Just Sign On The Dotted Line Michael

Paul Patterson wrote...

Hang on- Luke Edwards 30? Are my eye’s playing tricks on me? I could of sworn it was much higher. Well that’s lying journalists for you.

Once Sunderland are safely dispatched back to the dark place where they belong, it will be time to sort out the men from the boy’s, the new arrivals, the signings, that’s what I mean.

Assuming Owen does indeed decided to dirty his feet with us for a further few years, I’ve not always been a fan but he’s a goalscorer at the end of the day) I’d like to suggest someone who could play in his current position (In the hole behind the strikers) assuming Owen himself eventually reverts back to an out and out striker himself.

The man in question is Moutinho of Sporting (Go on You Tube and type his name in- he looks class) he looks like the player Emre should have been and sadly he looks like he’s too good for us, but if we could persuade him to come, I for one would be astounded.

I’ve seen him on T.V and not just on some fangled file sharing web-site, supposed it cost £10m+ I don’t care, just get him,- if he’d come. Ashley, Mort and Kevin himself have said they have big ambitions, well this guy is the one I want.

I would put a small wager on Wes Brown ending up at St James’ Park as well, he’s free and he’d provide good cover for Taylor, Beye or Feye, he isn’t exceptional but after all who is? Name a defender who is up to the Premier League physically, has the experience of Champions League football AND is a free agent?

My patience snapped a while ago with Charles N’Zogbia, so assuming he is one of the few allowed to leave, maybe swap him for Aaron Lennon and sort the right wing out (Imagine Lennon and Milner competing for the right wing slot?) A left winger is needed, How about Stewart Downing? His career has gone backwards since Steve McLaren got his dibs on him, so I bet Kevin would be the man to turn him into a flyer, with Damien Duff as good cover.

Viduka, Owen, Carroll and Martins as the options up front and Butt, Barton, Geremi in the middle, that only leaves one signing I’d like to see- Aaron Hughes, another cover for any position right across the back four.

Moutinho- £10m
Downing- £10m
Hughes- £2m
Brown- Free
Lennon- Free

That’s not a great deal of money when you think about it. So maybe sign an up and coming defender from the continent.

All we need to do is rid ourselves of Smith, Carr, Ameobi and Emre and were set.

Now tell me that’s NOT a very competitive squad, it’s at least as competitive as Luke Edwards is 30?

Paul.

Note From Luke
Your jibes cannot harm me, my wings are like a shield of steel! As for your plans for the summer transfer market they're quite interesting, although Hugo Viana looked like a superstar at Sporting Lisbon and look what happened to him.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | April 14, 2008 5:39 PM

jac mills wrote...

Happy Birthday, young fella. But as for those "wings of steel" you mentioned in your note to Patterson, are you claiming Angel of The North status? You do know what they call it in Sunderland, don't you?

So your birthday pub crawl was the reason for the no-show column on Saturday. Your colleague at the Chronicle had one -- direct from Fratton Park. So there! But it was a boring match anyway, so you chose well again, Lukey.

Note From Luke
No I don't know what they call it in Sunderland but I do know it has been voted as one of the top ten landmarks in Britain.

Posted by: jac mills  | April 14, 2008 11:36 PM

Sy wrote...

Firstly, I agree Luke. I've been making the same three points for a while now.

In response to Paul Patterson, football being a game of opinions, I both agree and disagree with your list of suggested signings.

Moutinho - Agreed. I'd love to see us sign a top quality, ultra-creative midfielder. I've been desperate to see this happen for a good few years now, so anyone of Moutinho's standard would be excellent. I see Deco's been mentioned again, but I'm not so sure his best isn't behind him. We may run into our old problem of people coming for a last big pay day with him.

Downing - Sorry, but I'm yet to see him do anything consistently enough the warrants paying anything like £10m for him. He's a decent player in an average side at Boro. No offence intended to the lad, but my aspirations are a lot higher than Downing.

Hughes - Don't see it happening, but I take your point about versatility.

Brown - I really hope not. While I take your point about his experience, one thing speaks volumes to me about his character. The fact that Man Utd offer him two very good contracts, which he rejects saying he's worth £55k a week. No thank you very much. This one's a distinctly average player in an excellent team, which covers up for his shortcomings. In a lesser team, he'll be found out. Of all the business we could do this summer, I am desperate for us not to pay this one what Man Utd refuse to. If he was worth the money he wants, Man Utd of all clubs would give him it. Give me Habib Beye any day.

Lennon - Agreed. And also your N'Zogbia point. If he wants his jellied eels so badly, let him go. Lennon would be a perfect replacement, so I'd be happy if this deal comes off.

As for outgoings, I think Carr, Cacapa and Ameobi will be off. Rozehnal will find a club somewhere, even if it looks unlikely to be Lazio. I also get the feeling Duff might move on, I saw a Celtic. Smith's future depends on any interested suitors. I think anyone who bids £3m will get him, but I have a feeling he may still be here as a squad player next season.

I think we're all looking forward to the summer to see what KK gets up to! I just hope a certain man's deep pockets are open.

Note From Luke
Some very sensible points Sy. While Keegan says he only wants fouir or five players, there is a lot of dead wood in the squad as you've mentioned. If any players are sold they will have to be replaced so it will be a busy summer. I agree with all those you've suggested should leave.

Posted by: Sy  | April 14, 2008 11:58 PM

medan wrote...

Luke I am all for signing MO as he has earned it. Having said that I disagree with your notion that signing MO will convince top players to come to Newcastle, highly unlikely that a player like Henry will come here becuase of MO. The idea that Martins will not have the appeal to bring great players is nonsense. A player who played with Ronaldo, Cruz, Adriano and Vieri not to mention other great players from Inter. I will bet my money on it if you ask especially great strikers would they rather partner with Oba or Owen they would choose Oba for obvious reasons, exciting unprdicatable striker vs a poacher who needs a lot of service. Anyways different opinions.

Posted by: medan  | April 15, 2008 2:09 AM

Charles wrote...

You know luke, Paul has a point...you really dont look like 30 to me.

But then, you're right in one fact that Michael has to stay. He's one captain I seen in years (After Shearer's departure) to have succeeded up to now. I mean, the only thing he wouldnt and couldnt do is to play keeper. He demonstrated his ability to inspire and play a deeper role of midfield, something many strikers would have rebelled had they been chosen to play as such. He can pass and run with only the exception of a good tackle but can also score too. Many strikers dont have such quality. (Before someone starts saying about Ronaldo, let me refresh and state that he never came back to defend and certainly looked more like a striker. Comparing him and Best would be stupid as the lad havent the passion and skill as Best had.)

We can offload those players who gave up playing for Newcastle, namely Zog. He didnt have the passion to play for us and never looked like he ever wanted too. He can go show in a circus at London for all I care but know that once you're a Newcastle player, play and stop complaining.

Zog may fetch us Lennon, who can also play left so we dont really need a left wing anymore. Emre getting injured too easily. He may have paper skin and glass bones. Moutinho can really suit as a replacement. He may be a big player and want a big club but KK has managed to take many good players to semi-bad teams like Anelka to Mancity, almost impossible but can be done.

Brown makes too many mistake, a large factor why I think KK shouldn't get him. See him play for ManU and can already see he's a type of player that makes Carr look like a replacement for Beye.

And S.Downing...too good to be true actually. Dont think he will come though, but let keep our fingers cross and pray real deep that KK's charm gets through the players.

Note From Luke
It's very nie of you to say I don't look 30 Charles. I know, I don't look a day over 29! As for the transfer targets, blimey, there be enough speculation once the season has ended so hold your horses!

Posted by: Charles  | April 15, 2008 7:36 AM

jac mills wrote...

Luke

Happy Birthday, young fella. Now I know why no column on the Pompey match -- a pub crawl, no less. It should be noted that your colleague at The Chronicle did one -- direct from Fratton Park. So there! And what's this about having wings of steel? Next you'll be calling yourself The Angel of The North -- and you know what Sunderland people call that thing don't you? But you can be forgiven for the lack of the column. It was a boring match, anyway.

I still cannot fathom your dedication to Owen, though. Of course he is playing the game, waiting to see if there are better offers. Is that true commitment to Newcastle? Not on your life, mate. If KK is the Messiah he will look toward Italy, for instance, where there are so many great players, including strikers, waiting for a chance, not just a pay day. If you saw the Roma/Udinese match, you would have seen some great football and so much talent that must be available for the right price at the right EPL club. But if KK is affected now with tunnel vision, his seeming obsession with Owen and his like will bring only more trouble and frustration next year, when pub crawls will be taboo for you, young man, starting right after you return from Sri Lanka. Is you bag packed yet?

Note From Luke
I don't get married until August so of course my bags aren't packed!
As for Owen, I don't see the point in letting him go to sign a foregin striker who could need a season to settle into English football. It just doesn't make any sense to me. He looks sharp and dangerous. His goals per game ratio is virtually a goal every other game and it has been throughout his career. He's proved his commitment to the cause as far as I'm concerned.

Posted by: jac mills  | April 15, 2008 11:18 AM

Little Lord Fauntleroy wrote...

A binge drinking session which would give medical experts palpitations?
Is that because you were on your back and slurring after 2 shandy's?
As for our beloved football team, Owen has to stay. He's been slated by many of us for being slow or disinterested, but Keegan seems to have found a position to suit him. As for not being able to mark him out of the game (Keegan's comment), I'm not so sure that's the case. Sacrifice a striker to put a man-marker on him and it might happen.

It was interesting to see some people's predictions for new signings. I think we need a replacement for Viduka, so Kris Boyd at Rangers might just be the option. It'll be interesting to see what Keegan regards as top, top quality....

Note From Luke
Interesting indeed. I seem to remember it was you who needed an afternoon kip before heading out again!

Posted by: Little Lord Fauntleroy  | April 15, 2008 12:19 PM

Mum wrote...

I can verify that Luke is 30! The fact that he has little hair is due to my side of the family and a No1 clipper guard but apart from that fact he is really pretty youthful

Note From Luke
Thanks mum for wading in there on my behalf. I suspect they are just jealous of the Edwards family good looks.

Posted by: Mum  | April 15, 2008 12:25 PM

Ronnie Lambert wrote...

MO will sign another contract. His wife and kids love their house, school, the Northumberland countryside etc. Michael and his brother used to come to their aunty's house every year in Whitley Bay for most of the summer holidays. He loved the area and the Geordies then, so will realise the special place this is now that he's one of our heroes. He's on great money, he see's the impact that Keegan's making, with our great new owner and the best fans on earth. Why would he want to leave ? He's already seen that he can't just walk into the world's top clubs and be guaranteed regular first team football, as he is here, and where in the top four could he get that ? I can't see Man. City matching our potential in the near future or affording much bigger wages than what he's on now, so for me it's a no brainer. He'll never get a better club to hang his hat for the rest of his career than here. He's got his helicopter to visit his family in Cheshire in about half an hour, what more could anyone desire. Nah...Mickey's gannin neewhere.

Posted by: Ronnie Lambert  | April 15, 2008 1:16 PM

medan wrote...

My apoligies Luke happy Bday, you are quite young for such a great writer.

Posted by: medan  | April 15, 2008 3:27 PM

Ben wrote...

A name that has mentioned a few times, McGeady from Celtic, would be a great option for us in midfield. Great skill, always making things happen, and can provide accurate service for MO in the box (something Milner and Lennon lack). While it may take 10 million, watch Celtic play and tell me he's not worth it.

Note From Luke
I've heard his name mentioned but I must admit I haven't seen enough of him to pass judgement. I'm always a little bit suspicious of players who have done well in the SPL though as the rest of the league is so poor.

Posted by: Ben  | April 15, 2008 5:56 PM

Little Lord Fauntleroy wrote...

In my defence I am already old and am getting into training for sleeping when I can with the pending arrival of Littler Lord Fauntleroy!!

Posted by: Little Lord Fauntleroy  | April 16, 2008 9:22 AM