With pre-season now underway and a victory already under NUFC’s belt, a few eyebrows were raised when some forgotten men got some minutes on the pitch against Hearts after returning from loan spells last year. So who may have a chance of forcing their way back into Rafa’s plans next season?
Siem De Jong
De Jong is perhaps the most likely to still claim a future at the club. The Dutchman arrived with a good pedigree after captaining Ajax to titles back in Holland and it was hoped he would be the number 10 we had lacked in recent years. However, despite an impressive initial pre-season, injury problems soon surfaced and his NUFC career is so far better symbolised by his time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
He was shipped out to PSV last year to regain some confidence and with injuries again halting his progress initially, he did manage a strong end to the season and scored 4 goals in the final few months of the season. Now 28, De Jong is firmly in the last chance saloon in English football but Rafa does see something in him; he was trusted with a starting role during our ill-fated run in when he took over and narrowly avoided keeping us up in the 15/16 season.
De Jong started the Hearts game and laid on a great assist for Gayle’s opener. Number 10 is also a problem position for United; Perez and Diame failed to claim this as their own last season. I am pretty sure Bentiez will want a number 10 brought in this summer but it may be that Siem still has a part to play. Diame and Perez may be used as centre midfield and centre forward squad depth respectively with De Jong providing the competition as a number 10. He clearly has talent and is worth having in the squad; as long as we don’t rely on him being fit. Any contribution from him next year would be a real bonus.
Tim Krul
It seems to have went sour for Tim at Newcastle after being a fantastic servant to the club over the years. Krul was arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League three or four years ago but as the team struggled, so did his form. His development had stalled and perhaps mentally he was going a bit stale, having only really played for Newcastle. He certainly had options to leave for bigger clubs at his peak and clearly holds an affinity with the city of Newcastle.
An ACL injury has further pushed him back and meant he was loaned out to AZ Alkmaar last year, where by all accounts, he was less than impressive. Rafa wants a new goalkeeper this summer and with us already having Darlow, Elliott and Woodman, it looks like Tim is destined for the exit door. Also being left out the squad for pre-season appears to suggest a move could be sorted sooner rather than later.
Henri Saivet
One player who could come back into the fold is slightly more left of field. Saivet was sent on loan to St Etienne last year after failing to make any sort of impact at Newcastle after arriving in January 2016. He has not been given many chances to play to be fair but by all accounts doesn’t appear to be the powerful midfield anchor we had hoped for. That being said, Rafa brought him on during his quietly impressive cameo against Hearts, so he must see something in him or feel he wants to see more of him before totally removing him from his plans.
Others
In terms of other players who had loan spells last season, similar moves will likely be arranged or they will be moved on permanently. Adam Armstrong has already moved to Bolton until the New Year to continue his development in the Championship and similar deals may be negotiated by the end of the window for Jamie Sterry and Ivan Toney, who would both benefit hugely from a year in the second tier.
That only really leaves Emmanuel Riviere who thankfully looks to have no future at the club; it now appears to be a pure damage limitation job to get off the wage bill, never mind re-coup any of the £6m fee we paid for him.
Which, if any, of the returning loan players would you like to be given a chance?
Siem de jong has the skill and football brain if he can stay fit….nobody except maybe shelvey can pick a pass like him and he has an eye for goal…optimism maybe but i reckon de jong could prove us all wrong yet!
Darren(Quote)
Darren – not all of us mate. I’ve never doubted De Jong would be a very good player if he could stay fit.
It’s been freak unlucky his run of injuries.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I’m off to Gateshead to watch some of these loan players & reserves – the B team play Gateshead while the first team play PNE.
I imagine the likes of Krul, Mbemba, Lazaar, Toney and Rivière will feature. Was hoping to see Armstrong but he’s since been loaned out.
It’s the boys first football match ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
For info it’s a pay on the gate gig – £10 adults, £2 for kids.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree, if fit De Jong will be a proper player, said it all along. Gutted about his injuries and praying he can stay fit this season but yes need another no 10 just in case.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Hope he has a great time Sharpy 🙂
Kimtoon(Quote)
It’s not that De jong can’t stay fit with his injuries and all. It’s the fact that even when he’s ‘fit’ he’s stiff, slow and awkward and has proved he just can’t cut it in English football. Games just pass him by. I don’t doubt he has talent for a pass or shot but I remember one game when he came on for 30 mins and never touched the ball.
georgio(Quote)
Agree with Georgio… which is rare 😆
Aussie(Quote)
Aussie – nice to see you still on mate and showing such good common sense 🙂
Any thoughts of your own?
Worrying quotes from rafa suggesting we have to sell before buying with nobody worth more than a few million.
georgio(Quote)
Scary! I agree with AMF.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hope I am wrong as this would be the first time I agree with AMF and Troysta.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
well as regards signing players i think it has stopped for now reading Rafa quotes this morning saying we have to change some player then we can look at bringing new players in,to me me hes saying we have to sell before we buy,who the hell have we got only mitro the rest are not worth two bob,worrying times i think
icedog(Quote)
I wonder if having too shift players before we buy is because their is no money in the kitty or if its just because we have too many players on the books ? I read the other day we still had 36 first team players on the book but you can only register 25 i think it is . U23’s not included , that means about 10 players on the payroll but cant play ,i cant see the fat controller splashing out on new players untill a few are off the payroll .
Life is Back and White(Quote)
Kim – it’s cost me a new toon top for him like. He loves orange so got him last seasons away top – nee Wonga on so don’t mind that.
If he doesn’t hold his interest I can live with walking away from £12 like, but we’re going with his little mate so they’ll probably keep themselves entertained if they footy doesn’t ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – how about this for a difference in times though. The last time I went to Gateshead Stadium for a toon friendly it was Ginolas & Sir Les first game after signing for us ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
De Jong is the one I would keep. He is obviously a good player and if he can stay clear of injuries (he did last season) then he will be like the proverbial new signing. As for Kris and Saviet – they can go.
Stuart79(Quote)
I think it’s highly like we know who our targets are for each position now & we have narrowed it down by sounding out the clubs of each player. Their availability will likely depend on a number of things – the fee, the other clubs wanting to sort replacements before agreeing to sell for example. But I’m pretty sure we will be kept informed on the players we are looking at.
In the meantime it makes sense to look at our own squad and decide who we want to keep and who should be moved on. There are limited squad places, but also our wage budget will be limited too.
If the likes of Krul, Rivière, Saivet, Mbemba, Mitrovic have no future with us – these players will be on first team wages – get rid.
But I’m sure if something happened with one of the targets – we would react.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Very optimistic Sharpy. I’d like to agree with you but those quotes from Rafa have unerved me slightly. It seems unlikely we’re going to sign anywhere near a top notch striker. Beyond the big bucks there’s:
Rolan’s nothing special. Remy is 30 and totally unmotivated. Where’s Demba Ba these days?
georgio(Quote)
I suppose you could add £25m Iheancho that Leicester are after. Even if they get him it could free up Slimani.
georgio(Quote)
Slimani is nearly 30 was their record signing and done nowt in his few games,even if they took half of what payed for him that’s 15mil no thank you
Icedog(Quote)
Mitro scores after 8min
Icedog(Quote)
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/07/22/sky-sports-reporter-claims-newcastle-are-set-to-hijack-west-hams/
Icedog(Quote)
Its very obvious we need to sell before we buy. Problem is, some of the players we have are on decent wages and aren’t very good. Championship teams will struggle to match Diame, Hanley’s wages never mind European clubs who may be after Riviere, saviet etc
We need a decent striker and an attacking midfielder. What we have won’t get us goals in the prem
Gashley(Quote)
I said the same thing a couple of days ago. Glad we are on the same page, mate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would keep De Yong and see how he does, at least give him until January. I still hope he can come good for us as I was well chuffed when we signed him…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Sharpy , how did the lad enjoy the game ?
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – he had a great time, thanks for asking. Bumped into Pedro before the game so got a photo with a legend and had a bit craic with him – he was brilliant with the bairns like.
It was the U23 team only though, so nee Krul or any of those that missed out on the Ireland trip. But Fernandez was playing (who went to Ireland) and I was well impressed with him!!. Toney not so much. He’s a bit of a cart horse and don’t see him ever threatening the first team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah sales need to happen because the wage bill will be massive. Sales or loans anyway.
shamrock(Quote)
Just catching up with some of the other friendlies and see Chelsea smashed Arsenal 3-0. Batshuyi getting 2 of them – and if Chelsea have any sense they keep him.
Hope they don’t and we can have him instead coz I think he’s class, but no guarantees Morata hits the ground running and Batshuyi is a goal scorer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy glad to hear that mate, nice they met pedro too.
Good things are forecast for that Fernandez lad apparently
Kimtoon(Quote)
M/C are selling Fernando to a Turkish side for 3 mil yes 3 mil,where is the toon on this lad,has Penfold fell asleep ffs
Icedog(Quote)
Kim – the bairn said ‘why have we just had our photo taken with that man dad’ ??♂️ I suppose it’s easier to explain than the offside rule like ?.
Re Fernandez, I can see why. Everything went through him & he’s real quality. Put the first on a plate & his goal was brilliantly well taken too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – I think it’s similar to Lucas mate, their wage demands are just too high for us. Minimal fee, but the wages are top top end and that has greater ramifications on existing players wage demands too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye some of these players are on silly money,and still want a big pay day at the end of their playing days,they aren’t in the game for the footy just the cash
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I think it’s why Hernandez was never a real target. Whilst £13m is a steal, there’s no way we’d get close to his £140k pw wage demands.
Jack Whilshire is another one – but I’ll loose no tears over that one like.
That N’diaye could be ok in terms of wages. But I fear WH could be taking him. I think that story you posted earlier could be a groundwork article for a ‘another target missed’ article in a few days time ?. Hope I’m wrong & we sign him, but we’ve seen it so often already this window, so I immediately become suspicious.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY I wouldn’t take Whilshire for fifty Bob a week on a free mate
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – lots of hype but never yet fulfilled his suggested potential for me. He wouldn’t get in my top 10 England midfielders.
I think it’s the wages that cause us to look abroad most of the time. A lot of average players in the PL are already on such big wages that it prices us out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andre Gray scored a hat trick today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Seems like even ex footballers like to think they live in a different world,G Linaker stays in a hotel when he does motd at “15grand” a night ffs,that’s taking the bloody water
Icedog(Quote)
£15k a night for any room is ridiculous, don’t care how luxurious it is. something wrong when you have £15k a night rooms for one man, while another, through a cruel twist of fate sleeps in a doorway. 🙁
Kimtoon(Quote)
How do I explain VIZ to my Yank girlfriend?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How do you explain Jonny Fartpants to anybody who didn’t read The Beano? What’s the other one where he carries his ball in a wheelbarrow?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Balls.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He’s allways knacked.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
WHILSHERE. I mean.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wilshere, even.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wake up Eric 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
ERIC you been sleeping in that 15k room?
icedog(Quote)
Papers writing this morning that we are set to miss out on Ojo.
This comes after the week in Ireland and 19yr old Fernandez having a chance to show Rafa what he can do. Having seen Fernandez first hand yesterday day, I don’t think it’s a case of us missing out on Ojo – with a £10m fee suggested – I hope it’s more a case of our own youngesters getting a chance.
Ben-Mhanni looked decent as well on the other side too actually.
Sharpy17(Quote)
How can someone’s annual salary for one nights stay anywhere be right?!.
That’s always why I back smaller charities. These Sports relief campaigns with these saintly celebs giving their time for free to produce a 3min clip of them out in Africa asking the nation to dig deep – bollocks. How about you stay in a Premier Inn and donate that £15k ********.
That’s why I’ve never accepted this argument that players deserve the huge wages coz its such a short lived career.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I couldn’t do it mate, no way could I feel good about sleeping in a room that expensive. I couldn’t look the next homeless person in the face when I passed them on the street. There is no reason he has to stay somewhere so expensive, with his wage he could of bought a small apartment to stay in while at work.
Kimtoon(Quote)
so young Gibson has refused to train since May if thats the case get shot if,hate to think what sort of player he will become if he makes it to first team footy,another bigheaded **** like some,get him out away from the young kids we dont want him
icedog(Quote)
ime with you on that mate 100%,i hate nothing more than poor kiddies in Africa been shown on tv adds while their parents sit back,ime all for charity but put it over without showning those poor kiddies,my brothers in-laws own a coffee farm in Africa and i could tell you some tails about the people in Africa,but dont want to go into it and start a war of words with anyone
icedog(Quote)
there people that have fought for this country of ours living on the streets bloody disgrace i say
icedog(Quote)
Ice, our ex service personal are treated terribly once they leave the forces imo. Then there are the runaways who have often left an awful story behind. No one ever knows why someone ends up rough sleeping , there are so many different causes.
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/895001676?-11058:809:0
The goals from the young uns yesterday.
Sharpy17(Quote)
People in Aussie who join the forces for five years plus get a grant when they leave also a plot of land to build a house and a very very low interest mortgage,well they used too back in the late 80s when I was there Ime guessing they still do
Icedog(Quote)
Better change the subject. The Yank girlfriend wants to go to the West Indies. I said the old chestnut “Jamaica! No, she really wants to go”. Then I said I would go if I could go to a cricket match and immediately regretted it. How do you explain cricket to an American lass when she says they look so cute in their white sweaters and pants? You see, its like that rounders game we have over here, baseball I think it is called, except it is played with a flat bat and a red ball and is a lot more complicated. Now run along an make us a cup-o-tea.
I have a couple of VIZ books/annuals and she wondered what language Sid the
Sexist was speaking.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Back to the 15,000 a night room. Imagine what those tiny bottles of vodka in the mini bar would cost?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And. Since everyone is on a bit of a rant…
Sir Lenny Henry 🙂 If you really want to show how meaningless it all is then how about Sir Ant and Dec? “Sir Ants and Decs Present – Carry On Celebrity Naked Island, Get them out of Here”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC you must be able to see into the future re-Siko,you said he would end up at somewhere like WBA,guess what,WBA are working on a deal to take him there
Icedog(Quote)
Who showers in a bikini anyway? Last time I was back Me Mam was watching “Semi-Naked Island” or one of those reality shows and one tart was having a shower in her bikini.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not like rinsing off salt water. I understand that. No, with soap. I suppose it was for the Oh-So-Middle-Class Daily Mail readers to pretend they are not reading The Sun.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yup. Mystic Eric, that’s me. I also predict it will get a bit windy in the winter and the North Sea will be cold.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Man U against Man City in preseason friendly.
Meelan against Bayern the other day.
Barca and Real in Miami next week.
Preston and Bradford !!!!!!! And Whoever Verona. “What light through yonder window breaks. It is the East and Juliet is the sun. But they have a pretty **** football team”.
I should start writing sonnets.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Should we be worried Spurs just beat PSG 4-2
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – we shouldn’t, but the top 4 should be. Their only real weakness is that they have no back up if Kane is out – but City have just handed them £50m for Walker – that should help.
Sharpy17(Quote)
800 million quid new ground will suck up lots of Walkers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is no way Spurs will keep Alli and Kane. If they are being paid 80k and Sanchez is asking for 400k-500k a week. Just wont happen man.
I am surprised Man U didn’t go in with a 140 million offer for Kane. He is better than Lukaku, but I suppose Moaninho wants a Drogba facsimile.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How much would they have got for Bale now if they had hung on to him,Naymar to PSG cost 394 million transfer and wages,the worlds gone bloody mad,I got 10/6p when I played many years ago and that was good money for semi pro ffs
Icedog(Quote)
Yeah mate, but it’ll be us who’s laughing loudest when we get Clucas for £4m ? screw you loosers ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sounds like they were overpaying you 🙂 Fat Man would have given you a packet of Tudor Crisps and half an orange at half time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Man U are playing Real Madrid as I type. Screw that, I would rather have yer Bradfords, Preston North Ends and Heart of Midloatians any day of the week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How come I am the only one complaining about this pre-season joke/debacle/waste of time?
You just like to moan Eric! 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What do we gain by playing Bradford, Preston and a Scottish Pub League team? It is not even that good of a day out, although Edinburgh is OK if you like Yanks trying on kilts and wondering what the fuss is about Haggis and fried marsbars.
Eric Sykes(Quote)