Our Official 'NUFC Are Great' Week Starts Here
After
receiving deserved
criticism of Newcastle-Online.com from a reader of this site regarding
our cynicism and bitterness we feel it's time to change tact for a
little while and to unashamedly become pro Newcastle United for 7
days if you like where we will try to highlight all that is great
about our magnificent club.
Plus, we are sick and tired of all the doom and gloom, which we have
contributed to over the past few weeks and considering the beating
the club has took from all quarters over the past 18 months, from
the media, fellow fans, this site, other sites and even our very own
players, it's time for a much needed Toon love in.
Since the merger and official launch of Newcastle-Online.com I'd like
to think we have covered pretty much every issue, concern and questions
needing asked of our club, and we all know what our problems are exactly
and what needs changed to rectify things, by now.
So it's time for something different.
We'll start off this week long feature with:
Newcastle
United, The Game's Biggest Underachievers?
Souness Determined To Keep United Pair
Souness quotes regarding Shay Given and Steve Harper's future:
"I don't know why these stories have kept appearing because
we have absolutely no interest in selling either of our two goalkeepers.
"We're very happy with the pair of them.
"Shay has been linked with moves all summer and, according to some,
he was definitely off to Manchester United a few weeks ago.
"But I'd spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson and I knew they were not interested
in him so I had no worries about that. Now they've signed Edwin van
der Sar and people have finally stopped talking about Shay going elsewhere.
"We have not had a single enquiry for Shay all summer and even if
we did have one, we wouldn't sell. He is under contract with us and
we are not interested in losing one of our best players.
"Shay has not intimated to me that he wants to leave and we fully
expect both our goalkeepers to still be at Newcastle United next season."
However, the Scot also admitted that another goalkeeper may be signed:
"We are looking for a young goalkeeper to come in as back-up."
Toon Man Staying - For Now
United coach John Carver has squashed recent claims that he has left
his post at Newcastle, claiming:
"I haven't left Newcastle.
I will have to sort this out when I come back on Tuesday.
"I can only think someone has remembered I was mentioned in connection
with the Hartlepool job when it was last available and jumped to conclusions.
"I haven't spoken to anybody from the football club (Hartlepool).
Last time I was linked with it, I did speak to them, but not this
time around.
"In fact, I spoke to Martin Scott just before the play-offs to reassure
him that I hadn't spoken to anybody.
"I had a taste of management when I had the one game in charge before
Graeme took over - and I want more.
"When you have been a No 2, you always wonder in your mind about whether
you can do the top job.
"Don't get me wrong, I've got a very good job which I enjoy.
"But I worked with senior players for a long time and having got my
UEFA Pro Licence - the best coaching qualification you can get - I
want to work with senior players again.
"I've never hidden the fact."
O'Brien Signs For Portsmouth For £2m
From the official Portsmouth website:
Chief Executive
Peter Storrie this morning announced the signing of Andy O'Brien from
Newcastle United for a fee of £2 million on a 4-year deal.
The Republic of Ireland international is currently on vacation, but
made it clear that he would like to thank the Newcastle fans for their
support in his time at the Club.
Andy said he was very impressed with the meetings he had had with
Alain Perrin and Velimir Zajec and said that in his negotiations with
Peter Storrie he had been thoroughly convinced of the Club's future
potential. He is looking forward very much to the new challenge and
having played in front of the Portsmouth fans in the past, he can't
wait to do so again with the fans on his side.
Speaking after the conclusion of the Club's first summer signing,
Peter Storrie told us, "We have signed a first class player who has
played at the top for both club and country and has a very prominent
record."
"We are very happy to introduce Andy as the first signing under Alain
Perrin's regime and likewise, Alain is also very happy to have made
the first of his signings."
The player will be available for press interviews when the players
return for pre-season training next month.
O'Brien's Newcastle record: Played 172 games, scored 7 goals including
a goal against the Mackems. Not bad for a player who cost £1.5m.
Good luck in your future at Portsmouth Andy. Always the model professional
who gave 100%. |
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