Scottish Mag

NEWCASTLE United have today been notified by the Premier League of the following four fixture changes for the 2007/08 season: Wednesday 5th December 2007 Newcastle United v Arsenal Kick off 7:45pm - Live on Sky previously 15th August 2007 - kick off 7:45pm Saturday 15th December 2007 Fulham v Newcastle United Kick off 5:15pm - Live on Setanta previously 15th December 2007 - kick off 3:00pm Sunday 23rd December 2007 Newcastle United v Derby County Kick off 2:00pm - Live on Sky previously Saturday 22nd December 2007 - kick off 3:00pm Wednesday 2nd January 2008 Newcastle United v Manchester City Kick off 7:45pm previously Tuesday 1st January 2008 - kick off 3:00pm The announcements mean the Magpies will now be forced to play EIGHT Premier League matches between the December 1 trip to Blackburn Rovers and the January 2 visit of Manchester City. Newcastle fans travelling to Fulham also face the potential headache of planning a return journey home from the capital after a later than normal kick-off time at Craven Cottage

From the Fiver -

Not according to Speed he wasn't. He said it was his decision to concentrate on playing. The piece I read said he was relieved of his duties as coach, the sentiment is still the same though, why would people want Speed here when they know nothing about his abilities as a coach? Is it because he was a good player for us and came across as a decent bloke? I do know what you are saying mate, but I assume its down to the fact that it is often reported that within the game managers and coaches, including Sam, have high hopes for him as a coach.

Might even be the same person. nah, he's more similar to accrossthepond i reckon. that last post his was blaydon-esque to the last Aye, well it was more of a reference to Blaydon's signing up with various accounts to back himself up in arguments than actually thinking they were the same bloke Dan Who does that? The only other account I've got is "Barry Davies" Blaydon did. He had conversations with himself under the names Blaydon, Tyne, Bennie and Adidas. Though it has been questioned if you made that Rangers supporters post up on the Newcastle/Rangers game thread.

Not according to Speed he wasn't. He said it was his decision to concentrate on playing.

Getting posting in the five current facts thread then, its dying without you...

Aye but its for Harleys Christmas is it not?

GEORDIE legend Peter Beardsley feels that a place in Europe is there for the taking for Newcastle United this season. The United hero helped fire Newcastle back into Continental action back in 1994 for the first time since the 1970s. And now he believes that, under Sam Allardyce, the Toon Army may not be playing the role of armchair fans when next season’s European action kicks off. Beardo knows there is a long way to go before the Euro slots will be dished out – but feels that United will be there or thereabouts at the business end of the campaign, with Big Sam’s troops currently ninth in the Premier League and two points off fourth place. The former England and Newcastle captain told the Chronicle: “It’s been an outstanding start really. “If you had offered me 14 points going into the international break I would have taken it. “I would have settled for that with no complaints whatsoever. “We got that great win at Bolton to start with and then we had the stalemate with Aston Villa, but apart from that the home form has been fantastic. “I know we got beaten at Derby and Manchester City, but when you look at City they scored some great goals on the day and they won’t be far away at the end of the season. “And when you have a look at the quality they have got it doesn’t look that bad a result. It’s hard for Sam to come out and say that we will definitely get into Europe because of the pressure it puts on. “But for me the top four are the top four in any order you want. “The remaining three UEFA places I think will be contested by Everton, Man City, Blackburn, Portsmouth and of course Newcastle. “They for me will be the teams in the shake up.” And for evidence that Allardyce has what it takes to lead Newcastle into another foray into Europe, Toon fans must only look as far as Bolton Wanderers, after the Trotters bagged a dream trip to Allianz Stadium to take on the might of Bayern Munich next month. Ex-Bolton star Beardsley says: “It’s a great draw for Bolton to be playing Bayern Munich. “You always want the big clubs as soon as you can in Europe so you can test yourself against the top teams. “And to be fair to Bolton it is Sam who has put them there. “That will be a great night for everyone concerned for Bolton and it comes off the back of last season’s performance.” Beardsley is looking forward to playing the Prince’s Trust charity game at St James’ Park on Sunday, but admits he’d love to be taking in another slice of Premier League action after enjoying the 3-2 win over Everton when Emre cracked a Beardo-esque goal. He says: “My only wish at the moment is that we weren’t in the middle of an international break, because I would love to have a game this weekend to keep the momentum going. “I think when a new manager comes in, it’s never easy. But Big Sam has proved to be popular so far, he’s got a good mix of players and he is prepared to go out and get a result at home. “Sam showed he wasn’t afraid to go for the win against Everton when he brought on Michael Owen and Emre late on to win the points. “We saw that under Sir Bobby Robson that bringing subs on two or three at a time can work, and credit to him for going out and winning the match like that. “Emre’s goal was a cracking strike and it was good to see that Sam thinks he is a special player.”

SAM ALLARDYCE has revealed how Senegal international star Abdoulaye Faye has given him a welcome selection headache in his back four. United’s defence certainly needed a kick up the backside after the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, and Big Sam gave them one when he axed Steven Taylor and David Rozehnal. The Toon pair made way for Faye and Brazilian rock Cacapa, who duly handed their manager a big decision for the next game against Tottenham Hotspur on October 22. It could be that Allardyce sticks with the partnership of Faye and Cacapa, although both Taylor and Rozehnal will have something to say about that. But Allardyce says he was particularly impressed by the African’s performance, which also earned rave reviews from Toon fans and pundits alike. He told the Chronicle: “Abdoulaye Faye’s here for his aerial dominance. “Even though we’ve had a terrific start, on occasions that’s slightly been missing from our defensive unit. “You saw his dominance in that particular area against Everton in our last game and how important it was when Tim Howard was kicking a number of balls up the middle. “He was firing them over their midfield and into defence but Abdoulaye coped excellently. “Then we could go and play from there. “It’s a terrific asset to have for us and one that shone out.” Faye played for Bolton at centre-half for much of last season and made it clear he wanted to rejoin Allardyce during the summer once United had made an approach for him. Big Sam originally signed Faye from Lens for £750,000 in the summer of 2005, and he paid a further £2m to take him to St James’s Park. His country Senegal – who have already qualified for the African Nations Cup in Ghana early next year – have a friendly against Guinea on Sunday. The player will be missing for a large chunk of the season in January, along with Geremi and Oba Martins, when the African players head to Ghana for the African Cup of Nations. But Faye has admitted he is happy to be on Tyneside. He said: "I was happy to get the chance to work with the manager again. I hope that he can bring success to Newcastle this season. And I will play anywhere he wants me to play."

Was that the peach with the inside of his right foot? http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIucuBxjHI

After talk of Euro 96, I did go a bit mental with McCoists goal against Switzerland..

Going to the Scotland/Urkaine match tomorrow. Other than that and loafing in work today I do not have much planned.

Ramage is committed too. We know, as well as he does, that he is very limited in ability, but I reckon he gives as good as he has can in every game he plays. So did Stevie Caldwell but he is fucking shit too.

With a Viduka/Owen first choice strike force and with Smith/Martins as back up I am more than happy. After seeing the silly money spent on Championship strikers over the last few years over players like Jones, Chopra, Nugent, Earnshaw etc I would be tempted so let him go on loan to the championship, as I expect he would score goals at that level, and I think we would actully get some decent money for him next summer.

£10m for him was at least £5m too much. Is that not the case with most transfer fees? Look at the money spunked on Chopra, Jones, Nugent, Albert Fucking Luque etc... Either way hes a top class keeper.

Bellamy V Feyenoord for me too. Non Newcastle would have to be McFaddens goal against France...

Have to agree there. If this allowed us to bring in Anelka and another top player it would be a good move for all concerned. Or a swap deal for Elano or Richards would do I am another whilst neither pro or anti Owen who would be more than happy to see Anelka brought in if Owen goes. I wouldn't see it as weakening us either as whilst Anelka may not be as prolific as Owen I think his all round general play is IMO. That and the fact that I would think Anelka would go for a fee around 9 million meaning we would have another 6 million to strengthen the team elsewhere.

Do you have a link to that Stevie? Stevie do you have a link to that as I have not found that at all? Even looked under the username Tam 1690 but there was no such member? wind up shrley? From who? Stevie or the poster of that "post"? stevie Its looking that way. I did think the post was a bit too trainspottingtastic, trying far too hard with the use of "Scottish slang". But surely Stevie wouldn't have just made that up himself?

STEVEN Taylor is adamant that his commitment to Newcastle remains intact after insisting that he is unconcerned about his contractual situation at St James’s Park. The 21-year-old’s representatives last month rejected an improved five-year deal, but although the furore that followed the Taylor camp’s decision to air their grievances in public ensured the defender’s future at the club was called into question, United’s talented stopper has no plans to leave. A player who has lost his place in Sam Allardyce’s team in recent weeks last night admitted that winning back his central defensive role is more important than improving his personal terms. As he prepares to concentrate on challenging Abdoulaye Faye, Claudio Caçapa and David Rozehnal for first-team football, it seems contract negotiations are not on his personal agenda. “I want to be playing for Newcastle, that’s the main concern,” said the England Under-21 international, who was an unused substitute during Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Everton at St James’s Park. “If people want to sort out the contract, that will get sorted out. The main thing for me is to be playing for Newcastle – there’s no doubt about that.” Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner have both signed improved contracts in recent weeks, but Newcastle’s initial offer to Taylor was turned down. Allardyce last month admitted the situation was a concern and claimed Taylor’s representatives were asking too much given the player’s age and experience. That the episode has been played out in public didn’t impress the United boss or aid Taylor’s cause. The situation also led some supporters to question the defender’s commitment to the club – a subject he has been keen to address. “I’m committed to the club 100%,” he said last night. “This is the club I want to be playing for.” Taylor’s current contract runs until 2009, but given the player’s growing reputation, St James’s Park officials will hope agreement can be reached soon. Having starred in this summer’s European Under-21 Championships, Taylor was appointed Stuart Pearce’s captain and was called into Steve McClaren’s senior squad. Although not assured a regular place in Allardyce’s starting XI, the former Wycombe Wanderers loanee is not without Premier League admirers. Taylor will hope to further his reputation when he leads Pearce’s side into tonight’s European Championship qualifier against Montenegro at Leicester’s Walkers Stadium. It is a game in which Milner will add to his record Under-21 cap collection. Middlesbrough’s David Wheater and Andrew Taylor are also in the squad. England’s Under-19s will also be in action this evening. Newcastle’s Andy Carroll – on loan at Preston – Sunderland’s Jamie Chandler and Middlesbrough’s David Steele are in Brian Eastick’s squad for the game against Iceland at Doncaster. Meanwhile, Newcastle could be about to make a fresh raid on Le Havre after sources in France revealed 18-year-old striker Wesley Ngo Baheng has emerged as a United target. N’Zogbia’s move from the French club to the North-East prompted a protracted argument over compensation and led to a long-running court case only resolved this summer. That seems not to deter United from targeting another Le Havre footballer, with talks understood to have taken place with a view to a deal in the January window.

HE remains confident he can realise his Gallowgate dreams, but Shola Ameobi has admitted he will have to consider his future at St James’s Park should he fail to command a regular place in Sam Allardyce’s side. Newcastle’s unfortunate forward is hoping to recover from a groin complaint in time to compete for a place in the club’s next Premier League fixture – against Tottenham on October 22 – but a player whose peers include Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka knows he is facing a fight for a first-team place. Although he last night revealed that his latest fitness problems had affected his confidence, a player who believes he has got sufficient talent to make the grade on Tyneside will not duck the challenges he is facing. But having conceded that he has reached a crossroads in his career, Ameobi has accepted that, should he prove unable to realise his ambitions, it could have major consequences for his career in the North-East. “Playing football is the most important thing for me and I’ve got to be doing that, whether it’s here or somewhere else,” said the striker, who was a target for Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate prior to the August 31 transfer deadline. “If I’m not playing here, it (changing club) might have to be something I look at because I need football. That hasn’t changed and it’s something I’ll deal with if and when the time comes. I’m focused on being the best I can be, but I can’t do that if I’m not playing. “It’s not the best scenario, but if it ever came to it, I would have to make a big decision. But I still believe that I can help this club achieve what it wants to. You have to believe. If I wasn’t good enough, I wouldn’t be here.” Seven years have passed since Ameobi made his senior debut for Newcastle – replacing Kevin Gallacher in a Premier League game against Chelsea – yet the former England Under-21 international is still striving for recognition as a first-choice pick. “I’ve taken stick over the years, but it has never got me down,” explained a player who would have been a regular last season had a career-threatening hip problem not wrecked his campaign. “I’ve kept on going, kept on battling, and it will be no different this time. I see this as a challenge. We all face challenges and this is something I’m going to fight for. We’ve got great strength in depth, it (the club’s striking department) is perhaps the strongest it has been while I’ve been at the club, although I don’t think there can be stiffer competition than challenging Alan Shearer for a place. “I’ve had to endure that and I’ll take anything on because I believe in myself, that has never been a problem. I just hope that when I’m fit I can go out and demonstrate what I can do.” Ameobi made an encouraging start to his career under Allardyce’s guidance but with Newcastle’s manager favouring Owen, Viduka and Martins for the season’s opening fixtures, it wasn’t until September 19 that the frustrated forward started in the Premier League. His appearance at Pride Park remains his sole top-flight start, an injured groin forcing Ameobi to retire from last month’s Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal. Given all he endured last season as he played through the pain barrier with a hip problem that required a pioneering operation in America, recent events have taken their toll on his mental well-being. “It has been a frustrating start to the season,” added Ameobi. “It has really affected my confidence and, as a striker, you live on confidence. The fact that I’m injured – given what happened last season – is hard to take. It’s not the best, it’s not what I wanted. “The timing is bad given that the manager has just come in because I want to impress him, demonstrate what I can do, and I haven’t been able to do that. I just have to make sure that when I’m fit again, I do it. I will give it everything I’ve got and I hope I get a chance to prove a point. “I need to be playing football. I’m almost 26 and I feel I’ve been given a lifeline with the (hip) operation. I have to do myself justice by playing and by playing regularly.” Ameobi was speaking at Durham’s Gilesgate Sports College, where he presented Derrick Gurney, Durham County’s hard-working chairman, with his Umbro Football Hero award.

TRANSFER RUMOURS Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is desperate to sign Newcastle's England striker Michael Owen in the January transfer window, for about £15m. (The Sun) Francesco Guidolin - the Italian set to be appointed QPR's new boss - will be given £20m to spend and he wants to sign Alessandro del Piero. (Daily Mirror, Daily Express) Liverpool are weighing up a move for Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta, 22. (Various) Reds boss Rafa Benitez wants £12m for striker Peter Crouch, with Manchester City and Portsmouth leading the race. (Daily Mirror) Nicklas Bendtner has told Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - pick me or I'll quit. (The Sun) Harry Redknapp says Portsmouth will not be signing Sierra Leone striker Mohamed Kallon, despite a recent trial. (Independent) Osasuna will renew their interest in Celtic midfielder Evander Sno in January. (The Sun) Falkirk and German clubs are interested in Motherwell's trialist goalkeeper, Henri Sillanpaa, presently of VPS Vaasa. (The Sun) Dunfermline hope to extend Norwich goalkeeper Paul Gallacher's loan period until the end of the season. (The Sun) Barnsley have asked Everton boss David Moyes to allow Brazilian midfielder Anderson de Silva to stay at Oakwell for a further month. (Daily Star) Hull striker Michael Bridges is set to complete a loan move to Australian outfit Sydney FC. (Various) Manchester City defender Shaleum Logan, 19, has joined Grimsby on a month's loan. (Daily Star) Charlton boss Alan Pardew has denied reports claiming Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has been training with the club. (Independent) Managerless Norwich are trying to sign West Brom misfit John Hartson, 32, on loan. (Daily Mail) OTHER GOSSIP Captain John Terry is a major doubt for England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Russia on Wednesday. (Daily Star) Actually, Terry could face a long spell on the sidelines after it emerged he could require surgery on his injured knee. (Daily Mail) Wayne Rooney says it is time to end his three-and-a-half year goal drought in competitive internationals when England play Estonia on Saturday. (The Sun) Micah Richards is determined to keep his place at right-back even when Gary Neville returns to full fitness. (The Sun) England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce is backing Gabriel Agbonlahor to be the next player to step up to the senior squad. (Daily Mirror) Gary Speed quit as Bolton first-team coach after a series of bust-ups with manager Sammy Lee. (The Sun) Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has told Wales manager John Toshack to stay out of his affairs after Toshack wondered why Freddy Eastwood was not in the team. (Various) Kenny Jackett has been revealed as the new manager of League One Millwall. (The Sun) Hibernian manager John Collins rejected an approach to become QPR's new boss. (The Scotsman) Hearts' Steve Banks believes that Craig Gordon has proven himself the best goalkeeper in Britain since moving from Tynecastle to Sunderland. (Various) Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer wants Scotland to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals. (Daily Mail) Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko wants France and Italy to qualify for Euro 2008 ahead of Scotland. (Various) Former St Mirren and Scotland Under-21 defender Sergei Baltacha wants land of his birth Ukraine to beat Scotland on Saturday. (Daily Express) Blackpool keeper Rhys Evans - on loan at Bradford - has blasted the Seasiders' fans, claiming he was made scapegoat for their poor start last season. (The Sun) AND FINALLY Wayne Rooney says he is "boring. I hate the spotlight. I'm a family man." He also likes going round his auntie's. (Various) Sven-Goran Eriksson admits he is in love - with 40,000 Mancunians. (The Sun)

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON will plead with his board to sign Michael Owen in January. The Newcastle striker has been rowing with boss Sam Allardyce about whether he is fit to play two games for England in four days after recent operations. Manchester City manager Eriksson hopes to capitalise on the unrest with a bid but Owen’s fee could be a whopping £15million plus £110,000-a-week wages. That could be too much cash for former England boss Eriksson, even though he has been told by owner Thaksin Shinawatra there will be cash available in January. Owen, 27, has failed to settle on Tyneside and the fans have never truly taken to him. They feel he would have rather returned to Liverpool or signed with another big English club when he joined Toon for £16m from Real Madrid in 2005. But Newcastle were the only ones prepared to take the gamble. The perception in the North East is Owen loves his country more than his club, having made just 17 starts for the Geordies. Owen was also slow to pledge his commitment to Newcastle when it was revealed he could leave last summer due to an £11m get-out clause in his contract — which has since expired. He was booed when he came on in the 3-2 win over Everton last weekend — and cocked an ear towards the fans when he scored. A move to City may not be his ideal choice but Manchester United refused the chance to sign him in the summer. United are unlikely to change their minds — and the same goes for Liverpool. During his time as England boss, Eriksson told a fake sheik in a newspaper sting that Owen was not happy at Toon. But both men will forget the matter if it suits their purposes. If the hitman moves to City, Allardyce will raid former club Bolton for Nicolas Anelka.

Celtic have been fined £18,000 and AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been banned for two matches following trouble at the recent Champions League game. Dida collapsed dramatically after a fan appeared to strike him near the end of Milan's 2-1 defeat on 3 October. The 34-year-old was stretchered off and was criticised for overreacting. Uefa's control and disciplinary body heard cases concerning Dida's actions and Celtic's security in light of the pitch invasion.

bob? Nah, but RobW is...