With the World Cup fast approaching I've taken up a vital position on another blog. Fear not, my commitment to this glorious online publication will not falter.
My dedication is showcased in the first of the regular Player Focus pieces I shall be providing for World Cup Latest. As I picked the one Newcastle player that will be in South Africa this summer, pacy winger Jonas Gutierrez.
Check it out here. I like it. I think you might too.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Friday, 5 February 2010
No Number Nine? No Problem.
Chris Hughton has confirmed that the famous Newcastle number nine shirt will remain vacant for the rest of the season.
The Toon chief has reaffirmed the comments made by new signing Leon Best that the famous jersey must be earned by a member of the Newcastle squad.
"I want somebody to earn the right to be Newcastle’s No 9." Hughton told The Times, "I don’t want to suggest that the strikers here aren’t worthy of it because each of them has a real strong value."
The decision proves just how much Hughton understands the club and it's fans. The manager knew questions would be asked as to why none of the five strikers at the club has been awarded the coveted number and moved to assure fans not to panic.
Hughton also underlined his hard work ethic and desire to build a squad by taking the decision to stretch his transfer window cash to secure four permanent signings in January. The usual tactic to splash out on one big name as a quick fix was clearly never going to be a part of Hughton's transfer system.
Doubts were raised as to how much (if any) money would be made available to Hughton and how he would spend it, but the Newcastle boss took his time and refused to be drawn into a bidding war for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford.
Hughton is fast becoming a well respected man in football, not just for his side's on field success but also for the way he has conducted himself through tough times on Tyneside.
Now with his first trip into the crazy world of transfers, he seems to have come out the other side unscathed, is there anything this man can't handle?
The Toon chief has reaffirmed the comments made by new signing Leon Best that the famous jersey must be earned by a member of the Newcastle squad.
"I want somebody to earn the right to be Newcastle’s No 9." Hughton told The Times, "I don’t want to suggest that the strikers here aren’t worthy of it because each of them has a real strong value."
The decision proves just how much Hughton understands the club and it's fans. The manager knew questions would be asked as to why none of the five strikers at the club has been awarded the coveted number and moved to assure fans not to panic.
Hughton also underlined his hard work ethic and desire to build a squad by taking the decision to stretch his transfer window cash to secure four permanent signings in January. The usual tactic to splash out on one big name as a quick fix was clearly never going to be a part of Hughton's transfer system.
Doubts were raised as to how much (if any) money would be made available to Hughton and how he would spend it, but the Newcastle boss took his time and refused to be drawn into a bidding war for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford.
Hughton is fast becoming a well respected man in football, not just for his side's on field success but also for the way he has conducted himself through tough times on Tyneside.
Now with his first trip into the crazy world of transfers, he seems to have come out the other side unscathed, is there anything this man can't handle?
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Playing Like Champions
An uninspiring performance against Palace was followed by nothing more than a run around against Leicester as Newcastle extended their lead at the top of the Championship to four points.
By all accounts the three points picked up against the Eagles on Wednesday night was something of an undeserved victory, as the visitors attempted to play their way out of their devastating off-field problems. Palace dropped into administration before the game picking up an automatic ten-point deduction that seemed to light a fire in the belly of the squad.
Constantly threatening on the attack meant debutant Mike Williamson earned his Man of the Match award, regularly being called into action. Whilst fellow new-boy Wayne Routledge was able to make his mark, setting up Nile Ranger to seal the game in injury time.
Moving to the weekend and after Forest lost and West Brom, despite winning, found themselves five points back off the pace, the Magpies had the chance to push comfortably clear of the chasing pack. However a trip to the Walkers was never a guaranteed points winner and the hosts always looked the most likely to take three points.
Before the game Hughton may have taken a point back to SJP but when the home side were reduced to ten men with less than half-an-hour on the clock I expected the team to go for the throat and finish of City.
But it wasn't to be, with Leicester looking more than comfortable for the majority of the match and Newcastle looking toothless, aside from the odd offside goal.
Hughton's decision to leave both Lovenkrands and Jonas on the bench suggest he was more than happy to settle for a point as the introduction of either would've provided more of a threat than the increasingly useless Fabrice Pancrate.
However you can't always be putting four past Ipswich or scoring last minute winners and when you look at it objectively we are in a better position than we were at the start of the weekend, just not quite as good as it could've been.
Sometimes you've got to win ugly, it's what champions do.
By all accounts the three points picked up against the Eagles on Wednesday night was something of an undeserved victory, as the visitors attempted to play their way out of their devastating off-field problems. Palace dropped into administration before the game picking up an automatic ten-point deduction that seemed to light a fire in the belly of the squad.
Constantly threatening on the attack meant debutant Mike Williamson earned his Man of the Match award, regularly being called into action. Whilst fellow new-boy Wayne Routledge was able to make his mark, setting up Nile Ranger to seal the game in injury time.
Moving to the weekend and after Forest lost and West Brom, despite winning, found themselves five points back off the pace, the Magpies had the chance to push comfortably clear of the chasing pack. However a trip to the Walkers was never a guaranteed points winner and the hosts always looked the most likely to take three points.
Before the game Hughton may have taken a point back to SJP but when the home side were reduced to ten men with less than half-an-hour on the clock I expected the team to go for the throat and finish of City.
But it wasn't to be, with Leicester looking more than comfortable for the majority of the match and Newcastle looking toothless, aside from the odd offside goal.
Hughton's decision to leave both Lovenkrands and Jonas on the bench suggest he was more than happy to settle for a point as the introduction of either would've provided more of a threat than the increasingly useless Fabrice Pancrate.
However you can't always be putting four past Ipswich or scoring last minute winners and when you look at it objectively we are in a better position than we were at the start of the weekend, just not quite as good as it could've been.
Sometimes you've got to win ugly, it's what champions do.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Window Watch:
Routledge Signs From QPR, A Perfect Ten?
Just a few hours ago during an early morning sport chat I bemoaned the lack of a right winger at SJP, hours later we sign Wayne Routledge from QPR.
The club broke the surprising news on their official website and whilst the fee is undisclosed they have confirmed the former Spurs and Crystal Palace player has commited to a three-and-a-half year deal and will wear the number ten shirt.
Routledge is a player I've always liked, since his impressive season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and whilst he hasn't pushed on to become the star some expected he is a perfect fit for the Toon.
Danny Guthrie has filled the right midfield role so far this season but is more suited to a central role which has lead to a lack of danger down the flank.
The attacking instincts of Routedge should bring goals and his form this season has brought a return of two goals and eight assists for QPR and may end the striker hunt Hughton was apparently on.
In other news, former loanees Marlon Harewood and Zurab Khizanishvilli will not be returning to the club after the former suffered an injury setback and the later opted for a move to the Madejski and a Reading loan spell.
And finally the drawn out transfer of Mike Williamson seems to be nearing an end with much of the media reporting the Pompey defender to be within hours of securing a move to the Toon.
The club broke the surprising news on their official website and whilst the fee is undisclosed they have confirmed the former Spurs and Crystal Palace player has commited to a three-and-a-half year deal and will wear the number ten shirt.
Routledge is a player I've always liked, since his impressive season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and whilst he hasn't pushed on to become the star some expected he is a perfect fit for the Toon.
Danny Guthrie has filled the right midfield role so far this season but is more suited to a central role which has lead to a lack of danger down the flank.
The attacking instincts of Routedge should bring goals and his form this season has brought a return of two goals and eight assists for QPR and may end the striker hunt Hughton was apparently on.
In other news, former loanees Marlon Harewood and Zurab Khizanishvilli will not be returning to the club after the former suffered an injury setback and the later opted for a move to the Madejski and a Reading loan spell.
And finally the drawn out transfer of Mike Williamson seems to be nearing an end with much of the media reporting the Pompey defender to be within hours of securing a move to the Toon.
Monday, 25 January 2010
My Name Is Jack Bauer, Howay The Lads
This video is not only a cracking piece of emotionally inspiring work but it also features one of the most famous celebrity fans the Toon have ever had.
When he's not too busy saving the world Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland from 24) clearly loves nothing more than to watch the Toon, unfortunately for him he chose a devastating last day defeat at Villa Park. Catch 'Jack' just eight seconds into the video.
Can't win 'em all.
P.S Watch the whole thing it's worth it. It's also reaffirmed my love for Smudge.
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