Toon Thoughts: Owen, Milner, Transfer Targets
By Bill Fibreglass On Sat 14 Jul 2007 |
Welcome to the first edition of what will become a regular feature on Newcastle-Online in the coming season. With me, your affable host, Bill Fibreglass, we will be looking at all the latest news and rumours from around St. James’ Park and trying to separate the fact from the fantasy, as well as trying to figure out the thinking behind the goings on at our club.
Where can I start other than with Michael Owen? After weeks of silence, the England and occasional Newcastle United striker has come out and pledged his future to the club in a truly moving piece written in The Times. While even the most dim-witted of fan can see this for the hollow gesture it is, given that this statement has only come after the “Big 4″ have all seemingly identified alternative targets, at the end of the day this leaves us with one the best natural goalscorers in the game for the coming season.
There’s still the nagging issue of the clause in his contract hanging over us, and this will no doubt come back into the picture next summer, if not January. Furthermore, with only two years left on his contract we do seem set for yet more uncertainty in the very near future regarding Owen. Hopefully, with Owen in the side we can find ourselves in a healthy league position come next May. Then we’ll be either able to get him to extend his deal here, without the clause, or else be in a better position to attract a top quality replacement. So let’s get behind him now that he’s here is what I say, he’s still a Newcastle United player after-all, even if it is only in the short term.
In better, less complicated, news James Milner has signed a new four-year deal that should keep him at the club for the foreseeable future. It seems insane to think that less than a year ago we were trying all we could to flog this boy to raise money for the purchase of Mark Viduka. Now, ironically, we have both of them at our disposal for the coming season. The attitude shown by Milner last season in the face of such poor treatment from the club should serve as an example of professionalism to all of our staff, and nobody in the team is more deserving of an extended, and likely improved, contract than this young man. Well done, lad.
Argentinian midfielder Aldo Duscher has apparently come and gone, his trial cut short after he failed to impress. Had he worked out then Duscher could have proved a quite useful addition to our squad, as not long ago he was being linked with big money moved to the likes of Man United and Roma. The 28 year-old seems to have lost his way though and it seems is no longer worth the risk, even on a free transfer. Whether Sam will now look to find an alternative target to Duscher to compete for the holing midfield role with Nicky Butt remains to be seen.
With rumoured target Habib Beye, the right-back and captain of Marseille, having appeared to rule himself out of a move this summer, Allardyce is believed to have turned his attentions to the wonderfully named Rod Fanni of Nice. The 25 year-old plays primarily as a right-back, though can fill in at center-back and in midfield too. His style of play has been likened to that of Lilian Thuram and, though I know very little about him, I’m sure his signing would be of great benefit to us, if only for the stream of puns his name lends itself to.
While Allardyce has shown himself to be very prudent in the transfer marker thus far, one can’t help but wonder if, with all this wheeling and dealing so far this summer, there is less money to be spent on players this summer than what has been rumoured? While I would never advocate spending for the sheer sake of it, I think the benefits we would reap from going out and buying a truly top class center-back to partner Taylor would be worth whatever money we spent getting him. We have some good players in midfield and up front, with a mean defence we would be looking at possibly being a very formidable outfit next season.
Rumours about signing Deco are all well and good, but a top class CB and left full-back would serve us in better stead for years to come. Not that I’ll be complaining if we sign Deco, of course.
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Well a good first pre season game 3-1 away. The main thing is that Michael Owen is given the full pre season to get fit, and work on the partnership with Martins. With the strikers we have I see no need to be chasing another one so the link with Eto’o won’t work, but in saying that I think that if Huntelaar were to become available if I was the manager I would definitely consider it. The main thing is that we get the defenders in before the end of July I believe a CB and a top quality left back is paramount with a solid RB:
Canavaro
Miguel
Gilberto (the LB not the one at arsenal)
In the midfield I think there is enough to get a top 7 finish but the purchase of one big name is needed to keep the profile of the club high:
Riquelme
Ronaldinho
Deco
One of these would fit the bill nicely, so come on Big Sam and Mike Ashley get the cheque book out and build a squad capable of compeating at the highest level again.
Sent in on: July 18th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Generally I’m happy with the summer purchasing so far. Unlike when Shepherd was in charge it seems the manager is actually picking who to buy and the signings are based on the structure of the team and not just “who” they are as it was in Owen’s and Duff’s case. (Although I’m still suspicious of “Shepherds last act” - The Barton purchase. Was it really Sam? Or Shepherd giving his agent mate McKay a bit more work?).
As for future targets, I think reports (however true) linking us with the likes of Ronaldinho, Eto’o etc are a little over ambitious at this stage.
I think instead of £40M-ish megastars, the club would be wise to look at young, ambitious players just breaking into their national teams who would fancy testing themselves in the prem, who know where we are now and want to go in the immediate future.
I feel with our cash and ambition, the likes of Klass-Jan Huntelar, Wagner Love and Elano should be looked at. These players would give us that “extra dimension”. (as anyone who saw Wagner Love’s pass for Brazil’s 3rd goal in the Copa America final last night would agree!) They aren’t stars yet, but could well be soon!
As for immediate necessity, I feel we need defensive players playing to a high standard now - Nicky Shorey as we need a good left back. And another good international standard centre back (Jonathan Woodgate or Sol Campbell would have fitted this perfectly, thank you Roeder!), as well as a right back.
Ultimately however, I fully trust Mort, Ashley and Big Sam to sensibly judge and deliver what we need. Unlike the last regime.
Sent in on: July 16th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I think the plea’s for an immediate splurge of cash from Ashley are a bit hypocritical given that most of us have been demanding a well run club for years, Ashley has only just arrived and is doing the sensible thing in taking stock of the club as a whole. I think big money will only be spent once Ashley is sure the right systems are in place such that we dont end up with another Luque/ Boumsong/ Viana.
This being the case I expect BSA is sticking to his original plan and has little money to spend. And hes not doing a bad job having got rid of some of the deadwood and strengthened the squad with no net spend.
I dont doubt that he’s still after a LB and a CB to strengthen the defence and would expect him to be looking at strikers incase Oba does head down to London. Plus looking at who he’d like if funds are released.
All that said, I thought Roeder deserved a crack at the managers job full time so its probably best to ignore me…………
Sent in on: July 16th, 2007 at 11:51 am
MarkW - Saviola has just signed for Real Madrid. As I have already said on here, we need 2 defenders, 1 midfielder and 1 striker. The striker is just as important as defenders. Viduka is a great signing but wont play 40-50 matches in a season, Owen has always had injuries since he was 19 years of age and Martins if he stays will be off to the African Nations Cup missing upto 6 matches. Shola aint good enough. I think the hierarchy are well aware that the lack of European football this season will or should prevent the arrival of a “superstar”. Carr, Babayaro and Ramage should be shown the door immediately (hopefully the mackems will be interested in the 3 of them) Quedrue is better than what we have but surely we should be aiming higher than that. Fanni would be a great signing though
Sent in on: July 16th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Fanni, Franck Q and Cannavaro would be nice additions to the back line.
Another defensive midfielder and that would be a quite tasty squad.
Sent in on: July 16th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Shola? no he wouldn’t!! ..maybe the flith
Sent in on: July 16th, 2007 at 6:32 am
I think that we need one left back. I have seen Messina’s Parisi who is an excellent player and for centre Matthew Taylor or Daniel Gabbidon who is one of a kind. We can also take Boularouz for the left side.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
No need for bad atmosphere in dressing room so get all negative influences out the door. Martins is a moody prick and will probably leave giving us some cash = grab a bit of Kanoute for £10million, delish!
Kieron Dyer and his lacklustre performances (eg not celebrating with any passion or even a f**kin smile against Watford on the last day of the season) should be sent packing and heavily invest in 1 top class midfielder, Emre I have no faith in, Damien Duff is constantly crocked, Nicky Butt is the epitimy of averageness. On that note how good is Drenthe? Young and full of ambition… sounds like a positive signing to me. Riquelme would not float my boat, he won’t be able to work on his tan up on tyneside.
Some kind of defence would be nice also, where is Geremi going to play?? You know it’s worrying when you hear a player being described as “versatile”, as versatile means he is too s**t to have ever held down 1 position. If he is going to play right back then we surely don’t need Mr. Fanni. Another centre back please, I think we missed out on signing Robert Huth last year as he is a beast and is young with an air of German efficiency.
While we are at it we should sign Saviola, I would take him over Martins any day, also would Shola Ameobi get into the starting line up of any Premiership football team????
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
We definitely need at least one more CB. We have bought Rozenhal, yes, but other than him and Taylor who have we got? Ramage? No offence to the lad, but he’s a disaster.
Even Taylor (young, inexperienced) and Rozenhal (nobody seems to know a lot about him) have question marks over them, so it’d be madness to not bring in someone else.
I think if we got Fanni he’d be challenging Geremi for the RB spot, but also be our 4th choice CB in case of injuries.
So even Fanni would leave us needing a CB and LB still.
After that I’d like to see us go after a genuinely top class midfielder if we can get one, and Diarra as someone suggested earlier would be a great acquistion to eventually succeed Butt as the holding midfield player.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
We could line up to play tomorrow and be as good as if not better than last year at all positions other than LB. This is our one urgent need.
We ain’t going to get Bridge, I personally think he could be first choice next year for Chelski.
We ain’t going to get Shorey. If he moves he will go to the team he supported as a nipper, West Ham, who are going to let Konchesky leave as he and Curbs don’t get along.
We ain’t going to get Baines as big Sam thinks he’s not good enough in the air.
This leaves Queudrue who looks like he’s available, is good in the air and will be an extra marker in our set piece defence, an area big Sam will definitely be looking at.
I fancy us having him. I’d also like some Fanni. Ho ho.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I think Sam’s getting the balance better now - concentrating on defence and trying to get strength in depth.
However I still feel some personnel need to move on for their own good and that of the club.
If we really can get in a good few more players then Babayaro and Carr should go as soon as possible. Their contribution to the club has been pathetic and they’re “not fit to wear the shirt”. The big Sam effect might do something for them but I very much doubt it.
I also agree that Emre should go - he just doesn’t seem suited to the English game for whatever reason.
And while Butt’s a solid midfielder we should be looking at some new blood to replace him - Diarra at Chelski would be perfect and it appears he’s restless with the chavs. Let’s get him before our rivals do.
Also, have still got reservations about Milner - just get the feeling he’ll always be a good solid player but not with that extra something. Wright-Phillips on the other hand can change a game in an instant and for me has that extra class.
Let’s not whine if Queudrue joins - he’s not great but an improvement on Baba. But we definitely need a first choice left back. Baines will be a better player than Bridge in time, and Shorey maybe - so let’s get him. Fanni would be a quality right back (couldn’t resist).
And if Oba goes surely we should be looking an another pacy striker and not Gudjohnsson? would love Eidur here but we’ve got Mark Viduka and, well, Shola. Still, if we want to progress we need the big squad I suppose.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
We need more than just 1 or 2 players in my opinion.
Defence must be the priority as Taylor might not be 100% for the start of the season so that would leave Rozehnal/Huntington/Ramage/Edgar as our only CH, so I’d say we need two CH, one experienced highly regarded leader like Hyypia or Campbell and a young possibly English lad like Davies for the future to form a partnership with Taylor or if that would prove too expensive another proven int’ at the right age (mid 20s) like Rozehnal would be good.
We need two left backs, one as first choice like Shorey/Bridge/Baines someone we know can hack the PL as we haven’t had a left back you could say makes other top 6 sides jealous since the PL began. Not some two bit journey man like Queudrue who has already bailed on the NE once for London and its lifestyle (same sort of mentality as Distin/Goma) happy to go to a club with less ambition and propect than even Boro had. A young understudy or maybe an experienced foreign lad like Fanni would also be useful, someone we can allow time to adapt to the PL rather than throw them in at the deep end away at Bolton and potentially ruin them first game (it’s happened before to us with foreign players plenty of times).
We also could still use a proper RB, not a MF player like Nobby or Geremi that has had the postions forced upon them by injuries and because they aren’t good enough to get a game in midfield. But a proper RB that is proven in the position, Luke Young wouldn’t be too costly as apparently Charlton have lowered their asking price to £2.5m. Maybe they would take Carr in part exchange???
Finally we could use 2 MF players maybe even 3. A left winger as Duff is injured for god knows how long and may have setbacks and may never fully recover and the Zog, for all his talent, and Sam’s ability to motivate we can’t simply start the season hoping that the Zog has sorted himself out or can ever get back his potential.
I’d let Emre go as it seems he isn’t even fit to start the season again. Emre just doesn’t seem suited to the PL and is too often injured albeit with just knocks. We are lacking creativity in CM playing 442 with just really Barton offering something there. As I think Dyer is too lightweight to risk playing there for the little that he contributes in assists and goals, and his lack of tackling and poor stamina leaves us vunerable in CM.
Deco would be a big risk in my opinion, he got booked 14 times last season in La Liga, so I’d hate to think what he would be like wth knobs like Robbie Savage rattling into him every week, I have a feeling he would constantly over-react as we have seen Emre do so often rather than concentrate on using is awesome talent to break down the opposition, you also have to question how his passing would be affected by the shorter time he would get on the ball, Veron who is a very similar player to Deco flopped at two very good PL teams and maybe it’s telling none of the top 4 seem to want a player of his ability, (Benitez showed how easy it is to take Deco out the game by man marking him when Liverpool beat Barca last season). Also I can’t see how going from a CL title winning club to a club not even in Europe could motivate Deco. If the AM was left footed and could fill on the left instead of signing a LW an attacking midfielder would be useful and might save us a few bob.
Also a defensive midfielder as back up to Butt or groomed as his long term replacement would be useful. Maybe Sam sees Geremi doing that but then that just means that we would need a RB, like I said earlier, even more.
I think it’s obvious we will need a striker if Owen or Martins leaves.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 9:26 am
About the defence:
We have 3-5 players who can play or do a job at right back.
Geremi, Solano, Carr, Ramage, Taylor.
We have 3 first teamers and 2 up and coming for the Centre Backs: Taylor, Rozza, Ramage, Huntingdon, Edgar
We have 1 left back, Babayaro with cover from maybe Ramage.
We have 10 recognised good or very good midfielders: Solano, Geremi, Dyer, Butt, Emre, Milner, Zog, (Nov Duff), Luque(?), Barton
6 Strikers: Owen, Martins, Viduka, Ameobi, Luque, Carroll (who I think is good enough for Premiership)
So what’s the priority? I suggest 3 top knotch, proven players
1) Left Back
2) Right Back
3) A third central defender (for injuries/suspensions are plentiful)
At left back: Bridge or Shorey - yes. I haven’t seen enough of Leighton Baines.
Who else?
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 9:23 am
It’s alright saying “WHERE’S YOUR CASH ASHLEY?” but on top of identifying the player, the other club has to want to sell and the player has to want to come.
After last season’s performances and lack of Europe this season, it is obviously going to be difficult to get a TOP CLASS defender.
I think patience is required and BSA will get the best players, who want to play for Newcastle, not just for the money.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 8:25 am
What are you talking about we need centre back? Didn’t we just sign Rozehnal? If we sign another CB doesn’t he just sit on the bench?
Stop being stupid, Riquelme could play for ANY team that he wanted, why would he choose Newcastle? Maybe he will see the intertoto in the trophy cabinet and be seduced…
But if we can sign him, then I reckon we just snap up Messi, Ronaldinho, Nedved and Totti. We might have a chance then.
Honestly we need fullbacks, Wayne Bridge would be a top signing, but he’s another one from Chelsea, Mourinho might have infected him with his… I dont know what it is but I f***ing hate that man.
I think Fanni is the answer to all of life’s questions.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 4:20 am
We need to get some decent defenders in, full stop.
In regard to Riquelme - bad idea.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Come on Ashley get Riquelme in and a top class left back and we will be all set for the new season
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 12:12 am
If we have the money, why dont we spend some of it for Leighton Baines or Wayne Bridge.
But I know Big Sam is the right man for the job and that he knows what he is doing.
Sent in on: July 15th, 2007 at 12:01 am
I think Sam has made good signings but needs to spend £10 million or so on a good left back, and buy some young defenders not just free transfers and 28 or 29 year olds. Our problem has been defence for years, time to spend proper money on defence and sort it out. Liverpool have bought Agger, Man Utd bought Vidic, we need players like this and they didn’t cost a fortune.
Have to start showing intent, look at the players Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs have bought for example. Having actually spent more than a few million with the money from the sale of Parker. Ashley needs to show his ambition and get one big signing, would rather see this spent on defence than Deco, we have a good midfield. We will be a harder team to beat than last season, but would like to see some nice football played also.
Sent in on: July 14th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Dazza,
Can’t say I’d be too happy with Quedrue as first choice LB at all. An improvement on Babayaro he may be, but not much more than an average player. We need to stop trying to just get by when it comes to defenders and really make a statement by buying truly top quality players for our defense.
If we have enough money of course, that is.
Definitely would like a really commanding CB to partner Taylor though. With Barcelona having signed Milito it’s possible that Marquez may be on the move. Now THAT would be a signing to really state our intentions.
Sent in on: July 14th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Linked with Quedrue and Fanni today, think that would nearly sort out the defence. Could do with a comanding Centre Back, a John Terry or Sol Campbell figure to guide young Taylor.
Sent in on: July 14th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
We need 4 more quality signings. 2 defenders and a world class midfielder and another striker because I think Martins will be away. Gudjohnson, Bridge or Shorey,Riquelme and a top draw centre half
Sent in on: July 14th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Got to agree with this, we NEED A LEFTBACK and urgently possibly 2, with 1 quality center-back, we don’t need another defender come midfielder come goalie/striker we NEED A LEFTBACK and a quality one at that!!!
Not too worried yet but it would be nice to have them in place prior to the start of the season or we’re learning as we go again (never worked for us, leaving things till the last minute) bearing in mind, everyone knows we need a left-back and have needed one for about a decade.
WHERE’S YOUR CASH ASHLEY?
Sent in on: July 14th, 2007 at 8:31 pm