sempuki

Pattison named in SA squad South Africa have handed Newcastle United midfielder Matty Pattison a first call-up for next month's friendly against Egypt in London. The 2010 World Cup hosts take on the African champions at Brentford's Griffin Park on Wednesday 15 November. Pattison, who was born in Johannesburg but left for Britain at the age of 11, made his first Newcastle appearance against Everton in February. The news comes as a belated birthday present for Pattison, who turned 20 on Friday. The Belgian-based pair of Jeffrey Ntuka and Elrio van Heerden have also been recalled to the squad, as have former captain Sibusiso Zuma and France-based striker Katlego Mphela. Squad: Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns) Defenders: Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Siphiwe Mkhonza (Kaizer Chiefs), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, England), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos, Greece), Jeffrey Ntuka (Westerlo, Belgium), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates) Midfielders: Mlungisi Gumbi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Matty Pattison (Newcastle United, England), Steven Pienaar (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Gert Schalkwyk (Kaizer Chiefs), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Free State Stars), Elrio van Heerden (Club Bruges, Belgium) Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete (Aalborg, Denmark), Katlego Mphela (Racing Strasbourg, France), Sibusiso Zuma (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany).

Quiet summer haunts Roeder By Jason Mellor Newcastle United 0 Charlton Athletic 0 SADLY FOR GLENN ROEDER, THE benevolence Alan Shearer exhibited last week in donating £1.6 million from his testimonial to charity does not appear to stretch to him coming out of retirement. The Newcastle United manager does not like the term “bare bones”, but that increasingly sums up his attacking options. How he would love to make Shearer an offer he cannot refuse before Thursday’s Uefa Cup tie against Palermo in Sicily. “I almost thought you were going to ask me if I was considering playing myself,” Roeder said. What is that about many a thing said in jest? Giuseppe Rossi is ineligible, the injured Obafemi Martins will not travel and Shola Ameobi has finally admitted defeat, albeit six months too late, to a hip problem. “It’s deteriorating,” Roeder said. “He knows he has to have an operation sooner rather than later.” Scott Parker, the Newcastle captain, agreed. “There’s no hiding we’re a bit light in the striking department,” he said. “It’s showing, but that’s the hand we’ve been dealt.” Roeder is having to deal with the fallout from Newcastle’s failure to recruit sufficiently in the summer. “I don’t know if exposed is the right word. We’re short on numbers and are being tested to the limit,” he said. Rossi struck the bar in Saturday evening’s dour encounter with Charlton Athletic and Damien Duff, pressed into service up front, wasted another good chance after the break as Newcastle failed to capitalise on an opportunity that Freddy Shepherd, the chairman, had said that they must take to climb the table, with a sixth winless league game. It means they are without a home win in the league since the season’s opening day. It might have been worse. Darren Bent, a forward Roeder attempted to sign in the summer, found only the Gallowgate End with a rushed finish as he failed to capitalise on a second-half error by Titus Bramble. “Watching him in training, he hits those volleys like no one else,” Iain Dowie, the Charlton manager, said. “We were relieved to get to the interval still level, but in the end we probably created the best two chances,” he added as a third consecutive clean sheet sealed a first away point of the season. Palermo marks the first of eight matches in November that will shape Newcastle’s future. “It’s going to be a telling time,” Parker said. “We’re near the bottom and it’s not looking good on paper. If we’re sitting there after the game knowing we’ve not done ourselves justice it’d be different. We’d be worried if we couldn’t see the result coming, but it’s going to turn.”

More rubbish probably. Toon eyeing Baggies midfielder? Newcastle United are thought to have targeted West Bromwich Albion star Zoltan Gera as a possible January recruit. Hungarian international Gera has made it clear he wants to return to the Premiership as soon as possible, and has openly courted attention from top-flight clubs. New Magpies assistant boss Nigel Pearson was recently the number two at The Hawthorns, and has recommended Gera to Toon boss Glenn Roeder. Newcastle are desperate for an attacking spark, having scored just seven goals in ten Premiership matches, and Pearson believes Gera's thrust from midfield would make him a valuable addition. Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is unlikely to wish to part with Gera, but he may sacrifice him in order to further strengthen his squad.

We'd be lucky to get more than 3million for Luque and Butt combined. We still might get 4m for Milner though.

Who knows there may be some truth in this as all 5 have contracts that run out within the next 18 months or less so we'd theoretically (no doubt we'd get fleeced like we usually do, especially from Bagpuss) be able to get them on the cheap.

we get beat off home by mid-table sides, and only manage draws with the team at the foot of the table. sounds like relegation fodder to me. Agree.

Booed off again - every home game this season bar Wigan? Getting majorly sick of this - it's no good being good in the cups (no doubt getting knocked out when it matters) then getting relegated which, as it stands looks like we may be heading.

Maybe Curbishley I would imagine.

http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=892&p=16&style=2&forumId=6548&action=1&replytoid=530864433 DoF?

Wants to come back! FIGHTING TALK GLENN Roeder today likened the freak injury which robbed him of Kieron Dyer to "being hit by a thunderbolt". But Roeder has vowed Newcastle United will "come out fighting" against Charlton Athletic tonight, as they look to turn their league campaign around. Dyer – who made a midweek comeback against Portsmouth – had been set for his first Premiership appearance in more than six months after overcoming his long-term hamstring problems. But Dyer's eye was caught by a pole while he was doing a shuttle run yesterday morning, and he now faces a frustrating few weeks on the sidelines. Roeder said: "Everyone at the training ground yesterday was absolutely gutted at what happened to Kieron. "It was like being hit with a thunderbolt, but it's no good being down about it. "If the players see myself and the rest of the coaches being affected by something like this, then it has an adverse effect on them. "There are two things you can do in situations like this. You can curl up and die or come out punching and fighting. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that's what everyone from the chairman down to the tea lady will be doing." Roeder revealed Dyer will have to sit out training for the next two weeks, ruling him out of some crucial games, including next week's UEFA Cup tie away to Palermo. He added: "Kieron took a knock to his left eye in what can only be described as a freak accident. "We immediately took him to see a specialist and his advice was that he needs to rest and not to take part in any contact training for at least two weeks." Meanwhile, controversial winger Laurent Robert has told of his desire to return to Newcastle. Robert left the club last year after falling out with Graeme Souness, and is currently playing for La Liga side Levante. But he has not given up hope of a return to Tyneside. He said: "When I think of my time at Newcastle, I can think of only one word – fantastic. "I really loved my time there as I enjoyed English football and I'd love to come back if Mr Shepherd would have me. "There was only one reason why I left Newcastle and that was Graeme Souness." Robert would be available in January, but he will not get his wish of an emotional return.

Now crock Dyer is KO'd by pole By MARTIN BLACKBURN October 28, 2006 KIERON DYER’S hopes of making his first start in six months today have been pole-axed. The injury-jinxed Newcastle midfielder suffered a freak eye injury when he collided with a pole while doing shuttle runs in training yesterday morning. He will now miss at least four matches. And boss Glenn Roeder said: “Kieron took a knock to his left eye in what can only be described as a freak accident. “We immediately took him to see a specialist and the advice was he needs to rest and not take part in any contact training for at least two weeks. “Kieron didn’t deserve such wretched luck little more than a day after getting out on the pitch against Portsmouth. “It’s cruel luck to be robbed of his services but we’ve got to stand up and be counted and move forward in a positive way.” The England ace played the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s Carling Cup win against Portsmouth. Dyer, 27, was likely to start in the home clash with Charlton today — ending six months out of the first team with groin and hamstring problems. Toon have cup matches against Palermo and Watford along with a league clash with Sheffield United in the next two weeks. Newcastle had more bad news yesterday as they recorded a yearly loss of £12million. The signings of £16m Michael Owen and £9.5m Albert Luque, plus a lack of European football were the major reasons behind the fall. The figures, for the 12 months ending June 30 2006, were in stark contrast to the £620,000 profit Toon made in the previous year. But chairman Freddy Shepherd insisted: “This year has been a period of transition for the club. “The board believe the investment it has made will deliver long-term benefits.”

Staggering! Freak Eye Injury Setback For Star KIERON Dyer has suffered a freak training ground eye injury that will see the Newcastle United ace back on the sidelines for a short while. The fleet-footed Magpies star made his long-awaited comeback as a substitute in Wednesday's 3-0 Carling Cup win over Portsmouth at St. James' Park, and was looking forward to another Gallowgate run-out in Saturday's visit of Charlton Athletic. But the England man's hopes were cruelly dashed by an unfortunate accident while training on Friday morning. Manager Glenn Roeder told nufc.co.uk: "Kieron took a knock to his left eye on Friday morning in what can only be described as a freak accident. "We immediately took him to see a specialist and his advice was that he needs to rest and not to take part in any contact training for at least two weeks. "Kieron doesn't deserve such wretched luck to happen little more than a day after getting back out on the pitch against Portsmouth, when for 30 minutes he showed the kind of electric pace and ability that we know he's capable of. "It's such cruel luck to be robbed of his services, but we've just got to stand up and be counted and move forward in a positive way, starting with Charlton on Saturday." http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~918948,00.html

Solano confirms Peru return By Patricio Figueroa - Created on 27 Oct 2006 Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano has confirmed he will return from the international wilderness against Jamaica next month. The Newcastle winger has not featured for his country since falling out with former Peru coach Freddy Ternero, but he has had a change of heart following talks with new manager Franco Navarro. "I feel good about returning for the national team in the friendly with Jamaica and I would also like to play in the Copa America next year in Venezuela," said Solano. "I have spoken with the coach Franco Navarro and we have reached an agreement for my return to the national team." Such a move will come as a blow to Newcastle, as Solano will be jetting across the Atlantic to represent his country. It is likely that Solano will not feature in all Peru's games, as he added: "We only have to agree with Newcastle which games I will play. "I want to play against Jamaica and besides the problems that I had in other times I want to wear the national shirt again." Solano is hopeful that Navarro has ironed out the problems of previous regimes. "When I took the decision to not play for Peru it was because there wasn't any kind of plan and the players like me that travelled from Europe received all the criticism when the problem was that Peruvian football did not have any kind of organisation," he added.

I was expecting a much heavier loss considering how much we've shelled out on transfers.

Cat's want Nicky Oct 26 2006 By Lee Ryder, The Evening Chronicle Roy Keane was at St James' Park last night to run the rule over his former Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt in Newcastle United's Carling Cup clash against Portsmouth. The Sunderland manager took in the first half of the rain-soaked affair and left before Butt was subbed on the hour. Keane and Butt, of course, are close pals from their days at Old Trafford together and the pair would have no problems linking up again. Butt would be an ideal signing for Sunderland and would bring them much-needed steel to their midfield. However, there are two snags for the Wearsiders if they wanted to pursue any interest in the ex-England midfielder. Firstly, Butt still has a season and a half left to run on a lucrative £40,000-a-week contract after arriving from Manchester United, which may be beyond Sunderland's wage structure. With Glenn Roeder's squad still wafer-thin, there is also no way the Toon boss would allow Butt to leave at the moment without adequate cover for Scott Parker and Emre - who he regards as his first-choice midfield men. However, if that situation was to change and United did bolster their squad, Butt could be allowed to go in January either on loan or for a fee. Roeder would still think long and hard before making a decision because he remains a big admirer of the man he worked with during his England career and he did not complain in the summer when he welcomed back Butt after a loan deal to Birmingham fell through.

I think he's better in the centre where he can use his energy to run at players. When (if?) he gets fit I'd play him along side Parker with N'Zogbia left wing and maybe Duff right. Owen (when he returns) and Martins up front doesn't sound bad although I think we need a new back 4 to help out Shay.

I've decided I'm not going to get up at 4.00 a.m. to listen to it on the radio like I normally do. I get the horrible feeling that when I check the internet tomorrow morning it will be a defeat with A.E.T. following it.

Hall the elder quick to support Newcastle's top men despite 'vast amounts of wastage' Michael Walker Wednesday October 25, 2006 The Guardian Sir John Hall, Newcastle's life president and most significant shareholder, spoke publicly yesterday and the rare words were in support of the manager, Glenn Roeder, and the chairman, Freddy Shepherd. Hall also accepted that "vast amounts of money have been wasted on players" during his and Shepherd's tenure, though he blames previous managers for that. Hall, 73, is in semi-retirement in Spain but was told of the anti-Shepherd chants during Newcastle's 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Sunday. "I believe it has been blown out of all proportion by sections of the media," he said. "Like I did before, Freddy Shepherd has backed every Newcastle manager to the limit of the club's resources. And, like me, he cannot legislate for what happens on the field. That is up to the manager and the players. "It is clear to me and everyone that some of the players brought by previous managers have not been good enough. Our fans must look in amazement at some of the vast sums paid for players who are not good enough for this football club." Some of those fans would doubtless counter that Hall and his son Douglas have taken vast sums out of the club. Between 1998 and 2005 they made £34m in sales of Newcastle shares and dividends, and Hall Sr wants to sell his remaining 41%. On current valuation that would net the family around another £40m. But it is Shepherd who runs the club and takes the stick. Ironically he is also hampering Hall's ambitions to sell up as any buyer would want Shepherd's 29%. With speculation regarding a possible takeover a daily occurrence the club issued a statement yesterday saying: "The company has not received a formal offer proposal from any entity." Shepherd is known to be a reluctant seller, although should there be further criticism during tonight's League Cup tie at St James' Park against Portsmouth, he will surely start to reconsider his position. The chairman, moreover, will have his eyes on the crowd as well as his ears following the six-year low attendance against Bolton. As ever, a couple of wins would alter the mood and Hall said he thinks Roeder deserves to be given an extended run. "Glenn is one of the most honest and sincere men I have met in football and I have the highest regard for him," he said. "He has got Newcastle in his heart and he feels the anguish the same as the supporters when results are not going our way. I am sure Glenn will get it right, but he needs the strength of the fans to get him through. We have also got to look at ourselves and may appoint a director of football to take some pressure off the manager." Hall and Roeder have mentioned the benefits a director of football before but of more pressing concern is the size of the squad. Roeder said Shola Ameobi, struggling for fitness, "may not make it" to the transfer window and with the on-loan Giuseppe Rossi returning to Manchester United then, leaving only two recognised forwards in Obafemi Martins and Antoine Sibierski. Albert Luque would be another but the £11m signing is off the radar and fits Hall's "wasted money" criterion. Kieron Dyer has played in a closed-doors practice and if unscathed this morning he may make the bench tonight.

I'd go if I could but no doubt would regret it later.

Isn't his contract running out? If so we should be able to get him on the cheap - not that I'm advocating that mind.

I still rate him as a player but he's 32 next birthday and no doubt Milner's 4m move to Villa would only cover his wages for a season. I thought Roeder wanted to lower the age of the squad although you can be guaranteed FF would be behind it to restore his flagging popularity.

I was shocked to hear my Mam (who goes crazy when we get a throw-in) or my Dad who has been going for nigh-on 50 years, week-in week-out are not going tomorrow night. Indicative of the malaise.

Shock horror! This one was very predictable.

I'd say we'll struggle to get over 20,000.

Shepherd the bad guy in Geordie soap opera By Henry Winter Nativity plays in Tyneside schools this year will surely feature boisterous audience outbursts of "Shepherd Out". As Newcastle United writhe in another bout of introspection, the piercing search-light should be focused not on the short-term leadership from the dug-out but the long-term direction from the board-room. Chairman Freddy Shepherd is the problem, not manager Glenn Roeder. Musical chairman: Shepherd discards managers too easily Life at Newcastle is often depicted as a soap opera, a sort of North-eastenders with repeating plot-lines of aspiration unfulfilled, yet it is also real life laced with deepening sadness. Away from the chairman's office and certain incompetent corners of the dressing-room, this is a club teeming with proper people, supporters of unbelievable patience and passion, and employees who view the world solely in black and white. When Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were dragged to the press room to explain their infamous on-field spat, a heart-broken club servant turned the photograph of Jackie Milburn to the wall so that the late, great Geordie No 9 would not see the shame brought on the club he represented so sportingly and selflessly. In Shepherd's defence, a middle-aged suit sitting up in the stands can hardly be held responsible for two midfielders scrapping down below. Not all of Newcastle's ills can be laid at Shepherd's door; the thoroughbred Michael Owen, a Shepherd transfer coup, went lame in England's colours. Shepherd has consistently provided funds for excellent recruits such as Scott Parker. He even allowed Roeder to gamble £10 million on Obafemi Martins, the infuriatingly inconsistent Nigerian striker. advertisementSympathy for Shepherd disappears the moment his salary is examined. According to the latest available accounts (year ending July 31 2005), Newcastle's chairman was paid £502,954. Good money for indifferent work. Shepherd is no benefactor in the mould of Middlesbrough's Steve Gibson, the benchmark for "a fit and proper person" to lead a football club. Developments 200 miles to the south also embarrass Shepherd, down at Aston Villa, where Martin O'Neill has again been playing the sleeves-rolled up alchemist. O'Neill is the manager Shepherd should have wooed and appointed this summer, and Newcastle fans understandably gaze enviously at events off Spaghetti Junction. Roeder is an admirable person, a terrific coach, and outstanding Academy director, but he will never be the Pied Piper of Toon Army dreams as O'Neill would have been. Talk swirls around fans' chat-rooms and City circles about a putative take-over, by the Belgravia Group, yet would Shepherd sell? Yesterday, one enraged supporter despatched a missive to Shepherd, pleading with him to leave, arguing that the chairman had wasted the legacy built up by his distinguished predecessor, Sir John Hall. "When you took over the club you were handed the second-best team in the Premiership, a club that was looking like it was destined for greatness and you've destroyed all of that through your utter contempt for the fans and your lust for power and money," wrote Michael Foster. "You've totally failed in everything a chairman is responsible for." Such Newcastle fans deserve better. Those of us neutrals who travel the English football circuit, mixing with fans of all club colours, and gauging the depth of their fervour, readily admit respect for Newcastle's following, home and away. Battered at Manchester United, Newcastle fans never stopped singing. St James' itself is a special place, an arena that makes the pulse quicken when the teams walk out and that extraordinary roar erupts from countless Gallowgate throats. Attending Alan Shearer's testimonial last season was uplifting because of the outpouring of love for a local hero while also painfully poignant. The absence of Shearer's name from the cast-list rips away much of the lingering class clinging to the club. A die-hard Newcastle disciple of this observer's acquaintance is convinced the club will be transformed only when supporters show their dissatisfaction at serial mismanagement by voting with their feet. Empty seats. No queues in the megastores. Might focus a few minds in the board-room. It will never happen. Following Newcastle is a birthright, a religion, a warm-up before the knees-up of a night out. On the Geordie check-list of must-do activities, watching the Toon ranks alongside breathing. Such loyalty merits better leadership. Shepherd Out.