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Buying
From Our Premiership Rivals - Blackburn Rovers |
3rd May 2005
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Conclusion?
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in players who have Premiership experience
or who can perform in the League, then? Well lets take a look at our
Premiership rivals and see who is available, who could be available
and who we could potentially attract.
Buying from Blackburn Rovers?
If the unthinkable should happen, and Shay Given seeks pastures new
to fulfil his ambitions or the club decide to sell, it wouldn't surprise
me one bit if Graeme Souness attempted to raid his former club for
the services of Brad Friedel who has one year left
to run on his contract.
A 'keeper who was once on loan at Newcastle, ironically. A dream move
to England and Kevin Keegan's team denied to him by red tape (work
permit).
Souness of course was the man who signed the tall, agile American
international for Rovers and once claimed he was "one of
the best" in the League, going on to remark: "Brad
is priceless. He is worth 12 or 15 points a season. He has to be the
best signing I have made."
And the feeling is mutual with Friedel the only player to publicly
express his unhappiness at seeing the Scot leave back in September
of last year. So he didn't fall out with everyone then...
Aside from their relationship, it's easy to see why Souness rates
him so highly. He is a very good goalie who's performances between
the sticks this season have helped to ensure Blackburn's Premiership
survival.
Two weeks short of turning 35 however, Friedel would not be a worthy
replacement for Wor Shay should the Irishman up sticks and in Steve
Harper, I believe the only thing he doesn't have that the Yank does,
is experience. Not a signing I'd be overly happy with to be honest.
Worth considering though. But Shay isn't ganning anywhere so we don't
need to worry about the No.1 position...
Looking further on, the name of Brett Emerton keeps
cropping up and those at Thompson House have him destined to end up
at St. James' Park in a Black & White shirt this close season.
Mind, they have been saying that for three years now!
Newcastle you may remember had courted the powerful midfielder as
far back as 2002 prior to his switch to Blackburn and at one stage
we were actually in talks with his former club Feyenoord over a deal
to bring the Australian international to Toon. The Dutch club were
demanding anywhere between £8-6m however and United weren't
prepared to pay such a high figure.
Then in the Summer of 2003, with just 6 months to run on his contract,
Feyenoord put out the feelers that they would listen to offers of
over £2m. Newcastle went back in for him along with Blackburn
in a straight race for his signature. As it turned out the now 26
year-old opted for Ewood in a £2.5m deal as we all know, because
Souness had guaranteed him a place in midfield and not defence, a
position Sir Bobby Robson had earmarked him for. We ended up with
Lee Bowyer instead and our man Souness pulled off a major coup.
And now, the courting starts all over again it would seem.
I don't know what to make of Emerton. One minute he looks a world
beater and then the next he looks distinctly average. He clearly has
talent but he hasn't shown enough and although he has the attributes
we will no doubt be looking for; power, physical strength, right-sided,
can play in numerous positions and will be relatively cheap, do we
really need another inconsistent, frustrating player? One who will
miss important games due to international commitments no less?
As a squad player, perhaps. As a first-teamer, we could do better
in my opinion.
Next up, a look at who is available, who could be available and who
we could potentially attract from Gary Speed's Bolton Wanderers.
Write In... Who would you like Newcastle to sign
in the Summer? Write in with your suggestions, reasons for your choices
and what these players would bring to the squad and we will publish
your thoughts on these very pages. Send in your suggestions using
the below e-mail form:
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