December 2009 Archives
ZURAB KHIZANISHVILI has made a "sign me up" plea to Newcastle United.
It's no secret that Toon boss Chris Hughton is keen to bolster his defensive options and needs cover for his first choice back four.
Khizanishvili's United career went pear shaped when he was red carded against Doncaster Rovers back in October after placing his arms around the throat of striker Billy Sharp with the punishment of a three match ban decimating his playing time in black and white.
NEWCASTLE have opened the bidding war for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford with a £1.25m offer that has been rejected by the Elland Road club.
Chris Hughton has admitted publicly for the first time this week that he is interested in Beckford as he looks to add to his forward options and Newcastle have already spoken to Leeds twice about the availability of their star striker.
The Journal understands that United were in touch with their West Yorkshire counterparts a fortnight ago after Beckford and Simon Grayson publicly clashed over the striker's late substitution in a League One game against Southampton.
RYAN Taylor has admitted Newcastle United did not get what they were hoping for over Christmas, but the versatile Merseysider will be delighted if their current run of form is "as bad as it gets".
The Magpies went into the Christmas programme with a 10-point lead in the Championship, only to see it whittled down to six by West Bromwich Albion, who have a game in hand.
Newcastle drew both their festive matches against relegation-threatened opposition. And, while Taylor concedes they were targeting maximum points, he is in no mood to panic.
CHRIS HUGHTON has revealed that his young guns have been given one simple brief ahead of Saturday's gruelling trip to Plymouth Argyle.
Hughton has told his troops "to make sure they are still in the FA Cup" with over 2,000 Toon fans preparing to make the bone-crunching 820-mile round trip from Tyneside to Devon.
A clutch of fans will be flying to the fixture on special fan flights operated by Flybe from Newcastle Airport, but the majority of United supporters will be making another expensive road trip south to get behind their team just a week after Christmas.
KEEPING clean sheets is more pleasurable than scoring for members of Newcastle United's close-knit squad, according to boss Chris Hughton.
United have managed 13 shut-outs so far this season in their bid to return to the top flight with their first-choice central defensive partnership of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor looking flawless at Championship level.
It is a record that has pleased Hughton, a full-back during a decorated 16-year playing career and a man who made his name as a coach with defensive responsibilities at Tottenham.
CHRIS Hughton last night confirmed he will definitely sign a striker in the January transfer window - even if Marlon Harewood does not return to St James' Park following the end of his loan spell.
For once this season, Newcastle lacked a clinical touch in front of goal during a frustrating goalless draw with Derby County as a bright start degenerated into a poor second-half performance.
Hughton is adamant he has not ruled out the possibility Harewood will return on loan for the rest of the season, but Aston Villa are keen to sell a player who will be out of contract in the summer rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the campaign.
CHRIS HUGHTON has admitted he is keen on bringing long-term Newcastle target Jermaine Beckford to St James' Park next month.
And the Chronicle understands that out-of-favour Cardiff City star Michael Chopra is also being considered for a shock return to Gallowgate.
Marlon Harewood has been pushed to the back of the Toon manager's pecking order due to Aston Villa's insistence on a £250,000 loan fee to go with his £28,000 per week wages.
FORMER Scotland international Willie Donachie is in the frame to be handed the job as Academy coach at Newcastle United.
The 58-year-old is expected to fill the void left by Richard Money earlier in the season after the former Walsall boss returned to his old club Luton Town in their bid to bring back league football to Kenilworth Road.
Since Money's departure in October, senior Academy coach Joe Joyce has overlooked the club's youth system, with Kenny Wharton managing the Magpies' Under-18 side in the Premier Academy League (North).
KEVIN NOLAN says he is grateful for the chance to sign out of 2009 on a high tonight against Derby County at St James' Park.
The Scouse star has been in fantastic form this season and took his tally to 11 goals against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
However, Nolan was far from happy with the loss of two points against the Owls and wants to make amends against the Rams tonight.
MARLON Harewood signed off for Newcastle United with a final plea to Chris Hughton - and a warning for the rest of the season.
Harewood's three-month loan spell expired on Boxing Day and he reaffirmed his desire to return in the New Year - either on loan or on a permanent basis - to complete the job of helping United into the Premier League.
Magpies manager Hughton continues to give few clues about his intentions in the upcoming transfer window but said he does not want the uncertainty to "drag on" through January. His thinking may be swayed by renewed interest in Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford, still unsettled at Elland Road.
Recent Comments
"Happy New Year!!! Beckford in should be good news... I'm surprised there is not much gossip about No..."
"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 ...."