We are really United now {Chron}

[Skirge]

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/chroniclesport/tm_headline=we-are-really-united-now%26method=full%26objectid=19438868%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

We are really United now

Jul 11 2007

by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle

 

SAM ALLARDYCE was back behind his desk today at St James’ Park – and claimed that Newcastle were indeed United after their week-long stint in Austria.

 

With the future of Michael Owen, Oba Martins and Charles N’Zogbia up for debate throughout the summer, Allardyce was keen to use the bonding trip to Stegersbach to instill some togetherness in his camp – and the Toon boss hailed it as a success.

 

United cannot prevent Owen or Martins leaving if they receive bids that match their respective release clauses of £9m and £13m, but Allardyce will attempt to turn their heads by convincing them the future is extremely bright on Tyneside under his and new owner Mike Ashley’s supervision.

 

Allardyce told the Chronicle today: “It was good to take the lads away to Austria.

 

“It was a very good exercise for us out there and not just for the new lads but for everyone involved at the club.

 

“We wanted everyone here to spend some time together.

 

“Now the boys are back in Newcastle and we will be looking to take things on again.

 

“In the next couple of days that’s what we will be doing, and then it will be time for our game against Hartlepool in our first friendly of the season.

 

“All the lads are looking forward to it.”

 

United arrived back at Newcastle Airport last night, and the players were immediately handed two days off to spend with their families before they resume their pre-season preparations on Friday and look ahead to taking on Hartlepool next Tuesday.

 

For the Toon Army, though, the only thing to talk about at the moment is exactly which new faces will be coming in at St James’ Park and Allardyce was continuing that hunt today.

 

As part of rebuilding team spirit at United, Allardyce is also set to sit down and hold face-to-face talks with disgruntled striker Albert Luque about his future at Gallowgate, having pledged to try to get the best out of him.

 

The Spanish international had well and truly lost his way under Glenn Roeder, and has suffered a torrid time during his stay in the Premiership so far.

 

Even strikes in rare senior team appearances against Sunderland at the end of the 2005/06 season and in Europe against Lillestrom and Palermo did not even scratch the surface as far as Roeder was concerned.

 

However, following his marriage to Marta Luna last week in Mallorca, £9.5m forward Luque is back on Tyneside and ready to start his pre-season with his team-mates and make a fresh start.

 

He was linked with a loan move to PSV Eindhoven at the end of the last campaign but, with no takers so far, Allardyce will work with the player and attempt to rekindle the superb form he showed in La Liga for Deportivo la Coruna and Real Mallorca.

 

And after the trip to Austria, Allardyce wants to start the season with Martins too, who was said to be in good spirits during the pre-season boot camp in Stegersbach.

 

Former Inter Milan star Martins is on Arsenal’s wish list after the exit of Thierry Henry and the Toon boss is powerless to stop him leaving due to a £13m get-out clause for the Nigerian.

 

But the word from St James’ Park today was that Arsenal have not made a move so far, despite reports from London that Martins has demanded the same pay deal as Michael Owen.

[Newcastle Fan]

Aside from Luque, he's still City.