Nicky

Think he's class, and would love him to stay. 140 is exagerated no doubt, but how much would replacing him cost (and could we?). Shows good ambition from Ashley if he stays, and equally good backing for Keegan. We'll make a lot back in marketing too.

THERE will be an extra urgency in Alex Ferguson’s search for a new striker after this stalemate. Manchester United’s lack of potency up front proved costly as Newcastle were back in a Kevin Keegan wonderland with a rare point off their old foes. Now Fergie will be either upping the bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov or testing Blackburn’s resolve to hold on to Roque Santa Cruz. The Old Trafford boss was at Everton on Saturday to see the Paraguayan score in Rovers’ 3-2 win. Fergie certainly needs something.The champions could be playing big-time catch-up if they wait for Cristiano Ronaldo’s return from injury in October. Fergie said before this match that he was concerned United were down to the bare bones up front. His fears proved well founded. The situation was not helped when Carlos Tevez had to fly home to Argentina due to a family bereavement. That left Wayne Rooney up front with Fraizer Campbell making his competitive debut. The 20-year-old tried hard and almost snatched an early goal with a header that hit Shay Given in the face. Campbell also forced the Toon keeper into a good second-half save.But he and Rooney never clicked. The England striker looked a frustrated figure and got booked towards the end for mouthing off at referee Mike Riley. Rooney was screaming at him seconds later when the official got in the way of one of his passes. The United striker only really tested Given once when his shot from outside the area on 14 minutes was saved and Paul Scholes’ follow- up was smothered. Rooney did double training every day last week to get fit for this game after suffering from a virus. But he did not look right. Early on, it looked to be only a matter of time before United got the goals that would finish off this game. Yet the home side were rocked when the visitors took the lead on 22 minutes. The Geordies won a corner which Danny Guthrie swung towards the centre of the box. Obafemi Martins took to the sky while his marker Darren Fletcher stayed on the ground. The header was full of power and Scholes on the post could not stop the ball from crossing the line. There was a pause before the travelling faithful celebrated, probably due to disbelief than anything else. Owner Mike Ashley, with his new skinhead cut, was bouncing up and down and hugging anyone close to him. What a moment. But the joy was short-lived as United were level within two minutes with Fletcher making up for his poor marking. Newcastle were a mess at the back as Steven Taylor received treatment. Patrice Evra eased the ball out wide to Ryan Giggs, whose perfect low cross allowed Fletcher to sneak in and steer the ball past Given. That would normally be the starting gun for an onslaught from the champions but credit Keegan’s men for what happened after that. The Toon stayed strong and were always in the match, even though Given was forced into a few more saves and Nemanja Vidic hit the bar with a header. After the break, in particular, they gave as good as they got and could even have snatched victory. New signing Jonas Gutierrez had a sparkling debut. Nicknamed Spiderman because of the super-hero mask he produces when he scores, the Argentine span a web across the pitch with his powerful, weaving runs. Advertisement Other new boy Fabricio Coloccini was part of a Newcastle defence which refused to buckle as it has done in the past against the champs. What the visitors did above anything else — and what should be an object lesson for all who come here — is they had a go. Keegan’s teams always do, he can’t do anything else and more often than not it works. After the hammerings they have suffered at Ferguson’s hands in the past, this was a refreshing result and performance from Newcastle. If Ashley can supply the cash for a couple more signings, this could be a good season for the Geordies — particularly in light of the confidence this will have given them. For Ferguson, injuries during the game to Michael Carrick, Giggs and Campbell did not help as he constantly had to juggle his line-up. Ronaldo’s absence was probably best emphasised in the final minute when United won an injury-time free-kick right on the edge of the area. The Portuguese superstar would have loved it. Instead, Rooney put the ball well wide. Ronaldo had watched the first half from the directors box but did not reappear for the second. How they need his sparkle, his goals. Ferguson will not panic — after all, United won two points from their first three games last season and went on to do a double. The last time Keegan was in charge of Newcastle, they had aspirations for titles too. Those expectations have lowered since. Yesterday, there was every reason for the Toon Army to march with their heads held high again. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1569510.ece The Suns match report tommorow, and with Jonas getting their star man award too. A surprisingly fair review. Mostly about Man U, but still, getting a bit of praise. Cant wait to see Louise Taylors mind

I miss this thread already

Gone. 2.25m

27 caps

The FA will blatently wait until he is picked for selection before imposing the ban.

Very helpfull to have 2 Argies here, should help Fabricio pick up the language a bit easier too. Cracking stuff, looking forward to watching the interview later.

I imagine all relevant documentation came through at the same time (first post ), hence the double announcement. Yep. Its a shame the Spanish FA didn't slip anyone elses in there by mistake

Nahhh, just guessing they wanted international clearence after the Jonas fiasco.

He's holding a shirt and everything. Woo.

Would believe our official site and fifa over them tbh. Sneaky.

Signed 5 years. .cock

Probably Coloccini

Had actually forgot about Arda Turan. He never moved anywhere, did he?

Nah he changed to 13 last season I think. Nah he changed to 13 last season I think. Cheers He made a sneaky edit

Harper is down as 13.

Well spotted. Thought he would have been number 5 to be honest. 2 is usually for a full-back.

Official site mentions Coloccini for the first time today as a prospective new signing, saying he's been called up to the Argie squad next week. Thought I'd share.

Its on the 26th and live on Sky Sports.

First ones a polish defender previously on trial at Liverpool. Can't find shit on the 2nd. How'd you find out their names?

Rioch arena is very nice, especially for a non-premiership club. Went there for Saracens vs Munster this year, and was really impressed

The Daily Mail really fucking hate us now we're blanking out the media more Kevin Keegan is facing a fresh battle with the Newcastle board to hang on to James Milner after Aston Villa made a £9million offer for the England Under-21 winger. Keegan 'I've got to sell who? Keegan's problems are mounting up' It comes after Villa boss Martin O’Neill also made an enquiry about former England forward Alan Smith, who had seemed destined for Everton. Newcastle manager Keegan is still desperate to add to his squad before the season kicks off at champions Manchester United on Sunday, but he has been warned by owner Mike Ashley that he must sell before he can bring in any more new faces. Last week Keegan fought to keep Smith at the club after Ashley accepted a £3m bid for the ex-Manchester United and Leeds striker from Everton manager David Moyes. Newcastle’s resolve will be further tested by Villa’s interest in the player. Milner, however, who has been on O'Neill's shopping list for two years, could now be sacrificed to fund future deals at St James’ Park and the £9m offer placed on the table will be very tempting for Ashley, who has not hidden his frustration at the perilous state of Newcastle's finances, admitting this week he still has to fund £27m towards past transfer deals. On the few occasions he has spoken this summer, Keegan has insisted that former Leeds junior Milner, who spent a season on loan at Villa Park, is an important member of his small squad, which has been only partially strengthened this season. Those words could now be irrelevant if Ashley wins the latest boardroom battle with his manager. Even the new signings Newcastle have concluded have not run smoothly. Keegan has brought in Argentina midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, who plays in Milner's preferred position on the right, but he is unlikely to feature at Old Trafford because of complications surrounding his move from Real Mallorca, which centre around ownership of the player. The FA have called on FIFA to resolve the dispute because the Spanish FA are refusing to release his international registration. Newcastle have also been closing in on Gutierrez’s international team-mate Fabricio Coloccini but a proposed £10m move for the centre-back from Deportivo La Coruna has so far failed to materialise. Milner Coloccini was in the crowd at St James’ Park for last Saturday's clash with Valencia, where Ashley wore a shirt with the player’s name on the back, but he was not at an open training session at the ground yesterday, which was attended by around 12,000 supporters - most of whom booed Smith. Captain Michael Owen managed a run-out at the open day, which was closed to the media bar a brief ten-minute segment for cameramen. The England striker could be fit to face United on Sunday after missing most of pre-season, bringing some relief to Keegan and Newcastle supporters. http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/football/article-1044640/Keegan-set-battle-Milner-told-sell-raise-cash-new-players.html?ITO=1490 Bitter fucking wankers.

Coloccini was in the crowd at St James’ Park for last Saturday's clash with Valencia, where Ashley wore a shirt with the player’s name on the back, but he was not at an open training session at the ground yesterday, which was attended by around 12,000 supporters - most of whom booed Smith. From tommorow's "We really fucking hate newcastle" daily mail. Complete bullshit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8oN58cyp2c Hahaha, fuck me, thats brilliant. Surprised the media havent hammered him yet.

While we're talking about todays games, our reserves are 0-0. NUFC: Fraser Forster (Tim Krul, 46m), Callum Morris, A.Trialist, Ben Tozer, A.Trialist, James Marwood, Mark Doninger, Frank Wiafe Danquah, Kazenga LuaLua (Jonny Godsmark, 26m) Ryan Donaldson, Fabio Zamblera LuaLua crocked again? And 2 trialists!