Damien Duff Transferred
Damien's transfer to Fulham was completed today for an undisclosed fee, assumed to be about £4 million. As usual we wish all the best during his three years at Fulham. Duff moved to Newcastle in the summer of 2006 for £5m. The Republic of Ireland winger signed for United from Chelsea in the summer of 2006 and went on to net six times from 86 outings.
Roy Hodgson Fulham manager said:
"I am delighted to add a player of his calibre to our squad and welcome the further midfield options he provides us with, I have known Damien for over a decade since he broke into the first team at Blackburn when I was manager, so I'm fully aware of his qualities and I am looking forward to working with him again."
Damien Duff said:
"I know that having spoken to the manager in recent days that the club's ambitions remain high and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."
New Signing Danny Simpson
talking to nufcTV said
"It didn't take long to be honest when I got the offer, It's a massive club. I rang Danny Guthrie, who I've known since I was 12, and I couldn't wait to get up here. It will be an invaluable experience and you learn so much when you go to different clubs. I've only trained here once but already I can see the quality and I'm looking forward to getting involved.
With everything that has been going on behind the scenes, it was important that the lads got a good solid performance against Reading and that's exactly what they managed to do. In training (on Monday) the lads went straight into it and you can tell that all they wanted to do was play football. I'm just as focused now myself. I can't wait to get going. I just want to get out there at St James' Park. I'm hopeful I will play on Wednesday (against Sheff Wed), but Saturday was a great win. I want to get settled here as quickly as I can."
Chris Hughton
On Steven Taylor Leaving talking to The Journal Chris said:
“He is very much still Newcastle’s player and he is desperate to get on with things and do well for the team, As far as I know, he is still at the club at the moment. Whether anything has happened that I don’t know about is a different matter but I’m pretty sure he’ll be playing on Wednesday.
Him asking to leave or leaving is not something that I’m aware of. I haven’t been told by anyone that there has been a bid and I’m sure that I would be informed by someone if anything like that had happened. Obviously, he’s a good player and Steven has been playing well. He is obviously someone who is very important to the team.”
On Damien Duff Chris told The Journal
“I’m sad to see him go. As an individual, he’s a smashing lad and he always gives his all. He’s a very polite lad, a very hard working lad, I don’t know if he’d look back on his Newcastle career with a tinge of regret. In the period of time I’ve been here, he’s had his injuries. The last pre-season he did was his first in three years. He was always one if he was ever injured he found it difficult because he just wanted to play. I think if he ends up going, it’ll be because of a new challenge and the Premier League but I can’t fault his application or attitude here. With my Irish hat on, I think he’s an important player for the national team, if you said to me would I rather him be at Fulham or Newcastle, I’d say Newcastle.”
On Next Transfer In
"It would be fair to say that we have spoken very much about the possibility of what could happen over this couple of weeks. As to doing anything positive in the way of bringing players in, nothing has happened yet. But I am quite sure that whenever the right time is to make a judgement call, that will be done. You certainly have to make plans that, if you are to lose one or two players, there have to be replacements. Yes, there have been talks, but any names will be kept very much in-house."
On Danny Guthrie Return from Injury
"Danny Guthrie is back in training and in the squad for tomorrow. He's another option for us in midfield, but we'll take our time and not rush him because the games are coming thick and fast these next couple of weeks. Likewise with Danny Simpson, he joined in for the first time yesterday and we're delighted to have him in. He's in the squad for tomorrow but we'll have to see what part he plays."
On the Takeover A United Source
said to The Chronicle
"It is nothing to get excited about, it was a routine visit, Mike was here to sign some paperwork relating to Damien Duff's transfer and the launch of the third kit. It is not the first time he has been at the training ground recently, and it won't be the last."
Caretaker boss Chris Hughton said: "He came in, wished everyone the best for the Sheffield Wednesday game, and just wanted to tell people he wouldn't be at the match. But on the takeover Hughton said: "We want it resolved, if it's not it's news every single day."
If Ashley Does Not Sell
Shola Ameobi talking to The Chronicle
“If the owner doesn’t sell the club we have got two guys there who we believe in as players, We believe they can do a great job and they have done already. All I have seen in pre-season is that the lads really respect Chris and Colin.”
Barry Moat To Buy Newcastle?
Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has told said to Sky Sports News that Barry Moat has stepped up his interest in the club. Moat sat alongside Ashley during Newcastle's 3-0 victory over Reading at the weekend and does appear to have the backing of the club's fans. Should he take control at St James' Park, the appointment of Alan Shearer as Magpies boss on a full-time basis is also deemed to be inevitable.
Peter Lovenkrands to Return?
Peter Lovenkrands has been offered the chance to come back to Newcastle and is giving it some thought. He was realeased baack in the summer. He is thinking the offer over.
Match Programme
Newcastle United v Sheffield Wednesday
Sheff Wed
- Wed 19th August, 2009
- 7:45pm kick off
- Coca-Cola Championship
- St James' Park