sempuki

Glenn has Owen comeback fear By MARTIN BLACKBURN December 22, 2006 GLENN ROEDER admits it will be a ‘massive bonus’ if Michael Owen returns to action this season. The Newcastle hitman is refusing to write off the campaign after undergoing successful surgery on a cruciate knee ligament. But Roeder fears Owen, 27, will have to wait until next term to make his comeback. The Toon boss said: “Michael says it is feeling strong and he reckons there’s a chance we might get him fit before the end of the season. “If that happens it would be a massive bonus. I can’t tell you what a bonus it would be to have Michael fit before the end of the season. But we also have to accept there’s a potential that it might not happen. “I think it’s important his aim is to get back before the end of the season. He’s right to set that target and I hope he makes it. “But Michael hasn’t kicked a ball yet — he’s nowhere near being able to do that.”

Newcastle chairman tells potential buyer to 'put up or shut up' Michael Walker Wednesday December 20, 2006 The Guardian Newcastle United yesterday confirmed for the first time that the Jersey-based group Belgravia, which has been in takeover talks with the club since August, has completed the process of auditing the books at St James' Park. This confirmation is likely to see Belgravia's credibility on Tyneside rise, although there remains no official bid for the club. Newcastle United plc held its AGM in the City of London yesterday morning amid takeover speculation. The meeting was attended by a few dozen small shareholders as well as the Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, and another significant board member, Douglas Hall. There were no uncomfortable moments for the board and they were unable officially to shed much light on the mooted takeover because of Stock Exchange rules and Takeover Panel restrictions. Newcastle and Belgravia have been in formal discussions since August 21. Ideally if Belgravia is to purchase the club it would like to do so in time to take advantage of the January transfer window and, despite legal formalities, there is confidence within Belgravia that it has the means to inject funds into the club immediately. However, the lack of a public face to the company and its unwillingness to speak have caused scepticism in and around St James' and Shepherd said after the AGM that it was time for Belgravia to act, either positively or negatively. "I would like it sorted out as soon as possible," Shepherd said. "Enough is enough. It has not affected the team or the management but, the longer it goes on, it makes for a lot of uncertainty around the club. It is time they put up or shut up, it is as simple as that. I don't make the rules, I abide by them. Let's get on with it." Of his own position as chairman, Shepherd added: "I am not looking actively to leave, not at all, but if there was to be a takeover it would be a clean break. I wouldn't be hanging around. I don't think it is right for any company and I have bought enough companies in my time to know that doesn't work. I certainly wouldn't do it." But there is a difference between Shepherd saying "put up or shut up" and the club invoking the clause of that name. Put Up Or Shut Up is a legal term in the takeover process and Newcastle have been entitled to use it to force Belgravia's hand, or that of Polygon, another interested party. The Takeover Panel would then stipulate a period, usually from two to seven weeks, for an offer to come. City sources suggested that Put Up Or Shut Up not being invoked was an indication of the Newcastle board's willingness to reach an agreement with a potential buyer and, although clearly wearied by the length of this process, Shepherd did say that a deal could be concluded swiftly if necessary. Asked about that possibility he replied: "I take the point; any deal can happen like that. I have been in enough deals in my life when that has happened. But at this minute I don't know any more than I have told you. That is the truth. I get 10 proposals a week, from nutters to people who [say they] would like to buy the club but really just want to throw their name in." He added that any buyer would have to be extremely wealthy to enable Newcastle to compete with other Premiership clubs being bought post-Roman Abramovich. "It is getting to the point now, and I am not just talking about Newcastle, where multimillionaires are not enough," he said. "You need billionaires." Belgravia has considerable assets but, with no official offer expected from the group today, the status quo exists for another 24 hours and Shepherd and Newcastle have to plan for January on the basis that the current board will be in control. Shepherd will meet the manager, Glenn Roeder, before tonight's League Cup quarter-final against Chelsea to discuss transfer activity in the window. The chairman praised Roeder's stewardship, saying: "He has not got a lot of stardust on him but Glenn has come through a very difficult period with dignity and a lot of credit." In contrast Albert Luque's future at Newcastle is uncertain after the forward's walkout before the Watford game last Saturday. "I am not very impressed by that," Shepherd said.

3 or 4 players (defence and attack) from Europe. I've really no idea who they could be: The 51-year-old will send his resurgent Magpies side out against Premiership champions Chelsea in Wednesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final tie at St James' Park, looking to book a place in the last four by extending the Blues' run of one draw and two defeats in their last three visits to Tyneside. However, Roeder will do so having already thrashed out just where the chairman's money will be invested during the transfer window as he looks to strengthen his squad. Roeder said: "We have a list of players that we have spent the last three months putting together. "We have spent a fair time in Europe looking at three or four targets in those areas of the team I feel need strengthening. "We have very little strength in depth in defence and with Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi having long-term injuries, we do not really have strength in depth in striking roles. "It would be quite easy to work out the areas we are attacking." Shepherd was down at the club's annual general meeting in London on Tuesday, but will return ready to do business despite continuing speculation over the club's future ownership. However, he remains focused on Roeder's rebuilding plan, and that would be boosted significantly by a victory over Chelsea. Shepherd said: "Glenn and myself have already have already had preliminary discussions, but we will probably decide tomorrow just who we can or cannot bring to St James' Park in the January transfer window. "Whatever people may or may not say about Newcastle United, we have always done our best for our manager, and we will do what we can for Glenn Roeder." Jose Mourinho's side will arrive at St James' having lost there in the final game of last season and in the fifth round of the 2004-05 FA Cup with a Premiership draw in between. The reigning league champions scraped past the Magpies at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday evening when Didier Drogba's late strike was enough to claim all three points, but that simply served to increase the belief within the black and white camp that they could claim a major scalp. Roeder said: "I hope the players get confidence from that fact, but you never get - and never will get - two games exactly the same. "Chelsea, being the winners they are, will be as keen and as desperate to go through to the semi-finals as we are. "Jose Mourinho has always treated this cup with respect, which other managers have not done in the past by putting out weakened teams. "We are expecting to play a very strong and motivated Chelsea team tomorrow night." Roeder could have makeshift right-back Nolberto Solano back at his disposal after a groin injury with left-back Celestine Babayaro suspended, while Turkish midfielder Emre will have a late fitness test on an ankle problem. However, Roeder has promised to keep a cool head on the sidelines whatever happens amid an ongoing debate over the behaviour of managers in which Mourinho has figured prominently. He said: "Over the last few years, football has become more theatre and I do believe a number of managers play to the cameras, they do enjoy seeing themselves gyrating and jumping up and down. "That is not normally my style. I have my moments, I must admit, when I am trying to encourage the team or direct operations from the sidelines. "But I much prefer to stand and watch the game and study what is going on so when I get a chance to speak to them at half-time or at the end of the game, I can hopefully make a more accurate assessment than the guys that like to bounce up and down as if they are on trampolines."

Spurs are frankly rubbish away in the Premiership this season and we should be looking to beat them.

Spurs have very poor away form and we should be looking to win that one. After we've beaten Chelsea of course. :winking:

Lucky - it's becoming a recurring theme but we needed this one.

Arsenal now 2-2.

Underwhelming news - I was hoping for much better when I opened this thread.

United to be sold Dec 15 2006 By The Journal Newcastle United last night refused to comment on reports that a £227m bid for the club had been accepted. The reports say secret talks have led to a joint bid by American financiers Polygon and the United Bank of Switzerland being accepted unanimously by the club's board. The club remained tight-lipped about the prospect of a takeover which is now said to be in the "due dilligence" stage and expected to be completed in the New Year. Under-fire chairman Freddy Shepherd will receive £20m for his shares while major shareholders, the Hall family will reportedly walk away with around £48m from the deal. And Glenn Roeder is expected to stay on as manager with a transfer kitty of £20m at his disposal. The shock takeover scuppers rival interest shown by investors The Belgravia Group, who had been going through a similar due dilligence process, without making a firm bid for the club. Polygon and UBS had reportedly been speaking to the Magpies since the summer before putting an offer of 93p per share on the United board's table. With the deal picking up the club's debts of around £87m, the offer values the club at £140m. One season ticket holder and shareholder, Jonathan Wells, last night told The Journal he was happy with the reported deal. "Anybody buying Newcastle for less than a couple of hundred of million would have been getting a bargain so I think Freddy Shepherd has held out for a better price," he said. "I think it's probably good news. I think there's always been money to spend, though not as much money as the richer clubs. "A transfer kitty of £20m doesn't even go a quarter of the way towards what some of the clubs have. It's a question of whether we're ever going to challenge the top five. We looked like we were going to five years ago but have drifted away from that. "It would be nice to get back into the Liverpool and Arsenal area of the Premiership."

He's right I amended it! Anyway this is absolutely massive news if it's true and this morning could be very interesting. Tara Freddy!

GLENN ROEDER will get a huge transfer war chest if the £227million sale of Newcastle goes through. Toon boss Roeder can expect a £20m windfall should American financiers Polygon and the United Bank of Switzerland complete the New Year deal. Chairman Freddy Shepherd and the Hall family will also be huge winners. Shepherd will pick up £20m from the deal while former owner Sir John Hall and his son Douglas should scoop around £48m. Sir John paid £3m for the Toon in 1991. It will be another Premiership club takeover by foreign backers. They have pledged NOT to get involved in the playing side — unlike new West Ham supremo Eggert Magnusson, who sacked boss Alan Pardew this week. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-10151,00.html

Maybe the reports of Crouch and Wes Brown at the weekend had some truth.

CROUCH MOVE TO END IN FAILURE? PETER Crouch is a shock target for Newcastle United in the January transfer window. But the odds look against Glenn Roeder landing the 6ft 7in striker, who has netted nine times for Liverpool this season. And much could depend on the imminent take-over at Anfield by Dubai International Capital, with the super-rich investors likely to back manager Rafa Benitez in the transfer market once the expected £450m deal goes through. Crouch is not an automatic choice for Benitez, who also has summer acquisitions Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt to choose from up front. Roeder would not confirm United's interest, but he did say: "I'm an admirer of the way Peter Crouch plays and the fact that he also scores goals." Crouch, of course, would also be cup-tied in Europe, having played in the Champions League for Liverpool this season. Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka had been a target of Newcastle's in August, but the deal never got off the ground and United's interest in the forward is now dead, while Roeder has ruled out moves for defenders Jonathan Woodgate, Sylvain Distin and Fulham's Zat Knight. Both have been linked with the club in recent days as speculation intensifies ahead of January 1. But Roeder said: "I'm not interested in bringing Jonathan Woodgate, Sylvain Distin or Zat Knight to Newcastle United." It is also understood that another one-time target, Blackburn Rovers' right back Lucas Neill, is no longer on Roeder's shopping list.

Puntastic!

.com reckon he's got 5 yellow cards and will be banned for Wednesday. God knows what our defence will look like.

If the Zog gets banned maybe O'Brien will get a start - he'll have more chance than Luque!

Even with a full team Chelski away is a virtual write-off. The home game with Watford is more important in my opinion - hopefully Ken Dire will be back, maybe Parker for Emre although hopefully not Carr - I don't think it's co-incidental we are on a run without the leprechaun in the team.

Shocking when you see probably up to 8 starters are out.

Relief after nearly messing it up.

Newcastle's business ventures could see stakes rise to £240m Michael Walker and Ewan Murray Friday December 8, 2006 The Guardian The Belgravia Group, a Jersey-based business considering a takeover of Newcastle United, is understood to have made solid progress over the past few weeks in its discussions with the club. Belgravia has been studying the club's books and has now reached a stage where it is assessing if, when and how to make a successful bid to take control at St James' Park. It appears Belgravia is satisfied with the initial part of its audit but a city source said it is not a question of moving from there to an immediate offer for the shareholdings of the Hall family (41%) and the chairman, Freddy Shepherd (29%). An estimated fee for the club is £150m but it is believed there is a simultaneous negotiation relating to possible business ventures surrounding the club. That could take the price towards £240m. Belgravia and Newcastle United plc refused to confirm yesterday whether Shepherd had met the senior figures of Belgravia. Both parties seem keen to continue talks in private despite impatience on Tyneside for a resolution to something first announced on August 21.

Isn't Mark Stimson (former blonde bombshell now baldy) the manager there?

Baba's backed over boo-boysDec 7 2006 By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle Glenn Roeder jumped to the defence of his left-back Celestine Babayaro after Newcastle United's excellent victory over Reading at St James' Park. The Nigerian international returned to the side for the first time since he injured his groin at Watford a month ago and, not surprisingly, looked a bit ring-rusty. But it was his miskick in the move which led to Reading going 2-1 ahead in the 42nd minute which led to the former Chelsea man being booed by the home supporters. And for a spell at the start of the second half, Babayaro had the ignominy of again being targeted by his own fans, before they got behind Roeder's team with what can only be described as magnificent support. I asked to interview Babayaro and match referee Rob Styles to explain why he had disallowed what looked like a perfectly good Antoine Sibierski goal when Reading were rocking at 2-2. But neither Babayaro nor Styles appeared, and I was told that Roeder was "dealing with" the situation regarding his left-back. And sure enough, after the match Roeder said: "Babayaro showed immense courage and bravery to play through that difficult period. "I was quite surprised at the reaction he was getting when he was on the ball early in the second half. "But he kept showing for the ball and playing well and it all changed again and our supporters got behind him again." While Roeder was talking, I was told that Babayaro was sitting in the dressing room with his head in his hands being comforted by assistant manager Nigel Pearson. I wrote in the Chronicle last night that Babayaro is not popular with the fans and he should ask himself why. But at least, as Roeder pointed out, the left-back had the bottle to come through that awful 15-minute period at the start of the second half, and for the sake of the club, I can only hope the fans get behind the player. After all, as revealed in the Chronicle last night, Olivier Bernard is struggling to play again this season because of a hip problem similar to that of Shola Ameobi, leaving Babayaro as United's only recognised left-back.

Roeder plans swap for Bent Newcastle United have asked Charlton to let them know if they decide to sell Darren Bent in January and are prepared to offer James Milner and Steve Carr in part-exchange. St James’ Park manager Glenn Roeder has made £10 million-rated Bent his priority with Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi set to miss the majority of the season and Albert Luque getting ready to return to Spain on loan. Chairman Freddy Shepherd is reluctant to spend another large sum after investing more than £40m on Owen, Luque, Damien Duff and Obafemi Martins in the last 18 months. Bottom club Charlton are reluctant to sell Bent in the transfer window if they feel they have a chance of staying in the Premiership but know he wants to move to a bigger club. Roeder is also keeping tabs on Bolton striker Kevin Davies. Talks over a new three-year deal have stalled, with manager Sam Allardyce refusing to get anywhere near Davies’ request to be paid £30,000 a week. Bolton have resurrected Davies’ career but the player does not want to be taken for granted.

Sounds good to me and the transfer window might be exciting for once as we'd definitely be going for players at the top end of the market.

I remember being very impressed at the time with John Gallacher but he seemed to completely disappear without trace. Didn't Sumo get 36 goals and McGhee 25? Awesome statistics it must be said.