If were to have a better season next year, we have to spend money IMO. Look what happened last year, we bought nobody and what a dissapointing season we had.

Gravesen looks all but set to leave Everton. He would be a perfect bargain buy for Newcastle. Commanding, technically very good, scores goals from midfield, plays regularly at international level, he would provide the 'grit' in midfield that some say we lack.

quote:

Originally posted by czechstar00 Gravesen looks all but set to leave Everton. He would be a perfect bargain buy for Newcastle. Commanding, technically very good, scores goals from midfield, plays regularly at international level, he would provide the 'grit' in midfield that some say we lack.

I'd consider him, but what sort of prices are being mentioned? European players are going a lot cheaper at the moment.

I think we need a quality CB or DM, a quality striker (better to get Shearer's replacement now), a cheap left-sided player (we have no cover for Bernard/Robert) and a cheap right back. If we sell a few players (Bramble? Viana? LuaLua?) we could get a few million and add it to our transfer kitty, I don't think this is unrealistic.

That's what I hope we get, but I think we'll get a free right-back because Griffin has gone (probably get Mills), and a decent striker. I don't think they'll invest in another CB or DM

Last edited by evil_bastard on Jun-08-2004 at 16:57

Well, his contract expires at the end of next season and his agent has told the press that he wants to leave Goodison. So the general consensus is that Everton would probably be looking to cash in for him, since Moyes stated that it is highly unlikely Gravesen will be offered a new extension to his current contract.

The CB & DM situation looks very bleak indeed, but im sure SBR will be sending good old Charlie Woods & co to Euro 2004 to see whats on offer.

On another note, Bobby's interest in right-back Miguel has been confirmed, with around 7M to be enough to prize him away from Portugal. However, like I said in an earlier post, we shouldn't be looking to spend that much on just one player.

I wouldn't mind spending 7M on one player if it were a proven CB, DM or striker to reinforce our backbone. I certainly wouldn't spend that much on an unproven right-back such as Miguel.

SBR said yesterday: "We have the opportunity to observe several players we like during Euro 2004 and we'll make some decisions once the tournament is over."

The problem with this is, if these players - whoever they are - have a bad tournament we lose interest. Yet if they have a good tournament the players' value rises, we could be outbid, or we risk buying an average player who happened to hit his best form at just the right time. We should have been sending scouts out months ago, not waiting so we can watch players on BBC along with the rest of the world. But this is a club that loaned out LuaLua, accidentally allowing him to play against us and get a last-minute equaliser, a club that let Bowyer's six-match European ban become a 12 match ban because they forget to register him with UEFA. Anything could happen

As for kezman, I have no doubts he is a quality player but I don't think he'd be as cheap as 4M. More like 6 or 7M. Also some of the comments he made put me off him, he said he would consider Newcastle but only as a stepping stone to one of the 'big clubs' and said his target in his first season would be 10 goals. Sounds like a mercenary, if we're prepared to tolerate that kind of attitude, why not go for Kluivert - free, more experienced, and a better player.

you guys see Michael Bridges has joined a club on a free? shame, I thought he'd be well suited @ Newcastle :/

and Michael Chopra wants to go on loan somewhere, so that leaves us with 3 strikers, doesnt it? Ameobi, Bellamy and Shearer... hmm :|

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How can sound exist if there's no one there to hear it?

If we offload Lua Lua we'll have to go looking for a striker.

A few weeks ago it looked a certainty LuaLua was out, espescially after refusing to come back for the Marseille game. But now Portsmouth are fucking us around refusing to pay 2M for him, after they told him how much they valued him. Now he says he would come back to us. I think he has 2 years left on his contract here, we want 2M for him but I understand Pompey are only offering 1M. If neither side backs down he could still be here next season in which case we probably wouldn't get a new striker.

But if we did sell him for 2M then as you say that leaves Shearer, Bellamy and Ameobi, which would force us into looking for a striker, possibly Shearer's replacement.

Newcastle's Inter-style away strip for next season (04/05):



I like it Better than the plain black we had last season. Let's hope we see a lot more points gained away from home in this!

What do you lot think?

These are the away shorts for next season:

I love the new away strip, I think it looks sick !

On the LuaLua issue, even if he doesn't leave I think it would be a wise idea if we did bring in an extra striker - Shearer's replacement. It gives us a chance to groom the player before he takes the responsibility of being the new no9. It increases the chances of the player adjusting to the clubs playing style, which is very crucial.

Also, not too sure why the club rushed in to offer big nose a new contract. Is he really doing the job at the back efficiently?

wow, very nice away strip! :O I love it...

now to find it in my size

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How can sound exist if there's no one there to hear it?

I haven't seen the new away strip in the flesh yet but I've been told the sizes are bigger than the home strip.

Marseille striker Mido has said that he is coming to Newcastle on a season long-loan with an option to buy him from Marseille at the end of it.

Here's the article from EgyptianPlayers.com, Skysports.com are also running this as their main story:"

quote:

EP: Mido can you update us on your talks with Newcastle? Mido: I can reveal that I have agreed terms with the prestigious club, and that the British side officials are in talks with OM as of this moment to finish the deal. EP: Can you supply us with more details on the contract? Mido: It's a loan deal of duration of 1 year. With a purchasing option, and I hope that OM agrees on finalizing the transfer. EP: So if OM agrees terms there will be nothing between you and becoming a Magpie's player? Mido: Yes, and I am ecstatic about that. It was a dream to play in the premiership and its only a matter of time now before realizing that dream, God's willing. EP: What do you think of Alan shearer? Mido: what can I say about a legend? Shearer is a great striker. I saw him when Newcastle played versus OM in this year UEFA Cup campaign and he was just superb, a true leader on all levels, if the move is finalized I will consider myself very fortunate to play alongside him, I am sure I will learn a lot from one of the best ever. EP: What about Saint James Park and the Magpies' fans? Mido: When I was in England I met with the club president and Sir Bobby Robson and I was given a tour in the stadium and the facilities are just world class, as for the fans, I saw them before and they convinced me that they are one of the most loyal and committed fans in the world. It's enough to hear them to love them. EP: A word to Newcastle fans.... Mido: I am really excited about the whole thing and I want everybody to know that I will strive to prove my worth in the upcoming season, I will prove that I am a striker who can score lots of goals and winning silver with Newcastle will be my aim. The past year was rampaged with injures and misfortune but this time around will be different, I will make my fans proud again. EP: thanks Mido and good luck in your career... Mido: Thanks EP.

I don't know anything about the guy but a loan deal with option to buy seems sensible, freeing up money for other areas of the team. Apparently he had some personal problems with the management at Ajax and with his country (Egypt) which could be a bad sign, but later patched some of these up. He was meant to be very good at Ajax but had a couple of disappointing seasons with Marseille, injuries and Didier Drogba keeping him out of the side. He's still only 21 though.

He is certainly making the right noises, but the story isn't official yet. If he does come then LuaLua should be on his way. It would also suggest Michael Chopra has little future at the club.

Last edited by evil_bastard on Jun-18-2004 at 14:42

Yeh I have seen him in action on a couple of occasions when he was at Ajax and he looked very good and as you say, hes still only 21.

However on sportinglife.com it has the same article, but his agent has stated that Newcastle havent progressed with their interest in him, so I'm not sure about all this talk that he has agreed personal terms with the club etc..

We will just have to wait and see what developements come out of this in the near future.