Sam's pledge on misfit Luq

[kennethlindheim]

Albert Luque has lost his No 7 shirt to new boy Joey Barton at Newcastle United.

However, the Spanish misfit could yet save his career at St James' Park - thanks to the Sam Allardyce approach.

Barton is keen to wear the United No 7 shirt worn with such distinction by Toon heroes Kevin Keegan and Robert Lee in recent seasons.

Allardyce has agreed to this request, but he insists he has not given up on Luque, who has only made six Premiership starts in his two seasons with United and scored that one League goal - at Sunderland.

Luque still has two years left on his contract at £40,000-a-week, but has turned down chances to move away from Tyneside - and he is still a United player.

Big Sam is clearly thinking of Luque - and some other United misfits - when he says: "I feel far too many players have got lost at this football club.

"It is my responsibility to make sure this does not happen to any current member of the staff or any new player I might bring in.

"One of the reasons I was successful at Bolton Wanderers was transforming a foreign player out of whatever country he had come from into a Premiership player.

"That's because we found out what problems he had as early as we possibly could.

"I don't want to be too critical of what has happened here in the past but in my opinion there has not been enough focus on what is happening in a player's life away from the training ground and the club.

"Has he got the right lifestyle? Is he living in the right place for him and his family?

"In fact it's not just the player but his wife and family.

"But once this is sorted out you get the best out of player and this is something I have to try and work out with Albert Luque.

"He might be too far gone. Who knows? But we might still be able to resurrect his career here. We will see."

icNewcastle - Sam's pledge on misfit Luq

Won't be disappointed to see Big Sam try and sort him out. He might, might just become a useful player; especially if we play Luque's preferred 4-3-3/4-5-1style of game. Who knows, it might be better to try and salvage some sort of ability out of him, rather than record an inevitable £6/7m loss on him.

[hanuma]

It's the simple things that matter. No doubt Robson would think about it then get lost on his way to the car, Souness would have called him a pansy and Roeder would have stood on the doorstep almost press the doorbell then run off in a fit of nerves.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

If not Allardyce can save his career then no one can.

[alansmithy14]

he probably can and Luque isnt that bad of a player

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Luque was a great footballer until he joined Newcastle...

[kennethlindheim]

If Big Sam can get Luque playing up to his Depor standards we can have a top player in our hands.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I don't think he will be able to be that good again even if he arrives back to Spain.Those days are over.

[hanuma]

Why? He's not had any major surgery has he?

[Pennywise]

Luque will never be at the same level as he was at the best in Mallorca/Deportivo. Never.

The first thing that happened when he joined The Magpies...a heavy injured that set him back for months.

The arrow shows down. IMO just sell him. He wasn't that good for Depor in the end either.

[alansmithy14]

Originally Posted by Pennywise

Luque will never be at the same level as he was at the best in Mallorca/Deportivo. Never.

The first thing that happened when he joined The Magpies...a heavy injured that set him back for months.

The arrow shows down. IMO just sell him. He wasn't that good for Depor in the end either.

hes not that bad he cud become productive again

[kennethlindheim]

Albert Has Future At Toon Says Gaffer | Newcastle United | News | Latest News | Latest News