Rumour has it that Newcastle are looking to tie up a deal for a pair of Dutch internationals from Ajax in the shape of van der Wiel and another name that has become familiar to us over the summer – Vurnon Anita. A fee of £10million has been mentioned although I personally feel it will cost us more if we want to secure the pair.
Of course we’ve heard the lines that we’ve moved onto other targets before only to see our original target turn up at St James’ Park a bit further down the line, but with time running out in the transfer window and the season fast approaching the need for reinforcements couldn’t be greater. We need a breakthrough and we need it soon.
It’s almost reached the point where I’ve been pretty much ignoring all rumours and steering clear of the web as I’m pretty much resigned to nothing happening in the transfer market, and if it does it will be a pleasant surprise. I’ve just used this latest rumour to have a bit of a whinge more than anything if truth be told.
By now we’re all aware of the transfer policy and I, for one, am not surprised that qualifying for the Europa League has signalled no change in direction from the board. Why would it? The money on offer is, realistically, hardly worth bothering with in fairness.
However there is the fact that we need to strengthen to remain competitive at the top end of the Premier League table. I don’t think we’re in as bad a state as some are making out as some of our younger players and other new signings have looked as though they could play a part for us this season, but there is still room for improvement.
As for Vurnon Anita and Gregory van der Wiel… I doubt it very much…
Honestly, at this point, I’ll be excited if we get anyone in at any position that can at least battle for a spot in the starting XI. The only be position that we absolutely NEED to fill, in my opinion, is CB, so I’ll be disappointed if we don’t have 4th PL-quality CB when the window closes.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
On the Raylor debate, does anyone else think he would be a good player to put in the central defensive mid pairing?
He has vision for a pass, has SOME defensive ability, and his lack of pace isn’t as big a deal in the middle
AndrewT(Quote)
Newkie@75-
You’d think so. I’m kind of hoping Pieters is a bit like Cisse, in the sense that we’ve had our eye on him for a while, and are just waiting for the right time.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Sharply,
Remy been left out of his sides European clash tonight… Definately seemsoon his way out.
I can see a club like QPR going for him…
JJ(Quote)
JJ – do you reckon we’ve walked away from Remy like?
I think Carroll is out of our price bracket and I don’t know who else we’d go for upfront.
I’m completely lost with who’s rumour and how’s a genuine target now like 🙄 🙁
Sharpy17(Quote)
Reet whats been happening where is that Aussie one 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
I think Remy is out of our price bracket too.
If they are worth 15mil, we offer 11 mil… If they are worth 8mil, we offer 5.5mil…
It’s all good until the selling team doesn’t need to sell or has other interested partues
JJ(Quote)
I think we were just looking at Remy in case Ba left. Him or Carroll won’t be happening now, I would think. Our priority is in defense now. The attack is awesome and enough quality to back it up
AndrewT(Quote)
I think Remy is out of our price bracket too.
If they are worth 15mil, we offer 11 mil… If they are worth 8mil, we offer 5.5mil…
It’s all good until the selling team doesn’t need to sell or has other interested parties… Then we just don’t buy anyone.
Great financial strategy, not so great for us fans who want us to push on to the next level.
JJ(Quote)
Bollocks with this who we are going to sign mullarkey. Who’s gonna replace Pardew ? Johnny Carver can hold the fort for a while…
Munich Mag(Quote)
And really, unless Senegal manages to beat Ivory Coast to get into the tournament proper, we’re not too thin up there. It would be nice to replace Best/Lovenkrands with at least a young striker with room to grow, though, especially if we’re going to play two up top sometimes.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Sharpy ,West Ham had a deal in place for Douglas but he failed to agree personal terms apparently.
As for Remy ,the dippers reckon they are in for him now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Carroll will move in the last two days of the window that’s my feeling. It might be to us it might not.
Picking on Whumpie comments re Simpson it is about evolving the team. Ought of our first choice eleven last season he is the weakest and you must always be looking to improve IMO
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
I think Carroll is defo off like as they left him out tonights euro game again. God only knows where he’s gonna end up, but they need to get shot if Buck ain’t gonna play him much.
kimtoon(Quote)
TLR I agree you should always be looking to improve, if we bring a CB in he should be as good or at least give our 1st choice a run for their money, as in all walks of life you need someone to keep you on your toes. some of our team know they can drop their performance and won’t get dropped because we don’t have strong enough back up to take their place
Big Dave(Quote)
JJ – that’s my frustration as well, are you feeling like we won’t sign anyone this window?
Charlie – I understand what your saying, but it’s one hell of a risk to hope Senegal got knocked out and if they don’t, we have squat up front to see us over the ACoN period (IMO). Shola would be the only one with experience and he’s only good for 20 mins – 30 tops.
MM – 😯 nah, ya miles off buddy, you missed the little laughter man off ya comment buddy, coz in the words of a tennis legend ‘you can not be serious!’ 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Charlie Prince-We have a young striker ready to hit the first team. Adam Campbell, he’s only 15, but he had a blinder of a season and won the same award as Tevez and some others last year, he can carry us through Jan if Senegal get through 😉 😆
Newkie(Quote)
OVER 9000 TIMES BIG DAVE HAS KISSED HIS MOTHERS NIPPLES!!!
toonsupersaiyan(Quote)
If Senegal do go through then we pack the midfield with the quality that we do have, maybe put Shola on until his various injuries take their toll, then just play Benny up front with vuckic behind him or something….I would like to see what Benny could do against the majority of the PL’s Cbs (Slow, big bastards) 😉 Might be entertaining?
More than likely someone would just break his leg again mind.
Newkie(Quote)
TOONSUPERSAIYAN / toonclarke/ toonpig you are a real fuking bore now and you were given a chance to act like a grown up but you failed.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy@91-
Don’t get me wrong, I would definitely like to see striker come in. I guess I’m not really sure what my point is, other than CB is our biggest hole, and it’s pretty much a dead heat for striker and fullback for second. I guess it’s easier to hide a fullback, though, so that would push striker ahead on the priority list.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Striker would be nice but we can rotate around it….and unless we go out and buy Berbatov or any other unrealistic player I really doubt we can improve on our front 2/3, we have some awesome strikers.
As for defence…first teamers are actually needed, at both CB and one full back position…
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie@92-
If Campbell is somehow ready to make an impact this year, that would be tremendous. If we do get into a bind during ACoN, I wonder if Obertan will be given a shot at striker? His pace could pose problems, and it’s not like we’d miss his crossing from the wing all that much. I think the other option is something like you said, with Vuckic and/or Benny playing up top. You would just worry about their positioning. It can be disorienting for a regular midfield player to have to play on the defense’s shoulder.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
We could always put Ranger up front, as it is he’s getting money for nothing. 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye Charlie, I was taking the **** with that post a bit, no doubt Ashley is excited by a future asset but really its too early to tell. Although by the looks of things the kid has the talent, and perhaps more importantly, he seems to have the attitude….he’s only 17 so I guess there’s a very slim chance he could get a match, we did play Airey two seasons ago after bring in Shefki so you never know.
Think Obertan as a striker, or maybe in a forward three would be interested, he’d be able to run at the goal and it would be a little bit more straightforward- maybe instictive (which would be good for him) rather than him playing out wide, beating someone, but then not being sure whether to cut in, shoot, cross, get to the byline, blah blah.
His pace and his skills might just cause enough problems and give us some free kicks/opposition cards. Cabaye and Ba aren’t a bad pairing to take our Fkicks, and Raylor obvs if he was on.
Newkie(Quote)
Kimtoon-Aye, we seriously need to sort out what we’re doing with that ****, excuse my french 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie ,I have a few suggestions but not suitable to put into print I’m afraid 😉 .
kimtoon(Quote)
Newkie@100-
That’s sort of what I was thinking with Obertan. He seems to be lacking in decision-making, not in athletic ability, or even skill. It’d be nice to play some combination of Marveaux, Benny and Jonas out wide in 4-4-2 formations, switching flanks depending on whether we want crosses or cut-ins. Obertan could play in a front 2 or front 3, depending on the formation. I’m not saying he’d be great, but it might be worth a look when the inevitable injuries/suspensions/international games hit.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Charlie – Obertan has pace and would be problem but last season couldn’t hit a barn door. Vukic would be my choice with Marv left of him and Benny right.
Campbell is showing great promise, as is hooper but are still a season or 2 off first team yet IMO.
I’d like to see someone like Rhodes or Konate. I know Konate is also Senegalese but I don’t imagine all 3 would be selected … at least I’d hope not like
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim I don’t think Ranger is in Pards plans, I know what your saying about playing him because he’s picking up a good wedge, but if he is fuking about or not putting a full shift in at training, then what message would that send out if we did play him ? that would be like rewarding him for being a **** ❓ but I could be wrong and maybe he is sorting his **** out, but I think the fact he hasn’t been seen or heard of tells its own story 😉
Lads I see what you’s are getting at about trying Obatan out as a striker but would you’s be happy enough making do with players playing out of their natural position just because we don’t have enough players to cover ❓ we got shot of 2 strikers this window so is it too much to ask that we get at least 1 decent striker in.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy@104-
I was thinking Rhodes had already gone somewhere, but I guess not. I don’t know whether Carr rates him, but he’s definitely the type of player we could use – young, proven in the lower leagues, wouldn’t mind sitting behind Ba and Cisse most of the time, but able to do some damage when he’s called on.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Big Dave@105-
No, it’s definitely not too much to ask, I would love for us to get another striker. I guess I’m just preparing for the worst and trying to come up with contingency plans. With Europa League this year, we should really have 4 quality strikers on the roster.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Kim – I agree, infact I’m amazed that Ranger hasn’t gone already 😯
It’s bizarre that as good as our front 2 are we also have Ranger and Xisco clogging the squad up.
I take no importance away from CB, but I think a striker is equally as important. At best a CB could keep you a clean sheet = best result 0-0 draw. A striker could score you that all important winning goal = 3 points. At present we have 3 CBs with others who could provide temp cover. But we only have 2 players who you would think could score 10-15 plus goals a season.
So personally, a CF and CB would please my more than a FB
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy ,yeah I would agree with that ,we can cope with just Simmo ,he does o.k imo,though I know he has his detractors.A striker and CB are vital for our continuing growth.
kimtoon(Quote)
Rhodes is off to Blackburn according to the Mirror for £6m 😯
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – agreed. I think between Simmo, Raylor and Tav (who has really impressed me) we have enough to cover until Jan if we have to. If we signed someone like Pieters or Yanga who could play CB but also has the ability to play FB then that would be perfect scenerio – with a CF as well of course.
Sharpy17(Quote)
In regards to Obertan, did he not play as a striker as a youngster? Or at least want to? I mean, I know most lads do want to play as a striker, but if he feels more comfortable there why not let him? There’s loads of players, Ben Arfa included, that see themselves as forwards but are forced out onto the wing, often for physicality or practicality as the teams wingers are *****.
Worth a punt anyway. As for Vuckic, what even is his position? I’m not sure he or anyone knows…
Yorkshire has more golds than Australia. Brilliant.
I remember the Aussies used to go on about New South Wales having more than British teams combined in rubbishy commonwealth games.
Owz at?!
Newkie(Quote)
Kim – I’d be hijacking that move as well. £4-5m plus Ranger for Rhodes would do nicely
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, thing about comparing CBs and CFs…well, a bad CB could cost you 3 goals, a bad CF? Well, I guess they might be invisible, but you could still get by with a draw. It’s purely from what perspective you look at it, and it doesn’t really matter tbh.
Plus a CB could score a goal and win you a match, Staylor style 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – I know what your saying which is why I’d put them as equal need. What I meant was, and I know this is hyperthetical but £8m for Debuchy or £5-6m for Rhodes, I’d sooner we took Rhodes to be honest because I dont see anyone in our current squad scoring more than 10 goals next season other than Ba and Cisse, and that could be a huge problem where I don’t think RB would be as much
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-Thing is though, there have to be two centre backs, its almost universal across the world of football really. The only exceptions are those that play three and no full backs, not 1 centre back, and for me that makes it a priority. I know what you mean about Debuchy-right back isn’t such a big deal but centre back certainly is as we lose so much when Colo is injured.
As for Ba and Cisse, they’re both capable of scoring 20 goals, perhaps not together in one season, but if their partnership blossoms then who knows? We can also rotate it so that only one of them plays but they get all the service, and that’s where it differs from a CB. Theoretically it would be possible to do the whole season just by rotating Cisse and Ba and subbing one on for the other, unlikely obviously and there’s the Acon, and one of them would be pissed off, but it would be doable.
I also think we need to look at scoring more from all over the pitch, strikers can only do so much. Another reason why I’d like a goal scoring CB who could cover for taylor, but a more attacking full back like Deb could also help out.
Newkie(Quote)
Woke up this morning and still no signings, I will end up agreeing with Big Dave if this keeps up 😯 😯 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Only one post from Troy that I can see 😯 that lad must be seething, I don’t think I have ever seen him so pissed off 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
So we are seeded for europa play off.
And Anzi is unseeded. 😯
Hopefully we dont get them. Liverpool gets them. 😳
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Saw that AOD. A few other big names too. Feyenoord, rapid Vienna, dinamo(s) as well as relatively big teams from Sweden and the likes. Maybe a rematch with partizan or ole gunnars molde. Hopefully Someone like hearts where the toon army can invade at short notice. Plenty of time for trips to the continent in the group stages 🙂
Dubtoon(Quote)
@Dub I seriously don’t think I could handle a rematch with Partizan.
Imagine how different the last decade could’ve been if we’d won that penalty shootout.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Woo hoo hoo hoo. 😛
I love Aussie and his double cover ups. I had him hitting the roof yedderday (yes, yedderday). 😆
Aussie, don’t take the banter so seriously fella. 😛
I have noticed you never use any original material. You are metamorphising into Troyster. 😆
Come on fella. Apologise to me and Dave for always calling the truth. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
🙂 🙂 🙂 this is too easy, another one in my bucket, I must have good bait as the Troyfish can’t resist it. It’s like taking candy from a baby 🙂 🙂 🙂 I’ll give it to you tho Troy, you sure do put up a good fight for someone who keeps getting beaten so badly 🙂 love the spirit mate, keep it up and you may just get there 🙂 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Oswaldo man, try the backwards fishing…..
Rodzilla(Quote)