Joey's Gutted

[Barney 0]

I’m gutted

 

Jul 23 2007

 

by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle

 

 

Joey Barton

 

JOEY BARTON has admitted that he is “gutted and devastated ” at the injury which will keep the Newcastle United midfielder on the sidelines for six weeks.

 

The metatarsal injury will mean that United’s only big summer signing will miss the first few weeks of the season and could deprive him of the captaincy.

 

Barton will have an operation today after he limped off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Carlisle United at Brunton Park and was forced to hand the skipper’s armband to Nobby Solano.

 

And he said today: “I am absolutely gutted and devastated and it is all extremely frustrating. but unfortunately this is all part and parcel of modern day football.

 

“It would be foolish to set a date on any comeback and all I can say is that I want to get back as quickly as possible, and when I do get back make sure that I am 100% fit.

 

“Obviously, it’s a blow to me and to the manager, but I am more disappointed for our supporters than anything else.

 

“The United fans have been fantastic to me since I came here from Manchester City and I was desperate to be part of the team on the opening day at Bolton which, of course, I won’t be now.”

 

Ironically, Barton’s absence means that Michael Owen probably now only has keeper Shay Given as his rival for the United captaincy at the Reebok Stadium on August 11.

 

But more importantly it could mean that Sam Allardyce will have to have a rethink on whether to let Kieron Dyer join West Ham.

 

The Chronicle revealed on Thursday that West Ham want Dyer and Allardyce’s comments over the weekend almost invited a bid from Alan Cubishley.

 

Big Sam’s policy has always been not to keep an unhappy player, and Dyer, who was booed by United fans in his last two Premiership games against Blackburn and Watford, may find that the final decision is left to him.

 

United seem OK as far as their strikers are concerned, and in Shay Given and Steve Harper they have two top-class keepers. But as things stand at the moment they desperately need a couple of defenders, and with Barton’s injury they are beginning to look a bit thin in midfield.

 

A staggering total of £400m has been spent by Premiership clubs on foreign players so far during the close season and United’s contribution is a mere £2.5m to bring Czech defender David Rozehnal from Paris St Germain.

 

I am told that this would have been more, but after agreeing a fee for a central defender last week, the player turned down the chance to move to St James’ Park.

 

But I expect Allardyce will have better luck this week, although United fans must have been surprised to see Brazilian striker Julio Baptista linked with a move to the club.

 

There is also talk coming out of China that United are interested in Zheng Zhi, who scored the goal for Charlton which beat them at The Valley at the end of last season, but my information is that another striker from Asia would be a more likely target.

[Barney 0]

A staggering total of £400m has been spent by Premiership clubs on foreign players so far during the close season and United’s contribution is a mere £2.5m to bring Czech defender David Rozehnal from Paris St Germain.

 

I am told that this would have been more, but after agreeing a fee for a central defender last week, the player turned down the chance to move to St James’ Park.

[ewerk 31603]

There is also talk coming out of China that United are interested in Zheng Zhi, who scored the goal for Charlton which beat them at The Valley at the end of last season, but my information is that another striker from Asia would be a more likely target.

 

I hope buying Asian players simply to penetrate the Far Eastern market isn't part of Ashley's plan.

[Sima 0]

Steve Harper "top class goalkeeper"

 

[ewerk 31603]

I can fill Joey void insists goal hero Sol

Jul 23 2007

 

 

 

by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle

 

 

NOBBY SOLANO today threw his hat into the ring for a central midfield slot following the foot injury sustained by Newcastle United schemer Joey Barton.

 

The Scouse star had begun the day in high spirits after leading the Magpies out at Brunton Park and donning the skipper’s armband.

 

By the end, though, Barton had trotted off with a foot injury and the travelling Toon Army were thankful to Solano for his equaliser as the game drifted into stoppage time.

 

The Peruvian ace actually ended up playing in the middle due to Barton’s injury and took on a “quarter-back” role with some success.

 

Indeed, Solano orchestrated things in the middle and also conjured up a wonderful equaliser, with his contribution one of the few highlights in Cumbria for the black-and-whites.

 

 

Solano told the Chronicle: “It is an unusual position for me to play in.

 

 

“It might look easy but you have to work very hard in there.

 

 

“I am enjoying that position, and the more you play in that position the more of the ball you can see.

 

 

“The manager decides who plays where, though, and I will continue working hard.”

 

 

Newcastle had fallen behind at the start of the second half and it was Solano who had the task of lifting United after Solano admitted he would love to skipper the team on a full-time basis.

 

 

With Shay Given, Nicky Butt and Michael Owen also in the frame for the armband, he added: “The captaincy is the manager’s decision and never mine.

 

 

“It would be a honour to get the armband.

 

 

“Any player would be proud to lead out Newcastle.”

 

 

Solano’s late, late leveller maintained Sam Allardyce’s unbeaten record as Toon boss and Solano was delighted with his goal.

 

 

But he isn’t too worried that Newcastle could only conjure up a 1-1 draw against the League One outfit.

 

 

He says: “It was a good flick from Andy Carroll – it bounced in front of me and I managed to get a strike in with outside of my foot.

 

 

“This is the only the second game and we aren’t worrying.

 

 

“The manager is still looking at the team and the possibilities he can get out of the team.

 

 

“He’s come in from Bolton and he wants to see what we can do.

 

 

“The most important thing for us is to get fit and try to improve more and more.

 

 

“It was a good experience for the youngsters.

 

 

“They have the opportunity to play in pre-season games.

 

 

“But as a team we have to keep working hard.”

[Jimbo 175]

The title of that article sounds like some sordid homosexual confession.