Will Oguchi Gooch Onyewu be a hit?

[Baron von Fat]

Well first of all i dont know if this is true but the clubs that have been mentioned who are interested in him are pretty high class clubs:Chelsea,Inter,Marseille...so that means that he is something special

Personally i hope that he will be class here and considering what kind of defenders we have in the squad i think that this is a big improvement

 

But those clubs you mentioned didn't think he was good enough to go and sign him did they ?

 

This is another one of my least favorite arguments, right alongside "apart from the goals..."

 

"If he's any good he wouldn't have signed for us."

 

So the only players good enough to play for Chelsea, Inter and Marseille must already play there, according to your logic.  Does my head in.

[Guest LeoStett]

Seen very little of him. Knowing our luck he'll play ok whilst in his loan period then we'll sign him up propa and he'll either get injured or turn in to another boumsong!

[toontownman]

Michael Adubato = Yank Anal

 

Ridiculous article from someone who speaks of Villa like they are a superstar club just because a yank now owns them.

 

Expect him to be waxing lyrical about the place after he actually comes here to watch his "best chum".

[Cajun]

Given that our biggest weakness at the moment is defending balls coming in high and this lad is fantastic in the air he has a chance to make a good impression.

[LooneyToonArmy]

Go for it Gooch - Albert

Feb 2 2007

 

 

 

 

By Lee Ryder, The Evening Chronicle

 

 

Philippe albert today urged new Newcastle United defender Oguchi Onyewu to grasp his chance in a black-and-white shirt as the American international looks to make his debut at Fulham.

 

Toon legend Albert will have a keen eye on the clash at Craven Cottage as his two old clubs lock horns in the capital, and will also run the rule over the man nicknamed Gooch.

 

Former Belgian international Albert knows all about the Washington DC-born defender after watching him star in the Jupiler League in his native Belgium.

 

Albert told the Chronicle: "I know him well - he has played over in Belgium for a while now and he has had some really good Press.

 

"He has looked impressive but I think he will have a really good test ahead of him in the remaining games of the season for Newcastle.

 

 

"He has to show he is capable of life in the Premiership because, trust me, it is not an easy transition.

 

 

"But as an international player for the United States he knows that you have to adapt in different games.

 

 

"For me the Belgian League is a much lower standard than the Premiership but now Onyewu has to make that step up."

 

 

Albert made over 100 Premiership appearances for United in a five-year period on Tyneside many regard as the best in the club's modern history.

 

 

The Belgian ace is a regular visitor to St James' Park as a TV pundit, with the former Toon hero balancing his work as a market trader in his native Belgium.

 

 

And the former Cottager admits he has been impressed by the United defence in recent weeks before the arrival of Gooch.

 

 

He added: "The kids have all done well when they have come in. David Edgar and Paul Huntington have been thrown in at the deep end and they have responded in the right fashion.

 

 

"That's how you get your chance sometimes and I think they have made the step up really well.

 

 

"Now Onyewu has to follow suit and show us his quality."

 

 

United go into the game at Fulham on the day of Glenn Roeder's first anniversary as boss, and Albert is confident they can mark it in style.

 

 

He added: "I will be watching the TV screen for the latest score.

 

 

"It should be a difficult game, but one I think Newcastle can win. But even a point isn't a bad result."

 

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=go-for-it-gooch-%2D-albert%26method=full%26objectid=18565793%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

 

 

[toontownman]

Thought it wouldnt be long before the Prince would be interviewed about Gooch.

 

 

[buzza]

considering the standard our defenders have set this season (nobby apart) I think he should do quite well...

[Delima]

However for the French striker, I have absolutely no confidence.

 

Have you just galnced at his goalscoring record?

 

I was chatting to a few French footy fans about his and they rate pretty highly and say he would be suited to the premiership. He is canny phsyical and has teriffic nack for setting up goals rather then scoring them.

 

Babels a non starter and out of whats avaliable, Piq looks like a good move for us.

 

Frédéric Piquionne

 

22 goals in 84 appearance for Saint-Étienne. Personally I am not convinced that he would be a good bet for us. On loan or on free (or on a minimal fee) yes, but performance wise I don't think he wuold be a good upgrade to what we have. Sibierski is decent at the moment, and Dyer has been excellent for us. Whereas Ramage has been poor, Bramble inconsistent, and Edgar + Huntington inexperienced.

 

Ligue 1/French football has much slower tempo (not to suggest it is an inferior form of football). I don't think Piquionne can get used to our fast and furious football in a click. He isn't famed for any standout ability either, so I don't know how we could utilise him. My humble opinions anyway.

[La Parka]

Go for it Gooch - Albert

Feb 2 2007

 

 

 

 

By Lee Ryder, The Evening Chronicle

 

 

Philippe albert today urged new Newcastle United defender Oguchi Onyewu to grasp his chance in a black-and-white shirt as the American international looks to make his debut at Fulham.

 

Toon legend Albert will have a keen eye on the clash at Craven Cottage as his two old clubs lock horns in the capital, and will also run the rule over the man nicknamed Gooch.

 

Former Belgian international Albert knows all about the Washington DC-born defender after watching him star in the Jupiler League in his native Belgium.

 

Albert told the Chronicle: "I know him well - he has played over in Belgium for a while now and he has had some really good Press.

 

"He has looked impressive but I think he will have a really good test ahead of him in the remaining games of the season for Newcastle.

 

 

"He has to show he is capable of life in the Premiership because, trust me, it is not an easy transition.

 

 

"But as an international player for the United States he knows that you have to adapt in different games.

 

 

"For me the Belgian League is a much lower standard than the Premiership but now Onyewu has to make that step up."

 

 

Albert made over 100 Premiership appearances for United in a five-year period on Tyneside many regard as the best in the club's modern history.

 

 

The Belgian ace is a regular visitor to St James' Park as a TV pundit, with the former Toon hero balancing his work as a market trader in his native Belgium.

 

 

And the former Cottager admits he has been impressed by the United defence in recent weeks before the arrival of Gooch.

 

 

He added: "The kids have all done well when they have come in. David Edgar and Paul Huntington have been thrown in at the deep end and they have responded in the right fashion.

 

 

"That's how you get your chance sometimes and I think they have made the step up really well.

 

 

"Now Onyewu has to follow suit and show us his quality."

 

 

United go into the game at Fulham on the day of Glenn Roeder's first anniversary as boss, and Albert is confident they can mark it in style.

 

 

He added: "I will be watching the TV screen for the latest score.

 

 

"It should be a difficult game, but one I think Newcastle can win. But even a point isn't a bad result."

 

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/news/tm_headline=go-for-it-gooch-%2D-albert%26method=full%26objectid=18565793%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

 

 

 

Legend. It's all about the Gooch

[Delima]

In my impression, this "He Should Do Well" section by Squarefootball are frequently spot on. Thought this piece of opinion from there might worth your 2 seconds.

 

Squarefootball

 

He Should Do Well: Oguchi Onyewu

 

Bill Urban

 

"International experience, including a fine display in the epic 1-1 draw with eventual champions Italy last summer, coupled with plenty of power and ability in the air make Oguchi Onyewu very much a force to be reckoned with."

 

Central defenders tend to come in two different varieties: either the player is a hulking, dominant physical force who wins virtually all the aerial duels and tackles, or is a quicker, nippier, reader of the game, winning back possession with pace rather than power. A simple glance at Newcastle’s January window loan-signing from Belgian club Standard Liege will give a not-so subtle hint as to the nature of Oguchi Onyweu’s game.

 

Coming off second best in physical challenges is a comparatively rare experience for the Gooch…

 

During a World Cup qualifier for the 2006 competition, bitter rivals Mexico and the US played a tense, often physical battle that resulted in a 2-0 victory for the US. The match was notable for a periodic on-and-off-the-ball confrontation between Onyewu and failed Bolton striker Jared Borghetti, a player himself big enough to be unused to being bullied about the pitch by a defender. On one memorable, occasion, Borghetti produced a flailing, arm-waving temper tantrum in front of Onyewu, which prompted nothing more than a fierce glare from the American central defender, causing the Mexican striker to turn away as if he thought better of the confrontation.

 

Onyewu started his professional career for Metz, but while on the books at the French club twice went on loan to Belgian clubs. Onyewu eventually left the French side to play three seasons for Belgian club Liege. He has made 17 full appearances for the US national side, and played in all three matches for the US last summer in Germany. After three years at Liege, Onyewu signed a loan deal with Newcastle until the end of the season, with provision for making the move a permanent one should all parties agree.

 

Onyewu’s departure from Liege turned into one of the protracted transfer dances so well known to football supporters worldwide. Originally, Onyewu was linked with Fulham in December, with the prospect of playing alongside countrymen Carlos Bocanegra, Brian McBride, and fellow prospective signing Clint Dempsey.

 

Dempsey signed on at Craven Cottage, Onyewu did not…

 

Onyewu’s next port-of-call was rumoured to be Marseille, with a return to Ligue 1 looking a likely prospect, although Chelsea, Lyon and AC Milan were also rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services. With the widespread assumption that Marseille would end up signing him, Onyewu popped up in Newcastle and in a whirlwind of quick negotiations signed for the Geordies.

 

“Oguchi has 12 games now to make a big enough impression here to earn a permanent move and I certainly hope that is the case," said Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder. "He comes across as an impressive person and he is certainly physically impressive." Our Glenn appears to have developed something of a man crush already.

 

Onyewu’s strengths are the obvious ones: very strong in the tackle, dominating in the air, he should thrive in the physical battles against the bigger Premiership strikers. His pace is acceptable, although the speed in the turn is somewhat suspect. In short, in a league that still has room for massive centre-backs on most sides, Onyewu will certainly look the part.

 

Positioning has been an occasional weakness for Onyewu both for his former Belgian club and for the full US side. Adapting to the speed of play will be the same challenge for him as it is for virtually every new arrival in the Premiership. At a still-young 24 years of age, Onyewu has plenty of time to raise the level of his match awareness, although apparently Glenn Roeder has set a 12-match limit on that learning period at Newcastle.

 

International experience, including a fine display in the epic 1-1 draw with eventual champions Italy last summer, coupled with plenty of power and ability in the air make Oguchi Onyewu very much a force to be reckoned with. With twelve matches to prove his worth, Onyewu should take his chance to settle things at the heart of Newcastle’s back four as the Geordies look to claw their way up the table and secure a UEFA Cup place…