Sammy Lee, the new Bolton manager, who did very well to steer Bolton to an excellent win over Reading on Saturday (3-0) and relieve pressure on the club and himself, had been keen to pick unsettled Abdoulaye Faye for that game.
But having withdrawn Faye from his squad at the last moment, because Faye was not in the right frame of mind, Lee will not oppose Faye’s departure, although he has tried to get the African to stay at the Trotters for a few weeks now.
Abdoulaye Faye – wants to join Newcastle to link up with Sam Allardyce again
The 29-year-old Senegalese wants to play again for Sam Allardyce, the manager who introduced him to English football. He has already agreed personal terms and passed a medical at Newcastle two weeks ago.
This is what Sammy Lee had to say today:
“Abdoulaye’s a terrific character but I couldn’t put him in (against Reading) because his focus wasn’t right.â€
“An awful lot has gone on and I just want the situation resolved and so does he.â€
“I hope that happens this week. It has to be resolved this week.â€
The deal is now expected to progress without problems since a fee between the clubs was finally agreed over the weekend and an announcement is thought to be very close. Faye, who has refused for weeks to sign a contract extension at Bolton, has reached an agreement with Newcastle and the difficulties, whatever they were, that delayed the deal have now been sorted out.
We’ve always thought Faye would be a good acquisition for Newcastle, not only because he is well accustomed to Sam’s methods, which will only help the other Newcastle players , but he has also been adamant he wants to join Newcastle. That’s always good to hear and we think Bolton’s loss is Newcastle’s gain.
We await the official word from the club on Faye’s signing – this has been a long wait – but the sooner it happens the better. Then we can go after a new right-back before Friday.
Comments appreciated.
18 comments so far
The Jackal
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Comment #1Better late than never. He’s a solid no-nonsense defender.
Doc
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Comment #2Anyone know the back to fitness dates for Emre, Barton ??
Tom
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Comment #3Doc- try looking at the stats page 😀
Lamesley Mag
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Comment #4A good signing, now we need a RB and another solid midfield type player to build up our squad; i.e. Diop or Nolan….
steve
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Comment #5RB please and a CREATIVE midfielder – we already have enough solid types to hoof it
aaron d
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Comment #6Doc – saw on some site that Barton is due back 17th september and Emre is nearly there possibly weekend sub appearance.
In
Smith – 6m, Cacapa – free, Viduka – free, Rozenhal – 2.9m, Enrique – 6.3m, Geremi – free and Barton – 5.3m. Total =20.5m
Out
Parker – 7m, Dyer -7m, Luque- 3m, O’Brien – 200k, Siberski – free, Moore – free, bramble – free and bernard – free. Total £17.2m
So really we have only spent £3.3m, so i expect some signing this week. Faye £2m and a right back £3-4m plus hopefully that playmaker that every one wants to see. (Van Der Vaart £10m – wants to leave Germany).
Toon Chicken
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Comment #7I’m not sure we need another midfielder we have plenty cover there already.
Defence is looking dangerously understrength still though, if Taylor, Rozenhal or Cacapa get injured before January we are going to be seriously exposed at the back.
I think we should look to sign at least one more experienced CB – Sami Hyppia or someone else who is used to Premiership football.
windrave
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Comment #8Big sam
we desperately need a Right Back and he must be much better than Carr.
He is to replace Carr when or after Carr recover!
Jamie
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Comment #9He is a great physical player for the premiership, played under Sam and wants to join Newcastle – Superb!
Toon Chicken
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Comment #10Does anyone else think we should be playing 442 with Milner and Zog on the wings, and Barton (when fit) and Geremi in the middle. Then whoever is fit and in-form up front?
433 just doesn’t cut it for me.
evil dick
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Comment #11i think its good to be able to play 4-3-3, but would like to see milner and zog on the wings in 442 – those two are playing very well at the moment. Milner has looked class!
Jamie
Aug 28, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Comment #12its more like 451 which only works away from home.
I agree, milner and Zog on the wings with Vid and Martins upfront, with Geremi and Smith / Barton in the centre.
The trouble with 451 is that Newcastle havnt played it at all for long and the 3 central midfielders arnt getting in the right positions to create support the front men. Once they get used to this then great, but it takes time.
442 much better as it gives great balance throughout the team and potentially better attacking play
Hadji
Aug 28, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Comment #13Arne Friedrich is the best option for the right back.He has 50 caps for his country and is known as one of the best and fastest right backs in Germany.I watched him play for Germany couple of times and i must say that he can be one of the best right backs in England too,if not …the Best.I would say that it wont be very cheap to get him but 9mill pounds would do the trick.He’s a proven quality and much better than Hoyte,Ryan Taylor or Glen Johnson.I hope we’ll sign him one day.
Hadji
Aug 28, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Comment #14Instead 8mill +Emre for Deco,give 9mill + Emre for Van Der Vaart
rich
Aug 28, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Comment #15i think with a fully fit squad Sam will go 442, i think the main reason behind our 4-3-3 is the lack oof wingers, but with Enrqiue taking over at LB Zog will be able to balance us out… and its only 2 months till Duffers is back 🙂
i agree with everyone whole heartidly we need a RB and a creative spark in our Midfield, id like to think Emre would provide that spark but ive been very dissapointed with him 98% of the time ive seen him play, id obviously rather have Riquelme or Deco (long shots imo) than Emre.
Ed Harrison
Aug 28, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Comment #16Doc – they’re up on the stats page – Emre’s off the list now so ready – and Barton is still 17 Sep – but apparently his foot is not healing as quickly as they would have liked.
http://nufcblog.com/stats/
The stats is above the banner on our site. You can also check all injuries here
http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
Ed Harrison
Aug 28, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Comment #17rich – Emre should be ready to play so maybe he’ll get a runout tomorrow (?).
PK
Aug 28, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Comment #18Well i saw the match against Boro..and we really need a creative player in the midfield.At the same time we should use Zogbia as left winger and Milner as rigth..and give Enrique chance.I think Barton/geremi linkd up with emre or smith will be a good at the midfield with Zog and Milner as wingers..