£18 'Down The Pan' As Allardyce Signings Under Scrutiny!

Last updated : 18 February 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Allegedly Jose Enrique, Alan Smith and Joey Barton (who were bought for a staggering total of £18m) are expected to go, while free transfers Cacapa and Geremi are also on KK's scrap heap.

Mark Viduka's future is also up in the air, as KK wants to see the striker spend more time on the field than the sick room.

Any truth in it?

Well ... Keegan is a big fan of Smith and we would be staggered if the ex-Man Utd midfielder/striker leaves in the summer.

Barton has had his problems with Keegan in the past, when the pair were at Manchester City, and the Toon boss was quick to back the troubled midfielder with the add-on comment: "I have backed him before ... but he has let me down".

But with a jail term coming up sooner or later, who would pay £6m for him? It could be in Newcastle's interests to hang onto him and try and kick some sense into the Scouser (because he has got outstanding ability when his head is out of his arse), rather than give him away.

As for Jose Enrique, he has hardly set Tyneside alight, but it is early days.

Cacapa and Geremi? Two players who have yet to win over the fans, but it is the manager's job to get the best out of them. Allardyce couldn't, but others previously could.

Viduka? His best days are long behind him, and I don't think Keegan will pussy-foot around with a player who could be making more energy-sapping flights to-and-from Australia.