KaKa

OK Einstein if everyone is fit how odes Alan Smith get consistent games? Keep in mind they are currently hunting for a top class striker. No one's denying that. He won't be first choice. Doesn't necassarily means he wants out at this moment in time. And your patronising tone is getting a bit old, Einstein. When did I say he wanted out? I said he ought to leave! Goodness grief ...

Big Sam I meant!

Newcastle Chase Whiz Kid Dimitri Payet May 25th, 2007 · 4 Comments News broke today that Dimitri Payet , currently playing for FC Nantes Atlantique in Ligue 1, and one of the bright sparks of French football - is a Newcastle target. While we have no idea if there is any truth to this - he looks an exciting player who has come through the ranks at Nantes – and would make a good addition to the youngsters presently at St. James’ Park. Dimitri Payet of Nantes The Frenchman has plenty of skills and trickery - allowing him to take on defenders at pace - similar to Manchester United starlet Cristiano Ronaldo. Payet has played for the French under-21 team and has just turned 20 years old in March. He is a speedy winger with tremendous skill on the ball – and at 5′ 7″, he is two footed and can play on either flank. Dimitri played 30 times for Nantes last season. His great form and versatility has been vital for Nantes and the club and he has been one of Nantes’s best players in the 06/07 season - and is a candidate for their Player of the Season. He was born March 29, 1987 in Réunion - same place as a certain Laurent Robert - as we recall. A number of Premiership clubs, including Chelsea and ourselves are chasing the Nantes 20 year old whiz kid- but with the new buying power that Mike Ashley can give the club - we could probably be able to match Chelsea’s offer. It is also reported Nantes are desperately trying to secure Payet to a three-year contract, but they may not be quick enough to ward off Premiership clubs like ourselves and Chelsea - who can offer him big wages. We think Newcastle would be a better fit for him than Chelsea – because he’d get a game at Newcastle. http://nufcblog.com/newcastle-chase-whiz-kid-dimitri-payet/ Is this the French youngster we were supposedly talking to the Monaca agent about? Might very well be!

OK Einstein if everyone is fit how odes Alan Smith get consistent games? Keep in mind they are currently hunting for a top class striker.

Agree. At this point Lennon should be an impact sub who is brought on late in the game to run at tired defenders.

Not this season he hasn't. He's played just about everywhere on the pitch if you include previous seasons, mind. where is he best in your opinion I'd prefer to see him left side of our midfield, but that's based on the set up at our club. He is equally as good in central midfield. In fact, the last few games of the season he was - and I'm cringeing whilst i write this word - imperious in central midfield. That's his downfall as far as England is concerned. He's too versatile. If you played a 4-3-3 I think he would be an absolute beast in the Lampard roll as one of the attacking midfilders in the middle three. I actually think he has more to him than Lampard, as he can actually drive forward with the ball and skip by people which fat Lamps cannot do. What can Lampard do that he can't? Barry's shooting is very good too and you wonder how many he would score if he had a chance to shoot as often as Lampard. Barry is so quality in my view. I remember when it looked like Souness was going to get him, I was really hopeful. Very good player.

He doesn't lack stamina, he does fail to understand the concept of a tackle though he does fail to understand the concept of a forward pass aswell Apart from "36 mins: GOAL - DOWNING! - Jenas chips a great ball through to Bentley on the right - he crosses first-time and substitute Downing volleys home. 2-0", yeah? I haven't been watching btw. He might be having a s*** game. Who cares? Scored in our last 'B' match IIRC and didn't get any credit then. One of the highest scoring midfielders this season, not including penalties, and people still overlook him Please don't misunderstand me. I am not knocking him at all, as he did have a great season for you guys. It's just that he could be so much better in my eyes, but you just sense he is satisfied and doesn't really push himself more. He is certainly talented though. Like I said his technique, pace and athleticism are quite outstanding. His drive, desire, aggression, strength, committment and command are very underwhelming though.

You might knock Albania but they look a lot better than Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra who the first team have looked awful against and quite frankly struggled a lot at times. Very impressed with this performance. The team looks fluid and there is a genuine threat when they attack. England really do need to put in some more younger, hungrier players. For example with the way Bentley is coming along you almost have to wonder why thereis an outcry for Beckham to return?

already a post http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=40650.msg844581#msg844581 PERFECT PROPERTIES? Do you know how to merge them?

He doesn't lack stamina, he does fail to understand the concept of a tackle though He doesn't get up and down the park enough for me. In the first half Barry was everywhere, but Jenas would pop up now and again but not consistently. He clearly needs a bit of time to rest during matches, which is why he goes missing.

Actually a really good game and Albania are making it very competitive. Here are a few things I've noticed ... Gareth Barry is a lovely player. He is actually playing in centre midfield today and you can see that this is where he should have played all along, I don't know which idiots have been in charge of developing this kid but you can see he would excel in the middle of the park. Excellent football brain, awareness, touch, passing, shooting and movement which makes him a threat going forward. Great strength, stamina, discipline, aggression and desire so he is very good as a ball winner too. I know it's just Albania but this guy should be playing in the middle of the park. Martin O'Neil take note. In this position his lack of great pace is not as much as a hindrance for him, he is at least as fast as Lampard. There is no way Jenas should be in the first team squad ahead of Barry and as a matter of fact neither should Downing. Jermaine Jenas is just so average. Look this isn't about bashing an ex-toon player either. Here is what he has going for him ... he has very good technique and excellent pace and athleticism, however he has shockingly bad stamina and strength and therefore this inevitably negates his good attributes. If only someone would get this boy in the gym and work on his core strength to improve his balance and strength on the ball he would be twice the player he is now and with more stamina he could push forward more often where he would be more useful and dangerous. Stuart Downing must be McClaren's illegitimate son because there is no way he is ready to be in the England team. Yes his left foot is quality at times, but he is so pathetically weak it is untrue. Is this guy really a professional athlete? His frailty and flimsiness greatly hinders his game, he needs to hit the gym and get stronger and work on his explosiveness, which I'm sure would improve his pace. Phil Neville is a clown. Period. Alan Smith should leave Man United. There is a very good player in there who needs to come out now, and it will only happen if he is playing every week. His committment and desire to play the game always impresses me. His goal today was top quality. In general it has been nice to just see the England team looking up for it and excited to be playing football. I think an infusion of younger, hungrier players need to be put into the team and a lot of others should be pushed out. Players who really should be in the squad now are Gareth Barry and David Bentley.

Toon_crazy huh? Very appropriate name indeed. You must be crazy if you think Taylor is better than Hyypia!!! Have you ever seen Hyypia play? Are you kidding me? Taylor is still prone to a quite a few errors and mistakes and isn't anywhere near as strong or commanding as Hyypia yet. It would be ideal if we brought in Hyypia and Ben Haim and played both of them together as our first team pairing and took a bit of heat off Taylor. Taylor could then rotate with Hyypia who wouldn't play every game. This is why I actually like the fact that Hyypia is 34 because in a year or two Taylor steps into the first team in his place and would be a lot better prepared for it. No way Taylor should be guaranteed a first team place yet. Just because he is a geordie? Get real! At one point last season some on here where saying he was the white Bramble! Need to bring him along a bit slower and let him sit and watch two excellent defnders for at least a year whil allowing him to start a fair share of games too, but not every single game!

There is no way in hell we sign him and campbell! That wouldn't be a smart move in my opinion. It would have to be Hyypia and a younger but still experienced defender like Ben Haim.

He isn't the one that has pushed for a move. It was more Rafa looking to move on some players to make way for new additions who will add to the wage bill. Hyypia didn't expect to play every game this season and wasn't moody or angry about it. He is a top professional. I think he should definitely be a first choice defender for us, alongside a younger more athletic defender and two new energetic fullbacks. If we could surround him with players like this his pace won't be exposed as much. Just to mention He is an absolute beast in the air and is still as strong as an ox and it will be a pleasure to have someone so strong at the back for us. Don't forget the fact he never gets injured as well, so you would imagine with Sams fitness regime he would be even stronger and in better shape for us.

£30,000 a week is absolute peanuts when you take into account the fact that he is on a free!!! Hyypia is also a great talker and his communication and direction at the back would be invaluable for us. Hyypia in my opinion had a lot to do with making Carragher look good a lot of the time and taught him a hell of a lot, and I think Taylor is far ore naturally talented than Carragher so it would be great for Taylor.

Hell no! There are way too many young and talented DM's out there. Yaya Toure for example, just off the top of my head. No way should we bring in Makelele, would don't desperately need experience in midfield either.

I think it was always going to be either Hyypia or Campbell and not both. We should now aim to get one more central defender who is young but with experience i.e. Ben Haim.

Is you ITK matey?

I have to say I love the way Big Sam is handling this situation too. No begging or pleading. If he senses they are eager to play for the clu then fine, but if not get them out pronto!

So we can move him on. No more excuses, with the new investment we will be able to afford another top striker so cut the guy loose. Reading this article in the times just doesn't fill me with much confidence in wee Mickey ... Owen ready for England return but remains silent on his future George Caulkin It has been a week of surprises at St James’ Park, but Michael Owen’s reluctance yesterday to discuss life at Newcastle United did not count as one of them. As the forward prepares to wear an England shirt for the first time since suffering a knee injury at last summer’s World Cup finals – in this evening’s B international against Albania – club matters were strictly off bounds. In itself, it told a story. Amid reported interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as repeated public airing of a £9 million release clause in the 27-year-old’s Newcastle contract, Owen’s future has become a source of intrigue. Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, recently requested that Owen should “come out and tell our fans he is happy here”, but that statement of loyalty has yet to be heard. While Owen has made no request to leave the club that paid Real Madrid £16 million for his services in 2005 – and for whom he has made only 14 appearances – and his prospective departure is no fait accompli, silence lingers. Last week, he held a positive telephone conversation with Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle manager, without any direct reference to his own position. Allardyce held his first face-to-face discussions with Owen – as well as with Kieron Dyer, his Newcastle teammate – at England’s team hotel on Wednesday night. He again spoke at length about his plans to revamp the coaching and medical set-up on Tyneside, as well as energise a deflated first team. The effect of Mike Ashley’s proposed takeover of the club remains an uncertain commodity. Neither Owen nor Dyer were placed under pressure by Allardyce to commit themselves, even if Glenn Roeder’s replacement is keen to discern his scope for leeway in the transfer market. Related Links Ashley aims for ‘biggest and best’ at Newcastle Allardyce would not have learnt anything new from yesterday’s press conference at Old Trafford, with the FA insisting that questions about Owen’s club would not be permitted, yet on the topic of England, he was fluent and articulate. Owen will start against Albania at Burnley’s Turf Moor stadium – and captains the side – in preparation for the friendly match with Brazil at Wembley a week today and the European Championship qualifying group E fixture in Estonia five days later. After 11 months enforced exile from the global stage, he is thrilled to be back. Given Wayne Rooney’s suspension and Andrew Johnson’s unavailability through injury for the pivotal tie in Tallinn, there is an added edge to Owen’s return, but the man who has scored 36 goals in 80 appearances for his country is enthused by the prospect of pressure. “That’s the life I live,” he said. “I feed off expectations, wanting to make myself happy, wanting to make my friends and family proud, and the same with the country. Winning games with England makes the entire nation feel a better place. I like it when there’s something competitive on a game and my best performances have usually come when there’s been a lot riding on the outcome.” Not many Newcastle supporters would share the sentiment, but Owen is desperate for more matches. “If there was a massive game tomorrow I’d be fine to play,” he said. “I can’t get enough of games at the minute. I don’t want the season to end. “I don’t think there’s too much room for slip-ups now. If we lose a game it doesn’t mean we’re not going to qualify, but you don’t want to be slipping up against a team like Estonia when you have big games to come.” England B S Carson (Liverpool) – P Neville (Everton), L King (Tottenham Hotspur), M Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), N Shorey (Reading) – A Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), G Barry (Aston Villa), J Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), D Bentley (Blackburn Rovers) – M Owen (Newcastle United), A Smith (Manchester United). Television: Live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45pm). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article1837973.ece

Still interesting to talk about what kind of player he is though right?

Baines wants to leave, and Jewell has left already. The new manager has already been promised funds so I think as he is already looking to put together his own team he will not be adverse to letting Baines move on. I don't think they will be difficult about it at all. £5 million seems fair. Isn't that how much tottenham ended up paying for Chimbonda? And he was in the preiership team of the year!

The competition between Babsy and Baines would be an interesting situation. There will be no competition. Babayaro is sooooo gone. Should Baines get injured, who do we have for back-up? J Lloyd Samuel? Or some other second string left back, but it certainly won't be Babayaro!

Speaking of Belgians and Belgium ... I've heard Reading are considering a bid for Oguchi Onyewu. Would be interesting to see what kind of player he develops into if he ends up back in the premiership.

A link but I'm too embarrassed to post it. Look alright ... it was tribal football, but bearing in mind it isn't an obvious player and Big Sam does sign some unknowns I reckoned it was worth at least a mention and a chat. Is that alright with you sir? Care to tell us a bit about the player if you can? Just post the link, mate. Not bothered where you got it from. http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=40789