The Newcastle United Blog

Here are the major news stories associated with the Newcastle club for today - in no particular order of priority.

• There’s an article in Sky Sports that Damien Duff has had an operation on his right foot. The operation seems to have been completely successful and there is obvious speculation on how long he may be out with some suggesting it may as much as six months - but we’ll not know for a while. We would hope that Damien would be fit for the beginning of next season - since his first season at St. James was an injury hit one. Duff is recovering in Dublin.The story is also sensationalized in the Sun.
• There’s continuing news from yesterday on whether Michael Owen will be with us next season. A good article is in the Telegraph by Tim Rich. He suggests Liverpool will coming knocking in the summer because Benetiz will have lots of American money to spend - and will take a chance on Michael.
  We still cannot believe he would contemplate leaving Newcastle and we may run our own piece later today.
• The Guardian has a good article on Big Sam suggesting that Geordies have nothing to fear and that Allardyce will play attractive attacking football at Newcastle. What is becoming apparent is that nobody else seems to have been considered by Freddy Shepherd. We do think that Sam knows good football is expected at Newcastle - and he’ll provide it for us.
• Nobby Solano is interviewed in the Daily Star and reported in ESPN that if Big Sam does come - he should change his style of play. It’s not a criticism of Sam - which would be dangerous since Nobby hasn’t signed a contract for next season yet - rather a discussion about what football style Newcastle fans want - similar to the above story.
  It’s a pity Big Sam couldn’t attend the game at Watford on Sunday – that would guarantee us a win - maybe he will?.
• An article in the Journal today on the supposed fury inside the club that Michael Owen has been selected for England B. This story seems an over-reaction since Shepherd has been quoted recently as saying they would let Owen play for England this summer. If he does play several games for England and leaves Newcastle in the summer it will not look good for Michael - who remains worryingly silent on his future at Newcastle.
• Finally - there’s an interesting article on our sister site www.soccerlens.com on the fact that Newcastle need the discipline of Big Sam - written by a Manchester United fan. It’s an interesting read.
  Wasn’t the same thing said when Souness took over? - I think all we want is success and a trophy - before some of us are no longer here.

Those - briefly - are what we feel are the major news stories today - let us know your thoughts and opinions on these.