Mark Allison finally finished the 874 miles from John O’Groat’s to Land’s End yesterday. It took Mark 37 days to complete the run.
Mark will be doing a lap of honor at St. James’ Park next Saturday evening – before we take Aston Villa apart. It would be great if you can donate to the St. Benedict’s Hospice – who Mark’s effort is supporting. He’s now over £23,000 in contributions – details below on how to contribute.
A fantastic effort by Mark who deserves our support.
An update on a charity run by Mark Allison from John O’ Groats to Land’s End on behalf of St. Benedict’s Hospice. Mark completed his run yesterday over the last 22 miles and finished the 874 miles in only 37 days. That’s an average of nearly 24 miles a day – a fantastic effort.Mark had this new message on his web-site this morning.
“My actual mileage over the last 37 days was 873.7 miles. So the number of miles on the sign isn’t too far off. “
“My original planned route was 868 miles. I must have taken a few wrong turnings along the way.”
“The one wrong turn I know about was last week in Taunton.”
“I got distracted by two bonny lasses in very short skirts holding hands.”
“I missed the A38 turning as a result and it took Rab C ages to find me! I bet that cost me a few extra miles!”
Here’s Mark’s web sitewhere he has a daily log and all kinds of good information about his fabulous effort. If you can contribute to Mark’s efforts please do so at this just giving site
Mark Allison – at the finish line at Land’s End with one of his important support staff – 4 year old son Jack – please see if you can contribute and support Mark’s heroic efforts for charity
Well it turns out that El Hadji Diouf is unsettled at Bolton after being left out of the team for the game against Newcastle on Monday. Diouf did come on in the second half when Bolton reverted back to a 4-3-3 formation and along with Nicholas Anelka were Bolton’s best players. Since he’s played already for Sam and earlier in the summer was open to a move to Newcastle we wonder what the chances are for him to arrive at Newcastle. There may be a better chance of that if we do lose Luque, Dyer and Solano before the end of August. News today that a deal to send Luque to Levante are being finalized today – we’ll see.
El Hadji Diouf – struggling against Newcastle captain Geremi on Saturday =- he looked in excellent form
It appears that Sam Allardyce has not yet completed his squad and he says there is money to buy additional players if the right ones are available. Sam was after two players last week and one is now a no-go but the other is still a possibility. Drago (Ivaca Dragutinovic) from Sevilla was probably one of those Sam was interested in last week. We’re not sure if he’s the one that a no-go right now and we have no idea who the other player may be. We still think we’re short on numbers in the squad.
Sam Allardyce – still after additional players to bring into Newcastle
We’ve resisted reporting on this story but ask the question today – What’s Eating Phil Gartside? Seems that ever since Sam left it’s been a thorn in Gartside’s side and he seems to have continually thrown barbs at Sam. Certainly all claims about Sam playing dull football went out of the window on Saturday as Newcastle looked an excellent side in the first half at the Reebok. There are new reports today that Phil wants to end the truce. We think that’s good – let bygones be bygones.
Phil Gartside and Sam Allardyce– rift between them will be hopefully over soon
The plans that Sam Allardyce and Chris Mort have put in place with the 7 new signings during the summer and other initiatives certainly looked to be working on Saturday. Sam is thankful to the Newcastle chairman for the money he has made available to bring in good players who are getting good wages at Newcastle. It’s the most Sam has ever spent in one summer. Sam talks about that extra quality you can get – and he says again we’re only 40% there. Can’t wait to complete that remaining 60%.
Big Sam (little sam in Background) – good signings in the summer and still only 40% to where he wants to take Newcastle – the other 60% will take time
Finally here’s some funny football quotes – to lighten up the day 😀
“I don’t believe everything Bill tells me about his players. Had they been that good, they’d not only have won the European Cup but the Ryder Cup, the Boat Race and even the Grand National!” – Jock Stein on Bill Shankly
“The worst thing about playing Chelsea is having to listen to Mourinho afterwards. He talks absolute bollocks. He should shut the **** up”. – Edmilson.
“If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.” – Bill Shankly
We always appreciate your comments on our Daily Update. Please keep your comments civil and decent because we have lots of youngsters reading the site – thanks
Look at the picture of BSA shouting above. Have you seen how tightly he is clenching his fist. Now imagine Phil Gartside’s/Kieron Dyers neck in that fist, he’d snap the neck right off.
had to say that smith, rozehnal, geremi and viduka are great signings and all played wonderfully well on saturday!! we’re top of the table lol!! wonder if barton, enrique and cacapa will live up to the expectations??? lovin that man utd couldnt beat reading!!!
Readings tactics I thoguht were quite risky but it paid off. I don’t think any other team will be able to do that again, because SAF will come up with a contingency to counter man-marking all over the pitch.
Did anyone read Sam’s interview with Joe Lovejoy in the Sunday Times bemoaning the poor quality of English centre forwards these days. Dont have the paper with me, but the gistof it was that once upon a time a manager could expect to be in with a shout of acquiring English players of the quality of Malcolm MacDonald, and Paul Mariner (!??!?!), but today the best he could hope for was someone like Ameobi – Enough said.
He may be right that they arent in the same class, but you would have thought he could’ve found another example to make his point.
Enjoyed the start to season,and Oba’s goal was cracking I bet Owen will be worrying for his place. I know it’s early but what a team we have, BSA has done wounders I’m impressed
I think it may have been taken out of context slightly. Plus BSA has been making the right noises about Shola lately, and sees him as the other Big man to play up top, competing with Viduka.
The worst thing about playing Chelsea is having to listen to Mourinho afterwards. He talks absolute bollocks. He should shut the **** upâ€. – Edmilson.
Love that quote from Edmilson. Absolute classic! LOL!
Can we have some suggestions on who we should sign for the following positions which I think (as do many others) that we need to strengthen. Please take into account that BSA will be looking for some versatility so one player may cover 2 or 3 of these positions:
RB LB CB CM (Central Midfield) Playmaker AM (Attacking Midfield)/Winger
LB/AML – Matt Taylor (Portsmouth) CB/DM/CM – Edmilson (we think is signing in Jan) Playmaker – Riquelme (that little bit of magic) Winger (both flanks) – Diouf (possibly available, only one who comes to mind with ability to really beat players and create chances) RB – Can’t think of anyone who is strong, powerful, tall and good one the ball!!!
For a RB i think micah richards would be a very good signing, he can also play CB as well, he is quick, strong and has brains on the ball. What do you think?
@Tom – He’s going to be very expensive. Plus with City seeming to be on the up with new investors and Sven, I think he’ll want to stick it out and see, rather than move to us considering we’re in the same position. But he is the ideal player for us, but hopefully there’s a cheaper foreign version somewhere!
I dont see his price being a problem as hes not going to be more than 10 mil.. and i thought we hide a large transfer sum this year?… He may prefer us as we have a much higher reputation, i say we make an enquiry anyhow. As to a foreign version: im sure there is 1 but it may take a while to search and we dont have that much longer to go now, i would love to see riquleme or juninho brought in as playmakers. 😀
If Luque, Dyer and/or Solano leave, we’ll need additional players. Hopefully, BSA can persuade Solano to stay this season, leaving Luque and Dyer to be replaced.
Let’s say Diouf and Riquelme for Luque/Dyer plus two new defenders! I’m going for Edmilson (to be signed a few hours before the transfer window closes) and a right back, but who?
Your looking aat 13mil + for Miguel. As for a cheaper option, nearly as good for the RB position, ibrahim Toraman or Arne Friedrich who cna both play CB if needed.
I think we only need a RB to last until january for a playmaker. Hopefully the transfer window will be like the shops, january sales. Buy your Riquelme’s, 50% off 🙂
whats going on wiv jose enrique? how come he is not in the reserve squad against blue start 2nite? is he injured or something does anybody know? or is he there but just not starting?
Tom – Richards is great – but the price tag would be way too high – not sure he’s worth that – especially for a RB – think that’s what Sam means when he says British players are too expensive.
Kash – I could definatly settle for Van Der Vaart as a playmaker, he is awesome, best option if not riquelme, does anyone know wether either of them are available and what their price tags are?
Ed – I suppose he hasnt really proved himself to be worth such an amount as yet, but would be interesting to see how well he plays this season. Plus Miguel would be far to expensive in wage demands as well as price tag.
Does anyone else rate Yourkas Seitaridis?. I think he was the best player of the tournament in Porto at the 2004 Euros. Think he is with Athletico Madrid. Wonder if we could get him and how much.
Seitardis is a good players, he ca fill CB and RW aswell as his natural position at RB. Im not sure how much he is available for, Atletico Madrid paid Roughly 8 mil for him and he is a fairly regular starter and an important players for them. If he is to cost that much thne id prefer to go with Miguel for around 14 mil. Just for that extra bit of quality.
We only need a right back – i’d take Shorey for no more than £8m. As for Richards, van der Vaart, Juninho, Riquelme etc, you might as well add Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Henry to that list cos we’ve got ZERO chance of getting any of them. £10m for Richards? i’d say you’d stuggle to get him for 4 times that! Don’t forget Man City got £24m for SWP and that was then they were poor. Not to be a killjoy but some of you really have to lower your expectations unless you want to seriously disappointed, if some one offered me no more signings, 7th place, and a convincing derby win right now i’d bite their arm off!
Im my opinion i wouldnt give anywhere near 8 mil for Shorey. The only thing you are correct about in your last passage of writing is that we only need a RB. Seitardis, Toraman, Friedrich or Miguel. They would be nice. Not all of thme of course.
Craig F – I think that when all of us who mentioned those players, we didnt seriously think that we would be able to get them, just dream transfers voiced aloud. As for freidrich, i wouldnt say no to signing him, a very good player in my opinion, Shorey would also be a great buy but not worth 8 mil, we havent see him consistantly play well against the best of the bunch yet.
craig i dont think they are expectations i think it is just belief, nobody is sitting here sayin i expect to finish in a champs league spot but i bet u alot of us including me believe that its far from impossible. Also dont forget we nearly did sign Rooney before Man U stole him from under our nose. Man City may not sell Micah Richards for less than £20m but id be pretty sure that if they did agree to sell him he would love to come and play under BSA.
has anyone heard anmore about Boswinga, he would be great at right back especially if scolari rates him so highly. Hangeland or Yepes would also be good to give us 4 centre halfs. Is sorin available for experience? Bentley would be a great signing to compliment milner, it would be like have two of them.
Tom&Kash Van der Vaart would be the best option as playmaker.He is Hollands best central midfielder.I do know that Bayer Munich wanted to take him away from Hamburg this summer and failed.The question then is can we offer more than Bayern? maybe he did not want to leave Hamburg because they have a dutch trainer.
liam – Would be excellent to get Bentley hes a great player, although he seems settled at Blackburn, also he would cost a fortune.
Alex – I think if Van Der Vaart would wish not wish to leave Hamburg for Bayern, then it seems unlikely he would for us, no doubting we should try if he is within region.
Also Onuoha must be cheaper, i would love to see richards in black and white however i cant see sven wanted to let him go at this time, knowing that he is a good player and is only going to get better.
An update on my health situation - we have terminated the PluVicto treatment halfway through, because of the severity of the side effects - diarrhea, vomiting, and acid reflux.
And there was no evidence the treatment was having any positive effect in stopping the prostate cancer from spreading in the bones.
There are no treatments left for me to go on.
I will go into home hospice care now and will have a hospice nurse visit me at home regularly to ensure I am as comfortable as possible and we will treat the side effects of the treatments I have had.
It's down the final stretch now, and I have run out of treatments, and nature will now take its course.
I hope Newcastle can get many wins this season from now on, and I am at peace with all of this.
Thanks for all your help through the years - it's very much appreciated
57 comments so far
AlexW
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Comment #1i love edmilson that little bit more now, cant wait to see him in a newcastle shirt, hate mourinhio, lol
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Comment #2Look at the picture of BSA shouting above. Have you seen how tightly he is clenching his fist. Now imagine Phil Gartside’s/Kieron Dyers neck in that fist, he’d snap the neck right off.
Monster and Legend is our BSA!
PM
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:16 PM
Comment #3had to say that smith, rozehnal, geremi and viduka are great signings and all played wonderfully well on saturday!! we’re top of the table lol!! wonder if barton, enrique and cacapa will live up to the expectations??? lovin that man utd couldnt beat reading!!!
mitch from holland
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:19 PM
Comment #4hia
I would still like us to sign D.Sturridge from man city (gove the kid a chance off playing some football he’s 18 years old)
cheers everbody
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:24 PM
Comment #5Readings tactics I thoguht were quite risky but it paid off. I don’t think any other team will be able to do that again, because SAF will come up with a contingency to counter man-marking all over the pitch.
SS
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:31 PM
Comment #6Did anyone read Sam’s interview with Joe Lovejoy in the Sunday Times bemoaning the poor quality of English centre forwards these days. Dont have the paper with me, but the gistof it was that once upon a time a manager could expect to be in with a shout of acquiring English players of the quality of Malcolm MacDonald, and Paul Mariner (!??!?!), but today the best he could hope for was someone like Ameobi – Enough said.
He may be right that they arent in the same class, but you would have thought he could’ve found another example to make his point.
Taxi for Shola !!!!
Shaun
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:34 PM
Comment #7Enjoyed the start to season,and Oba’s goal was cracking I bet Owen will be worrying for his place. I know it’s early but what a team we have, BSA has done wounders I’m impressed
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Comment #8I think it may have been taken out of context slightly. Plus BSA has been making the right noises about Shola lately, and sees him as the other Big man to play up top, competing with Viduka.
mitch from holland
Aug 13, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Comment #9i think soccer AM isn’t off well without tim lovejoy
chris
Aug 13, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Comment #10The worst thing about playing Chelsea is having to listen to Mourinho afterwards. He talks absolute bollocks. He should shut the **** upâ€. – Edmilson.
Love that quote from Edmilson. Absolute classic! LOL!
Stami
Aug 13, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Comment #11congratulations to Mark Allison
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Comment #12Can we have some suggestions on who we should sign for the following positions which I think (as do many others) that we need to strengthen. Please take into account that BSA will be looking for some versatility so one player may cover 2 or 3 of these positions:
RB
LB
CB
CM (Central Midfield)
Playmaker
AM (Attacking Midfield)/Winger
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 4:02 PM
Comment #13My suggestions are as follows;
LB/AML – Matt Taylor (Portsmouth)
CB/DM/CM – Edmilson (we think is signing in Jan)
Playmaker – Riquelme (that little bit of magic)
Winger (both flanks) – Diouf (possibly available, only one who comes to mind with ability to really beat players and create chances)
RB – Can’t think of anyone who is strong, powerful, tall and good one the ball!!!
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 4:08 PM
Comment #14For a RB i think micah richards would be a very good signing, he can also play CB as well, he is quick, strong and has brains on the ball. What do you think?
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Comment #15@Tom – He’s going to be very expensive. Plus with City seeming to be on the up with new investors and Sven, I think he’ll want to stick it out and see, rather than move to us considering we’re in the same position. But he is the ideal player for us, but hopefully there’s a cheaper foreign version somewhere!
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Comment #16I dont see his price being a problem as hes not going to be more than 10 mil.. and i thought we hide a large transfer sum this year?… He may prefer us as we have a much higher reputation, i say we make an enquiry anyhow. As to a foreign version: im sure there is 1 but it may take a while to search and we dont have that much longer to go now, i would love to see riquleme or juninho brought in as playmakers. 😀
Lamesley Mag
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:01 PM
Comment #17If Luque, Dyer and/or Solano leave, we’ll need additional players. Hopefully, BSA can persuade Solano to stay this season, leaving Luque and Dyer to be replaced.
Let’s say Diouf and Riquelme for Luque/Dyer plus two new defenders! I’m going for Edmilson (to be signed a few hours before the transfer window closes) and a right back, but who?
Evan
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:05 PM
Comment #18Miguel, hands down for RB.
BUY HIM.
Kash
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:09 PM
Comment #19Van Der Vaart for Playmaker?
Tom_Toon
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:10 PM
Comment #20Your looking aat 13mil + for Miguel. As for a cheaper option, nearly as good for the RB position, ibrahim Toraman or Arne Friedrich who cna both play CB if needed.
Tom_Toon
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Comment #21I think we only need a RB to last until january for a playmaker. Hopefully the transfer window will be like the shops, january sales. Buy your Riquelme’s, 50% off 🙂
cockney_magpie
Aug 13, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Comment #22whats going on wiv jose enrique? how come he is not in the reserve squad against blue start 2nite? is he injured or something does anybody know? or is he there but just not starting?
Ed Harrison
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Comment #23Not sure Jose injured but you’re right a run out tonight would have been good.
Ed Harrison
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:10 PM
Comment #24Tom – Richards is great – but the price tag would be way too high – not sure he’s worth that – especially for a RB – think that’s what Sam means when he says British players are too expensive.
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Comment #25Kash – I could definatly settle for Van Der Vaart as a playmaker, he is awesome, best option if not riquelme, does anyone know wether either of them are available and what their price tags are?
Ed – I suppose he hasnt really proved himself to be worth such an amount as yet, but would be interesting to see how well he plays this season. Plus Miguel would be far to expensive in wage demands as well as price tag.
Marguerite
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:32 PM
Comment #26Does anyone else rate Yourkas Seitaridis?. I think he was the best player of the tournament in Porto at the 2004 Euros. Think he is with Athletico Madrid. Wonder if we could get him and how much.
Tom_Toon
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:37 PM
Comment #27Seitardis is a good players, he ca fill CB and RW aswell as his natural position at RB. Im not sure how much he is available for, Atletico Madrid paid Roughly 8 mil for him and he is a fairly regular starter and an important players for them. If he is to cost that much thne id prefer to go with Miguel for around 14 mil. Just for that extra bit of quality.
Craig F
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:58 PM
Comment #28We only need a right back – i’d take Shorey for no more than £8m. As for Richards, van der Vaart, Juninho, Riquelme etc, you might as well add Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Henry to that list cos we’ve got ZERO chance of getting any of them. £10m for Richards? i’d say you’d stuggle to get him for 4 times that! Don’t forget Man City got £24m for SWP and that was then they were poor. Not to be a killjoy but some of you really have to lower your expectations unless you want to seriously disappointed, if some one offered me no more signings, 7th place, and a convincing derby win right now i’d bite their arm off!
Tom_Toon
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:02 PM
Comment #29Im my opinion i wouldnt give anywhere near 8 mil for Shorey. The only thing you are correct about in your last passage of writing is that we only need a RB. Seitardis, Toraman, Friedrich or Miguel. They would be nice. Not all of thme of course.
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:14 PM
Comment #30Craig F – I think that when all of us who mentioned those players, we didnt seriously think that we would be able to get them, just dream transfers voiced aloud. As for freidrich, i wouldnt say no to signing him, a very good player in my opinion, Shorey would also be a great buy but not worth 8 mil, we havent see him consistantly play well against the best of the bunch yet.
cockney_magpie
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:23 PM
Comment #31craig i dont think they are expectations i think it is just belief, nobody is sitting here sayin i expect to finish in a champs league spot but i bet u alot of us including me believe that its far from impossible. Also dont forget we nearly did sign Rooney before Man U stole him from under our nose. Man City may not sell Micah Richards for less than £20m but id be pretty sure that if they did agree to sell him he would love to come and play under BSA.
LiamBirchy8
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Comment #32has anyone heard anmore about Boswinga, he would be great at right back especially if scolari rates him so highly. Hangeland or Yepes would also be good to give us 4 centre halfs. Is sorin available for experience? Bentley would be a great signing to compliment milner, it would be like have two of them.
Alex
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:40 PM
Comment #33Tom&Kash
Van der Vaart would be the best option as playmaker.He is Hollands best central midfielder.I do know that Bayer Munich wanted to take him away from Hamburg this summer and failed.The question then is can we offer more than Bayern? maybe he did not want to leave Hamburg because they have a dutch trainer.
Ashton
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:47 PM
Comment #34swop dyer plus 10 m for Richards
i think we have a chance to sign hem espiselly they have onuoha on rb position
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:52 PM
Comment #35liam – Would be excellent to get Bentley hes a great player, although he seems settled at Blackburn, also he would cost a fortune.
Alex – I think if Van Der Vaart would wish not wish to leave Hamburg for Bayern, then it seems unlikely he would for us, no doubting we should try if he is within region.
Tom_Toon
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Comment #36Personally if i wanted a playmaker i would sign Kranjcar he is of the most underrated playmakers.
Marguerite
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Comment #37Ashton
I like your thoughts, do you think Sven would go for it?
Quite frankly I also rate young Nedum Onuoha – was pretty impressive playing alongside Tayls in the under 21 tournament.
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:57 PM
Comment #38Also Onuoha must be cheaper, i would love to see richards in black and white however i cant see sven wanted to let him go at this time, knowing that he is a good player and is only going to get better.
Tom
Aug 13, 2007 at 7:59 PM
Comment #39Ed – Do you think that the header image could be adjusted to fit in Oba? I think he desreves a spot there much more than Owen.
Ed Harrison
Aug 13, 2007 at 8:14 PM
Comment #40Tom – yes – he must be in the header – he’s too good to be left out – new header coming up before end of August