Baggio

0-2 Harewood

0-1 down Carlton Cole.

Boro 2 Bolton 0 10 minutes gone.

His wages shouldn't be a problem if we unload Carr to Celtic, I bet that fat little fucker is on a good wedge

it's not just Sky, it's the Beeb too, there's a massive wank-a-thon in the meeja for anything Liverpool. watch their game, and whomever is reporting for the Beeb or Sky put a red scarf round their neck, and just fawn after the scousers. it's pathetic. Aye, Jamie Redknapp and Kenny Dalglish in the studio at half time.

Setanta have the rights to it now.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/...=rss&feed=5 Shepherd claims victory as Belgravia pulls out of takeover discussions with Newcastle Michael Walker Saturday January 20, 2007 The Guardian A difficult few days for Newcastle United, featuring allegations of racism and an FA Cup embarrassment, took a further twist yesterday when Belgravia, the company in discussions with the club regarding a takeover, withdrew from negotiations. Newcastle's intention to invoke the Put Up Or Shut Up legal clause prompted Belgravia's exit, while within St James' Park the development was seen as a victory for the chairman, Freddy Shepherd, over Belgravia and the club's other major shareholder, Sir John Hall. The club's share price dropped around 10% on the news, leaving it with a paper value of approximately £85m. The figure discussed with Belgravia is believed to have varied between £130m and £150m. Hall has been keen to sell his stake - whereas Shepherd has been willing to listen to offers - and Hall's response yesterday was: "I do not know what I will do now. I will need to have a think before I can make any further comment." Belgravia has reserved the right, starting six months yesterday, to re-enter talks and also has a "whitewash" agreement. It means that should Hall decide to sell his shareholding to Shepherd, Belgravia would be allowed to intervene. Newcastle remain hugely sceptical that Belgravia will revisit the club and in their statement yesterday questioned Belgravia's finances: "The board of Newcastle United wishes to make clear that at no time was any formal offer put to the board for it and its advisers to consider, nor was the company satisfied that Belgravia had secured the necessary funding for such an offer to be put forward." Belgravia expressed surprise at that tone given that Newcastle admitted to several meetings and that Belgravia had completed due diligence. The scale of Newcastle's debt was cited as one explanation for the lack of agreement. Other issues will remain unknown until confidentiality clauses expire in six months. Belgravia's statement said: "Despite lengthy and protracted negotiations, Belgravia has been unable to agree a price and transaction structure, which it feels would have been in the best interests of those involved, as well as being in the best interests of the football club and its supporters. Belgravia reserves the right to announce an offer or possible offer or make or participate in an offer or possible offer for Newcastle." There was no hand-wringing on Tyneside. Belgravia has made no effort to court the public and, with no personality leading the bid attempt, Newcastle fans have been wary. Shepherd remains in day-to-day control of the club, but Sir John Hall is not the only one who will be asking where Newcastle go from here. More immediately, supporters will wonder if there will be January investment in players. Glenn Roeder stressed yesterday: "It's important we also look to move in terms of the two loans that we have available." That may not mollify fans but the manager added: "It's proving difficult to get clubs to agree to sell their best players. As I've said for the last two weeks, if I make signings or a signing, I want it to be a significant one. But make no mistake about it, before the window closes, there will be new faces in here." Newcastle will have their captain, Scott Parker, and Stephen Carr back for the visit of West Ham today, a game that must be won to lift the gloom that arrived on Wednesday night with the 5-1 home defeat by Birmingham City in the FA Cup.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/pr...icle2169203.ece Belgravia Group pull out of Newcastle takeover bid By Damian Spellman Published: 20 January 2007 The Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, finally got his way yesterday when the Belgravia Group pulled out of their move to mount a takeover of the club. Shepherd and the club's manager, Glenn Roeder, worked to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window after his challenge to potential buyers to "put up or shut up" saw the remaining contender end their pursuit. The Jersey-based Belgravia's announcement to the Stock Exchange came weeks after the Polygon-backed St James' Park Group dropped out of the race following months of talks. The Magpies later revealed the development had come after they asked the takeover panel to step in to end the uncertainty. Belgravia said they had the finances in place - understood to amount to around £150m - but could not reach agreement on a price. Their statement read: "Belgravia has been unable to agree a price and transaction structure, which it feels would have been in the best interests of those involved, as well as being in the best interests of the football club and its supporters. "Belgravia reserves the right to announce an offer or possible offer or make or participate in an offer or possible offer for Newcastle and/or take any other action in the event that an agreement or recommendation from the board of Newcastle is forthcoming, or there is an announcement by a third party of an offer for Newcastle or there is a material change in circumstances." The news was greeted with little surprise on Tyneside where it has become apparent that the willingness of former chairman Sir John Hall and his son Douglas, who control in excess of 40 per cent of the shares, to sell was not matched by that of Shepherd. Rumours that a takeover could be imminent - there were reports that the Polygon consortium had clinched a £227m deal - have proved unfounded, and Belgravia's withdrawal has brought an end to the formal takeover period. Newcastle's share price fell yesterday morning and by lunchtime, was down 6.5p to 64p. That valued the club at a little more than £85m, almost £15m less than at the height of the speculation.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,293-2556712,00.html Roeder's eye on chosen few in hunt for quality George Caulkin Newcastle pledge new faces for team Latest takeover bid falls through With a takeover no longer a going concern at Newcastle United, the slim prospect of an imminent cash injection has diminished on Tyneside, but Glenn Roeder is hoping to complete one permanent transfer “of significance” during the transfer window. Anton Ferdinand, Curtis Davies and Peter Crouch remain leading targets for the manager, who will also make two loan signings within the next fortnight. The Belgravia Group, a Jersey-based investment company, announced yesterday that it “no longer intends to make an offer for Newcastle” and followed the recent example of Polygon in withdrawing from talks. While Belgravia “reserves the right” to renew its interest, Newcastle maintain that it was their approach to the takeover panel last week that effectively forced the issue. Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, has consistently cast doubt on Belgravia’s motives and, for the time being, the status quo endures at St James’ Park. Unlike Sir John Hall, who is willing to sell his 40 per cent stake, Shepherd is not seeking to relinquish control and, having told Belgravia to “put up or shut up” last month, he will feel vindicated by the development. With Hall, the club’s president, saying that “I do not know what I will do now”, Newcastle’s future ownership remains a source of conjecture, but there are now fewer distractions from the task of strengthening the first-team squad. Ferdinand, whose West Ham United team visit today, Davies and Crouch represent the calibre of player Roeder has identified, although none is guaranteed to arrive. With relegation, promotion and participation in the Champions League active issues for West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool respectively, encouragement has not been forthcoming from the clubs concerned. Alan Curbishley’s pursuit of several defenders for West Ham — Calum Davenport, bought from Tottenham Hotspur for £3 million, will make his debut at St James’ Park — leaves Ferdinand most vulnerable, particularly with Davies regarded as worth at least £10 million by his club. Roeder has identified two alternatives, but he is not prepared to sacrifice quality. If necessary, he will wait until the summer. “What is proving difficult so far is getting clubs to sell their best players,” he said. “If I make a signing, I want it to be a significant one — it has to be a player who will have a career here for four or five years. We are still trying but, make no mistake about it, before the window closes, there will be new faces.It’s private business, but there has been contact between our club and other clubs. In the old days, things were concluded inside 24 hours. “Because the players I have targeted are of high quality, the clubs they’re at do not really want them to leave and are making it difficult for us.” A trying week for Newcastle has encompassed a 5-1 capitulation at home to Birmingham City in an FA Cup third-round replay and reports that Roeder attempted to cover up accusations of racism made against Emre Belözoglu, against which the 51-year-old is taking legal action. It concludes with a match against West Ham, the club he formerly managed, and from whose supporters he received abuse in September. The Birmingham trauma will not readily be forgiven. “It’s important we show we have put things behind us,” Roeder said. “That doesn’t mean we forget what happened, but I’ve spoken to a couple of the young lads and they mustn’t feel sorry for themselves. Life moves on and the best way to start eradicating a bloody awful night would be a performance and result that’s recognisable from a Newcastle team.”

I hope not, he's in my dream team!

Calum's smarting over Martins By DAVE KIDD January 20, 2007 CALUM DAVENPORT prays he will not suffer a recurring nightmare when he faces Obafemi Martins for the second time in seven days. The West Ham new-boy was marking Newcastle hitman Martins when the Nigerian hammered a wonder goal in Toon’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham last Sunday. And after his £3million switch from Spurs to Upton Park on Thursday, Davenport will go head-to-head with Martins again today. Davenport, 24, said: “I think Martins is a fantastic player. “He has settled in to English football now and is scoring goals. “He is quick, sharp and causes problems. He will be a handful but hopefully he won’t score a goal against me like he did at White Hart Lane the other day. “The way Spurs played against Newcastle, we limited them to three chances and they scored three goals. “We were a bit unlucky on the day.” Hammers boss Alan Curbishley was at White Hart Lane, scouting for Davenport, when Martins struck. Curbs said: “He has that ability. Glenn Roeder said after the game that he can do that with both feet.”

No pain, no gain for Parker By MARTIN BLACKBURN January 20, 2007 SCOTT PARKER will play through the pain barrier in a bid to lift the gloom over the Toon. The Newcastle skipper is still struggling with a stomach problem which has kept him out since the turn of the year. But he has declared himself fit as the Geordies bid to overcome their 5-1 FA Cup humiliation against Birmingham on Wednesday night. Boss Glenn Roeder will be forced to send out another patched- up side against his old club West Ham. And Parker, who was the subject of a cheeky bid from the Hammers this month, declared: “I’m fit!” He added: “I’ve had an ongoing stomach problem, which is causing discomfort, but I’ll try to manage it and do the best I can for the rest of the season.” The squad had a meeting after its hammering by Brum and Parker is determined not to dwell too long on the defeat. He said: “After a result like that you come in the next day and try to put what happened aside. “We have a young squad and a lot of injuries and we need to put it to one side. “This is a time to think about the more positive results and aspects of the season. “We’re all under pressure and the senior players have to carry the can. “A lot of youngsters have done brilliantly for us this season.” Parker insists their is no room for despondency at St James’ Park and insists there is still plenty to look forward to. A top-six finish is not out of the question and Toon have also reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. He added: “We are out of two domesticups, which is very disappointing. “But we still have the league and we could really push on. “If we win two games we’ll be right up there.” Boss Roeder admits he may be forced to hit the loan market next week as he is struggling to prise his top targets away from their clubs. He had Peter Crouch, Anton Ferdinand and Curtis Davies at the top of his January shopping list. But clubs are reluctant to sell with a large chunk of the season still remaining so it has been frustrating for Roeder as he looks to boost his young squad. He said: “If we’re going to buy a player, it has to be one we will have for four or five years. “I’m looking for the sort of quality Newcastle fans are expecting and deserve. “I’ll keep working on that type of target, but now I’m very mindful of the two loans I was going to use anyway.”

...the fact that West Ham have not scored in nine successive away games in the Premiership - 888 minutes tbp. Exactly, Newcastle are always the fall guy in these situations! WHU will score tomorrow, i'm certain of it. Hope you're wrong. Btw, looks like they'll play with Harewood and Sheringham in attack. Zamora and Tevez isn't in the squad. Zamora is suspended and Tevez injured. West Ham view of things, see you tomorrow:- http://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=2295 Good read that You having a laugh? i've just printed it out and had the pleasure of a shite and wiped my arse with it. No. I enjoy reading what other fans think of us before we play them.

...the fact that West Ham have not scored in nine successive away games in the Premiership - 888 minutes tbp. Exactly, Newcastle are always the fall guy in these situations! WHU will score tomorrow, i'm certain of it. Hope you're wrong. Btw, looks like they'll play with Harewood and Sheringham in attack. Zamora and Tevez isn't in the squad. Zamora is suspended and Tevez injured. West Ham view of things, see you tomorrow:- http://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=2295 Good read that

You've just made that up.

I quite like the bold bit. If this is your plan then good luck to you Glenn, quality loan-signings could solve our problem temporarily and buy us time. But quality and loan don't come together naturally so if you fail to deliver them you should know that you would have done poorly in this transfer window. And please, beggar can't be chooser. We can't always insist on qualities. It would be silly to miss out any new player at all because they are not of the highest quality. In the summer you brought in Bernard and Sib on free, and Rossi on loan. We are unlucky with Bernard's injury. But Le Sib and La Rossi have helped us tremendously. Hopefully you can more of the same. Ok what did I miss? Nothing.

Birmingham paid 1M £. Soccerbase, BCFC. Upson wasn't a better player than Bramble that time, let alone far better. Also, I am not saying Spector is a far better player, and I have never said that Spector is a solution to our defensive problem. All I am saying is that Spector would represent good value for investment (which we shouldn't miss) as he has prodigee, he is cheap (West Ham bought him for 500k), he is young yet has premiership experience, and he is already better than both Carr and Ramage. £1 million rising to £3 million with appearances, if you look at Birmingham's site they have £1 million+ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ity/2652803.stm

I'll believe it when I see it, he spouted shit like this all summer.

With all due respect to Ramage lad, many defenders (including Moore and Bramble) are significant improvements over him. When Upson first came out from Arsenal, he wasn't any improvement over our then first choice centre backs. However if we have invested a bit of money (Birmingham paid 1 million), see what the rewards we could be reaping now? Even if Boumsong and Bramble were not to turn bad drastically Upson could still be a quality centre half back up. And now we have to pay 6M to get him! Ramage is shit, we all know that but replacing him with players like Jonathon Spector won't get us anywhere, we need to be aiming higher than that. Birminham paid £3 million for Upson and signed him around the same time as we forked out £9 million for Woodgate, he was a far better player than Bramble, O'Brien and Dabizas at the time but unfortunately we didn't have the money for both of them.

Why would he sign for us now when he knows Chelsea want him?

Baggio however does not like us buying big club youth rejects Not when they're not much of an improvement on what we already have I don't.

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...~967955,00.html

Lee Sharpe?

Out of contract next summer as in 2008.

granted - but wouldnt you rather have him for 6m or nothing for nothing and stick with what we got ? was one of their best players the other night imo - certainly better than any of our backline tbf But he looked poor when we played them at their place, perhaps he stood out because we didn't really create anything? Add to that he's injury prone so I dread to think what he'll be like if he came here, I certainly wouldn't spend £6 million on him for the sake of getting someone in.