July 2009 Archives
ALAN SMITH has insisted that a dip in performance will not be tolerated from any player at St James's Park.
And that includes Newcastle United's wantaway stars, with at least three big names heading for the exits.
Obafemi Martins is in talks with Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, while Sebastien Bassong and Habib Beye hope to secure moves to top-flight clubs in time for the Premier League's big kick-off on August 15.
Smith, who captained United against his old side Leeds last night, is understood to have read the riot act after the 6-1 humiliation at Leyton Orient last weekend.
The Yorkshireman told the Chronicle in a straight-talking interview: "Some people have made it public that they want to go, while others have got their head down.
OBAFEMI MARTINS was facing decision time today after Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg registered a £9m bid for the Toon No 9.
The Nigerian was pulled out of the team to face Leeds United last night.
And, while his team-mates were taking on the League One side at St James's Park, Martins was deliberating over his future in a city centre restaurant with representatives and close friends.
The former Inter Milan striker is settled on Tyneside but, after United accepted the approach from a team destined to play in the Champions League next season, he feels somewhat uneasy.
The Chronicle understands that Martins was scheduled to fly out of Tyneside to Germany this morning to talk personal terms with Wolfsburg.
FOR the second time in a week Newcastle United failed to beat League One opposition but there was some good news for Magpies fans after the club lifted its self-imposed transfer embargo.
United have agreed an £8m fee with Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg to sell Obafemi Martins, who sat out last night's goalless friendly draw with Leeds United as a result.
If the deal goes ahead as expected, the Nigerian will be the first transfer in or out of the club since relegation from the Premier League in May. The only other players to have left were released at the end of their contracts.
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CHRIS Hughton has denied Newcastle United's players are disillusioned by the turmoil surrounding the club - even though he has no idea whether they will still be at St James's Park when the Coca-Cola Championship season begins.
Hughton, as ever, is trying desperately hard to put on a brave face, despite the 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Leyton Orient last weekend, and predicted a fitting reaction against Leeds United tonight.
But, while there have been many public and private displays of anger and frustration from players protesting against the club's failure to appoint a permanent manager until a takeover is complete, as well as the strict embargo on transfers, Hughton does not believe there is a problem with motivation or commitment.
TOON trio Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye and Obafemi Martins could all make farewell appearances at St James's Park against Leeds United in front of one of the crisis club's lowest crowds of the decade.
The Chronicle has been informed that Bassong and Beye are close to breaking point in their quests to quit Gallowgate.
And Martins, who pledged to remain on Tyneside earlier this summer, is the subject of advanced interest from Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, with manager Armin Veh confirming the Nigerian is in his sights and a bid could be made next week.
Martins would be happy to stay on Tyneside after recently enjoying a pay rise that took him up to £65,000 a week - an astronomical amount at second-tier level - for the final two years of his current deal.
But United would not stand in the way if the Champions League- bound Germans lodged a £6m bid.
Ideally caretaker boss Chris Hughton is praying for the closure of the transfer window so he can hold on to what he sees as a strong enough squad to win promotion at the first time of asking.
STEVE McMAHON today hit out at Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley after confirming the Profitable Group had ended their interest in buying the Magpies due to a lack of "communication and response" from the Toon tycoon.
The respected former Liverpool and England midfielder - who is Profitable Group's commercial director - was spearheading the Singapore-based group's bid, with the Far East outfit also admitting they wanted to appoint Alan Shearer as manager if they were successful.
Managing director Derek Llambias has always played down the bid from Profitable, but McMahon responded today when he told the Chronicle: "We have pulled out. How long can you keep hanging on?
DANNY Guthrie does not believe a lack of Football League experience will count against Newcastle United when the new season kicks off a week on Saturday.
For most Magpies players, the match at West Bromwich Albion will be a new experience. Very few have played in the Championship before and experienced its unique physical demands.
But as one of five senior players who have previously played in the division - on loan at Southampton - Guthrie believes his team-mates have worked out for themselves what is required.
JOSE ENRIQUE has revealed that Newcastle United players held a crisis meeting immediately after the 6-1 defeat against Leyton Orient.
United players did not go through their usual warm-down after the game as a post-mortem took place in the changing rooms at the Matchroom Stadium.
Toon boss Chris Hughton then ordered his players not to comment to the media after the defeat in the East End, but Enrique broke rank to tell the Chronicle: "Everybody did their talking afterwards in the dressing room.
THERE was good news for Newcastle United supporters after their team humiliated at Brisbane Road on Saturday: Pre-season is going very well.
The Magpies were humbled and embarrassed when a first-choice side - save for the injured Nicky Butt and the rested Steve Harper - were beaten 6-1 at Leyton Orient.
But having banned his players from speaking after the game, caretaker manager Chris Hughton insisted that football-wise, Saturday's "blip" apart, Newcastle's pre-season has been a success.
ANDY CARROLL has warned Newcastle United to be braced for more "dogfights" in the Championship this season.
Newcastle today were the subject of an FA investigation after referee Jon Moss filed his report to Soho Square in the wake of the Huddersfield "friendly".
This followed the incidents that occurred in the tunnel, with Habib Beye picking up a nasty scrape following an on-the-field flare-up with Andy Butler, and Fabricio Coloccini's ugly clash with Geordie Lee Novak, who left the Galpharm with stitches in his chin.
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