Newcastle 0-0 Fiorentina, plus confirmation on Obertan by Pardew!

Cabaye in action against Fiorentina.
Newcastle had the final game of their pre-season campaign cut short this afternoon as heavy rain ended a rather frustrating build up to the new season in a rather farcical way.

Not that there was anything that could be done about the rain or the resultant postponement of course, although to be fair it was very in-keeping with what has gone on over the summer.

The pre-season campaign is supposed to be there to build up fitness and togetherness steadily towards the start of the Premier League season. I think it’s fair to say that ours hasn’t quite worked out like that! First we had the crowd trouble at Darlington followed by the news that a number of our first team players would be staying in Holland for various reasons ranging from Visa issues to child birth meaning that we would effectively have two groups of players on either side of the Atlantic. Ongoing Twitter issues were highlighted during our US tour by Jose Enrique and then by Joey Barton with the latter ending up on the transfer list as a result.

Only at Newcastle….

The match itself was a pretty dire affair as the conditions played their part in proceedings. Yohan Cabaye looked good again as he sprayed the ball about the park but goalmouth action was most definitely at a premium. Cabaye had a shot saved in the first-half before Leon Best fired wide after good work from Haris Vuckic.

At the other end Tim Krul pulled off a couple of cracking saves to highlight the fact that he is likely to be our next No1 whilst Fraser Forster, who came on for the second half, showed his shot-stopping abilities on a number of occasions although in fairness it’s not Forster’s shot-stopping ability that is in question.

Demba Ba had the best chance of the game when he came on for the second half but his shot from a narrow angle rolled agonisingly along the goal line.

Action was cut short in the 64th minute when both managers and referee came to an agreement to end the match in what were rapidly deteriorating conditions. It’s probably not what either manager wanted but I guess they’d take an hour of a football match ahead of a nasty injury to one of their players.

Alan Pardew confirmed after the match (listen here) that a deal for Gabriel Obertan was almost done and that the player will be having his medical during the early part of next week. A positive end to what has been a tough week for the Newcastle boss. Speaking to The Chronicle, Alan Pardew had this to say:

“We wanted the game to go on but there wasn’t much we could do about it. It was the referee’s decision. There was a tackle on Cabaye in the first half from one of their lads and I don’t think he meant to hurt him but the rain played a part.”

So not ideal but at least we didn’t pick up any further injuries. We’re on the home straight now and the new season is in sight, thankfully. Arsenal next week at St James’ Park. I can’t wait! Hopefully preparations for that match can run that bit smoother than what they have run so far!

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Dan Gosling, Yohan Cabaye, Haris Vuckic, Jonas Gutierrez, Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best.

Subs: Fraser Forster, Ryan Taylor, Mike Williamson, Sylvain Marveaux, Nile Ranger, James Tavernier, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba.

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.

212 thoughts on “Newcastle 0-0 Fiorentina, plus confirmation on Obertan by Pardew!

  1. Maybe being with the rest of wor garlic noshers will bring Obertan out of his shell a bit ? The lad seems to have a load of talent, but seems a bit fragile on the psychological side. Bearing in mind Routledge out for 2 mill, Obertan in for 3 mill…seems a good deal if you ask me…

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  2. B & B,

    When you look at it, we haven’t really done a lot of buying from Prem Clubs for a long time. 😕

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  3. I think the reason sir Alex is letting the lad go is because he asked for a transfer in january because he was not getting games . Maybe his confidence needs picked up with a move , lets face it getting games with us is easier than at old trafford , but one thing is for sure he is fast and skillful and is a proper winger which will give us more balance than playing a cm out wide (barton) . We are in terms of balance and attacking pace and skill much improved than this time last season . Whats worrying me most now is lack of cover at the back , even more than another striker .

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  4. Moreno – just been to the bog and dashed back in case you mentioned before me the rubbish that is simpson

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  5. My biggest worry is that Tiote won’t make it in time for the Arsenal and Makkem game. Also a bit concerned that we have too many new faces which haven’t had a chance to gel yet……plus with Obertan and Ben Arfa we may have two seemingly flippant “I’ve lost the ball you get it back for me” types…..

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  6. T.M,

    Dunno about Yak, being loaned to a Championship club maybe signalled his prem league days were over 😕

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  7. Beardsleys Boots, I’m expecting a similar D-Day to the last one, and others prior to that. Someone bids for a player, then they all come out, turns into a frantic auction. I’m expecting at least one player to leave us, but probably not until the very last minute. Just as I’m feeling semi-content with our squad, the rug gets pulled oot.

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  8. yeah, Munich, pretty straightforward, but I guess it’s not the “wow” moment we have been hoping for.

    Maybe that’s the point–the new shopping policy is not about wow, but incremental improvement.

    Then again, just about any striker signing will be an incremental improvement.

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  9. Moreno-Aye I guess I can agree with that, I’d never write a player off before he plays for us. But putting him right in there in the first team? I’m not so sure….this has taken me a bit by surprise, but if its supposed to be for 3 mil then I’d guess it probably is a good deal, there’s no doubt he’s way more talented and has much more potential than routledge, and its only cost us a million, which Ash will love 😆

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  10. ….Yakubu’s been out of the game for too long. I would’ve had him when he was at the smoggies like, or Portsmooth.

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  11. FSOTC

    Correct a signing of any striker would be an improvement.
    Nearly convincing mysel that Bendtner would be decent

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  12. I wish Hoots well, I’ve got no illusions about his management ability but I don’t have anything against the bloke. West Ham however, hate most of their squad, their manager, and their owners! Along with a fair few of their supporters…be great if they collapsed, but that seems almost impossible. Their wages must be close to ours when we were down surely?

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  13. Shamrock – loved bernard. He looks solid even when he’s dazed – is that possible? have to take my bowler off to the french. take it easy on em, bobby!

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  14. Tobey, I would take Bendtner. I thought he was on the cards a couple of months back. Maybe he still is.

    …he’ll could end up being some sort of a swap deal involving Barton or Enrique.

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  15. Richie…apparently we’re after a young Brazilian for 3 mill who Barca signed from Palmeiras or someone for 12 mill….forgot his name like… but you just got eyes for Real Madrid anyway…. 😆

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  16. I find it pathetic people take pleasure in the fact Hughton’s new team lost today. No wonder people **** on this club and it’s fans.

    Glad we’re getting Obertan though. That’s next summer’s transfer kitty spent already.

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  17. MM you spoilt my game with richie,knew he wouldnt know him,his name is kill-something.
    hows you by the way mate keeping off the drink as normal like 😉

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  18. Munich…cheers….aye but I’ll probably take in a few Hercules games this season 😉

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  19. Richie – good shout son. He was my favourite player at the time. Class. Nearly bought his house at sunniside.

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  20. Newkie it seems as if West Ham are gambling this season by trying to buy promotion. I would love it if they fail, but worry what that would mean for them. Don’t want to see any club with history and tradition go under really…They provide good familiar banter!
    Blackley you are right, he was a good little player. Not many full backs about these days can hit a ball like he could, or take one!

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  21. FJ,

    Don’t think it is that mate, just tongue in cheek banter due to some other blog that used to exist. 😉

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  22. so what happens now that chelski have signed lukaku..
    young danny has to be up there for a free or to be sold.
    if ashley had any footie knowledge(which we all no he hasnt) he would be straight in for him

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  23. Ice dog i would take him in an instant ,he was certainly one of the big reasons why the chicken farmers stayed in the premiership . For some reason that i can’t explain i have a feeling there is still going to be a big signing coming our way . i Think it hinges on when Enrique leaves , the day he does i think our big move will be made to appease the fans .

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  24. Icedog….aye, you need to keep Richie on his toes mate…gan canny with him though… 😆

    Aye mate, haven’t had a drink since the last one… 😆 Cracking weather today like, the beer garden was calling but managed to give it a wide berth like… Hope your deeing ok ower there, though it was seriously parnying the day by all acoounts…!

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  25. Hitman,

    They’d be mental to sell him. He has been there best player pre-season by a mile. That was even before his 2 goals today.

    He is a 20 million plus striker now.

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  26. Ice..”.you spoilt my game with richie,knew he wouldnt know him,his name is kill-something”….a bit irony there 😉 😆

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  27. Richie..Hercules, are they in La Liga ??

    Reet lads, am paggered and am off to me scratcher. Nighty night… 😆 😆

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  28. Shamrock-Aye, nothing major against them like….Funny that big Sam says he’ll sell Parker for the quoted 10mil or something. Seriously I wouldn’t pay 2 mil for him, ridiculously overrated and I think almost every squad has a better defensive mid than him….Still, if they didn’t make it up it would serve as good banter, plus we need as many non-london clubs in the league as possible thanks 😀

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  29. Ice @ 122 there is some things that are too important 😆
    Batty @ 125 I agree 😉 and I will laugh my balls of if they and (or) Spam stay down 😆

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  30. MORENO @117 spot on mate,nee chance think ashley gans all dizzy anything owr 5mill.
    talk is the kid has a chip on his shoulder like,then again a lot of real good players do

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  31. Dave… they were never ganna stay up, got promoted and were always going straight back down they’re ****….but nowt wrong with a little bit of glory along the way, beating the mighty Barca 2 nowt at the Nou Camp 😉

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  32. Newkie I still rate Parker but only at 4 to 5 million at his age. As for your point about London clubs, you are absolutely right. Lets see the Hammers stay down and QPR join them. Would love to see Liverpool fail to make Europe again too!

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  33. RICHIE kna was just thinking that me-sel thought he would have been on after tour like,must have hit the moonshine big time 😀 😀

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  34. Dave…last time I seen him he was talking about singing the Blaydon Races when he was going to watch the Toon in the States…..maybe he’s still banged up 😆

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  35. Shamrock I really do think Liverpool will finish in the top 4 👿
    Richie I might sent him a FB msg to see whats up with him, but he has maybe got fuked off with all the sh1te thats been going on at wor Club, so decided to stay away for a while. 😀

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  36. Alright lads 😀 I’m back from my holidays, anyone got decent highlights of today’s game???

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  37. BBM,

    It’s amazing how meek he looks nowadays compared to when he first came in. He’s not braying down Mike’s door anymore and giving us assurances….now he just ‘hopes’ and has his ‘fingers crossed’

    Quite a change if you compare

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  38. I see JerseyGeordie has been giving Joey a hard time on twitter…think he isn’t too happy with Wor Joseph 😀

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  39. Welcome back Zoe, how was Whitley Bay 😉 ……I don’t know if there are any decent highlights knocking about 🙁

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  40. what’s he been saying Moreno, I’m not on twitter…….not since I got sacked for slagging my gaffer 😀

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  41. Dave, the Dalgleish factor may just push them through. However Gerrard and Carra are not what they once were. Suarez for all the hype only scored 4 in 13 and Carroll has yet to make a significant impact for them – 2 in 9.
    Downing will be a good signing, however Henderson is just a tad overpriced!
    Charlie Adam I honestly dont think will be as impressive for Liverpool as he was at Blackpool. Hewas playing in a side with no concept of defending, who gave him the ball at every opportunity and gave him licence to attack, attack, attack.
    Liverpool have more about their game and more players capable of attacking. Ultimately he will have to do a lot more defensively in a Liverpool shirt than he ever did at Blackpool. It may well expose him a little bit.
    Will be an interesting battle up there, that’s for sure!

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  42. Bowbs, I think …”All being well, the deal will be pushed through next week” roughly translates to “I have absolutely no idea if fatty will spend any more money, I only ever see him at the casino when he’s pissed up, and he forgets what he’s said the day after.”

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  43. He’s just been asking sensible questions to be honest.

    Askin Joey if he feels like his comments are to benefit the NUFC fans or to benefit himself…..no answer of course….

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  44. Haha thanks Richie, you mean Ireland? 😉 That’s ok, just wanted to see how our play was although conditions may not have been the best

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  45. two thoughts Toonsy
    1) if you think you Know being tired ,new child new reality you will relish your old exhaustion,but you will not swap it for the joy of being dad,Congrats to you both.
    2) Controversial thought My line up against the **** would be,
    Krul
    Jonas Collo taylor Jose
    Obertan Tiote Cabaye Marveaux
    Ba Vukic

    subs Harps,Best Willo, Gosling,Sammy,Fergi(if fit) Abeid

    Final thought again congrats to you and Mrs Toonsy.

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