Cathcart signed on loan
Well I’m not convinced we’ll actually buy anyone but I would hope there’ll at least be one or two loan signings to strengthen the squad.
Hughton told The Journal:
“We have good players here and it’s only right the young lads are given an opportunity in this squad because they deserve it.
“But we need some players in before 5pm because we realise that the squad is not strong enough to compete for the whole season. The club are aware of that.
“Once we have injuries, the squad is going to be stretched. (Fabricio) Coloccini was missing against Leicester, Jonás (Gutiérrez) has a hamstring problem and will be out for four weeks and Shola Ameobi has a stress fracture in his foot which needs to be monitored.”
So who are the rumoured targets?
The Sun is claiming we’ve already signed Man Utd defender Craig Cathcart on a season long loan. The centre back spent last season on loan to Plymouth Argyle, making 30 appearances and scoring 1 goal.
Peter Lovenkrands – who we took on loan last season – is reputed to be of interest and, from what I can gather, he’s quite keen to return. I didn’t really see him play for us enough to form much of an opinion about the guy, although he looked quite sharp at times and could prove a handful against Championship opposition. One advantage of Lovenkrands returning is that he should be able to slot back into things easily enough without having to go through that ‘finding his feet’ stage that sometimes tests new arrivals at a club.
Rumour has it that Newcastle might be interest in taking Darron Gibson on loan from Man Utd. The 21 year old midfielder has spent much of his time at Man Utd loaned out, first to Royal Antwerp and then to Wolves, although he made 9 first team appearances for Utd last season – 5 as substitute – and scored 3 goals.
Everton’s James Vaughan was rumoured to be a Toon target last week. Given our current shortage of strikers, compounded by the loan of Xisco to Santander, a striker or two would be welcome. However, apparently Everton’s £3m asking price has aroused interest from Premier League clubs such as Stoke, Bolton and of course Hull, so it’s looking less likely we’ll get him now.
As to the other ‘D-Day’ it’s looking like there are two serious bidders left: Barry Moat and the Sheard-fronted bid from the US. I suspect the club will now remain in a perpetual state of being for sale until someone buys it. It’s anyone’s guess as to when that might be.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
A life-long Toon fan currently exiled in Somerset who is known in some circles as "The Thinking Man's Thinking Man". Plays darts with the Dalai Lama and Rolf Harris, cohorts with the Minogue sisters and used to play the tambourine with punk band Definite Integral.
Hugh de Payen has written 574 articles on this blog.
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Not sure I want to start believing press speculation at this late stage – having ignored their rubbish for most of the summer.
Good win last night – and good to see Ranger getting a confidence building performance in. He got stronger as the game went on, although I thought “man of the match” was a bit far fetched – Alan Smith all night in my humble opinion. Enrique put in a smashing shift too.
Truth be told, it’s a bit of a sorry state of affairs scrapping around for loan deals and second-hand goods but at least nobody should have their hopes up this time of getting anybody significant in. If reality hasn’t bitten yet, then it never will.
Ironically, I’ll probably be too busy to keep checking for updates so lunchtime and hometime are my main updates.
UTD111 – I agree. A couple of times Smudger’s first touch led to a crunching tackle but there was fire in his belly and he does that role well. Barton’s distribution was poor a couple of times but he came into it more in the 2nd half. Enrique is genuine quality and I’ve always thought so. He had a spell last year where his passing was sloppy but he is pace and strength and ability not to waste the ball is dead refreshing.
Ranger came into his own in the 2nd half and ran his nuts off but also showed some quality once he settled, including setting Guthrie up. Ryan Taylor and Guthrie did well together when Guthrie switched but I’m afraid Geremi’s legs have totally gone like.
‘his pace’ not “he is pace”……
Lets not get carried away by a a not great game from either side, both teams were lacking in class and niether looked likely to score.
Yeah a few nice touches and our passing game was fair.
Cant say I was impressed by Ranger, a bit lightweight and gets pushed off the ball too easy, yeah I know he is just a kid, but some fans comparing him to Drogba was more wishfull thinking, than reality.
And it should be obvious to all is we need help, the kids aint gonna be able to do it for us, too young and lacking maturity, they also need to bulk up for the physical game played in the 2nd. division.
But over all there`s a chance for a good finish, but we have to get reinforcements in, now or during the next window.
To even think of trying to compete in the PL with this team is rediculess.
We would be annihilated. Chuck, you have my problem you type too fast, ridiculous eh? Has the Fat Controller died a nasty death yet? Keep the faith.
Good result last night. Smith was my man of the match, thought he had a great game. Enrique is definetley class and glad it looks like he’s staying. Ranger did well and looks promising for the future. Against the odds, we are top of the league. Well done to Hughton and Calderwood for quietly and efficiently getting on with the job against the turmoil that is NUFC.I know it’s controversial but I don’t want Shearer and especially his mate Dowie back. I’m sure it will upset the apple cart. I understand you need to take a long term view but I still don’t want him.
Chuck i think you are being very critical of Ranger. It was his first real competetive game and he played up front on his own in a league where no matter how strong you are, you will be pushed off the ball and bullied around. I agree he is no drogba but i ask you this. Did you see drogba play when he was 18 in his debut? I bet he didnt get man of the match. Cut him some slack and try be happy that we have at least one player to look forward to in the future. Howay the lads.
chuck ranger was class i didnt see him getting pushed around if anything i seen him push players around he was excellent in all areas of his game i thought whether it be dribbling creating chances or holding up play fair enough he didnt score but still an impressive debut i thought
we do need cover though i would like to see a lb a cb 2 wingers and a striker i realise this is unrealistic but i can dream
Any updates on SSN or whisperings on the streets? Cutting it fine to get anyone in permanently. Now there’s a surprise….
Dont think any money will be spent. I wonder where all the money made on transfers this year has gone? Looks like its just going to be loan recruits. Doing the work for the prem teams by getting there youth and rejects in form. Lets hope we dont have many injurys this year… God knows we deserve it considering the injury list at newcastle over the years.
Sign me, I’m a canny shot.
Seriously, any news from anywhere?
All I’ve seen is that we’re interested in Lovenkrands and Villa’s Marlon Harewood, both on loan.
apparently the lovenkrands deal looks imminent
hugh who are we gonna loan lovenkrands from he hasnt got a club but if we are going to loan some one then we have plenty of time as loan signings have longer deadlines
69, good point about Lovenkrands. I guess we might get to actually own a player we bring in then!
woo hoo that would be great i wouldnt mind loan signings if i know we were getting took over as then we could wait till jan and then buy
lovernkrands has signed i think hes was good in the epl so he should be even better in the championship