Wednesday, January 02, 2008


Sam Needs to roll the Dyce and January defensive options

Big Sam has had the dreaded vote of confidence from his chairman. By now that has become football code for "borrowed time". The problem for Sam is Newcastle are a club in a hurry. A bit like England they have allowed other teams to move quite a way ahead of them but refuse to accept it. When Sam says he needs five years he is probably right.

When was the last time a manager got five years? With the admirable exception of Arsenal most clubs seem to be happy on the trigger. More worryingly for Sam Allardyce though is some of his signings have failed to live up to their billing. Claudio Cacapa is supposed to be a great centre back but at the moment needs time to bed in the Premiership. Joey Barton.....well enough said.

Add to that Sam seems to have failed to adjust to managing a club of Newcastle's size. At Stamford Bridge on saturday he rightly went for the draw at the start. If the linesman had been on point and not in fairy land that's what he would have got. Yet there was a period of about twenty minutes in the second half where I was expecting him to bring on Mark Viduka and maybe Owen as well with orders to push on. Frankly there was a spell where Chelsea looked fairly suspect at the back and a bit more adventure from the manager and Newcastle might have grabbed the lead. Instead he left the Owen substitution to fifteen minutes to go, with a return from injury perhaps sensibly so. However leaving Mark Viduka warming the bench until the 89th minute was nonsensical. Allardyce must grab a result of some sort in tonights game, another loss and he could be on the brink.

Talking of defences here are some defenders that might strengthen back lines around the country.

Nigel De Jong


A 23 year old Dutch defensive midfielder or right wing back. He currently plays for Hamburg SV in the Bundesliga with 43 appearances since his move from Ajax in 2006. He has just the one goal for Hamburg but it was an important one. He scored the winning goal that consigned Bayern to their first defeat in the Allianz Arena in March 2006. His qualities have seen him called up to the Dutch squad, making his debut as a twenty year old against France in a friendly. He has since made 19 appearances for his country. Overlooked for Euro 2004 and a knee injury keeping him out of the World Cup he will surely be one of the stars of Euro 2008. He cost Hamburg SV 1 million Euro and with Hamburg four points off the top of the Bundesliga a move is unlikely. However a move now will probably cost at least £10 million but that price may rocket after the Euros. Clubs such as AC Milan, who need to start replacing their ageing back line, could move for him but De Jong may also interest Chelsea and Manchester United.


Luisao

An imposing 6ft 4in 81kg Brazilian defender who plays in the Portugese SuperLiga for Benfica. He has been admired by some for his aerial defending, others for his ability to read the game and position himself in the right place at the right time. The 26 year old can also crop up with important goals when needed although his 10 goals in 146 games for Benfica suggest Luisao keeps them for very worthy occasions. The central defender has played 22 times for his country with two goals. He has been linked with a move to Juventus in a part swap deal with Tiago. Arsenal reportedly showed an interest in the past with a £9million pound bid but with William Gallas now at the club that seems unlikely. However, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Portsmouth could have interest in Luisao. The main problem for the last two will be the likely asking price around 15 million Euro.


Marco Zoro

Another Benfica player, who is able to play as a central defender or on the right, the difference is Benfica are keener to listen to offers for him. A statement on their website says 24 year old Ivorian Zoro has fallen out of manager Jose Camacho’s plans. A return to Italy is not unlikely but the fact Zoro was at the centre of a race taunt furore from Inter fans whilst at Messina suggests he would prefer a move elsewhere. His wage demands are likely to be fairly high which could leave him open to a move to English football. Newcastle, Sunderland and Derby in the Premiership could all do with defensive cover, although the wage demands might preclude all but Newcastle. Will Mike Ashley let Sam loose in the transfer market after the strange disappointment that is Claudio Cacapa? A fee of around £5 million is likely to be enough to prise him from Benfica after his 1.8 million Euro move from Messina at the beginning of the season. A dark horse contender for his signature however could be QPR, newly minted and with Italian connections.


Igor Mitreski

A 28 year old Macedonian defender from the Bundesliga who runs out for Energie Cottbus. Cottbus are currently 17th in the Bundesliga and Mitreski may well fancy a move to a mid table Premiership club. The central defender could help cover Portsmouth’s African cup absentees or Bolton to move back up the table. With suitable wage increase and release clauses he might even be persuaded to help shore up Derby and Sunderland’s weak back lines.

Tobias Rau.

A once highly rated Bayern Munich left back who has had bad luck with injuries trying to restart his career at Arminia Bielefeld. The 25 year old defender could be persuaded to pit his wits in the Premiership as his current team are 14th in a league, which is nowhere near as competitive. He could be a target for Derby, Sunderland or a highflying Championship team for example Charlton. QPR’s bankroll and project might also appeal.

Fabricio Coloccini

Argentinian international defender, winner of the FIFA World Youth Championship and part of the Olympic gold winning Argentine team in 2004, Coloccini is a seasoned professional at the top level. The centre back, who made two appearances at the last World Cup, is still only 25. Currently playing for Deportivo La Coruna in the Primera Liga, he is four years into a six-year deal. Coloccini has been linked with Liverpool in the past and with his team one place above bottom, he will be eager to see European Cup action. Juande Ramos may be tempted to bid to pair him with Ledley King in what would be an impressive centre pairing at Tottenham. A return to Italy and AC Milan where he played one game for the Rossoneri could be in the offing as Paolo Maldini stares retirement down in his farewell season.

Bernard Mendy

Admired as a real French right wing defensive maestro, Bernard Mendy has been at the club he supported from childhood, Paris St Germain for seven years. Mendy spent a year on loan at Bolton Wanderers, whereupon, he so impressed then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, Big Sam moaned at the lack of funds to buy him. The 26 year old has been linked with a small money move to Liverpool or Celtic. Sam Allardyce could do worse than try and twist Ashley’s arm to land his one time loan star. Due to his contract running out at the end of the season Portsmouth might also try and wheel and deal him in as cover.


Paul Stalteri

Tottenham Hotspur’s right back has slipped down the pecking order with the arrival of Pascal Chimbonda under the Martin Jol regime. With new manager Juande Ramos sure to bring in new blood the 30 year old might find his role as cover eliminated altogether. A former Bundesliga winner and Premiership experience may appeal to clubs lower down the table such as Sunderland, Derby, Wigan and Birmingham. Fulham might however have the best chance if Stalteri decides he wants to remain in London. Otherwise a return to the Bundesliga might appeal maybe in a swap deal with Coloccini.

Future moves to look out for but unlikely in January are:

Gael Givet

A 26 year old centre/left back signed for Marseille this summer from Monaco. Marseille’s faltering form may see the Frenchman move on.

Vincent Kompany.

21 year old Belgian centre in the Bundesliga. Chelsea among others courted him but after dismissing the Mourinho regime as a “football factory” the Belgian joined Hamburg SV in 2006. An integral part of the surprise package SV have become in the Bundesliga. Hamburg however have failed to remain a consistent threat over the years and a similar fall in fortunes could see Kompany seek fresh pastures in Italy or England.

Sebastian Squillaci

French international playing for Lyon since his 2006 move. The 27 year old centre is assured of challenging for domestic honours again. With Lyon’s wonder team broken up over the last two seasons Champions League glory however, despite going forward to the second round, will remain elusive. Further break up of the team could include Squillaci looking for a new challenge.





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