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So Luis Suarez is banned for Friday's match v. Liverpool. I think that may have been the pinnacle of the news cycle for today, however. Unfortunately for me, I found a story that soured me completely and I have viewed everything past that through dim glasses so you will have to forgive me if I come off overly pessimistic in today's links. Anyway, I'll try to post them somewhat the same order and maybe you'll experience them the same way, maybe not... but I suppose at the end of the day, they're all words, we'll all interpret them based on experience and expectation, and they will all mean nothing by the time January is done. Links! Jump!
Asked if there was any chance [a move for Modibo Maiga] could be resurrected at a lower price, Pardew said: "It was not a strategy to do that from us, it was just unfortunate, and unfortunate for the player. "You can imagine the player is probably more disappointed than anybody else, but these things happen and we will have to do a lot of work now between now and the summer to locate another striker."
Ok. I'm just going to have it out. IF this was not a Ca$hley ploy to drop the Maiga price, and IF the Maiga deal is completely dead, we had damn well better not be starting from scratch with no identified striker targets. We are now as close as we can possibly (reasonably, at least... I don't figure a last day move to be reasonable) be to 12 months since the sale of the former number 9 shirt, and there has been plenty of time for them to get this sorted. If the way they're going to play this is "We have to locate another striker," I. will. be. furious.
Taylor knows just how tough it can be against Carroll. Yet by the same token Carroll – level on three goals in all competitions with the ex-Tranmere man – knows exactly how deadly Taylor can be when he’s in form. The pair used to spend hours on the training fields of Newcastle’s Benton base playing football golf and practicing free-kicks and were often amongst the last to leave for the day as they honed their skills.
From the Department of Schadenfreude Department, Raylor and the former number 9 are level on goals. The unspoken underbelly: Raylor is Newcastle United's third top scorer in the league with 2 goals. And yet-- we're going to hold pat with what we've got. Got it.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S Harry Redknapp has run the rule over NUFC stars Tim Krul and Cheick Tiote ahead of the January sales. The Chronicle can reveal that Harry Redknapp dispatched his chief scout Ian Broomfield to the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day to keep an eye on the pair’s progress.
I'm certain that this kind of thing happens all the time, and it should not be a surprise that two of our best players are being scouted. I just have this to say: 'ARRY, YOU KEEP YOUR GRUBBY MITTS OFF OF MY PLAYERS!
Cheick Tiote: I'm very happy at NUFC - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
He told the Chronicle: "People can say whatever they want to say about me, but I’m a professional footballer, and I play for Newcastle. "I’m not thinking of leaving in January – I’m very happy playing for this club. That’s my job, and I need to work hard for the team and the club. "I have to focus on my job for Newcastle – that’s what I have to do."
And here's where I ran into trouble with my dim-view glasses. These quotes are canned quotes, and they feel cold even for that. I know that ultimately the decision will likely not be Cheik's or Pardew's... but I'd still like to see something a little more emphatic. Of course, having a detached view of the game as a business may be how he stays as successful as he has, so hey. What do I know.
We had to repay Toon Army – Pardew - Black & White - Shields Gazette
"I have said we are a big club, and I told our players we had to play like a big club," Pardew told the Gazette. "When you see 4,000 fans at that end, it shows you why we are Newcastle United. It gives us the power. "Good teams can deliver on cue. We needed a win and to get out of the rut, and we’ve done that. We were more disciplined, and we got a thoroughly deserved win."
"Good teams can deliver on cue." Ehm. Why not cue them 3 matches ago, eh?
Hatem Ben Arfa tells Newcastle boss Alan Pardew: Now let me loose against Liverpool! | Mail Online
'I want to make something clear: I am nearly 100 per cent fit and if I play then I will show more to the fans – and more to the club. 'I was very happy to be on the pitch and to score that goal. It feels great. I think I’m just coming near to 100 per cent after my injury. I feel sharp and I feel good. 'And I’m really happy because the fans are behind me and supporting me, which is important to me.
Man I hope he gets back into form... both because we really need him and also because the unwashed have been having a go at him running words through their arses about him being the worst player in the Premiership. (Also, I do recognize that his quotes are canned quotes, but at least he makes you feel like they're not by starting strong!)
Mike Williamson glad to be back with Newcastle United - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive
"I played the last half of the Championship season and the whole of the first season in the Premier League barring the last few games, so I don’t really feel as though I have to establish myself or anything like that. "I have had a good period in the team here, it is just unfortunate I have also had two injuries along the way. "It would be nice to stay injury- free now and just concentrate on putting some good performances in."
Willo performed pretty well, and I think that it was an interesting turn at the end of the Bolton match when AP subbed Perch for Cabaye... I read that at the time as Perch being introduced to help out a tiring Williamson and Pardew conceding a tiring Williamson is still better than a 100% rested Perch, which I have to agree with.
Well, folks-- It's a bright sunshiny day, and there'll be time to worry when there's reason to worry. Hope you're all well and happy, and we're pointing downhill to Anfield. HTL!