Scottish Mag

Fenerbahce hitman Mateja Kezman heads for Tyneside this week backing Newcastle to qualify from their UEFA Cup "Group of Death". And the Serb striker will arrive at St James's Park reflecting on how he might have made it in the Premiership had he joined the Magpies rather than Chelsea in 2004. Kezman is rebuilding his career in Turkey after seeing his move from PSV Eindhoven to Chelsea turn sour and faring little better in Spain with Atletico Madrid. But there was a time during his latter days in Holland when he thought Newcastle was his destination. "It's true that I might have joined them," says the 27-year-old. "I know that Sir Bobby Robson wanted me and talks between all the parties involved were positive. "But in the end, it wasn't possible for the clubs to agree a fee. Then, because things change quickly in the world of football, I suddenly found myself off to Chelsea. "Would I have done better at Newcastle than I did at Chelsea? I don't know. "What I do know is that I have a special incentive returning to England because I feel I owe it to myself to show what I can do there. "I didn't have the total backing of the coach during my stay at Chelsea and it was impossible to demonstrate my true quality." Kezman is otherwise settled at Fenerbahce, who he boasts are the most technically gifted team in Turkey under the management of Brazilian legend Zico, and has high hopes of a lengthy UEFA Cup run. "Although Newcastle are not as strong as they were, they are always tough opponents in their own stadium, so the match will not be easy," he adds. "But Fenerbache want to go as far as possible in the competition, so we want at least a point at Newcastle and, with luck, a victory. "This UEFA Cup group is tremendously hard. Celta Vigo, Palermo, Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt are clubs worthy of the Champions League. "But I expect Newcastle, us and one other to go through."

I work in a marketing role working with community groups, non profit organisations and charities.

I was able to get 6 of Prison Break on one burn..

When I was a postman, I did on my postbike... I went through red lights too but at 4.30 a.m. and in a small town there was fuck all traffic to worry about.

Dunno it was the hardest but one of the worst was being made to play hockey outdoors in the glorious Scottish winter weather...

Seeing as there has been alot of talk on jobs as of late, wheres does everyone work and what is your occupation?

Me mam got me brother that for his birthday, whilst getting it signed she got a snog off Ginola. Nice! I just got one of the gyppo copies that was lying around in Waterstones after he'd left. Weeks after, actually. I didn't queue to meet him or owt like that. I bought it out of Asda for about £1.50..

Its not that tough a decision, have you watched us lately!!! Very true... Plus if the guy who is currently sitting next to Peter in my seat is still there, I am not sure I want to run the risk of being eaten....he is meant to be huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!

Aye well, with both a house to buy and a wedding to pay for it'll be a tough decision for me when the season ticket renewal form comes through in May having already passed it on this year..

Revenge is sweet...

Hasn't been for a while thank fook...

I still do not think he is anything spectacular but I believe he is better than Ramage and he is playing week in week out at the moment.

Aye, I was hoping the Ukraine would have got a point against them last night, however in all honesty if you had offered me 2 points from yesterdays and Wednesdays game I would have taken them. Regardless of what happens things are certainly looking better for the future and it is just good to see some "competitive games"..

I dunno about that, there are still many games for us to possibly slip up.

Cheers guys n gals. Btw I was hoping for something more like a stag do in Vegas than a trip to the Bigg Market...

Might not have been good enough to get a look in at St James Park but hes doing alright for himself now. Champions League football with Celtic and hes made my night now scoring the winning goal against France.. Ukraine v Italy tonight...come on the Ukraine.

Good find, cheers dude..

Have you have not been there and done it? If not that must be a fucking first...

Went to get the train this morning to discover the town centre where I stay have already put the Christmas lights up..

Patrokles, in his ludicrously over the top defence of EVERYTHING Newcastle United, won't even let us laugh at some shit pictures of the players. Don't have a problem with anyone laughing at anything. Just saying! It's nothing to do with Newcastle, anyway, it's about the PRINCIPLE of the thing. "Oh my god, and I bet YOU'RE all supermodels, aren't you! You can be SO meeeean sometimes!"

TRANSFER RUMOURS West Ham's reported decision to pull out of takeover talks is likely to mean Argentine duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano leave in January. (Daily Mirror) Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock wants to sign Charlton midfielder Matt Holland on loan. (The Sun) Oman keeper Ali-Al Habsi wants to leave Bolton. (Independent) OTHER GOSSIP Stan Collymore is planning a Premiership comeback - more than five years since his last professional game. (Daily Mirror) West Ham have ended takeover talks after manager Alan Pardew threatened to leave. (Daily Mirror) The Premier League has told clubs they have an obligation to stamp out diving. (Daily Mail) Paul Ince has ended his playing career but intends to stay at Swindon in a coaching role. (The Sun) Steve Cotterill, Steve Tilson, Tony Mowbray and Alex McLeish are the leading contenders to succeed Bryan Robson at West Brom. (Daily Star) Former England striker Les Ferdinand is a candidate for the vacant managerial post at Bournemouth. (Daily Star) Scotland coach Walter Smith has not yet been offered an extension to his current deal, which runs out at the end of the Euro 2008 campaign. (Telegraph) Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will help Rangers prepare for their Uefa Cup match against Maccabi Haifa, who the Reds played in August. (Daily Record) Former England striker Les Ferdinand is a candidate for the vacant managerial post at Bournemouth. (Daily Star) AND FINALLY... Three Russian football fans have been given a new car by the club they support. They drove 10,000 miles to see their team Zenit St Petersburg play Luch-Energiya in the Sea of Japan but had to take the train back after their car broke down. (The Sun) Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann is planning to auction off a note he used to help him in Germany's World Cup penalty shoot-out win over Argentina to raise money for charity. Of the seven players mentioned in the note, he saved one penalty. (The Times)

With a 2 hour bus journey once you get there the arrival time of after 11pm is a bit of a bitch though.