Scottish Mag

I keep reading and have even said it myself that I reckon there may be 3 teams worse off than us, but seriously is there any truth in that? We are a shambles both on and off the park and regardless what any threads on here say a manager who is fucking clueless. There was a reason why he had been out of the game for so long.. Squad wise we are a shambles with it consisting of players wanted/wanting away (Given, Barton, Owen, N'Zogbia) and has-beens who are past it (Geremi, Viduka, Butt, Duff etc). We and others outside the area look at our squad and reckon we are probably too good to go down, but based on what? The players are not half as good as some of our support think and a midfield of N'Zogbia, Butt, Guthrie and Duff is arguably one of the worst in the league bar possibly Stoke but they have a handicap of having Amdy Faye. Results wise I just have no clue where these points that will keep us up are coming from. We are shockingly bad away from home and at home we have been a joke. The odd decent result against the likes of Villa, Man City and Spurs count for fuck all when you look at the reality of the teams we are fighting against at the bottom have given us a game every time. We have been beat by Hull and Blackburn and drawn with dross like West Brom, Stoke, Wigan and West Ham. Yes we beat West Brom but we nearly even threw that away. With Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal still to come to St James Park we can right those games off, and the Mackem and Smoggies match could go either way with whats at stake. What does that leave us as its hard to think we can get anything on the road? Pompey and Fulham? Heres hoping by the time we come to the last few games of the season there has actually been big changes in whats going on at the club and in our fortunes/points total as I do not fancy having a releagtion scrap with Boro or Fulham in our final two home matches and if things remain the way they are at the top of the table Villa away is a howler of a last game fixture. I have tried to remain optimistic as of late and had convinced myself that Ashley wa sgoing to invest this transfer window. Its no longer a case of hoping he does rather than praying he does as this is not looking good at all....

FYP

Season 08/09 With the lack of English players willing to come to Newcastle at the start of the game I Just get rid of a few bodies and see how I fared with the current squad given that I could increase their value and sell them on at the next transfer window. January approached and still the number/quality of English players was not great and as I was sitting in the top 4 my current squad was appearing to do a great job for me. I went on to finish 3rd in the league but left myself a very very busy summer of 09 reshaping the whole squad. Season 09/10 Whilst my players values had shot up, with the rules of the challenge I had to accept less than I would have liked on a number of players. I spent big money on Young, Agbonlahor and Lescott and have signed up a number young up and coming players to fill out my squad. I just hope the major overhaul of the squad does not affect my season.

English players are fine I think its just non-english players. Correct

If the bullshit he is being fed and spouting to the media day in/day out is anything to go by, there is probably no contract offer whatsoever...

Newcastle target Stephane M’Bia will not be making a move to St James’ Park – or anywhere else for that matter – this transfer window, his club Rennes has stated. The 22-year-old Cameroon international was the subject of a £5 million bid from The Magpies, which was confirmed by manager Joe Kinnear on Thursday. M’Bia was identified by Kinnear as an ideal midfield option, and the Premier League side approached Ligue 1 highfliers Rennes with an offer. However, the French side’s general manager Pierre Dreossi has stated that no-one else will be leaving the club this January transfer window, following Sylvain Wiltord’s departure for Marseille on loan. Dreossi has also ruled out the possibility of a loan switch for M’Bia until the end of the season. "There will be no arrivals or departures, nor any loans, even after the departure of Wiltord,” said Dreossi. "We are not interested in the departure of any of our players."

“We have a decent right-back who is virtually injured until the end of the season and a young kid (David Edgar) who is not anywhere near as good as the one we are losing. If we get any more injuries with our defenders we would be in serious trouble. You can’t fight relegation with kids, that’s for sure. If I lost a centre-half now I wouldn’t know which way to turn.” He also done wonders for Edgars confidence here...

Real Madrid are believed to be ready to let Argentina international striker Javier Saviola leave the Bernabeu in the winter transfer window. Saviola has struggled to make an impact with Real following his arrival from bitter rivals Barcelona in the summer of 2007. Premier League trio Everton, Portsmouth and Newcastle are all reported to have made tentative enquiries over securing his services, although no formal bids have been received. The former River Plate ace, who spent spells on loan with Monaco and Sevilla during the closing stages of his Barca career, is not in the plans of new Real boss Juande Romas. Sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has been handed the task of securing an exit for Saviola, who is under contract with the La Liga giants until 2011. A club source admitted: "We are open to some lines but the time is key in this subject." Although Real appear ready to let the player nicknamed 'The Little Rabbit' leave, Saviola refuses to accept that the curtain has been brought down on his career in the Spanish capital. He said: "I want to stay with Real and fight for an opportunity. I will only consider leaving if I receive an offer of a big project."

if such a prize existed, this would surely win the most optimistic post of the season award Well maybe, but to be honest mate its got so damn pessimistic and depressing on here of late, is it wrong for me o be optimistic? Maybe im setting myself up for a big fall but why change the habbit of a lifetime, im a geordie and used to it in all fairness. If were didnt have hope, optimism, then tell me what is the point? It is optimistic yes, but is it totaly out of the question? NO. This season has shown how tight the premiership is and yes if we slip up in we will have no chance of the above, but we've got to keep hope, if the players didnt then we would be screwed. Maybe thats what the problem is. EDIT: As for Lucas Neill, it was always going to be unlikely he would sign, NUFC showing there intentions though. Looks like we will push on for that Ebondo now. Ok so theres a few people saying he prices banded about for Mbia, Gomes and Ebondo are inaccurate, what is likely to be the accurate price for these guys? Id say Mbia 7.5mil tops, Ebondo 5 mil tops, and Gomis 8mil tops. I wouldnt make gomis a priority, come the end of the seasonmaybe but just now no. Outlay 12.5mil on Mbia and Ebondo and getting 1.5mil from Geremi sale...NET: 11mil...Come on MA pull ya finger out! Showing intentions? West Ham are quoted on SSN as having recieved no enquiries for him at all...

SSN said that an approach was not made...

More lies according to West Ham

We have no chance of getting Gomis or Mbia for 4 million...

Kinnear also claimed that Toon tycoon Mike Ashley will address fans via the media when the January transfer window closes at the start of next month and that he will be backed by the United owner. He added: “I spoke to Mike last night and the chairman has been to the training ground. “Mike is going to speak to the Press when the window shuts. “He is prepared to back me with the players I have seen. “I am optimistic that one player is going out and two coming.” However, Kinnear is unsure whether he will have any new faces or players back from injury for the trip to Ewood Park. He says: “We’d love to have them in for the Blackburn game. “We wouldn’t want to leave it any later. “We’d like to bring back in injured players and fresh faces. “I cancelled training as it was a case of having saunas and massages and getting ready for the match."

Newcastle have tabled a £5million approach for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia. Magpies boss Joe Kinnear has made no secret of his admiration for the Cameroon international and revealed on Wednesday that discussions regarding a possible deal had reached an advanced stage. It has now emerged that a sizeable offer has been made for the African ace, with Newcastle keen to push the deal through as soon as possible. "We put a bid in for Stephane Mbia earlier in the week with an offer of £5million, that is a permanent deal," Kinnear told the Evening Chronicle. "He's a fantastic player." Newcastle are also waiting to hear back from West Ham full-back Lucas Neill as Kinnear looks to make headway in the transfer market. "We have spoke to him, we are waiting to hear what the answer is from West Ham," added the Magpies boss. "All I can say is it is seriously ongoing." Kinnear remains optimistic that new recruits are imminent and is hoping to have added fresh faces to his squad by the time Newcastle travel to Ewood Park on Saturday. He said: "We'd love to have them in for the Blackburn game. "We wouldn't want to leave it any later. "We'd like to bring back in injured players and fresh faces. "We've identified the players we want."

or a taxi to South Shields ?

NEWCASTLE United have turned to experienced Aussie international right-back Lucas Neill in order to bolster their injury-ravaged squad. The Chronicle understands that Neill has emerged as one of United’s main targets in the January transfer window with the black- and-whites in dire need of a boost with the treatment room fit to burst. The Magpies have also lodged bids for midfielder Stephane Mbia and St Etienne’s French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis, after Mike Ashley released transfer funds following a plea from Toon boss Joe Kinnear. United are hoping to come to an agreement with West Ham to buy out the remainder of Neill’s contract – which has six months left to run – and transfer chief Dennis Wise’s close relationship with Gianfranco Zola, from their Chelsea days, could help swing the deal. Kinnear confirmed last night that funds had been made available by Toon tycoon Ashley and that the two £4m bids for new faces had been lodged. Kinnear said today: “We’ve bid for two players and we have tried our hardest to get them both here at Newcastle United. “One of them plays for Cameroon – he’s a decent player and is very powerful in the air.” The Chronicle reported last night that Kinnear was interested in signing tall Cameroon international midfielder Mbia from Rennes. However, after assessing their options in the right-back position and, given that the cash-strapped Hammers are desperate to reduce their wage bill, United seem to have cooled their interest in Toulouse right-back Albin Ebondo for now. Mbia is desperate to make the move to the Premier League and with his fellow countryman Geremi edging ever nearer to the exit door at St James’s, the removal of the ex-Real Madrid player from the Toon wage bill will help the move run a little smoother. Talks between Geremi and Turkish outfit Besiktas continued today. Gomis was a target of United last term when Kevin Keegan was in charge, and he is now back on the radar. The striker scored 16 times in 35 French League games last season, but has only struck four in 20 this term. He scored twice on his international debut for France against Ecuador but, despite winning a place in the Euro 2008 squad for Les Bleus, played only a bit-part role in the tournament as the French flopped in Switzerland. The 23-year-old would give United some much-needed options in attack at the moment, with Michael Owen Kinnear’s only fully-fit striker. Yet the acquisition of Neill would give the Magpies a major boost, with influential Senegal international Habib Beye ruled out for 10 weeks. Not only is the tough-tackling defender able to cover in the centre-back position, but his vast experience in the Premier League could help stabilise Kinnear’s side ahead of the upcoming tough run of fixtures that include trips to Blackburn, Man City and West Brom, plus the must win Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland. The 30-year-old had an own-goal chalked off in Saturday’s Premier League game between Newcastle and the Hammers, but is said to be keen to make the move. And in Aussie international team-mate Mark Viduka, he already has a major ally waiting for him on Tyneside. Meanwhile, United are hoping to complete the signing of 18-year-old striker Caio Ferreira from Brazilian side Clube Atletico do Porto, with red tape currently holding up the deal.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has made a move for former Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt, the player's agent has confirmed. Bruno Satin, the player's representative, says a return to the Premier League is an option, with Newcastle also said to have inquired about him. Redknapp watched Inter's game against Genoa on Tuesday night and reports have claimed he flew to Italy to sign striker Adriano. But Dacourt is no longer needed by Inter boss Jose Mourinho and Spurs, as well as the Magpies, have emerged as possible destinations for the Frenchman. Dacourt, 34, has only appeared once in the Italian league this season. Satin told Setanta.com: "Tottenham have enquired about Olivier and it would be a nice option. "Newcastle have also taken information about him." The former Leeds and Everton player told L'Equipe: "I have set a deadline regarding my future. I have plenty of contacts everywhere, in Italy, England, Spain, but I prefer to wait for the moment. "My kids go to school in Milan; as a consequence I'm not going to just do whatever. I have plenty of options, too many in fact, and you have pros and cons at every club."

NEWCASTLE United are attempting to bring France-based duo Stephane Mbia and Albin Ebondo to St James's Park. The Gazette understands executive director (football) Dennis Wise is in talks with the pair's clubs amid a deepening injury crisis on Tyneside, which has now claimed a dozen senior players. Kinnear – who is still hopeful of securing funds from owner Mike Ashley, having initially been told any money for transfers will have to be generated by sales – was today tight-lipped about the identities of his targets. But sources in France claim Wise is attempting to bring £10m-rated Stade Rennais midfielder Mbia on loan, while at the same time pursuing a deal for right-back Ebondo. "What I've got is options for the directors and board to look at," Kinnear told the Gazette. "I've given them a list of players and loan fees, and the possibility of maybe buying one or two. At the moment it's tight, but I'm waiting to hear whether one player moves." Mbia has told Stade Rennais he wants to quit France for England, with Everton also understood to be interested in signing him in this month's transfer window. The 22-year-old said: "Everyone knows there are clubs after me, but Rennes did not want to let me go. "Rennes are looking to improve my pay, but everyone knows I want to move to the Premier League to improve myself and play in the biggest league in the world." Marseille-born Ebondo, meanwhile, is under contract at Toulouse until the summer of 2010. United are looking to prise him away to provide cover for injured full-back Habib Beye, expected to be sidelined for 10 weeks with an ankle injury.

Newcastle United midfielder Geremi – on the brink of a £1.5m move to Besiktas – has been pulled out of tonight's FA Cup replay against Hull City. The Echo understands Geremi's representatives are in talks with the Turkish club after a bid was accepted for the 30-year-old, who was booed off when substituted in Newcastle's last game against West Ham after a woeful performance in the 2-2 draw. Should Geremi complete a move to Besiktas, Kinnear will use the fee, and the £4m-plus saved on his wages, to fund his loan signings. The hugely experienced Cameroon interantional – signed by Sam Allardyce in the summer of 2007 on a free transfer from Chelsea – is among the club's highest earners. And getting his sizeable salary off United's wage bills is a priority for executive director (football) Dennis Wise, with Geremi – who started last season as club captain – unlikely to play regularly for the club over the 18 months he has left on his contract. Sources in Turkey claim talks are at an advanced stage, with Geremi – who has made just eight Premier League starts this season – said to be keen to leave St James's Park in search of first-team football. The hugely experienced Cameroon international had a spell in the country earlier in his career, spending two seasons with Gençlerbirligi Spor Kulübü before moving to Real Madrid.

Jimbo said to me it sounded like they were both coming from the same club. Blatantly Cannavaro and Saviola btw

Have started a new game (well 2) with the challenge of creating an all English Newcastle United. Does anyone fancy giving it a shot? You have the first season/12 months (3 transfer windows) to sell off all your non English players and create an All English squad. For the first season you may play non-English players but after that season you should not field anyone who isn't English. All signings that are made should be English (No signing any other nationalities which could then be sold on..) If you fail to get rid of any players already on the books by the start of the 2nd season you must stick them in your reserves until they are sold/out of contract. Much like the players your coaching team should all be English too by the start of 2nd season I am also doing a Scottish Mags challenge to see if I can field a Scottish squad Newcastle team, though I do think it will probably get relegated

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player...ctid=6887925001