Kuqi and Sol gone

[Christmas Tree 4679]

ALAN PARDEW today vowed that Newcastle United must “look to the future” as he continues his transfer quest at St James’ Park.

 

The Chronicle understands that Kevin Gameiro of French side Lorient is near the top of United’s wanted list.

 

But with the £12m-rated star being tracked by Atletico Madrid, Seville and Villareal – and having a burning desire to test himself in La Liga – Newcastle face a real fight to win his signature this summer.

 

But there has already been movement at the club’s Benton base, with Pardew confirming that Sol Campbell and 34-year-old Shefki Kuqi will not be part of the squad next season.

 

However, England Under-19 international Ryan Donaldson may yet have a part to play on Tyneside, with Pardew saying there had been “no decision” made on whether to allow the Gosforth lad the chance to explore avenues in the lower rungs of English football.

 

Instead, Pardew wants to check out all of his young guns throughout the pre-season programme.

 

And, having already given the likes of Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson their chance this term, the Toon boss is keen to blood further youngsters.

 

Pardew told the Chronicle: “We are looking to the future now.

 

“We’ll have a small holiday period, but throughout it we will be trying to bring in the players we need.”

 

Former England defender Campbell has proved to be a major disappointment to United supporters during an ill-fated stay on Tyneside.

 

Campbell, 36, had made noises last summer that he still had plenty to offer the Magpies but failed to get to peak fitness and was plagued by injuries, making just eight appearances in a black-and- white shirt.

 

Pardew said: “Sol’s gone and good luck to him.

 

“He has been an icon in the game but he didn’t feature too much here.

 

“Our centre-backs have been a strong point for us this season and that’s perhaps why.

 

“But it’s good luck to Sol and we must look forward now instead.”

 

And, reflecting on the departure of former Finland international Kuqi, Pardew said: “He was added to our squad and he didn’t get the games he wanted.

 

“He was a bit frustrated at not getting on as much as he wanted because he came here to show people what he could do.

 

“The opportunities for him were scarce because our form during that time wasn’t bad – we lost just four times in the last 14 games while he was here.

 

“The fans may not have seen him but he became a bit of a legend at the training ground – he’s been a warrior in training.

 

"He’s gone, though, and I have wished him well.

 

"The sad thing is he really took to the place. He loved the people and the area.

 

"I can only advise teams like Hartlepool and Carlisle United to take a really good look at him this summer.

 

"He will be brilliant for them if he got the chance."

 

Meanwhile, there was fresh hope for young gun Donaldson, with Pardew commenting: "We haven’t made any decisions on some of the younger players including Ryan."

 

But United have also released Paddy McLaughlin, Matty Grieve and Dan Leadbitter.

 

Imposing centre-back Grieve unluckily suffered a broken cheekbone while on loan at Stockport County which curtailed his chance to impress.

 

Yet the Geordie has already attracted the attention of a host of Football League clubs.

[Happy Face 29]

“The opportunities for him were scarce because our form during that time wasn’t bad – we lost just four times in the last 14 games while he was here.

 

 

How bad does your form need to be to make Kuqi a worthwhile signing?

 

We only won 3 of those 14 games and we failed to score in 5 of them.

 

16 points from 14 games is only just survival form.

[LoveTheBobby 1]

LoveTheBobby said: “Sol’s gone and fuck him."

[LeazesMag 0]

I don't blame Pardew for trotting out the party line because its his job, but the gullible and deluded who believe it is something else altogether.

[ChezGiven 0]

Its left the squad a bit lighter. About 35 stone lighter.

[LeazesMag 0]

Its left the squad a bit lighter. About 35 stone lighter.

 

a million quid a stone

[McFaul 35]

Kuqi did more in 10 mins at Villa than Smith has in the last 18 month

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

[Guest alex]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

Year left? Just fuck him off as his wages will be more than 2mil and we would be lucky to get half that for his sorry ass

 

Buy Alan Smith a striker who doesnt score or Buy Alan Smith a midfielder who cant pass/tackle

[Guest alex]

I was being sarcastic. If we fuck him off we still have to pay his contract, i.e. that's the only way I can see him leaving. I think he's fucking shit but I wouldn't walk out on £60k a week. Especially seeing as he'll be lucky to get £5k a week for a Championship side after this.

[McFaul 35]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

Year left? Just fuck him off as his wages will be more than 2mil and we would be lucky to get half that for his sorry ass

 

Buy Alan Smith a striker who doesnt score or Buy Alan Smith a midfielder who cant pass/tackle

I'd rather get Rob Lee back as back up. He's a joke of man and a footballer. Don't want him here.

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

I was being sarcastic. If we fuck him off we still have to pay his contract, i.e. that's the only way I can see him leaving. I think he's fucking shit but I wouldn't walk out on £60k a week. Especially seeing as he'll be lucky to get £5k a week for a Championship side after this.

True, maybe they could offer him a pay off rather than paying him to sit on the bench(god help us if he`s on the pitch), he`s not getting any younger so I guess he would want to play.

 

I guess it could be players and contracts like this that make Ashley think twice about paying big wages, not that it helps

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

Year left? Just fuck him off as his wages will be more than 2mil and we would be lucky to get half that for his sorry ass

 

Buy Alan Smith a striker who doesnt score or Buy Alan Smith a midfielder who cant pass/tackle

I'd rather get Rob Lee back as back up. He's a joke of man and a footballer. Don't want him here.

It`s when you see Tiote play you realise how bad Smith is as a CM and he must as well

[Guest alex]

I was being sarcastic. If we fuck him off we still have to pay his contract, i.e. that's the only way I can see him leaving. I think he's fucking shit but I wouldn't walk out on £60k a week. Especially seeing as he'll be lucky to get £5k a week for a Championship side after this.

True, maybe they could offer him a pay off rather than paying him to sit on the bench(god help us if he`s on the pitch), he`s not getting any younger so I guess he would want to play.

 

I guess it could be players and contracts like this that make Ashley think twice about paying big wages, not that it helps

He gave him the contract

I think Ashley will view it like this - if we pay him off we get absolutely nowt for the money, if we don't he might go in the summer or he might go in January or he might play a role (albeit small) next season. All of the last three are better 'value' than just giving him £3m as a golden handshake from Ashley's pov. I'd just offer him £2m or whatever to cancel his contract like.

[McFaul 35]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

Year left? Just fuck him off as his wages will be more than 2mil and we would be lucky to get half that for his sorry ass

 

Buy Alan Smith a striker who doesnt score or Buy Alan Smith a midfielder who cant pass/tackle

I'd rather get Rob Lee back as back up. He's a joke of man and a footballer. Don't want him here.

It`s when you see Tiote play you realise how bad Smith is as a CM and he must as well

He wouldnt get in my 5 a side team and I mean that.

[Guest alex]

Get shut of Smith and his 50k a week wage too

Can't imagine what the stumbling block is there like.

Year left? Just fuck him off as his wages will be more than 2mil and we would be lucky to get half that for his sorry ass

 

Buy Alan Smith a striker who doesnt score or Buy Alan Smith a midfielder who cant pass/tackle

I'd rather get Rob Lee back as back up. He's a joke of man and a footballer. Don't want him here.

It`s when you see Tiote play you realise how bad Smith is as a CM and he must as well

Tbh, we looked a canny bit better side in the Championship when he got injured and Guthrie took his place.

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

I was being sarcastic. If we fuck him off we still have to pay his contract, i.e. that's the only way I can see him leaving. I think he's fucking shit but I wouldn't walk out on £60k a week. Especially seeing as he'll be lucky to get £5k a week for a Championship side after this.

True, maybe they could offer him a pay off rather than paying him to sit on the bench(god help us if he`s on the pitch), he`s not getting any younger so I guess he would want to play.

 

I guess it could be players and contracts like this that make Ashley think twice about paying big wages, not that it helps

He gave him the contract

I think Ashley will view it like this - if we pay him off we get absolutely nowt for the money, if we don't he might go in the summer or he might go in January or he might play a role (albeit small) next season. All of the last three are better 'value' than just giving him £3m as a golden handshake from Ashley's pov. I'd just offer him £2m or whatever to cancel his contract like.

Yeah I know he gave him the contract, I`m sure the other players that came in under Sam got big contracts too. Maybe a loan with a split in wages to a championship club as cant see another premier league club being in for him

[Guest alex]

I was being sarcastic. If we fuck him off we still have to pay his contract, i.e. that's the only way I can see him leaving. I think he's fucking shit but I wouldn't walk out on £60k a week. Especially seeing as he'll be lucky to get £5k a week for a Championship side after this.

True, maybe they could offer him a pay off rather than paying him to sit on the bench(god help us if he`s on the pitch), he`s not getting any younger so I guess he would want to play.

 

I guess it could be players and contracts like this that make Ashley think twice about paying big wages, not that it helps

He gave him the contract

I think Ashley will view it like this - if we pay him off we get absolutely nowt for the money, if we don't he might go in the summer or he might go in January or he might play a role (albeit small) next season. All of the last three are better 'value' than just giving him £3m as a golden handshake from Ashley's pov. I'd just offer him £2m or whatever to cancel his contract like.

Yeah I know he gave him the contract, I`m sure the other players that came in under Sam got big contracts too. Maybe a loan with a split in wages to a championship club as cant see another premier league club being in for him

I was hoping he'd go to Leeds if they came up although he might still do. A wage split would still see us paying the vast majority of his salary though.

[Dr Gloom 21802]

good, hopefully the rest of the dead wood will follow

[Ayatollah Hermione 13769]

Sol Campbell could be heading to Gateshead.

[Andrew 4713]

someone should be bringing him in as a coach tbh rather than him dropping that far down

 

hes got masses of experience at the top top level, arsenal should be getting him signed up