Gutierrez picked up the injury at Stamford Bridge last weekend, which is a shame for the lad as he had really started to pick up his performances in recent weeks. Still, he’s played virtually all season so I guess he deserves a bit of a rest, and with Shane Ferguson fit we’ll at least have another option on the left for our final game of the season.
Meanwhile, in the bat-cave, Alan Pardew wants the team to end the season on a high. He isn’t the only one of course as I’m sure most of us would like the team to win the final game of the season. Three points is likely to give us a top-ten finish, which would be a fantastic achievement for our first season back in the Premier League.
In terms of transfer activity, Daniel Sturridge is likely to alert many clubs as he has stated that he wants first-team football next season, which is something he isn’t guaranteed at the moment. There are also strong rumours linking Charles N’Zogbia with a move back to St James’ Park, along with rumours that the former No14 would be open to a move back to the North-East, although hopefully not with Sunderland who are also said to be interested.
Pardew has also said that he wants a couple of top class players, exciting players if you like, in the mould of Gascoigne, Waddle, Pedro and so on. Perhaps not good examples really as the club sold all three in their formative years for the money. Still, if Pardew can pull it off at least we’ll have them here for a bit.
“Next year the most important thing is that we improve. The period that I’ve been here has been fantastic with the size of our squad we’ve had, but we need some offensive players,” said Pardew “One or two players that Newcastle have always had, gets bums out of seat players, that little moment that lifts you.” “We’re competing with Champions League clubs to get those sorts of players”
Pardew continued: “Players like Beardsley, Gascoigne and Waddle but they’re expensive and difficult to purchase. We’re competing with Champions League clubs to get those sorts of players. Hopefully we can get one or two of those in and keep the basis of the squad we’ve got here who have been brilliant.”
“Securing the good players we’ve got here isn’t easy either, we need a squad big enough to attack one of the cups. This year though we didn’t have a squad big enough, in the modern game you must have 20-22 quality players.”
That just about sums it all up for the minute and gives us a variety of different topics to chat about. None of them are worth an article in their own right in my book which is why I’ve summarised them and put them all into one handy review of the current news.
Will Jonas be a miss? Will Zoggs really return? And will we get those players who can get the bums of the seats at SJP?
Your thoughts please.
Offensive players:
“Gimme the fooking ball yer daft koont!”
Gutted about Jonas, but a good opportunity to give Fergie a run out. Pardew is making the right noises, but I want to see the bite that goes with that bark. He’ll be judged on this summers activity. Not withstanding the excellent work he’s managed with a poor squad which is severely depleted!
Worried about this West Brom game, they’ve always given us a very tough examination and we’ve been left wanting more than once.
Shearers Receeding Hairline(Quote)
this is just a game 4 pride and respect!! we could go 10th and be above the mackems which would be a brilliant succesful season for the toon army!!
any news on transfers lads???
sturridge
gervinho
krankjar
nzogbia
shane long
demba ba
i would welcome any of them lot!!!!
Army69(Quote)
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Enrique Left out too, just to protect him from injury. I mean, who wants to buy an injured player?
Stuart79(Quote)
imagine if we got nzogbia , demba ba and 2 other good signings!! our team would be getting really strong!!
Army69(Quote)
do we need 1 or 2 strikers in the summer lads?? i think defo 2!!
Army69(Quote)
@stu
Re; previous thread.
What would you see as a minimum amount of sponsorship cash you would accept for the naming rights of SJP? ❓
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
stuart that is very negative mate , be positive , he myt wna stay mate, dont believe all the rumours most the stuff we hear these days is all made up , hope im right lol
Army69(Quote)
Chelsea will be playing sturridgde if they have any brains next year.
Disappointed that Jonas will miss this last game. I think we could see Kazenga or Sammy ameobi starting in the right wing with raylor in the center again. Once one of them gets tuckered our pards will throw Alan smith out to the pitch to hopefully hold onto a win!
Not totally excited for Zog comin back, but I think I’m leaning towards wanting him back for a second chance.
AndrewT(Quote)
Bobby – £5m per year, rising as and when we get more successful.
Stuart79(Quote)
I take it that is a name attached to SJP?
The Emerites deal is £100m over 15 yrs including the shirt sponsor.
I don’t believe we would get anywhere near £5m unless we dropped the SJP.
Not even Ashley would consider that.
Do you think £5m is realistic? And suppose if it was Greggs @ SJP, would you be happy with that?
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I’m off to play Footy now so won’t see your reply for a couple of hours.
I’m not totally against the idea but I don’t believe a sponsor would provide enough money to make it worthwhile.
To attach a name to SJP is totally different to changing the whole name and sponsors know that it would be ignored in the main.
I never know who is sponsoring the league cup and only refer to it as that.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
If your figures right Booby that’s only 6.66 m per annum for stadium and shirt – but no doubt it will have started low and have an inflationary rise throughout.
If MA still calls us Sports Direct @ SJP and it is shown to be an efficient mechanism for him to “sponsor” (financially support) the club at a minimum tax burden to himself – I’m all for it.
He seems to have the set up right way before the new guidlines come into play which means he can’t be accused of skulduggery – smart moves all round
Stardust(Quote)
Be interesting to see which formation Pards uses, guessing Raylor will be out on the right and Barton partnering a young un? Might be better to start with Kaz on the right, but then maybe he wouldn’t make a full game anyway…we really are at the bare bones 😥
NewkieBrown(Quote)
newkie do u rekn we will be going 4 any of the following …
sturridge
gervinho
krankjar
nzogbia
shane long
demba ba
i would welcome any of them lot!!!!
Army69(Quote)
Bobby Shinton number 9
Posted May 20, 2011 at 9:29 AM
I wouldn’t give a flying fck who was ‘@ St James’ Park as long as the income went on improving the team.
We need to increase the income of the club, it’s simple.
Football clubs do not generate enough money (Man U apart)in profits to purchase the type of players that will get a club to the next level. That leaves two options: The club either works it’s bollox off to increase the income or they sell their best players so they can bring in other players. If you do the latter you are up against it as you will very rarely improve.
Stuart79(Quote)
Army-would welcome the lot of them with open arms 😀
But, I imagine we can rule Gervinho out due to his comments about champions league. Again I’d love sturridge but I can’t see us buying him as I think he might think he’s too good for us.
I can see us going for nzogbia but I think it’s reliant on Wigan going down, really can’t see him coming here if they stay up. Can’t see us getting kranjcar as Spurs tend to drive hard bargains which will **** ashley off-although spurs definitely need to trim their squad if they don’t make Europe so its a possibility we’ll go for him, especially if we didn’t get the zog.
I think with Long it depends on promotion-if Reading go up then they won’t sell unless it was a ridiculous sum. I can definitely see us being interested in Ba, so we could make a move for him-but the problem is there’s so much interest West Ham will want a bidding war and Ashley will want to try and stay clear of it. The other problem is the issues with his knees, Ashley has already forked out for a fair few crocked players currently, and we’ve had our big share in the past *cough* Owen and Dyer, so whether we’d go for another lad with problems? Not too sure.
How bout you? Think any will come?
NewkieBrown(Quote)
Still not that bothered about transfers in until movement out is known. No problem with most of the names above, but as AP’s said – can’t know what we want until we know what we’ve got.
As for Sunday, I’m actually quite excited about the fact that we’ve got to go with something new. Gutted for Jonas – almost made every game! Great form from him recently; real class player.
Whumpie(Quote)
I liked the look of Ba on MOTD last weekend, and I have to admit that I’d not be against Defoe coming too if that was on the cards.
If Sturridge is too full of himself, leave him be. Not worth having talent if the rest of the team don’t want you there.
Whumpie(Quote)
Whumpie-not really sure whether he’s up himself exactly, but I remember something about speculation that Bolton would sign him and he just sort of had the impression he should be playing at chelsea or another top 4 club, whether its a personality issue or just ambition I don’t know. Watching him celebrate when he scores for Bolton as well, a lot of the time it looks like he’s doing it for himself and he sorta ignores the team, but maybe that’s just me.
Besides, no harm in speculating on strikers at least-we know we definitely need one or two regardless of what happens to the rest of the squad 😀
NewkieBrown(Quote)
Whumpie
Posted May 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM
” can’t know what we want until we know what we’ve got.”
That’s just stupid! Whether Enrique or Barton stay doesn’t alter the fact that we need a couple of strikers and a left back!
I would really hope the club are speaking to people now regarding the positions they know need strengthening – worry about replacing players when you know they want to leave.
What happens if their still here in August? Going off your logic that would mean we wouldn’t have bought anybody and we’d be rushing round like idiots!
Stuart79(Quote)
Potty or the other alternative is spend within your means.
Even Booby Clingon admitted he was surprised how we improved the squad spending so little and admitted he was wrong. Looks like he will be calling you Potty43 after that one.
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust
Posted May 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Who said spending within our means isn’t an option? Wouldn’t increasing our income still mean spending within our means? It would just mean our means would be increased!
Not quite sure why you don’t understand that.
Stuart79(Quote)
newkie a doubt shanelong will be up with reading , think its swansea thatl be cumn up , they are really good , i cud be wrong tho!!
Army69(Quote)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6941540,00.html
phew plzd we aint getting him
Army69(Quote)
Stuart – just crossed wires, I think. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be working on transfers; I’m just saying that they can’t actually make all the deals until it’s known. So yes we know about the strikers – but do we need one or two LBs? And you can’t sign even one until you know whether he’s and understudy to Jose or a potential 1st-choice.
Of course Carr and co are cracking on, and have been all season. There are certainly some deals that can be done regardless – especially in the ‘ones for the future’ category, and I’d have thought 2 strikers too.
What I’m really saying is that I can’t really get excited about it yet. You could sign half the Brazilian national team and it’d mean very little to me if we lost the backbone of the team we already have.
Whumpie(Quote)
Alright lads 🙂
Shame for Jonas but I’m sure Lua Lua will get a chance at some point – not sure if he will start though with him just coming back. Be interesting to see who Pardew plays, maybe Nile will get a start, I would prefer Lua Lua to start though.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I’ve got a feeling that Defoe may be one of the first through the door. Don’t know why – perhaps it’s because the press haven’t gone overboard linking us to him.
Also, I think he fits the bill – small, quick, poacher type with good feet. Had a lousy season, but we know what he’s capable of in the right formation. And he’s English, experienced, and seems to want out. Can’t say I particularly like the guy, though.
Also, whether he or ‘Arry will push for daft money is another matter. If either does, Ashley’s right to go elsewhere.
Whumpie(Quote)
Fair enough, Whumpie.
As for Defoe, I’d have him too, but I imagine his age rules him out – regardless of his talent it would seem.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ah – just realised that’s bollocks. He’s 28. Fails the ‘future value’ criterion. 🙁
So – this Sturridge fella…
Whumpie(Quote)
Ha! You got there before me, Stu.
Whumpie(Quote)
Potty you gave two alternatives – “The club either works it’s bollox off to increase the income or they sell their best players so they can bring in other players. If you do the latter you are up against it as you will very rarely improve.”
Though increasing turnover is desirable its not a fundamental necessity short term.
One thing that any company HAS to do in order to break the status quo in strongly held markets is act differently and don’t conform whilst observing the fundamentals.
A simple example of this thought process is applied quickly in a sporting sense is a grand prix – where during any race a team lower down the order has to change strategy to gain an advantage – random pit stop – unusual tyre change – anticipating change. In football a similar strategy is not to chase the players everyone “according to the press is” as thirs tier clubs can pay top money for players who the top teams don’t want – so you end up spending money that solidifies third tier stautus which then means you can’t afford the player after all.
Please don’t go into the areas of business you’re uncomfortable with or you will end up telling porkies that you have a business degree again! 😳 😳 😳
Stardust(Quote)
I think there’s something going on (or rather not going on) that we don’t know about with the current players. Barton, Nolan, Jose, Jonas – is there some agreement to leave talks until after Sunday or summat? The later they leave it the dodgier it gets; I sincerely hope they haven’t agreed to leave it until after their hols “so they can think about it”.
Whumpie(Quote)
Whumps – I would include Colo in the list of MUST get to sign a new deal – he has been incredible and if we leave it to next summer we will be so vulnerable.
I can’t understand why the MOTD pundits haven’t been creaming on the screen over him – oh I can he doesn’t play for Man U, City or Liverpool
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust
Posted May 20, 2011 at 11:19 AM
I’ll take that as ‘No I don’t have a clue about football’.
Ashley, Carroll, Shearer, Taylor (he’s yet to make a **** out of you but he will). Have I missed anyone who has made your judgment look, shall we say suspect?
You’re so gringe worthy – your a cross between David Brent and Peter Andre!
God I’m glad you don’t have any influence over my finances – I miss my Spanish home too much to let that happen!
Stuart79(Quote)
Poor lil Potty hasn’t a clue so goes off in a huffy rant when its pointed out his logic has more holes in that swiss cheese wooo hoooooo 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Check the history books, Stardust – you’re the only one who looks a little out of his depth.
😆 😆 😆 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart what was the one about Taylor that he got wrong ? I think I missed that one 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave
Posted May 20, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Stuart what was the one about Taylor that he got wrong ? I think I missed that one
Read the post, Dave before trying to defend the indefensible! Read the bracketed comments.
Stuart79(Quote)
@stu
You say;
I wouldn’t give a flying fck who was ‘@ St James’ Park as long as the income went on improving the team.
I say;
That’s a short sighted way to look at the issue.
SJP is a name entrenched in history.
To cheapen it for a small financial gain is fundamentally wrong.
If it’s going to happen it needs to be the right sponsor and the right price. Nothing less.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I think the name of the stadium DOES matter a great deal. Not only is it the point of focus of our famous support – the cathedral, if you like – it’s a key part of the brand.
Somewhere in the handbags bitchslap that’s going on between Stu and Stardust, they spoke about income and business models.
In my opinion, changing the name of SJP for any price is just not worth it. Far better to USE the name of SJP to widen the support abroad. Manure are the arch-exponents of this and why they are still (kind of) solvent.
We have the history and brand and I’m pretty sure Ashley will be formulating plans to flog shirts in China, India and all the other huge markets. That’s how you get from £70m a year to £250m.
Now – if only we can do it WITHOUT ending up with the biggest bunch of glory-chasing, ignorant, gloating bastards in the world as our support base. Manure failed on that one. 😆
Whumpie(Quote)
BS9 – same thought, much more succinct!
Whumpie(Quote)
Woooo hooooo Booby Clingon demotes Potty down to Potty13.5
Re Ashley – as much as I dislike what he did to Chris – his long term success is linked to ours and I agree with the fundamentals.
Re Carroll – time and time alone will show him to be great or a flash in the pan
Re Shearer? 😕
Re Taylor – I stand by the fact he is not top class and I stand by the fact he is a positional liability. Also watch this weekend – count how many times he throws himself down in the box – its a sin
Potty in fact by now I guess Booby Clingons so embarrassed that he thought you were his long lost son I will demote you 10 for him – Potty3.5 is as good as you deserve 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Stu i asked a simple question of what Stardy said about Taylor , im not trying to defend anyone.
But if you dont want to share what was said about Taylor (that will eventually make Stardy look like a **** ) thats fair enough
Big Dave(Quote)
Hate to be the hippy here, but I get both sides of the Saylor argument.
On the pro side: You can’t deny that he made a huge difference in the past 2 games, and has clearly learned a great deal. He still has huge guts and made 9 clearences against Colo’s 3. And he scores. Lots.
On the con side: He cheats. His elbow in the first part of the match a couple of weeks ago could have resulted in a 3-match ban and the loss of the 3 points. He got lucky. AP needs to have a serious word, ‘cos he seems to think he’s clever with cheating, and it needs slapping out of him.
Overall – I say keep him. He’s worth 6 goals a year, for a start.
Thinking about it, isn’t he scoring more than a certain Mr Carroll? 😯
Whumpie(Quote)
Thanks Stardy for sharing that little rant about Taylor, now I know what Stu is talking about.
The problem is I think when he gets a few England caps he will make you look wrong, but I dont think you will admit that you were in the wrong 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
@big Dave
Nobody has to say anything to make dusty look a ****. He does it all by himself. 😀
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Dave a thought in Pottys pea brain is as predictable as Heisenburgs Uncertainty Principle and each event lasts as long
If Taylor goes on to be top class Dave Ill happily admit I’m wrong as it means we have a better team for it.
Also getting into the England team used to be an honour – with the pool of English players being so limited now its nowhere near as big as an achievement. Its more a club of press favoured players too than the best of the best.
Notice how the Germans said they targeted Terrys weakness for being drawn out of defence when they played us – but not a word of it was uttered by the press or any pundit?
Stardust(Quote)
Whumpie – I’d prefer the defence not to have allowed the play to get to a point where any player has to make 9 clearances in a game – Any stats to compare re clearance with Taylor and with Williamson. I much prefer Williamsons defensive approach than Taylor. He is a team player – Taylor an individual.
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust
Posted May 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM
The very fact that you have replied and tried to justify each of the points is good enough for me.
To coin a phrase “We’re gonna need a bigger boat”!
Hook, line and sinker!!! 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Whumpie
Posted May 20, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Ashley has had four years to get us into Asia – why hasn’t he?
The fact is that in world of rising TV revenues our revenues have fell under Ashley.
Why oh why…
Stuart79(Quote)
Oh dear Potty – I’m embarrassed for you if that’s the best you can do – 😳 😳 😳 😯 😯 😯
Stardust(Quote)
@stu
You say;
I wouldn’t give a flying fck who was ‘@ St James’ Park as long as the income went on improving the team.
I say;
That’s a short sighted way to look at the issue.
SJP is a name entrenched in history.
To cheapen it for a small financial gain is fundamentally wrong.
If it’s going to happen it needs to be the right sponsor and the right price. Nothing less.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@stu
Do you agree with my viewpoint above? If not why not?
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
BSN9 & Stardust,
Stop having a go at Stu and grow up!! 👿
It’s boring……..Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
TGS – wish there was a smiley that could blow a raspberry 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Stardy,
I am applying to become toonsy’s blog inspector, so watch out ❗ ❗ 😆 😆
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Yuk – why on earth do you want to look in Toonsys bog. 😯 😯 😯
Each to their own I suppose
Stardust(Quote)
Bobby Shinton number 9
Posted May 20, 2011 at 12:57 PM
History doesn’t win you trophies and history doesn’t pay the bills.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stardust
Posted May 20, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Sorry, say that again. I couldn’t make out what you said with that hook in your mouth. 😛 😛 😛
Stuart79(Quote)
Sorry, Stu, but if that’s how you see things, go support Manure; you may as well. If SJP isn’t an untouchable part of the club, what is? What else would you pawn to get a cup? The badge? stripes? players?
SJP is as much part of this club as any person or any object out there; if you got enough to buy an entire starting 11 it wouldn’t be worth it. In reality, you’d be lucky to get enough to buy one player. Hardly a good deal that.
Whumpie(Quote)
As for revenues – of course they dropped, ya div – so did we! You can’t go kicking off foreign trade missions without first getting your house in order, and that’s the job we finish this summer.
That doesn’t mean I have huge faith that they will go on to conquer foreign markets, mind.
Whumpie(Quote)
Stu and Stardust – while I appreciate your enjoyment in the noble art of mutual wumness, can you please cut it out? Other blogs have died a death because a few individuals turn every thread into a dual, marginalising everyone else and making the threads meaningless for them.
Seriously – set up your own blog if you want to swing handbags; it’s just not as entertaining as you seem to think.
Whumpie(Quote)
Bobby Schiton, leave my friend Sawdust alone.
He’s a changed man these days and doesn’t need provocation that could trigger a return his previous egotistical, narcissistic self!
lesh(Quote)
Whumpie
Posted May 20, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Who has once mentioned changing the name of the ground?
Never has it once neen mentioned by the club! Their talking about sponsoring the ground. It will always be St James’ Park.
It’s exactly the same as our badge and colours will always be the same, just because we have Northern Rock plastered all over them doesn’t make them any less Newcastle United!
It’s life, times change and if you don’t change with them you get left behind and achieve nothing.
Stuart79(Quote)
with you 100% Whumpie.
Entertaining though the duelling may be, if it persists folk’ll get pi$$ed off.
lesh(Quote)
Whumpie
Posted May 20, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Check out every thread, Whumpie. I go out of my way to avoid commenting to him. I act in retaliation only. 👿
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – apologies on the naming thing; I agree with the sponsorship thing, as long as it’s no more lurid than we already have with sports direct.
As for the wumming – I know you don’t start it, but you do let it happen. Both of you make the blog a better place with many of your posts (especially the ones I disagree with!), but the personal banter is just annoying to the rest of us, that’s all. I’m not suggesting either of you leave.
Feel the love, bro
Whumpie(Quote)
…actually, on review of the above, Stu has a point. Stardust – cut it out, muppet.
Whumpie(Quote)
Whumpie
Posted May 20, 2011 at 1:52 PM
…actually, on review of the above, Stu has a point. Stardust – cut it out, muppet.
😆 😆 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
Ah, that course at the Joe F Kinnear school of diplomacy is paying off… 😆
Whumpie(Quote)
Getting into the global market is nigh on impossible unless you’re already a top dog, its all about success breeding success.The majority of those who by ManU shirts are there for the glory, gone are the days when we could compete with that. Although, if we do start playing entertaining football again as well as actually becoming successful theres still hope of creating our own legion of glory hunters 😀
NewkieBrown(Quote)
Whumpmeister – I’d like to promise never to bout with Potty – but I can’t help myself 😆 and neither can Potty. 😆
Our positions are about 4/5 year old and born out of being diametrically opposed intellectually. I being the bright one and Potty the not so bright one 😆
If a blog is to be diverse and all embracing – the type and nature of comments shouldn’t be censored – we all know there’s a line to be drawn and I would like to think we all have a feel for where it is. Our banter adds to the diverse nature – and I don’t take Potty seriously and he no doubt doesn’t me (apart from the SuperInjunction he took out when I caught him in a foursome with Booby, a mannequin and a melon)
So if you and TGS want to be the blog Gestapo you will have to start with someone who isn’t one of Le Resistance! 😉 😆
Anyway – off to audition for the part of Animal in the “Muppets on Holiday” 🙂
Stardust(Quote)
Wouldn’t it be a boring world if we were all the same – no offence Whumps but if everyone was the same as you, or me, or whoever it would be boring and no doubt I wouldn’t post at all as itd be dull
Potty can’t believe you climbed down to Whumps the way you did there – your backbones obviously as rigid as a shoelace 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Whumpie, Well done for Policing this blog, since a certain poster crossed onto here it has started to become like Eds blog was with multi identities winding everyone up and during the transfer window it became childishly ridiculous, keep up the good work and keep the football craic flowing.
bobby(Quote)
Stardust
Posted May 20, 2011 at 2:40 PM
To be honest with you, Stardust, I’m as bored with you as Whumpie obviously is.
Stuart79(Quote)