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Shout: Toon Army's Reaction To Woodgate Sale (page 2) |
24th August July 2004:
More of your e-mails regarding the sale of Jonathan Woodgate. (More
tomorrow)
Tony R - I think the sale is lunacy, I simply cannot
see us replacing him within 12 days and the other centre backs we
have are no where near up to scratch. Before this sale I thought we
needed another quality CB, now apparently we need to get 2, any enthusiasm
I had for this coming season has been drained, and I feel robbed.
Unless FF really pulls the proverbial rabbit out the hat in the next
week I can't see us qualifying for the Champions League this year.
Very angry fan - I know he might have been injured
a bit but why sell him? We have no one to replace. A full season with
O'Brien and Bramble at the back doesn't look good! Please tell us
what the F**k Newcastle are doing?
Steve K - Part of me feels distraught because we
all know that Woodgate is arguably the best defender in the Premiership
on his day. He is so valuable as a player that Real are ready to gamble
on his dreadful injury record for the chance to secure a fabulously
talented defender. When Woodgate plays his tackles are as valuable
as goals. He is a superb player and a superb leader, this can be seen
in how well O'Brien/Bramble play when they are beside him. Added to
this is the fact that the Toon NEED another central defender to partner
Woodgate if they are ever to challenge for the title. Selling him
is a hard wrench. On the other hand 15 million for a player who may
never play a full season is good business, especially since we are
getting a six million return in such a depressed market.
IF, and it's a big if, Bobby and Fred sign one or two quality central
defenders who will stay fit, it will make the difference to the side
that Woodgate might have if he was playing. However, Robert Huth,
or even Ledley King, are not quality enough to replace Woody. It has
to be Gallas, or someone else who is the finished article. No more
buying potential...if we want trophies it has to be a top quality
defender. As an afterthought, imagine we got this money at the start
of the summer. Miguel could be playing on the right side for us, and
we could have snapped up one of the top performing central defenders
from Euro 2004.
Fireman - Glad to see him go. Great when he's fit,
useless to have on the books with such an injury history. Get Gallas
or Bouma.
Mark - I don't think we should have sold him. He's
the linchpin of our defence and a role model for young aspiring defenders
(taylor anyone?). We'll be worse without him, I have no doubt about
that. 13.4 million IS NOT good business considering he's world-class,
I would have expected at least 20mil+ since we now need a replacement
equally good unless we're to go backwards. Once again NUFC looks like
it's run by clowns. Only good thing is he should be a permanent fixture
in the England side instead of Rio Ferdinand or John Terry.
Dave O - Great business 13m for a sick note. I hope
Real get as much use out of him.
Brook - I have mixed feelings. On the one hand I'm
gutted as I thought we were one top class central defender away from
mounting a real challenge, now we are two short. I'm sorry but the
other centre backs are just not up to it. On the other hand I never
really felt he had become a Toon player. Partly because he left Leeds
reluctantly, partly because of the lack of appearances and something
else I can't put my finger on. Also he clearly wanted to go as otherwise
I don't think he would have. He's a truly great player but maybe it
is the right move, but only if all of the money is made available
to SBR. Fat chance! I'd say Fat Fred has probably earmarked a sizeable
chunk for the new manager. Still, even if Bobby doesn't get it all
I personally would be appeased if we bring in a top class replacement,
and ideally two, who would play 40+ games a season.
David S - I am absolutely gutted. This caps a terrible
passage of time for Newcastle, with the rumours of in-house splits
and Dyer's outburst, the sale of Woodgate was the last thing this
club needed. All this sale has achieved is to line the pockets indirectly
of Freddy Shepherd and lower fan morale to an even lower level. We
were light on good centre backs before the sale of Woodgate, now we
are in real trouble at the back. I acknowledge that Woodgate's injury
record is terrible, but I firmly believe that he was going to put
that behind him this season. The sale would be fine if we were to
go and get two good centre backs, but I fear this will not happen
and we will struggle along with what we have got. In a nut shell,
we have sold our ambition for £13.4m and once again proved we are
a wannabe big club that can't go that step further to achieve success.
Dan A - Terrible. I realise that when Real come in
for a player they are going to get their man. but to not even put
up much of a fight to keep him/raise the price, and then turn around
and keep Captain Bling at the club after he turns his back on the
team; I just have no faith in our chairman or manager now. We wont
get anyone near Woody's quality, and being so close to the transfer
deadline, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't get anyone at all.
It's going to be a long season.
Jonty - If FF rates him the best in Premiership then
why have we settled for only half the fee that Utd paid for Rio, eh?
If they didn't want to sell him, then why have we, eh? They have been
saying that they couldn't stand in Woodgate's way of a move to the
biggest club in the world but did he actually ask for the move or
was he advised to go because really it boils down to the fact that
we are STILL A SELLING CLUB...FACT!
Peanut - Absolutely shocking. What happened to us
building a team for the future (around Woodgate). He's class, and
we played so much better with him in the team. See comments on Nufc.com
from Freddy and others about a £50m price tag, and if we sold him
to Arsenal, we wanted Viera & Henry in return...so much for words.
We should never have sold him.
Neil W - Undoubtedly a gifted player - the nearest
thing we have to a modern day Bobby Moore. However, I think NUFC did
the right thing. With the data available to them, they've made the
right 'gamble'. My hope is that they are proven correct and Woodgate
ends up injured again in the next 6 months followed by a lengthy lay-off
sunning himself in the Spanish sun with Kate, sangria and patatas
bravas at his side. But, then again, I'd really like to see him play
for England at full fitness - he's Campbell's best partner - better
than Terry (too slow, scared) and Bart Ferdinand (moments of lost
concentration). The true test of whether or not this is the right
decision is what NUFC do with the money. For 14 million (plus maybe
more from the board) we should be able to get 2 very good defenders
(maybe an experienced player and a young 'un). Overall I think NUFC
have been brave on this issue and I'm sure once a footballer decides
he's leaving it's just a case of getting as much as you can for him
as he'll never honour his contract. Honour is not a word you come
across much in football.
Micky S - Woodgate's sale has left us with a large
gap to fill and quickly, especially now the Premiership is under-way.
Our defence is prone to hemorrhaging goals as it was and I would have
thought it be prudent to sign another top-class centre half BEFORE
Woody was sold! My questions would be: How much of the transfer fee
will be made available for new signings? (and how much will be banked
and paid out in 'dividends' to major shareholders) Who will be making
the signings Sir Bobby or Fat Fred? Call me cynical but i reckon £5mil
on a young centre back to partner O'Brien and then the rest in the
NUFC (Shepherd offshore) bank.
Chris B - I can't believe it personally BUT £14m
for a player who only played 30 something games in 1 and 3/4 years
can't be bad. Huge profit for the time he spent here and provided
he plays at Real, he will I'm sure become a consistent rock for the
English. Now more than ever, a consistent player is badly needed,
even if it's just to keep Bramble out of the 1st XI!
Tombola - I'm gutted that we have lost a player who
is probably the best defender in the Premiership. Saying that though
Woody has never played more than 23 games in a season in his whole
professional career putting him on par with sicknote himself (Darren
Anderton). It's no good to NUFC as a team if his misses more than
half the season. And as the transfer market prices seem to be getting
more reasonable we could pick up a couple of quality centre backs
for the amount we received for Woody. Though unlikely to be as high
quality as Woody himself. Gallas is my personal favourite, as too
is Upson or even King? I really hope Sir Bobby and Freddy make up
for this loss.
Barry L - Gutted!!! The only International class
defender at the club has gone. He may not have played many games,
but I prefer to look forward to what he might have done. The thought
of Bramble and O'Brien in defence worries me. If the club invest in
a quality replacement(s), then it'll probably be good business, but
if we sign more "potential", then we can write the season off again.
There are not that many players who are available or will be willing
to come, so we need to make sure we buy well. Bouma from PSV or Hyppia
would be my preferences, but I, like SBR (allegedly), don't really
have a say in our transfers. Interesting to see what reaction the
crowd gives tomorrow. Here we go again!!
Michael B - It could be a good piece of business
as he is so injury prone and he hasn't played for us too many times
so with the money we could get a couple of really good centre backs
but not Huth. Maybe Gallas, King, Maxwell or Bouma.
Micke - It's always hard to lose a good player and
I think the defense would be very solid with a fit Woodgate in the
center. But with the injury problems he has, he would probably only
pay about 20 games so in the long run I think it will benefit the
club to let him go. Sorry to see him go but hopeful that better things
will come.
Jamie P - very very good sale because if i was Real
Madrid's chairman I wouldn't even pay 3 million for an injured player.
Ed M - I Know, Best defender in UK on his day, but
can't help niggling feeling that 14mill for a player we bought for
9mill and who has played limited football, not really improved and
injury prone is good business. Needs to be backed by two quick buys,
1 - Robert Huth, anyone who has the balls to tread on big Al's balls
is solid in my book. 2 - Dawson or the young lad from Coventry, an
up and coming youngster as well. TOTAL COST £6 MILLION TOTAL PROFIT
£6 MILLION Buy one get one free and cash back, great biz Freddy...
Scott H - as long as we get a decent replacement
that actually is available to play for us .....get him sold.
Kevin S - Can't fathom this one out, far too quick
of a sale for me. Shepherd says it was not for the money, well what
is the real reason, there is definitely a hidden agenda. Only good
business if we get someone in quick, unless this has already been
arranged.
Gustav W - This is so god damn fucked up. We can't
get a better player than Woody! He's the best and it's wrong to sell
him!
Raj - This is a cray crazy deal which we stand to
lose out on either way. Woody is by far the best defender in the UK
and one of the best in the world. Why do we need to sell him? Do we
need the money? How will we replace him? This is one of the worst
decisions this club has made. I was gutted when we sold Gazza, Beardsley,
Waddle, Cole, Sir Les etc. but I could see a point. Not with Woody
I can't. None at all. Keep up the good work. Regards Raj, Fenham.
Phil - I don't think anyone can complain. It makes
good business sense. Better to have sold him for a decent profit to
a Spanish side than to see him at Arsenal or Man U. If he ever did
get a full season under his belt there's no doubt that he'd be gone
anyway. Having said that it is sad to see such a great player leave
the club. He's a class act and I wish him well.
Jeff - That is the best bit of business Fat Fred
has ever done, use the money to buy King from Spurs and throw in Dyer
if Spurs need more incentive. King is going to be a regular in the
England side when JW is injured in Spain.
Steve B - We all know what a class act the guy is
when he's fit, we should have been building a defensive unit around
him not shipping him out. Its obviously FF seeing pound signs once
again, perhaps building a fighting fund for the next manager. Good
luck to him in Spain. Perhaps the warmer climate will help him stay
injury free after all he ain't done anything wrong in this, it just
stinks when management treat the fans like idiots and try to softsoap
them into believing it wasn't about the money.
Tony A - Well I'm absolutely gutted. I can see two
points of view 1. We could be losing one of the best centre halves
in the country. 2. We are getting 15 million quid for an injury prone
player who, due to injuries has only played something like 38 games
in something like two seasons. If Woodgate was fit all the time then
I wouldn't say bugger off to Madrid but personally I think 15 million
is a good price for him. I think its a bit like the Gary Speed saga
where we were offered 750,000 for someone of his age. All the best
Woodgate lets just hope you don't face us next season in the champs
league! *Hopefully*
Mark S - I'm disappointed to be honest...despite
him only playing in 28 out of a possible 52 games we have had since
his purchase from Leeds. The extremely high potential was still there,
the most calming, influential defender we have had for a very long
time...and now we have to look for another one. I for one would certainly
like to rule out one R. Huth for Chelski - he wouldn't exactly be
popular in the dressing with our current talismanic striker would
he???!!! Oh well...that's my rant over for now. I say good luck to
him as a "galactico" and I hope to see him back playing in the most
competitive league in the world before long. Kind regards Mark...Howay
the Lads!!!!
Dominic D - Considering the injury record throughout
his career it has to be a good deal. Better off with someone 80% as
good playing 90% of the time. Frankly the deal doesn't make sense
to me but someone has faith. Did anyone hear what the Pope said the
other day when he visited Lourdes...just wondering.
Dave D - Upset - Annoyed - Good Business - Always
Injured - World Class - Troublemaker? - Need ReplacementS! - Never
mind - Good while it lasted - No grudges - Wish him well - Cheers
Johnny!
Paul T - £15m is a LOT of money to get for a player
who at his best only managed 25 appearances per season, hopefully
the chairman will spend the profits on re-strengthening the team before
the transfer window closes.
Gary - The club has been very professional in its
approach to the sale of Woodgate, they have been dignified in their
conduct towards Woodgate and have not impeded the lad in any manner.
However, I can not see how the £13.4 million sale of Woodgate is a
step forward for the club. At this price Real have acquired arguably
one of the best defenders in the world when fit. An offer that is
impossible to turn down must surely be in the region of £25 million,
not the agreed. With that another quality defender could be sourced
along with a handsome profit as payment for all of the associated
risks of the sale. At the price agreed, I don't see that NUFC have
done too well out of the deal. I know that when Real identify a target
they rarely, if ever, fail in the acquisition. When we played with
Woodgate we were defeated very very rarely. I'm not sure where the
club goes from here. William Gallas, for example, how much would he
cost should Chelsea agree to sell? I'm not sure that there would be
much change left over from the money Real have giving NUFC. So what
would we have gained? We should certainly get first choice on him
when Real choose to let him leave. A Confused Toon fan. Gary.
Peter J - It's good value 13.5m for a player who
never had Newcastle in his heart. Always on the sick bed, always in
the sunshine in Ibiza with his lass. Best place for him is Real Madrid.
(Well done fat Fred)
Paul D - Its a total joke! We now have just over
a week to replace a top class defender, for the fans sake I hope they
can come up with someone pretty rapid because we just simply cant
challenge for silverware with the central defenders we have at the
club at the moment. Fair enough he was injured a lot, BUT when he
wasn't injured he was the best centre back in the country without
a doubt. For big Al's sake and the rest of the Geordie faithful I
hope there is a replacement before the transfer window closes because
from a personal point of view, its going to be ANOTHER one of those
seasons! Whatever happened to Newcastle United aren't a selling club!
Steve - Potentially one of the best players to wear
a black and white shirt. Potentially a persistent sick note. Which
one we will never know. We should be excited about an imminent signing
apparently. Let’s hope these rumours weren't created by Shepard as
a bit of pre emptive fire fighting.
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