Two things. Good news: Raylor is recovering and is actually working as an advance scout while he does. Bad news: Apparently Coloccini has headed back to Argentina "to recover from his injury." Something's rotten in Denmark (again). Maybe it's just me, but being on a plane for 15 hours isn't exactly the best thing in the world for someone who's injured.
I really hope this is not true but honestly I would not be surprised if it is. According to the Sunday People:
That story has been kicking around for a couple of weeks. Supposedly Lee Clark has confirmed that it is true....
I could pick you or any of the regulars here to replace JK and I'm confident the improvement would be ten fold. It's shocking how unqualified he is for the position.
Cabaye to Roma? http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/serie-club-roma-eye-newcastle-6269749
As bad as Ashley is, at least he's not THIS dumb: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/nov/12/tiger-economy-hull-city-assem-allam-asia#
Loving the box for #Newcastle Winter Cabbie. SJP featured on top. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/JUcp2khGaR— Jay! (@JayRockerz) November 21, 2013 Thx, Jay!
http://bit.ly/1bGvLRf MLS linking one of their players to NUFC. No thank you. Keep Newcastle American-Free. Thx, Jay!
Dempsey to Newcastle? Holy crap! Hero of my national team playing with my favorite EPL club! Awesome. (Objectively speaking, he hasn't been in great form in last few months, so I don't know how it would work out.)
And in bizarre St James' Park news, fun slides have been ruled out: http://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/11/...-st-james-park-fun-slide-daily-soccer-report/
Pardew says keeping Cabaye is part of plan to get to Champions League: "If you want to ask me if I want to play in the Champions League I do, absolutely, and Yohan wants to play in the Champions League of course but we want him to do that here. We are trying to build that but it is difficult and it is only players like Yohan Cabaye who will get us there." http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/28/newcastle-united-alan-pardew-cabaye-coloccini
Newcastle announced they will be building a new "State of the Art" training facility at their Benton Grounds. Construction to start summer of 2015 and will be completed by early 2016. I guess we all know where the lack of transfer budget excuses will come for the next 2 & 1/2 years.
I think the training facility was built around ten years ago, I know it was new when Sir Bobby was manager, and was supposedly state of the art then. You can see it on the "Just call me Bobby" documentary, I haven't heard anyone say it isn't up to scratch. On a seperate note; does anyone listen to the "I wish I was a Geordie" podcast? I've listened to them and thought they were interesting, and a different perspective than Taylor and Besty (if people listen to that?)
From everything I have been able to gather thru reading articles the plan is to demolish the main building which houses the gym, cafeteria, locker room, rec rooms, etc. When it is rebuilt the gym/weight room will be doubled in size. There will be a pool and aquatic training facilities and aquatic rehab pools. The cafeteria will be upgraded as well as the locker room and rec areas. There will be new film and technology areas to improve scouting and game planning/review. The physio areas will be upgraded. From what it sounds like they are almost turning it into an NFL level facility. The stuff from the last upgrade was the indoor training facility and upgrades to the building being torn down that are now out of date, as well as under soil heating upgrades to the outdoor fields, and upgrades to the academy.
I think it's always good to improve the facilities if it'll improve the team. Just hope the powers that be don't confuse that for improving the team through better players.