Joey Barton - Brat to Boss

Forgotten Milan man Antonini joins Newcastle

Newcastle has announced the signing of forgotten Milan left-back Luca Antonini. The Italian was deemed surplus to requirements at his former club.


Desperate to get rid of him, it was reported Milan would allow Antonini to leave for free but Newcastle has snapped him up for the reported fee of 800k.

Although not an Italy international, nor is he capped by Italy, Antonini made 72 league appearances altogether for Milan, first joining the youth ranks at Milan as a youngster and going out on loan to several clubs, before being shipped out to Sampdoria and having numerous loan spells again for the next few years. Antonini found himself back at Milan in 2007 but left the next year to Empoli without making a single league appearance in Serie A at the San Siro. Just a year after joining Empoli, Antonini was back at Milan in an exchange deal, where he remained for another five years, the last of those years being on loan to Wolfsburg in Germany.

"Well, I'm certain he'll have a big part to play here," Barton said, when asked about the transfer. "We are missing quality at left-back and Luca certainly has quality. All I can promise you though is that he won't be going back to Milan again."

Antonini will wear the No 6 shirt for Newcastle, last worn by Mike Williamson who moved to Queens Park Rangers just an hour before Antonini's arrival was confirmed.

Newcastle dive into loan market

Joey Barton's Newcastle has went into the loan market, with two loan deals agreed.

18-year-old Mexican striker Carlos Fierro has been brought in from Chivas on loan with a 2.5 million future fee agreed. The U21 Mexican international has 13 U21 caps and 10 U21 goals for Mexico and is already being labeled the next Chicharito. Fierro will wear the No 14 shirt at Newcastle, the same number Javier Hernandez wears for Manchester United, and also last season during his loan spell at Everton where he was coached by Joey Barton.


John Obi Mikel has also been brought in as a short-term replacement for the outgoing Vurnon Anita for a reported 1 million loan fee. Transfer-listed by Chelsea, Mikel was deemed surplus to requirements and the Nigerian was keen on a permanent move but his wage demands were reportedly too high for Barton. Mikel will wear No 15 for Newcastle.

Newcastle complete signing of Jetro Willems

But the summer is not over yet for Newcastle, who have magnificently completed eight transfers into the club. Jetro Willems, a 19-year-old Dutch left-back of African roots, joins Newcastle from PSV on a 2 million deal. Willems is an established U21 Holland international and is touted to be a star of the future.


Newcastle manager Joey Barton has expressed his disbelief at how PSV allowed Willems to leave for just 2 million. "I can't believe PSV let Jetro leave for 2 million really," he said. "The lad's a very good player and I'm certain he can become a Holland regular in the next few years. I am delighted to be able to get him for such a small fee."

Willems will wear the No 23 at Newcastle.

Midfield now as Barton brings in McEachran

Talented Chelsea youngster Josh McEachran has joined Newcastle for 10 million.


McEachran, 20, has been labeled the Blues' next Frank Lampard by Chelsea supporters and with the England U21 international on the verge of breaking into the first team after a successful loan spell at Vitesse in the Eredivise last season, there will be some disappointment in seeing him leaving.

Newcastle's contract with McEachran sees him earn 54k per week, amazingly the club's second highest earner behind captain Fabricio Coloccini who earns 60k per week. Toon manager Joey Barton has been quizzed on the matter.

"I do feel 10 million for a young lad like Josh is a bit too much," Barton admitted, speaking to the Daily Mail. "And his wages and everything are inflated, really, but I do believe he can become a great footballer. That's why I awarded him such a contract and paid so much for him."

McEachran will wear the No 8 for Newcastle.

Promising Brighton youngster finalizes Newcastle move

19-year-old Jake Forster-Caskey is the next name on the list of transfers at Sports Direct Arena.


Forster-Caskey was brought in for a reported fee of 1.5 million after growing disillusioned with his first-team opportunities at Brighton and requesting a transfer. Newcastle manager Joey Barton sees his latest acquisition as a buy that will be 'backup now' and 'key player in five years'.

Forster-Caskey will wear the No 28 shirt for Newcastle and is expected to play in both the first team and the Reserves team.

"Probably enough!" Cheyrou joins Toon on loan

Benoit Cheyrou has joined Newcastle on loan until the end of the season.


Falling out of favour with the management at Marseille, manager Elie Baup was keen to get rid of his vice-captain as soon as possible, and with Newcastle lacking options in central midfield, Barton describes this transfer as a "perfect move" for both parties.

However he has also hinted that Newcastle will stop any more transfers until at least the January transfer window.

"We have brought in 11 players including Benoit over the course of this summer. I am very happy we were able to get them before the start of the season. It is probably enough."

Cheyrou will wear the No 7 for Newcastle.

It was a rather good pre-season and I can't wait to see what Carlos Fierro will bring. Carlos is literally a goal machine and he was the reason why some of the pre-season matches were won. Top lad.










A very dramatic pre-season as I managed to finalize tons of transfers that I have no doubt will improve the team and hopefully we can challenge for a Europa League spot, instead of finishing 12th like last season. The media prediction for us is 8th and I hope we can better that.

Mike was initially on course to hand the club over to local businessman Shane Higgs, but talks reportedly broke down.

Fabricio Coloccini will continue as captain, while Fabricio's new partner in central defense Brede Hangeland will replace Steven Taylor as vice-captain of the team.

August
First month in my job as Newcastle manager didn't go so smoothly, but I am certain results will improve.


Well...


PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool 2 - 0 Newcastle

Newcastle 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Cisse

CAPITAL ONE CUP
Newcastle 3 - 0 Portsmouth
Vellios
Cisse
Forster-Caskey

I think we did some pretty good business in the transfer window.


Everton, on the other hand though, sold Heitinga, Jelavic, Llorente and Anderson, to United, Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively and replaced them with signings I didn't really see as 'good replacements'. Anyway, I have no more business whatsoever with them so I can only wish them good luck.

September
A good month aside from the loss against Arsenal, where we played really well but it just wasn't our day.


We are still at the bottom half of the league but I hope to improve by the end of this month.


Everton are also in process of a takeover, with businessman Shane Higgs, the same businessman that wanted to buy Newcastle, keen to take over the Toffees.

A few transfer rumors flying around as Davide Santon is linked with moves to Schalke, Milan, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain. Papiss Cisse is also reportedly wanted by Milan and PSG. Demba Ba has a 15 million release clause and the papers claim Lyon might try to activate it.

Basically to sum it up my players are all very sought after, but I won't let them go without a fight like how Alan Shearer allowed Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote to leave just like that.

Papiss Cisse has won the September Player of the Month award and rightfully so, with the Senegalese and Newcastle fan favourite already scoring seven goals in four games to take his tally to 12 goals in 8 games in all competitions.

CAPITAL ONE CUP
Newcastle 6 - 0 Stoke
Hangeland
Hangeland
Cisse
Fierro
Cisse
Cisse

PREMIER LEAGUE
QPR 2 - 3 Newcastle
Cisse
Cisse
Cisse

Newcastle 1 - 1 Man City
Cisse

Arsenal 4 - 2 Newcastle
Cisse
Fierro

Newcastle 2 - 0 Nott Forest
Cisse
Cisse