Raul top target for Toon - NotW.

[Guest]

 

Did you watch any of La Liga last season? Him and van Nistelrooy were excellent for each other.

 

And in the 2 seasons following the 2002 World Cup (when Ronaldo signed and was in his pomp), Raul scored 27 goals. Not bad for the second-striker is it?

 

He's hardly had any injury problems throughout his career either barring one major injury two years ago.

[Guest brewer]

Raul's been shite for years, it's a fact.

 

He was shite last season, Ruud carried them through the scraps they fed him, Raul doesn't warrant a place in the team.

 

If he wasn't Raul Gonzalez Blanco he'd have left with Del Bosque.

[ohmelads]

If we're going to go for a big-name signing from one of the Spanish giants, why not Marquez of Barcelona?

 

They've just put an 18m euro offer in for Gabi Milito and they already have Puyol and Thuram and it's looking like Marquez will leave. Atletico are linked with him and while they have the benefit of being a pretty big Spanish club, he wouldn't be unattainable.

[Guest]

Raul's been s**** for years, it's a fact.

 

He was s**** last season, Ruud carried them through the scraps they fed him, Raul doesn't warrant a place in the team.

 

If he wasn't Raul Gonzalez Blanco he'd have left with Del Bosque.

 

I think you're mistaking the word "sh*te" with "not as good as he was". Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Shearer wasn't as good in 2003 as he was in 1996 but he was still good. And Capello doesn't seem the type of manager to me who'd play someone who he didn't think was good enough.

[midds]

Raul's been s**** for years, it's a fact.

 

He was s**** last season, Ruud carried them through the scraps they fed him, Raul doesn't warrant a place in the team.

 

If he wasn't Raul Gonzalez Blanco he'd have left with Del Bosque.

 

I think you're mistaking the word "sh*te" with "not as good as he was". Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Shearer wasn't as good in 2003 as he was in 1996 but he was still good. And Capello doesn't seem the type of manager to me who'd play someone who he didn't think was good enough.

 

Hypothetically speaking, if Raul signed, who would make way? What would be your first choice 1/3 up top?

 

Not trying to catch anyone out, I'm just curious as to how he'd fit in with Allardyce's formation.

[Ronaldo]

if Allardyce doesn't want to play 4-4-2 but DOES want to play both Viduka and Owen, Raul would be an ideal signing

 

 

Milner   Barton    Emre

 

             Raul

Viduka          Owen

 

 

could see somthing along those lines

[midds]

If trotter 58 is to believed, it'll be 4-3-3 going forward and 4-5-1 when we're defending. And I for one believe him for the record. It just makes sense to set your team out like that. Strength in numbers when soaking up pressure and numbers in the box when attacking...

 

Can't see Viduka or Owen dropping into midfield and tracking runners back when we're defending. I'm just struggling to see why he's a target and how, if he is a target, he'll fit into this system.

 

Just stinks of bullshit tbh.

[Baggio]

Every year Raul's linked with a move away but he always stays, he'll finish his career at Madrid.

 

Deco on the other hand is a player I can see us going for, he's what we need in midfield tbh.

[toontownman]

Fact is, if we are going for a big name/statement signing it will have to be someone like Raul or Deco on the way down.

 

Are we likely to attract a big name at the top of their game or on the way up?

 

It kind of defeats the purpose of making a statement, as signing the latter is the only one that will turn the heads of the world. But I cant see that happening with the position we are in now.

[Mick]

I don't want to sound like a broken record but I'd love to see us match the Man U bid for Tevez but offer the cash up front instead of a two year loan and an option to buy for £10 million later as rumoured.

 

I don't see the point in going for Raul or Deco who are both untried over here.

 

They are two clever players but I would question what they were coming here for if we did get one of them.  I would be less worried if they were coming for European football but that isn't the case with us this year, we really need to think why would they come here.

[SEMTEX]

Raul would be such a fucking waste of space liability, much like he is @ Real Madrid right now.

[olliemort]

Dont believe a word of it to be honest!If we got a chance to sign either woukd be fools to say no!!!but think both players would want champs lge football.

[Guest Ridzuan]

I dont mind both of them coming here,in particular Deco though I doubt that it will going to happen.He might be a little bit old but I think Raul is still a good player for any club.Big Sam love to bring old players and turn them into successful player again,who knows he might to do the same thing with Raul as well.Well,you never know what could happen if you never try do ya'.

[EthiGeordie]

I was saying all along we need Deco to take us to the next level. The whole league wants Deco let alone Newcastle. He is something differrent and few only play in his position the likes of Kaka.

[Guest exilim]

I would say both Deco and Raul are possible targets but i have to admit that Deco tinkles me with excitement yet Raul doesn't.

Just couldn't see how Raul will suit the english play and i would rather get luque back to his best instead.

 

If these are not Sam's signings, i will predict something like this happening.

Mike Ashley steps out saying that he provided us the money and signings yet we aren't performing.

[Guest exilim]

tbh, i think Deco and Raul sells the most shirts in his sports retail shops. That will be the reason why mike wants both of them in newcastle, it doesn't matter if they are shite.

[thedudeabides]

I just don't think Raul would cut it in the Premiership unfortunately.

 

Avoid at all costs.

[Cronky]

I have doubts about Raul's ability to handle the physical side of the Premiership, which is always tough on a striker. I think he'd be another Morientes.

 

Deco makes more sense, and would explain the trip to Barcelona. Allardyce has bought that kind of player before to add a bit of creativity eg Okocha.

[Guest kinaldo]

Lol, good old NOTW! Raul is far too good for Newcastle. He's scored almost 300 goals for Madrid and has been around for seemingly forever (made his debut for Real at 17 in 1994). He's Spain's all time leading goal scorer and has probably won more medals than the entire playing staff in the history of NUFC. For 10 years he was arguably the most consistent player in Europe, which is why Real Madrid were often dubbed Raul Madrid.  I would be truly astonished if he even considered us. His form has dropped since Alex Ferguson described him as the best player in the world and Beckham arrived at the club, but his overall game has changed and he still has another two seasons (at least) to offer at the highest level. If he leaves Real it will most certainly be for a team in the CL and capable of winning it, not us.

[Kitman]

If trotter 58 is to believed, it'll be 4-3-3 going forward and 4-5-1 when we're defending. And I for one believe him for the record. It just makes sense to set your team out like that. Strength in numbers when soaking up pressure and numbers in the box when attacking...

 

Can't see Viduka or Owen dropping into midfield and tracking runners back when we're defending. I'm just struggling to see why he's a target and how, if he is a target, he'll fit into this system.

 

Just stinks of bullshit tbh.

 

Totally agree

[Lloydie]

Don't believe either of these rumours. I'd agree that Raul hasn't delivered for Madrid of Spain for years btw but both he and Deco will be loath to spend a season without European football.

 

Besides which signing big name players who are past their best hardly counts as 'stunning the football world' clubs like Newcastle sign players like that every season. Bring me someone at the peak of their powers from a big club and that'll stun the world of football. Get me Eto'o or Cassilas, or Totti, or Toni, or Ibrahimovic, hell get Schweinsteiger out of Germany or Huntelaar out of Ajax and it's a real statement of intent that will attract other players. Get me Raul or Deco and it's just the same old 'one last pay day'.

[Cronky]

It's worth remembering that this idea of 'signings to stun the football world' came from the Chronicle, quoting 'a source'. It wasn't a statement from Mort or Ashley, and Mort explicitly said that he wouldn't be coming to Allardyce, trying to persuade him to go for this, that or the other big name player.

 

This feels a bit like Ruud Gullitt and his 'sexy football'. A quote invented by the press which gets repeated so often that it becomes fact.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Load of utter bollocks. Lazy 2+2=5 Journalism. Mort said last week that Big Sam is in charge of the players brought in, yet this article explains that Ashley wants a big superstar signing. Raul's the most over-rated player in modern football and I would imagine, wants to wind down his career at Real. Deco's class but I think he'll be wanting to go to a club higher up the eschelons of world football than us.

[Dunedin]

Of the two I'd prefer Deco. But, please if we are going to spend really big I would much rather get the defence sorted out and buy a top quality CB with genuine leadership qualities.

[Guest LFEE]

Could anyone inform mw what the latest is with Cassano?

 

Had a big reputation if colourfull at times and i remember him going to Roma for a lot of money, then Real Madrid for another sizeable amount. Has he had any playing time under Capello or has he lost his way completely now?

 

Always strikes me as a Sam type sigining.