Viduka signs... I'm ok with this transfer. Having lost Sibierski, and with Owen's future still in doubt, we needed to get another proven goal scorer into the mix.
Big Sam knows how to work with experienced professionals and I think Viduka will do well for us... If only Woodgate was included in the deal too!!
I can see Viduka and Owen or Viduka and Martins playing well together. Also with Viduka being somewhat injury prone, he'll hopefully benefit from Sam's advice, and if he is knackered, then Shola and/or Carrol can come in as the target man.
You can't argue w/ his goal scoring ratio, even playing with a crap team like Middlesbrough he managed 26 goals in 72 appearances...
¶ Thursday, June 07, 20070 comments
Bye Bye Bramble...
Ok, so we've known for a while now that Bramble wasn't going to have his contract renewed, but at the same time, isn't it brilliant that we'll never have you hang our head in shame at another major f*ck-up that costs us a goal??
Here are the TFC player salaries - the first number is base salary, the second number is guaranteed income - includes signing bonuses, etc... I assume these are in US Dollars
TFC Boyens Andrew D $ 30,000.00 $ 47,500.00 TFC Braz Adam D $ 67,200.00 $ 74,950.00 TFC Brennan Jim D $ 150,000.00 $ 158,000.00 TFC Buddle Edson F $ 140,000.00 $ 150,000.00 TFC Canizalez Maycoll M $ 36,000.00 $ 40,000.00 TFC Dichio Daniel F $ 150,000.00 $ 158,125.00 TFC Djekanovic Srdjan GK $ 17,700.00 $ 17,700.00 TFC Edu Maurice M $ 50,000.00 $ 132,500.00 TFC Eskandarian Alecko F $ 155,000.00 $ 175,500.00 TFC Gala Gabriel M $ 12,900.00 $ 12,900.00 TFC Goldthwaite Kevin D $ 30,870.00 $ 30,870.00 TFC Guzman David M $ 12,900.00 $ 12,900.00 TFC Hemming Tyler M $ 17,700.00 $ 17,700.00 TFC Ibrahim Abdoulaye F $ 30,000.00 $ 31,250.00 TFC Lombardo Andrea F $ 17,700.00 $ 17,700.00 TFC Lumley Stephen D $ 12,900.00 $ 12,900.00 TFC Melo Joey M $ 12,900.00 $ 12,900.00 TFC Nagamura Paulo M $ 89,250.00 $ 89,250.00 TFC O'Brien Ronnie M $ 240,000.00 $ 258,750.00 TFC Pozniak Chris D $ 90,000.00 $ 95,000.00 TFC Reda Marcos D $ 100,000.00 $ 105,000.00 TFC Robinson Carl M $ 300,000.00 $ 315,000.00 TFC Sutton Greg GK $ 125,000.00 $ 132,562.50 TFC Welsh Andrew M $ 195,000.00 $ 204,750.00 TFC Wynne Marvell D $ 47,500.00 $ 150,000.00
Here's a link to CBC.ca where you can view streaming archives of TFC's matches!
Newcastle Update - End of 06/07 Season
Haven't blogged my Toon thoughts of late, there's certainly lots going on, lots to talk about...
06/07 Season Review - Blech... I'm glad it's over... I've downloaded the EPL Season Review & Goals of the Season vids via www.fbtz.com but I don't expect to find many highlights that include Newcastle, unless we're on the receiving end that is! Goal of the Season - Ok, it's a strange, biased one, but I'd say David Edgar's equalizing goal against Man United... He's Canadian, it's his debut, and it's again Man United, it doesn't get much better than that! Ok, for skill there were certainly better goals, Martins scored some beautiful goals, and Emre's 3rd against Reading was sweet as well. Player of the Season - That's tough to pick, so many players blew hot and cold, it would be easy to pick a dozen that didn't deserve it as opposed to one that did. You might have to say James Milner, or perhaps Stephen Taylor, Martins, Solano or Sibierski... All for different reasons of course.
Allardyce - He's never been one of my favorites, and like many others I wasn't wild about his long ball tactics, however, he's shown that he has the ability to get a team to perform ABOVE expectations, consistantly... Newcastle has underperformed for over a decade now, perhaps with the exception of the seasons under Sir Bobby when we finished 3rd and 4th. If Allardyce, given time, can build a side that exceeds expectations, we'll be challenging for the title and winning some cups.. I think it's good that the board made the move when they did. Allardyce has the summer to build the squad, chop & change, and prepare for a full season w/o a European distraction, hopefully we can consolidate our league position, get back to top 6, go on a decent cup run, I'd be more than happy with that.
Owen - If he's not committed, then f*ck him... He's played about what, 15 matches for us in 2 full seasons and he's going to bugger off now, whatever...
The Buyout - This is certainly encouraging... An English Ambromovich with deep pockets to come in and get Fat Freddie out... Hopefully this won't drag on and Ashley can take over the reigns ASAP, give Allardyce his kitty and let's move forward...
¶ Friday, June 01, 20070 comments
A blog by 2 slightly obsessive Newcastle & Toronto FC Supporters, adopted Geordies, living in Ontario, Canada.
Howay the Lads!
I think a lot. Some people say I think too much... However, I don't want to be seen as being aloof or pretentious, it's just that I really enjoy philosophical questions and deep thoughts. That's not to say that I don't find pleasure in more down-to-earth or trivial things, like beer and soccer :)
I'm happily married with 3 wonderful children.
I'm a partner in a technology services company based in Toronto.
Myers Briggs says I'm an ENTJ