LooneyToonArmy

Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson is being targeted by Newcastle as Magpies boss Chris Hughton seeks to boost his squad after clinching promotion to the Premier League. Full story: Daily Mirror Hughton is also considering a move for Swindon's Charlie Austin after sending scouts to check on the 20-year-old striker in Monday's 1-1 draw with Exeter. Full story: Daily Mail

Seemed like a canny game the other night .......red card, 2-3 down then 2 goals for Clarkie`s team in stoppage time to win it. KK esque

still still still hate that club. "WE ALL HATE STEVENAGE BOROUGH..SCUM" http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113926841954087&ref=search&sid=575627641.3626342249..1 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=9010745859

not saying he should be a target but I`ve always been impressed when I`ve seen Akos Buzsaky play for QPR. Good attacking midfielder with a bit of skill to boot.

was watching the Mallorca Valencia game yesterday. Ever Banega got subbed and acted like a complete co(k to his coach....I suppose not so unexpected given his past behaviours. Good game nonetheless. PS: Borja Valero looks a completely different player to his West Brom days.

Most people from Liverpool are Evertonians anyway......a bit like people from Barcelona are Espanyol fans (though they don't all go to the games)...at least what I was told when I visited there. Maybe Village Idiot can confirm/deny this. I was talking to a proper die hard Espanyol fan though so perhaps an element of bias

thought that also. Can do a job as an attacking midfielder as well as up front so can cover a few positions if/when needed. Maybe try and get Van Aanholt back too as left back cover....better than being 3rd/4th choice left back at Chelsea.

Posted on another forum regarding Larsson, Skelbred and MGP: Greetings from Norway. To be honest, i dont like either Larsson or Gamst. Gamst is slow and very unstabil. Larsson is very overrated. When it comes to Skjelbred, and i watch him alot – he is not that creative. He runs alot though, but NEVER scores. None of these Scandinavians are classy enough.

Messi should no longer be taking his place for granted now....his place could be under threat....

Marco Grassi Marc Hottiger

nope, has another year on his contract to run....not that we would have had a chance anyway. Cristian Riveros looks a tidy player having seen him in a few qualifiers for Paraguay. The inbreds down the road are supposedly after him ...

Manchester United have agreed to sign Mexico striker Javier Hernandez from Chivas de Guadalajara following their exit from the Champions League. The deal for the 21-year-old, for an undisclosed amount, is subject to a successful application for a work permit. "I am delighted to reach agreement with Chivas to bring here such an exciting young striker, who has been in such prolific form for both his club and his country," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "He will be a great addition to our squad and we look forward to welcoming our first Mexican player in the summer." The player, known in Mexico as 'Chicharito', has agreed personal terms and passed a medical. He has scored four goals in four appearances for Mexico and, if he receives a work permit, will officially join on July 1, during the latter stages of the World Cup. He will come up against hosts South Africa, Uruguay and France in the finals. Included in the deal is a clause that will see United play a friendly to open the 45,000-capacity Chivas Stadium in Guadalajara during the close season. "We are equally excited to play our first game in Mexico, opening the magnificent new Chivas Stadium in July," Ferguson added. The Red Devils, two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race, crashed out of Europe to Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.

Pretty sure he's just joined them in January, so really a move is unlikely aye looks a good player. Done well for them and I'm surprised he didn't move onto PSV or Ajax as commonly done. What about getting Van Aanholt back? Though playing back up for Enrique is not much difference to what he'll be doing at Chelsea ( guess he's 3rd choice or something there though) Also, if Wolfsburg don't get into Europe next season, would love us to try a cheeky bid for Misimovic. His national team mate Ibisevic is a good striker too (Hoffenheim) Having watched quite a bit of the Bundesliga this season, there is also Andreas Ivanschitz (attacking midfielder/playmaker) who is on loan to FSV Mainz from Panathinakos. Done extremely well for them. Darjo Srna? Can't believe he's not tried his luck in Europe yet, and stayed with Shakthar all these years.

Fuller signed a contract extension earlier this season, so he isn't out of contract.

Bryan Ruiz of FC Twente looks a top drawer player, alot of tecnical ability and is a good finisher......one of the top scorers this and last season.Though the same could be said of the previous top goalscorers there in Kuyt/Alves/Kezman. McClaren to his credit looks like he could have led them to the Eredivisie title so CL footie will keep him there I suppose for a bit longer.

in terms of out of contract players not yet mentioned..... Mark Bresciano and Jonathan De Guzman.

I`m guessing Krul. His contract is up next season and I don`t think he will displace Harper next season (well at least the start of the season)....and will be looking for somewhere with more first team opportunities.

Forster tipped for top by rival JONATHAN REDHEAD Last updated: 08/04/2010 10:13:00 Norwich City goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been hailed as one of the country's best young prospects - by the man who might lose his shirt to him next season. The on-loan Canaries stopper has been one of the reasons City sit nine points clear at the top of the League One table after a string of excellent performances, which have reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City. But Steve Harper, No 1 at Forster's newly promoted parent club Newcastle United, believes the 22-year-old will still be a Magpies player next season after his 'phenomenal progress'. As much as City boss Paul Lambert might like Forster to stay at Carrow Road for an assault on the Coca-Cola Championship, it's likely the 6ft 6in stopper will return to the north-east to challenge Harper for the keeper's jersey in the Premier League in the next campaign. Alternatively, Toon boss Chris Hughton could decide to send him out on loan for another season and Lambert would probably be first in the queue for his services. Either way, Harper believes Forster should be pressing for a place in the England U21 squad. "I know Fraser is out at Norwich, but there is no chance of Newcastle selling him. He is too good," Harper said. "I cannot understand how he is not in the Under-21 squad. I know their set-up, and Fraser is as good as there is around. "He is a local lad from Stocksfield, a big lad at 6ft 6in who stayed on at school and so came late into full-time football, but the progress he has made in the last three years is phenomenal. "I know Paul Barron, our goalkeeper coach, rates him highly, and so does Norwich boss Paul Lambert. "Fraser still trains with me every Monday and Tuesday when Norwich don't have a midweek game, so we keep an eye on him and keep in touch." Forster missed Monday's 2-1 win over Stockport County and will also be absent for the clash with MK Dons at Carrow Road on Saturday after his dismissal against Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday - his second red card of the season.

Not an Argentine international but Gary Medel (Chile). Watch out for him in the world cup. Very good defensive midfielder. Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes), a right back who has been called up numerous times for Argentina. Jose Sosa (central midfielder). Actually a Bayern player but was`t getting much of a look in there. Went back to Arg on loan and has managed to play himself into a few Argentina squads. Unlikely to get in ahead of the current Bayern midfielders on his return. Nicolas Gaitan (Boca) - attacking midfielder. Huge talent but I guess bigger clubs might be sniffing around for him if he becomes available.... If Roque Santa Cruz becomes available and we aren`t sticking to the 15k a week wage ceiling, would be worth a punt IMO. Have watched a lot of S.American qualifiers and sometimes league highlights so know a few things. I don`t get my info from FM On a seperate note can't believe Godoy Cruz are up the top of the table in the Clausura in Arg. That league is crazy, unless you a team is playing Tucuman all the games could go either way. yeah. Actually it`s nice to see a few clubs other than Boca/River vie for the title in recent seasons. Lanus, Estudiantes, Huracan, Banfield, Newells have either won or been close to winning the clausura/apetura. The 90`s and early 2000`s was all Boca/River which was a bit boring.

Not an Argentine international but Gary Medel (Chile). Watch out for him in the world cup. Very good defensive midfielder. Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes), a right back who has been called up numerous times for Argentina. Jose Sosa (central midfielder). Actually a Bayern player but was`t getting much of a look in there. Went back to Arg on loan and has managed to play himself into a few Argentina squads. Unlikely to get in ahead of the current Bayern midfielders on his return. Nicolas Gaitan (Boca) - attacking midfielder. Huge talent but I guess bigger clubs might be sniffing around for him if he becomes available.... If Roque Santa Cruz becomes available and we aren`t sticking to the 15k a week wage ceiling, would be worth a punt IMO. Have watched a lot of S.American qualifiers and sometimes league highlights so know a few things. I don`t get my info from FM . S.America is worth looking at IMO and many would be not be demanding 50k a week like European based established players.

who needs messi we got shola

JONÁS Gutiérrez knows there will be plenty of changes this summer as Newcastle strengthen the squad for a Premier League return – but the Argentina international does not want to go anywhere. Gutiérrez has been one of Newcastle’s star performers in the Championship and, having rejected the chance to leave last summer, there is no way he wants to depart now the Tynesiders are back in the top flight. The 26-year-old (pictured right) did well enough in the Premier League in his first season in English football, but that first foray ended in disappointment and relegation and, with his family happy and settled in Newcastle, Gutiérrez is looking forward to the challenge of re-establishing the Magpies in the top flight. He said: “I want to stay. My family is happy in Newcastle and that is very important for me. You never know what is going to happen in football, when we went down I said I never wanted to leave and that has not changed. “I want to play for Newcastle United in the Premier League for the next few years. I know José (Enrique) has said he wants to play here for the rest of his career, but it is a little different for me because my home is in Argentina, not Spain, so it’s easier for him. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be playing in Europe but if I can, I’d like to play for a lot of years here at Newcastle. I love this club.” The former Real Mallorca winger is anticipating a busy summer of transfer activity, even though the promotion party is still in full swing on Tyneside with five games left this season. Chris Hughton is likely to have around £25m to spend in the summer with the club’s income increased by an estimated £50m on their return to the top flight. However, owner Mike Ashley is not going to fund anything too extravagant in the transfer market as he has already pumped in £25m of his own money this season to cover losses of £500,000-a-week in the Championship. “It’s going to be an interesting summer because there will be changes,” said Gutiérrez, who has survived whatever rough treatment has come his way from desperate Championship defenders. “We have the time to make sure we prepare properly for next season. We have gone up with five games to go and I’m sure the manager and the owner will talk about what needs to be done in the summer. Some players will leave, some will come in; the important thing is we have time to prepare and make sure the right decisions are made.”

Ferdinand says Sunderland are not the top dogs yet ANTON Ferdinand insists it will take more than one season for Sunderland to usurp Newcastle as the region’s dominant footballing force, as the North East braces itself for the return of the Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle clinched promotion on Easter Monday and will return to the Premier League next season after a one-year hiatus in the Championship, putting the derby fixtures back on the calendar. Newcastle’s relegation 12 months ago, coupled with Sunderland’s solid top-flight campaign in Steve Bruce’s first year in charge, has hinted at a shift in the balance of power between Tyneside and Wearside. But, while Sunderland are undoubtedly top dogs this season, Ferdinand believes it would be ‘stupid and naïve’ to assume the Wearsiders can claim that the crown is theirs to keep. The Black Cats defender points out that Newcastle have just endured their first season outside the elite since the Premier League was founded in 1992, while Sunderland are still one win away from mathematically securing a fourth successive top flight campaign. Ferdinand says the only way to prove that Sunderland now have the upper hand is by consistently finishing above their bitter rivals. “I wouldn’t say we can assume we’re top dogs for good just yet,” Ferdinand said. “Yes, we’ve been in the Premier League this year and they haven’t. And if we finish above them in the Premier League for the next couple of seasons then I would say that we’ve taken that mantle. “But it would be stupid and naïve of me to say we’ve taken that mantle now, when Newcastle have only been in the Championship for one season and we’ve been in the Premier League for three years and – hopefully – coming up to four. “If I say that, people will look at it and say that I am just saying it to please our fans. “But if over four or five years we are consistently finishing higher than Newcastle then yes, we can definitely say we have taken over.” No tears were shed on Wearside at Newcastle’s demise last season and, unsurprisingly, there were no celebrations at the Magpies’ rapid return to the Premier League. But even the staunchest Black Cats fan would admit that the sense of occasion that the Tyne-Wear derby games bring has been missed this season, and Newcastle’s promotion will at least ensure that those two huge fixtures will also return. Ferdinand says for that reason – and that reason alone – he will welcome Newcastle back to the top flight. “As a Sunderland player, I welcome them because the Tyne-Wear derby is one of the best games I have ever played in and I’d like to play in many more of them,” he said. “But, from a Sunderland fans’ point of view, seeing Newcastle in the Championship for another season wouldn’t have been too bad either! “That would have given Sunderland the bragging rights for another season and shown Newcastle what it is like to be a club that goes up and down, up and down. “However, from a football point of view, I am happy to see them promoted because those derby games are the kind of occasions you want to involved in.”

and almost single handedly take a `smaller` club (ala Napoli) to the league title and Europe success.....how about us?

NEWCASTLE UNITED cult hero Fabricio Coloccini has insisted that winning back top-flight status with the Magpies means more to him than going to the World Cup finals. http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/apr2010/0/7/fabricio-coloccini-with-chris-hughton-318319153.jpg The Argentine international put in another rock-steady performance last night against Sheffield United as he coped with the physical front two of Darius Henderson and Richard Cresswell in a no-holds-barred Championship battle. Coloccini knows that it is touch-and-go whether he makes Diego Maradona’s final squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa. But he says that getting back to the Premier League was a BIGGER achievement than success at international level. He told the Chronicle: “This season we have had to battle and scrap for every point – it has been difficult but at last we have achieved our objective. “For me as a footballer, playing in the Premier League is where I want to be and why I signed for this great club. “To be playing in the best league in the world means so much. “Yes, I want to go to the World Cup finals with my country, but I know that if I want to be selected in the future, playing at the top level is where I need to be. “This club belongs in the top half of the Premier League and that’s where we aim to go now.” Coloccini, who signed for United for £10m from Deportivo la Coruna in 2008, had his name chanted for long spells last night, with the South American one of the many stars of the promotion campaign. He said: “We wanted to win even though we knew it was already confirmed that we were promoted. “The fans were brilliant and we couldn’t go out there and let them down – we had to win the game against Sheffield as well. “They want us to be in the Premier League next season. Now we have delivered that.” And when reflecting on the supporters who have fallen in love with the curly- haired Argentine this season, Colo said: “They are possibly the best fans in the world and I have a lot of affection for them. “To hear them sing my name is amazing. “It just makes you want to win every game for them, every tackle and get every pass right. “My aim is to stay at the club and help us climb up the Premier League next season, even if there are a going to be some tough battles ahead.”