Breaking News - Ned Zelic allowed to leave Jets

News just came through NBN News that Ned Zelic has been allowed to look overseas for a team so he can be closer to his family.

He spoke to club CEO this afternoon and has been granted a release should he find a club.

Feckin hell this is becomnig a joke! We need to put our finger out and fast. We have had enouh problems trying to find a striker and goalkeeper. Now we also need to find a defender

The only positive thing to come out of it is that we may be able to buy a striker as a marquee player. Whether they will sign for us is another matter

It will be between us and the Glory for this years wooden spoon, that is if we can even get 11 players out on the field!

Sack the [beep!] board!

Is this true? I can see the sense in it though, I always felt that having a defender as your marquee player was a bit of a waste - it needs to be a striker, an attacking midfielder or holding midfielder to get the full value of what a top-notch individual player can give a team. I'm sure they must have something in mind to have done this. Will watch this one with interest.

Will you be our new chairman Disillusionist?

Well our new marquee player is going to be Paul Okon. Paul [beep!] Okon He is as old as Zelic except he is in worse shape than him I wish we would sign a striker as a marquee player. Okon wont bring the crowds in which is what we need. The whole of Australia knows we need a striker so i cant see why our bloody board can't see it.

Hmm I would say Teddy Sheringham but hes probably another season away from a possible move down here.

How about Gazza in a managerial/parttime player role? He says in his book he wouldnt mind having a go in Australia.

Nah i think its too late for that. News today is that Okon is going back to Cyprus to gather all his belongings to bring back here to Newcastle.

I've always really rated Okon so it pains me to say that yeah it'd be a poor move. I'm surprised that his demands would be so high nowadays to place him outside the salary cap. It doesn't make much sense at all. You're right too - you desperately need a couple of strikers, and one of them needs to be 'the main man'. Who have you got now? I can only think of Haliti and Bridge who are both very talented, but you can't see them dominating matches consistently.

Gascoigne? You're kidding me right? Sadly, it's been a long time he's done anything to show his past brilliance. I'm surprised, given the success of Seo and Qu last year, that we aren't hearing about more Asian players.

Okon has signed today and he is not our Marquee player which im very happy about. We have found some room for him under the cap Hopefully the board will go out and buy us a top name striker.

We have 2 strikers on our books in Haliti and Bridge and than we have Faria who is a favoured LM but can easily play striker.

Suppposedly 2 strikers will be trialling with us soon. One plays in the K-League and one plays in South Africa i think. They are both from Cameroon.

Well that sounds more promising.

Did Paul Okon already train with the Jets? or did he already play during a friendly game?
Why would it be a poor move? Did you already see him play? (in real, I mean)
Paul is finally back in his home country with his family, friends,.. after 18 (!) years

Paul Okon starts training on Thursday i think.

No he didnt play a friendly with us.

It would be a poor move because he is about 34 and has 2 bung knees. Ive since chagned my mind though. We all thought Okon was going to be our marquee player. That isnt the case now so im happy for him to sign. I dont think he will play every game but hopefully he adds good experience to the team.

Do you know him personally?

Thanks for the info, 9nufc9

I agree with you, i also don't think that he will play every game. I think he will give good advice to the younger players. He is experienced.

It's also good to hear that he has found a new team. I think he'll feel good being in back in Australia.

Hi Sky, welcome to the site.

Would be great if you stuck around and talked football with us, also have a look at our newcomers section and maybe make your own post there.

Jono.

Yeah, I just mentioned Okon as a poor move if it was as the marquee player based on age, injuries and the position he'd be likely to play. However I've no doubts about his ability and the value of his experience. His passing ability and poise defensively won't have vanished and I'm looking forward to seeing him play.