:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5671564/139794714.jpg)
Don't look now... After a run of Sunday matches, Newcastle are in preparation for their visit to Wales on Friday. Are you?
It's an interesting array of links today with stories all over the map (figuratively speaking) ranging from Graham Carr to Newcastle Council. With 9 points from 3 matches, it's a time to feel good... with Europa League automatic qualifying still in play, it's a time to keep our heads down and focused. In the spirit, take the jump and we'll get right in on today's links!
Chronologically Speaking, This Comes First
Newcastle United's secret bust-up with city council - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive
Coun Forbes replied two days later acknowledging the important role the club played in the community. He went on: "All councillors are elected to reflect the views of their community, so given the groundswell of public opinion against a name change for the ground, it is perhaps not surprising that the council chose to debate this issue and pass a motion which reflected public sentiment at the time. "That is democracy in action, and I am sure that similar debates occurred in Bolton, Stoke, Wigan and anywhere else that clubs have chosen to break with tradition and change the name of the ground. "The outcry is lessened in the case of new build stadiums, as opposed to renaming a club’s traditional home."
Not surprisingly, the club were not entirely pleased with Council's position and solicitation of media outlets to refuse to use the new name of St. James' Park. Freedom of Information Acts are fun, and through FOI, we now have access to the Nastygram that Derek Llambias sent to Council following their own letters and resolution to not recognize the new name. Also included in the article is Council's letter back to the club following receipt of the club's letter.
I encourage you to read the box quote and compare it to things that you might have read around here at CHN. I'll be announcing my candidacy for Newcastle Council presently.
Items Of A More Present Variety
Newcastle boss Pardew likens Cisse to Shearer - Newcastle United - Shields Gazette
"Cisse was terrific, not just for his two goals, but for his hold-up play and everything else," Pardew told the Gazette. "You could’ve blinked and thought it was Alan – he put that sort of performance in. I couldn’t pay him a higher tribute than that."
When I first read this quote, I was a little taken aback. #LetsGetCarriedAway type reaction. Then, as I stepped back mentally to take a look at it, you can certainly draw some parallels, especially from the Liverpool match. I would like to see him uncork a Shearer signature Laser Beam Of Sure Death before we complete this kind of comparison, however.
He added: "Cisse scored 20-odd goals two years ago in the Bundesliga. He was liked by Bayern Munich, They wanted £15m when we first enquired, and then it was 12, and we actually got him for eight in the last window which we thought was value for money. "At Newcastle, we haven’t been able to pay the big fees, so we’ve gone for what you might call realistic targets. "But I just go and watch matches. I go and pick up three matches in Holland, three in France over the weekend, or midweek, or in Germany, and I get a list of names together, sit down with the manager, Derek Llambias and Lee Charnley and our staff and we discuss them.
In the course of two jobs (including his previous time at Spurs), Graham Carr had spent 5 years tracking Cisse before we purchased him in January. This article has several fun little factoids and numbers that may be worth your time to check out. He kind of lifts the lid on what we actually did pay for Cisse, so if you're interested, go dig it out :)
Player Movement - In, Out, Staying, Going?
Toon Goalkeeper Signs For Norwegian Side - Newcastle United News from football.co.uk
Newcastle goalkeeper Ole Soderberg has left the club. Soderberg has joined Norwegian side Molde. The goalkeeper was signed by controversial former transfer chief Dennis Wise but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Magpies.
In relatively minor news, Ole Soderberg has ended his Toon career. I'm pretty certain that his departure was on the cards following the howler that he participated in during the Reserves match v. Manchester United (check it out on the YouTubes.. it's ... pretty bad). He does seem to have a genuine affection and gratitude towards the club, however, so it is very easy to wish Ole good luck on the next portion of his career!
Newcastle target Douglas in Premier League bid - NUFC News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
NEWCASTLE UNITED defensive target Douglas has told FC Twente boss Steve McClaren that he is ready to quit the Dutch club to pursue his dream of playing in the Premier League. And the Chronicle understands that McClaren has quickly moved to line up a replacement for the 24-year-old – meaning the starting gun has officially been fired in the race to land the big defender, with the Magpies firmly in place to win the battle for his services.
While it's exciting to talk about this, it has been on the cards since January... McClaren had said that he would not allow Douglas to leave in January but would over the summer if a suitable replacement could be found. Now it's just up to the club to seal this deal.
Tiote, though, is extremely happy on Tyneside and may well decide to stay put, particularly if the Magpies secure a European berth. "Getting into Europe is the biggest thing for us now and it is very important for us as players and for Newcastle as a club," Tiote said. "There has been a long time where we have not seen Newcastle in European competitions and we want that to change. It will be a big thing for us to play in Europe next season.
Deep down, we're all secretly (or not so secretly) hoping for this type of reaction from all of our star players. Team spirit, affection for the town and the supporters... we want this to be enough for them to buy in and be the legends that take Newcastle United to heights not reached in more than a decade. We want money to not be the primary mitigating factor in these decisions, and it seems that it's possible (if unlikely) that for the players that might be possible. For the club, on the other hand...