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Newcastle Likely To Bid For Henry In Summer

April 8th, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 72 Comments

Spanish giants Barcelona will reportedly talk to 30 year-old Thierry Henry if they receive any offers for the unsettled Frenchman this summer.

thierry-henry-3.jpg

Thierry Henry - target for Kevin in the summer? - we think so

Newcastle and Spurs are said to be among the clubs reported to be interested in former Arsenal striker Henry, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Newcastle make a bid for the player in the summer.

Keegan told Radio Newcastle when he first arrived back at the club:

“I would like to fetch Thierry Henry back to England,” “He’s the best player I’ve seen in the Premiership.”

“When you’re pitch-side, what I’ve seen him do to good players has been incredible. Sometimes you can take advantage of a situation and get what I call lucky.”

“I’d like to do what we did last time and surprise people. It would be nice to break a world record,”

“Why rule it out? I’d like to bring players here that amaze people and we stop just talking about being a big club - but, with our actions, we show that we are.”

“Sometimes people limit themselves by saying, ‘we can’t do that’. You say ‘why not?’ and they don’t give you an answer.”

Barcelona are said to be frustrated with Henry’s performances this season, but Henry has still hit 7 goals in his 24 appearances this season. It’s hard to be at your best when you’re unsettled, and Henry has never really settled in Spain.

A Barcelona source told the Daily Star recently:

“We have not opened the door for Henry and we have not closed it. If we receive a proposition then we will speak to the player,”

Whether Kevin can entice him to come to Tyneside is a massive question mark, since we don’t even have any European football to offer. However, if we can keep winning games through the end of the season Kevin may have a chance to show Thierry that Newcastle can be great again, and challenge for the Premier league in a year or two.

Thierry Henry played 254 times for Arsenal and scored 174 goals, and he has so far played 98 times for France and scored 44 goals. A world class player indeed.

Comments welcome.

Tags: Newcastle News · Transfer News and Rumours










72 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Leo // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:07

    hmmmm this is all repetitive from when keegan joined i feel… he really wouldnt be worth signing to old and would see it as a step down not up…

  • 2 scottish mag // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:13

    why dont we go for ronaldinho as well if he is willing to speak to man city

    just imagine henry and ronaldinho playing the bblack and white stripes, amazing

    dont think it will happen cos chelsea have made an approach but its good to imagine it

  • 3 CRAIGG // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:17

    I think there is fire in his belly still but it cannot be easy missing your family

    i doubt if nobby had stayed he would have been the same player either as his family was elsewhere

  • 4 Hadji // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:18

    He wont come here,he wants London.

  • 5 steve // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:18

    Henry’s passed it - he’s out injured a lot and has lost a bit of pace - would be great on a free though

    although if we pay 5 million for buck tooth and get Henry for nowt I’ll be well chuffed

  • 6 CRAIGG // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:21

    Steve that sounds like what people were saying about Owen two months ago and look at him at the moment

  • 7 steve // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:23

    @craigg - fair point but I wouldn’t want to be spending millions on him - I’m more than happy to offer him a pay as you play deal - if he don’t play he’ll have to claim sickness benefit

  • 8 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:26

    Henry’s past it!?

    I’ll not lie, he’s not going to be the player he was in his mid-20s, but he is still a world class, outstanding player. If Keegan manages to sign Henry every person on this sight would be texting their mates like a frenzied teenage girl.

    CAN YOU IMAGINE OWEN AND HENRY UP FRONT!?

  • 9 daniel // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:26

    NO CHANCE, HE WILL WANT IMMEDIATE SUCCESS. In three years he’ll be 33 anyway and by that time he’s pace is likely to be pretty average.

  • 10 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:29

    I know it’s unlikely but KK has surprised us all before.

  • 11 stk // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:30

    somehow i see reyes coming over henry, but you never know, as kk says, never say never

  • 12 stk // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:32

    i’ve already texted several mates in a frenzy!!!!

  • 13 walker // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:33

    can you rephrase that stk (childish i know). would love to see him at newcastle.

  • 14 steve // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:35

    Alright he may not be past it and could defo offer something to the team, however I wouldnt like to see us spunking all our money on him then he spends all his time on the treatment table

    It’s funny that when he left the Arse all the players were saying how they felt a weight had been lifted and they could play with more freedom

  • 15 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:39

    Unlike Wenger Newcastle fans love a striker focused game - Cole, Ferdinand, Shearer, Owen/Martins/Viduka!

    Henry would LOVE IT here

  • 16 Whumpie // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:51

    He’d be worth it in terms of outlay, just for the shirt sales. But then - is Henry really the sort that the Toon Army would actually like?

    I’m not convinced - but look at it this way: if he’s coming back to the premiership, would you rather he was playing against us again?

  • 17 SydneyToon // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:52

    I think that there is no doubt at all that Henry will be bid for. I also believe that Henry will want to come…and he will be fantastic.

  • 18 THELONGSHANKS // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:55

    Ronaldinho wont go to chelsea cuz last year he called them cheats and said he would never join along with messi.

  • 19 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:57

    We will NEVER EVER GET RONALDINHO OR MESSI!!!!!!

    That is dreaming way beyond our capabilities. We could snap up Henry, but it’s for all to see that his best years are past him. Arsene Wenger doesn’t offload his star players for nothing. Wenger saw at first hand that Henry was in decline and his form has dropped alarmingly. Yes he has been unsettled in Spain but he had a dip in form before going to Barcelona. He is nothing like he was years ago when at Arsenal. It is worring to know that Keegan still fancies spending a fortune on a aging player who is on the way down! Definately a step backwards instead of forwards. We should do an Arsenal and sign the next Adebayor for example!! What about D’ Allesandro, Arshavin, Diego, McGeady etc. Those are the sort of players we should look into.

  • 20 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:00

    Henry is not worth it anymore, he was a couple of years ago..but not now!

  • 21 Eric // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:07

    We need to create a team that is too good for Henry to get into! We do not need fading stars so I agree with JP from the rock. We do not need somebody elses “names” let NUFC create our own. We have got some already let us go and find and make the rest. Some players come with baggage we know - but please, no more bibs, buggies, dummies, and soft toys flying round the dressing room!

  • 22 sam gardner // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:07

    henry is one of the best players in the world without a doubt he always was he always will be if u would not take henry to newcastle u must be stupid henry is class

  • 23 clinta // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:23

    I hope we don’t go in for Henry as I don’t think he’d be good value for money factoring in his transfer and huge wages compared to goals scored.

    he’s not the player he was a couple years ago…

    ‘newcastle can be great again and challenge for the premier league in a year or 2′ -come on ed you really think the gap is that small?

  • 24 PK // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:29

    Well, far as i can remember beardsley didnt have much pace either and was quite old when Keegan signed him last,yet he was success and played damn well under KK,as we know KK knows to get the best out of the players..i think Henry would be a great signing for us IF we get him.Right know he looks as owen and duke was for 2 months ago…look at them now..

  • 25 hanzemre // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:35

    i don’t mind if he is coming even it’s a bit stepdown as his performance of late suggested that this aging player in Henry was in decline and alarmingly. But all know that Keegan still fancies spending a fortune on a big name. He’d be useful as link-up player in Owen’s place if Owen is to play upfront with Viduka/Martin. Hope for Arshavin in that place.

  • 26 Mr T // Apr 8, 2008 at 12:46

    if we signed him it would be bad business, even if he may do a job.

  • 27 scott9 // Apr 8, 2008 at 13:18

    keegan u r definatley dreaming u hav gone to far but i do love ur optimism king kev
    deco possibly but unlikely but henry no way as he said we do need a holding midfileder so i wonder if we will actually go for veloso would be a great addition

  • 28 Charlie Bucket // Apr 8, 2008 at 13:30

    Two new transfer links:

    http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=86945

    http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=86930

  • 29 Nobby's dad // Apr 8, 2008 at 13:48

    We need to be signing stars of the future not stars of the past!

  • 30 steve // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:00

    Actually, lets get some aging stars in and win something as quick as possible - we’ve been “building” for the future for the last 40 years with nowt to show for it.
    Time to build for now and worry about the future later

  • 31 Southside Jordy // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:01

    Hay can we all get our head’s outta of the clouds please!!! What is wrong with the forwards we already have?? We only need a strong CB a creative midfield player and a few utility players!! Henry in deed……..hay why not go for kaka and ronaldo as well ay!! F**k me pink!!

  • 32 ToonRich // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:02

    I rate Henry as a wolrdclass front man, but you have to question why Arsene let him go in the first place. I read earlier in the season that the Arsenal doctors knew he had a back problem which wasnt going to get any better than it is, hence why they let him go. This, the same back injury that kept him out for at least a month earlier this season.

    Saying that I’d still love to see him in the black & white, he could be the man to put us back in to europe.

  • 33 ObaFan2 // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:07

    Nobby’s dad, i agree.

    Henry ? Well he was excellent for the Gooners but I cannot see him playing with either Owen or Oba tbh.

    I would much rather watch Oba tbh and would prefer maybe someone like Crouch, a bigger stiker to work with the two ( or one from two) smaller strikers.

    Reyes, Henry and Ronaldinho not that impressed with any tbh, I know they are/have been excellent players but I just can’t see them in black n white and playing for the Toonarmy just my opinion.

    One player I can see playing for us and has talked about NUFC before with respect is Drogba, what a class goal scorer. How about Joe Cole too! Cole’s been under the shadow of the over-rated Lampar for years.

    I’m happy with KK deciding and the future certainly looks bright.

  • 34 wsq // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:07

    been there done it no appetite.. not the sort of player you’d want.. the intensity of the premiership will result in him being on the injury list more often that the first team list

    enough of this bs. he was making a hyperbole in my opinion

  • 35 Vitorbarbosa // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:08

    If Henry is in his prime, we stand no chance whatsoever to sign him. His dip of form actually produce the chance for us to sign him at at lower price. I know he will never be as great as 2 years ago but with his quality, he still stand much above the rest.

    Henry experience will be invaluable, as he played for top clubs in champions league, world cup holder, and had played for Arsenal and playing for Barcelona, where both teams play the most attractive, attacking, passing football.

    His signing will be a major boost for us to acquire youngster, who has him as idol. If we stand a chance to sign him, please, please, go with full force!

  • 36 Ausgeordie // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:09

    He’d have to wait for Dukes and the boys to drop in form before getting a run out! SELL SMITH!! Someone make a bumper sticker!!

  • 37 ScottyT // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:24

    im sure we could get him if we say offer smith shola carr and rozehnal in exchange for him. that offer would surely be accepted… lol

    i doubt very much hed come here at all but for the people who say hes past it howay man. hes still a quality player but i agree we shouldnt be spending over the odds for him (e.g. shevchenko)

  • 38 AZ // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:29

    Yes Henry probably would be a great signing but, I think we would be better off spending the money it would cost to buy him on two or maybe three other class players, such as Gudjohnson etc…..

  • 39 Bill F // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:34

    No definately not, for most of the reasons already mentioned. The only ex Arsenal player I’d feel reasonably happy to see us sign would be Viera, he’s beggining to show some of his old form now. He wouldn’t be top of my wish list though.

  • 40 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:50

    Come on Bill F!

    This is Thierry Henry. The man single handedly won Arsenal the title.

    He may have problems and I agree I wouldn’t pay over the odds for him. But I’d easily gamble £8m on Bafe Gomis, why not a similar figure on guaranteed talent?

    I’m a fan of Vieira too. Awesome players. Class is permanent.

  • 41 Toontitan // Apr 8, 2008 at 14:53

    Form is temporary…class is permanent

    Henry is class - full stop.

    Listen, Owen and Viduka aren’t the most reliable when it comes to fitness, so why not take a punt with Henry??

  • 42 Obafan // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:03

    If he would come to play for the Toon that would be a shocking transfer (Ahley wants to do one isn’t it??).

    But where will that leave Viduka, Owen and Martins. If Henry comes one of those three will be gone in the summer.

  • 43 Obafan // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:04

    HeronMag - I would prefer us too to go after Gomis; he is young and is an upcoming talent…

  • 44 Lawman // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:05

    henry IS still a class player - no doubt about it. Wether or not we NEED him to replace Owen or Martins is another matter as I definitely don’t see Henry happy playing second fiddle to them.

    If KK sticks with his 3 pronged attack setup then Henry can replace the aging Dukes instead but Henry himself is getting old so i really don’t see any advantages in signing him - apart from shirt sales.

    Spend the money on McGeady instead!

  • 45 Tom_Toon // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:07

    Obafan, give your opinion on Boussoufa coming, we have ben linked with him today. From what ive seen id welcome him, if lennon and his stature can hack it in the prem im sure Boussoufa could.

  • 46 Ross // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:07

    i dunno about this one..he hasnt been performing in spain, he’s getting old..but..its thierry henry, an unbeleivable footballer whether he’s banging them in constantly or not. if the price was more than acceptable, i’d be tempted to say take the gamble.
    my ma however, she’d love it if he turned up. always banging on about how lovely he is when he was at arsenal. ridiculous.

  • 47 Spyro // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:26

    WTF! people on here saying Henry is a has been….YOUR CLUELESS! He is not on great form right now but he is still a class striker, even off form. He is better suited to the Premiership, Spanish football is too slow for him. Would love him here

  • 48 cooldj // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:33

    articles like this were the reason i stopped coming to this site….WHAT A JOKE

  • 49 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:35

    Obafan - I agree Gomis is the one I’d go for. Young and full of potential.

    But if I saw ‘HENRY SIGNS UP FOR KEEGAN REVOLUTION’ in the headlines I’d still enjoy the whole world sitting up and taking notice that Newcastle were back!

  • 50 Aussie Toon // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:35

    No need to break tranfer fees for players 30+. I rate Henry as one of the best of the past not the present. He will be consistently injured. King Kev greatest challenge will be convincing top players to come without europe.

  • 51 nightfall // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:56

    i think henry is class…and with all the players he’d attrack…if we sign him, other players will have faith in our club and will be easier to get…and if we also sign vieira i think ribery, nasri, benzema, ben arfa, etc could follow… i’m just saying that with henry and vieira we could attrack anyone…and that’s worth alot more than 30 mio (for both of them)…so YES PLEASE!!!

  • 52 Whumpie // Apr 8, 2008 at 15:56

    cooldj - why a joke? Is your memory so short that you don’t remember the team KK had 10 years ago? Shearer (world’s most expensive), Tino, My Little Pony? We may have had a crap 5 years or so recently by comparison, but we can and will attract top players.

    This is still a club thought of as Champions League quality abroad, and 5 years out of it doesn’t get rid of that kind of kudos.

    I’m just not convinced it’ll be this year, mind - but never - EVER - underestimate the pulling power of this club now it has the right people in charge.

    Also, we shouldn’t judge players’ worth just by their footballing potential. Their name alone can make it good business sense. HeronMag put his finger on it. If you can make 30 mil in merch sales on a player costing 20 mil, that’s 10 mil to spend on someone like Gomis. And it’s a lot easier to sign the likes of Deco if you have the likes of Henry and Owen on your books.

    Meanwhile, it’s obvious that Wisey and co have a very clear mandate to sign up as much serious young talent as possible. And having drunk in the same bars and clubs as Wisey for a while, I can vouch for his ability to attract serious talent…

    Fear not - we have clever buggers by the bucket in the offices now. It’s going to be very, very exciting!

  • 53 Reb // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:05

    Does Newcastle need another big name striker? The striking department needs a deputy or two, not another starter — and Henry will not play second fiddle. I can remember a load of Arsenal fans saying this every time a big-name striker came up in transfers — including Owen. In fact, I heard a few Arsenal fans saying if they signed Owen, it would be “either-or” not both to stay on at the club. So, why bother signing Henry? He’s not cover for Viduka, which is the forward position most needed. He’s competition with Owen and Martins, who are already possibly competing for a spot in a 4-4-2 once the midfield gets sorted. Newcastle need a swap for Smith — a striker for the bench, to deputise in the last 20 min. of a match for Viduka or whomever is knackered.

    For those who want to sign Henry, who goes out the door of the current frontline? Henry will not play second-fiddle. He’s not a replacement for Viduka. That means either Owen or Martins leaves and the other drops to the bench. That seems a harsh reward for their efforts. In fact, isn’t that what led Owen to come to Newcastle in the first place (Real Madrid repaying his ‘best minutes to goals’ ratio in La Liga with bumping him farther down the line)?

    If you want players like Martins and Owen to stay, you have to make it clear that they will play and are valued — while signing someone like Henry will only tell them that they aren’t wanted or needed at the club any longer. I think this is especially true of Owen (who is the most similar to Henry, imo) and it’s not like Henry is a move up from Owen — at least Owen is still under 30 (and Henry’s fitness has hardly been great this season either). If Newcastle pull a Madrid and repay Owen’s efforts (granted, mostly since January, due to injuries) with a move like this, I won’t blame the lad in the least for moving on. Loyalty has to go both ways. The club shows some to the players, and the players show it to the club. This is why Martins wants to stay — no doubt the fans’ clear affection for him encourages him reciprocate.

    Get a new player in for Smith, then concentrate on the midfield. It needs transfer attention far more than the forward line.

  • 54 micepie // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:07

    If there’s just one big star we should sign it’s Henry. I’m not sure quite where we could fit him in mind you - I can only think maybe Viduka’s current position if we play 4-3-3 (or 4-3-1-2) but he’s a different type of player. I’d be excited if we got Henry anyway, and I think he’s good for 3 years but I’d like it we could do so by still keeping the balance and shape of the team.

    If we pulled off the little miracle, then after that I’d hope we sign younger players and ones that really compliment what we have right now.

  • 55 moomfan // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:22

    alan smith has played out off position all of his footballing life. he never was nor will he ever be a real striker. he is a multi purpose midfielder and if he concentrates on his defence and passing , then he will be more appreciated by all of us. i would not throw him away just yet because he is still youthful and experienced. mr. keegan will bring alan around next season as a squad player coz that is what he is at a big club. as for henry… we need at least two more strikers to fill our ambitions. henry and viduka spliting games to keep their fitness. he will bring a load of class and prem. experience to help the likes of gomis and baheng as well as zambrella. but not for more than 10m. over 30 is always a liability.

  • 56 Vitorbarbosa // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:23

    We don’t need to think where to fit him into the team, KK does. He can easily slotted as the role currently occupied by Owen or play as another striker. Henry is not only good in finishing, but also distribution of the ball in final third. He is very intelligent in picking up players.

    We won’t go far if we try to gamble too much on new players. We might be lucky, but we might not.

  • 57 ronaldeano // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:44

    Henry will be world class untill the day he hangs up his boots. I hope we can get him

  • 58 HeronMag // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:46

    What is going on with the ageism on this site!?

    Over 30 is always liability moomfan?

    I remember a certain Mr Shearer being pretty awesome in his 30s? Or Beardsley!?

    Enough said.

    Henry has at least 3-4 years before he really starts showing his age.

  • 59 cooldj // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:47

    WHUMPIE

    fair point and i agree but not in the case of henry. the guy has only 2 or 3 seasons left before he’ll slow down. why would he chance a move to newcastle when he can move to teams with guarenteed european footy elsewhere (assuming he even leaves given that it seems rikjaard will). i would love us to sign some world class players in the summer but i seriously doubt that we will get or even bid for henry.

  • 60 ronaldeano // Apr 8, 2008 at 16:58

    I recon that MA wants top players as much as all of us and i think that he would break the bank to get Henry. He dident pay a fortune for this football club to watch a mid table team play evry week and make a quick buck, he baught it “to have some fun” and if i had the money he’s got and i was the owner of NUFC, I WOULD DEFINATELY BID FOR HENRY!!!

  • 61 Macca // Apr 8, 2008 at 17:18

    No, no, no, no, no. When Wenger sells a top class player, he’s past it. ie, Vieira. He’s past it, Henry isn’t the same either.
    When Wenger sells someone like that you know that they’re past their best.

  • 62 Mike // Apr 8, 2008 at 17:24

    I love Henry, great player!
    But this isn’t what Newcastle needs…
    We are already top heavy at the front as it is with Owen, Martins, Viduka and up and coming Carrol.

    If we are going to shell out some money to show we are a big club, I would prefer it if we went out and got a superstar creative midfielder or a defender, not another forward.

    I rather see us pick up Crouch as our new big man, since I have a strange feeling Viduka will be gone next year, even though he’s played great for us lately.

  • 63 Obafan // Apr 8, 2008 at 17:26

    Tom_Toon : I know Boussoufa is a very nice player to watch; he has got pace and has fine touches. But the EPL will be to hard for him, he would not strengthen up our team IMO. Don’t get me wrong, I think he is a good player but not for the EPL, he was better when he played in Gent, a team in which nothing was obligated, now in Anderlecht people want the team to win every game by playing very attractive football and he can not always handle that pressure.

    So I would not be jumping if he signed for the Toon.

    I just saw Belgian Teletekst and they say that Newcastle scouts are following Boussoufa since a couple of weeks.

  • 64 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Apr 8, 2008 at 17:47

    I would prefer to see Ronaldinho here than Henry. It would make much more sense. Ronaldinho would open up every defence we face and create bag full of chances to our strikers, which is exactly what we need. Sadly both have done it all before and have lost the desire. Also both are extremely expensive and are on a downhill slide. Another is I can’t really see it happening. Would be a step back IMO, and if I had to choose between Ronaldinho and Henry I would go for Ronaldinho because he is a top-class creative midfielder, just what we’re after.

  • 65 ende // Apr 8, 2008 at 18:30

    “We have not opened the door for Henry and we have not closed it”

    Soo… the door exists in some strange quantum state of being both opened and closed, or neither? ;)

  • 66 Jamie G // Apr 8, 2008 at 18:37

    I dont know how any1 could say they wouldnt go for this….
    sadly i just cant see it happening. realistically speaking, we should be looking to buy 2 top quality defenders in….and then make audacious bids from there….I WOULD LOVE IT, kev once said, and im sure this would reply to the potential acquisition of the eponymous player, however i don;t think we should hold our breaths.

  • 67 leavy // Apr 8, 2008 at 18:49

    so when wenger sold sol cambell a player who every one here wants at sjp was past it was he???
    david bentley was past it?? and i seriously doubt thierry henry was past it

  • 68 Midjew // Apr 8, 2008 at 18:54

    I think those who are saying Henry is too old, are speaking a bit rubbish.

    He is still an amazing player and he would fit perfectly with martins and owen as he is a different type of player.

    He would be great for the club, is everyone forgetting where we are in the table? we aren;t pushin for top 4, so no point saying dont get him.

    YESSSSSSSS GET HIM, then when we are getting much better we can get a young replacement.

  • 69 Gooderz // Apr 8, 2008 at 19:15

    I have no problems signing someone of Henry’s calibre but the price must be right. If Barcelona are going to sell then they will be looking to recoup the £16m they paid for him, and as long as we stay a good distance under that fee (say £3-4m under) then it would be a decent price for his age/talent.

  • 70 Reb // Apr 8, 2008 at 20:02

    No one has addressed, truthfully, the question of where Henry would fit. Where and how would he be played? Upfront with Viduka (big man-small man)? That’s a pleasant reward for Owen and Martins — thanks for keeping us up, here’s bench seats for you both. If Henry comes in, I’d expect both of them to want out. I’ve not heard a single good thing about Henry’s attitude towards competition for striking position (from Arsenal fans I know — I don’t know any Barca fans). He won’t be a squad player, he’ll be an XI or nothing. Henry is NOT what Newcastle needs. If he’s signed, he’ll be another pointless trophy signing meant to appease the goal-hungry Geordie masses rather than a useful if less glamourous player for a very thin midfield or defence.

    For the people who say Henry can have Owen’s place — you’re advocating selling Owen then? Why? Henry’s older than Owen, and his fitness has hardly been stellar for a bit now. I’m hoping these are not the same people who have been harping endlessly about Owen showing respect and loyalty to NUFC — because Owen is currently the lynchpin of Newcastle’s revitalization on the pitch, and club captain, and how hypocritical is that if those same “fans” are perfectly willing to tell Owen to f*** off at the first chance. In favor of an aging, arrogant star who I’m not convinced would even play for Newcastle in the first place. Owen’s playing his heart out for Newcastle of late, and it seriously p*sses me off to hear him being tossed aside like nothing for a mere possibility. And Martins too, really, who has done the same for two years in an occasionally quite dire Newcastle side. Some loyalty towards the lads seems too much to ask.

    In fact, if Newcastle does sign Henry, I’d ENCOURAGE both Martins and Owen to tell NUFC to f*** off and go to other clubs. I can’t believe people truly want to repay those two players with being benched for an unnecessary new signing (even if it is Thierry Henry). Getting in class players to cover & strengthen the midfield (esp for aging Butt & Geremi), strengthening the back four with good deputies (Edgar looks good for this at CB, but what about cover for Beye & Enrique?)

  • 71 ronaldeano // Apr 8, 2008 at 21:46

    I dont want Owen or Martins to leave even if we do sign Henry. Viduka would be the squad player because he is 32 years old, imagine if Henry was in Vidukas place from now on! we could bring Viduka or Carrol on at any time and we would score MANY great goals, thats for damn sure.

    Hope it happens

    LONG LIVE THE KING :)

  • 72 scott9 // Apr 8, 2008 at 22:21

    just imagine if we could get this i am dreaming i no but us toon fans love to dream
    given
    beye faye metzelder bridge
    moutinho veloso barton
    owen
    martins henry










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