Viduka signs for....

[smithy]

Newcastle.....

Personally I think he's lazy and over rated but that's more my observation for when he's playing for Australia.

Good luck to Newcastle and "The Duke" as no doubt he received a good pay day by signing for the massive under achievers of the EPL.

[devilsadvocate]

Beat me to it Smithy, good work!

Definately a move for the coin, because there's no way any trophies will be heading to the toon in the near future!!

It also looks like the Geordies are resigned to the fact that Owen is out of there.

[johntheclaret]

Bloody ell DA, you've only been here for 5 mins and already in the know

Viduka is a class act. Scores plenty, has a real eye for goal and will definitely be an asset to the Geordies.

Think you are being a bit unfair bagging his move is just for money. Boro are going nowhere and will be cndidates for the drop next year IMO.

You are right, with the 5th biggest wage bill in the EPL last year (£55m), they are certainly last years big underachievers, but they have big Sam in charge, who has a knack of getting the best out of teams,(look at unfashionable Bolton as testiment to that). They will play a different game next year, will be physically stronger and fitter. He will get rid of the dead weight, and IMO, that includes Owen. He is a great striker but too susceptable to injury and would not fit into Allardyce's style of play. No doubt Viduka has been bought as a replacement, is big strong and physical.
I expect Allardyce to announce the capture of one or two Bolton players before the season starts and with the buy out imminent, cash won't be an issue.

My tip for Newcastle next year......top 6 or 7. (Uefa cup slot)??

[devilsadvocate]

Bloody ell DA, you've only been here for 5 mins and already in the know

Viduka is a class act. Scores plenty, has a real eye for goal and will definitely be an asset to the Geordies.

Think you are being a bit unfair bagging his move is just for money. Boro are going nowhere and will be cndidates for the drop next year IMO.

Mate, you can't get away from it over here which is awesome! Went to a pub in Acton today for lunch and there were about 5 other people there, all talking football (specifically the Viduka switch and Newcastle). This place is awesome!

I don't begrudge the Duke taking a deal for cash (if that's his reasoning) - good on him I say if he can get it!! And you're right, success wasn't going to come from riverside.

[redden whites]

Anyone who thinks that Dukes is lazy playing for Australia has simply absolutley no idea.

[smithy]

Anyone who thinks that Dukes is lazy playing for Australia has simply absolutley no idea.

That's your opinion.

[RoosterMarty]

I agree with him though, he is quite often forced to do the 'donkey work' and play up front by himself, work hard to get the ball, hold it up and play it off to a team mate. If he had the support he gets at club level he would score more often.

[JK]

Yeah I also agree ... Viduka was regularly outnumbered and targetted when playing for Australia, generally because he was such a go to man (most people just expect goals from him without paying attention to the other facets and qualities) ... In the EPL where nearly all players in all teams are highly skilled, the attention is shared more.

Viduka is proven as a successful striker in the EPL, so I reckon thats a good signing for Sam, who, if half as successful at Newcastle as he was at Bolton, will provide them with the meteoric rise in coming years that their legion of fans expect.

[The Real Number 3]

Bloody ell DA, you've only been here for 5 mins and already in the know

Viduka is a class act. Scores plenty, has a real eye for goal and will definitely be an asset to the Geordies.

Think you are being a bit unfair bagging his move is just for money. Boro are going nowhere and will be cndidates for the drop next year IMO.

You are right, with the 5th biggest wage bill in the EPL last year (£55m), they are certainly last years big underachievers, but they have big Sam in charge, who has a knack of getting the best out of teams,(look at unfashionable Bolton as testiment to that). They will play a different game next year, will be physically stronger and fitter. He will get rid of the dead weight, and IMO, that includes Owen. He is a great striker but too susceptable to injury and would not fit into Allardyce's style of play. No doubt Viduka has been bought as a replacement, is big strong and physical.
I expect Allardyce to announce the capture of one or two Bolton players before the season starts and with the buy out imminent, cash won't be an issue.

My tip for Newcastle next year......top 6 or 7. (Uefa cup slot)??

Kevin Nolan to be one.... and maybe even Anelka to be the other if Owen goes

[brent]

spot on CP, he's such a quality finisher, and a proven performer in EPL... his lack of goals for Australia are surely due to the role he has been given... 95% of the time he has his back to goal, holding off three defenders and waiting for numbers to get forward

bruce djite reminds me of a mini-duke (not due to appearance obviously) but for AUFC he has his back to goal 95% of the time, holds the ball up as a lone striker, and scores bugger-all goals but creates opportunities. is it the most attractive form of football? thats another topic all together...

[dinglinga]

always makes me laugh when ppl call a true centre forward lasy cos he doesnt score goals...

the main role os too hold the ball distrubute towards wing , get in the box for the cross..

quite often he will then get the sweeper plus a centre back marking him ..

[Maddogmike]

Still one of the best back to goal players in the EPL.

Have you seen his record for Celtic, Leeds and Borough? Hardly disappointing. Probably hasnt done as much in the past season for Borough, but his record is still class.

[RoosterMarty]

He only got going at the turn of the year for Boro last season but he was still 4th in the EPL goal scoring table or something... he scored more than Liverpool's top scorer I think!

[JK]

He only got going at the turn of the year for Boro last season but he was still 4th in the EPL goal scoring table or something... he scored more than Liverpool's top scorer I think!

LOL .. That wouldn't be hard