LooneyToonArmy

Maradona`s preliminary squad vs the sweaties.......no Jonas or Colo but I`m guessing they`ll be added later http://www.supergol.com.ar/2008/10/31/10828.php

Maradona praises United's Argie duo Nov 2 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun FABRICIO COLOCCINI and Jonas Gutierrez tackle Aston Villa tomorrow walking on air — after words of praise from new Argentina coach Diego Maradona. Newcastle’s South American duo have been paid a joint tribute by their new national boss, and promised the chance to become international regulars under his reign. Maradona, who will take charge of his country for the first time against Scotland at Hampden Park on November 19, is already convinced of Coloccini’s credentials. And the Argentinian legend has vowed to give Gutierrez a chance to prove himself against the Scots and in other forthcoming friendlies. “Colo demonstrated his ability at the Olympics in Beijing and could be an international central defender for Argentina for a long time,” said Maradona. “I spent a few days in China with our Olympic team and Coloccini was well established in that group.” Maradona added: “On Jonas, I have to evaluate him more, but the fact he is in England could be a very important help to him. “I have watched him a few times and he is one of the key players that I want to study in the next friendly matches. He is quick, and could be very valuable to the game we want to play.” There are suggestions that Maradona may even be at St James’s Park tomorrow night to run the rule over Coloccini and Gutierrez. Gutierrez has made an incredible journey from paralysed toddler to Premier League star. The Sunday Sun revealed back in July that “Spiderman” overcame paralysis down the left side of his body to secure an unlikely career. And it has given Gutierrez a rare sense of perspective on the privileged lifestyle he now enjoys. “I love the life of being a footballer. I appreciate everything I have. I have come a long way,” he said. Meanwhile, Gutierrez is hoping for an amicable end to the dispute between Newcastle and former club Real Mallorca. Mallorca are claiming £11.75 million in compensation for Gutierrez’s summer move, which he and United claim was a free transfer because he had bought himself out of his contract in Spain. “It is complicated with Real Mallorca,” he said. “I am waiting for Newcastle to sort out the situation.”

YOU'LL CHANGE TOON OVER KEV Wait until you hear the full story, warns Kinnear By MARTIN HARDY, 01/11/2008 JOE KINNEAR has warned Newcastle fans that Kevin Keegan’s lofty status with them may be undermined when the truth of his departure is told. And the interim boss believes owner Mike Ashley may not be finished with the Toon. The club is still in disarray, with Keegan embroiled in a legal battle over compensation after his exit in September. On Keegan’s exit, Kinnear said: “I could tell you lots of things about that. You will have to wait and see. “You might be pleasantly surprised. “You are making an assumption — like most of the journalists up here — and 75 per cent of you are wrong. “Wait until you see the statements, that is all I am saying. All will be revealed. “Maybe Mike Ashley will be accepted. Maybe he will come back and won’t sell the place. Maybe he will invest in the club. Who knows? “It only needs the team to go on a small run and people will easily forget. I am saying forget, but I don’t know what the man has done. “It is difficult. He has put £240million into the club and he can’t come and watch the team. Crack “But he could make his peace with the fans. It isn’t all of them. He hasn’t been given a fair crack of the whip by the Press. “He is a down to earth fellah who loves his football. His kids love it. I don’t know what mistakes he has made because I haven’t been here to look at them.” Ashley is struggling to find anyone to pay the £280m he wants for the club. Sources close to investment banker Keith Harris, who is trying to broker the sale, have said there were no developments last week. A South African group who had shown interest could be about to return to the picture with fresh backing. The uncertainty means Newcastle are likely to again be bit-part players in the transfer market in January, to the despair of their supporters. Kinnear is on a month-to-month arrangement with Toon — but has been a hit with fans and is getting twitchy over his future.

Ken Monkou has one too.....remember seeing it on SkySports` Where Are They Now.........Bernard might be next

I didn't realise Beye was that good - Joe Kinnear Oct 31 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle JOE KINNEAR has admitted that he did not realise that Habib Beye was such a good player – until Tuesday night’s victory over West Brom. The 31-year-old right-back has had a frustrating start to the season, culminating in an undeserved – and later rescinded – red card against Manchester City at St James’s Park nine days ago. But Roy Keane clearly knew all about the Senegal international and he instructed El Hadji Diouff to play as an out-and-out left-winger in Saturday’s derby to stop Beye bombing forward – and the ploy worked. However, against West Brom the former Marseille man was in the sort of form which has made him such a firm favourite with the United fans. And he laid on what turned out to be the winning goal for Oba Martins with his foraging down the right. Kinnear, himself a former right-back, told me today: “I knew that Beye was a good player, but I did not realise just how good, and since I came here people have been telling me how he loves to get forward. “There was no time for Habib to do this against Manchester City before he was sent off and against Sunderland he hardly got forward at all. “But on Tuesday night he spent so much time in West Brom’s last third of the field, and I thought he was great. “He is clearly a quality player, and when he gets more games under his belt he will become fitter and get better.” Not all Sam Allardyce’s signings have been a success, but Beye was picked up for a pittance from Marseille and he is certainly a bargain buy at £2m. As he is the only recognised right-back in the first-team squad, he is arguably the most important player at Kinnear’s disposal at the moment. And he will be a key man against Villa on Monday night because Martin O’Neill’s side have so much strength, pace, power and goal-scoring ability in their wingers.

Fabricio Coloccini can spike Villa guns – Kinnear Nov 1 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle JOE KINNEAR is backing his central defender Fabricio Coloccini to put a spoke in high-flying Aston Villa’s wheels at St James’s Park on Monday night. For the Newcastle United interim boss is convinced his £10m central defender has really adapted superbly to life in the Premier League after switching from La Liga just before the start of the season. And this is backed up by the statistics, as the Argentinian international is the only outfield player to have started every game for United this season. Not surprisingly, Coloccini took time to find his feet after really being thrown into the fray in the opener with Manchester United at Old Trafford just a couple of days after his switch from Deportivo La Coruna. But those feet are now very much planted in the right direction. With United trying keep a clean sheet against a Villa side which has weighed in with seven goals in their last two games, Kinnear said: “Fabricio’s a top-class player, and I think he’s been magnificent since I came here. “I don’t know how he was playing prior to me coming here, but he has been exceptional since I have arrived. “I see all the qualities he has in training every day. He’s quick, he reads the game well, he’s strong in the air, and he has all the qualities of a top-class player. “He and Steven Taylor are a fantastic pairing, and I’m very happy with them.”

Dennis Wise is still working on recruitment at Newcastle United and might attend St James' Park for Monday night's game against Aston Villa, the caretaker manager Joe Kinnear revealed yesterday. "Me and Dennis have traded names. We're looking at it twofold – he's looking for ones for the future, I'd like ones for the first team because I'm selfish."

80 grand a goal! Siena offer Ronaldo lifeline Friday 31 October, 2008 Siena President Giovanni Lombardi Stronati is to give Brazilian star Ronaldo the opportunity to rebuild his career – at a cost of £80,000 a goal! The 32-year-old striker is currently training with Flamengo after being released from Milan where he suffered yet another horrific knee injury. “It’s an idea we are working on,” admitted Stronati. “They tell me that he is really thinking about retiring, but I would like to offer him one last chance. “I spoke with his manager and I have proposed a contract of £80,000 a goal. I am willing to reduce myself to poverty, but the goals of Ronaldo could save Siena. “My team plays well, [Marco] Giampaolo is a great Coach,” added an ebullient Stronati. “But we score little.” Siena have found the net just seven times this season and host Fiorentina in a Tuscan derby on Sunday. When asked if he was delusional to think a player of Ronaldo’s stature would consider joining Siena, Stronati replied: “The slogan is very simple: Ronaldo, come and try us.” C4

I hope he forgot about them and doesn`t call them up....being purely selfish and all

this sort of thing is becoming way more common than before...... -- Herald Tribune Sports Real Madrid midfielder Ruben De La Red was taken to hospital after collapsing during his team's Copa del Rey match with Real Union on Thursday. De La Red fell as he was walking away from the penalty area in the 13th minute of the fourth round first-leg match at Real Union's Gal Stadium. The Spain international required treatment for two minutes on the field before being carried off on a stretcher. Initial reports said De La Red suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure and recovered consciousness. However, the player was expected to be kept in hospital overnight for observation.

Enrique brought in as NUFC went for victory Oct 30 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle JOE KINNEAR has admitted he “went for broke” in Tuesday night’s vital victory over West Bromwich Albion. And that’s why the Newcastle United boss brought in Jose Enrique as his left-back – just a couple of days after singing the praises of Sebastien Bassong before Saturday’s derby defeat by Sunderland. The Spanish Under-21 international has not had the best of starts to his season after trimming down on his weight in the summer. And as a result Kinnear has preferred Bassong at left-back, even though the man from Metz prefers to operate as a central defender. But after replacing Bassong with Enrique late on at Sunderland on Saturday, it was the £5.8m signing from Villarreal who got the nod on Tuesday night. And Kinnear, himself a former full-back, told me today: “To be honest, I just decided to go for broke against West Brom on Tuesday night. “Jose Enrique’s best attribute is getting forward. I don’t think he’s the best defender in the world, but we can work on that. “I’ve got to educate him on that, and put him in that frame of mind. “He probably gives us better options in the final third of the pitch. He likes to get forward, and we’ve just got to brush up on his defending. “We’ll have to make sure we put that right, because his first priority should be to defend.” United’s full-backs could hold the key when Aston Villa come to St James’s Park on Monday night, because Martin O'Neill has three excellent wingers in Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and former United favourite James Milner. This trio are just one of the reasons why Villa have helped themselves to seven goals in their last two matches. And United can expect Monday’s oppo-nents to be tougher than their Midlands rivals West Brom were on Tuesday when it comes to going forward.

Ameobi thanks Kinnear for saving his career SHOLA AMEOBI has thanked interim manager Joe Kinnear for salvaging his career with Newcastle United. The 27-year-old striker is enjoying a new lease of life in a black-and-white shirt as the early season jeers have now changed to cheers. And Ameobi puts it down to the fact that Kinnear has restored his self-belief. Certainly, while Joey Barton hogged all the headlines yesterday after Tuesday night’s win over West Bromwich Albion, the part played by Ameobi cannot be over-estimated. It was Ameobi who won Barton the chance to knock in that penalty – and this after scoring in United’s previous two games against Sunderland at The Stadium of Light and against Manchester City in the previous home game. And, with Mark Viduka not expected to be back until the turn of the year because of the problems the Aussie international is having with his Achilles tendon injury, United need Ameobi to take the weight off the likes of Obafemi Martins and, when he is fit, Michael Owen. As he began his preparations for Monday’s game with Aston Villa at St James’s Park, and after a well-earned day off yesterday, Ameobi told me today: “Joe’s come in and put self-belief back into my game and really put my career back on track. “And I have to say it’s great for me to be back out there working hard and playing well. “I admire what Joe’s done, not just for me, but for the whole squad. He’s just come in and said ‘regardless of what’s gone on, we have to just fight and be a team’, and that’s certainly what we’ve done. “We’ve got to keep doing it if we’re to get ourselves out of the position we’re in. “He’s shown that belief in me, and it’s great for me personally.” Kinnear soon made it clear that he liked a lot of what he saw in Ameobi when he said that he reminded him of John Fashanu. Glenn Roeder was the last United manager to get the best out of Ameobi, and the current Norwich boss says that all the striker needs is someone who believes in him – and Kinnear certainly does that. Roeder was just one of several Championship managers who tried to lure Ameobi away from Tyneside in the close season when the player’s St James’s Park career, which started back in 2000, was at rock bottom. It got even worse when, in virtually his last act as vice-president, Tony Jimenez paid Deportivo La Coruna £5.8m for their Spanish Under-21 striker Xisco. But while Xisco is finding life difficult in the Premier League, Ameobi as gone from strength to strength under Kinnear. And it’s a far cry from the day Ameobi came on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers as recently as the end of last month – and was booed by some United supporters.

Newcastle are chasing Watford's 20-year-old goalscoring midfielder John-Joe O'Toole. (Various)

I`ve a signed Solano and Riquelme Boca Juniors shirt.....well about half of it`s Toon related Got some other memorabilia from teams we played: Barcelona match program with Rivaldo, Figo, Luis Enrique, Sonny Anderson, Reiziger, De La Pena signatures Juve match program with Del Piero, Conte signatures

saw this recently. Amazing bale statistic....coincidence? -- How Bale is Spurs' jinx There may be some hope on the horizon for Tottenham supporters dreaming of a first Premier League win of the season. Thanks to his sending off against Stoke last week Gareth Bale is banned for tomorrow's game against Bolton - which may be good news if a remarkable statistic can be taken as an omen: he has never won a league game during his 15 months at White Hart Lane. Premier League With Bale P: 15 W: 0 D: 6 L: 9 F: 19 A: 30 GD: -11 Pts: 6 Without Bale P: 32 W: 11 D: 9 L: 12 F: 53 A: 45 GD: +8 Pts: 42

what is the asking price? Stephane Sessegnon cost PSG 6m last season and they pay high wages to Ludovic Giuly who signed from Roma. IIRC they`re backed by some big companies, Canal+ I think Speaking of PSG, they signed a canny striker in Guillaume Hoarau.....6`4, 14 stone....reminds me of John Carew. He`ll be worth watching out for in the future

Police bid to catch yobs at Sunderland match Oct 27 2008 by Adam Jupp, Evening Chronicle FANS were today urged to turn in the soccer louts behind the derby day disgrace. Police want supporters who captured the ugly scenes on cameras and mobile phones to come forward as they continue their probe into the trouble. Hundreds stormed the Stadium of Light pitch after Sunderland’s victory over Newcastle United, with supporters brawling and missiles being thrown. Toon goalkeeper Shay Given was taunted by two Black Cats’ fans following Kieran Richardson’s winner and midfielder Joey Barton had bottles and coins hurled at him, before enraging home supporters by kissing his club badge. Fans today told of their terror at being caught up in the problems, as police started to trawl through hours of CCTV footage from the day. It comes as the Football Association launched their own investigation into the events and called for all those involved to be hit with lifetime bans. Dorothy Cox attended the game with nine people, including husband Ronald, 76, and was hit by a missile thrown by Sunderland fans. Mrs Cox, of Wallsend, said: “I have been following Newcastle since 1964 and go to home and away games. I thought the days of this carry-on were finished but this was like being in the 1970s again. My friend got badly bruised and I was hit on the chest. “There was a lad in front of my knocked out for about a minute after something hit him and when he got up, there was blood everywhere. “What upset me was this was clearly premeditated as some of the coins being thrown were sharpened, meaning people had planned to do it. “People have blamed it on Joey Barton and I was the first to admit I didn’t want him to ever put a black and white shirt on but he has a right to warm up without being pelted with missiles. It was terrifying, just so frightening frankly.” Police made 29 arrests on the day, including one Newcastle supporter who has a football banning order but travelled to the game at the Stadium of Light without a ticket. A police horse was hit by a firework and a British Transport Police officer suffered a broken wrist. An estimated 1,000 United fans travelled by train to Sunderland, rather than using free coaches. Chief Supt Neil Mackay said: “We are continuing our inquiry, which started after Saturday’s game, to identify and arrest anyone who committed offences “We are appealing to anyone who took pictures, people with images and footage on mobile phones or with any information at all to come forward.” Michael Teasdale, spokesman for the newly-formed Newcastle United Supporters Club, said: “This is about three derbies in a row where people have run on the pitch. “I know Roy Keane has asked for leniency but he wasn’t saying that when he was the one being confronted at a game recently. “Something has to be done. There is hysteria about Joey Barton kissing his badge but that is no excuse for pelting him missiles.” Adrian Bevington, the director of communications at the Football Association, said: “The key issue here is to work with the clubs and the police to ensure that all of those involved in Saturday's disorder are identified and put through the courts to hopefully receive football banning orders. “The most important thing is that we target those involved and send out a strong message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. That could mean a lifetime banning order preventing those individuals from attending any football ground in the country.” Two fans ran onto the pitch and confronted Given after Sunderland’s second goal, while most trouble broke out after the final whistle. Sunderland supporters stormed the pitch. An FA spokesman said: “We will look into the incidents. We are awaiting reports from the officials and gathering information. “Invading the pitch is a criminal offence and we will be working with the clubs and the police to identify those responsible for encroaching on the pitch and missile throwing. “Neither the police nor the individual clubs will tolerate people running on to the pitch or violence inside the stadium, and everyone will work together to make sure those individuals are identified.” He added: “Our position is clear and consistent. There is a legal process for any fans identified, arrested and charged which we respect. We would expect the minimum to be a lifetime banning order.” A Newcastle United spokesman said: “The FA and the authorities have said they will investigate the events that took place on Saturday and the club will assist in any way it can.” A Sunderland spokesman said: “The club do not condone any anti-social behaviour. We will be diligent and review the footage and act accordingly.” Chairman Niall Quinn added: “Anybody who has Sunderland close to his heart should enjoy this result. A minority won’t spoil it. It was a fantastic day and a day that should be remembered for the right reasons.”

Beye sorry for heartbreak against Sunderland Oct 27 2008 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle HABIB BEYE has apologised to the Toon Army after Newcastle United lost their first Tyne-Wear derby since 1980. The Senegal international knows that the Geordie nation were feeling lower than a snake’s belly on Tyneside but says that only the players can change the feeling on the streets of Tyneside by beating West Brom comfortably tomorrow night. Beye played his first full 90 minutes since returning to action after an Achilles injury after wrongly being sent off against Manchester City in a decision that was overturned by the FA. Now though Beye is keen to take on the responsibility and get United’s season back on track. He told the Chronicle: “We are sorry to the supporters. “We know that it affects their life and it’s important for them. “They want to show their pride about their team and they are disappointed. “We are feeling like them. “But it’s a good thing we have a game so soon and we have to win against West Brom.” Shola Ameobi, whose goal put United back on level terms in the derby match, holds his head in his hands as the game slips way from United United had got themselves back into the derby when Shola Ameobi equalised in the first half before Kieran Richardson’s winner. Beye reflected: “It’s desperately disappointing for us all. “When you play any game you want to win, but when it is against Sunderland you have to win. “I don’t want to say that it is more important than anything in life because there are serious things in the world, but we know how disappointing this result is for our supporters. “If you don’t win at Sunderland, it’s devastating for them, and I am so sorry for them.” The defeat leaves Newcastle still lying in the relegation zone, and Beye added: “Sunderland have a good team, but we are Newcastle United. We had to win and we lost. “We were very disappointing. “The second goal was a wonderful goal but we must fight more than we did. “The first half we did OK, and they scored a lucky goal. “We weren’t very good after we equalised. It’s not good enough and we must do better than that.”

Sunderland boss Keane: Not time to gloat Sunderland boss Roy Keane says it's not time to gloat after their 2-1 derby victory over Newcastle United. "If it means we are making progress, then yes, of course," said Keane after being asked about the importance of the result. "But we have to remember how many years Newcastle and Middlesbrough have been ahead of this football club. "We can't get on the high horse and start thinking we have achieved anything, far from it. "As I keep saying, it is another small step in what we are trying to achieve at the football club. "The bottom line is, people might not remember, but we got three points. Hopefully, that will get us up the table and try to get into the group that's ahead of us because we stayed up last year and the next part of my plan was to try to get into the group ahead of us. "Even people who haven't got a clue about football can see we are making progress."

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Newcastle's Shola Ameobi 7.81 (on 90 minutes)

please fk off

LEGEND

GET THe FK IN!!!

5 days ago

Sunderland: Fulop; Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney; Malbranque, Yorke, Whitehead, Richardson, Diouf; Cisse. Subs: Colgan, Bardsley, Tainio, Chopra, Jones, Leadbitter, Reid. Newcastle: Given, Beye, Coloccini, Taylor, Bassong, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Ameobi, Martins. Subs: Enrique, Cacapa, Harper, Barton, N'Zogbia, Gutierrez, Xisco.