Monday 4th July 2005

The term “media circus” is one often, indeed too often, used to describe our beloved NUFC.  If you were to try and explain why to someone from another planet, or Pennywell, a glance over our press of the last week should do the trick.  Or perhaps not if they were from Pennywell as the big words with many syllables would be just too confusing.

In keeping with the last 10 months or so it is the same names appearing in the papers and on our screens in relation to matters NUFC.  Lauren Robert for one.  We all knew he’d have something to say.  He’s always been good at talking the talk but I don’t think any of us were quite expecting this.  Breaking first in a Sun exclusive (Article) and then widely reported elsewhere his first broadside was squarely aimed at Souness.  (Article) (Article) (Article)  Too easy and too predictable.  And it’s easy to wax lyrical about winning the UEFA Cup but he conveniently forgets to mention why he was left out of the side in Lisbon. And why he then looked like a lost little boy when he played in the FA Cup semi-final a few days later.  The resulting 2-week fine brought raised eyebrows and further speculation as to whether his move to Pompey is a loan or a permanent signing.  Is he still our player and on loan or was he fined because he spoke up before the end of his contract on July 1st?  I’m not really any clearer to be honest.  But then if 2 weeks wasn’t enough he followed it up with another 2 after his 2nd random rambling claiming that JJ should leave. (Article)  (Article)  For me this is just as cheap a shot, trying to stir up the dressing room.  We do enough of this on our own and we don’t need a departed player to help thanks.  The reaction to Robert has been varied.  FFS said a simple and plain goodbye and shut up. (Article)  Ken Bates, of all people, called him a prat. (Article)  TalkSport’s French football correspondent (whose name I missed but he was speaking on Tuesday afternoon’s Hawksbee and Jacobs show) questioned Robert’s attitude (who hasn’t at some stage?) and wondered who exactly the child was.  He also pointedly remarked if Robert was THAT good how come he only has 9 caps in a time when French football is crying out for width and flair in midfield.  3 French managers have repeatedly overlooked him and I wonder can they really ALL be wrong?  Portsmouth meanwhile are desperate to shut him up. (Article) (Article)  And the only place I have found anyone with any sympathy for Robert is Brian Reade in The Mirror (Article) and even that seems begrudged and more out of a dislike of Souness I would suggest.

For what it is worth I personally feel that Robert has gone a long way to damage his own reputation both on Tyneside and nationally by coming out and having a go in such a petulant and undignified way.  Much the same as Ginola before him he leaves with less respect and fondness than perhaps he should and that is a pity, but in light of the last 6 months inevitable.

This wasn’t the only piece of Gallic Phallus we had to put up with this week.  French club Le Harve have decided they want N’Zogbia back.  (Article) Not content to take FIFA’s ruling as law they have gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to try and take back the player, a player who doesn’t want to go back it must be said.  (Article)  Speaking of Frenchmen returning to clubs one little snippet that caught my eye this week was Olivier Bernard being linked with a return to St James’. (Article)  Now whilst I know we could do with another left back and he was a good little player he has burnt his bridges for me.  He’s pissed us around twice now and now says he wants the contract he was originally offered, a contract offer he spent ages telling the world didn’t exist!  Even when it was thrust into his own hand.  Amazing.  Well-done Olly.  My advice, fuck off and find a new agent.  Boumsong excepted, I’ve had it with the French and their footballers.  No wonder their national sporting emblem is the cock.

And so onto the ins and outs, or rather the continued lack of them.  The Emre saga lurched slowly on and may even have ground to a halt this week with the player going nowhere it seems.  (Article) (Article)  And just where are all those un-named sides now then? (Article)  Perhaps he is waiting to see who else Everton sign.

Speaking of which Craig Bellamy still seems intent on turning up for preseason training on Monday.  If he goes it won’t be on loan (Article) and only Celtic and Everton seem to remain in the running.  (Article)  Meanwhile this week Supermac wanted Bellamy and Souness to patch up their differences.  (Article)  Just like he did with Gordon Lee I should imagine.  I think if he does turn up on Monday, Graham Roberts’ assertion that Bellamy will be in for the “Tenko Treatment” is about right.  (Article)  More media circus nest week then as a new railway bridge over the Tyne is hand built by the little gobshite.

Also going nowhere so far is Hugo Viana who is ready to play football anywhere he says.  Except Newcastle that is. (Article) (Article)  He was happy enough to accept his contract extension when he went on loan to Lisbon.   The thought of knuckling down and actually giving it a go has obviously not crossed his mind and for me just shows how little bottle he has. 

This week’s transfer targets were on the whole names we’ve heard before.  Luis Boa Morte (Article) (Article)  (Article), Luis Figo (Article) (Article) and Robbie Keane (Article) (Article)  getting plenty of column inches.  New names included another Frenchman in Vikash Dhorasoo (Article) and amazing Makem flop Tore Andre Flo that we were thankfully quick to distance ourselves from.  (Article)  Another agent in the tout methinks.

Meanwhile Souness admitted interest and rebuffal from both Alan Smith and Christian Vieri.  (Article)  (Article). 

Meanwhile away from the transfer front Souness has had plenty to say to the papers this weekend.  You’ll see a tf response to his News of the World interview elsewhere on the site.  (Article)  Dark mutterings and scratching of heads from all corners of the tf bunker as we struggle to get our heads around this one.  He also popped up in the People. (Article) (Article)  Talk, be that from the chairman, manager or departed Frenchmen is still cheap.  We need action, on the transfer front and on the pitch as soon as we kick off, presumably in Slovakia of all places (Article). 

2 things to eventually leave you with, as if I haven’t gone on enough this week!  Firstly this excellent article from Sunday’s Observer on Owen, his possible future destination and finishing with some interesting comments on Souness and NUFC.  (Article)  Secondly thanks to one Mr Wibble of the Skunkers Re:United message board (Article) for directing us to this part of the clubs official website.  (Article)  Someone is conspicuous by his absence, even if he does turn up first thing tomorrow morning.  More media circus anyone?

NM