23rd August July 2004:
After the shock announcement that we had agreed to sell Jonathan Woodgate
to Real Madrid, Newcastle-Online asked for your thoughts on the sale and
as ever the response was brilliant. Check out the reaction below...
P.S Thanks to all who wrote in.
Steve M - It's all good and well us taking the money
now but if we do not sign a replacement of equal quality quickly (like
who??) then Freddy Shepherd can kiss goodbye to the Champions League,
for next season anyway. You don't get anywhere selling your best players.
Micky C - Don't think we can really judge this one
until replacement(s) are bought. I hope one of Gallas, Upson, Hyppia
or King comes along with Michael Dawson from Forest and that Andy
Reid too with whatever is left over.
Sam A - I say Good Luck to him. It's not his fault
he's the best defender in England and if Real Madrid came knocking
for me, despite my undying love for NUFC, i'd probably move as well.
I just wish we had held out for slightly nearer the 15m mark. If Woody
goes, that's fine but there's no point in just having this money in
the bank we need to replace him, and quick. I don't mind if we don't
buy as technically sound a player as Woodgate was and is, but we need
someone who is considered at very least international class, established
and will lead the back line. Can we get Gallas? probably not but that
is the direction we need to be looking in order to replace Woodgate.
Best of luck to him but if we don't bring in a player of similar quality
by the end of the transfer window, it'll be a complete waste of time,
no matter how much money we get in return for his services as it will
mean another year playing with sub-standard defenders for what we
are trying to achieve. I would like to see Mellberg, Gallas or even
Jaap Stam arrive. Just someone with proven, consistent quality and
not an up-and-comer as before. If we sell proven quality, we have
to replace it with proven quality. Not a Matt Dawson or Calum Davenport.
Someone who we will recognise as the man we can rely on as a calming
influence. An influence that unfortunately is not provided in O'Brien
and Bramble when played together. Good Luck Robson, do us proud.
Harry H - The facts state he's only been fit for
less than half his available games, maybe the management know more
than we do?
Scott - When sir bobby sold Woody he would have something
up his sleeve. Word has it (from a source) Sir Bobby's on the verge
of singing an Argentinian.
Edmundo - Not happy but 37 out 128 matches is not
a good return on 9 million, good luck to him, Man Utd nor Liverpool
can stop Real Madrid taking a player so its not surprising. But we
had better sign at least two extra defenders to fill the void.
Andrew - There was a double page spread in the Times
sports page some months ago where they interviewed Woodgate. The one
thing that came over very clearly was his desire to play in the Champions
League, and thus guarantee his place in the England squad. We're out
of the Champions League so I'm not really that surprised he's going.
At least Beckham will have someone to talk to what with Owen and Woody!
Might keep him out of trouble and who knows might do England some
good!
D.Anderson - Sorry to see him go - he was class although
he was bothered with injuries. WHO is going to replace him, we can't
go the whole season with a back four which is just above average in
ability, surely not - hope you have someone in mind Sir Bobby.
Patrick D - Best defender the Toon has ever seen
and he bogs off to Madrid. Cant blame him but we had something special
brewing, stars like Kluivert, Shearer, Butt, Milner, England bound
Ameobi and all we needed was a good defence. Woodgate was the answer
and now the plans have been torn up. Shame really. It's odd though
how Real have gone for 3 English players in their team now. Beckham,
Owen and now Woody. I am anxious of the Woody replacement though,
probably be some lazy arse who is over rated. 9 million for Woodgate
was best buy ever (apart from 15 mil Shearer). I don't think we can
replace Woodgate, sadly.
Robert P - Really disappointed about this. We were
so close to building a class team-the reason why we did not get CL
this year is because Woody got crocked in the Chelsea match with a
few matches to go. Hope we can replace him properly.
Max W - I am very sad to see him go but 14m for someone
who is injured half of the season is good business. I would love for
us to get Gallas but not too keen on Huth.
Rod M - For one, this Woodgate scenario has riled
me. However, it's not as though we have sold our most consistent defender
is it. However, we'll be lucky to do that if Shepherd, Robson et al
don't pull there fingers out and give Bernard the new contract he
bloody well deserves. Fair enough it's bad that Woodgate has gone
but it would be a disaster if Bernard were to go for free at the end
of his contract cos of some mix up between his agents and the money
grabbers who "run" this so called team.
Dylan - Good business, now let's get two good central
defenders in. (Gallas and Cannavaro would do nicely)
Paul B - If he'd have played in over 100 games of
the 128 games during his stay instead of 30 odd we would still have
lost him. Except we'd have got £30M+ for him - because he's the best
defender I've ever seen in a b&w; shirt. Can't blame the lad for wanting
to take a step up in his career and earnings. Good luck to him - and
you never know, he might be back one day. Let's hope so.
Nick R - Doesn't this leave us with only two centre
backs? One of which is Titus Bramble? If a replacement isn't brought
in, and I'm afraid to say that I don't see one coming, we can say
goodbye to any chance of top 4.
Shaun S - Woody was class but he'll not be missed,
how could he be, he rarely plays. £14m is good business, lets just
see who comes in to replace him, he'll soon be forgotten.
JP - If SBR has a good replacement already lined
up for Woody, then fine. However, if no new player is forthcoming,
then Freddy's claim that we aren't a selling club will be utter bollocks,
and we can kiss any chance of a top 4 finish goodbye.
John P - Oh Dear! Transfer window closes soon and
now we've left ourselves with a big pile of cash and a desperate need
for a centre back. My worry is that there isn't a replacement out
there who'd want to come to St. James' and we've yet another season
of Titus booting the ball out for opposition goal kicks and failing
to intercept a single cross! I can't wait. Although the Toon fan in
me is absolutely gutted Woodgate would go, If I was a Smog fan, playing
for the Toon and Real Madrid wanted me, I'd be gone like a shot!!!
Darren Ambrose opposed to Beckham, Larry Robert opposed to Zidane,
Ameobi (3rd choice forward) opposed to Owen (also probably 3rd choice
striker!!). For someone with no real ties to the club, not a hard
decision to make??
Antonio - As a Real Madrid supporter I was a bit
surprised when Woodgate's name was first mentioned because it isn't
exactly in line with the type of purchases Florentino Perez has made
in the past 4 years - especially in terms of his off-the-field behavior
nor in his public profile. However, for most fans, myself included,
any defensive help is welcome. Also, it seems he was an explicit petition
of the coach Jose Antonio Camacho, and in order to convince Floren
to spend 20m euros for a player such as previously mentioned, and
also injury-prone, he must have something special. Real Madrid has
one of the best, if not the best, sports medicine depts. in world
football so from my point of view I'm not very worried about injuries,
nor am I about his behavior (not with Camacho as his coach), but rather
about his adaptation to a very technical league where defenders are
expected to be able to play the ball out of danger, to a team with
very demanding fans, to a new culture and language (though I read
he has been learning Spanish), and maybe most importantly to the man
who will be his new partner, Walter Samuel.
Joe Q - Shepherd is a business man and wants as much
money as possible he doesn't care that the Toon have lost their best
defender. GET HIM OUT!!!!!!!
No name - Robson talked about a moral duty to the
player; I say what about a moral duty to the fans who have paid their
money to see top class players pull on the black and white shirt.
Shepherd better have two class replacements or he will feel the wrath
of the Toon fans.
Artyh - Sad to see him go, a fantastic player, probably
the best for a long time at the Toon - but injury prone, and how long
will he last before he is crocked again? In real terms a good bit
of business for Newcastle IF they spend the money on a top draw defender,
problem is who is available and who will actually want to sign?
Eddie T - The sale of woody is absolutely disgusting.
Has the club no ambition. No doubt his name was one used to lure Kluivert
& Butt to the club, what are they thinking now? are they next, so
the club can make a few million profit on their sales. Has Sir Bobby
gone soft. We should be adding quality players, who perform when fit.
I don't think anyone would bat an eye if it was Dyer being sold.
Pet Pet - I personally feel that Woodgate is player
which Newcastle's defence needed. Solid and can organise It sad to
see him go, but we get the profit of about 3-4mil. Newcastle need
him. I am not sure who Bobby will buy? Will the next CB be the same
class as Woodgate, or even better? Woodgate is only 24yrs old.
Andy - Absolute catastrophe, only decent central
defender we had in our books, and we let him go like that...I speak
for many NUFC supporters in Australia when I say it was a real tragedy
selling Woody. We better pull our fingers out and find 2 half decent
central defenders real quick, otherwise we are in serious trouble.
concerned, confused, and hurt. Sydney, Australia.
Richard - Probably good business for a player who
was rarely fit. As long as the alleged 13.4 million is spent on a
couple of class defenders. Wes Brown can't get a game at Man Utd so
how about him and Southgate for a bit of experience.
Mohamed F - It is a good deal. But Bobby has to find
a replacement as good or better than Woody. Gallas (Chelsea), Alex
(PSV), Luisao (Benfica), Heitinga (Ajax), Metzelder (Dortmund) or
Johnson (Chelsea) are all great players with potential. However, I
believe that the best deal would be buying Gallas or Metzelder Chivo
would be great but Roma will never sell him.
Andy A - I'm gutted at Woody's sale, he may not have
played many games for us, but when fully fit he was by far our best
defender.
Chris B - Football is more farcical than ever. No
loyalty to anyone and everyone has their price. Each season every
player is up for hire. The logic behind the sale mystifies me. Quality
replacement? That's what we bought him for. I'll never be back at
the Toon...til Saturday when I hope to see Kluivert at the centre
of defence. After all he was brought up that way.
My Toon - Players come and go. Our club will survive
and we will keep on supporting them whoever comes or goes. We the
true fans will always be there.
Ryan - If Woodgate played every game last season
and the season before that i'd be mightily pissed off right now. But
I'm not pissed off, I'm sad to see him go because the optimist in
me thought he would get fit and remain that way for a full season
(realistically it will never happen in England). He has a better chance
to remain fit in Spain in the warmer climate (though still unlikely).
We now have a pocket full of cash and we can buy a couple of defenders,
and hopefully a right winger, we have been weak here and we need a
great final ball coming in from the right, due to our youngsters not
being the finished article quite yet (though they will be). I think
the team attitude will be better without him as well, I think when
he came to Newcastle he came with a big ego. Anyway I'm not sad to
see the back of him (probably the only one).
David - It's a shame to see such a great defender
like him leave, and I personally don't think we would have sold him
if he had played in the vast majority of games during his 18 or so
months with us. Because of his injuries, we were never able to play
a consistent back four when getting an understanding between fellow
defenders is a necessity. There was too much chopping and changing
which didn't allow the unit to gel. We now though, have got decent
money for him and also the prospect of dwelling on his replacement.
I personally wish him all the best and I am sure the door will always
be open for him to return to SJP.
Mark F - What are we going to do, buy players that
show massive potential then sell them when they reach there potential?
We're never going to win anything if this keeps on happening. Fat
Freddy needs to realise he knows nothing about football and to leave
the decisions to the manager. Die hard Geordie my backside!
Zoe F - Even though it pains me to say this, I think
that Freddy's done a good bit of business. Woody was always injured
at the wrong moments and never really got a rhythm going. Hopefully
we can get a world class defender or rising star like Michael Dawson
of Forest to fill that gap in the Newcastle defence.
Matthew - Awful. This is a step backwards. I'm just
gutted. We're supposed to be a big ambitious club, looking to win
trophies. Not with this behaviour.
Chris L - I laughed yesterday when I saw the rumours.
I thought he was less likely to go then Viera was from Arsenal. I
think it's a disgrace really. I think it puts an end to any realistic
hopes of us getting any silver this year. I think it demonstrates
the ambitions of the club. We should be getting in another DC to play
alongside Woodgate, not flogging him off for half his value.
More Messages: Page
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