LooneyToonArmy

I think Makelele was a bit like that.....not great technically but just did the simple things and was one of the best defensive midfielders around.

Elano offered on loan to Espanyol.......wouldnt mind him here http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4655305,00.html

if he signs a new deal for 2 more years or more he`ll be due a testimonial

Vargas used to play left back for my other team Universitario in Lima. He played for them for a couple of seasons, when the club had severe cashflow problems, and the quality around him was poor. However, he was a cracking player, who had loads of natural ability, was technically excellent. His down sides were that he is not blessed with pace, and would often get caught out at the back after a surging run forward. I do remember one abslute blinder he scored from left backmaking a great run wide left, playing a 1-2 with I think Alva and volleying in from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner. I was right behind this and was up in the air as he shot - and against the mackems of Lima (Alianza)! He originally left for Argentina and then to Italy. he has always so far made the step up. cracking player from what I saw at Catania and very good going forward but not the greatest defensively I believe? Fiorentina fans have been saying hes been a massive flop but more that he has not justified his 12m price tag that they paid.

can anyone post the both line ups for the match?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4476174,00.html Joe reiterates Toon desire Kinnear wants Newcastle stay Interim manager Joe Kinnear insists he is the man to take Newcastle United forward. Magpies owner Mike Ashley, who is in the process of selling the club, shocked football by bringing in Kinnear on an temporary basis in September. It was expected that new owners would already be in place at St James' Park but, as yet, Ashley has failed to find a buyer and Kinnear is growing more attached to the job. "I'll be absolutely gutted if I don't get the job," he said. "There's no other way to put it. When and if the new people come in, I will be the first to throw my hat into the ring. "I'm clever enough to know that results speak for me and results give me a chance. "I am very strong and forthright in my views. And we've had a look at training as well, myself and Chris Hughton. We've got that into top gear now. "Previous training was more or less the old five-a-sides and head tennis. There was probably other stuff as well but we've tightened up on sessions and I think they have gone down very well." No health issues Kinnear has had health issues in the past but he insists that is no problem. "I've had two mild heart attacks. So what? I'm probably fitter than most managers," he told the News of the World. "I don't drink, I look after my weight, I'm medically checked every day, I'm aware of what I can do and can't do and what I can eat. I'm in as good as shape as anyone." Kinnear is also happy with how he has put his own mark on the squad. "From the start I said I don't intend to be Kevin Keegan. I'm myself," he said. "I will get results my way. Reporters said I'm only keeping the seat warm for Kevin. Well, one thing is for sure. I have got more points than we had in the six league games before I came here. "Since I've been here, we've managed to improve and improve and improve. "Whatever happens, I will leave this place in a lot better shape than it was in when I came here. That is for certain. "I'm not going to walk out as a loser. I'll walk out as a winner. I said that to Mike Ashley and I believe that more than ever. "There were lots of things missing when I got here. The place was like a morgue and I was not used to it." Kinnear also points out how he has managed to rejuvenate the career of Shola Ameobi. "Take Shola Ameobi, for example. He was two seconds away from being sold to Ipswich," he said. "He hadn't scored a goal in two years. "Since I came here, he has got three and is playing out of his skin." Progress Kinnear also revealed that Ashley was delighted with the progress he was making. "Mike sent me a message after we beat Aston Villa. He said he wished he was there. "He said he was sorry but there were circumstances why he couldn't come. I said that is another thing that I hope you can put right. He loves his football, he loves the club, his kids love it. "I wish I had the answer for him. "I think if he doesn't sell it, I would like to see him back in the stands. Get the supporters around a table and sit down and have a good positive meeting. Maybe we could heal whatever wounds there are." He also admitted that he was drawing up plans for the January transfer window. "I've done the strategy work and if someone else comes in, they can take it off me," he said. "I've got a hit-list of players. I think we need about four new players and, maybe, move out four." He also admitted he would love to break the near 40-year gap without a trophy. "My realistic target is to win the FA Cup. I think what I saw against Aston Villa convinces me we can do that," he said. "Martin O'Neill said to me, 'you've got a decent outfit, Joe. You've got 'em buzzing and playing'. And I agree. No one would want us in a one-off cup tie."

Wouldn't shock me if Phil Brown was our manager at some point in the future. bit of confusion on whether he`s a mackem or geordie? anyone confirm?

My best is yet to come vows Coloccini Nov 8 2008 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle FABRICIO Coloccini goes in against Fulham tomorrow insisting that Newcastle fans haven’t seen the best of him yet. Many Toon fans would have understood had Coloccini vented his frustrations about United’s off-the-field turmoil in his first interview since joining in a £10m deal from Deportivo la Coruna in the summer. But instead the Argentine international revealed his enjoyment of Premier League life and has vowed to keep on improving. Coloccini’s start to life on Tyneside has been hectic to say the least with his manager Kevin Keegan quitting just weeks after he signed from La Liga, before a major supporters’ protest outside St James’s Park, not to mention Mike Ashley hammering the For Sale signs into the ground on Barrack Road. However, the South American – who has yet to miss a single minute of action so far in a Toon shirt – told the Chronicle exclusively: “I feel very good at the moment at Newcastle. “I have played in all the matches, and I am very happy about this. “I am enjoying my football, and looking forward to the next game at Fulham. “After winning our last two matches we are up for the battle and looking forward to getting three points.” United’s win over Aston Villa on Monday lifted them away from the foot of the table and left spirits high at the club’s Benton HQ. Coloccini added: “After the win over Aston Villa, the team has a lot of confidence. We want to win tomorrow in the same way. “It’s very good to finish the match with a clean sheet. “It gives the players and the fans confidence going into the next game. “We want to keep another clean sheet against Fulham.” Coloccini knew that the Premier League would offer him a different type of challenge to that on the continent with crunching tackles and the physical aspect of the game a major factor in England. Yet Coloccini, while taking a little time to get used to the frantic pace of the top flight, has built up a great understanding with Steven Taylor at the back and has promised there is even better to come. He says: “The team has worked hard on the training ground, and you could see that in the performance and result against Aston Villa. “Football in England is very different to that in Spain, Italy and Argentina, but match by match I am feeling better in the Premier League. “It is very important for me to adapt to the football in this country, and I feel I am getting stronger each game.” http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/11/08/my-best-is-yet-to-come-vows-coloccini-72703-22210861/

Yet another downplaying of Acuna though. What is it with these journos? He came in cheap, did a decent job, rarely let us down and got some important goals. Not bad for a cheap DM. I'd have had him at his peak over some centre mids we've seen in recent times. agreed, underrated. Always did a good job when called upon and popped up with the occasional goal. Never complained when dropped, all in all a good squad player at the time.

you have to wonder who in their right mind would want to burgle Big Dunc`s house of all fkin places

Newcastle's Jonas explains why Spiderman mask ditched Newcastle United winger Jonas Gutierrez has explained why he's ditched his Spiderman mask since arriving in England. He said: “I was in the cinema one day and I met a family. I was talking with the dad and his kids and I promised them the next time I scored I would put on a Spiderman mask. “I did it just once, two seasons ago against Osasuna. I did it for the kids. Maybe I will do it again, everyone says do it again. But the rules have changed and if I do it, I will get booked. It is shame but what can I do? “I kept the mask in my pants and it got a bit sweaty. People still call me Spiderman in the street though and I like it. “I like to have fun. It isn’t a bad thing. To give me a yellow card for something like that or pulling your shirt over your head is a shame. Perhaps I will ring FIFA! Or maybe just shoot the webs out of my hand and forget the mask. Everyone wants to see it now.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1907936.ece Barton's got gift off the Gab GABBY AGBONLAHOR let Joey Barton off the hook because he reckons the Newcastle star has already had enough bad publicity. On Monday night, Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor was the target of verbal abuse from the Toon midfielder, who also pushed him in the face. TV viewers also claimed Barton called Agbonlahor “fat lips” — with the FA prepared to launch an enquiry in to the bust-up. But Agbonlahor made it clear to Villa he wanted the matter dropped. He insisted: “I just want to forget about it. “I wasn’t very happy at the time but Barton’s had enough bad press so I decided to leave it.” Barton did time for assault earlier this year and has just returned from a six-game ban. Agbonlahor added: “The club said they’d back me but I decided I’d leave it.”

Maradona in Manchester http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7716243.stm

Owen and Guthrie set for place on the bench Nov 7 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle JOE KINNEAR will send out an unchanged side at Fulham on Sunday – with apologies to his skipper Michael Owen and midfielder Danny Guthrie. Not surprisingly, the United boss will give the team which started Monday’s game with Aston Villa a vote of confidence, leaving Owen and Guthrie again on the bench. Owen, of course, is just finding his way back after injury, but Guthrie has only let United down on one occasion since his summer switch from Liverpool, when the red mist came down against Hull and his reward was a similarly coloured card. Said Kinnear today: “It was a hard decision to leave Danny Guthrie out on Monday, but I spoke to him and assured him that he still has a major part to play for this club. “He is a young lad who really is still learning his trade, while Nicky Butt is an experienced player and that’s what I felt we needed on Monday. “Not only that, but it was also about the shape of the team for, while Danny likes to get forward, Nicky has perfected the art of sitting in front of the back four.”

Andy Carroll targets NUFC first-team place Nov 5 2008 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle GEORDIE boy Andy Carroll has vowed to keep trying to catch the eye of Joe Kinnear after another sparkling display for Newcastle United’s second string. The 19-year old England youth international is also attracting interest from Cardiff City, who are desperate for firepower following key injuries to their forward line. Cardiff boss Dave Jones tried to sign Carroll on loan last term, but the Gateshead-born player opted to switch to Preston North End and spent the first half of last season at Deepdale. Now, though, with injuries at St James’s Park clearing up, there is a possibility Carroll could be farmed out on loan to a Championship side to gain vital first-team experience – and Cardiff are thought to be interested as they go into Saturday’s visit to QPR low on numbers. Even a penalty miss from the academy product failed to take the gloss off his display in last night’s 1-1 reserve draw with Hull City, as he took his tally to two goals in two games for Richard Money’s side since returning from a foot injury. Carroll said: “I just need to keep going. I have missed penalties before and always continued to score goals. “You cannot just give up if you miss a penalty. “Once I had hit it I thought ‘this is bottom corner all day,’ but the goalkeeper guessed the right way. “That is what penalties are all about – you pick your direction and hit it, but if the goalkeeper guesses right that is the way it goes and you get on with it. “Overall, I am happy, although my fitness has not been as high as I would like. “I have been doing extra work in training and that has made a difference. “Now I am up there in terms of fitness – I have just played 90 minutes for the first time this season. “I kept on running strong until the end, so hopefully the manager will see something and give me the chance.” Carroll has already impressed Kinnear in training, but the former Wimbledon boss knows Oba Martins, Michael Owen and an in-form Shola Ameobi are ahead of him in the pecking order. Carroll made 11 appearances at Preston last year and grabbed one goal – and he would not shirk at another stint on loan. He added: “Newcastle United come first. If I am needed here as cover for injuries then so be it – but I would love to go on loan. “We are a bit short at the moment, so we will see what happens. “I will just keep going and try to get into the first team. “If a loan comes along, though, it would be good for experience.” Carroll’s headed goal cancelled out Stelios’ opener for Hull and, despite the penalty miss, he still had several chances to wrap up the win for United’s second string. He added: “I thought we played well in the second half. “I had a few chances, but I thought their goalkeeper played very well and pulled off some great saves.

The Sun and their `lip reading expert` Barton in 'big lips' race row SOCCER thug Joey Barton was yesterday accused of calling a black player “big lips” during a bust-up. The Newcastle United midfielder — who vowed to be a “role model” after his jail release — was seen by millions on TV having a row with Aston Villa ace Gabriel Agbonlahor, 21. Barton, 26, flicked the England under-21 player’s lips during the spat on Monday night when Newcastle won 2-0. Yesterday angry viewers accused him of racially abusing Agbonlahor. Viewer Guy Bradley, 37, was outraged after watching a different camera angle of the bust-up on Setanta’s Football Matters. The restaurateur, of Beaconsfield, Bucks, said: “You can see Barton saying something and it looks like he’s saying ‘big lips’. If this is true I think he should be out of the game for good.” Lip-reading expert Terry Ruane added: “Agbonlahor makes a face seemingly by thrusting his bottom lip at Barton, as if to suggest Barton is behaving like a baby. Barton slaps his face around the lip and says, ‘Pack it in, f*****g lip’. The player points to Barton and looks away in amazement. “Barton walks off saying, ‘F**k it’, then moves his finger round his mouth appearing to say, ‘F**k your big lips’.” After the match Barton insisted: “We shook hands after the game and that’s the way it is. It was all about nothing.” http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1894083.ece

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/newcastle/3379417/Aston-Villa-racism-claim-in-Joey-Barton-row-with-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-Football.html

Aston Villa racism claim in Joey Barton row with Gabriel Agbonlahor Aston Villa have requested television footage of the clash between their striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Newcastle’s Joey Barton so they can study whether the row was inflamed by an alleged racist comment. In the thick of it: Joey Barton and Gabriel Agbonlahor clash at St James' Park Photo: GETTY IMAGES The Football Association announced on Tuesday night that Barton had escaped punishment for his “petulance” on Monday though it is understood Villa are not prepared to let the matter rest. FA officials gave Barton the benefit of the doubt after studying footage of the incident in which Agbonlahor was caught in the face as his opponent flicked out a hand during Newcastle’s 2-0 victory. The FA said referee Steve Bennett had not spotted the incident at the time, but decided that Barton’s actions did not warrant a red card and that the matter would not be taken further. Villa, however, have requested additional television footage from Setanta Sports to investigate the matter. Barton has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, saying: “He was going on and on, and all I said to him was to be quiet and let his feet do the talking. That was it. We shook hands after the game, and that’s the way it is. Nothing has gone on, and people are making a mountain out of a molehill. Barton, who has only recently returned to action following a six-match ban and a 74-day spell in prison, added: “With the referee, linesmen and their assistant around, and all the television cameras, you know you can’t raise your hands, and at no stage have I done that. I’m going home with a clear conscience.” Barton played a key role in Newcastle’s second successive victory but his conduct marred the performance and he was booked later on for a crude foul on Luke Young. “The ball is there to be won and I’m going to contest it,” Barton said. “This is a part of my game, and that’s what I was brought here to do.” Former World Cup referee Graham Poll insisted on Monday night that Barton should have been dismissed, but the FA’s decision not to pursue the matter will come as a huge relief to Newcastle whose upturn in fortunes have coincided with the midfielder’s return to the fray. A six-game suspended ban for his attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo would have been invoked if Barton had been sent off for violent conduct.

Joey Barton: I'm innocent in Agbonlahor row Nov 4 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle JOEY BARTON has insisted his clash with Gabriel Agbonlahor in last night’s victory over Aston Villa at St James’s Park was “much ado about nothing”. Reports today suggest the Newcastle United midfielder faced trial by television after replays showed Barton putting his fingers on Agbonlahor’s lips. But even though he has a six-match suspended sentence hanging over him, Barton was quite relaxed about the whole affair when I spoke to him after the match. Barton appeared to be pushed in the back by Agonlahor while disputing a free-kick, and the United midfielder appeared to put his fingers on the Villa star’s lips. But the incident ended there, and both players shook hands on the final whistle. And in his only interview after the game, Barton told the Chronicle: “I thought it was a foul against me, and I had a hold of the ball. “We shook hands after the game and that’s the way it is. It was all about nothing. “Nothing has gone on, people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. “With the referee, linesmen, the fourth official and all the television cameras, you know you cannot raise your hands these days – and at no stage have I done that. “I am going home to bed now and I am going to sleep with a clear conscience.” Last night’s game was beamed out live by Setanta, and former referee Graham Poll – who got it so horribly wrong when commenting on the Habib Beye red card situation a fortnight ago in the eyes of the FA Regulatory Commission – gave his opinion that Barton should have gone off. But the player who committed two of the worst fouls of the game, and who has a squeaky clean reputation, was Villa’s former United winger James Milner – and he was not even booked. The incident with Agbonlahor took a bit of gloss off a superb Newcastle victory when the whole team, including Barton, played a full part. And the United midfielder added: “It was a pleasure to play for Newcastle United tonight, and long may it continue. “I felt a lot stronger, but really for me it was easy because I am playing in a good team.” Barton did pick up a booking for a seemingly legitimate tackle in the second half, and I can only hope it was not a case of his reputation preceding him. He added: “The ball is there to be won and I am going to contest it. This is a part of my game and that’s what I was brought here to do – hopefully I can just get on with it.”

Barton did tonight what Gerrard does for Liverpool. He's nowhere near as good as Gerrard but was impressed that he was in the thick of it and driving us on in that second half. That's captain material imo. did he captain man city before the whole Dabo incidents?

Mihajlovic named new Bologna coach.....kunt of the highest order

Jonas Vows To Send Toon Temperatures Soaring By Craig Hope JONAS Gutierrez insists that he'll be doing all he can to turn up the temperature inside St.James' Park on Monday night with Aston Villa the visitors to Barrack Road. The former Real Mallorca ace is used to the warmer climes of the Mediterranean island having spent three seasons with the La Liga outfit before his summer switch to Tyneside. And, while Jonas donned his woolly hat and gloves for the first time during training this weekend, the Argentine wing-king is hoping that the Magpies won't be caught cold when they face Martin O'Neill's high-flyers. "The weather is a little different in Newcastle compared to Mallorca," he told nufcTV. "But I knew that the cold would come, it will get better once I get used to it. "But it won't be a problem, we want to keep the fans warm tonight. "It's important to take three points again. "Villa have a lot of quality and we will have to fight. "All of the Premier League matches are like this though. "That is what makes it such a great competition. "It is going to be hard but we'll be looking to get three points." Jonas only returned to the United starting XI during Tuesday's 2-1 win over West Brom having been sidelined because of a cracked collarbone since the beginning of September. But the 25-year-old insists that his injury problems are now firmly behind him, adding: "The shoulder feels very good. "I have had to take a lot of care to make sure the problem doesn't get worse. "It's very good at the moment. "I have been playing with protection so I don't expect any more problems from my shoulder. "I have had an extra few days to work on my fitness."

Exclusive: Steven Taylor desperate for Newcastle to stick with a manager By Simon Bird 3/11/2008 Steven Taylor wants Newcastle to stick with a manager long-term - after admitting he found it tough when Kevin Keegan quit the club. The Geordie defender is just 22, but has already played under SIX bosses at St James' Park. He said: "It was hard when Kevin left. "When you keep changing your manager it's always hard. It just seems like every manager comes here and only gets a year. "So far I have played for Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce, Kevin Keegan and now Joe Kinnear. That's six! "But I think Joe Kinnear has steadied the ship, given us confidence, and done things his way. "People have forgotten what an amazing record he had at Wimbledon - he gets an extra 10 per cent out of people." http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/11/03/exclusive-steven-taylor-desperate-for-newcastle-to-stick-with-a-manager-115875-20865394/

Pandev just signed a new deal...1.2m euro a year until 2013. Probably could have got more if he came to the EPL but he seems pretty committed to Lazio (turned down Fiorentina recently too)

They have a good player named Ezequiel Lavezzi. I'd love to see him here. not just good, but top class and potentially can be world class. He will not leave Napoli (especially for us) as he wants to be the new icon over there for Napoli