6th July 2005
By
Jody Jamieson
It's all the usual fun of the fair at St. James' Park this close summer.
Souness is the favourite to get the sack, we don't know whether Bellamy
is coming or going, Emre has signed a few times according to some
reports only for contradicting reports to say he's never signed at
all, and as usual we're being linked with every player who's either
unsettled or unwanted at every major club in Europe.
Is it just me who doesn't get that excited when we're linked with
big players anymore? I don't even "believe it when I see it" anymore.
I have to wait till a player actually makes an appearance on the park
before I accept it. Hell, even the Scott Parker deal will be flawed
until he plays to me. But let's have a look at the latest goings on
at Newcastle.
One I never touched upon is the Laurent Robert transfer. To me it
looked slightly strange that we'd fined a player who wasn't contracted
to us anymore, but it's even more confusing than that. Some are saying
it's a year long loan, some are saying he's signed a 3 year deal at
Pompey. Which is it? God only knows, but it's safe to say that he
isn't on wor Graeme's favourites list and probably won't play for
us again if Souness is still in charge by the time his loan deal finishes
(which I assume is a loan.) and while it may not be our fault that
there is so much confusion, it could only involve us really.
Where will the Welsh Dragon be shouting at linesmen this season? Could
be Goodison, could be Celtic Park (although I doubt they have the
lucre) or low and behold it could be Kingston Park as being perfectly
honest, I think Bellamy has tarnished his reputation so much in the
eyes of some that most clubs won't be willing to shell out on him.
Villa won't, Boro won't, Spurs won't, and the big clubs definitely
won't, which only realistically leaves Everton and Celtic.
I just can't see Everton striking a deal for him (although I may be
wrong) and Celtic have been such stingy mares in recent times that
I'm pretty sure they don't have the cash. Could we see the season
starting with Bellamy still a part of our squad? Probably not as we
may bow and loan him to Celtic again if no-one will take him (in my
opinion) but I really can't see us selling him between now and the
start of the season.
I myself would actually play Craig Bellamy next season. Souness needs
to stop being so stubborn and realise we were a much better side with
him in the team. At the end of the day what Souness is so short sighted
to see is that football is a results business. I can't see Shepherd
turning round at the end of next season and saying; "Well we
finished 12th and we were rubbish but Souness stuck to his guns and
didn't play Craig so I'll keep him here. He's a man of integrity."
Although stranger things have and will continue to happen at NUFC.
Next up Belozoglu Emre. Class player in my eyes, and I was delighted
to read ITV teletext a couple of Friday's ago to read that Emre had
completed his move to St. James' Park. I've been a big fan of the
lad ever since I first saw him play and saw it as a massive coup for
us. Then the next day nothing has been completed. Two weeks later
and we're still no further forward. I know that's not really our fault
either, but again, it can only happen to us. I do hope we get him
signed soon though as I rate him highly.
Luis Figo, Christian Vieri, Alan Smith, Louis Saha, Milan Baros etc.
They're all coming!!
I get completely fed up with the nonsense transfer rumours linking
us with players not because we're interested, but because they're
available. I dare say that at least three of those players we have
actually made offers for, but in truth even if Souness hadn't even
heard of them they'd be on their way according to some.
Rather than dealing in speculation I'd rather we just got our arse
in gear and made some signings. Heaven knows we need some new players.
We need a striker, as Mr Ameobi is not good enough. We need one or
two midfielders, as our midfield has been very weak in recent years,
and we could do with a left back, as Babayaro is decrepit. So far
we've made one signing, and a bloody good one at that, but we need
to make a few more.
And yet the players who've helped cause our poor run as of late are
being held onto as if they are world class. No-one wants Viana (for
the simple reason it seems like we've priced everyone who's interested
out of the market) and while there's no denying that he's a good player,
he is not suited to the Premiership. He'll not get a game for us,
so why not cut our losses and let him go?
Same with Jenas in my view. He's been poor for the best part of 2
years, but he probably will get a game. However some reported bids
for him, which have been more than acceptable, have been turned down.
Why is this? Jenas has potential, but anyone can see he's been going
backwards for a while and a spell on the bench or even a spell on
loan might do the trick, but so might a move to another club in my
view. And Shola? Don't get me started on bambii…
It's hard to believe when you watch Shola play that he made his debut
5 years ago. I know some still hold out hope for him but he's the
clumsiest centre forward in the history of the game. He makes Ade
Akinbiyi look like Eusebio with a ball at his feet. I am at a loss
to find any improvements that Shola has made at Newcastle United in
those 5 years.
He puts in a few great shifts, but they are so few and far between
I just can't justify any reason to keep him. I look at players like
Akinbiyi and wonder what Ameobi has done to deserve to be an entire
division above him for so long. Rumours have gone round that a couple
of teams might be willing to take him off our hands and I hope they
do. I'd let him go for half a million.
So far it's been a pretty bland and disappointing pre-season, but
thankfully this pre-season is still young and there's still plenty
time to make some waves in the transfer market. Unfortunately I can
see Souness spending for the sake of spending like we've seen in the
past. I know it's something that is constantly being thrown in Souness'
face also, but I will be surprised if he doesn't approach either Blackburn
or Rangers for a player before our trip to Highbury.
Be it Emerton, Gamst Pedersen or Dickov, or be it Ball, Prso or Lovenkrands
(god forbid) it's bound to happen. I just hope that my fears aren't
realised and we can go into the new season with a newfound sense of
optimism.
On another note it's nice to be back writing for Newcastle-Online.
It's been 4 months since my last article and it's been far too long.
I honestly didn't know where to start, and as it's been so long, I
think I'm fairly rusty, so bear with me! It's nice to get something
back on, and hopefully soon I'll be able to write some stuff which
may start a few interesting debates more regularly.
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