LooneyToonArmy

prefer the other player they have called "Toy"

Daniel Opare - Real Madrid Erik Lamela - River Plate Alexis Sanchez (Udinese) Mauro Formica - Newells

How did Colocinni play ? most reports I`ve read say he played well Player ratings Coloccini – 7: Denied Spain a second goal in the first half with a clearance off the line. Kept Iniesta on a tight leash and once the Barca attacker was withdrawn, he took his opportunity to roam forward more often.

another Frenchman? If we sign him it will just be a matter of time before he sulks, goes to the papers, demands a move away like all the French we`ve had here...

scored 1 goal for them in their 4-1 win yesterday

Famous fans protest at renaming St James' Nov 10 2009 by Alastair Craig, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE United fans, bitter at owner Mike Ashley’s renaming game, are winning the backing of followers across the world – including the Toon’s most famous fans. Alastair Craig reports. Several banners and chants were in evidence at St James' Park FAMOUS Toon fans are lining up against Mike Ashley in the United name-gate scandal. The Newcastle United Supporters Trust launched a petition against rebranding the ground SportsDirect.com@St James’ Park. Geordie musician Sting and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet stars Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy have backed the protest along with 20,000 other signatures left on the group’s website. Sting, Nail and Healy, along with his Waterloo Road actress wife Denise Welch, are demanding a U-turn on owner Ashley’s decision to “sell the soul” of the club. Thousands of NUST members gathered outside entrances to the ground on Saturday with banners reading “Saint Robson, Saint Shearer, Saint James” in reference to the club’s proud history. On the stadium’s new name, former Police singer Sting said: “No, I don’t like it. “I’m a traditionalist, you know. It’s St James’ Park. Always has been, always should be.” Neil Mitchell, interim chairman of the NUST, says: “Its amazing that so many people have taken the opportunity to sign the petition at www.nust.org.uk. “The backing of the St James’ Park name by Sting, Tim Healy, Denise Welch and others shows that the feeling transcends boundaries. “It’s not just a name, it’s something that all Geordies have been brought up with. “It’s part of a rich cultural heritage as Sting has said. “We think it shows clearly that tradition and integrity do not figure highly on the agenda of the current regime and the Trust will be launching a campaign in the very near future to ensure that the values mentioned are returned to our club.”

no because we wont replace him......

Jorge Andrade on trial at Notts County

no ,he signed for Vitesse Arnhem

Appiah signed for Bologna....about time he signed for someone after all this time http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8337285.stm

Vieri to play for Paulistão side in Brazil for Botafogo-SP Not the more famous club Botafogo Rio either.......the Botafogo that signed Vieri is this minor São Paulo team http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Futebol/0,,MUL1357836-9825,00-VIERI+RECUA+NA+APOSENTADORIA+E+VAI+JOGAR+O+PAULISTAO+PELO+BOTAFOGO+DE+RIBEI.html Francesco Coco also on the verge of signing for them too

Ex-Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd blasts decision to sell St James' Park naming rights Former chairman Freddy Shepherd has weighed into the furious row over Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's highly-controversial plans to sell the naming rights of St James' Park, insisting: 'There are some things money can't buy.' Shepherd, who made himself a target for a torrent of criticism in his time as Newcastle chief, revealed he rejected out of hand the chance to trade the name of the club's proud citadel following flotation in 1997. Ashley announced late on Tuesday that he had aborted attempts to sell the club for a second time after failing to find a buyer to meet his £80million asking price. The sports retail magnate also confirmed caretaker boss Chris Hughton as manager on a permanent deal and revealed he was pumping another £20m into the club this week. But the disclosure that Ashley is willing to rename St James' Park next season has provoked a storm of protest from fans. It is seen as a further damning indictment of Ashley's troubled tenure, and Shepherd said: 'I suppose nothing surprises me about the current regime, so news they are ready to sell the naming rights isn't exactly a shock. 'I appreciate we are living in a commercial world, but there are some things money can't buy. 'St James' Park is one of the most famous stadia, not just in Europe but in the world. You can go anywhere and everyone knows St James' Park is the home of Newcastle United. The two are synonymous. 'I just can't imagine St James' Park being called anything else. Whatever next? Why don't they just go the whole hog and change the name of the club itself? 'Fans will be horrified, angry and upset about this. They've had to put up with a lot in recent months, but this is just another blow.' Shepherd added: 'I can remember when we had the chance to change the name of the ground when I was chairman. It was just after flotation and big-name companies were falling over themselves to get involved in football - and back then, Newcastle were right up there with the Manchester Uniteds, Liverpools and Arsenals. 'We were offered something like £3m for a five-year deal. The branding specialists didn't reveal the identity of the interested parties, but the money could have been 10 times that and I would still not have been interested.' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1223686/Ex-Newcastle-chairman-Freddy-Shepherd-blasts-decision-sell-St-James-Park-naming-rights.html?ITO=1490

at least KitKat Crescent has been taken already

Raul Tamudo (Espanyol) and Michael Chopra http://img.skysports.com/09/06/218x298/raul-tamudo_2319887.jpg http://img.skysports.com/08/12/218x298/Michael-Chopra-Cardiff_1673733.jpg

100% agree Medina = defensive midfielder

Do you watch Barcelona? Can't say I watch them regularly, but on the occassions I watched them in the champions league, they seem to pull it out wide before going narrow and using 1/2 touch football to break a team's defence. That is the way most continental teams play, ON THE DECK.....no old fashioned "traditional winger" getting to the byline, swinging is high balls to the big target man approach. That is why some of the criticism aimed at Jonas Gutierrez is unfair I feel, in terms of his "crossing". Most Brits complain he doesnt stick to the wing/edge of the pitch, get to the byline and swing in long balls/high crosses. Yes he does NOT do that but he was not brought upto play in that way. South Americans and most continental teams do NOT play that way at all......mostly British teams. Continental teams play quick 1 touch passing/through balls/ on the deck etc. Sometimes I find it amusing to see English fans expecting foreigners to play like old fashioned British wingers etc when they're brought up with a totally different type of football style. I think Jonas is a very good player despite all the criticism he gets on here, he would do better in another league perhaps with a continental style of play.

At the moment Harper's a far better keeper than Krul. 3 Years time and maybe we should consider Krul as 1st choice goalkeeper Bye bye Krul then. Hope Forster sticks around longer and improves during that time.....

because deluded geordies need a new messiah man sarcasm(?) /

Real Madrid and Parma gave some of their young goalkeepers at a chance at a young age and Buffon and Casillas turned out canny. Not saying Krul will be the new Buffon like

CHRIS HUGHTON insists that steadying the ship at crisis club Newcastle ranks as possibly his greatest achievement in football. In a highly-regarded playing career, the Magpies’ caretaker manager won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup with Tottenham and became the Republic of Ireland’s first black international. He built up reputation and respect during seven years as first-team coach at Tottenham – serving under a total of 10 managers – and was twice caretaker boss at White Hart Lane. But Hughton believes that his efforts in picking up the pieces this summer amid the fall-out from Newcastle’s relegation, and his subsequent success in guiding United to the top of the Championship, have given him most pleasure – if also some pain. “I had some great times at Tottenham as a player and coach, but what we have done here in the last couple of months has given me just as much enjoyment, and possibly more,” said Hughton. “I was fortunate in my days at Spurs. I was obviously a player there and then on the coaching staff for a number of years, but mostly in good times. “But coming here has posed some real challenges, of course, and I think you find out more about yourself in adversity. “I certainly don’t want to detract from the massive disappointment of having gone down. It was horrendous for everyone – and the fans most of all – and something I never want to experience again. “But, certainly, the period from pre-season to now is one I’m very proud of, although a lot of very good people here have made my job much easier. It’s been a great effort by everyone. “It’s been very, very challenging and certainly made me a far more experienced, better, more confident coach. It’s made me a better football person. “And when you’ve had such a down as we had at the end of last season, it does drive you on very much to achieve more.” Having spent a torrid spell in temporary charge of Newcastle’s first-team following Kevin Keegan’s departure 13 months ago, Hughton took the reins again in February after Joe Kinnear’s heart attack. And the Londoner was asked to reprise his Red Adair role yet again in the summer, as Mike Ashley’s struggle to sell the club prevented Alan Shearer from being appointed manager full time. It’s a task Hughton has relished, despite his inability to buy a single player ahead of the close of the transfer window early last month. “I’ve always wanted to fight on here – there has always been a purpose to fight on and another challenge to face here,” he added. “Obviously, we all want to bounce back up and put the wrongs of last season right, but I also feel a sense of personal responsibility. “I’m not a Geordie, but I was genuinely hurt at what happened last season. “You can’t live and work in this city and not feel that pain, and the passion to bounce back up. “Geordies are very proud, resolute people, and they give me that extra incentive to get things right here, however long I’m around.”

EUROPEAN giants Bayern Munich and Juventus have joined the queue of top clubs trailing Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul. Having watched Krul in action for Holland’s Under-21 side, both Bayern and Juve have looked into his situation at St James’s Park, where he is understudy to Magpies’ No 1 Steve Harper. With several Premier League big guns and the three top sides in his native Holland also interested, United face having to fend off bids for Krul in the January transfer window. With little prospect of the experienced and in-form Harper being usurped as first-choice, the key to keeping Krul on Tyneside in the long term may be a new contract. The 21-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next season, and is worth a fraction of the wages he could expect to command elsewhere. Krul was warned last month by Holland under-21 coach Cor Pot he risks his international future while he warms the bench at Newcastle. However, since starring as a half-time substitute for Harper in United’s 1-1 draw at West Brom on the opening day of the Championship season, Krul has been restricted to 180 minutes of Carling Cup action. It is now almost three years since the youngster signed by Graeme Souness from Den Haag as a 17-year-old made his first-team bow in a UEFA Cup tie against Palermo. However, despite starring that night amid a hostile atmosphere in a 1-0 win, Krul has made just three senior starts for United. Arsenal lead the domestic interest in him, but all of the current Premier League top six are keen on a player who has spent successful loan spells at Carlisle and Falkirk. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/10/07/euro-giants-eye-newcastle-keeper-tim-krul-72703-24873356/

Yep, stability and getting rid of Ashley first and foremost......... but the gap between the rich Arab/American owned clubs will get wider and wider the longer we're without a wealthy owner in the future......making it extremely difficult for any club to compete for the top 4/5 places in the EPL. Well we're a million miles away from that to begin with anyway.... Lets just get some stability and promoted and take it from there. But how will we compete in the top league if we are on a tight budget. Everton seem to be able to Compete on a tight Budget Didn't Fellaini cost 15m? Suppose that could be considered peanuts these days though

Injury rules Joey Barton out until February Oct 5 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle JOEY BARTON is unlikely to make a return to action for Newcastle United until February after undergoing surgery on his right foot - according to Chris Hughton. The midfielder had exploratory surgery last Thursday after complaining about a nagging foot problem. But Hughton was devastated to reveal that Barton will not kick a ball again this year. He told the Chronicle: “He could be out for four months. “Joey’s had some surgery to his fourth metatarsal, and he will be out for a period of months. That’s very much a blow for us. “It’s something he’s been carrying for a little while now, but at least we know now. “We were in the fortunate position to have Nicky Butt and Geremi on the bench, and even Peter Lovenkrands who can play in the wide area. “It’s an area where I think we have got good cover.”

Kevin Keegan has done much good for Newcastle. But with this one act of folly he has shown that money is his god Kevin Keegan may have been declared the winner in his battle with former employers Newcastle United. But in many respects he has come out of this grubby affair as a loser. He claims that his case for constructive dismissal was brought to restore his reputation, but the staggering claim for £25million compensation has left even his most fervent admirers on Tyneside struggling to defend his actions. There is absolutely no doubt that Keegan was treated despicably by owner Mike Ashley and his cohorts, but the outrageous extravagance of his claim has left him looking as much a user as the despised Ashley. The Toon Army looked on Keegan as a man of the people- as one of them. They know differently now. Their illusion has been shattered into a thousand pieces by a man whose greedy demands are proof that he cared more about cash than the club he publicly professed to love. No one would deny him the right to clear his name or prove that he was the wronged party. But the sheer scale of his attempt to profit from his treatment is breathtakingly extravagant. Down the years Keegan has done much good for the Magpies. But with this one act of folly he has shown that like many in football, money is his god. The details of this sordid affair make sorry reading for the Geordie faithful who were already well aware of the squalid regime that Ashley and his right-hand man Derek Llambias operate and the lies that they have peddled. But until today they believed that King Kev had their best interests at heart. Now they have 25 million reasons to doubt him as the credibility of Newcastle United once again lies in tatters. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-mcnally/Kevin-Keegan-has-done-much-good-for-Newcastle-But-with-this-one-act-of-folly-he-has-shown-that-money-is-his-god-article177675.html

Official site today says Raylor has an outside chance of making it http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1815509,00.html