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Moving on quickly from the 0-0 disappointment from Saturday, here is a fat links post today. Also worth mentioning quickly is the fact that we will be without Yohan Cabaye v. West Brom on Wednesday as he will be out on a yellow card suspension (5 card accumulation). I can think of many other players I'd rather be without... mostly guys that haven't seen any appreciable first team action. Can't we have someone else serve the suspension (a la penalties on the GK in hockey?) Oh, well. It is what it is... rumor is that Cheik Tiote will still be available for the clash, so all is not lost in the center of midfield. Regardless, the news rolls on, and I'm here to bring it conveniently into one little package. Go forth, my friends, and read!
Wrapping Swansea -
Alan Pardew bemoans NUFC's lack of luck - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive
"Had we scored in the first half, it would’ve been a very different game. I think (Swansea boss) Brendan (Rodgers) will be pleased to get a draw here." Newcastle, though, have now not won since Bonfire Night and while there may be those who believe United’s bubble has burst, Pardew is not concerned with what those outside of St James’ Park think. He added: "I’ve no problem with that. Just go to the next game and see what we do then. "Yes, we want to win. We want the possibility of the top six. "Don’t make me think I am happy with the draw. "As a professional looking at my side, I was quite pleased with a lot of things apart from the result."
Overall, this result was disappointing more than worrying. I would like Newcastle to win immediately, however, so that we can lose the NEWCASTLE ARE IN A DIRE RUN OF FORM AND WILL BE RELEGATED!!1ONE1!! narrative that is sure to accompany a further match without a victory.
Alan Pardew: NUFC victory is in the air - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
The Magpies are also eight points better off than this time last year at the 16-game stage. Pardew said: "We have to look at the bigger picture. "We have played some of the top teams, and we have not had a break or our best team."
What does a run of form like we have been on over the last five matches do for you? We have lost 10 points to the year-by-year comparison over those matches. Where we had been 19 points ahead of 2010-11, we are now only 9. No crisis. No worry. Just get it sorted, lads.
Newcastle Are Now Linked With Anyone Who Has Ever Played CB
Newcastle United target defender Chris Samba - Sunday Sun
Samba would certainly be keen on the move and, while it would take a significant outlay from owner Mike Ashley, the Sunday Sun has been told there IS cash to spend on the right player. The giant 6ft 4in defender certainly has his admirers at St James’ Park and, while it was assumed that United would continue to look overseas for their replacement for Taylor, Pardew is desperate to land a player with top-flight experience.
On the Twitters this weekend, Chris Samba was the choice to come in at CB in a straw poll by a fans group. Loads of experience, possibly available at a cut rate, although I don't believe that Blackburn would come off any desired number much... as dire as they have been, the specter of potential relegation may have them looking to maximize value on anyone leaving the club.
Newcastle to Battle Sunderland for £5m Premier League Defender
Aston Villa defender James Collins has become a wanted man in the north east with both Newcastle and Sunderland hoping to convince the centre-back to leave Villa Park in January.
James Collins has been in the CB discussion lately. He's a little older than what I anticipate we'll be looking for, but perhaps that doesn't count against him as much as we're looking for someone to potentially come straight into the side.
The Brazilian-born defender – known as Douglas in the Dutch League – started his career his native country with Joinville. He moved to FC Twente in 2007 and is a former team-mate of NUFC star Cheick Tiote. The player was born in Florianopolis but while harbouring dreams of playing for Brazil, Douglas has successfully gained Dutch citizenship and is now pushing for a call-up to the Holland squad. At 6ft 4in, Douglas cuts an uncompromising figure and is a popular player with fans thanks to his no-nonsense attitude – something that would sit well with the Toon Army.
Douglas looks more the part for Newcastle to acquire so far as age is concerned. Along with the no-nonsense attitude referenced here, he has in the past been ejected for punching an opponent and subsequently pushing the referee... so there is that reputation to put a bur under the scum's saddle a little bit, which I am all for.
Looking Forward At West Brom And Beyond
Pardew confirms Cheick Tiote fit for West Brom - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
"It was only cramp in every fibre of his body that stopped him going on, even though he still wanted to go on.
You know, a cramp in every fiber of his body. NBD. Hyperbole for $1000, Alex.
Pardew: I'm not thinking about Demba Ba loss - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
ALAN PARDEW is refusing to get too concerned about the prospect of losing Demba Ba for six weeks at the start of 2012. "LA LA LA LA CAN'T HEAR YOU! LA LA LA LA CAN'T HEAR YOU," Pardew told the Chronicle.*
*Pardew "quote" completely fabricated by me. To my knowledge, he did not say anything remotely close to this... but I wouldn't be surprised if he said it off the record. - OSotP
Hatem Ben Arfa rested for West Brom clash - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
Yet, Pardew admitted the thought of bringing Ben Arfa on had crossed his mind. He said: "A couple of times I thought about (bringing on) Hatem, but I just felt they were so deep, with so many numbers back, that I did not think he would find any space, if I asm honest. "He looks for pockets, and there weren’t any." Explaining his logic in going for the Ameobi brothers rather than the French international, Pardew said: "Actually, I thought that maybe a diagonal coming in that box with Shola climbing on the back of a centre-half might just be enough.
Reasonable reasoning for not bringing HBA on, although it seems that AP is assuming a central role for HBA instead of a wing role. I think that we're all in agreement that HBA for Obertan may have been a beneficial change in the Swansea match.
Words Regarding the Transfer Market
Sochaux's Modibo Maiga anger at Newcastle, no Taye Taiwo interest - ESPN Soccernet
"I am mentally fine, I wanted that move to Newcastle badly," he told Sky Sports. "However, it did not happen as they said my knee has a problem - but I feel better than anything." Maiga used the example of Demba Ba, who went on to find success in England after failing a medical at Stoke City, to back up his point that he should be allowed to move. He added: "There is a player at Newcastle now [Demba Ba], he was told at a Premier League medical that he had a knee problem, he then went to another and started scoring goals before his move to Newcastle. "But I am strong in my head and up for it, I like Sochaux, but I am having a difficult time with the fans, they do not understand me. I love the Premier League and I want to play there, hopefully I will have another chance, my health is very good and my knees are strong."
I, like the late George Carlin, believe that people think in language. For me, it is very interesting that Modibo stops short of saying that there is no problem with his knees. "My knees are strong" =/= "I have no health problems where my knees are concerned."
Yohan Cabaye's pass pact with Newcastle boss - Sunday Sun
A COUPLE of months ago, Arsene Wenger gathered his scouts together at London Colney and posed them a pertinent question. Why, Arsenal’s professor wanted to know, hadn’t they brought him Yohan Cabaye – the France international bringing a touch of class to Newcastle United’s midfield? The answer was that they had presumed Cabaye would head for Real Madrid or even Barcelona. In fact, United, through their impressive network of scouts, snouts and contacts, had already convinced him his future lay on Tyneside before anyone else could so much as lay down a counter offer.
It is not often that I run across a news item that I feel is a must read. This is one. Very much worth your time. If there was any doubt out there that Graham Carr is doing work, this will show you the level to which these lads are going in player recruitment. Reading some of the club names that we potentially pipped to sign Cabaye by acting proactively is pretty encouraging.
However, a firm cash bid from Man United could be on the cards when the transfer window opens for business next month. An Old Trafford source told the Chronicle: "There’s definitely a shake-up going on at Man United. "Sir Alex is furious at the way his team limped out of the Champions League and the Carling Cup in the last few weeks and he wants to add some bite to his team during the forthcoming transfer window."
As Tiote to * rumors slide more and more into the Chronicle, I resign myself to his departure more and more.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas – who is willing to do a player-plus-cash deal for Tiote – has a rebuilding job on his hands at Stamford Bridge, where he inherited an ageing squad.
Let us all assume that Tiote is to leave. Let us, for the sake of discussion, say that he goes to Chelsea in a player-exchange transfer. Who do you require and how much additional cash do you require to make the deal?
Football transfer rumours: Alan Shearer to take charge at Blackburn? | Football | guardian.co.uk
Talking of horribly dated TV icons, Alan Shearer could take over from Steve Kean at Blackburn, according to the Mail. Blackburn's owners reckon Shearer – whose insights on Match of the Day include the big lad being good at heading, Gary Lineker not being good at golf, the quick lad being quick, Alan Hansen not being good at golf and Wayne Rooney kicking good goals – will be just the man to lead Rovers from 19th to 20th in the Premier League.
No real need to read this post unless you are into the rumors compilation type thing... this is included just to acknowledge that Alan Shearer is a potential candidate for Blackburn when Steve Kean gets sacked on Thursday.
Wahoo. That was long and fun. Also, I have bacon cinnamon rolls, so you may now be jealous. Have fun, this week is going to move quickly!