13th January 2005
By
Jody Jamieson
January always seems to be a strange month in Geordieland. The Woodgate
saga that rumbled on for the whole of January in 2003. Then the Solano
saga that rumbled on for the whole of January in 2004. And it now
looks likely that the Samuel Kuffour saga will rumble on until the
end of January 2005. But will we get him? I sure hope so.
Anyone who can't remember anything about Kuffour will possibly have
their memory refreshed by the picture of him hitting the ground in
frustration after a Lazarus-style (not the friggin board member) comeback
from Manchester United in the Champions League Final of 1999. Those
pictures told us one thing about Kuffour. That the beautiful game
means so much to him.
But a couple of years ago Kuffour suffered perhaps the ultimate setback
when his young child died. I'm wondering if he's fully recovered from
the terrible tragedy. It must have been very difficult for Samuel
and I hope for his sake that he was able to move on with his life
both on, but more importantly in this instance off the park.
First we were in advanced talks. Now we've tabled a bit. Now we don't
know what the hell is happening, but I for one would be delighted
to see Kuffour unveiled as a Newcastle United player before the end
of the month. I think Kuffour and Boumsong would strike up a wonderful
partnership, and with Steven Taylor to deputise, what can really go
wrong? Hats off to Graeme Souness as he's starting to give us reasons
to believe in his ability to take Newcastle United forward. I have
made my feelings on Souness perfectly clear, but he's made some clever
moves so far. Long may they continue.
But what else does January have in store for us? Our own version of
a car boot sale could be very interesting with rumours that Andy O'Brien
could be heading to Villa Park for 3 million. I say take it, but let
me clear one thing up first. Andy O'Brien is NOT a bad defender. His
form this season however has been poor. But on this weekend last season
he came into our side at Old Trafford after a long lay off due to
injury and played superbly in a 0-0 draw. One of many impressive performances
from O'Brien last season.
I'd sell for 3 million, but from what I've been reading Souness is
reluctant to sell. Why exactly? I can understand someone who's watched
OB's Newcastle career unfold thinking "the lad's come good before.
He'll do it again." but I can't honestly think of a good game he's
had under Souness. It's baffling really, but hell even if he's playing
shite, then it won't matter as Boumsong is in, Kuffour could be in,
and Taylor and Bramble are playing well so it's not that big a problem.
Still for 3 million I'd take it!!
The one Countdown Conundrum that may be running through a few heads
right now is how the hell do Villa rate O'Brien at double the price
they rate Solano? But that's a debate for ancient history, as we all
know Sir Bobby Robson was the only person this side of the Equator
who though Solano was worth that paltry sum. But anyway back to the
here and now!
Who else could be going out of the door? We may not have heard the
last of the Tale Of Laurent Robert as the lad is extremely unpredictable
even off the pitch. If he can capture his mid season form of last
year then I'll be delighted to keep him. While I'm not saying we should
get rid, he really needs to pull out his finger soon. I can't say
it's down to a lack of effort at the moment, I just think he's a player
out of form right now. We'll see what January holds in store for Larry
Roberts.
Olivier Bernard seems another likely candidate, what with the signing
of Babayaro and his constant bleating to the papers about how 20,000
a week is such a poor wage. Sylvain Distin the second perhaps?
Which brings me nicely onto Mr Distin. Good defender, but we weren't
good for him a couple of summers ago, even though he'd spent a successful
loan spell here. Should we forgive and forget? I don't see why not,
depending on the transfer fee. Manchester City need the cash, and
I'm surprised to read that they've turned down 5 million for him.
My conclusion is that if and only if the Kuffour deal collapses then
perhaps Distin would be a good signing.
Luis Boa Morte is one who's flattered to deceive in recent times,
but he's had a fairly good half season so far, so we're in for him.
Louis Saha? Who's he? I'm sorry but while I think Boa Morte could
do a job, I can't help but think back to last January when I laughed
that Manchester United were going to spend 13 million on a half season
wonder. Anyone who watched the Carling Cup match tonight will notice
that Saha hardly touched the ball. I worry that Boa Morte could be
having the same purple patch and end up being a huge disappointment.
But with the Robert saga unresolved then perhaps he could be a dependable
replacement.
But if we're signing one man from Fulham I'd sign Steed Malbranque.
I've touched upon this before but Malbranque could give us everything
we need. It looks like Choccy Coleman has also had a bit of a tiff
with Steed so perhaps a January transfer isn't out of the question.
However the latest story on him is that he'd prefer to stay in London.
I'll be disappointed if he ends up at bloody Spurs.
A million and one players have been linked, but only a select few
seem possible. We'll see how it goes over the next wee while.
And now with it being January we move nicely onto my half term report.
While we're talking about signings I think it's only fair to look
back at the signings Sir Bobby Robson made in his last summer in charge,
and see the effect it's had on the clubs fortunes. Some have done
well, some have flattered to deceive.
I'll start with James Milner.
James Milner is a super prospect that excited me when Sir Bobby Robson
splashed out 5 million pounds on him (depending on appearances) and
the lad looks like he has a bright future ahead of him. He's not been
dazzling as of yet, but that can come down to not having had a decent
run in the first team. When he's played he's done very well, and was
one of the plus points to come out of a truly woeful August, but since
then Souness hasn't given him much of a chance, and he's played on
the left far too much. Given a run on the right I feel we'll see a
super player.
I had the privilege to sit down in July with Sir Bobby Robson while
filming an advert for the News of the World (showbiz personality me
like) and I think everyone should get 5 minutes to talk football with
Mr Robson. True gentleman and loves his football and talks about it
so passionately. But anyway back to the point. We got talking about
James Milner and he said that the ability that this lad has is frightening,
and given a chance he'll be a star. He also complimented my footballing
knowledge after I got into an argument with one of the other extras
about Kieron Dyer but that's another story for another day.
James Milner will be a star at Newcastle United given half the chance,
and perhaps the same can be said of Charles N'Zogbia. That boy was
reported to have a lot of talent, and now that he can finally turn
out in black and white he's looking good. Was one of the better performers
at the Hawthorns last Monday, and is very tricky. It's perhaps too
early to rate him, but the early signs are promising.
Our highest profile signing of the season needs no introduction. What
he does need however is to pull his finger out of his arse pronto.
Patrick Kluivert is a talented player which is plain to see, but in
truth his early appearances for Newcastle have been largely average.
I have faith in Kluivert to become a top quality player at this club,
but the early signs haven't been good. That said he's pulled off a
few magic moments so far. His goals at Villa and Palace, and his deft
touch to set up Bellamy's goal at home to Everton spring to mind.
We've seen the glimpses, and I'm hoping our number 11 can start pulling
it off soon. Hopefully when he gets back from injury he'll show us
why he's here and why he's classed as one of the most technically
gifted players in the world.
Stephen Carr might face a struggle to get his place back from Steven
Taylor when he returns from injury, however I'm sure Souness will
agree it's a nice headache to have as before Carr was crocked he was
playing very well indeed. He's bombs forward superbly but is always
back defending when he has too. Here's hoping he can get fit soon
even though I feel it would be a shame for Taylor to lose his place.
Carr has been one of our better signings of the summer, and could
be considered as a candidate for club captain when Shearer rides off
into the sunset.
Another guy who's had his career at Newcastle United stalled by injury
is Nicky Butt. Butt has had a steady start at Newcastle without burning
down the house. Good player with a great pedigree who I believe we've
missed. Butt has a lot to offer this football club. Let's hope he'll
be showing that soon. Butt is also a potential captain and would perhaps
relish the role. He's worn the armband before for Manchester United
and is more than capable of running the midfield.
And now we move onto Souness' first signing. Ronny Johnsen was a baffling
signing for me. Sure we could have done with cover, and the transfer
window was closed, but I feel this signing was a waste of time. He
made very few appearances, didn't exactly do much, and picked up a
healthy wage packet I assume. Not great, but I suppose it kept a stuttering
O'Brien on the bench so it wasn't too bad.
There's one arrival I haven't covered just yet. One that was perhaps
met with the most abuse and least tolerance. I'm talking of course
about the manager Graeme Souness. He came in and had the standard
honeymoon period, but after that the lads went on a hellish run, with
our 4-1 defeat at home to Fulham the lowlight in a terrible run. His
tactics and team selection have been suspect at times, but his early
moves in the transfer market have been very encouraging.
I'm giving an undecided mark on Mr Souness's paper. He can get it
right, and is certainly making the right moves, but let's hope he
can utilise our players correctly, and perhaps win a bit of silverware
over the next 18 months. If there's one thing Souness is good at it's
even if his team is stuttering in the league, he's got a habit of
picking up the odd trophy.
Let's hope we see a repeat soon.
Vive la revolution!! |
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