Newcastle United's Top 10 Premier League Flops

In his first spell as manager of Newcastle United, Kevin Keegan built a squad that came within a whisker of winning the Premiership crown. Pipped at the post by a storming end of season run by the eventual champions Manchester United. Twelve years on and the contrast in fortunes between the clubs since that epic encounter couldnt be greater.

Whilst Manchester United have gone from strength to strength, fine tuning their squad each summer to replace old veterans or snapping up a young hot prospect, and moulding him into a seasoned Premiership performer. Newcastle have lost massive ground on their once, main heayweight rivals and currently have a squad struggling to maintain its Premier League status.

Since that fateful day in May 1996 six managers have passed through the corridors of power at St James Park and tens of millions of pounds have been wasted on mediocre players, not fit to wear the famous black and white striped shirt. Whether that be the fault of the manager who signed them, or the fault of the chairman for throwing money at a problem, instead of taking stock and having a long-term plan. Or the players not being good-enough or brave-enough to live up to the fans expectations, I will leave you the reader to decide.

Here as a Toon fan, I list my ten worst Newcastle buys over the last ten years. Present players are exempt from this list, as they still have an opportunity to establish themselves in the hearts of Newcastle supporters.

In the order of, ABSOLUTLEY SHOCKING, to BLOODY RUBBISH, here is my top 10;

#1, Elena Marcelino, a £5.8m purchase from Real Mallorca. In 4 years at the club started 19 games. A spanish international who went missing for 2 and 1/2 years with a broken finger.

#2, Albert Luque, a £9.5m purchase from Deportivo la Coruna. 8 first team starts and 1 goal in 2 years tells its own story, another highly rated Spanish international.

#3, Jean Alain Boumsong, a £8m purchase from Rangers. A regular in the France squad when he signed, gone down-hill rapid ever since.

#4, Carl Cort, a £7m buy from Wimbledon. Started his Toon career well, then 24 apps in 4 years only just beats Marcelino's attendance record although he did score 8 goals.

#5, Hugo Viana, £8.5m from Sporting Lisbon and the European young player of the year, I had high hopes for this chap but 2 years later and 28 games played with 4 goals scored he was discarded too.

#6, Christian bassedas, a £4m buy from Velez Sarsfield. 25 apps and 1 goal is an appaling return for an attacking midfielder.

#7 Alain Goma, £4.7m from P.S.G. 40 apps and 1 goal. Okay he was never injured but was never any good anyway.

#8, Duncan Ferguson, £8m from Everton 32 apps and 12 goals dosent sound bad but if he had stayed Shearer would have been sold, so enough said.

#9, Titus Bramble, £4.5m from Ipswich. Think this was Sir Bobby doing a deal for his old club. Never improved from day one.

#10, Stephane Guivarc'h, only because why buy a player and give him 2 games and then sell him? By the way, he scored in 1 of those games!

No question Newcastle have made some bad signings over the years, and this is only my opinion. Any other additions are welcome, and some people will disagree with my selections. Also some of the current crop are in danger of making my black book too.

On a more brighter note, I am currently selecting my bargain buy's list so watch this space!!