Benny.
MM I think his club didn’t want to lose him for buttons, so said to him sign a contract and we will let you go 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy17 so why would you snap there hands of for £12mill for Colo ? when you have allready said that we got £35 for Judas and that wasn’t reinvested. What makes you think that they would reinvest the Colo money
Big Dave(Quote)
Yes I do! I loved watching him play like that, I only really would have noticed him from about 2001 onwards perhaps as I would have been about 7. I think it was an england match where he scored that diving header that was amazing. His leg break was such a shame for him, but he gave his all for the promotion team which was really nice to see.
Would love him to get a goal before he leaves deserves one. Last year I went to the Carling cup game where we lost to Arsenal. I was sitting the opposite end from where we where attacking and Smith had a shot which nearly went it. I turned round to my dad and said the goalie had tipped it over the bar. Now I was a long way away from seeing that but we went back to my friends and watched the highlights and in fact it had been tipped over. The ref didn’t give the corner though
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Big D…spot on there with the Maiga issue, I see it like that too mate. Cisse for 18 mill or Maiga for 8mill…easy really…
Sharpy17….regarding the 12 mill for Collo, I thought the same as you but was afraid to say it… 😆 😆 The big issue, as with the Andy Carroll money, is the fee being reinvested in the team, and loads of people think the money isn’t being reinvested. If we could sell Collo and spend the money on a good younger left back, and centre half that would be excellent business imo. Would also be happy to see Collo stay, but obviously he’ll have to take a pay cut or the club won’t play ball..
Munich Mag(Quote)
For those that don’t know Pieters is injured with a broken bone in his foot , he will be out untill about december they think . Makes him a risky signing and would maybe not pass a medical in january .
Axel(Quote)
MM on the Colo bit about his wages, Jonas at the time of being signed was supposed to be on a free so he must have got a real good wage, ok in the end we had to pay for him but at the time he signed and got his contract MA thought it was free. So if he was on big money and he signed a new contract I believe that they didn’t cut his money that much.
So I really cant see Colo being much different TBH I think we will get his contract sorted. They were both signed in July 08 so MA would have been handing out good money then
Big Dave(Quote)
Munichmag. The days of paying 18m or even 8m are long gone unfortunately at the minute. Chelsea got Torres, Liverpool got Suarez and Carroll, we got Kuqi, to me that sums up the ambition of our board. If we got 12m for Colo I can assure you the money wouldn’t all be reinvested, as in every other transfer window under this board. We need reinforcements in defence anyway in January, with or without losing Colo
Sirhc(Quote)
sirhc@55 exactly everyone has stopped talking about the vanishing carroll money , the board will not spend end of . history has proved it a few million out and a few million in at best , colo must stay …..
keith(Quote)
I have just realised how costly that last minute goal from Givet was. Blackburn are certs to get into Europe now.
Arsenal v Manchester City
Chelsea v Liverpool
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Cardiff v Blackburn
What a waste of a European place 😥
The Kid(Quote)
Keith to be honest I wouldn’t mind if the board and Cashley came out and said I am going to take any profit off sales and pay it off the debt. But to say we are going to reinvest it in the squad and to make on agents fees and the like took up the 35m Carroll money, its as if they think we are mugs and are going to believe every word they say. I for one can’t trust a word they say.
Sirhc(Quote)
Thekid. How are Blackburn guaranteed a European place for getting to the quarter final of the League Cup please?
Sirhc(Quote)
SIRHC
They are going to play and BEAT Cardiff.
United WILL beat Palace.
The other two games are filled with teams who will make up the top 6 anyway. Therefore whoever gets into the semi’s will get Europe.
The Kid(Quote)
MM, shouldn’t ever worry about saying anything, were all on coz we love the club and were all entitled to an opinion, whether we agree or not, it’s what makes these sites interesting.
Big Dave, the board have always said the money is there to spend when the right player is sourced and everything adds up.
Let’s not forget that this page is about the imminent arrival of Maiga, and other names have been mentioned in the press. Time will tell if that is true or not, but I don’t see a problem in having a transfer kitty to spend when the times right, rather than spending coz it’s there…
I immediately think of Owen when I say that.
Also, let’s not forget that, only a point at Stoke and we go THIRD with our current squad, not bad in my opinion. Granted Colo has been a major factor in that, but one man doesn’t make a team.
Man Utd sold Ronaldo to Madrid, a player who was far more influential, and replaced him with Henandez, hardly heard of and costing peanuts in comparison, they havent done too bad since like.
Having said all of that, I’ll finish by saying that I’d really like to see Colo sign a new contract soon and put an end to all this talk
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t think that is the case any more in the League Cup. The European places goes to the League if both the finalists qualify for Europe via there league position.
Sirhc(Quote)
sirhc@58 honesty is the best policy … or so they say . but that doesent include our ownership .
I totally agree its not what there doing its the underhand way there doing it ,
“we will not sell carroll” sold !
“we will not sign players approching there 30s” nolan not signed guttierez signed !
its hard for me to listen to the “isnt it wonderfull how we have balanced the books” we are football fans not sharholders !! and if we continue to sell our best players the happy days wont contiue .
keith(Quote)
SIRHC
OK, but if that’s the case, how did Stoke end up in the Europa?
The Kid(Quote)
Because they got to the Final of the FA Cup. It goes to the losing finalists then league position. If there was 2 losing semi finalists who weren’t in Europe how would they decide who got into Europe.
Sirhc(Quote)
sharpy17@61 man utd spent 100 million plus last season and the season before and the season before that and have 22 full internationals on there books .
We are newcastle utd we have made a profit in our last 4 transfer windows and have a very hard working team with a handfull of very good players made up by some good players some average players and some very bad players we cant afford to sell colo for any amount of money as 1, he would be almost impossible to replace 2, the club would not put the money back into player sales … but the showers in the training ground would be the dogs bollocks 👿
keith(Quote)
Also Man Utd have teams of scouts all over the world. We have one very good one in Graham Carr and beyond that I am not sure. Man Utd have the money to take risks on Hernandez 5.7m and people like Beto 6.2m.
Sirhc(Quote)
Fair comment about Man Utd, but the fact remains we could go 3rd Monday night and these should be happy times.
I heard this rubbish about us not replacing Nolan and the others that left, yet the likes of Cabaye have came in and done great.
We can create superstars, not have to spend stupid money bringing them in.
Only time will tell, if we bring in 2,3 or 4 players in Jan then I think the board have been reasonably good to their word, even if it doesn’t amount to £35m.
Selling your best players for a profit is fucking stupid, selling your best players because they will not sign a new deal and want to hold our club to ransom is different altogether.
I’m referring to Nolan and Barton… not Colo.
I hope and want him to stay!!!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
And people always say “time will tell if they put the money in or time will tell if there lying ” did time start today …….
Time has told us that mike wont spend and mike tells fibs over and over and over and over and over again .
Lets start having the memory of elephants not goldfish.
keith(Quote)
Sharpy17 I agree that its good times on the pitch and long may it continue. I for one would love us to keep this position or finish top 8. I would just like a bit honesty from the club at times.
Sirhc(Quote)
SIRHC
Fair point, mate.
The Kid(Quote)
sharpy17@68 we are having a great season and the main reason for that is our defence and tiote and the mainstay of our defence is colo .
“we can create superstars” we certainly can but whats the point if the superstars dont stay !
If the board bring in 2 3 4 players in january and dont sell any then thats more than reasonable its fantastic but do you think that will happen ????????
Im going to put my neck on the line and say we wont see 4 new players arrive in january 😉
keith(Quote)
My memory is fine, the reason we are sooo far behind the likes of man utd is because during the first keegan era, we chose to get shot of things like youth teams and building for the future in order to spend the money on big transfer fees for players who won us exactly what????
My memory is fine but unfortunately I’m a bit too young to remember the last time we actually won silverware (other than the championship) and I remember watch keegan play for us!
this page is about the likely arrival of a new player, who if my maths is right would be bought with the Carroll money, as we reinvested the money from the summer sales on the likes of Cabaye.
Patience is a virtue, Carroll was sold on the last day of last Jan transfer window, meaning there has only been one window since… ample opportunity, granted, but if getting the right player means a wait, fine, as long as the team continues doing what it’s doing and it looks likely at least 2 players will be in through Jan.
But then that still won’t be good enough will it, because we haven’t spent the full £35m.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fluffy bishop tits
Rodzilla(Quote)