Sky Sports News understands that Newcastle United have opened talks to take 28 year-old Jonathan Woodgate back to the Tyneside, and they are at an advanced stage.
Middlesbrough are also willing to let their center-back leave the club for around £9M.
Jonathan Woodgate - holding talks at Newcastle
Middlesbrough appear to be willing to let the England defender depart The Riverside, since they appear to have good cover in central defense, and willing to let Jonathan move back to Tyneside to join the new Keegan revolution.
Woodgate could have joined Newcastle in 2007, but the news at that time was he wasn’t at all impressed with then manager, Glenn Roeder, and opted to go to his home town club, where he had spent the previous season on loan from Real Madrid.
However, Woodgate is said to be unsettled at Middlesbrough and we wouldn’t be surprised if he has let them know he’d like to leave and join up with Newcastle United again. He was at the club under Bobby Robson and he makes no secret of the fact that he loves both Newcastle United and the fans.
With young David Wheater and Roberth Huth performing well and Chris Riggott and Emmanuel Pogagtetz, also available, Southgate may have decided he can do without Woodgate, which is good news for Newcastle United.
Woodgate spent a season and a half at Newcastle through August 2004 - when Real Madrid paid more than £13M to secure his services. That was just weeks before Freddy Shepherd sacked Bobby Robson.
Tottenham are also interested, but a deal with Newcastle is very advanced, and Jonathan is reported to have already met with Newcastle officials in the last 48 hours.
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan handed Woodgate his England debut in 1999, and is a big fan of the Middlesbrough born center-back. A fee of around £9M is being quoted, which is the same fee Bobby Robson paid for him, exactly 5 years ago this month.
We think Woodgate will be Keegan’s first signing at Newcastle, and he will be a good one, as long as we can keep him fit. We should probably think of keeping those injury experts Sam hired in the summer.  
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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159 responses so far ↓
1 Howie // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:14
if we can keep him fit and with woodgate its a massive if. him and taylor is a superb combination imo
2 Tom from Aus // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:16
i like woodgate and i think he is a great defender. im happy to have him at newcastle but we are going to have to sell another CB because now that woodgate is joining nufc their is going 2 to be 7 CB. We dont need that many.
3 Warwick Hunt // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:17
I have always rated JW very highly, in fact if he hadn’t had his injury problems I don’t think there would have been a better CD for the England team sheet.
4 Jamie G // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:20
perfect. i think a left back is needed, riise would be awsome but i think wayne bridge would be more economical. this pandev guy looks sum player as well for up front, or just behind the strikers. the future looks bright, the future looks black and white.
5 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:21
Given
Beye Taylor Woodgate enrique
=
Fantastic- competent
Given
Beye Faye Woodgate Enrique
=
Immence- very tough to crack
6 johnny // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:22
I live in Middlesbrough and know what goes on behind the scenes in terms of his off the field activities and believe me we should’nt touch him with a barge pole. To say he has ‘refuelling issues’ as Graham Taylor put it would be the under statement of the century.
7 stk // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:23
hope he joins again, and stays fit! nice one kk!
8 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:23
and the defence will be black and white- get it symmetry and balance is what we need!!!
either way, i think Taylor will profit immensly from Woodgate or Faye- Faye is more die hard and more powerful
But woody is so cool and composed…(when fit)
9 Andy1 // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:23
9mil is way too much. How can they ask that when they paid less. Since then he has had a few more injuries and hasn’t played that well. Boro don’t even need him at the moment.
It would be a risk and we could probably get better but Keegan must see this as a way of getting the fans excited because we all loved him first time around - when he wasn’t injured.
10 DC Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:23
Woodgate would be fantastic if he signs. He is tough, good in the air, and doesn’t seem to make the mental mistakes that seemingly plague every other chap we’ve thrown back there. I really hope we get Pandev as well. Things are looking up at Toon.
11 Ketsbaia // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:24
I’d love to see Woodgate back at the club! if we can get him and Pandev in now, then I think we can congratulate Kev for some great work early on, it all bodes well for some great transfer activity in the summer.
12 Hadrian // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:24
echo that on keeping him fit ,
if he stays fit he’s exactly what we need , genius move by keegan … if he stays fit .
dont like the sound of paying more than the smoggies did , dont like them thinking they got one over on us .
surely he’s not still on the drink(n other stuff) johny ? thats why bobby sold him on i heard .
13 wsq // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:25
we still need a left back urgently..enrique still on a learning curve
14 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:25
johnny is that sour grapes??
although he does have heavy bags under his eyes! but im sure he would have been tested and found out if that was the case
now please, you may go back to your boro cavern!!! this for black and whites only!
15 toon barmy // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:26
be a great boost for the defense, someone to help taylor lead the line, just hope he cuts his hair tho!!
16 Griff // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:26
Pros - english, tough and talented
Cons - expensive, injury prone and has long hair
17 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:28
encore encore Jamie G
“the futures bright, the futures black and white”
me hopes jimmy so, me hopes jimmy!
18 Gordon d // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:31
Would be great signing but £9 mill what about Ameobi as part of the deal.
19 neil09 // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:31
Woodgate is a quality player and injury free,consistently, we should jump at the chance to have him back. However, is it a wise move to have the most injury prone player in history back at a club that has the worse injury record in history?
30 million rumoured transfer budget,
9 mil - Woodgate
11 ml - Pandev
Remaining 10 million on Joey Bartons lawyers fees.
20 bob // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:32
9 million may be too much but to be fair its not too much for us anymore the value of money doesnt matter just aslong as we get class players and woodgate is one of those and we cant complain after sellin him 4 13 mill
21 J // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:33
great player but sounds bit to much money to me
But we need a good experienced cb and he is that
22 Beastie // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:33
look marvellous gettin woody bk but can we give them 5 million and get rid of clown in part x!!!
23 johnny // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:33
To the ‘Black in the black and white’, you misunderstand I’m black and white through and through its just that I have the extreme mis fortune to live in Smog land due to my job and that how I know what goes on!!
24 Jon // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:34
Woodgate and Faye in the heart of defence…wow!!!!!
25 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:36
Forget the £9m fee. Mike and Mort can well afford it. If it goes tits up, then they’ll just splash the cash on someone else.
Woodgate is well worth the gamble. Best defender ever to play for Newcastle in the modern era and still a good 4 years left at the top of his game.
Considering we were looking at Campbell and Hypia, this is a far better option.
26 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:39
apologeese Johnny
forgive me !!!
so spill the beans boy!
27 Howie // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:40
james totally agree. hes one player i never wanted to leave. yes his fitness is a risk but its one thats worth taking imo
28 ToonKing // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:42
i’ll only take him for 9M if he cuts he’s hair, he looks like a junkie………. hmmmmm………………
Nevertheless a major signing if we get him, but to be honest i am pretty pleased with our current defense and would prefer a midfielder. Up until now, besides Carrick, no one has been linked with us…i’m a little worried about it tbh.
29 paul the pom // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:46
woodgate used to be a boozer and hung around with the wrong crowd,but that was before his dramas in leeds .looks like he’s matured now so could be worth a punt
30 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:48
ToonKing - its actually good to see Keegan sorting out the defense first. Get it right at the back first, then recruit all the attacking players in the summer for the Gung Ho footie we’ll play next season.
31 Petworth Mag // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:51
bit pricey for a drunk
rather spend it on Kompany
DC Toon, where do you hail from mate?
32 Aussie dave // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:51
fantastic player, Newcastle barely lost a game in the 18 months he was at the club, when he played.
Would be a great signing if he can stay fit, he appears to have played a fair bit for Boro over the last 18 months so go get him.
33 ToonKing // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:52
James i don’t think there is anything in the defense needing sorting.
Beye Taylor Faye Enrique –> seems very solid to me.
They just need a good midfield in front of them.
34 Petworth Mag // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:53
Yea come on Johnny, bit of gossip to end the day on.
Familiar with his holiday exploits…knocking himself out while trying to break a liquor bottle over his head while nursing a leg injury but what’s he been up to in Smogsville?
35 neil09 // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:53
Maybe with his signing on fee he can buy us all a pint or two and make us all forget his ‘hic’ rumoured off-field problems.
36 Petworth Mag // Jan 23, 2008 at 21:55
nm
37 Big Geordie Poppa // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:00
Sounds a bit daft, considering he costs £9mil, but signing him would mean we had ideal cover for the CB position. In the past, Taylor and even dare i say his name ………… Titus ………. did not have to work to keep their place in the team, but with woody back, any CB in the club would have to work to keep their place. If he is injured most the season, then there are decent replacements, but he brings competition to the team, and confidence to young taylor, if needed.
Excellent idea KK
38 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:00
Toon-King - yes that back four is good enough in my books too. However, you always need cover in each position. And I’d rather have Woodgate than Cacapa or Rozenhal.
As for Woody’s drink problems, if he stepped out of line at Newcastle it would be dealt with.
Anyone realise we are starting to collect the Leeds team of old, Woodgate, Smith, Viduka, Milner…
39 ToonUSA // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:01
If we are going to spend 9 mil on a player i would not want to worrie about him being able to stay fit. the biggest problem with our defence is that we never seem to have the same back 4 playing week in and week out. You get a guy that gets injured all the time then thats more inconsistancy and more problem in the long run. I say spend the money on a new striker and a fast creative RM….
40 Ed Harrison // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:01
He would make a good captain too - played for the club before foe experience, loves the club, fans like him, and from center back he can see everything.
41 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:04
ED - Carrick will be the Captain when he signs in the summer
42 Dave Atkinson // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:05
Waste of money - perpetually injured.
43 evildick // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:07
this would be a great signing. i can’t wait to see who we bring in for midfield!
the dream goes on.
44 DC // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:08
He’s made 50 appearences for ‘Boro in 1 and a half years, which isnt bad at all.
If he stays consistantly fit, then he’d be a real asset to us.
Hes got bags of experience, hes still canny young, and is a top class defender without a shadow of a doubt. He’ll definately shore up our defence, but first, he has to stay fit.
45 Leo* // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:10
keegan has given many great players their international debut
46 Toon Al // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:10
anyone who reckons it’l be too much, we have the money behind us now, so if it canget us some quality, its alright!
woody, riise, pandev
KK said he only wants three, but i thin k we could stretch to one more crouch or ashton?
47 DC // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:11
Berbatov?
48 ToonKing // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:12
Was watching a few clips to refresh my memory,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnabsaqxbdU
i have to admit he’s even better then i remembered. sheer quality, whitout him Boro would be dead and burried.
I don’t care anymore about what i said before, he’s too good to miss.
Get him in KK!!!
49 Howie // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:13
pandev aint coming now anyway. he wants 3 prem experience players i think i heard somewhere
50 Toon Al // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:14
if only DC, but berba simply wouldnt come, specially now with spurs in a cup final..
i think pandev would come, n i think KK would take him, we’ve been in discussions with lazio
i dont think he said he needed experience for all three
51 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:17
Sunderland sign Prica..! Bit of a gutter, guys not that bad - Top goal scorer in the league last year..!
Not sure what to make of this Woodgate claim…. I would love him but have been unable to find any further info, feeling Chronicle has influenced Sky Sports… James defo unable to find any info on the supposed medical he’s under gone tonight…. you got the link..
52 Tom_Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:21
So the mackems add another Pric to their team of Pric’s.
53 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:21
Howie - KK never said he wants players with Premier League experience, what he said is that he needs players who do not need a bedding period – That could mean no foreigners, no lower league players etc… To be honest I don’t think anyone really knows, we’re all just guessing – That’s the fun part I guess!!!
54 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:22
Tom_Toon - most observant of you….!!!!
55 Tom_Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:24
Howie - If you go for quality from abroad, like Pandev they dont really need a bedding in period. Its more like a few games for them.
56 Howie // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:25
like that tom toon. thought i heard that b&wblood but as you say its all part of the fun guessin who we could get
57 Howie // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:27
that is true tom toon. dont know too much about pandev but he sounds good
58 DC Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:27
Petworth Mag, I live in Washington, DC. Do you as well? I like your highly specific neighborhood user name!!!
59 scott9 // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:28
would be a great signing if he stays fit but it is unlikely he is worse than owen nine million for an injury prone player but then again he is the best english central defender there is when he is fit jan signings
woodgate 9m
pandev 11m
robson 1.5m
team.
given
beye woodgate taylor zog
milner robson emre duff
pandev
owen
60 Gordon d // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:34
I ‘m from Scotland Barry Robson is no better than we have ,all our midfield players are much better ,but i’m not Kevin Keegan.
61 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:34
given
beye woodgate taylor zog
milner faye duff
pandev
ashton owen
62 valle // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:34
Bridge or Riise for left back and we are all set in that department then… Great news, he was the best defender around when he was on top with us in his last spell.
63 Tom_Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:34
Given
Beye Taylor Woodgate Enrique
Duff Emre N’Zogbia
Pandev
Owen Martins
How attacking do you want!?! Id love it!
64 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:35
Scott9 - Robson…?
Guy’s don’t forget Woodgate has played enough games to win the North East Football Player of the Year Awards
65 Tom_Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:35
Id like Scott Brown from Celtic, ive heard Celtic are looking to buy Gary Robson as a replacement for Brown if he leaves.
66 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:36
id be delighted to see woody back… he is a genuine world class player nad i had woodgate 27 on my home and away shirt one season, if he comes back the shirts will be worn again! i just hope it happens. he’d help out our current number 27 tayls progress!
67 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:38
Is there any sign of a Right sided midfielder to cover Milner?
68 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:41
as far as right sided midfielders go, id love to see bentley here… blackburn dismiss speculation b4 we even confirm any interest but if we tabled a good offer for him then maybe just maybe…. what would you think of that?
69 scott9 // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:42
tom toon u have put pandev in midfiled i no he can play just of the strikers but is he strong enough to play in mdfiled when we have 2 up front
70 Leo* // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:42
on another note, can anyone find me the odds for sam alardyce being the next manager of republic of ireland… been looking but i have no idea… if anyone is interested in a little flutter i would put a 5a on it
71 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:42
British, young, ambitious and on the up. Bentley sounds like a good idea but I don’t think theyll let him go.
72 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:44
Leo…
Check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkcNN5y8GaY
73 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:44
Jim - I’d cry if we bought Ashton…
..I’m also inclied to get rid of Duff for someone who goes forward as apposed to being latral…
My team:
Given
Taylor Woodgate
Beye Enrique
Emre/Roz
Millner N’Zogbia
Pandev
Owen Martins
74 scott9 // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:45
yes im not saying i really want us to sign barry robson but ijust said him cause hes the only realistic central midfileder we have been linked with
75 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:45
i still havent seen the woodgate thing confirmed on ssn…i saw earlier how we were linked with him but not seen anything about opening talks???
76 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:50
Mark - I’m not sure if all this isn’t just hype..!!!
Jim - He’s awesome is’nt he….. I would love he play just behind the front to!!
77 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:50
Ashton’s a good striker who needs a lift and a good run with support. Remember, he spent the entire 06/07 season out injured.
Even the likes of Owen has taken some recovering from that!
Can we have Dunne too?
Woodgate & Dunne
(Taylor & Cacapa subs/competition)
Anyone want to buy Rohsenhal?
78 scott9 // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:51
mark u been on sky sports.com
79 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:51
Jim - Nah, you can’t drop Taylor….
80 Mac // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:53
Getting Woodgate would be a great buy for us but we do need to keep him fit. Bring in Riise,Pandev as our attacking midfielder and ashton as our target man Jaurary job done
81 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:53
scott9 - Just same thing as Chronicle reported earlier in the day…. Has SSN been influenced by our ever accurate Mr Oliver..?
82 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:54
If he were to come, he would bring Taylor along a treat…lets face it..if anyone can make Titus look good on occasions (which he did) I am sure he can work with the boy Taylor and bring out the very best in him…IMO Taylor has the “potential” to be as good, if not better than Terry. Given a little time and a quality partner to learn from, I am sure that will happen.
83 Todd // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:55
I’m just worried about how often he gets injured. Worse than even Owen. If he signs I’d be concerned with keeping him healthy.
84 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:56
haha really? cheers scott9
85 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 22:57
I think one thing that always goes missing in some of these discussions is how a player fits into a team. You can look at a guys stats or even his present form but that doesn’t really give you an idea of how a player fits into the team KK wants to build. My guess is KK saw something in Barry Robson while he was in Scotland to warrant his interest, and if he adds something to the team 1.5m will be a bargain. The last time Woodgate was here he had legitimate injury problems, I don’t know about all these rumors that he is a boozer or whatever, all I know is that when he was here and he played he was top notch and always carried himself professionally. I would welcome Woodgate back in to the squad, I certainly hope the rumors are true about him coming back. Pandev would also be a great addition, and all you doubters out there should think back to when Michael Owen was available. He was linked to easily a half dozen teams, but he chose to come here (ok maybe we were second choice, but still). So you see it is entirely possible that a player like Pandev who is getting interest from multiple clubs could actually decide to come here. I know one thing, if he has a one on one with KK (presuming he speaks english) he will want to come here. Howay the lads!
86 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:00
True his injury record isnt great but that is a chance you take with every player you buy…Take Owen for example…yes he was injured now and again before he came to us (Hamstring mostly) but since he signed he has never had a run of games and missed the best part of 18 month with his foot and knee…Woodgate = a risk…but a quality risk…its not like its our last 9 million in the old piggy bank
87 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:00
We should have snatched up Bentley back when Arsenal loaned him out to Norwich.
88 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:01
Is Woodgate Cup Tied…?
89 Jim // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:01
Black and White Blood…
Taylor is not the finished article yet. He would be 3rd to Woody and Dunne and WHEN Woodgate gets injured he could come in.
For genuine top 4 challange (and even top 6) we couldn’t rely on such young talent. Taylor is getting too much too soon.
If you watch him closely in matches, he makes some pretty dodgy decisions (especially with his hands) a couple of yards inside the box. He needs to learn to stop silly things like that before he’s a first choice in an experienced line up.
90 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:01
i agree with that about bentley. for sure. even then you could see how nicely he was progressing
91 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:02
nufctj - Should’a would’a could’a…..
Sorry mate….couldn’t resist that quote from Pere Kay!!!
92 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:05
Sol Campbell or Jonathan Woodgate?
vote now!
I vote for Woodgate
93 Gordon d // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:05
Woodgate is NOT cup tied.
94 mark // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:07
woodgate every time.
95 Leo* // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:11
woodgate easily
96 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:13
Jim – I can fully acknowledge your reasoning, a perfectly sensible approach. Although I’m a romantic, believing the notion of him being a local lad, you will always receive that extra 5% effort. Watching this young lad playing, whilst commanding his fellow team mates fills me with a sense of deep confidence, remember, Taylor visibly improves with each game so why curtail such progress. Taylor alongside Woodgate could most definitely develop into England’s No1 defender..!!! But that’s just my opinion!!!
97 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:16
nufctj - Don’t start this….!!!
I was criticised no ends by most of the guy’s on here the other day for suggesting that we go for Woodgate over Sol Campbell…Remember boys…!!…lol….
98 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:18
Well obviously, Black and White Blood, you and KK think alike!
99 Obafan // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:18
I vote Campbell.
Woodgate is a bi g question mark. Once he was a very good defender (at NUFC) but after his move to Madrid, he was more injured than he played.
£9m is a very high price for someone who is out half of the season.
100 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:19
Oh and btw, I was not among those who would have criticized that position.
101 Leo* // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:20
i voted woodgate on the proxy that he may stay fit and show everyone just how good everyone knows he can be
102 nate // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:21
I disagree with this signing. 9 million is way too much to pay for him and he gets injured way too often. He’s like the Michael Owen of defenders. I also think we just don’t need him. Despite the defending blunders the team has made this year, and there have been more than a few, I think the team is set in the center. Taylor is solid and will only get better. And Faye, Cacapa, and Rozenhal are all pretty decent. Sure Cacapa and Roz have made some mistakes, but they have also played very well at times, and you have to take into account that they are new to English football. Beye has looked very good and Enrique has played decent and has lots of potential.
The fact is that the main problem Newcastle have had this year is not defending but scoring goals. And that is the area that needs to be addressed, primarily with better central midfield players. Yet it doesn’t seem like the team is looking at midfielders, but only more strikers and more defenders. Seems to me that needs to change.
103 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:23
black & white - they never said the medical was happening tonight and neither did I. They said they believed everything had been agreed between the two clubs and player, and that a medical would be next.
As we all know by rumours, we just have to wait and see.
I’m sure there will be a lot more details in the media tomorrow.
104 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:26
Don’t get me wrong Woodgate is a risk, but I’m of the opinion that his very inclusion in the squad would have a remarkable impact on moral!
105 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:27
nate - cacapa and rozenhal will be sold by keegan in the summer…and rightly so. simply not good enough for a team looking to break into the top 6 or top four.
As for the criticism about buying defenders, you must have a short term memory. shepherd kept buying attackers when we were all screaming for a board to sort the defence out first. Mort and Keegan are now doing this.
Any player we sign is going to be a gamble, so it might as well be on someone who improves the team, and woodgate certainly does
106 nufctj // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:27
nate, I have been on here for the past couple of weeks saying we need to strengthen our midfield. But if we can sign a defender like Woodgate for a reasonable fee (and we can debate whether or not 9m is reasonable) it will go a long way towards settling the back line and also help tremendously in developing Taylor. If the rumors about Pandev are true then that will be an excellent addition to our midfield and allow us to play with an attacking CM behind two forwards, or we could play with 5 mids pairing him and Emre up in the center, with Owen/Martins up top.
107 Tom_Toon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:28
No, it would demoralise half the squad becuse half of our squad are CB’s.
Dont buy anymore CB’s just buy two good CM’s, an attacking and a defensive/box-to-box one, both that can pass.
108 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:28
NATE - You have hit the nail on the head. “Faye, Cacapa and Rozenhal are pretty decent”…We should not be settling for “decent” players especially in a key position like centre half…we need quality players that will improve our side and enable us to start challenging for a top 4 place within the next 2 years…Woodgate is better than decent…he is top class…its amazing how much quicker a player recovers from injury or even better, does not pick up injuries/shakes them off when the atmosphere at a club is good and they sense something can be achieved…Woodgate would be joining a club exactly like that..Keegan is the master of creating such an atmoshere!!
109 pedro // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:30
Given
Beye, Woodgate, Taylor, Bridge
Faye
Bentley Duff
Deco N,Zogbia,
Owen/Martins
This would cost us about 31.5 million
Woodgate 9m
Bridge about 4.5m
Bentley about 10 –> 12m
Deco 7m
then sell
ameobe 5 million (yes we give them the money)
smith 5 million
110 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:31
James glad to have you back - Anyhow I couldn’t agree more…
James - Further to earlier on… have you got a link regarding Woddgates medical, I’ve not been able to find anything..?
111 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:32
Agree with the point made about the midfield though Nate…badly lacking creativity in the centre of the park….hopefully Carrick can be persuaded to join (The boy can do everything..Tackle,killer pass, athletic, strong) and one other…little is mentioned regarding Emre though…little genius on the ball and hasnt played enough for me this season…dont know whether that was down to Allardyce or injury but I am sure with a run of games that would bring match fitness, we would see the best of the little fella
112 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:33
Before we can consider being Newcastle of old - we need to get Keegan some ‘Just for Men’ white hair just doesn’t look right on him..!!!
113 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:35
black & white - it was on BBC world service radio, didn’t read it
114 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:39
This guy is a twat in every sense of the word…
http://www.comeonboro.com/columns/110619.php
Please feedback..
115 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:40
They should rename it “Just for Legends” and pop a picture of Kev on the front….that would sit nicely alongside all of the other crazy adverts the bloke has done
116 Dragoner // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:44
yeah we dont need no more CB, buy midfielders and good striker
117 LoonyToon // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:47
Glad to see good old Jeffrey writing about his own club as they are so “entertaining” at the minute…he really is such a self absorbed “tit”….He is harping on about how Newcastle have stirred up this and put themselves in the media spotlight…well if he is that sick of it, why is he writing a full article about NUFC on a Boro website…the “pr**ck”…He was a sh*te referee, and is a Sh*te journalist. Next he will be telling us Boro is bigger than Newcastle next cos they won the Carling Cup with Shirley Mclaren in charge
118 Gordon d // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:52
Black&White blood,James words & i quote Middlesborough & Newcastle have agreed a fee.Woodgate is discussing personal terms,and must then pass a medical.Hard to pass a medical when he is injured though.Good to have him back. Headlines Newcastle bid for Lazio’s Goran Pandev .paragraph 74.
119 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:52
Woody is also fluent in Spanish so he can help Enrique settle in more.
120 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:52
LoonyToon - It makes you laugh…. the tit!!
121 Black and White Blood // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:53
James - Good point young man!!!
122 James // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:56
Gordon, he is due back in training this weekend for Middlesborough. He only had a dead leg.
I meant if the medical was today he would fail. They wait a few days and he’ll be fine.
123 Gordon d // Jan 23, 2008 at 23:58
ok but who said they have agreed a fee?
124 James // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:00
bbc world service
125 Black and White Blood // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:02
Does SWP remind anyone of Rual Fox..?
126 Gordon d // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:03
But that means nothing.We have to wait until it’s official fromNUFC. Every good player on the planet is linked with us.
127 Black and White Blood // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:04
Gordon d - I havn’t…… Yet..!!
128 Black and White Blood // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:04
Oops…. ‘Haven’t’
129 Gordon d // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:08
Nor me i would play for them for £000′000′000
130 ObaFan2 // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:11
Even SSN site is reporting this as RUMOUR/SPECULATION since 16.55 Wednesday and nothing has changed since !
However Lazio have agreed a loan for Bianchi so that leaves Pandev free to leave.
131 Tom_Toon // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:14
I want Pandev 100x more than i do Woodgate, we also need Pandev 100x more.
132 Gordon d // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:16
The times say there has been no bid from NUFC for Woodgate.
133 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:23
9M is a good price as he has talent and is British. Would be a very good signing from King Kev. Good move indeed.
134 dan // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:34
Would be great to see Woody back. Only defender i’ve seen at newcastle that makes the whole team so much better! he seemed to have a very calming effect on the team when he played for us.
lets just hope he plays more than 2 games!!
9 million is a bit steep i feel though…but he’s worth the gamble, again.
135 Leo* // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:47
since talking to ma ‘contact’ who told me about alardyce being the next rep of ireland job, ive heard that they know someone who is high up in management for woody, my friend described the man being old and very friendly to woodgates career, but he says his main problem is a drug habit…
i just hope that my friend is write about the alardyce story and wrong about woodgates problems…
136 Leo* // Jan 24, 2008 at 0:49
dan i totally agree with you, woodgate did give a certain calmness to the players when he was in the team. maybe it was something to do with the drugs calming affects, nitol or easy night silent night maybe? haha
137 Sleazy McSleazington // Jan 24, 2008 at 1:48
Why do we always look to sign dead heads like Woodgate, Barton, Bowyer, Bellamy, etc…
Its almost like this club wants a bad image and to be in constant turmoil…
Utterly ridiculous… Is Gazza available?
138 KKN39 // Jan 24, 2008 at 2:02
Woody is certainly a good addition, he’s the best English CB along w/ but different from Terry (well if Ferdinand came to SJP instead of ManU he’d probably be half as bad as Brambles now) - if he can stay fit 75% of all games 7m may be worth a go; that says 9m is a bit steep but u gotta pay premium for good players in January. Woody + Taylor 1st choice CBs w/ Faye a competent no.3; Cacapa provides another useful backup and European experience. Roz shld be used in CM from now on - i tend to think he will become a good DM, at least a better prospect than Butt or Smith there. and pls, pls give Edgar a go at RB, he can’t do worse than Carr. Ramage is not a genius, but he is a v useful backup across the back4 n he always works his socks off on the field. get a decent but cheap LB to give time for Tozer or Kadar to grow up then our defence largely sorted
139 coolsmurf // Jan 24, 2008 at 2:05
woodgate is classy if only he wasn’t that injury-prone. he seems to have sorted it out at boro.
140 geordie_jordan // Jan 24, 2008 at 5:05
yes please. woody seems to have gotten his form issues under control the last month or so. his injury record is not the best, but he seems to have sorted it out somewhat at boro. classy, confident defender that can only help us!! if ashley is willing to spend, then who cares if it’s 6, 7, 8, 9 million????
141 yongMalaysia // Jan 24, 2008 at 5:24
he was a good def but is injury prone too, 9mill is too much for him, mayb 2-3mill wil be good bargain if he can stay fit and play game for us…
142 Stephen // Jan 24, 2008 at 6:01
My favourite player he was our best defender when he was here a fit woodgate is one of the best defenders in the premiership….
143 Amornthep // Jan 24, 2008 at 6:32
Ed,
The home page, there is a banner with Newcastle United shirt that says “Strips”, does this means Newcastle United fans should start stripping or is it should be “Stripe” instead?
144 scotty // Jan 24, 2008 at 6:34
Not the way forward at all! He has already been here once then left for a bigger club. This is a step backwards imo. Still an injury risk.
145 Aaron D // Jan 24, 2008 at 8:04
KKN39 - Apparently Carr was our best player against Bolton on saturday according to the sun and was even in their team of the week. Would like to see Woodgate and Taylor as centre halfs and Faye moved into DM instead on Butt.
146 AdamCF // Jan 24, 2008 at 8:56
The only thing I can say about BSA is that injury issues have seemed to reduce. So, assuming this carries on under KK maybe Woody may be a good pick up. Riise or Bridge are a crucial buy as Enrique can’t shoulder the left side himself and a creative midfielder, that’ll do ’til the summer
147 steve // Jan 24, 2008 at 9:53
It’s pretty well known in football circles that Woody likes to errmmm refuel quite a lot, 9 million seems to be a lot of money for someone so injury prone.
However he is a great player when fit, main problem is that the more he refuels and the older he gets the harder it is for his body to recover
148 Micky Toon // Jan 24, 2008 at 10:04
When Woodgate played for us, we were a different team. We actually looked solid at the back.
I’d certainly welcome him back over someone hardly anyone has heard of and the only thing people are going on are some you tube videos.
Proven premiership players are who we need.
149 ELFER // Jan 24, 2008 at 10:10
agree, woody and riise could be cool signings…then only a RW is needed.
Hm, do not think pandev really is on our list…paper rumours and that’s good…was not so impressed seing him at lazio (but our swiss player inler is fantastic!!).
150 DaveyParkender // Jan 24, 2008 at 12:09
By all means take Woodgate.
He is very popular on Teesside, for spending lots over the bar in pubs around the area. Famous for throwing the best parties in the area.
Might be a decent footballer if(that`s a massive IF!!!!) he is ever fit, but the quote here is always”Jonny Woodgate KNOWS how to party!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
151 Srky // Jan 24, 2008 at 12:22
I wouldn’t like him at SJP. He’s out of form for a long time…
152 Edd Case // Jan 24, 2008 at 15:03
I love Woody but if we pay anything over 5 mill for him, I think it’d be stupid.
Woody is a great defender but he’s so injury prone.
But, if he stays fit enough, Woody and Taylor at the back, with Faye in the holding mid spot - I like the look of that.
Really hope Pandev arrives, he’ll be the new Asprilla.
And if the third to arrive is Micah Richards, I’ll cream my thong.
153 Leo* // Jan 24, 2008 at 15:11
i think faye and taylor in central defence will be great if we dont get woodgate, but if we do get woody we can put faye in cdm position he likes
its win win
only if we sign a central attacking midfielder
154 lee // Jan 24, 2008 at 16:03
beye chimbonda woodgate taylor enrique risse
155 Tez131 // Jan 24, 2008 at 16:09
@Lee - that sounds like something Big Sam would have done… 6 defenders in the team.
6-3-1 fomation
156 dave // Jan 24, 2008 at 16:37
wow…. a whole article copied and pasted from the sky website
how much do you lot get paid?
157 John // Jan 24, 2008 at 17:03
I think Keegan better lure “Wheater” from Boro instead of Woodgate, since Woodgate has a pair of “glass legs”…
“Wheater” always score goals, if Keegan lure him as an long term investment, he may be able to form a tremendous partnership with S.Taylor and Jose Enrique…All of them are young players…
158 DaveyParkender // Jan 30, 2008 at 19:27
Shay Given says today, after last nights 3 goal blast that Newcastle are not safe from relegation.
You car-Toon fans shouldn`t worry about what the sensible, very affable Shay says though.
Daftarse-drunken- Malcolm MacMouth says `Never, it just cannot happen!!!!
So you Geordies just keep playing the way you are eh!!
159 englanddogma // Feb 13, 2008 at 3:59
returned Street all what beech log. where I spent the boys in the else raspberries, exploring
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