The Newcastle United Blog

235 responses so far ↓

• 1 mikeygd // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:52

  hip hip horray!

• 2 Ian // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:54

  The sort of comments we like to hear from a captain- except news in a month or two!!
  How about a day or two?

• 3 Howie // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:58

  patience is the key. come the start of season we will have 4 quality players in and owen and taylor signed up long term. dont forget last season are early buys (barton,rozenhal,geremi) were farily pants. our later signings(faye,beye) were our best and its still only mid june. by mid july we will have a few in.

• 4 WIGAZ // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:58

  This is great news! he’s our star player! there’s no question about it! i know we’ve been sick of him being injured in the past but just look at how good he was towards the end of season! when fit & with a manger who knows how to motivate him! keeping him will help us land the likes of AA,Turan & Gomez coz MO is quality & quality players want to play in a team with him! thats him & taylor! now just Oba to go a couple of new players then bring on the mancs!

• 5 51times // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:58

  I agree with the guy who commented on the Digard article, I think Owen is waiting to see who we sign.

• 6 Dave // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:59

  Ian, football isn’t like football manager.

  You can’t just offer a contract to someone and then they accept it straight away, there are many more things to it. Negotiations, bonuses, clauses etc.

  Whether you like it or not, it does take a month or two for a contract to surface in the real world.

• 7 Slam Dunc // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:00

  and if we could sign Huntelaar and Derdiyok around him which we could get for reasonable fees then we’d be up for scoring lots of goals next season:

  http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=243.0

• 8 Graham // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:05

  Taylor close to signing a long term contract, Owen in discussions about a new contract…. suddenly all the doom mongers have gone quiet.

  This club is finally beginning to be run in a professional manner - something that’s been lacking in my living memory. Hopefully, Owen signing a new deal will serve as a carrot in getting some reasonably big names (not Deco Ronaldinho etc etc etc) theough the door before the start of the season.

  Not sure why yet, but i’ve got a pretty good feeling about next season. By that I mean top 6-8 not runners up!

• 9 catawbamag // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:08

  A month or two! You’d think they’d want to get it done faster than that.
  I feel getting Mike locked in early would help us sign some of our other targets. Shows the club is committed and ambitious.
  Today starts one to two months of hell for me. I feel hes vital to any success we have next year, and the King feels the same way.

• 10 Ian // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:14

  Dave i disagree or how would they sign anyone in the January transfer window?

  They have had time to think and prepare.

• 11 nate dawg // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:22

  maybe a month or two wait because he wants to see the quality of players bought in and possibly compare there wages to what he is being offered

• 12 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:23

  Ed - I think you should have used this pic

  http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/owen.jpg

• 13 Julio Geordio // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:27

  @harrier………..he best have paid for that suit!

• 14 DMAG // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:27

  Owen and Taylor signed to long term contracts complimented with the the arrival of VDV,Crouch, Dunne, Shorey and Larsson and I would lick Beefy’s taint!

• 15 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:48

  what a ball from arshavin then

• 16 catawbamag // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:50

  http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/owen.jpg

  That suit and top hat are simply tragic. Then again those may be the new team suits Ashley got a bulk buy deal on at Fongs Chinese Tailor outlet.

• 17 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 19:57

  great ball gg7

• 18 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:00

  whoa! arshavin earns 50k already!!!

• 19 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:01

  again another great pass from arshavin, maybe i have been underrating this guy

• 20 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:01

  50k euros tho

• 21 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:04

  Arshavin is class,i hope we get him. When was the deadline to sign him???

• 22 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:04

  you sure? the commentators just said pounds, anyway, euro is almost as strong as the pound right now

• 23 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:05

  deadline is 20th but i doubt thats true

• 24 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:05

  no he gets £50k and bonuses, but he wants to move abroad, so the salary etc will be on our terms, but £50k is more than acceptable for a player of his quality.

  Alan Smith is on £60k for christ’s sake!

• 25 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:06

  would love to get zhirkov, bilyaletdinov and arshavin. how much you reckon that would come to tom toon?

• 26 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:07

  THATS WHY I WANT ZHIRKOV! lol

• 27 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:07

  about 35 million.

• 28 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:08

  well zhirkov has been my pick for the left wing for aboot a year now.

• 29 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:08

  seriously, i was thinking around 20mill lol, oh well

• 30 Aggi // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:09

  Assist by arshavin this guy is amazing

• 31 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:09

  yeah i remember

• 32 Matt Lacey // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:09

  Russia 1 up then - Arshavin’s having a very good game so far

• 33 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:10

  what a goal! started by arshavin

• 34 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:10

  The assist was by Anyukov.

  Pavlyuchenko is available for 6 mil apparently, really impressed me this tournament.

• 35 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:11

  me too tom, but his finishing hasnt been great, positioning and effort is very good though

• 36 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:12

  that was fantastic goal. lets just buy the russian team.

• 37 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:13

  Spartak are one of the poorer of the clubs in the russia league i think, thats why they are seling him for little compared to others.

• 38 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:13

  i like akinfeev alot. he would be good, yes zhirkov is very good, would love bilayatdenov (SP) also. for some reason i really like alot of russians and croations, my pick for a right winger right now would be srna

• 39 Nick C // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:14

  That was such brilliant header by larrson. I would have loved him 2-3 years back. Total class.

• 40 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:15

  yep, been my pick for a long time aswell

  Been saying for ages we have o get him out of Shakhtar because he is too good for that league.

• 41 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:15

  Pavlyuchenko- he seems ok, but has been not so good in front of goal, he has good pace though and creates alot of stuff, he could work well as a big striker. plays well upfront by himself

• 42 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:17

  shaktar are absoloutley minted, one of the richest clubs in the world i have heard, thats why they pick up youngsters from croatia, brazil etc etc, but they pay hugley inflated prices to get them.

  Damn!! i soooo wish we had uefa cup next season

• 43 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:19

  Yep they are now, werent so long ago.

• 44 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:19

  @ Everyone

  Who would you rather….Arshavin or Turan???

• 45 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:20

  both.

• 46 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:21

  that was close

• 47 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:22

  Arshavin by a mile.

• 48 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:23

  arshavin by far, butttt………. would also love turan

• 49 Nick C // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:23

  Arshavin. He looks in a similar class to Modric. I think I would rather have Zhirkov than Turan.

• 50 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:24

  Arshavin!..

• 51 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:24

  Ad the other day i was getting slated saying id rather have Zhirkov than Turan.

  Thats because Turan is slow and Zhirkov isnt.

• 52 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:25

  Then Zhirkov, then Arda!..

• 53 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:25

  I would like to have any of arshavin pavlyuchenko or zhirkov, they all look very good. But Arshavin feeding Owen….

• 54 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:25

  Dont get me wrong,i would like to see both in toon shirts i cant see us getting both but i just canny see it.

• 55 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:25

  Also like Pogrebnyak!..

• 56 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:25

  arshavin is far better than modric also, but 4 or 5 years older, but also cheaper and far more effective

• 57 micepie // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:26

  Well, if Owen is content then why not stay!

  Uhmmmmm…. Looks like we might have to be quick if we want Arshevin…

  2003: This is brilliant stuff from Russia and it’s all about Andrei Arshavin. The playmaker effortlessly plays in the overlapping Konstantin Zyryanov but Sweden clear the cross.

  p.s – we could do without misleading headlines like these -

  Newcastle United nearing fantastic £11m signing CaughtOffside (Weblog) 18:41

• 58 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:28

  but tom toon, arda and zhirkov have different abilitys. zhirkovs passing is nowhere as good as arda’s. although we need a few speed demons, and players who can tear defenders apart, we only have n’zogs and martins who have the ability to do that

• 59 Nick C // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:29

  GG7 : dunno how u can say that. They both look excellent to me.

• 60 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:29

  his crossings is better than Arda’s.

  Corssing is passing for a winger.

  Arda is also a right footed player on the left wing, i dont like that.

• 61 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:31

  Cmon sweden knock these really good russians out so we can sign em !

• 62 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:32

  nah im not saying he is bad, zhirkov is great. but all i was saying is that arda’s passing ability is exceptional, i see arda as playing a behind the strikers role for us next season if he came.

• 63 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:32

  I like your thinking Harrier

• 64 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:34

  i want sweden to win, so we can press on with arshavin, do sweden go through if its a draw? they do dont they?

• 65 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:35

  Yep gg7 they do

• 66 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:36

  http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3707803,00.html

  thank god for that

• 67 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:36

  wether russia go through or not we will hav to push on with arshavin anyway as if he does not sign for sumone by 20th hes agreed to stay for another year at zenit

• 68 Crash // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:36

  @Geordie Gerrard7

  Yes they do, they have a superior GD

• 69 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:37

  also thank god villa agree deal for sidwell

• 70 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:39

  2 days nick

• 71 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:40

  yep, hopefully keegan and wise are on there way to sit down with him 2morro and get it done there and then

• 72 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:41

  I think it will be done and signed tomorrow for no particular reason. Of course I have probably jinxed us. Lame.

• 73 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:43

  Isnt kk still on his hols???

• 74 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:45

  Toonboy he is supposed to be back today

• 75 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:46

  the king is back from hols toady

• 76 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:48

  Sweet,ild might aswell pre-order my new away kit and get Arshavin on the back then,done deal in my eyes

• 77 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:50

  id get arshavin, number 11 i recon

• 78 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:51

  Depends if we sign Van der Vaart too as i would have to get his name instead

• 79 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:51

  Bollox!..

• 80 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:51

  arshavin scored

• 81 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:52

  @ GG7

  I’l meet you in Shearer’s 30mins b4 k/o against Valencia Free tickets here i come.

• 82 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:53

  lol. im in bahamas then man

• 83 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:53

  another great goal

• 84 Nick C // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:54

  We should have got AA signed up a long time ago cos its gonna get tougher. Everyone will be interested now…

• 85 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:54

  certainly was

• 86 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:54

  Yep this 1’s over

• 87 harrier // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:55

  Well he has 2 days so we have the advantaged if the reports of a bid accepted are true

• 88 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:55

  we must be the unluckiest team in the world, every time we try sign someone they play a blinder and get everyone else intrested. its not good

• 89 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:55

  great goal

• 90 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:56

  Shit…I suppose its a good thing that our targets are scoring coz at least then we know we are looking at good players….

  Hope we get him like….Him and Owen will destroy anyone!

• 91 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:56

  c’mon sweden

• 92 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:57

  hopefully kk didnt bothe comin home 2day and just carried on to meet wise over in swiss/austria 2 sit down with arshavin 2morro

• 93 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:57

  hiddink recons arshavin is the best player he has ever managed

• 94 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:58

  and this is arshavin when he aint match fit, whats he like when he is match fit

• 95 Seymour Butts // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:58

  Obviously the scouting team are doing their jobs its just the signing bit thats going tits up.

• 96 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:59

  Question lads…..

  Arda has played really well for Turkey but we havent heard of any interest from any other teams for him…Why?

  Do you think this may be because teams have actually enquired about him and that Gala have told them that hes joining us?…

  I cant understand why we have not heard of any solid interest from anyone else? Or have I spoke too soon….haha

• 97 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 20:59

  he hasnt done that much tonight but has been hugely effective when he has

• 98 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:00

  we could of had this guy for 6 million in january

• 99 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:00

  wenger loves arda, so will prob go arsenal

• 100 Matt Lacey // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:00

  We absolutely have to wrap a deal with Arshavin up quickly, if we don’t we have sod all chance of getting him.

  Which if recent rumours are anything to go by, we’re in for a disappointment. I know, I know, they’re just rumours, the media make shit up etc, but you know what they say, no smoke without fire (even a little one)

• 101 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:02

  Cue Spurs………………….

• 102 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:02

  danny- arsene wenger has been praising him, and said hes had him watched all this season, also everton and inter are said 2 b interested

• 103 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:02

  spurs wont buy anymore midfielders

• 104 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:04

  spurs will buy a winger and a dm i guarantee it.

• 105 Bob // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:04

  Out of interest: has Veloso played yet?

• 106 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:04

  no one can predict what will happen to us this year, so many rumours have been flung about

• 107 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:05

  if they did i would love to nab huddlestone

• 108 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:06

  @ Geordie Nick

  Cheers mate…..depressed now! lol

  Id never heard that, Must have missed it….I think Arda and Arshavin can totally transform our team next year!

  With a massive injection of their creativity we will do much better than we have in recent seasons…They score goals too which none of our midfield did last year!!

  I think this is one of the most important transfer windows for Newcastle in a long time…We need to make it count!

• 109 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:07

  yh i wudnt mind huddlestone myself

• 110 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:09

  @ Danny

  I agree 110%

  Get Arshavin & Turan plus LB,DM and i’ll be very happy with that.

• 111 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:11

  u think we only need 4 players??????

  we had a small squad last season and thts about 6 players smaller now, we need at least 6/7 players

• 112 Matt Lacey // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:11

  Bob: Veloso played as a full back in Portugal’s match against Switzerland I think, but I didn’t see much of that match so I can’t comment on his performance. Not that there was much at stake in the match…

• 113 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:12

  ( Corrected ) I would take Huddlestone like….

  I dont think that Everton will go for Arda or Arshavin, They have played Pienaar and Osman out on the left of a 5 man midfield….

  Not to mention they have let Carlsley go so their priority is a defensive midfielder!

  I think maybe Wenger is a bit too smart to buy a player after a big tournament too….he bought Eduardo and Rosicky both before big tournaments! Maybe if he wanted Arda then he would have moved already…hes too clever to get dragged into a bidding war!…

  What yous think?

• 114 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:12

  No he didnt Matt, e played dm for us against the Swizz and he was shocking, touch the ball about 5 times i recon, got subbed eventually.

• 115 Matt Lacey // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:13

  Sorry I lie, I believe he actually was playing in midfield

  -edit-

  Tom Toon seems to have beaten me to it!

• 116 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:13

  I think wait and see.

• 117 Bob // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:14

  Matt Lacey: Cheers!

  Think we have a chance of getting him, anyone? Whereas the likes of Arda Turan, Arshavin etc have added to their reputation, Veloso has hardly played and may be a viable option of Mike Ashley will put up £14-18m

• 118 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:18

  @ Geordie Nick

  Quality not Quantity

• 119 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:20

  we need quality and quantity, its no good havin a small squad of players, as soon as one of the quality players gets injured who u gonna play????? we need 2 bring in 4/5 real quality players then a few squad players 4 backup

• 120 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:23

  We gotta start bringing thu the youngsters,we have some good young talent for back up.So yeh only 4-5 signings

• 121 micepie // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:24

  When you think about it, an investment of – say – 25M could change our fortunes in the coming seasons. An 11M bid for Arshevin, 15M for VDV? I’m only going by what people write on here about VDV though, the only time I saw him play a whole game Live on tv it obviously wasn’t one of his best.

  But, really, when you think how much we have spent in the past few years. 25M and some serious persuasion………..?

  After that we can look for bargains.

  p.s - is this the most posts on here ever?

• 122 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:24

  Im a fan of Pogrebnyak but Pavlyuchenko has been total awesome tonight….

  Would be a good back up/competition for Viduka when hes injured half the season.

  Maybe a lot cheaper than Gomis/Crouch too….

• 123 iffy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:25

  if anyone is watching the russia match how close was that the ball hit the post

• 124 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:27

  if we only get 4/5 players we will struggle if we get a few injuries.

  u say turan, arshavin, a lb and dm,
  so u dnt htink we need a cb? cover at rb? another striker? a winger, cos milner and duff will prob be gone?

• 125 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:31

  Swe-Done!..
  …Turn ‘em over, there burnt!..

• 126 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:32

  Im saying 4/5 players with the squad we have now,if we get rid of more players then yes replace them…….but we still have to bring thu the youth otherwise they’ll never get in,Tozer,Kadar,Lua Lua bring them thu this season.

• 127 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:35

  Regarding Ashvarin, i cant see Man City going for him while they are in the running for Ronnie. They are both similar players and with St Petersburg wanting the transfer sorted in the coming days i believe we could be in the driving seat.

  Our biggest competion will come from the Russian club itself. They can offer the same money as us and European competions and the real chance of winning silverware. However we still play in a league that is a stage above anything he Russian club offers and he may what to take his chance.

  Heres hoping, its been like watching Beardo all those years ago.

• 128 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:36

  what about replacing the ones that hav already left? along with the 4/5 players that kk said we needed to boost our squad

  i for one(and so will probly a lot of other ppl) wont be happy if we let 7/8 players go and only bring in 4/5

• 129 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:38

  Amen to that Entertainers…

• 130 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:41

  Again just my opinion, but i think Arsenal may go for Arda if they sell Helb.
  Rosicky plays the Arda role for Arsenal, but is injured alot and Helb tends to cover or play behind the striker a role Arda too can play.

  However if they manage to keep Helb, i believe Wenger has priorities else where, DM and GK.

  Prehaps just wishful thinking on my part, as the two of theplayers that have really caught my are Arda and Ashvarin…..would love the Russian left winger if we fail with Arda mind.

• 131 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:41

  Everton will definitely come with an improved bid after seeing his performance tonight, price has probably gone up yet again

• 132 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:43

  @ Spyro

  Do you think Evertons bid depends on any sale of Arteta?

• 133 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:44

  not really no

• 134 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:45

  Dont get me wrong Geordie Nick,i would lov to see 7/8 quality players coming in but i just dont see MA spending 70plus mil. Get 4/5 in now with 4/5 youth players promoted then see what else we need in January.

• 135 nightfall // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:47

  damn…russians are great…we MUST sign arshavin and zhirkov…forget arda…zhirkov’s the man!! 20m for both of them…

• 136 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:48

  its true what someone said earlier, we have been desperately unlucky, the players we want have produced eye catching performances and will no doubt be attracting the “better” clubs now

• 137 Nick C // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:48

  How DMAG, gonna give us all some info. We all have baited breath. NOT.

• 138 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:49

  zhirkov is good but wud much prefer arda

• 139 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:50

  I just feel Evertons success over the last 4-5 years has been built on hard working midfielders, with the flare of Arteta added.

  By playing both him Ashvarin it would take away some of that workmanship and doesnt seem to be Moyes style.

  I just cant see Moyes playing Cahill, Arteta and Ashvarin in the same team.

• 140 MarK // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:50

  wish we could sign Arshavin

• 141 Hadji // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:53

  Just won 150 pounds on Russia

• 142 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:54

  congrats hadji

• 143 Toonboy // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:54

  Well done Hadji

• 144 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:54

  moyes played osman, arteta and cahill last season, osman is an AM.
  cud well play arteta RW, pienaar LW , cahill arshavin central with a holding midfielder as they only play one up front

• 145 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:55

  Arsenal have tied up Nasri according to BBC

  They surely wont go for Arda as well

  Strike while the irons hot Kev…..and some of our targets are ‘HOT’

• 146 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:56

  I would prefer Arda to Zhirkov like….Younger, Two footed, Scores more….And he is arguably playing in a worse team!

  Were not even linked with Zhirkov so lets not even get into that!

  @ Entertainers - Like I said further above, I agree with you that Arda could replace Hleb but at the same time…I dont think that Wenger would get involved in a bidding war…hes way too smart for that! Besides I dont think he would pay over 10 million for someone on the back a good season and tournament…Thats more Newcastle’s style! haha

  And remember he has been meant to be buying bloody N’zogbia for 2 year…Im not buying Arsenal’s and Everton’s interest!

  They both have bigger priorities…we dont!

• 147 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:56

  hopefully that will put em off arda

• 148 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 21:57

  Geordie Nick

  Really trying to be positive…..but honestly imo i just think Moyes likes hard working midfielders like Neville, Carsley and Osman, with a touch of class Arteta.

• 149 Geordie Nick // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:02

  cant see players choosing everton over us anyway, only reason players choose spurs is london, and everton havent got that so we surely are a bigger attraction than everton

• 150 The Entertainers // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:03

  @ Danny

  Depressing way to look at prospective signings, but i’d agree in the Wenger statement. He does like surprise signings…
  Sagna
  Eduardo

  The other thing about Everton is St Petersburg appartently are giving Ashvarin £50k pw. Thats got to be near Evertons limit. Dispite our cut backs we still could give the lad a slight pay rise.

• 151 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:03

  Evertons highest earner is 45k, that Yakubu, Cahill and Arteta.

• 152 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:05

  thing is guys, you can list out all the reasons why a player would choose us over so and so, but at the end of the day we done it with the modric saga and look where he went

• 153 gordond // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:05

  Danny, Pavlyuchenko’s team CSKA Moscow have put a £6 million price on him because Celtic are interested. Celtic don’t have that money to spend on 1 player but what i have seen of this guy 6 million is a bargain.

• 154 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:07

  Spartak Moscow.

• 155 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:08

  @ Entertainers

  Dont get me wrong mate I would love Zhrikov…he was good tonight, I just get myself too excited sometimes so try to avoid talking about players were not linked to…lol

  Moyes and Wenger will know their targets and I think we are at the front of the queue for all of Arda, Arshavin and even Van Der Vaart! As hard as that is to believe haha

  Wenger must have had Nasri as his priority and would not have let us build up a lead in the race for Arda…Moyes again wouldn’t pay the price for Arda or Arshavin when they are desperate for a new defensive midfielder!

  I think were in for an exciting summer….You think?

• 156 gordond // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:09

  My mistake sorry

• 157 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:11

  6 million….Get him signed!

  Everytime Ive seen him play hes been good….Especially against England!

  We need Arshavin more though….

• 158 Hadji // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:15

  I’ll put 100 pounds on Turkey to beat Croatia,50 pounds on Italy ,100 pounds on Germany and 70 pounds on Russia

• 159 gordond // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:15

  swap smith and ameobi for pavlyuchenko i’d say we get the better deal :0)

• 160 GSfan // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:15

  lol worse than Spartak Moscow? When even the likes of Fenerbahce wastes teams like CSKA Moscow without a sweat I seriously doubt Spartak Moscow would be rated better than us :p

  I have a hunch Arda might not sign for u guys though =/ maybe in the future, but I seriously doubt you’ll get him this summer. As much as I’d love to see him play in a team in the premiership where he would have a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven, I just don’t see it happening. Just need to wait till the end of the Euros though.

• 161 ToonKing // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:16

  Russia was very impressive today, i’m starting to really like them, young, energetic and very talented team managed by the best manager alive…they could go far in 2010.

  anyway Bilyantinov or summit, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko, Zhirkov would be on my shopping list that’s for sure.

  i say let’s buy this russian team and be done with it.

• 162 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:19

  @GSfan….You know something we don’t regarding Arda?

  Were desperate for him…lol

• 163 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:20

  Hadji you just lost £100 on Germany, they re playing like dirt and are going to get whipped by the might Portugal tomorrow.

• 164 GSfan // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:22

  Danny - No. It was just me having a wild guess :p Hope I’m wrong. I’d also love to see him play in La Liga… tho I don’t think there are many teams pursuing him from La Liga unlike the Premiership.

• 165 Spyro // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:22

  i got a feeling Germany will win aswell, it would just be typical of the germans to play poor and win

• 166 ToonKing // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:26

  no way will Germany beat Portugal tommorrow, i hope they take revenge for the world cup.. i expect the same score

• 167 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:27

  GSfan

  Oh ok then….For Newcastle’s sake I hope you are wrong. But obviously as a Gala fan you will want him to stay….haha

  You will have to let us know if there is any kind of news on him….

• 168 Owen_10 // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:28

  Given
  Beye Cuellar (7mil) Faye Enrique
  Butt
  Turan (10mil) N’Zogbia
  Arshavin (11mil)
  Owen Martins

  Very nice i say- comments?

• 169 totsy // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:30

  Kevin Keegan looks to chop and change things at St James’ Park and, with that in mind, he has set his sights on a great addition to his Newcastle side…

  Newcastle have moved for Andrei Arshavin after Zenit St Petersburg gave their Russian star a week to seal a transfer to the Premier League.
  Arshavin, 27, suspended for Russia’s first two Euro 2008 games, is keen to come to England and one of his representatives has spoken to Newcastle talent-spotter Dennis Wise.
  Wise is speaking to Kevin Keegan about the forward, who is available for £11million.
  Zenit want to end the un certainty after Manchester City cooled their interest and Everton pulled out . Di ck Advocaat’s UEFA Cup winners say the player has agreed to sign with them for another season if a move is not sorted in the next seven days. (Daily Mirror)

  Arshavin is a hugely talented player who is keen to come to the megabucks world of the Premier League and Newcastle United might well be a good fit for the Russian. Keegan is clearly looking to freshen his squad up and a number of names have been linked with moves to and from the club. As we get ever nearer to the new season, expect more and more names to be added to the mix, however if this speculation proves true then the Toon Army may have a new hero to cheer on.

• 170 Obafan // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:30

  Like I have mentionned already a few times on this blog is; that Arshavin would be the top priority this summer. He has got something magic when he gets the ball. Every time he gives small passes. My girlfriend was getting annoyed that I’ve mentionned his name 50 times during the game, but she saw the last 20 minutes and then she said that he is a good player who creates lots of danger.

  Every day the first thing I do is checking if I see any news regarding Arshavin, but so far I’ve to be very patient (like all of us). I really hope we do land him, but to be honnest I really haven’t got any idea how this might end. Imagine this as team next year.

  Harper (deserves to start)
  Beye - Cuellar - Faye - Enrique / Shorey
  Arshavin - Veloso - VDV
  Owen - Martins

  SUBS: Given - Cacapa (still believe in him) - Geremi - Viduka - Butt

  I know it will be very difficult to get all those players, but as long as it is possible to get those players, we have to keep the faith .

• 171 Owen_10 // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:32

  Obafan- thats a formation of 4-3-2
  and i dont think we could ever get Veloso, VDV is hopeful but still unrealistic

• 172 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:39

  Formation - 4-3-1-2

  Harper

  Beye
  Cuellar
  Taylor
  Enrique

  Butt
  Arda
  Larrson

  Arshavin

  Owen
  Martins

  Arshavin is best in the hole where Owen played for us last season….We have been linked with all the players there and are all better than what we have!

  Id would also go for deals for Pavlyuchenko as a repclacement for Smith and Ameobi and we would also probably compete with Viduka!

  I havent really taken a fancy to any of the leftbacks we have been linked to….maybe a sneaky bid for Traore from Arsenal and Boulahrouz from Chelsea…haha

• 173 SwedeEric // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:39

  Ahh… what a game from the russians… Much better than I feard :S Thought we could have got a draw without a problem realy, but we got killed out there…

  And Arshavin… hmm, I don´t want him less now I can tell you! Get him signed on friday!

• 174 Obafan // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:40

  Owen_10 Indeed (getting late now )

  Harper
  Beye - Cuellar - Faye - Enrique / Shorey
  VDV - Veloso - Turan
  Arshavin
  Owen - Martins

• 175 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:41

  Obafan -we are going to be so good that we only need 10 players!!! I like ur confidience

• 176 Hadji // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:43

  Tom Toon….Portugal is good but Germany are luckier.

• 177 Dondatta13 // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:43

  We need to make more V signs …
  or is that more V Signings lol..
  Veloso n Van der Vaart for the Toon.

• 178 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:45

  Has Arshavin only got to friday to get a new club or he is stayng?!!!!

• 179 liamtoonbirchy // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:46

  realistic signings

  rat 5m
  samba 4m
  campbell free
  huddlestone 7m
  engelaar 6m
  turan 13m
  srna 6m
  arshavin 11m
  benayoun (milner swap, tomtoon’s imense idea)
  larsson 4m
  crouch 8m

  obv not all of em

• 180 MarK // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:47

  Jc he has eleven players up there lol

• 181 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:48

  Engelaar has not impressed me in the euros so far would not buy him

• 182 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:49

  I heard that JC….Do you think that a accepted bid means they will let go?…It can’t mean a done deal coz he cant have a medical!…Until after the Euros anyway!

• 183 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:50

  Damn slow computer… I was talkin about the one before that

• 184 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:52

  Never thought about that Danny but I’d say if we offered he right money they would let him go regardless of the ‘deadline’

• 185 Obafan // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:53

  JC - I’ve reformed my squad (see post 175) and yes I’m still confident. As ling as it is possible why not???

  Last year my top target would have been Beye and look what happened to him. He disappointed me first (saying he wanted to stay at OM tho’ his reasons were very understandable) and the 31 August he made me dance like a little child .

• 186 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:57

  See that Obafan only jokin but the team with 11 in it looks very strong

• 187 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 22:59

  Yeah true JC…if we offer what they want right now then get the deal done!

  Arshavin is far too good a player for us to fanny about with this….I hope Keegan was watching the match! haha

• 188 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:01

  Hope ashley was as well to take out the cheque book

• 189 Danny // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:03

  hahahahahahaha lets hope so!

  He needs to shed a few pounds and Im not talking about his belly either!! ha

• 190 gordond // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:04

  Cheque might bounce better use his gold card

• 191 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:08

  Lol! Get the deal done what ever it takes by friday!!!
  If man city can get a new manager in 2 days we can get a world class player who wants to come to us and who fits into our system of play already!!
  Simple as that!!

• 192 JC // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:10

  At least we will have a good chance of scoring at old trafford if we get him

• 193 51times // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:21

  That deadline is slightly confusing, do they mean clubs have until friday to make a bid they accept or until friday to get it all done? How could we complete the signing while he’s playing for Russia in the euros? Why would he want to stay at a nothing Russian side anyway. I don’t care if they won the UEFA Cup, that’s the only worthwhile trophy they’ll ever win.

• 194 gordond // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:28

  Does your name suggest the amount of times Rangers have won the league 51 times

• 195 51times // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:31

  Yes, I support both Newcastle and Rangers. Well, I say support Rangers but I’ve not been to watch them play at Ibrox yet so I guess I’m not really much of a supporter. It’s like, I love Newcastle and I like Rangers a lot.

• 196 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:34

  here’s my 11

  ———————Harper——————-
  Beye—————-Faye————–Enrique
  ———< ---------Veloso-------->———-
  Larrson————VDV—————Turan
  —Owen—————————–Martins—
  ——————–Arshavan——————

  Now that is a fantastic team!!! 5th place!!

• 197 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:37

  People love playing 10 players these days then eh

• 198 normski1930z // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:37

  well i might as well have me 10 pence worth….. ive been on 2 til 10 tonight so missed all the football but im ganna watch brazil v argentina later…. arshavin, zhirkov,turan etc all gud players but ill think ill watch the top boy in action tonight messi wot a player this kid is when on form he is unplayable. there are lots of comments on here tonight that i argee with ie zhirkov and arshavin together 20 mil that wud be mega, vdv aint gonna come coz we cannot match his wage demands apprently and veloso wants cl football…. dont think ma is gonna drop no 60 million bar on players but we live in hope.

• 199 micepie // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:55

  The Times article (on Emre) mentions that Turan’s price has been put up to 16M, by the way, since the Euros began!

  Central mf rather than wide is the most important area though.

• 200 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:59

  normsky1930z - I disagree, Owen In talks he isn’t going to take a 60mill cut in wages!!
  we would get Turan if we paid the asking price of 13million, VDV yes would be on a hefty wage but look at out crap!! + the link with KK in his playing days in germany!!! Arshavan could get him! Veloso is the only real outside, but as they say IF YOU DONT ASK YOU DONT GET!!!!!

• 201 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 23:59

  Only time, not the times, will tell i guess!..

• 202 Tom_Toon // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:01

  Trade Milner for Benyoun.

• 203 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:03

  I just hope we get some good quality talented players in and the crap out to compete in the top 8!!! for next season!!! and hopefully get in Europe!!!

• 204 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:10

  feel a fair way of boosting players wages by a set wage what ever that may be with added bonuses to give them a larger insentive !!!

• 205 gorskino10 // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:18

  Well good news on that front but with Arda’s 2 goals and Asharvin the key to Russia winning i recon we wont get both of em so keeping Owen is a must he better pull his finger out and work hard for the shirt.

• 206 Spyro // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:22

  arda is apparently going to cost 16 million now

• 207 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:31

  still feel we’ll get him for £13 million!! Arshavan prob..the same sort of price! so who knows??

  If we do, i’ll be over the moon!!
  Do believe Owen would give us some pulling power “CARROT” in getting quality in!

• 208 Oba // Jun 19, 2008 at 0:49

  Don’t we need to sign Arshavin before the 20th? Or else he will be at Zenit for another season.

• 209 Newcastle United. // Jun 19, 2008 at 1:04

  This is a good start. Will always help us sign the class players we want!!

• 210 Steve // Jun 19, 2008 at 1:42

  Anybody notice on the nufc official website that in the first team squad, there exist 3 distinct gaps. 1 midfielder and 2 defenders. The grey name bars are there, they just need names typed in and photos added. Is this an indication of where additions are expected?

• 211 Steve // Jun 19, 2008 at 1:43

  http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SeniorSquad/0,,10278,00.html

  Also of note is that Alan Smith is in fact grouped with the midfielders

• 212 Tom_Toon // Jun 19, 2008 at 2:02

  Steve - Those spaces are from the people who have left.

• 213 Grunde Axelsen // Jun 19, 2008 at 6:25

  Great!

  Now lets get Arshavin!
  He was great yesterday!!!

• 214 xfer // Jun 19, 2008 at 6:37

  Both Arshavin and Zhirkov had a really good game.

  Arshavin should be our priority this summer, hes a class above most of the players we have. Owen and Martins could be our attraction. The way Arshavin plays, he loves looking for holes behind defences, and thrends the ball so wall. There arent better pairing in the world at doing that than our current 2.

• 215 Aussie Dave // Jun 19, 2008 at 6:58

  great news, get Owen signed then we have a big name long term captain of the club.

  Time to get Owen involved in the recruitment of new players, have owen at the meetings to talk to prospects, much like shearer did for him

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