Hate to get excited when a player gets injured, but this could be very good news for Hugo Viana. Left winger Laurent Robert fractured a cheekbone yesterday against Everton, and will be out for a month. Robert missed some time at the beginning of the year, and Viana became the starting winger. Hopefully, he will step back into the starting lineup: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/2417521.stm
Comments from the NUFC website: Hugo Viana appears to be Robert's most natural replacement in the team, although Olivier Bernard may also come into the equation. http://www.nufc.co.uk/content/0,,10278~NewsDetail~298375,00.html
It looks like this next month will decide Viana's future at Newcastle. If Robson doesn't play Viana now, then Hugo should start looking elsewhere. Most likely Robson will play Viana, and that will be a good thing for both sides. Hugo's a class player, and I'm not surprised that he isn't happy sitting the bench when he could be starting for any number of teams.
This month will decide his future @ Newcastle????? Isn't he like 20 or 21? It's a bit much to expect someone at his age to play 40+ matches a year and start regularly.
He is actually 19. When he has gotten regular playing time, he has played very well. Right now, he is behind Gary Speed for the starting position in the #10 spot, his natural position. He has played well as a sub on the wing and in the center of the pitch. I think Robson has longer term plans for the kid, but Hugo is getting frustrated sitting on the bench. I agree, though, he is there for the long haul.
I'm a Newcastle fan, and the fans over here worship him. You have to remember that this kid is 19, and he needs time to adapt to the EPL. He's only been here for 3 months! So far he's doing great, and I hope he stays with us. We have a very young team, and are building for the future (Kieron Dyer, Hugo Viana, Jermaine Jenas, Titus Bramble, Shola Ameobi, Craig Bellamy etc). The average age of our team is 23! Only Shearer and Speed are over 30 years old. Sure, the likes of Inter, Juve etc might be interested in him, but will he get any more playing time? Their play makers positions are already filled as well (Nedved, Recoba and so on). Hugo has said that he would not mind going out on loan. The last thing I want to see is him being sold! HUGO HUGO!!!!
Robledo, Welcome to the Portuguese forum. It's good to hear that the NUFC fans are behind Hugo like that. I agree with what you say. He is very young, and he has played pretty well in the time where he has been on the pitch. I am sure that he is going to get significant time in the next four weeks with RObert on the sideline. I really hope he makes the best of it and produces for the Magpies.
No news, but another Viana-Juve story: http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=118396&Title=Viana+unaware+of+Juve+interest
He had a laser of a shot hit the post against Arsenal. Another inch and all of England would of known who he was. Tha was too bad I would of liked to have seen him get a goal of that caliber.