Viduka signs!

[kennethlindheim]

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I'm happy with the signing. Nothing is like signing a good player for free. First of many good signings I hope.

[NJ10]

Thats an excellent signing mate. He was excellent for the Smoggies last season, he can hold the ball up, bring others into the game and could be a perfect foil for Owen and/or Martins. For free as well, its a very shrewd move by Allardyce.

Suddenly Newcastle are looking a lot more promising. If they add Rozenhal, Ben Haim and maybe a full back, they will certainly have a squad capable of Europe....especially if Dyer stays fit (biggest if of all time tho!!)

[kyan]

Good player, obviously not too longterm but what does that mean for the strikeforce... I mean as in Viduka is not going to expect to be sitting on the bench much and Owen and Martins clearly won't accept that either...

[NJ10]

Its better to have 3 quality strikers vying for 2 places than have 2 guaranteed and then a couple of substandard replacements i spose. I think Allardyce is wisely preparing his squad for injuries (the cold weather on Tyneside seems to bring nightmare injuries galore!), and with Owen & Martins being pacy options, Viduka will be a very good alternative with his hold up play, and aerial ability.

[russe||]

I have to say I'm impressed with what Big Sam has done at Newcastle so far. Considering the resources the club has they could soon be challenging Spurs for 5th place.

EDIT: the sounds really patronising, I only meant it as a realistic aim for the moment.

[kennethlindheim]

Things are looking very bright at the moment. For a month ago we were in the shite and now:

We have a new billionaire owner
Shepherd's power is limited at this point, and soon will be gone
St.James' Park has been extended
Money to spend on new players
A very good and competent manager in charge
Nucleus of a good team to build on
New era

Titus is gone
Parker is gone
Bernard is gone
Sibierski is gone
Srnicke is gone
Moore is gone
Barton is almost in
Tal Ben Haim almost in
Viduka is in

Brilliant so far.

[hanuma]

It's a very promising start, but it should take Sam at least half a season to worm out all the losers and whiners as well as implement a good defence.

Top 10 maximum right now...they'd need several more buys to achieve higher than that.

[Pennywise]

Things are looking great at the moment. N'castle United needed some new blood in the managment...and I really hope once for all that we'll get a stable defence.

New capital will be available too, but do not forget that Fat Fred used tons of punds too....but they were used wrong.

I hear that N'castles goal is to win the league within three years or something...well that won't happen. Chelsea, ManUtd, Liverpool are much bigger clubs +++ they've much richer owners.

But never say never. I'll be happy if we can be a stable team in the Prem that can finish top five and do well in Europe. And maybe rise the goals when that time have joined us.

Atm the squad isn't good enough of course, but I reckon several names will arrive to St.James this summer....if the goal is to be a giant in PL and Europe.

The strike force is ready I guess. Owen, Ameobi, Martins and Viduka. Much different qualites here. Martins with the speed and shots, Viduka the big and strong header, Owen is Owen with tons of experience and Ameobi is still young.

Barton and Ben Haim both reinforcments - but Toon need much more quality to fight top five next season.

Do not hope so much, but yes to develop the club in a positive way.

[DavidMc]

Great signing for Newcastle. I can see Viduka doing really really well at St James's Park. He has proved it again and again he is a top player and has scored goals for every club he has played for. Things look good for Newcastle.

[kennethlindheim]

Mark Viduka completed his move to Newcastle United and told the Toon Army today: "I can't wait to play for you."

And the 31-year-old Australian striker has certainly made it clear that the 52,000 fans who pile into St James' Park for every home game has had a big influence on his decision to quit Teesside for Tyneside.

Before leaving for a family holiday in Croatia, Viduka told me today: "I have played at St James' Park quite a few times now for Leeds United and Middlesbrough, and I have always felt it was a great place to play.

"Now it is going to be different having all the those supporters cheering me on, and I keep imagining what this is going to be like.

"And, to tell the truth, I cannot wait for it to happen come August."

Viduka has signed a two-year contract with United also having the option to keep him for another 12 months if they want.

And as things stand at the moment, Sam Allardyce is perfectly happy with the strike force of Viduka, Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi that he will have available to him.

Viduka added: "Everyone knows that the strike force Newcastle United already have is top-class and I am looking forward to playing with them.

"Hopefully I can bring another dimension to how the team plays, as well as chipping in with some goals."

Viduka's move to St James' will not have gone down well with the Middlesbrough fans, and I cannot helping wondering what Jonathan Woodgate thinks about it all.

icNewcastle - I can't wait to play for toon