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Happy Tuesday, Toon Army! For those of you who are tracking the transfer market with any regularity and reading rumor after rumor and non-story after non-story, it must feel like it's nearly February (it does for me, at least....) yet it is only the 10th. 3 full weeks left. /sigh
Today's news features Danny Guthrie, Mehdi Abeid, Hatem Ben Arfa and trialist Jason Prior among others. I know you're all champing at the bit to get clicking, so let us jump and read!
This is All I Am Going To Link About That
In newsagents now - today's Evening Chronicle - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive
This is the Evening Chronicle's back page from today's paper. I'm going to leave it alone and take any of my news from Lee, if there be any new news. Steve Brenner of the Sun posted a Ba to PSG tweet late last night that linked a story that had almost 0 original content and was a re-tread of the quotes that he (Brenner) and all others had been packaging in different degrees of fear mongering all day. In celebration, I am not clicking anyone's twitter link to a write-up about this "story" any more.
This is A Bit Of Fun- Could Be Cool To YouTube Them All If You Have Time
Vote for your favourite Newcastle United goal - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive
Today Toon Talk editor Steve Wraith said Ben Arfa’s goal was a peach - but said there was a long way to go before he could compete with the hundreds of others scored at St James’ Park. He said: “I think the best one’s are the more obscure goals, like when Paul Gascoigne scored against Crystal palace in the FA Cup. “It was remarkable because he dribbled and hit it from the edge of the area. The ball got stuck in the goal stanchion. It was at a time when Gazza was emerging as one of Britain’s best footballers. “There was also Philipe Albert’s goal against Manchester United which everyone remembers. It doesn’t have to be a spectacular goal, it can be memorable for different reasons.”
I can see this fun exercise devolving somewhat as the question on the poll is "What is your *favorite* Toon Goal" and many will read "What Is the best. goal. evar.?" At any rate, if I had the available time, i would youtube each and every one of the candidates.
Here Are A Bunch Of Stories About Squad Members
Fit-again Danny Guthrie close to Toon return - Black & White - Jarrow and Hebburn Gazette
Pardew told the Gazette: “Danny Guthrie will have a week’s training, and he’ll play himself into contention, I’d think.” Guthrie’s return is timely with Cheik Tiote having left for the African Cup of Nations. In Tiote’s absence through injury earlier this season, Guthrie starred alongside Yohan Cabaye in the centre of midfield. Meanwhile, defender Danny Simpson’s shoulder was today being assessed by the club’s medical staff. Simpson was forced off during Saturday’s FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.
Two items from that one-- Likely that Guthrie ends up usurping Abeid for the starting spot in lieu of Cheik Tiote as soon as he's fully healthy. Insert appropriate reaction here. For me, Cabaye/Abeid may have the same upside as Jonas Santon showed early on, although it seems Pardew has much more affection for Guthrie in mid than he had for Raylor at LB. Also- apparently Simmo left the cup match with a shoulder complaint.
Mehdi Abeid’s eyeing a role for Toon in league and cup - Football - Shields Gazette
“It was a really good experience to play, and I learned a lot,” Abeid told the Gazette. “I hope to do well at Newcastle, and I hope that everybody is happy with what I produced. “I think the more I play, the better I’ll get, game by game. “I want to show what I can do and get more time to play. Staying in the cup is good for me. I want it to continue, and I hope to do well every time.
If nothing else in the cup match (at least as much as I can tell with no video available), Mehdi showed that he was capable of in-match adjustments with tremendous effect, so that's something. If only some of our dearth of talent at CM were CBs instead...
Hatem Ben Arfa says goal can ignite Cup bid - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
Fans’ favourite Hatem told the Chronicle: “For me there is no better cup competition than this. “It is one of our objectives this season to do well in the competition. “Newcastle want to win this cup, because it’s a very big cup. “With this cup, you can go to Europe – and that can only be a good thing for the profile of this club.”
Several of the players have been quoted as saying the FA Cup is a goal for the squad. I think I'm on board with that.
‘Santon and Gutierrez were unstoppable’ – Pardew - Football - Shields Gazette
Pardew told the Gazette: “I didn’t even see the second goal – everyone was jumping up and down – I just saw it plop in the net. “He deserved that goal, because I think he had a little dip, if I’m honest, three or four weeks ago. “He’s been outstanding. He’s got back to his best in the last two or three games. He’s a big bonus for us.”
It is true that Jonas had a dip in form in the middle of the holiday programme... but to be fair, the entire team did, so it's not really fair to single out Jonas. More matches for the Jonas Santon combination are only going to solidify what it is already turning into a tremendously effective partnership. One could certainly make a case for the argument that the Manchester United starting XI is our most effective arrangement... except AP will not leave Obertan out on the right in favor or Raylor.
A Wee Bit on Transfer Rumors
Maguire’s public display of loyalty is heartening for Blades manager Danny Wilson. He is not under any pressure to sell players but is equally aware that any substantial offers for any of his players will have to be considered, such is the club’s financial situation. “Harry’s been brought up here, he’s got no reason to look elsewhere,” said Wilson.
[emphasis mine - OSotP]
Apparently Mr. Wilson was not paying any attention to anything last January. Not much in this article to change or form opinion, but a read from the other perspective in a situation is always nice, I think.
Scottish Sunday Express | Sport | Football
LIVERPOOL last night insisted they had not touted Andy Carroll back to former club Newcastle United. Newcastle also maintained there had been no contact over the striker, who moved to Anfield for £35million 12 months ago.
I'm troubled that this keeps on popping up. It's not going to happen... but the more it pops back into the news, the more I worry. DO NOT WANT.
Melvut Erding back on Newcastle United radar - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
NEWCASTLE UNITED are understood to be looking into the possibility of signing Melvut Erding. The Paris St Germain striker is unsettled with the Ligue 1 side and Chronicle sources have indicated that Toon officials have been in Paris in the last 24 hours.
It seems that "staying and fighting for his spot" has not turned out as well as Erdinc thought it would. With 11 appearances and 1 goal, I think two things have happened here: 1) He has lowered his commandable transfer price a bit, which is good for us, and 2) He is a lot less inspiring of a purchase in the short term. The fact remains, though, that if we rated him before, we surely still rate him now, and will likely chalk the lack of goals to "situation".
Newcastle include trialist in second-string squad - Black & White - Shields Gazette
NEWCASTLE United have named trialist Jason Prior in their squad for this afternoon’s reserve game against Wigan Athletic.
There are a lot of first-team experience type players in this Reserves match, and Pardew is in attendance to check in on those players and Mr. Prior (who is wearing the number 9 in this match.) At writing, the match is at halftime with the Toon 1-0 up on Wigan Reserves on a late first-half goal from Remie Streete. Prior has had a couple of headers - one put over the net and one straight at the keeper... but it sounds like he's getting stuck in (as much as one can tell that from Twitter.)
There you have it, your Tuesday edition of the Links. Looking ahead, let me announce that this Thursday at 1200 CST (1800 GMT) Three Question Thursday will make its triumphant return to CHN. You'll want to check it out, as I'm certain at least one of the questions will be fun!