Gooch - The Modern Day McNamee?

There was a photo in the Sunday Sun back in the 1960s after we played Leeds at St James' Park. A corner to Newcastle, and the camera caught the moment after ... Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter were in the clarts looking up ... Mac was towering over them with his fist pulled back ... and Billy Bremner looked as though he was going to fill his pants.

Onyewu said: "I am a hard player, very hard. My work ethic is very high and I just want to contribute something positive to the team.

"I am not here just for the short-term, I am definitely here for the long-term and to make something special happen.

"I have known for a couple of weeks now. I have been following Newcastle for quite some time and saw they were struggling in terms of results, and (thought) maybe this could possibly be in my future.

"It did not take long, but it was not quick either. There were other possibilities, but in the end I realised this was the best career move for me.

"The club has a great history and great names despite their lack of any championships in the past couple of years.

"I know they want to get a title in the coming seasons and I want to be part of something special at this club.

"I know the squad has been injury-stricken. They had a number of injuries early in the season which may have been the cause of some of their poor results.

"But I know the injured players are coming back and hopefully in the second half of the season, we will be able to get better results."