Football: WORLD CUP 06 and close season/transfer discussion.

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:28 pm 0

Really good performance in the first half, and an average one in the second. First goal was a foul no different to a hundred other jump-for-the-ball fouls the ref gave and didn't give all game.

A pity. We played well for once.

Rev. Stuart Campbell · Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:42 pm 0

Dio wrote:First goal was a foul no different to a hundred other jump-for-the-ball fouls

Are we talking about the same game?

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:54 pm 0

Well, I called it a foul when I saw it live, and I was informed after the game that they called it a foul on Sky Sports. I may have been misinformed.

The inconsistency in handling high ball fouls was the ref's worst point for me. Both sides got decisions on a seemingly random basis.

Rev. Stuart Campbell · Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:30 pm 0

No, really - are we talking about Newcastle - Man U? Because the lord alone knows where anyone could see a foul in Rooney's goal.

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:00 pm 0

On the edge of the centre circle, as the ball was headed down from the goal kick. Like I said, though, I haven't seen a replay myself yet, and it's sometimes hard to tell these things well from the back of the Gallowgate, so I'm partly going from what I was told in the pub after the game.

<edit> Seen it. No foul there as you said. Seemed clearly a dive by Van Niistelrooy though.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:35 pm 0

After a week of being upbeat, the mood's changed on the Reds forum I visit with regard to MO. Most think he's gonna plump for Toon, which will delight the Geordies here.

I thought he messed us aroudn big time last year. Would love to have him back though given our current lack of goal-scoring ability (Friday accepted. Nice one Djibs

)

All will be crystal soon

Zen-Chan · Post by **Zen-Chan** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:18 pm 0

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 195682.stm

The plot thickens.

Fillyourboots · Post by **Fillyourboots** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:22 pm 0

I'm thinking one-year deal, or a 2/3/4 year contract with an opt-out in Summer 2006.

Would dearly love to see this happen, but it's papering over the cracks.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:39 pm 0

Zen-Chan wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4195682.stm

The plot thickens.

The news that MO would be meeting with both clubs today broke here on Friday. Apparently he spent 2.5 hours with Benitez this morning. Rest of the day with with the Bar Codes.

Not sure which way this will go.

merman · Post by **merman** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:53 pm 0

Seriously, Newcastle need a healthy midfielder more than they need another striker...

Guru-Meditation · Post by **Guru-Meditation** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:38 am 0

They need SOMEONE who can score.

Anyone. Even a fan out of the stands will do.

PaulEMoz · Post by **PaulEMoz** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:54 am 0

merman wrote:Seriously, Newcastle need a healthy midfielder more than they need another striker...

We desperateyl, desperately need goalscorers. However. it is bizarre that the one area in which we've been massively over-populated suddenly gets hit by a massive injury blitz.

Anyway, Owen. Was that Slaley Hall the splendid little fucker was at? I'm stunned that we've actually been able to even lure him to our area for talks. I'm actually mildly optimistic that we might actually have about a 5% chance of signing him now!

GeeZa · Post by **GeeZa** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:25 am 0

PaulEMoz wrote:Anyway, Owen. Was that Slaley Hall the splendid little fucker was at? I'm stunned that we've actually been able to even lure him to our area for talks. I'm actually mildly optimistic that we might actually have about a 5% chance of signing him now!

Reports this morning that Liverpool have now made a bid for him. No word on the amount as yet.

Good to see Ipswich finally crash down to reality-ville yesterday. Jeez.

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:29 am 0

PaulEMoz wrote:Anyway, Owen. Was that Slaley Hall the splendid little fucker was at?

Not sure, but it does have a good golf course.

KevG · Post by **KevG** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:54 am 0

GeeZa wrote: Reports this morning that Liverpool have now made a bid for him. No word on the amount as yet.
see Ipswich finally crash down to reality-ville yesterday. Jeez.

I've heard that was our second bid.

If he really wanted to go back to Anfield he wouldn't have spent most of yesterday in the NE and at Shearer's gaff last night (allegedly). As it is, the cards appear to be in RÃ©al's hands now and, despite the fact they apparently owe us Â£4mil (for Owen), they will try and squeeze us and I don't think Liverpoll will go for that.

The worrying subtext for me is 'where's all the CL money gone'. Obv I'd have to do some sums but I didnt think we'd touched much of the Â£35 mil we got (or the Â£10mil the other night).

Dunno. If he goes to NUFC then our present strike force will have to shine soon. If they don't, the heat will quickly be turned upon the board and possibly BenÃtez himself.

My money is on Owen going to NUFC (but what do I know

)