Boss deals Bramble in

[Scottish Mag 3]

Titus Bramble will be offered a new contract and a pivotal role in Glenn Roeder's new-look Newcastle United as the Magpies' boss rewards him for his role in the club's rousing late charge for Europe.

 

Bramble's stunning second-half volley against Chelsea on the final day of the season proved to be enough for Newcastle to secure seventh place in the Premiership and qualification for the Intertoto Cup. But it has been the powerful centre-half's attitude in training and his much-improved defensive qualities which have impressed Roeder, who will urge United chairman Freddie Shepherd to open contract talks with the player's representatives after the World Cup.

 

Roeder made no secret of his admiration for Bramble when he first took control of the club as caretaker manager following the sacking of Graeme Souness in February and has even recommended the 24-year-old to England coach Sven-G?ran Eriksson.

 

And the former Ipswich Town prospect, a £5m signing by Sir Bobby Robson in the summer of 2002, has responded magnificently with a string of eye-catching displays alongside Australian international Craig Moore in the centre of United's back line.

 

The pair, who helped keep three successive clean sheets during their side's successful run-in, have forced Jean-Alain Boumsong - who will be allowed to leave this summer - and youngster Peter Ramage out of the side, while England Under-21 international Steven Taylor was also forced to wait for his return after a lengthy absence with a shoulder injury.

 

Bramble, has spoken at great length in private at the impact Roeder has had on him and believes the fact that Roeder, a former Newcastle defender, played in his position is having positive impact on his development.

 

The Bramble-Moore partnership has looked one of the best seen in Newcastle's often-criticised defence in recent years and, with the return of Taylor, Newcastle may finally have a trio capable of putting them back among the Champions League chasers.

 

Nevertheless, Roeder, whose Press conference to unveil him as Newcastle manager has been put back to tomorrow, will still look to strengthen in that department.

 

The money from the sale of Boumsong - named yesterday in France's 23-man squad for the World Cup - will be used to bring in another centre-half, while a new left-back is also needed to put pressure on the sometimes lethargic Celestine Babayaro. The main priority, though, will be the search for two centre-forwards and to ensure Michael Owen remains at the club.

 

Roeder's transfer kitty, which will also be discussed with Shepherd after tomorrow's Press conference, could be further boosted by the anticipated sale of James Milner to Aston Villa.

 

Milner has been on loan at the Birmingham club this season and, with David O'Leary whispering in his ear, appears to favour a permanent move to the Midlands rather than a return to St James's Park.

 

Roeder, though, may still veto the deal. Milner, who is still just 20, is young and versatile and precisely the sort of player he likes to work with.

 

His problem, though, is Newcastle's failure to offer him guaranteed first team football, something he has had at Villa Park all season.

 

O'Leary has also insisted that he wants to build the team around the England Under-21 international who was one of Robson's last signings - £3.5m from Leeds United - before his acrimonious departure from St James's Park two years ago.

[GafferTape 0]

The main priority will be ... and to ensure Michael Owen remains at the club.

 

What's this then? Didn't Cheeky Mickey Owen came out saying that he's staying here next season for definite a week or so ago?

Edited May 15, 2006 by GafferTape

[Craig 6700]

Titus Bramble will be offered a new contract and a pivotal role in Glenn Roeder's new-look Newcastle United as the Magpies' boss rewards him for his role in the club's rousing late charge for Europe.

 

Bramble's stunning second-half volley against Chelsea on the final day of the season proved to be enough for Newcastle to secure seventh place in the Premiership and qualification for the Intertoto Cup. But it has been the powerful centre-half's attitude in training and his much-improved defensive qualities which have impressed Roeder, who will urge United chairman Freddie Shepherd to open contract talks with the player's representatives after the World Cup.

 

Roeder made no secret of his admiration for Bramble when he first took control of the club as caretaker manager following the sacking of Graeme Souness in February and has even recommended the 24-year-old to England coach Sven-G?ran Eriksson.

 

And the former Ipswich Town prospect, a £5m signing by Sir Bobby Robson in the summer of 2002, has responded magnificently with a string of eye-catching displays alongside Australian international Craig Moore in the centre of United's back line.

 

The pair, who helped keep three successive clean sheets during their side's successful run-in, have forced Jean-Alain Boumsong - who will be allowed to leave this summer - and youngster Peter Ramage out of the side, while England Under-21 international Steven Taylor was also forced to wait for his return after a lengthy absence with a shoulder injury.

 

Bramble, has spoken at great length in private at the impact Roeder has had on him and believes the fact that Roeder, a former Newcastle defender, played in his position is having positive impact on his development.

 

The Bramble-Moore partnership has looked one of the best seen in Newcastle's often-criticised defence in recent years and, with the return of Taylor, Newcastle may finally have a trio capable of putting them back among the Champions League chasers.

 

Nevertheless, Roeder, whose Press conference to unveil him as Newcastle manager has been put back to tomorrow, will still look to strengthen in that department.

 

The money from the sale of Boumsong - named yesterday in France's 23-man squad for the World Cup - will be used to bring in another centre-half, while a new left-back is also needed to put pressure on the sometimes lethargic Celestine Babayaro. The main priority, though, will be the search for two centre-forwards and to ensure Michael Owen remains at the club.

 

Roeder's transfer kitty, which will also be discussed with Shepherd after tomorrow's Press conference, could be further boosted by the anticipated sale of James Milner to Aston Villa.

 

Milner has been on loan at the Birmingham club this season and, with David O'Leary whispering in his ear, appears to favour a permanent move to the Midlands rather than a return to St James's Park.

 

Roeder, though, may still veto the deal. Milner, who is still just 20, is young and versatile and precisely the sort of player he likes to work with.

 

His problem, though, is Newcastle's failure to offer him guaranteed first team football, something he has had at Villa Park all season.

 

O'Leary has also insisted that he wants to build the team around the England Under-21 international who was one of Robson's last signings - £3.5m from Leeds United - before his acrimonious departure from St James's Park two years ago.

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The FA want to be coming down on O'Dreary like a ton of bricks for that shit. He did the same thing to Southampton when he wanted Beattie.

 

Fuckwit!

[Dr Gloom 22186]

we should get rid imo.

[Shearergol 0]

we should get rid imo.

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Owen?