October 2009 Archives
GARY SPEED says that Sheffield United do not need to be warned about the Kevin Nolan factor going into Newcastle United's battle with the Blades on Monday night.
Speed and Nolan are close pals from their time together in Bolton Wanderers engine room under ex-Toon boss Sam Allardyce, and the Sheffield United assistant manager is wary of the Newcastle midfielder's threat in front of goal.
Nolan has netted eight times this season and is currently on a real high after firing in a stunning winner against Doncaster Rovers to keep the Mags on top of the Coca-Cola Championship.
And the respected figure of Speed - who helped Newcastle get to the Champions League and challenge for the Premier League - told the Chronicle: "We don't need to be reminded how dangerous Kevin is.
"Kev's got a great eye for goal.
"He's a great player, and I speak to him quite a bit.
"I enjoyed a couple of great years playing alongside him, and I thought we complemented each other well.
"It was great playing with him.
"He's a leader, and gives 100% in every game and on the training pitch.
FORMER chairman Freddie Shepherd has criticised Mike Ashley for trying to sell Newcastle United's soul.
The Magpies will listen to companies interested in sponsoring St James's Park, which would have its name changed to incorporate theirs.
It is not a new concept, and one which is widespread in the United States but yet to be adopted by the traditional homes of any leading English football club.
Shepherd revealed he turned down the opportunity after interest from three or four companies including an insurance firm following United's 1997 Stock Market flotation because "there are some things money can't buy".
"I can remember when we had the chance to change the name of the ground when I was chairman," said the businessman, who ran the club from 1996 to 2007. "It was just after flotation and big-name companies were falling over themselves to get involved in football - and back then, Newcastle were right up there with the Manchester Uniteds, Liverpools and Arsenals.
It is bad news, upsetting and depressing, but it is not unexpected. If Mike Ashley is staying at Newcastle United then he is staying and there is precious little we can do about it other than hope the club gets promoted in May and a football mad billionaire with money to burn fancies buying the club in the summer.
Actually, we've already had a football mad billionaire haven't we, only he doesn't have money to burn and has presided over more than two years of blunders and short sighted decisions which have led United into the Championship.
TOON fans today gave their reaction to Mike Ashley's bombshell announcement.
Ashley took United off the market after failing for the second time to find a buyer for the club.
He also announced plans to sell the naming rights for St James's Park, which has been met with anger from stunned supporters.
A club statement said talks with Toon-supporting businessman Barry Moat had collapsed after he failed to meet the £80m asking price.
Ashley said he will personally put a further £20m into the club's coffers this week as part of plans to ensure the Toon secure promotion.
The statement confirmed Chris Hughton as manager and adds: "The club aims to maximise its commercial revenues through a club sponsor kit deal and stadium naming rights.
Neil Mitchell, interim chairman of the Newcastle United Supporters; Trust (NUST), said: "It has come full circle now - Mr Ashley waits until after deadline day to release £20m to service the ghostship that is St James's Park and comes up with the wheeze to re-name the most famous landmark in the city. It demonstrates clearly that Mike Ashley has forgotten his customers, described the fans in disparaging terms and now wants to re-brand the stadium.
NEWCASTLE United manager Chris Hughton has vowed to make sure Toon fans are supporting a Premier League team again next season.
In his first newspaper interview since accepting the job as United boss full-time, Hughton admitted it was one of his proudest moments in football, but that success on the field was his main concern, rather than personal glory.
Hughton revealed his main priority was for United to continue the form so far that has put them on top of the Coca-Cola Championship, but admitted that the structure of the club, from the Academy upwards on the football side, would be modified as part of his long-term remit.
Hughton told the Chronicle today: "The most important thing for me is to rise to the challenge of getting good results which will take us back to the Premier League.
NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley last night took the club off the market and pledged his future to the St James's Park club.
But United also revealed that a search has been launched for companies to sponsor the iconic stadium.
And that could lead to its name being changed as early as next season.
Millionaire Mr Ashley has spoken to prospective buyers in recent months without being able to close a deal.
The club confirmed last night that Tyneside businessman Barry Moat's bid had collapsed after he failed to come up with the asking price of £80m.
Caretaker manager Chris Hughton was also announced as permanent manager, with a contract running until the end of the 2010/11 season.
The club said Mr Ashley would inject a further £20m into the club this week. As well as breaking off talks with Mr Moat, he ended talks on a potential takeover by the Star Foundation.
GEORDIE BOY Andy Carroll says that caretaker boss Chris Hughton does not get the credit he deserves after taking Newcastle United to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship "against all of the odds".
The England Under-21 striker played a major role in United's victory over Doncaster Rovers when he smashed home a spectacular left-footed volley at Gallowgate before laying on the winner for Kevin Nolan.
Carroll took his tally to five goals for the season in 12 games for club and country, with the Tynesider also weighing in with three assists so far.
After working his way up through the ranks, Carroll's hard work is now beginning to pay off.
Amazingly, Carroll has worked with six managers since Glenn Roeder made him the youngest ever European debutant for the Magpies in 2006 when he came on as sub against Serie A side Palermo in the old UEFA Cup.
And with Hughton taking over as caretaker on July 1 and picking up the pieces after relegation, Carroll has heaped praise on his boss.
CHRIS Hughton has described his impending appointment as Newcastle United's permanent manager as one of the greatest moments of his life after the Magpies scraped a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers.
Hughton has all but agreed a contract until the end of the season with the option of another year if Mike Ashley has still not managed to sell the club, and will sign it this week following a brief delay in getting the paperwork done last week.
As revealed in The Journal on Friday, Ashley - who has broken off negotiations with an American consortium fronted by Geoff Sheard - will not take the club off the market at this stage, although a new round of talks with Barry Moat over the weekend has not broken the deadlock.
Sources close to the deal have once again claimed those talks will continue at the start of this week, although the club insisted last night they had no comment to make regarding any progress in the discussions with Moat - who sat in front of Ashley in the directors' box at St James's Park on Saturday.
In the meantime, Hughton, who was the first black player to represent the Republic of Ireland, will continue to work towards promotion after Kevin Nolan's injury-time winner brought the Magpies their first win in five games at the end of another disjointed performance against Doncaster.
STEVEN TAYLOR is facing a race against time to be fit for Newcastle United's testing Coca-Cola Championship trip to Sheffield United next Monday night.
And with Zurab Khizanishvili set to be banned for the Bramall Lane encounter due to his red card against Doncaster, United could be facing another defensive crisis.
Danny Simpson is also struggling with an ankle injury, while Fabricio Coloccini, too, was forced out of Saturday's win over Doncaster due to persistent groin problems.
Taylor has not appeared for United since October 3 and United have certainly missed his dependability in the back four, not to mention his experience, with Newcastle conjuring up just one win in five.
The Whitley Bay lad has been out with a hamstring problem and, due to the serious nature of the injury, is still a major doubt for the game with the Blades.
A source close to Taylor told the Chronicle: "Steven is desperate to play in every game for Newcastle.
MARLON Harewood has been reminded he will never have a better chance to galvanise a declining career than by turning his loan move to Newcastle United into a success.
Harewood has been a disappointment so far at St James's Park and lost his place in the starting line up against Scunthorpe on Tuesday night after an ineffectual and strangely laboured display at Nottingham Forest.
But the 30-year-old, who has initially only signed a three-month loan deal from Aston Villa, has been defended by Newcastle boss Chris Hughton, who predicts the striker will prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.
And, while some observers have been critical of the player's attitude in games since he arrived in the North-East, Hughton has denied he has been any trouble.
Hughton said: "It's a wonderful opportunity for him here and that's generally the case with loan signings.
Recent Comments
"Sam Allardyce was sacked because he could not pick a team to be Derby.....now we have CH picking Lov..."
"I don't believe a word that lamear*e & fat tw*t say. The sooner they sell up and get lost the better..."
"im sorry like but my eyes must have fell out of my head when i watched the barnsley game! when did w..."
"He's well and truly over the hill,havn't we had enough of that in the past??some fools will never le..."
"Hmmm......"
"To be honest Shepherd has got quite a nerve !!! Where has he been for the last few months, whilst Mo..."
"I agree, why not turn up and ‘verbally chin’ the well fed and cerebrally redundant owner as he leads..."
"Nice of him to appreciate us, unfortunately it is the main reason that Ashley can continue running t..."
"Out of the next six games four are at home ,so no need to panic ...."
"How can CH be considered for the managers job. In the course of 4 days he chooses Harewood & Lovenkr..."