August 2008 Archives

JONAS GUTIERREZ'S stunning start to life at Newcastle has earmarked him as Argentina's brightest rising star.

Argentina coach Alfio Basile belatedly called Gutierrez, pictured, and United team-mate Fabricio Coloccini into his squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

And Basile insists he had no choice but to pick a player whose right to play for his country is under legal threat from his former club Velez Sarsfield.

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KEVIN KEEGAN last night laid bare the shortcomings of his squad as he vowed to bring at least two new signings to Newcastle by tomorrow night.

The United manager pulled no punches after a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, insisting he possesses just "seven-and-a-half good players".

Keegan's need for new blood was ruthlessly exposed at the Emirates, where a lack of strength in depth saw unfit and under-age players thrown into battle.

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A TOUGH footballing lesson from the mighty Arsenal is all Newcastle United have to stew over for the next fortnight after the Gunners recorded their third 3-0 win over the Mags this year.

Newcastle were simply pinned back from the start of the game and with the transfer deadline ready to slam shut on Monday, the paper thin squad (decimated further by James Milner's exit and an injury to Jose Enrique) have two weeks to lick painful wounds.

United were a million miles behind Arsenal before this game kicked off and while four points from the opening three games still probably puts Newcastle in credit when it comes to pre-season expectations, there are still several causes for concern for the Toon Army.

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THIS week's picture of the FC Twente boss Steve McClaren striking a pose during his side's drubbing against Arsenal.

Have you got a suggestion for a crazy caption? Send us your witticisms by leaving a comment below...

LET me get straight to the point.

Newcastle United, having been offered around £10m for James Milner from Aston Villa, were right to ship him out as quickly as possible.

That's the bottom line. At that price I consider Milner to be over-rated.

KEVIN KEEGAN will have his skipper Michael Owen in his starting line-up against Arsenal at The Emirates tonight - and a 17-year-old unknown on the bench.

Nile Ranger, who has linked up with United after being released by Southampton, was an unused substitute in Tuesday's Carling Cup victory at Coventry, but he will get his first experience of Premier League football tonight.

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NEWCASTLE United have landed a home tie against Carling Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur following today's third round draw.

United beat Coventry City on Tuesday night in a 3-2 win at the Ricoh Arena to book their place in the next round.

Reflecting on the tie with Spurs United legend Bob Moncur said today: "You always want a home draw and I see this as a good tie for Newcastle."

KEVIN KEEGAN has assured Newcastle United fans that Charles N'Zogbia will not be following James Milner out of the door at St James's Park.

And this after saying at yesterday's Press conference for tonight's game with Arsenal at The Emirates: "I would not say there will not be any more outgoings before Monday's transfer deadline."

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THE threadbare nature of Newcastle United's first-team squad could be ruthlessly highlighted at Arsenal today as manager Kevin Keegan admitted he has been forced to recall his controversial midfielder Joey Barton.

Barton will be on the bench at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his release from prison last month after he was found guilty of assaulting two people in a drunken rage in Liverpool in December last year.

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