Pre-season madness

Now with the premiership opener in just two weeks time, the transfer trail is reaching the climax. Or is it? The last few seasons have seen major transfers, coup and crap. Apart from Chelsea spending lavishly on players, most notably on Shaun wright phillips, no other teams are spending much. Even Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester U and ourselves aren't spending much. Is it just the difference in the spending power or no one wants to come? Well, at least Scott Parker and Emre had other ideas. Bids for Boa morte and Nicolas anelka both rejected already. So, what's next? Craig moore, an australian international, have finally sign for us. Not really a high-profile signing which we have become accustomed to but nevertheless, something to show for from our summer spending.

On the european front, the intertoto gone underway for almost 2 weeks now. After a comfortable tough fairly comfortable win over FK ZTS Dubnica, Deportivo is up next. We lost the first leg but we gave a good account of ourselves and an away goal. The team that was on that night seems like we have a depleted squad. Losing by a goal, a freak goal that is, may not really be that bad after all. Most players missing that night might be back for the 2nd leg so the game is still much in the balance. Looking back at the Depo's 2nd goal, i just crinched my teeth. Simply appalling the way we let the defender(yup, its a defender) waltz through and scored. Unbelievable.....

Going back to the transfer front, we are in urgent need of a striker or maybe two strikers with the calibre of both Kluivert and Bellamy or maybe even better than them. Who shall we buy? Anelka? Andrew johnson? Anyone with good suggestions? If anyone has a good idea of who we shall buy, just email to FShepherd@fatass.com......
Howay the lads.....

Pre-season silence

Haven't been updating this blog for a while now. Anyways, its the time of the year where soccer is nowhere to be found or seen for that matter. Not even on ESPN or StarSports. God!!

As far as the pre season goes, nothing to be optimistic about at Newcastle. Except perhaps the signing of Scott Parker from Chelsea. I really think that it is a major coup for a player of his class. Hope that he can become the next Rob lee. I really liked Rob lee. He is a legend. Scott Parker can go on to become a legend on tyneside too. Mark my words :)

In the meantime, players have already left the club. Aaron hughes has gone to Villa. Not sure what Souness was thinking. Think he could have been a great asset if he had stayed on. His versatility could prove useful but i guess Souness didn't think so. O'brien has gone to Fratton Park together with Robert. O'brien has always done a steady job here. Not the best of defenders but SBR knew what he could do and it proved. Played with a big heart although the crowd could get onto his back at times. Nothing much we could ask from him. Same goes to hughes who always puts in a committed performance. Never a class act but always reliable when called upon. Good luck to both of them. Robert, just like Ginola, left the club in a bitter manner. Bought for almost 10 million pounds but sold for pittance. His value somehow depreciated after his 2nd season. During his 1st season here, he was the player that we have bought to do the job. He came in and did his job. The next few season to follow just showed his desire or lack of it to play whole heartedly for the club. There were times when he was just unstoppable but there were times when he just didn't showed up. Last season was just the spark that prompted Souness to sell him. Our most creative player gone. More to follow......