Scottish Mag

Sam Allardyce has admitted that he has turned his attention to bringing some "top quality defenders" to Newcastle United. But the word from Israel today was that United will have to improve their offer to Bolton central defender Ben Haim if they are going to pip Chelsea for his signature. Jose Mourinho has already informed Ben Haim's man, top agent Pini Zahavi, that he is willing to pay the Israeli defender £60,000 a week in his bid to get him to Stamford Bridge. Now the ball is very much in United's court if Ben Haim is going to be one of the three defenders - two central defenders and a left-back - which Allardyce so desperately needs. After a weekend in which United were linked with some weird and not so wonderful strikers and midfielders, Allardyce told me today: "We are happy that we have got Mark Viduka in the bag and Joey Barton almost tied up. "Now the next venture is to create a defensive strategy by bringing in some quality defenders to blend with the attacking flair we already have. "We want top defenders to help us acquire the right amount of clean sheets and obviously hope the scorers will do the business which will help us win football matches and put three points on the board on a regular basis." Ben Haim is getting married in Tel Aviv this weekend and would love his football future decided before then. And he knows that he will walk straight into the United defence while he would probably only be cover for John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in West London. United confirmed to me today that they have made an offer to Ben Haim, but I believe it falls short of what Chelsea have offered. Bolton are also keen to have the 25-year-old defender back at the Reebok Stadium but they cannot get anywhere near to matching what Chelsea have already offered and what I suspect the player hopes United will match. But United are keeping their options open, and it looks as though you can perm any two from the quartet of Ben Haim, PSG's David Rozehnal, Liverpool's Sami Hyypia and Marseille skipper Habib Beye as far as their central defensive signings are concerned. All four are aware of United's interest and it may be significant that Hyypia turned down a £30,000-a week two-year contract at Fulham over the weekend.

The Magpies wallpaper is one of Matts with the bottom cropped.

How exactly did he not fit in at Celtic or Blackburn. Celtic didnt have the money to sign him and he was a success at Blackburn?

SAM ALLARDYCE has been warned about the enormity of the problems he faces at Newcastle United and he is working hard on eradicating one by offloading Celestine Babayaro. The former Chelsea defender has struggled for consistency since joining from Chelsea in January 2005 - and the man who bought him has delivered words of caution to Allardyce. Graeme Souness, who was sacked in February last year after an uninspiring 18 months in charge at St James' Park, will be an interested observer this summer as Newcastle plan for life under the former Bolton boss next season. Allardyce has already revealed a masterplan for making massive changes to the way the whole club is run and is eager to ensure the players he has under his wing are all determined to work on achieving success on Tyneside. Babayaro, however, does not appear to be in those plans and, with Mike Ashley destined to become the club's new billionaire owner, there is a feeling Allardyce will be allowed to make wholesale changes to the squad. Souness insists that is not something he, nor Glenn Roeder, had the opportunity to do, with the Scot suggesting Ashley must deliver the funding for a number of new faces or Newcastle will never make a return to competing for the Premiership's quartet of Champions League places. "He (Ashley) is obviously a very wealthy individual, but success will depend on how much money he is prepared to spend," said Souness. "It will need big money to bridge that gap into the top four because it is an enormous gap. The top four are so far away from everyone else at the moment. It's a very, very difficult job at Newcastle. This is a big football club with big problems." Babayaro - with few takers at the moment - maybe a player Allardyce would prefer to depart but the Newcastle boss admits he is powerless to prevent Michael Owen leaving, if that is what the England striker wants. If another club puts in a £9m bid then Owen could decide to turn his back on Newcastle, less than two years after making a record-breaking £16m switch from Real Madrid. And Allardyce, hopeful of keeping him, said: "If Michael wants to leave then there's nothing I can do about it, especially if another club triggers his release clause. We could suffer because of Michael's clause."

1. Checking out houses/property online 2. Just about to renew my season ticket 3. Drinking chocolate yazoo 4. Just got back from checking out another wedding venue 5. We went out in the Honda S2000 we have been playing with all weekend, impressive car but fook paying £30,000 for it..

Whilst some are starting to turn against him and get pissed off with the whole scenario you can bet if he wasn't English he would be getting far more abuse than he actually is.

Graeme Souness admits he never enjoyed his time at St James' Park, claiming Newcastle United are a club with 'big problems'. The former Scotland international spent 18 months in charge on Tyneside before being dismissed in February 2006. Sam Allardyce has now taken on the job in the North East and Souness has warned the ex-Bolton boss of the perils which lie ahead. "Sam has never managed a big club before and this is his opportunity to be successful," Souness told Sportsweek on Radio Five Live. "You wake up in the morning when you manage a big club and you look to get through the day with the fewest problems. "I didn't enjoy my time up there. It's not the pressure of expectation. I have worked at bigger clubs than Newcastle and expectation you can live with. "It is everything else you have to put up with. It is a very difficult job." Souness also revealed that prospective Newcastle owner Mike Ashley must be ready to dig deep to finance any push for UEFA Champions League qualification. He added: "(Ashley) is obviously a very wealthy individual, but success will depend on how much money he is prepared to spend. "During my time at Newcastle and Glenn Roeder's time we had money to spend, but it was to tart the team up, not to build a team. "It will need big money to bridge that gap into the top four because it is an enormous gap. The top four are so far away from everyone else at the moment. "It's a very, very difficult job. This is a big football club with big problems."

No way thats him, this is the guy who whilst most other 17 years are out taking drugs, getting pissed and shagging stays at home and watches Coronation Street. No chance it was him that posted it IMO

Only at Newcastle would we sell a player for a figure of around 4.5 million buy Owen at 17 million then two years later talk about swapping them...

Anyhoo any more spamming in the "five current facts about you thread" and we'll be letting Magma kick some ass for killing his thread....

1 Not surprised that Stevie's spouting bollocks again. 2 Wondering if he knows that he's gone off on one with only half the "facts" of the situation. 3 Amazed at the hypocrisy of him calling other people two-faced when that's exactly what he has been. 4 Disappointed because underneath all the parochial bollocks he comes out with I actually thought he might be a good lad. 5 Thinking: "Yeah right, it's not like you've not said that before!!" about his number 5. Ladies can we not go into this on here, the last thing we want is a N-O bitchfest kicking off. Cheers That's EXACTLY what I want.

1 Not surprised that Stevie's spouting bollocks again. 2 Wondering if he knows that he's gone off on one with only half the "facts" of the situation. 3 Amazed at the hypocrisy of him calling other people two-faced when that's exactly what he has been. 4 Disappointed because underneath all the parochial bollocks he comes out with I actually thought he might be a good lad. 5 Thinking: "Yeah right, it's not like you've not said that before!!" about his number 5. Ladies can we not go into this on here, the last thing we want is a N-O bitchfest kicking off. Cheers

Newcastle are on the trail of French flier Ludovic Giuly. The Barcelona forward is resigned to leaving the Nou Camp, and is on Sam Allardyce's radar as he continues his rebuilding work at United. Giuly, 30, is a target for Marseille, Monaco, Fiorentina and Juventus, but his commercial representative, Sebastien Riera, told the Sunday Sun: "Ludo is aware of Newcastle's interest." Bolton's El-Hadji Diouf is a possible alternative target to Giuly for the role of right-sided attacker in Allardyce's favoured 4-3-3 formation. But with sources suggesting Diouf may be out of contract next summer, Allardyce may prefer to wait until January to make a cut-price - and hugely controversial - raid on his old club. Allardyce last night admitted he would be helpless to prevent Michael Owen from leaving United if another club triggers the release clause in the England striker's contract. "There's nothing I can do about it," said Big Sam. "We are benefiting from a release clause to get Joey Barton, but could suffer because of Michael's." But with the Premiership's top clubs likely to want further proof of his fitness, Owen may stay put at Newcastle until at least January, when his release fee - which drops by 25 per cent a year - would stand below £9 million. Marseille right-back Habib Beye has also entered Allardyce's thinking as he looks to bolster a defence set to be strengthened by the signings of centre-backs Ben Tal Haim and David Rohzenhal this week. Meanwhile, Joey Barton's pay-off wrangle with Manchester City "won't stand in the way of him joining Newcastle", according to his agent, Willie McKay.

Toon tycoon Mike Ashley is believed to be on the verge of announcing he has complete control of Newcastle United. More than 17 million Toon shares were traded on the Stock Exchange yesterday, with the vast majority being sold to Mr Ashley. An announcement is expected early next week to say he has more than 75% ownership of St James' Park, a position that puts him in total control of the club. With the extra 17 million shares, he would now own around 83% of the club and is fast bearing down on the 90% mark which will allow him to automatically snap up the extra 10%. He is then expected to de-list the club from the Stock Exchange and make the club a private company once again. It is believed city institutions cashed in on their shares to Mr Ashley in a frenetic day of trading yesterday. A source close to the deal said: "He has been really busy. He has people working non-stop snapping up the shares. "The announcement that he has 75% is not far away now. "And then he will press ahead with his plans to de-list the club. "The deal is really picking up pace now. It is another important step in his plans for Newcastle United. "Within two weeks he has managed to buy the entire club." The billionaire has also made it clear that funds will be made available for new manager Sam Allardyce to strengthen his squad. He now owns 70% of the club and has sent out an offer document to the remaining shareholders offering 101p for their stakes. In his letter to those shareholders he says he "has funds to make available for investment in Newcastle United". But he adds that before finalising the amount to invest he "will want to undertake a thorough strategic review of Newcastle United, including its existing infrastructure, contractual arrangements, playing staff and financial position". The Shepherd family agreed to sell their 28%-plus stake in St James' Park to major shareholder Ashley in a deal worth more than £37m. Shepherd and the current board, who are set to remain in place for the time being, have recommended remaining shareholders accept Ashley's £1.01 per share offer. Mr Ashley formed St James' Holding Limited a matter of weeks ago with the sole purpose of buying Newcastle United. He then contacted Sir John Hall, who agreed to sell his family's 41.6% stake to Mr Ashley for £55.3m. He immediately launched a £134.4m bid to buy the club. Sam Allardyce has already made headway in the transfer market by snapping up Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton for £5.5m and Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka on a free.

Billionaire Mike Ashley intends to give Newcastle the financial muscle necessary to bridge the gap between Tyneside's serial under-achievers and the Premiership's big guns but only after undertaking a comprehensive "strategic review" of the St James' Park club. The sports retail tycoon, who acknowledged the club's "unfulfilled potential ", outlined his plans to the club's minority shareholders as he closes in on a £133.8 million takeover after taking his stake in Newcastle to almost 70 per cent this week by purchasing chairman Freddy Shepherd's shares for £37.6 million. In a formal offer sent out to shareholders, Ashley, who set up St James' Holdings Ltd to obtain the club, said: "Newcastle is one of the leading football clubs in the UK with an international brand and a fan base. "Many of the top teams have changed ownership and some of the new owners have been willing to invest significant amounts in maintaining and developing the strength and depth of their teams. "SJHL recognises the unfulfilled potential of Newcastle, as shown by its investment in shares of £55.3 million and its commitment to invest a further £78.5 million to acquire the shares it does not own. "Mike Ashley has funds to make available, through SJHL, for investment in Newcastle United. However, before finalising the amount he is willing to invest, Ashley will want to undertake a thorough strategic review, including its existing infrastructure, contractual arrangements, playing staff and financial position. "SJHL anticipates that this strategic review will commence after the offer becomes unconditional." Ashley has set a deadline of June 28 for his offer of 101p-per-share to be accepted and should he secure a 90 per cent stake, all shares must be sold to him. "It is important Newcastle United shareholders make the right decision now, not just for the benefit of shareholders but also for the benefit of the club and its supporters." Newcastle last landed a major domestic trophy, the FA Cup, in 1955 and in recent years have slipped down the pecking order, finishing 13th last season. The reclusive Twickenham-born Ashley, 43, regarded as a hands-off but impulsive businessman, is set to return the club to private ownership, a move that has been applauded by Shepherd. "The company's publicly listed status has placed certain constraints on its ability to invest in players, notwithstanding the fact that over the last five years the company has spent a total of approximately £104 million on player acquisitions," Shepherd said. "This situation has become more acute in recent years as certain clubs have significantly increased the amount they are able and prepared to invest in their squads." Ashley is planning to develop the club's academy and press ahead with stadium expansion plans. "He wants to develop the Alan Shearers of the future by investing in the academy to produce home-grown talent," said a source close to the billionaire. "One of the things that has impressed him most has been St James' Park and he really wants to drive forward the plans to extend the capacity and make it one of Europe's top grounds."

Nolberto Solano has risked further annoying Sam Allardyce by admitting he would be interested in continuing his international career. But the Peruvian may not get his wish after being left out of this summer's Copa America. And the 32-year-old has no plans to beg coach Julio Cesar Uribe to enable him to add to his 77 caps. Solano's international career, which began when he was 18, has long been a bone of contention at St James's Park. He had a number of run-ins with Sir Bobby Robson over the issue, which ultimately ended his first spell on Tyneside. The right-winger was transferred to Aston Villa in 2004 after going back on his promise to retire from international football. Robson was concerned at the amount of travelling involved in Solano representing his country in South America. He retired after disagreements with then-coach Freddy Ternero in 2005 and made himself available again last year - but only if Uribe wants him. "I am not going to hang a placard on my neck and go down on one knee asking for a recall," said Solano. "I have always respected the decisions made but I have said the FA board members have to do things better and not change the coach every year. "I want to make it clear I have never said I don't want to play for the national team again. "The current coach Julio Cesar Uribe doesn't count on me because I have to report to Newcastle. But I don't know what is going to happen. For the moment the only thing I think is I am not in the coach's plans." It is not the first time Solano has risked upsetting Allardyce with his public comments. Before the 52-year-old even took charge at St James's Park, Solano spoke out over Bolton's playing style. "Bolton have a very direct style and it's one of the most criticised systems in the Premier League," he noted in May. "Allardyce did good things there but I don't think the Bolton style would suit here. "If he comes, he should change the style to suit the current Newcastle players." The Trotters' approach is an oft-used criticism Allardyce feels is unwarranted, arguing his old team were belittled because they were not as glamorous as the sometimes equally direct teams at Liverpool and Chelsea. He does not seem to have held a grudge, however, with Solano the only senior player offered a new contract by the club after Allardyce's appointment. Titus Bramble, Antione Sibierski, Craig Moore, Olivier Bernard and Pavel Srnicek, who were also out of contract, were all released. New signing Mark Viduka has also shown his commitment to his country, despite Australia coach Graham Arnold's initial concerns. Arnold had "some fears" the 31-year-old would miss this summer's Asia Cup, but Viduka was anxious to complete his switch to the Magpies on Thursday in time to join up with Australia. "These sort of things cross your mind from time to time, there's always something cropping up with the national team in terms of player availability," Arnold said earlier this week. Viduka was excused the recent game against Uruguay because of tiredness but takes his place in a 23-man Socceroos squad which also includes Middlesbrough goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer and Brad Jones. Moore asked to be omitted while he considers his own future, which could lie either in Australia's A-League or the Far East. Australia's first game in the competition is on July 8, with the knockout stages running from July 21-29. Reports in Turkey suggest Newcastle are interested in Fenerbahçe's out-of-contract 25-year-old attacking midfielder Tunçay Sanli. The left-sided player, who featured against Newcastle in last season's Uefa Cup, could fill the hole left by Damien Duff, who is not expected to play before December because of an ankle injury. Tunçay has scored three goals in nine appearances for Turkey, for whom he played in Tuesday's goalless friendly draw with Brazil in Dortmund.

I want him to fuck off, the clubs he leaves behind tend to do quite well once he's left. He's only left 2 clubs and IMO, Real Madrid have gone backwards from where they were when he joined them. Real could win La Liga this weekend for the first time since Beckham went there. Aye, I don't really understand how that is going backwards. *oh and I couldn't care less if he fucks off either*

Don't go trying to steal him for your forum, hes ours! Gonna start a 5 facts thread over there and see if I can entice him over good luck then http://z3.invisionfree.com/NUFCforum/index...?showtopic=2787 Gonna register just to make you happy Wacky Nice One, start the ball rolling Ya wee bastard...

Now Magmas cool but is he as cool as aaaaaaaaaaaaaaalan

Don't go trying to steal him for your forum, hes ours!

What are you having for tea? your all wrong, I had chips and peck and chocolate pudding for my desert What the fuck is chips and peck? Well I know what chips are but peck?

According to reports in the Dutch press, Roda JC are hoping to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul on loan for next season. The former ADO Den Haag keeper has only played once for The Magpies, impressing in a Uefa Cup win over Palermo in November. Krul has already admitted he will be looking to leave St James' Park on loan next season in order to further his first team experience. Now Limburgs Dagblad has reported that Roda JC hope to be first in line should Sam Allardyce give the green light for the 19-year-old to leave. Krul is currently in his homeland preparing for the upcoming European Under 21 Championship after being included in Holland's squad.

deserves a thread of its own really "Daft little game, silly ground.. fuck off." Daft little game, aye we are so gutted we were not playing in a huge match against the mighty Estonia..

I reckon we'll soon be seeing... 1. Just in from Grans 2. Had crispy pancakes and alphabetti spaghetti for dinner 3. On myspace 4. On MSN 5. Big Brother on