From The Guardian's "The Fiver" yesterday: (I like the snark about the strikers so I left that in. Sorry.) Anything about this in any papers over there? I know nothing about Boumsong, would he help solidify things for us?
Yeah plays in the Scottish League. Top defender. Reckon we have got him. Should sort out the defence. In my opinion, we shouldn't have sold Jonny Woodgate to Madrid.
When Woodgate was sold to Madrid the Toon lost exactly what it would have lost by selling you to Madrid (no offence meant). Zero games played. For that they got 14M. Woody is class when he's well, but he's well so seldom that he hurts rather than fixes a defense. Since he is expensive and almost available, a top class partner/replacement slides down the priority list and you have Ronny Johnsen starting in Central Defense 5+ years after his sell-by date.
Souness came in too late to sort the defence out. Give him time. Johnson is only a stop gap, untill we get a coupla top quality centrebacks.
I've heard a lot of stories about possible signings in defense in January. Jean-Alain Boumsong is definatly a good defender and rumours are that Souey was in France the other night to watch him play. Were also supposed to be signing Michael Dawson. Cannot wait til January lets just skip December. www.toon-army.co.uk
We are supposed to be after Emerton, and a coupla others from Blackburn. Emerton turned us down for Blackburn, so that would be canny ironic, if he does sign for the Toon.
Yeah i heard about that Emerton rumour i don't think Souness will try and sign him or Duff in January though as the main priority is in defense but he might try and get them in the summer. www.toon-army.co.uk