Newcastle’s recruitment drive sparked into life this week as goalkeeper Matz Sels signed and Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie arrived on Tyneside to complete their moves whilst Andros Townsend and Fabriccio Coloccini seem certain to depart. Phew…and breathe. So that’s a goalkeeper, forward and wide-man in and a centre half and a winger out. In, out…it’s like the EU referendum all over again.
You get the feeling that this is just the beginning of the Rafa reformation too as a host of other players should leave the club and replacements arrive. It’s mixed news so far. Sels is a ‘keeper who is held in quite high regard, narrowly missing out on the Belgium squad for the Euros. With Elliot still injured, Krul likely to leave and Woodman still developing, it seems like a good bit of business to bring in a ‘keeper to compete with Darlow for a starting place in between the sticks.
Gayle seems like a good signing too offering Benitez good options in the forward positions. It suggests that Riviere, Cisse or both might leave in the summer as Benitez reassembles his Newcastle squad before the promotion drive starts. Whilst Gayle may not the prolific striker many fans will have been hoping for, he is a good finisher and provides United with a different type of forward who can run in behind defences.
Matt Ritchie is a player who offers Newcastle plenty of experience at Championship level. He can play out on the right hand side or the left and has a rocket of a left foot. In many ways he is similar to Townsend and is a direct replacement. He’s just not quite at the same standard as Townsend. For that reason I think the widely reported transfer fee of £12m is a bit steep if we are to lose Andros for £13m.
To lose Townsend was probably inevitable. To lose him to Pardew’s Palace is downright annoying. You can’t blame him for wanting to play in the Premiership and a team was always going to take advantage of that release clause. The clause does mean that at least Newcastle won’t lose money on the deal unlike the regrettable Cabella and probable Thauvin situations.
And whilst many lament the departure of Andros, few will be shedding any tears for captain Colo’s departure. It’s been a difficult few years on Tyneside for Coloccini and a move back to his native Argentina always looked likely. He may have ended his career at Newcastle on a sorry note, but Colo still spent eight years at the club and deserves a little respect for his loyalty. The time is right though, for both Colo and Newcastle, for the defender to move home.
So after a busy couple of days, it really leaves Newcastle with one clear area to focus on…defence. Newcastle desperately need defenders. Where have we heard that before?
Defenders defenders defenders next please Rafa
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like Gayle’s words upon joining. He is talking like he has just made a natural step up from Palace. Good lad.
Shamrock(Quote)
Good right up SRF,things are starting to move Rafa wants players in quickly to learn the Rafa way of playing,imo Gayle as you rightly say is not a prolific scorer but that could change with the right partner but there will be times when Rafa will play two up front and times when he goes with just one,will help Mitro as well together they could be a perfect partnership
Icedog(Quote)
Aye well said and it is a step up,if Pardew doesn’t start well there will be trouble the fans were calling for his bloody last year,and Townsend will suffer playing more in defence ❗
Icedog(Quote)
Nice to see Rafa rebuilding the squad with players who are hungry for success. I assume a goalkeeper will leave and presumably Cisse will be on his way out too? Mitrovic and Gayle should tear Championship defences apart. Wonder who will provide the chances for them. Ritchie by the looks of it…but what about Sissoko and Gini?
Going to be an interesting few weeks before kickoff…
Pretty chuffed that I’ll be there for the opening match too. A mate of mine is a Fulham season ticket holder and as it’s my birthday and my brother is visiting, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to go. Will be in the Fulham end, but it’s better than nothing!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
£37m bid rejected for Ighalo from China. Crazy money flying around over there.
Shamrock(Quote)
Aye mate crazy as l said y/day they paid 55 mil for Hulk
Icedog(Quote)
Bloody hell. Money to burn Ice. Meanwhile, people are starving in the world. Craziness.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ritchie signs on;
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to come to a football club like this,” said Ritchie.
“I loved it at Bournemouth – I had a fantastic time there and it had a huge impact on my career. But when a club like Newcastle comes calling, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
“It’s fantastic to be here and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of getting the Club back in the Premier League.”
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez said: “We have been following some wingers for a while and Matt was one of the best prospects for this team.
“He has great ability and pace, and as soon as we knew that Andros Townsend could be leaving, our priority was to finalise this deal.
“We have signed an exciting winger who has experience in the Championship but has also proved that he can step up to the top level. I am delighted that he is now part of our squad.”
Shamrock(Quote)
There starving in their own country mate big time,kids starving on the street
Icedog(Quote)
The thing Ime not looking forward in the ccc is the standard of refereeing as its bloody awful unbelievable in some cases
Icedog(Quote)
I’m really pleased with the Ritchie signing to be honest. The lad is a real rough diamond who is comfortable with both feet – plus Eddie Howe has his team working their arses off every game, so Ritchie’s work rate will be as good as Townsends as well.
Sham – I agree as well mate. Signings like Cabaye, Sissoko, Gini – they see NUFC as a stepping stone to bigger things. Where as Gayle & Ritchie appreciate this is potentially the biggest move of their career and will want to grab it with both hands I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Happy with Ritchie, but Gayle? Quite expensive really….the lad can finish and if we can make as many chances in the Championship as I hope then he will settle – but it seems slightly short sighted because I don’t think he can cut it in the Prem with the lack of space avaliable to him.
Newkie(Quote)
I think I would have sold him for £37m personally. £20m would buy a decent replacement for him & that additional £17m would allow them to strengthen their squad further.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Newkie – do you think so mate?. I thought it was a pretty reasonable fee based on the likes of McCormack. £8.5m as an up front fee for a forward with both CCC and PL experience seems pretty reasons to me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – maybe, maybe I’m just not used to what a footballer costs these days. But for an ok squad player it just seems pricey, especially as I think Armstrong could fulfill a similar role. If he is going to start for us then I’m a bit disappointed.
I prefer McCormack as a player, but agree his fee was high especially given his age.
Newkie(Quote)
NEWKIE you say he won’t get the space in the PL surely that’s why you need pace to make your own space,think we will find a lot of players going for silly prices makes me wonder if all this tv money is good for the game,in football they talk about a million quid as if it was a tenner these days,worlds gone mad
Icedog(Quote)
I see Benny has joined PSG,Townsend will end up in France after Pardew is finished with him
Icedog(Quote)
Newkie – I may be proved wrong mate but I have high hopes that Gayle will show Pardew got it wrong with him & he was actually a gem that he overlooked.
Even if that doesn’t work out to be the case, I still think this season may just be one too soon for Armstrong & if Gayle gets the goals to get us promoted, then £8.5m will be peanuts to have paid for the £150m a promotion brings (or however much it is).
If it works out that he doesn’t cut the mustard in the PL, then I’m sure a CCC club will give us that £8.5m back to take him & try to get the goals to promote them as well mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good summary SRF. Why didn’t Andros call Ben Arfa who just signed for the Champions League quarter finalists who won League 1 by 31 points. Townsend should definitely have a relegation clause in his new contract and another that gets triggered when he is asked to play right back for 3 games. I think he will do well for a while but will be Pardewed.
I am sorry to see him go but I think we got the best replacement we could have as Ritchie’s stats in the Championship were stellar.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
During Bournemouth’s promotion season Matt Ritchie had 15 goals and 17 assists and was named the Football League’s player of the season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Impressive Eric, lets hope he can repeat it again.
Cheers SRF, nice write up
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: I hope nothing has happened to Troysta. I thought he would have been on by now explaining how England could actually have reached the reach the final, and the reason Mr. Roy DIDN’T fail was that he was average and if we sacked him we wouldn’t have got anybody better, so we shouldn’t sack him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Conveniently forgetting that Mr. Roy had done the square root of f-all in his top level management career (ask Liverpool fans) and should never have been appointed in the first place. Am I talking about Roy or Alan (ask Wet Spam fans)?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20160701/nufctv-freeview-benitez-on-first-day-back_2281670_5696430?
Rafa talking
icedog(Quote)
boys back at training
http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/News/Gallery/0,,10278~5696544,00.html?
icedog(Quote)
Exciting times. Good to see Gayle and Ritchie in. Now get us a couple of good CB’s Rafa please.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Cheers for links ice 🙂
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/it-makes-my-blood-boil-crystal-palace-boss-has-his-say-on-england-vacancy/story-29466397-detail/story.html
God that man gets on my wick
Kimtoon(Quote)
As well he should Kimtoon mate. Mr. Parsnip annoys everybody. If he starts poorly with Palace next season he’ll get the sack. It’s usually the second half of seasons where his teams fall apart so a slow start would finish him off.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
New thread – https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/07/01/alan-pardew-slams-newcastle-united-legend-alan-shearer/
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Andros Townsend personal statement to Newcastle fans:
‘I would like to put on record my sincerest thanks to the manager, board and fans of Newcastle United for the warmth and support they have shown me since I joined in January.
Please believe me when I say that this has been an incredibly difficult decision and one I have not taken lightly.
I signed for Newcastle fully aware of the task at hand and it was my absolute desire to keep the club in the Premier League.
I hope the fans could see that from day one I gave everything I possibly could during the season and never once gave up on the fight for survival. That’s why it was so hard when despite those efforts we fell short.
The future for Newcastle is very bright, with some great young players and an outstanding Manager who I have the utmost respect for.
However, after talking at length with the Manager and Managing Director I have made the decision to leave the club based purely on footballing reasons, with my wish to remain in the Premier League.
I remain humbled by the support of the fans during my time at Newcastle and wish everyone associated with the club success for the future.
The fans deserve a winning team and I fully expect to see the club promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt
thank you
Kimtoon(Quote)
Shearer= 8 matches at Newcastle 08-09
“He took Newcastle down”
Pardew = 28 matches at Charlton 06/07 & 19 matches at Charlton in 2008-09
“Charlton were on the slide before I got there”
Personally think it would be more inappropriate to have someone who tried to head **** an opposition player & threw the C-word at opposition managers in charge of the national team than someone lacking *experience
* Shearer ironically has far more international experience than Pardew
CC(Quote)
Good read SRF to be honest I haven’t seen much of Gayle , but from what I have seen and heard he could be a real good signing .
As for Townsend don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I still can’t believe he thinks Palace hold’s a better long term future for him , but he has made his bed so he can now lie in it, I just hope he enjoys the defensive duties.
Big Dave(Quote)
We need defenders and Charlie Daniels of Bournemouth would be a perfect addition to the squad. Attacking left back and one of the best crossers of the ball in the country. Plenty of Championship experience and a lifelong Toon fan.
Londontoon(Quote)