Leazes1986 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 From Times Online August 5, 2008 Nicky Butt and Newcastle aim to put record straight George Caulkin in Mallorca Newcastle United could not have chosen a more fitting venue for their two Spanish friendly matches than the ONO Stadium; with the new season less a than a fortnight away, ‘oh no’ is an increasingly familiar refrain from supporters. If it was not for Kevin Keegan, the distress might be overwhelming; three successive defeats, no goals scored, a flurry of injuries, Joey Barton and takeover speculation. Judgement will be suspended until Keegan leads his players to Old Trafford on August 17 and then, 14 days later, when the transfer window closes, but for every cause for confidence, there is counterbalance. No manager has greater resonance with Geordie fans than Keegan, yet while there is little appetite for another campaign of drudgery, even he needs time and patience. Lest anyone has forgotten, Nicky Butt – a figure of genuine substance at St James’ Park – yesterday described last season as “embarrassing” and “a failure.” Respite is necessary, but elusive. Lift-off is craved, but the countdown continues. Keegan is the ideal man to build dreams, but even he would struggle to motivate empty pegs in the dressing-room. As far as the club’s ownership is concerned, a blunt denial has emanated from India, where Reliance Communications and Anil Ambani, their billionaire chairman, had been linked with a £260 million bid to buy the club. “The news report is completely false and baseless,” the company said in a statement. “There are no such plans.” Yet still the rumours do not wither. The Profitable Group of Singapore is the latest. Related Links * Ashley mystery contrasts with Keegan's mood * Barton facing massive ban from FA * Davidson’s plans are more than pipedreams The moment has arrived for Mike Ashley, who has stated that he is seeking extra investment in Newcastle, to make his intentions public; belatedly, that is expected to take place this week. Some important initiatives have been undertaken on Tyneside over the last year, from engaging with supporters to investing in a neglected Academy, but the owner’s reticence has bred a perception of drift. It is not too late for momentum to return - judicious signings and a mission statement to restore identity would help – but the outlook is challenging. While Mark Viduka is the only striker guaranteed to miss the start of the season, Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Andy Carroll did not participate in Mallorca, while Shola Ameobi sustained a knee injury. Alan Smith has scored one league goal in three years. Fabricio Coloccini will join Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna this week, but like Jonas Guttierrez and Sebastien Bassong, the Argentina centre-half is untested in England. Danny Guthrie is the only other addition to a slim squad which has lost Emre Belozoglu, David Rozenhal, Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, Lamine Diatta and James Triosi. Reinforcements are necessary. So, too, is improvement, because recent memories are bitter. “Last season was embarrassing for us and it wasn’t nice,” Butt, the former England international, said. “Last year was a failure. We didn’t perform well and we finished right down the bottom of the table. This year we have to improve and get back up the table where we should be. Going off last year’s finish, it is not something to be proud of. “Finishing down there hurts. It hurt me and the rest of the lads, they feel that as much as I do. Last year we had to turn it around and eventually we put a run together. It will be another tough year because every club is improving, everyone is throwing money at it and getting better, buying better players. We have to keep up with that. If you stand still you can go backwards.” Keegan’s methods are appreciated. “The manager is very upbeat about the place,” said Butt. “Everyone has admiration for him. You listen to him when he speaks. He has been there and done it as a player and manager and when you have that, it is good for the club. He knows the club inside out, he knows what he wants and what the team needs.” His hands must be untied. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Fabricio Coloccini will join Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna this week, but like Jonas Guttierrez and Sebastien Bassong, the Argentina centre-half is untested in England. Danny Guthrie is the only other addition to a slim squad which has lost Emre Belozoglu, David Rozenhal, Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, Lamine Diatta and James Triosi. Reinforcements are necessary. Whilst I agree with the point he's making, those three played how much football last season? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Fabricio Coloccini will join Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna this week, but like Jonas Guttierrez and Sebastien Bassong, the Argentina centre-half is untested in England. Danny Guthrie is the only other addition to a slim squad which has lost Emre Belozoglu, David Rozenhal, Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, Lamine Diatta and James Triosi. Reinforcements are necessary. Whilst I agree with the point he's making, those three played how much football last season? fixed the bolding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 None of those will be missed tbh, Emre has talent but is as useful as a car without petrol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Fabricio Coloccini will join Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna this week, but like Jonas Guttierrez and Sebastien Bassong, the Argentina centre-half is untested in England. Danny Guthrie is the only other addition to a slim squad which has lost Emre Belozoglu, David Rozenhal, Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, Lamine Diatta and James Triosi. Reinforcements are necessary. Whilst I agree with the point he's making, those three played how much football last season? fixed the bolding. Thats a point, but I wouldn't have thought the last 3 put in 90 minutes altogether Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggio Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Diatta replaced Rosehnal tbf and Traosi never made a first team appearance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Fabricio Coloccini will join Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna this week, but like Jonas Guttierrez and Sebastien Bassong, the Argentina centre-half is untested in England. Danny Guthrie is the only other addition to a slim squad which has lost Emre Belozoglu, David Rozenhal, Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, Lamine Diatta and James Triosi. Reinforcements are necessary. Whilst I agree with the point he's making, those three played how much football last season? fixed the bolding. Thats a point, but I wouldn't have thought the last 3 put in 90 minutes altogether Aye, maybe we need a dual bolding font, extra boldyness for mega points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggio Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Butt is right btw, it was embarrassing. Liverpool especially. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The moment has arrived for Mike Ashley, who has stated that he is seeking extra investment in Newcastle, to make his intentions public; belatedly, that is expected to take place this week. First I have heard of this. Hopefully that will stop the constant press shite for a couple of days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The Profitable Group of Singapore. Hmm, they sound like foreign twats out to make a bob or two. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Yet another "rent-a-quote, we let the fans down" type interview. Up until the end of February, early March Butt was as much to blame for our performances as anyone else, & more to blame than most. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The moment has arrived for Mike Ashley, who has stated that he is seeking extra investment in Newcastle, to make his intentions public; belatedly, that is expected to take place this week. First I have heard of this. Hopefully that will stop the constant press shite for a couple of days. Well spotted, I missed that bit. Be interesting to see what comes out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/55467/Failures-but-Kevin-can-lift-us Mostly same quotes, but more importantly, for the love of god and all things beautiful let the last sentance be true! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggio Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Please god! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Please god! relax......no rick astley in that link Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Atleast he's come clean. Oh, he was on about all the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Heneage Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 TBH he has a point we are way too thin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimbo Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 We heard this shit from him last summer, it didn't make him improve any. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 We heard this s*** from him last summer, it didn't make him improve any. he actually done a good bit better than most Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Broon Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 We heard this s*** from him last summer, it didn't make him improve any. he actually done a good bit better than most He was ****in' diabolical until we started playing 433. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 TBH he has a point we are way too thin. Should've kept Carr then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syrette Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 What's wrong with him saying that? He's admitting he and the rest of the squad underperformed, taking responsibility in the public domain. Should he have pretended things were ok last season, or just said nothing at all? I'd rather hear the players saying how aware of their own failings they are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest iliketoonarmy Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 spot on to be honest,geordies got to learn their lesson. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
themanupstairs Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 who cares what Butt's said!!!? there's bigger fish to fry! Where's HTT when you need a dossier to be presented to Everton!! That last sentence in the article is probably bigger news than Coloccini coming here! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tachikoma Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Smith has yet to score after 37 appearances for Newcastle since moving from Manchester United last year. He has not registered a Premier League goal since November 2005 and is also the subject of a transfer bid from Everton. Holy allah o_O Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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