Newcastle Quakenet - News

Shola OUT!

Shola Ameobi signed for Stoke today after falling even further behind in the pecking order at St.James' park.

A lot of people will be very pleased with this news because Shola has never really lived up to expectations in his time here. However we would like to thank him for what he has done here; giving his all for the club whenever he's been called upon, behaving himself while he has had to sit on the bench without ever complaining, and being a model professional in the other duties he has had to perform for the club.

It seems unlikely he will come back after his loan spell, he's more likely to stay at Stoke (who now have first priority on signing him) or go to Norwich and play for his biggest fan - Glenn Roeder.

Good luck Shola, you should do well in the championship.

He's not going to sell

Our 2 - 0 home win again Fulham on Saturday must have left The Sun without any ideas for a 'sensational headline' because they decided to recycle the old "Mike Ashley wants to sell Newcastle United" story.

Chris Mort and Mike Ashley have both stated these kinds of stories are rubbish and that they're in it for the long term, but that's not going to stop The Sun from dreaming up stories like this, so it's best just to ignore it.

Some people might argue that Mike is a business man, and that if someone comes in and gives him the right offer - he will sell. This can be said for anyone and anything, so it's not really a thought worth entertaining, besides, the 'right offer' is likely to be way - way more than he has already invested in the club.

Wednesday's News

Peter Ramage has declared himself fit enough to play against Bolton reserves next Tuesday.

While this news isn't the most exciting news, it will be pleasing for Keegan, who was said to have been very surprised at how small the Newcastle squad was when he came in.

Ramage told Newcastle World TV:

"Michael has been brilliant with me the past six months or so because he had a similar injury the year before," "He was always giving me advice and was there for me to bounce ideas and thoughts off."

"It was great to be able to do that with someone who knew what I was going through." "I have seen the way he has came back and he is on a run of games now which is encouraging for me."

"Hopefully I'll be able to get a run of games and fingers crossed there are no problems because I feel great at the moment." "I would've liked to have played for the reserves at Blackburn on Monday but I think the more realistic target is next week's game at Bolton."

"I can't wait to be honest and it has been really tough, especially because results haven’t been good and all you want to do is help."

"I'm more than confident we have what it takes to get out of trouble and all we need is that first win."

James Milner is said to be losing his fitness race for the game against Birmingham, but it is understood that Mark Viduka will be back and ready to get some goals.

Joey barton appeared in court today charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

The 25-year-old was arrested in the early hours of December 27, after a Boxing Day evening out with friends and family.

Barton, of Foxbank Close, Widnes, Cheshire, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court alongside his brother Andrew Barton, 19, also from Widnes, and Nadine Wilson, 27, of Childwall, Liverpool.

Andrew Barton, who is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and Wilson, who faces charges of common assault and affray, were arrested alongside Barton following a visit to a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool city centre.

All three have been bailed and will reappear at Liverpool Crown Court on April 23 for a plea and case management hearing.

Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles will be at St.James' Park on Thursday (March 13) morning before setting off on their gruelling cycle challenge to raise money for Sport Relief 2008.

The duo will leave St.James' at 8.30am as part of their Sport Relief Super Cycleon in a bid to cover the 335 miles to BBC Television Centre at breakneck speed.

So get down there to cheer them on!

Keegan Influence Shows

In an interview with Newcastle World TV Alan Smith said he believes the influence of Keegan is starting to show. We think he's right, we were really good against Blackburn and it is a shame that we just lost it at the end. One thing is for sure, if we keep playing like that, we won't get relegated.

Alan Smith said:

"The more and more we work together the more influence the manager is having"

"We are getting fitter and there is a camaraderie and that's something the gaffer has emphasised since he came in.

"Everyone is playing for each other and that stands us in good stead.

"It is a time where we have to stand up and be counted, go out in front of 52,000 people and prove our worth.

"We've got to show to everyone that we want to fight for the cause."

"It's getting tight but you always knew it would do"

"We looked at our home games as ones that were winnable, and one was against Blackburn.

"We've deserved criticism on occasions this season and we're all big enough to accept that.

"It's up to us as a team, as players, and as people to sort that out."

Let's keep our fingers crossed for a good result against Liverpool, it's a big ask but we can do it!

Comments welcome.

Diatta on trial

Kevin Keegan has confirmed the club are taking a look at Senegal captain Lamine Diatta.

Keegan told Sky Sports News:

"We brought in Diatta for four days. It's a chance to have a look at him,"

"He's captain of Senegal. Obviously a couple of the players know him. We'll have a look. He's a player we can sign.

"We'll make up our minds on Tuesday. That's what I've told him."

He also briefly mentioned the players reaction to their 1 - 5 thrashing by Manchester United on the weekend:

"We thought it might take a bit to pick them up after the Man United game, but by Tuesday they were back up for it," he continued.

"The quality of the training and the attitude of the players has been outstanding. Credit to them.

"Blackburn presents us with our next opportunity. They are tough. They are a well organised team.

"They'll have seen the game and think this is a team we can beat as well, but I think here it's an opportunity for us as well.

"We need to know what it's like to win a game again. The fixtures have been tough, but they've been the same for everyone else as well.

"Because it's at home I'll be expecting a really good all-round performance. I've seen it in training this week."

Let's keep our fingers crossed for a good result tomorrow, we really need it.

You can click here for pictures of todays training session, from nufc.co.uk

Money's Not A Problem

Kevin Keegan admitted he isn’t concerned about the transfer money subject today after admitting he hasn’t even spoke to Mike Ashley or Chris Mort about it. As everyone knows, Keegan was promised he would be able to spend money when Newcastle signed him, he said:

“We haven’t really discussed it but I was promised money when I came so it’ll be there.

“I don’t think I need worry about that.

“But the first thing I need to do is get to 40 points and make sure we’re in the Premier League. That’s still there to be done.

“Then I’ve got to go and get the three, four or five players that are hopefully going to turn this place around.

“I’ve got a small squad. There are so few options within this squad.”

Let’s hope he does get a lot of players in, the ones we have at the moment look hopeless and in need of some competition for places, something to fight for.

Keegan also stressed that changing Newcastle’s fortunes couldn’t be done over night, it’s a tough job and he reminded us that it wasn’t done instantly the last time either, he said:

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. We didn’t bring them in from day one last time.

“We fetched Brian Kilcline in first and they don’t talk too much about it, though they liked him.

“Scott Sellars came, then Darren Peacock. They weren’t too excited about those two either. Shearer came in at the end.”

There has also been a rumor that Alan Smith has it in his contract that he has to play every game when he’s fit. Crazy as this sounds, it would explain why he keeps getting starts!

Today's News

Steven Harper believes Newcastle's game against Blackburn this weekend is a 'massive' game.

He said:

"It is massive. We have had a tough run of fixtures, but we haven't performed either,"

"We have had good spells in patches, but in this league, you have to do it for 90 minutes and until we can do that, we are going to struggle.

"We have got a big week in front of us and in that time, we really need to stick together and build towards Saturday and try to get a positive result.

"We have got some big games coming up. We have got to put this one behind us. It is gone.

"It is a demoralising defeat, but come Monday morning, we are back on the training field and we build up for what is a massive game next week.

"You do need a bit of luck when you are on a run like this, but you need to help yourselves as well and we are not doing that at the minute."

He's right, every game we have from now until the end of the season is massive. let's hope we can pull together and get some points!

Chris Hughton has been brought in to coach the first team after the departure of Nigel Pearson, he has been put in charge of sorting out the defense, good luck with that.

Keegan told The Evening Chronicle:

"Defensively, we need some work on shape and I think Steve and him [Hughton] will be a really good force together on the training pitch,"

"That's where we've got to work on things to get it right here.

"He's good with players and good around players. He's got a good way with them. He's an experienced player himself, so they know when he's saying it, he's been there and done it himself."

Alan Shearer has said Keegan will keep Newcastle in the premiership this season and that his job is safe after Sunday's thrashing - oh god don't tell me the papers are already predicting his departure.

Shearer said:

"They'll give him as much time as he needs. He's signed a three-and-a-half-year deal and he said at the weekend he's here for that.

"Kevin will get more time than anyone else because of what he did on his first time around at Newcastle. Without doubt, he'll have the support of the crowd right the way through that."

"Everything boils down to results and, at this moment in time, Newcastle aren't getting them, I don't think they'll have any chance of going down."

"I know the run of results they've had suggest they're going to get involved in a scrap but I still feel that they're a much better team than those that are around them at the bottom."

The most important thing right now is to win matches. Blackburn are doing very well at the moment, but we have more of a chance against them than against Arsenal or Manchester United, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Comments Welcome.

Keegan hoping for form

Kevin Keegan is hoping Newcastle can do something tomorrow that will invigorate the fans.

Keegan said today:

"On the day to beat a top Premiership side, a lot of things have to come right I would say to Newcastle fans and the players before they go out that a performance like they produced against Arsenal at home when the other manager was under a bit of pressure,"

"It was a terrific performance even though they drew 1-1 in the end. But it wasn’t the result it was the way the players showed that it mattered. There are lots of ways to get the fans behind you."

"Sometimes it’s a good tackle, or someone showing commitment beyond the call of duty such as putting their head where other people wouldn’t put their boot. It’s not always about goals at SJP in particular it’s about commitment."

"That’s the very minimum requirement we need against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal and all the teams who are where we want to be. If you don’t do that you might as well giver them the points.” “You can’t under-estimate how much the fans matter at this club. They’re our 12th player and I know that because I’ve played here."

"We got promotion way back in 1982-83 when there were two outstanding sides and three or four of us playing for third place and the crowd made a difference then and will do now. If they stay behind us and I know they will they can make that little bit of difference that we’ve got to make up against the likes of Manchester United."

"Potentially as a club we are under-performing because Newcastle should be in the top half of the table. We’ve got to dig in and fight our way up the table and that’s what we intend to do.”“We’ve got to look on this game as an opportunity."

"Everyone knows Man United are a quality side but they’ve had two games while we’ve been able to work on things but despite that because they’ve got such a big squad they’ve managed to overcome that many times before but I’m really not focused on them.”

"We’ve been concentrating on working on things we need to do and hopefully we get some reward from that over the next few matches and it would be nice if that happened immediately against Manchester United."

"We know what they are capable of and the show that week in week out which is why they have achieved so much success over the years but I’m more concerned with us is our attitude and how we approach the game and to see whether we have the courage necessary to take them on."

"A couple of weeks ago Manchester City showed that if you do everything right - press them at the right time, get a little bit in their faces - and have a bit of luck and then have the courage to play which are three big asks then you can cause them problems. They’re a very good side but they’re not infallible. No football team is."

Hopefully we can keep the score below 0 - 5 to Manchester United tomorrow.

It's that time of the year again

It's that time of the year again where a local paper uses an old article template and creates a 'new' story. This time it was the News of the world that are reporting Alan Shearer has agreed to be the front man of a consortium that are about to launch a £250million takeover bid for Newcastle United, *cough rubbish*.

Arsenal and Liverpool got knocked out of the FA cup this weekend by Manchester United and Barnsley respectively, and they still have to make up stories about the 'small club' Newcastle United!

Here's what their 'Tyneside source' - note the lack of any legitimate source - had to say:

"Alan has been contacted by a group who want to try and buy Newcastle. They're from the North-East and he knows some of the people who are involved.

"He certainly knows they are capable of raising the cash to put a very good offer to Mike Ashley.

"What they want from Alan is not his money but his support, his blessing.

At least they have got this story template out of the way for now. Next they will probably have an interview with some former player like Jimmy Greaves talking about how badly Keegan is going to fail... Oh wait, that's already been done.

Shola gets last chance

Kevin Keegan has told Shola Ameobi that he has one last chance to break through to the first team or risk moving clubs.

Keegan said:

"Our challenge is to look at the club and assess players, I think I've told him that.

"You think he's a young lad, but he's 26 now and he's got to make the breakthrough quickly or maybe there's somewhere else he can do it."

"There's a better player in Shola than we've seen so far, but the test will be when he gets his chance - and he will.

"He's one of the challenges here and it's one I relish."

We doubt Shola will ever be a first team regular here, but he has shown good commitment to the club over the years and he's been a decent backup whenever we have needed him. No doubt he will be an excellent signing for any championship team.

Meanwhile after Nigel Pearson (assistant manager) and Mark Taylor (head of sports medicine) left earlier this month, Mark Howard (conditioning coach) and Gavin Fleig (ProZone expert) have left too.

We don't think they were doing a very good job anyway seeing as our players can only play 45 minutes of football before conking out.

The Wise Guy

Newcastle United have signed Dennis Wise in an executive manager type role.

The rumor is that Kevin Keegan didn't know anything about this, which is deeply disturbing. We can't imagine why the board would do something like this without Keegan's blessing.

There is a lot of confusion on Newcastle United forums about this appointment, for our sake let's hope it works out!

A Leeds spokesman confirmed the deal earlier today, saying:

"We have agreed a compensation package with Newcastle United for the services of our manager Dennis Wise and he will part company with the club on Tuesday January 29 after completing the preparations for our game at Southend United that evening,

Newcastle had approached us for permission to speak with Dennis on Friday and since then things have happened very quickly.

We will always be grateful to Dennis for the way he has turned things around at the club on the playing side and he goes with our best wishes for the future.

We are not prepared to comment on the inevitable speculation that will now follow about who will replace Dennis. That is not the way we do our business at this club."

Ken Bates said:

"Dennis had a one year rolling contract, and if either party breaks it we have to agree on compensation.

I thought it was only right to advise Dennis. He said he would like to talk to them and I said he could once we had it in writing.

That duly arrived and I told Dennis first thing this morning that he could meet the Newcastle chairman, and he said he would like to take the opportunity if he could.

He said he was sorry it was such short notice, but it was too good an opportunity to miss. In football you never stand in the way of anyone who wants to improve themselves.

Newcastle said they were impressed with the what he had done in a difficult situation at Leeds United. He leaves the club in a much stronger position on very solid foundations."

No doubt there's more to come.

Keegan is the new manager!

Newcastle United Football Club today announced that Kevin Keegan has returned to the managerial position at the club.

The official website had only the following to claim (at the time of this news post):

"KEVIN Keegan is returning to Newcastle United as manager."

With four league defeats in a row, Kevin Keegan takes up a position where the previous manager remaind for only 24 games.

The new manager's team face Stoke City at home tonight for the FA Cup third round replay. No goals from the previous encounter, the winner of tonight's game face Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday 26th of this month.

Let the fun begin!

Allardyce Sacked

Newcastle United have sensationally sacked manager Sam Allardyce today, it is unknown who the replacement will be, but there is a lot of speculation that it will be either Alan Shearer or Steve McClaren.

We are absolutely gutted because we believed Sam Allardyce would have changed things around given more time.

Chairman Chris Mort had backed Allardyce, saying that success comes from clubs sticking with their managers, he used Alex Ferguson and Arsen Wenger as examples. Now it seems he has changed his mind.

I think it's a sad day when a club can only stick behind their manager for 5 month, without giving him any real chance.

I just hope Mike Ashley has someone else, someone better lined up to replace him.

Ngo to Newcastle

After signing youngster Ben Tozer yesterday; Newcastle united have completed a move for 18 year old (born September 23, 1989 in Paris) Wesley Ngo Baheng from Le Havre.

It appears that Newcastle signed the player on a pre contract in October 2007 and agreed a compensation package for Le Havre.

Baheng is the second young French player Newcastle have signed from Le Havre following Charles N'Zogbia's controversial move in 2004.

The French-Cameroonian joined Le Havre as a trainee in 1999, and is regarded as one of the potential future stars of French football.

This is another promising signing this week, and we're happy to see Chris Mort sticking to his word by signing youngsters with great potential, great work. Now get us some good first team players! (Aston Villas Laursen or Arsenal's Diarra would be nice).

Comments Welcome

FA Cup misery and Tozer deal

As expected, Newcastle United have a ridiculously hard opposition to face in the fourth round of the FA cup. Should Newcastle manage to beat Stoke City at St James' Park on Wednesday 16th January (7:45pm kick off), they will face top-of-the-league Arsenal, who previously knocked them out of the Carling Cup in September of last year.

In other, more positive news, Newcastle have successfully completed the signing of highly-rated defender Ben Tozer from Swindon. There have been speculations about the 17-year-old since December of last year, however, the defender is now at Newcastle with a four-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.

It is expected that he will be loaned out in order to gain him first team experience.

Barton in custody

Joey Barton was taken in to police custody on Thursday night, following allegations of assault.

He was arrested on Thursday morning, along with two other people. A policeman commented:

"Two males aged 25 and 19 and a woman aged 27 were arrested at 5.30am today on Church Street in Liverpool City Centre following an allegation of assault.

"All three remain in custody for interview and processing and I expect a decision on charges or release will be made later tonight."

The other two arrested were 19-year-old Andrew Barton and 27-year-old Nadine Wilson.

Andrew Barton is charged with affray and assault occasioning actual body harm. Joey Barton and Ms. Wilson are both charged with common assault and affray.

Joey Barton remains in custody, while the other two have been bailed. All three are to appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Friday.

Owen is back

In an interview with The Daily Mirror Sam Allardyce admitted Michael Owen will play a small role in todays game against Wigan.

Obviously Allardyce and everyone else in Newcastle is worried about Owen playing - in case he gets injured again; something which Allardyce will be concentrating on preventing from happening.

Here's what he said:

"Owen is still ahead of time. We said six weeks when it first happened. He is back in the fold again.

"Any player who gets injured on a regular basis, it is our concern to try and avoid that situation as much as possible. It does not come overnight, prevention of injuries is a slow process.

"It is a challenge when you have a quality player of that nature who is as bitterly disappointed as we are that he is getting little niggly injuries.

"It is not as if they are serious injuries like he had before. So that is another challenge compared to what he used to have.

"But he is fit again and hopefully that will be the end of it for a decent period of time.

"He has worked very, very hard again to get back in the squad and now it is about keeping him available for selection as much as possible, and keeping his core strength and his availability open to us on a regular basis.

"A goalscorer like him could be major for us. We are building him up and using him sparingly at first. Hopefully that will build up match fitness and stave off any injuries."

In other news, Wigan manager Steve Bruce has defended Allardyce over the criticism he's receiving so early in his time here.

Bruce said:

"For people to shout at Sam, 'You don't know what you are doing,' is nonsense.

"He does know what he is doing - he proved it for years with Bolton. He did a fantastic job there and rebuilt the club.

"I am convinced he will get it right at Newcastle but you have got to give him time to do it his way.

"You cannot put your stamp on a club in two or three months. It takes two or three years.

"But none of us get the chance to do that. You have to make an impact.

"If you don't you can be out of a job in weeks. Unless we get a bit of commonness football clubs will never be stable or successful."

He also mentioned the atmosphere up here:

"You marvel at being a Geordie and seeing 50,000 people there.

"It is freezing cold and they are just wearing black and white strips but it does not matter to them.

"This is one game in the season I look forward to immensely and a lot of my family will be at the game on Boxing Day."

Let's just hope we show him how we support our manager and team today; instead of the ridiculous booing that has happened in certain matches.

Match predictions can be found here. I say 1 - 1. :)

Butt to stay on for another year

With his contract due to expire at the end of this season, Nicky Butt has signed a new contract which keeps him at Newcastle United Football Club for another twelve months.

Nicky Butt spoke on the official club website, saying:

"I only had six months left at the club and I was wanting to get it sorted out, as was the club, and it is nice to get it sorted and just crack on with football now,"

"It gives me 18 months from now. The contract is something I am happy with, and I hope we can go forward with the team and the squad we have got and start challenging for things.

"It's potentially a massive club. We should be winning things. We have got a great fan base and a great stadium and some great players - it is just a case of tying it all together and kicking on."

Manager Sam Allardyce also commented on the contract:

"Nicky has been magnificent for us and his experience has been invaluable,

"He is a great player to have in your squad and a terrific example for all youngsters to follow.

"Hopefully he will now continue with the level of performances he has been producing all season."

Let's hope he puts in a winning performance on Sunday!

Derby fixture coming up

Newcastle face Derby County this Sunday at a slightly peculiar kick-off time of 2pm. With Derby's only win this season so far coming the reverse fixture at Pride Park, the Newcastle squad will be aiming for a much better result.

Derby have only scored one goal away from home this entire season, although the away goal was scored only ten days ago at Old Trafford, proving that St James' Park may not quite be as safe as you would imagine.

Newcastle come off the back of a victory away at Fulham, which marks their first clean sheet away from home in over a year, so confidence should be high. As one chant I heard after the game put it, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to see Newcastle win away!".

A win this weekend could see Newcastle push up one place to 9th position, providing Blackburn do not manage to win against Chelsea at Ewood Park (Sunday, 4:10pm). Aston Villa, currently 8th, face a tough Man City side on Saturday (3pm kick-off) who are strong following a 3-2 win over Bolton last weekend, providing good prospects for moving up the table in the near future.

This, and Wigan away in a week's time, could prove a crucial period of time for picking up vital points, considering the more difficult games coming up (Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal away in a period of one month).

Sam eyes another 17 year old

Newcastle United are said to be preparing to launch a £650,000 bid for 17 year old Hungarian starlet, Tamas Kadar.

Kadar, who currently plays in defence for Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet (ZTE), said:

"I really enjoyed being in England,"

"In Bolton they would count me as a left-sided defender and in Newcastle I would play in the center of the defence. I admit this (central) is my favorite place on the pitch.

"I know nothing about the financial details, but I did my very best and I know they both liked my performances.

"I was told that I would have a good chance to sign in England and my move might be realized in the winter transfer period."

Lets hope we continue to sign promising youngsters, as it's something we have overlooked in the past and it's something that will help us develop long term success.