Coloccini: Domino effect?As we fumble, twist and turn our way though this current transfer window, is it me or can August just not end quick enough now?
As transfer windows go this has certainly been a roller coaster ride of emotions, ranging from optimism that we might invest and strengthen the team with those early signings, to realism that we are Sports Direct the football club, and will be run that way accordingly with every player up for grabs at the club, with cheap foreign bargains being the way forward in Ashley’s eyes.
After a fantastic start to the season I have tried to reason with myself that surely we wont sell anyone else? As we could build on this start to the season, and with a couple more additions to the squad we might stay clear of trouble this season. But with rumours pretty much every day about comings and goings i find myself cringing as I read the daily news feeds, expecting to see rumours turning into bids for our top players with Ashley seemingly happy to sell regardless of the team. (more…)
Somehow I doubt itNewcastle United are allegedly considering a move to take Wayne Bridge on loan if they fail in their attempts to sign Erik Pieters.
This is one from the Daily Mail. They claim we’d consider paying £80k/week to bring Wayne Bridge to Newcastle on a season long loan if we don’t manage to sign Erik Pieters.
Personally, I think that’s poppycock and the Mail doesn’t even attempt to justify its claims in any way whatsoever. It merely states that we will ‘consider a fresh move’ for the player if all else fails.
I rather suspect such ‘consideration’ will amount to about 2 minutes of side-splitting laughter from board room at St James’ Park. Manchester City are apparently not keen to pay any of Bridge’s wages if he goes out on loan and there are even rumours that they want £2m up front merely for the privilege of loaning a player from them.
I really can’t see any of this appealing to Ashley’s methods of running a football club. And rightly so in this case. We need to ‘build’ a team for the seasons ahead rather than just plug holes in it for the short term. (more…)
Gone!Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew tells us why we didn’t have a replacement for Jose Enrique already in place, and Enrique explains the reasons for his departure. Oh yes, and news about Xisco.
As if in reply to Jimbob’s post of yesterday Alan Pardew broke his lengthy vow of silence to tell us why we didn’t bring in a replacement for Enrique some time ago. Pardew said:
“I am sure some of the fans will be asking why we had not brought a left-back in earlier.
“The difference was if Jose had signed we would have ended up with two very, very expensive left-backs and that is something we could not afford when we are trying to create the best side.
“We need that money in other areas and of course we do not have the striker to cover the line yet.
“I understand a big bulk of our fans just want our best players wanting to stay here – it does not always work like that, unfortunately.”
Which really means the Mike Ashley would not risk any money on a new left-back whilst there was still a smidgen of a gnat’s willy of a chance that Enrique might sign a new contract. (more…)
Square pegs...The most unexpected transfer of pre-season is finally close to conclusion, with Newcastle United’s Jose Enrique getting his wish granted to strut his stuff in the UEFA Champions League next season by joining Liverpool. Wait a second…Are Liverpool competing in Europe next season?
Anyway, Mr Pardew has given a rare interview with the ‘Chronicle’ in regards to Jose’s exit and potential replacement to the left-back position. He rambled:
“Jose showed no motivation to sign a new contract and when a player is in the last year of his contract it is a difficult situation when it comes to accepting a fee.
“A replacement is ongoing as we speak. We need to put in place our back-up plan now but I think it’s unfair to name names in public.”
Maybe I’m misinterpreting our Alan here, but “we need to put in place our back-up plan now” seems pretty obvious. I’d have thought we would already have a back-up plan done and dusted before we had agreed to let Enrique leave. I mean that’s just sensible, but we all know who’s calling the shots don’t we? In fairness, Enrique hasn’t exactly helped matters either by refusing to talk about his future with the board (allegedly).
I suppose our “back-up plan” was Neil Taylor a few months back, but Swansea ousted our attempts to lure him to St James’ Park and he decided to stay on at Swansea. (more…)
Finally, the saga looks to be endingNewcastle United left-back Jose Enrique will move to Liverpool this week and Newcastle already have a replacement lined up.
No surprises on this one. It appears that Jose Enrique has passed a medical at Anfield and is leaving for either £5.5m or £6m depending upon which press report you believe, although there is also some suggestion that a further £2m could be payable if he reaches certain performance-related targets.
He joined us from Villareal in 2008 for a £6.3m fee and played 129 games for us scoring his only goal against Nottingham Forest in March 2010, but the Enrique saga has been dragging on for months and I’m glad it’s coming to a close.
Allegedly Newcastle have Erik Pieters lined up to replace him (we reported on Toon interest in Pieters a few days ago), although I’m not sure how close we are to making any sort of signing. I would presume we’re fairly close if we’re finally letting Enrique go. (more…)
