Scottish Mag 3 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Freddy Shepherd pledged today that Newcastle United will strengthen their squad for next season - on the day the club announced plans to increase the St James' Park capacity to 60,000. Under Plc rules Shepherd is not allowed to talk about specific financial figures, but after four Premiership games without a win - or a goal - the United chairman knows only too well that new blood is needed in the close season. And he must also know that pathetic performances like the one against Manchester City on Saturday will empty St James' Park, not get another 8,000 supporters through the door. For what it's worth, I don't agree with Glenn Roeder's declaration that his side are clear of the relegation zone. And before plans for next season are finalised, United still have plenty of work to do, starting in what is bound to be a difficult game with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday. United were at pains today to insist that the £300m development at St James' Park, which will bring an increased capacity, a conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments, is a package which is "independent of its own revenues". Indeed, Shepherd told me today: "We know that the teams needs looking at in more ways than one and that's what we are concentrating on. "The squad will be strengthened in the close season - and really has there ever been a summer when there have not been comings and goings at St James' Park?" It was a bad day at the office for Glenn Roeder and United on Saturday and it makes you wonder how their former skipper took them to seventh place in the table and into Europe as the top English manager in the Premiership with this squad 12 months ago. Not for the first time this season when United have had a bad run, bpth Shepherd and Roeder have found themselves under fire from despairing fans. Roeder knows that he will be judged by his chairman on how he wheels and deals in the transfer market in the summer when he is finally given the chance to buy players to add to the only other two he has been allowed to buy - Damien Duff and Oba Martins. But at the same time it has to be said that the only player not a full international in United's line-up against Manchester City was Steven Taylor - and he was their best player. Roeder needs a good central defender to play alongside Taylor next season and it was significant that Titus Bramble did not make the 16 on Saturday. And when he came on as a substitute for the admirable Craig Moore, Oguchi Onyewu was found wanting on the City winner from one-time Sir Bobby Robson target Emile Mpenza, while at the other end Gooch missed a simple header and the chance to earn United a draw. Moore limped off with groin injury, and as a result there is a chance that he has played his last game for United. It has to be said that when he has been on the field the Aussie defender has never let the side down. One player who will not be replacing Moore, despite reports to the contrary, is Man City's former United defender Sylvain Distin. For, like another of his French colleagues Alain Goma who agitated for a move to London and went to Fulham, Distin will be playing at Craven Cottage next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@yourservice 67 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Signing another 8000 apparently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombadil 0 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Not for the first time this season when United have had a bad run, bpth Shepherd and Roeder have found themselves under fire from despairing fans. Roeder knows that he will be judged by his chairman on how he wheels and deals in the transfer market in the summer when he is finally given the chance to buy players to add to the only other two he has been allowed to buy - Damien Duff and Oba Martins. That's just fantastic! So Shepherd will give Roeder money to spend on transfers and sack him a few months into the new season. Fuck off, you fat wanker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleftpeg 0 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I forgot to mention, did anyone go to or know anyone who went to the talk in with Beresford on Friday night? My mate had a text of someone who claims he was there who said Beresford told everyone we've signed Sidwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 The only other two he's been allowed to buy? Conveniently ignoring he chose to spend £15million on an untried striker and a player for a position in which we already had (comparatively at least) plenty cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally 0 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Oliver seems to be starting to turn on Roeder there. Bloody hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima 0 Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Oliver nailing on signings for other clubs now then? Has he got a second job working for Collingwood Insurance as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Oliver seems to be starting to turn on Roeder there. Bloody hell. Roeder's his mate but he knows what side his bread is buttered on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleftpeg 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 "Really has there ever been a summer when there have not been comings and goings at St James' Park?" Yes, the summer we got into the CL qualifiers, remember? You only brought Bowyer in on a free. Selective memory lardarse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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