Weekend Roundup
Well after a slow start in our preseason game against Hartlepool we sparked to life. Having gone a goal down we bounced back by 4 courtesy of a hat trick from forgotten man Damien Duff and new young boy Guthrie.
Good signs considering the team was depleted of many regular first teamers not to mention Hartlepool being ahead of us in terms of fitness at this stage of preseason.
So can Duff continue this form into the start of the season? Who knows? If he was im sure that NUFC fans would give him a chance. KK giving special mention to the fact that this is in fact his first preseason in years. Lets not forget he was badly injured for most of last season and came in midway trying to catchup. Fair play to Duff I do think he has tried in the past compared to some players but it just hasn’t click if you know what I mean? I thought brilliant like many id imagine when we signed him for £5 million under Roeder. If we get him up to speed and chipping in it will certainly be a new signing.
So Guthrie came on for the 2nd half and instantly made an impact by creating a goal and scoring himself. Looks good but we’ll see how hes doing when he comes up against Premier League standard. Certainly KK noted his ability to pass a ball and not give it away even hinting that he’ll become a holding midfielder in the shape of Rob Lee. He certainly has better legs 
Interesting to see Milner start in central midfield. A few of us on here have noted his poor ability to cross a ball and seen his engine as possibly a better asset channeled through the middle. Lets see if this develops into a more regular role with his skills honed.
Forgotten man Cacapa joined Taylor in defence with Edgar and Enrique patrolling alongside. Martins was joined upfront with Smith as Owen was not thrown in due to a calf strain.
KK after the match noted there will be more signings and was in fact looking for 4 more faces. Whether that tally will go up with the expected departure of Ameobi who knows? He certainly expects to have more faces come the close of the window.
Many are noting it worrying as to lack of activity but KK confirmed like is the case with most clubs that we are waiting on things happening. More to the point everything seems to be a domino effect of one player moving from one club to free up another club to make a move etc etc. Seems we are waiting on a few of the selling clubs to get replacements for their men before we can sign our new men.
One move expected to happen is Johnny Evans from Manure but that seems like it will go right down to the wire.
Certainly expect a few signings to come in late. I know I will certainly feel alot better when another 2 are in… LOL one thing is for sure lets laugh at the mackems who must be worried now!
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
Well we beat them to it lol with Milner. Everyone jumping on the bus with regards to Milner being played in central midfield this season.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
KK reads this I think
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Encouraging to hear about Duffs sharpness I must admit. I had pretty much written him off after initial excitment on his arrival. If he can be anything near the player we know he can be it’s like a new signing. You’re right about his commitment which has never really been in doubt I don’t think so if he still has the legs then no reason why not?
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 am
We’ve said it before if one man can motivate players its KK. We probably need to see anothe body in before August 1st. I think that starting August there will be a hive of activity across the transfer market. There is really very little happening fullstop. Some clubs are yet to make their first signing. Gone are the days when a transfer was done in an afternoon…
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
I think that maybe (Chelsea aside) clubs across Europe have become aware of just how ridiculous the financial side of the game has become. The boom over here is certainly well over for the time being and well ran clubs are going to have to get prudent over their expenditure or run the risk of breaking down. No-one is wanting to loose assets at cut prices that’s for sure. Jonas was a master stroke for us but it seems to have crippled them loosing out on value like that(they rejected what, £8m from pompey? lol ). This whole Ronaldo coverage is beyond a joke and nothing but publicity. Real can’t afford what it would take to get him basically since ManU don’t need or particularly want to sell him. Likely only players nearing the end of their contract will be moving. Arshavin, for example, is looking a little more likely to stay at Zenit because of all this and you would think he would be a dead cert for a move.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I still think Arshavin will make a move somewhere just more likely close to the window closing. The latest for us to be linked with is McGeady and Moutinho. Id take both in an instant. Bags of talent I would love to see KK get his hands on McGeady. Hes just signed a new contract but that probably wouldnt stop us pursuing. Hes defo got the skills. Moutinho my worry would be hes light weight and therefore more of a risk to adapt from the Portugese league. I think its clear though there is money to spend if there is the right player available and has the right attitude to come here. Look at our bid for Modric. I think some people are getting worried far too soon and should give them a chance. Our club is being well ran now. There is a structure and a policy and come a few years time we’ll see the rewards of that compared to those wasting the money. Man United start them young and build up the experience and then they are untouchable for a few years. Fergie and Wenger have done it time and time again. We’ve already got a good nucleus we just need to add to it. We need some steady defenders in though. Im not sure they’ll have experience as thats not available but more a player that can build up their experience and be a one for the future. We just need someone with the right attitude and a brain.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Can I just add to that how hard it would be for a manager to motivate a young lad worth millions? Id say that makes it more important that ever to get a player with the right attitude and application than ever before.