LooneyToonArmy

Carlisle hope to re-sign Krul Newcastle situation means keeper's return is on hold http://img.skysports.com/08/11/218x298/Tim-Krul-Newcastle_1511979.jpg Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott is hoping to bring Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul back to Brunton Park. Krul has returned to Newcastle after making nine appearances during a two-month loan spell at Carlisle. Abbott wants to re-sign the Dutch youngster on loan, but accepts Magpies manager Joe Kinnear is currently reluctant to agree to a deal. Newcastle keepers Shay Given and Steve Harper have both been linked with moves away, so Abbott will rely on Ben Williams while he awaits a decision from Kinnear. "We are still waiting to see what happens with the Newcastle United situation but, at the moment, Tim Krul is their player," Abbott told the club's official website. "If that situation gets resolved then there may be room for us to ask the question again, but we are very much on the back foot at the moment. "Ben has been very patient and has worked very hard. I am sure that he is looking forward to getting his chance to prove himself again."

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/01/21/nufc-trial-for-ex-borussia-dortmund-defender-72703-22744127/ Bundesliga title? 7 subsitute appearences with one being longer then 10 minutes... "Starring" for Leverkusen? Not even 20 appearences in two seasons. Nevermind the medal/starring bollocks. Just how pap is he Ise? a player from the Qatari league, just what we need......our scouts couldn`t find someone that plays in a league more competitive than the old vauxhall conference then....more desperation PS: who updated the Wiki? "A former French youth international, Madouni made the switch to join the Algerian national team in June 2005, as he played his first game for Les Fennecs, a friendly against Mali. He has 2 international caps. If he signs he will become another player stalked by Studley McSixpack. Also he will be a lynch pinn to fill the massive gap left by Bramble and Viduka for being the fattest player at the club." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Reda_Madouni

Acuna...very underrated....apparently he`s still playing too (thought he`d be older than 33)....get the pirate in!

Is Cacapa still injured?Any thoughts about him playing in a defensive midfield role? Might do a decent job there IMO.....we need someone to play that role now that Butt is out (not that he played any good there anyway)

ffs I thought the poster was winding us up about this injury until I read this Butt is injured and now Guthrie......I guess it`s Geremi to play in central midfield now by himself. Cacapa in the anchor role? Time for JFK to arrange another friendly and re-call those Argie/Italian midfielders for a trial

would provide more creativity than the current lot even at his age

That's f***ing terrible news, very serious. Getting a midfielder in is now even more important than ever - and yet is unlikely to make a difference, one player, no matter how good, will quickly succumb to the air of pessimism at the club currently. In short, we are f***ed. anyone else confirm this? it`s not been reported anywhere yet. Hope this is a load of bollox

give the kid a break he`s only 2 years old

an apt name to join our defence Sunderland and Newcastle are leading the race to sign unsettled Bolton defender Danny Shittu. (The Sun)

Everton are considering a loan move for Portugal international striker Hugo Almeida. (Daily Post 0841 GMT) Portsmouth are still hopeful of tempting Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen to join them on loan. (The Independent) Tottenham are keen on Inter Milan centre-back Nicolas Burdisso. (Daily Mirror) Portsmouth sign Pennant on loan We should be in there but not unsurprisingly

if he does go we have some decent backup options already but not in Shay`s class. Ben Foster and Cudicini might be worth bids for if we do end up in the market (probably not at this rate)

Comment: Gibbo on Newcastle United crisis Jan 20 2009 by John Gibson, Evening Chronicle THERE are none as blind as those who refuse to see. Even from the deep south there should be no need for binoculars. The spiral of smoke as Geordie dreams and pride burn away to ashes can be witnessed from any vantage point across our land. Yet Mike Ashley remains mute. His lieutenant at headquarters Derek Llambias is likewise silent. And all the time the fire rages on Tyneside. A proud people are hurt. Humiliated. Stripped of hope and dignity. However, let Mr Ashley know this: to count on our stupidity through defeat upon defeat is very dangerous indeed because anger will turn to apathy, and when that happens, attendances at St James’s Park will plummet. Let this total disregard for customers continue, and when Newcastle are relegated as they surely will be, season ticket sales will hit rock bottom. It has happened before and will happen again. The club is a mess. The team is a mess. Discipline is non- existent with the manager on three FA charges, players sent off, and others openly slagging one another on the field of play. The top performers want to leave and recruitment remains a lucky dip at best. Only the support holds up. Ashley was given a warm welcome when he first arrived and sat amongst the fans in his black-and-white striped shirt _ the same fans he is now ignoring. However, in his wisdom he decided to be an absent landlord and to surround himself with cronies like Tony Jimenenz and Dennis Wise at the helm while all three of them remained living in London. At least Chris Mort was initially dispatched to the outpost of Ashley’s empire and he manfully did his very best to fly the flag locally and speak to the natives. Unfortunately, he went instead of the others, and Llambias was sent to the frozen north to become a replica of his master. Ashley ran away when unrest inevitably spilled over and told us through a rare released statement on the club website that he was to sell United. Off he went to the Middle East with Jimenez and Wise in tow to do just that, but he failed to find a buyer. And in the end, as the economy hit meltdown, Ashley came forth again through intermediaries to say he was taking the club off the market. In that statement Newcastle’s owner promised to be more hands on and more communicative. He has been neither. Amid all the silence emanating from St James’s Park can be heard the anguished cry of Geordies as their club becomes a joke in the eyes of the rest of the country. In the calendar year of 2008 Newcastle United ran up the worst record of any club in the Premier League. How degrading is that! Kevin Keegan took to his toes citing interference, and many of those who served with him, like Shay Given, Michael Owen and Charles N’Zogbia, would love to follow and probably will. Does Ashley wonder why, if he is running his business so well? Does he look at the league table and blame a succession of managers, not the man at the very top? Does he know the Magpies haven’t won once in their last six matches and have only four victories from the 18 games played since he unearthed Kinnear and sent him from the capital to the Tyne as a firefighter? We don’t know, of course, because Geordies are told nothing but still expected to turn up in their thousands. Well, maybe home attendances remain good, but that is because so many bought season tickets. Their precious money has already been spent, so why should they stay away. But let us see what happens in the summer! Fans are left to presume so much and now they are presuming the worst. Whether supporters like it or not, Kinnear is currently the manager of their club, but he should not be the lone voice heard crying in the wilderness. He is merely in charge of the team, not the club. His strings get pulled from above and Geordies want to hear from the organ grinder. Is Ashley going to build Newcastle to be a force once again or merely run it into the ground? Did he buy the club only in the hope of making a quick buck? How much money can be spent on new signings? Has the manager been offered “a very lucrative long term contact?” Is the position of chairman, left vacant since Mort departed, ever to be filled again? Will he appoint someone of stature, a former player perhaps who lives amongst we Geordies and is a man we can trust, to be his official voice from within the boardroom? That would rid the world of so much suspicion. United must learn the art of communication before it is too late and no-one is around to listen. Kinnear and the PR department cannot carry the load on behalf of Ashley because they are not the decision-makers. Like King Canute, they cannot turn the tide of growing anger at supporters being kept in the dark. How unlucky have the Magpies been? Aston Villa were a club in exactly the same cul de sac as United with a huge fan base and little success, but they got Randy Lerner as owner and Martin O’Neill as manager and, with astute leadership, have become a force in the land. Meanwhile, Newcastle stagger on like a drunk lurching down the Bigg Market on a Saturday night. It is all too much. Let there be an end to it.

Steven Taylor on target in NUFC friendly Jan 20 2009 By Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE UNITED stars Steven Taylor and Joey Barton handed boss Joe Kinnear a timely boost in today's behind-closed-doors friendly with Carlisle United which ended 1-1. Barton built on his cameo performance against Blackburn at the weekend while Taylor played and scored against the Cumbrians after missing the last two matches with a calf injury. Also in action was Danish international winger Peter Lovenkrands while unsettled Cameroon midfielder Geremi also appeared for the Magpies. Joe Anyinsah opened the scores for Carlisle after eight minutes before Taylor levelled it up with a low shot on the turn into the bottom corner. Taylor said: It was tremendous to get a good run out and I was delighted with the goal to be honest. "I stopped short of my usual celebration routine but it was nice to score."

thought he was out of contract at the end of the season? Do you have a link? Not that we`re going to sign him or anyone at this rate

he`ll be "just like a new signing"

Alan Smith starts bid to rebuild NUFC career Jan 20 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle ALAN SMITH will start to rebuild his shattered Newcastle United career in today’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Carlisle United. The former Manchester United striker has been out since August when he suffered an Achilles injury during pre-season. He last made an appearance against Valencia in the 2-1 friendly win at St James’s Park. Smith has not appeared for United in the first team this season. The Chronicle revealed on January 11 that Smith was aiming to make his comeback to the first team for United in next Wednesday’s trip to Manchester City. Should he get through today’s match with Carlisle unscathed, he is likely to be available to Joe Kinnear on the bench at Eastlands. Kinnear told the Chronicle today: “We hope to give Smithy some time on the pitch today. “He’s been out of action for a long time and he is the only player who hasn’t been available to me. “It’s good for him to get back out there and get some action. “He’s been putting in a lot of hard work behind the scenes and been trying to get back to fitness.” Kinnear will try to get 90 minutes out of Joey Barton, who made his comeback at Ewood Park on Saturday, while Steven Taylor is likely to get a run out after missing the matches against Hull City in the FA Cup and Blackburn with a calf injury. Meanwhile, the Toon boss will run the rule over Danish international winger Peter Lovenkrands in today’s behind-closed-doors friendly. Kinnear says he will make a decision based on his performance and fitness levels on whether to hand him a deal until the end of the season. Kinnear is also set to look at several youngsters in the clash with the Cumbrians, with 18-year-old Andras Gosztonyi, a midfielder from MTK Budapest, 19-year-old Norwegian left-back Per Egil Flo of Sogndal and 19-year-old centre-back Even Hovland, also from Sogndal, all involved. Finnish left-back Jukka Raitala, a 20-year-old from HJK Helsinki, may also take part.

Kinnear: I understand Toon fans' frustration Jan 20 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle Joe Kinnear JOE KINNEAR has revealed he fully understands the pain of the Toon Army going into one of the most crucial periods of Newcastle United’s Premier League history. Geordie fans are still stewing over the abysmal 3-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in which they protested vigorously against Mike Ashley and also taunted the Newcastle boss with chants of “Joe Kinnear you’re having a laugh.” And with the team currently in their worst state ever at this stage of a season – and just two points above the drop zone with 16 games to go – anxiety is growing on Tyneside that United could be playing in the Championship next season. For United have never been lower at this stage in a Premier League season and have never picked up so few points or victories with 23 points on the board so far and just five wins. However, Kinnear told the Chronicle today: “The fans must vent their anger – I understand that. “In the first half at Blackburn the fans were as good as gold. “They were chanting, singing and enjoying themselves. “But my hands are tied with what I can do for them. “It was a disappointing day for everybody. “It would be different if I had every single player at the club available to me. But I haven’t, so what else can I do but battle on. “I have been criticised since I arrived here. But I have broad shoulders, and I know I am more than capable of keeping the club up. “Whatever happens, if I do stay I don’t want to be in this position in 12 months time.” Sources close to the club have suggested that the new two-year contract extension Kinnear has gone public with is in the pipeline. And Kinnear revealed what his plans will be if he stays on Tyneside. He said: “I need to have my own players and put my own stamp on the team. “Providing we stay up – we will rebuild. “It’s crying out to be rebuilt. “That’s what is needed. “At the moment I have to get the best out of what I’ve got because this is a patched-up team and people have been played out of position.” Kinnear has taken some responsibility for Jose Enrique’s poor performance at Ewood Park. He said: “I brought Jose Enrique back in and he looked well off the pace. “He didn’t train all week but there was nobody else. “I could drop down to the youth team but we just aren’t blessed with cover in all positions.”

Calderwood denies taking NUFC coach job Jan 20 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle COLIN CALDERWOOD says that he has not been approached by Newcastle United over a coaching role at St James’s Park. The former Scotland international was on Tyneside to take in United’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Hull City last week but is believed to have been a guest of his former Spurs coach Chris Hughton. It’s painstakingly obvious that Newcastle are short of numbers in the coaching department at first-team level, with Hughton and Joe Kinnear overseeing training on a daily basis since the arrival of the ex-Wimbledon boss in September. Shortly after Kinnear’s arrival he tried to persuade his close pal and ex-Spurs boss Gerry Francis to head north in favour of his current part-time coaching job at Stoke City. However, Francis rejected the opportunity as United could not offer him a permanent contract. Back then, Kinnear was only working on a month-to-month basis, but after being handed the job until at least the end of the season, and potentially beyond after the Dublin-born boss claimed he was mulling over a two-year contract, he may be allowed to add to his backroom staff. Calderwood was sacked as boss of Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day and is open to offers. The ex-Swindon Town and Spurs man has guided Northampton Town and Forest to promotion and has a reasonable CV. He is also renowned as a defensive guru with United needing all the help they can get when it comes to conceding goals at the moment. But when the Chronicle contacted Calderwood today, he said: “I have been out of the country and just returned. “I don’t know anything about this. “If I have been appointed as coach of Newcastle United then that is certainly news to me.” Calderwood is also thought to be keen on returning to management. Kinnear, though, is open-minded about bringing in backroom staff. He said: “It’s something I’m monitoring at the moment. “We’re both doing the best we can but there might be someone else comes in.” Meanwhile, United’s hopes of offloading Geremi to Turkish side Besiktas appear to be fading, with the Istanbul club believed to be monitoring other targets. However, Manchester City are believed to be weighing up a cash-plus-player deal involving Shay Given and Citizens’ midfielder Michael Johnson. Given is valued at £8m and the arrival of the England Under-21 star could help soften the blow of losing such an influential figure.

so any news of the Argie/Italian midfielders? No baggage handlers at Newcastle airport has spotted Cambiasso or Pirlo then? no rumours?!

no change there then......slow news day

he would cost a fair bit I`d imagine, more than Mbia.......and Portsmouth have the money now from the Diarra sale......no idea about us, and neither does JFK by the sounds of it

So he`s off to Real Madrid judging by the top he`s wearing http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05pS1o1bSfevF/610x.jpg

he could well end up being another body to play in our defence/midfield at this rate

Kinnear wants to know Ashley's Toon plans JOE KINNEAR has indicated to owner Mike Ashley that his future at Newcastle United may not extend beyond the end of the season. The Toon boss has echoed the concerns of Newcastle supporters who are anxious over which direction the club are heading in and has warned: “We’re NOT too good to go down.” Kinnear was the only voice from St James’s Park heard over the weekend as Toon players were gagged after Saturday’s depressing 3-0 defeat at Ewood Park. And, despite several attempts by the Chronicle since Mike Ashley announced he was staying on December 28 last year, requests for interviews to speak to the owner, Derek Llambias or transfer chief Dennis Wise have been deferred until after the transfer window shuts. Kinnear, like Kevin Keegan before him, has been uneasy at the lack of transfer funds available during the January transfer window. And with bids for targeted players like midfielder Stephane Mbia and forward Bafetimbi Gomis unlikely to bring the Ligue 1 pair to Tyneside, Kinnear is becoming increasingly worried they may be empty-handed when the window shuts on February 2. United will welcome a host of trial players, including Peter Lovenkrands, to take part in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Carlisle United on Tuesday. But with the travelling support at Blackburn venting their frustrations at Kinnear, Ashley and Wise on Saturday, a lack of transfer activity in the right direction is in danger of seeing fans’ anger bubbling over once again this season. Kinnear – who suggested he would only stay at United if there was money to spend – told the Chronicle: “I have to be aware of which direction the club wants to go in. “People say we’re too good to go down, but from the day I walked in here nothing’s changed. “We’re fighting a relegation battle. “I knew that from day one, but I didn’t expect to be in this position with so many horrendous long-term injuries. “I sit down and talk to them (Ashley and Llambias) about my ideas. I want to bring my own players in. “There’s a fair amount of players we need at the moment, and I want to make sure I’m in a position to do that. “We need to look at the situation and say ‘where do we go from here?’ “That’s the only thing I need to sort out. “Can I bring in the players I want – and can I get rid of the players that I don’t want? “It’s a fantastic club, there’s no question about that, but we need to give the fans what they want.” “I’ve got (an offer of) two- and-a-half years and I’m just mulling it over. “I’ll make that decision later on. I’ve got it in writing, and am quite happy with everything else, but there’s one or two things I want to sort out.” Kinnear ran the rule over Rennes star Mbia in their away fixture at Lille, with home centre-back Adil Rami also under close inspection. Mbia played 79 minutes of Rennes’ 1-0 away loss to Lilles with the Cameroon midfielder not enjoying a happy evening in northern France. The Toon target was subbed after an ineffective performance for Rennes, making it difficult for Kinnear to justify blowing his entire transfer kitty on one player. Mbia’s club have insisted that no players will be leaving the club, while the African played a straight bat over a possible switch to Tyneside. The Cameroon star said: “I don’t have anything to say about any bid. “What I know most is that Premier League clubs are interested in me. I am at Rennes at the moment, so it is between the teams.” And Kinnear’s take on the situation today was: “We have made bids, but they’re nowhere near the valuation they want. “We’ve offered over £5m for one player, but they’ve come back and said they want £8-10m. “That’s out of my hands. I’ve identified the players we want, but whether we buy them is another thing.”

confirmed in the Chronicle today(or maybe they got their info from this forum more likely)