Having played for eight teams in the last thirteen years over three leagues in two continents, winning five competitions and throw in an Olympic gold medal to boot and the Coloccini effect on Newcastle is now in full swing.
Some players fail to rise to the challenge of captaining their club teams, while others were born to lead, Coloccini’s galvanisation of Newcastle’s troubled and often flailing dressing room is nothing short of mind blowing. The Argentine has lead by example, sticking with his contract on relegation and has cemented his place …
Newcastle fans are coming to terms with harsh realities. This will be another season of looking over our shoulder to the three relegation spots and the £35 million paid by Liverpool for Andy Carroll in January will not be making an appearance on the pitch in the form of a collection of new, high profile signings. Free transfers have been the only recruits with a telling statement from the club that a portion of the £35 million went on signing on fees, agent fees and expenses in relation to these …
With 20 goals in 35 games FC Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro is proving to be one of the hottest prospects in European football. Having scored some crucial goals for his club this season, including the equaliser against league leaders Lille with a clinical left foot volley last Sunday. The 5′ 7″ striker would cost around £9 million.
With Alan Pardew sending his scouts to France they cannot have missed the talent of Gameiro and how he could possibly be the man to wear the famous number 9 shirt next season. To …
On the face of it, £35 million for a striker with just 14 Premier League goals to his name, half a season of top-flight pedigree and with more than his fair share of off-field trouble is an absolute steal for Newcastle. Two years ago, if you had told us we would receive that much for the player we’d have been running all the way bank with both sets of hands.
Yet still this deal leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. For a start, who honestly believes this money will be …
“Has a team ever hammered three teams and scored more than five goals each time, and then got relegated, do you think?” It may have been said tongue-in-cheek, but the question my dad asked me as we were trouncing West Ham 5-0 was demonstrative of the madness our fans have become accustomed to our crazy, crazy club.
At most teams, two commanding wins on the bounce as a way to begin a new year would be met with wholehearted optimism for what lies ahead. Up to eighth in the league, …
For one reason or other, Chris Hughton has found himself the subject of malicious, and quite frankly undeserved, rumour this week with suggestions that Mike Ashley is about to punt his saviour over the edge. If such an occasion were to arrive then you can bet your bottle of Newcy Brown that the decision will not be received well on Tyneside. From all observations, Hughton appears to be a thoroughly decent human being, a good boss and an even better man manager. Never has stability and a head as cool …
“We’re on our way to Wembley, we shall not be moved!” chorused the away fans at the end of a truly pulsating cup tie, after Shola Ameobi scored yet another crucial, crucial goal in the dying minutes to send Newcastle into the last 16 of the League Cup. But who would have thought these scenes were possible?
Before 7.45pm yesterday evening, most Newcastle fans were no doubt eager to get the inevitable out the way, mourn another missed trophy opportunity and adjust the focus back to league matters. After all, Chelsea …
If there’s one area where Newcastle have been blessed in over the past 20 years then it’s the goalkeeper position. During my footballing lifetime, Wor Pavel Srnicek made the No. 1 jersey his own during The Keegan Years Episode I with some exceptional, if a tad eccentric displays. Ably backed up by Shaka Heslop, the notion that Newcastle couldn’t defend to save their lives was a touch OTT with two top-class performers between the sticks.
The arrival of Shay Given in 1997, possibly the best piece of business acted out by …
Well that’s it. After months of constant rumours, ‘sightings’ in the city and even the odd actual signing, the transfer window is slammed shut for the remainder of 2010. Clubs will have to be content with their current group of players because this is what they are stuck with. For some, frustration will boil over at missed targets and unfilled gaps but for many managers an overriding feel of relief will grasp them as they finally know what their squad will be. Not to mention the opportunity to be able …
Taking control of the ball on the edge of the box, he lifts it over the onrushing defender onto his left side before unleashing a stunning volley into the top corner. The crowd goes wild as David Ginola writes himself into Geordie folklore with a blistering strike against Ferencvaros in the UEFA Cup that will forever be remembered by those who were there as well as the armchair spectators who watched in disbelief.
In was just one of a number of moments which ensured the winger left a permanent mark on …
