r0cafella

As many predicted Alan is getting the excuses in early: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/exclusive-pardew-admits-striker-hunt-has-stalled-1-6682086 ALAN Pardew says Newcastle United are playing a waiting game – with the transfer market at a World Cup standstill. The club has already signed midfielder Jack Colback and forward Ayoze Perez. Colback joined on a free transfer from Sunderland, while Perez signed from Tenerife for a reported £1.8m. Newcastle are also understood to be working on a deal for 22-year-old Hertha Berlin striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who is also wanted by Hamburg. United manager Pardew says the club’s priority is striking reinforcements after the departures of long-serving Shola Ameobi and loanee Loic Remy. However, there is an impasse in the transfer market because of the World Cup in Brazil. And Pardew feels the tournament will prove “critical” to a number of clubs, including Newcastle, given the impact it will have on the price of competing players. “We got two in quickly, which was good,” Pardew told the Gazette. “And we now need to get a couple of strikers in. “It’s a good start, but we’ve got to cover some areas, particularly scoring goals. “A lot of clubs and agents are waiting to see how players fare in the World Cup. “That will have an influence on the price. “The World Cup is critical to a number of clubs, including us.” Pardew would not be drawn on United’s targets. However, the club has a longstanding interest in Montpellier’s attacking midfielder Remy Cabella. Cabella was called up into the France squad after Lyon’s Clement Grenier, a previous target, pulled out through injury. The 24-year-old is understood to be interested in a move to Newcastle, despite some strident criticism of the club from Montpellier’s outspoken president Louis Nicollin. Meanwhile, the Premier League yesterday published its fixtures for the coming campaign. United will play champions Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season. However, Newcastle’s next encounter with one of last term’s top four isn’t until November 1, when Liverpool visit St James’s Park. The first derby is not until December 20, when Sunderland are on Tyneside. “The first game is a tough game, but our first run of games is good,” said Pardew, whose side were beaten 4-0 by City at the Etihad Stadium in their opening fixture last season. “We’ve not played well against Man City in recent seasons. I don’t think we’ve come close to toppling them. “But they are the champions coming off the back of a World Cup, and it’s a chance for us to get that right. Only club in the world that has lots of money but find it impossible to spend it

Hope Croatia win, modric and Rakitic are a joy to watch

Still only 25

Worrying thing for me is he didn't look great and it was his YouTube highlight reel lol. He will definitely need service though

He looks like a lump from what I saw on YouTube. I don't know who's going to put the crosses into the box should we sign him like

I'm thinking Stoke.

Perisic looking good again

Ffs, really wanted to see him shine tonight. I think he has the potential to be one of the best players in the world.

He still can dictate the play for me it's just del basque opted to hang his hat on Silva lol

Hard worker. Pardew will love him then. Quicker faster stronger

Torres is a parody of a footballer. Spains very own Shola

Considering both Barca and real play 433, del basque option for a 4-2-3-1 doesn't appear to be the best of choices

I'm more worried about the new hole he'll rip cold and iron Mike

Del basque with a bad decision there. If I was going to suffer torres of have hauled Silva off

Bad thing for me, caceres is a better centre half by a mile.

Torres coming on, Spain officially out then.

Chile are tiring, Spain can get back into this.

I can see why he punched it but geez no distance on it whatsoever

I don't recall Spain ever been so disjointed and spread out. I'm not sure changing your philosophy because of one bad game is a great strategy

Chile should tire in the second half, it will be difficult for them to maintain such a high energy style

Mind blown

These south American national anthems

BBC thank you for having good pundits for this game.