No deadline day defender for Newcastle

No deal for Mariappa
It looks as though Newcastle United will not be bringing any defensive cover to the club in the final few hours of the transfer window.

This comes as the strongest link we’ve had with a defender looks set to join Wigan who have had a bid accepted by Watford – a bid that is said to be lower than ours!

So it looks likely that there will be no Adrian Mariappa at Newcastle, no defensive cover, and no hope should an injury occur to either Mike Williamson or Fabricio Coloccini in the final 16 games of the season.

I’m finding it hard to be annoyed about this to be honest. I mean I would have loved us to have got some defensive cover in, but I’ve maintained all along that Mariappa wasn’t the answer. What is the point in bringing in backup who isn’t any better than the backup you already have? Essentially we’d be in the same pickle, with or without Mariappa.

At this point people will tell me that Adrian Mariappa had a good game against Tottenham at the weekend which is true, but basing an opinion on just one game is a flawed argument. I remember when James Perch had Jonas Gutierrez in his pocket a couple of seasons ago… Point made.

However we’ve had the time to look at better options and have failed to do so which risks disrupting what could potentially be a cracking season for us. Of course there is still time in the window for things to change, but at the moment it’s looking unlikely and we’ll end up with no defensive cover until Steven Taylor returns. Get well soon Steven. Very soon!

Of course every cloud has a silver lining and this transfer window has been no different. Defensive cover was our priority, but we did manage to bring in a new striker in the guise of highly-rated Senegal international Papiss Demba Cisse, which was quite a fillip when it happened a couple of weeks ago.

You see, it’s not all bad news, and at the moment we’re yet to sell anyone which for a fan if NUFC is an absolute bonus under this regime!

With a few hours remaining, I’d be reasonably happy if it stayed that way!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

146 thoughts on “No deadline day defender for Newcastle

  1. Sorry to offend, KimToon – but just because the phrase has been hijacked for other purposes doesn’t negate it’s relevance here: people are clearly not learning. We’ve seen three years of consistent, highly successful recruitment that follows a clear strategy and pattern… and yet some are still expecting something completely at odds with it.

    They are having difficulty learning; ergo there are learning difficulties.

    No offence to anyone else on any other subject intended, but to be honest, I have a rule: if offence isn’t given, don’t take it. There’s enough to go around!

    (Is it cos I is black?) 😀

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  2. Ashley’s helicopter seen darn sarth in a no fly zone, Just drove past Mpapa sprinting up the A1 past Durham services, looked out of breath.

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  3. Dont really want mariappa buy just another williamson really.
    Pards said if we dont get him now we will look elsewhere in summer and would prefer extra 2m of someone of higher quality.

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  4. Geordietwo: I agree with some of your examples, and of course there are bad decisions as well as good (although even a bad player is worth more on a contract than without one, so I’d exclude Shola and Ranger from that list. Oh, and Smith and Xisco were under the previous strategy more than 3 years ago.

    Was Kuci that bad? Ok, we’ll give you that one. 😛

    What nobody can argue with is the bottom line. We’re 6th in the prem, while topping the table for profits made on player dealings. It doesn’t get more clear than that.

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  5. Gary, we obviously both have different views here so I’ll have to agree to disagree. I think Mariappa would be back-up for 3 positions (CB/CB/RB). Raylor, Santon and Ferguson all compete for LB; whilst Simpson and Perch compete for RB (with the option of emergency RB cover with Santon or Raylor, providing they’re not already playing at RB). 😯

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  6. Mariappa wants to join Newcastle, David Craig on SSN now.
    Said no to Wigan and “yes please” to us.
    …ball in Watford’s court. 😯 😯

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  7. Whumpie@76- Fair enough. Just a subject close to my heart mate ., family stuff .I know there are worse expressions to use to be fair you never sank that low.

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  8. David Craig saying Mariappa wants to come to Newcastle – deal may not be dead but Toon won’t improve offer – down to Watford now

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  9. Good banter on here again. Excellent article toonsy. I hope we do bring in a CB today as it is not impossible as some claim to get value for money in January. Many clubs have done it in the past. I wouldn’t be arguing for it if I hadn’t watched our games in December. The consequences of inaction can be quite severe. What does finishing 12th pay out versus finishing 6th? Ashley should be asking himself that question if he hasn’t already.

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  10. Recent transfers in Cabaye, Tiote, Cisse, Ba, Marveaux, Abeid, Obertan. OK one or two still to prove themselves but I think the Toon scouting system is doing a cracking job. We may have to wait longer than we would like in some cases but it’s proven to be correct in the last 2 and a half years.

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  11. KimToon: got some ties with those issues myself. Not an easy one to deal with at the best of times. Never been more impressed than watching those who deal with it all day every day – incredible patience and empathy. The best of people; I just wish I had half of their qualities. 😳

    Anyway… the footie…!

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  12. good article Toonsy. He isnt the answer so I’m happy to wait.

    The forward line we have now will let the opposition worry about defending more than us 🙂

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  13. Rodz 😆

    ANOTHER REMINDER CWARR TALKS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE………

    Earlier today #nufc pards has got his defender and its not mariappa

    Please all do not listen to the idiot

    Thank you 😀

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  14. Aye Premandup @89 plus a good chance to get into Europe if finishing sixth with whatever money and advertising opportunities that brings with it. Most owner’s would consider it madness not to reinforce at such a critical position if they were sitting 6th in the table at this time of year.

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  15. Wow, away for half an hour come back and theres a mini argument going on (emphase on mini lol). I consider Raylor to be a rb, even though hes played lb previously this season(same with perch,despite it seems his better position is CB/CDM). so RBs: Simpson, R.Taylor,Perch,Tavenier. LBs: Santon, Ferguson (still think hes a better winger).

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  16. Ok Whumpie I do get what you are saying. We have done very well with very little spending but we always seem to be on the edge of disaster as with December. The policy of having a squad thin in quality after the first 11 brings huge risks and it won’t always pay off.

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  17. Liam Southern Toon
    Think I bloody started this mess, better clear it up, lol :mrgreen:, also Rodz@49, didn’t mean to ‘jump at your throat’ just refreshed the page and saw your comment.

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  18. Liam it was AndyMag who started it 😆 😀

    Andy, while you’ve been away Tavernier has been shipped out to MK Dons, and Mariappa has turned down Wigan and is keen to move to us. All down to Watford……

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  19. G2 – I don’t think it’s our policy to run so thin. I just think it’s nature of the best of where we are. We have a lot of dross on the books who are sat on contracts they won’t get anywhere else, like Smith, Xisco and even fringe players like Lovenkrands or Perch. It will take time to get rid of them. They aren’t good enough to be playing so won’t be in the shop window so who will come in for them?

    In the summer I expect some of those will move on, like Smith and Lovenkrands, and they will be replaced with actual squad players who are better than they are. It won’t be done overnight. Remember, about 18 months ago we were losing 3-0 away to Derby in the Championship and Rome wasn’t built in a day. Obviously the fact we’re doing it on a budget means it ill take time, but we’ll get there

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  20. nee wurries Andy, I’m happy to put that one to bed anyway, I was tying mesel up in knots 😕 😀

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  21. Spot on Toonsy – it’s going to take time and no-one can doubt the club have done a decent job getting some very good players in without being rolled over. still some dead wood to shift but we will get there

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  22. I think our best move of jan was smith to MK Dons 😆

    In all seriousness wonder how much mk dons are paying for his wages? 😕

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  23. Mark this ‘reality train’ lark is getting confusing too. I used to board it, but I’m not sure if it’s morphed into a ‘negativity train’ these days. 😯

    …two totally different modes of transport.

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  24. I think you are right for the most part toonsy. I just get frustrated as we seem to be on the verge of a breakout year and would like to see us make the push to finish 6th really take shape with a defender in. We may yet get Mariappa and that may be enough. I think that Willo really needs to become part of our defensive cover so we definitely need a top quality defender in as well in the summer. Also it does seem very likely that Peter and definitely Smith will be gone this summer. We should try to sort the Kadar situation out as well. If he has no future with us he should be gone so we can focus on some good young CB’s. I’m not convinced about Obertan either. Move Ferguson to the wing Pardew! You could see his quality as a potential winger shine out again against Brighton. So much promise in the team now but a lot remains to be done.

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  25. @Big Dave

    woooo hooo hoooo 😉

    thats where ppl normally go when theyve said something thats turned out to be ****.. i.e jabba the c@nt will sell sell sell

    boing boing boing 😆

    so will you lighten your mood with Jabba the **** if we don’t sell anyone this window ❓

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  26. Woo hoo hoo hoo.

    Not at all Rodz. It’s not a negativity train.

    I am satisfied with Cisse and no outgoings.

    Very disappointed with not getting a centre back but the Marricrappa deal still has time to sort itself out.

    No negativity from the driver of the reality train. 😛

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  27. GEORDIETWO, remember mate, Rome wasn’t built in a day and we were in the championship just just over one and a half seasons ago.
    Everything will come together over time but fast fixing isn’t the way to sustain future progress as all it does is papers over cracks and we’ve done all that and failed.

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  28. @big Dave

    I’m still waiting for the dream bus to drop the £25m bombshell.
    Woooo hoo hoo hoo 😛

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  29. @the bouncing butterfly

    Where’s your source Woolfie ?

    He hasn’t ran off with the £25m and left you in the lurch has he? 😀

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  30. Ok Wolfie as well! I know you’re the eternal optomist so all together let’s sing “Let’s all look on the bright side of life (don’t forget to whistle at this point). 😆 I’ll only be satisfied if we finish in the top 8 this season after the start we’ve had. Sorry but there has been too much waiting for us over the years. 😉

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  31. Mark what was it I said that turned out wrong ❓ I think your getting confussed 😳

    Troy yeah still waiting for the 3 players and the other £15 – 17 to be spent, but you know yersel we’ll just get the ***** trotted out that the proper players wern’t available this window , BUT they will be available in the summer 😆 😆 😆 😆 so thats ok we can afford to gamble our top 10 position without getting the CB we and Jabba knew we needed, but in their defence they didn’t have time to get him over the line

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  32. @Troyore, 😆

    £15mill… we signed Cisse for 10,

    still the biggest spenders 😉

    wooo hooo hoooo

    Jabba the c@nt has bought bought bought.. 😆

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  33. @Big Dave

    that Jabba is a c@nt and will sell this window 🙄

    so…. for the 5th time…. will you now support mike if we dont sell this window 😯 🙄

    choooo chooooo

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  34. Mark/Troy, I used to always surf the reality train, complete with my black and white striped cape, back in the day when everyone thought we’d spend 4bn every window, but to my perception there’ve been a lot of ‘reality train’ passengers saying such and such is going, thingamybob is definitely off, the club have no ambition, we’ll not sign anyone etc etc – to me that’s all a bit old hat nowadays, and either the reality train needs to vet its passengers more thoroughly or change its name to the negativity train, or suchlike equivalent vessel.

    I’ll never board the ‘Dream Bus’, as Stardust’s legendary ‘Big Red Bus’ has now morphed into I.E. 25m window spends, but I think ‘reality’ is often overshadowed by paranoid and unjust negativity these days.

    That said, I think we now need 3 modes of transport:

    a) The Dream Bus, with its rose tinted passengers expecting us to sign Messi, and driven by Wolfie (honk honk)
    b) The Reality Train, with its patient yet suspicious passengers looking for slow progress – I’d volunteer to drive (toot toooot)
    c) The Nega Sub, with its doom-mongering everyone is leaving and we’ll never compete with Spurs passengers – driver needed, apply within (bubble pop paaarp)
    (cos that’s what noise it would make) 😯

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  35. Oi oi radgies!!

    What’s gannin on?

    Just got back from being chased by the bizzies!
    Pure liberty takers!

    Anyway, Big Mick is still here like! He’s on poker.com and he’s lost £25m!
    Pure mental Big Mick like!

    Dekka’s proper tripping like noo! He’s still sending spoof texts to the Watford chairman taking the **** with mental bids for that Marispiper or whatever he’s called!

    He’s deing proper top drawer rave moves man, spinning plates and stacking shelves whilst winding the Watford chairman up!

    A kna loads of ye’s Divvent like him like and caall him Owl Heed but a reckon he’s proper cush. He loves that name Owl Heed. He’s learnt to turn his heed noo 360 degrees. Funny as oot but he can only dee it when he’s coked off his napper!

    Funny as!

    Anyway, lads, Dekka and Big Mick have telt is to tell yi’s that they are ganna send another text to sky sports aboot buying MaryCrappa just so they can rip it oot of David Craig!
    Ha! Proper daft heed him like!

    Right ya daft dafties, Rotary’s ganna roll a joint but al catch yi’s later.

    Keep an eye oot for David Daft heed Craig booncing aboot when Big Mick sends him the text.

    Laters Gaters!
    Toon Toon!

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  36. Mark I never said that Jabba WOULD sell, but that it wouldn’t surprise me if he did, and if we kept hold of our top players I would be well pleased.
    But I will always support the Toon but will probably never support Jabba or Lambastad because they have caused us so much hurt.
    But maybe you think its ok to gamble our position by not getting in the CB we needed ? but I think it’s a big mistake and if it backfires well you will probably be able to make another excuse for hm.

    So no I wont be supporting Jabba I am not for sale 😀

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  37. Rod @ 128 im on the reality train at platform B 😉 😉 but can I add that while i’ll except slow progress if the team is in dire need for a player in a certain position I would expect the club to fill that position, because you shouldn’t gamble in the prem 😉

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  38. Graeme Bailey @SkyGraemeBailey Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
    Newcastle waiting on Mariappa. Player wants move, but Watford standing firm and Magpies won’t up bid.

    Iveco76 @Iveco76 Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
    Well #Watfordfc / #NUFC Mariappa is definitely out on the pitch at Milwall so certainly isn’t rushing up to Newcastle!

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  39. @Big Dave

    There’s no doubt about it that by not selling any of our big players is a big surprise and a step forward.

    Well done to the rest of the premiership for not making any bids for them. !
    🙂

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  40. Dave, I can understand why you’re bitter, but surely you can see we’re moving forward now. I admit, Fatty and Owl-heed have taken us through a lot of **** in the process to get where we are, but at the end of the day they’re both hard-nosed businessmen with the value of their ‘product’ at heart. They’re both conditioned to not be affected by emotion I.E. the fans displeasure, and will never let their heart overrule their heads.

    Don’t get me wrong, I still think they’re both twats, but we should be careful what we wish for. Look at Everton. In fact look at most clubs outside the top 3.

    Better the devil you know and all that….

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  41. @Rod @Dave, I can understand why you’re bitter 😆

    wooo hoo hooo, so it wasnt just me then..

    chooo choooo

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  42. @Rod @137

    good post m8, thats where i stand on the matter. I once was bitter, around Carroll leaving but Wolfies dreams convinced me the future was good. so I salute him for his positive vibes.

    I’m easily lead m8, hence the butterfly 😆 but even I can see with the team we’re building that its for the best, hopefully everyone else can see it too 😉

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  43. Cheers Mark, yeah same here.
    I was fucking fuming when Carroll, Nolan, Enrique and Barton left; but since then we’ve been fucking amazing in the transfer market.

    Sure, we still ain’t got CB cover but we’re far better off now than we were this time last year, and unless we sell a big player before the end of the season I’m teetering towards respect for the board.

    I’ve been sat on the fence for the last year, but I can feel gravity pulling me from the quagmire of ***** towards the garden of confidence. 😆

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  44. Mark do you not think that selling off ( giving away ) the SJP name was just as bad if not worse than the Carroll fiasco 😯
    Because to me it was

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  45. Dave, I know I’m not Mark, but the Carroll fiasco, for me, has been outweighed by the signings we’ve made since. I’m still pissed off at the name change, and all the overpowering Sports Direct **** in SJP, but that’s taking a bit of a back seat for me at the moment.

    At the end of the day, if we can re-reach the lofty heights of the KK/SBR era I’m not that arsed by the commercialisation of the ground. I think that’s just the way football is going mate.

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