One thing we are really hoping for the run-in to this season is improved from Geremi, who is back from the African Cup of Nations, and seemingly raring to go for Newcastle United and new manager Kevin Keegan.
Geremi - confidence gained from good displays for Cameroon
Geremi had a very good tournament and was eventually names to the all African Cup of Nations team, and Kevin Keegan said he was impressed with Geremi’s displays in Ghana..
The 29-year-old arrived on Tyne-side from Chelsea with a reputation as a free kick specialist and while he has shown that skill this season (and also in Ghana for Cameroon), he still has to score for Newcastle, and we badly need goals right now.
Geremi scored 2 goals for Cameroon, in their almost successful quest for the African Championship, falling short at the very last hurdle to holders, Egypt.
Both Geremi’s goals were from free kicks and they were a delight to watch, and indeed he also skimmed the bar from all of 40 years in another attempt.
It’s good to see Geremi back, because we think he’s so much better a player than he has displayed so far this season for the Magpies.
Geremi told Newcastle World TV.
“I have returned from the Cup of Nations very fit and hopefully I can add some strength to the midfield,”
“Obviously I scored two goals which is great for confidence. I was worried before that because I had not scored this season.”
“But now I hope I can score my first for Newcastle because every goal at the moment is very important for the club.”
Geremi met with Kevin Keegan for the first time this week, and he seems impressed with the new manager, who of course he knew all about, and also says training is enjoyable under the new boss.
Geremi continued:
“Of course I knew all about Kevin Keegan because I have been in England for a while now,”
“I was following events in Ghana and I was watching games on TV and saw when Kevin Keegan became manager.” “I like the new manager very much and the training sessions have been very enjoyable.”
“Now we have to work with him to get us out of this position and I believe with the players we have we will do that.”
And that task starts in a couple of days time against Manchester United, where we have to play well, to start picking up some confidence and belief, not to mention some points. Of the 9 players we had in our poll for whom Kevin should let go in the summer, Geremi is 3rd bottom of the poll, so fans would like to see 6 other players moved out before Geremi. We think he can still do a good job at Newcastle, after an indifferent season so far.
Our squad is very good, but surprisingly, Big Sam couldn’t get the best out of his players.
We’re hoping that Kevin will start doing just that, and it will be the start of a climb back to the top for Newcastle United. Getting into the top 6 seems so far away for us at this moment, but that can soon change next season.
We’re sure every fan is hoping we’ll be back near the top very soon, and sooner rather than later. But the proof of the pudding, as always, is in the eating. We have to execute on the stuff that Keegan will have been drumming into the players over these last 2 weeks. We’ll just have to wait and see how the lads perform on Saturday. Very well we hope.
Comments and your opinions are welcome.
Loading ...
34 responses so far ↓
1 KevinHann // Feb 21, 2008 at 16:55
Give Geremi a chance, he did perform well in ACN. Plus how many better players do we really have at our disposal?
2 Graeme // Feb 21, 2008 at 17:07
Geremi should start against Man Ure - it doesnt matter where, as long as he keeps Smith out of the team. Its time for level heads and total commitment and Smith is a distraction and a liability.
Prefer to see him in centre of defence, alongside Cacapa, or defensive Midfield, giving the back four some cover. Its gonna need bravery and courage against Man Ure who will be going all out to put another 6 past us and close the gap on the Arse.
It will be very interesting to see how the team KK picks perform; he has had them together on the training ground for the best part of 2 weeks. If the do perform, its down to KK and he will deserve all the praise. But, if they play like they did in the last 3 games, KK has to accept the flack, as well as the undoubted questions that will be raised about his ability.
A draw for the toon!!!!!
3 Bosck // Feb 21, 2008 at 17:14
Graeme - geremi doesnt play cb, only rb or in midfield.
would potentially like to see faye and taylor at cb , beye right back and geremi in dcm in a centre midfield duo with his alleged mentoree N’Zogbia, or emre.
4 Chris F // Feb 21, 2008 at 17:23
you what, you would want to see geremi in central defence?
are you sam allardyce?
bloody hell.
5 ADAM // Feb 21, 2008 at 17:41
y team for nufc vs mufc
given
beye
s.taylor
faye
edgar
milner
butt
n’zogbia
duff
owen
martins/vidukamufc tewam
van der sar
brown
ferdinand
vidic
evra
ronaldo
carrick
scholes
nani
saha
tevez
6 hanzemre // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:08
Geremi to start for RM with Milner on sub bench as he knows better how to defend, to pass & cross to forwards.Could take shift with Barton/Emre to attack & cover the centre pitch. yeah we can just hope for better control & composure in midfield.
7 Callum // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:13
“Our squad is very good, but surprisingly, Big Sam couldn’t get the best out of his players.”
Im sorry Ed but our squad isnt good, im 19 years old and supported newcastle for the past 12 years or so and this squad is the worst i ever seen as a newcastle supporter. You just have to listen to Bobby Robson to know that this squad isnt good
8 UTD111 // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:29
Callum - only have to go back to last season for a worse squad - we were so short of players under Roeder we had Carr as a permanent left back!
9 UTD111 // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:29
Oh - and kids playing in defence too!
10 Leo* // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:31
midfielder or defender, you decide (kk that is)
that picture of him is worse than the one of faye in the banner, looks like he is going to murder someone
11 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:59
those kids r better thatn the donks we have at present
12 CRAIGG // Feb 21, 2008 at 18:59
I cant beleive the shortness of peoples memories Geremi has done nothing for this club
His performances all season have been much worse than Butt, yet he comes back from africa having a couple of decent performances and you want Milner our most consistant player dropped!!
i think that sums up the knowledge of some of our “Fans”
13 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:01
i agree, i think geremi is a waste of time from his performances so far, he did well at the nations and its a new era with keegan, maybe he can change but he doesnt deserve to walk str8 into the team, he has to bloody well earn it and whats every1’s beef with milner, hes one of our best bloody players
14 SPOT THE ZEBRA // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:03
Every player should be given the chance to prove himself under KK and hopefully the manager can improve a few players at the Toon with fading reputations.
I agree id like to see Geremi given a chance as the holding player in midfield but his distribution of the ball needs to be quicker.We need to bring one touch football back to the team and i can see this improving under Keegan as players learn to make themselves available to a pass by moving into space.
Much of this comes with confidence of course.We desperately need a win from somewhere!
15 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:06
if we have geremi and butt in the team tomorrow we wil lose by more than 6 if we add smith to that it will be 8 or more and if ameobi is there it cud be 10!
16 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:06
if we have geremi and butt in the team tomorrow we wil lose by more than 6 if we add smith to that it will be 8 or more and if ameobi is there it cud be 10!
17 CRAIGG // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:09
Add carr and it could be three figures
18 CRAIGG // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:10
Kev start carroll please
19 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:16
add car and we might see kev with a white flag singing dido
20 Leo* // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:20
you cant compare nicky butt and geremi, butt is pap i have always thought this, geremi didnt do too well although had a good start
21 CRAIGG // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:28
Nicky Butt is past it now but he was our best midfielder last season and had a career all our players will be jealous of playing for Man Utd
Pele said he was the best player at the 2002 world cup so to say he has always been pap is no way true
Geremi wouldnt play for NUFC again for me
22 briss // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:33
the players should just shut their mouths until they start playing football and win a ****ing match man!
23 mikeygd // Feb 21, 2008 at 19:52
well said briss
24 Mighty Mouse // Feb 21, 2008 at 21:59
tooooooooo slow
25 Nonni Smith // Feb 21, 2008 at 23:04
Graeme…. com on you can´t be serious Smith is the only man doing some thing.
butt is the one how keeps kicking the ball in the wrong detraction.
name one player that works as much as crazy Smith.
OK Milner how else??????????????
26 Callum // Feb 22, 2008 at 3:57
UTD111 - The squad last season may have been smaller but it was a better squad no doubt - We had pace last season and the kids played well when called upon - It was only when we got knocked out of the UEFA cup that our season started to go down hill
27 thelongshanks // Feb 22, 2008 at 8:59
I dont care who we field tommorrow as long as we get a draw.
28 vEn`SG // Feb 22, 2008 at 9:07
Spot on briss.
Our team have been talking to much, performing too little.
Shite。
Start putting in performance before going to the media.
29 Rich // Feb 22, 2008 at 9:18
I would play tomorrow:
Given
Beye Faye Taylor Enrique
Milner Emre Geremi N Zogbia
Owen Viduka
Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Barton, Duff, Smith.
Its a balanced side with options on the bench, we can have a proper go against United and not be too open at the back with Geremi used as a defensive mid where hopefully he can do a better job than butt.
30 ToonRich // Feb 22, 2008 at 9:36
Put Edgar on Ronaldo/Nani, that should stop the showboating and let them know they’re in a proper match!!
Try Carroll upfront, see if he can bully Rio, and MO has the brain to outwit Vidic.
My choice would possibly be:
Given/Harper
Beye Faye Taylor/Kadar Edgar/Enrique
Milner/L-Lua Geremi Emre Zog/Duff
MO Carroll/Martins(if fit)
Zog could play on wing, or in centre depeding on if Emre starts! I just think the kids might show some Steal and ‘no fear’ attitude and suprise ManU…
31 jane // Feb 22, 2008 at 10:44
We’ll take ManU tomorrow. No doubt about it!
4-3-3
Given
Beye - Taylor- Faye - Enrique
Milner - Emre - N’Zogbia
Smith - Owen - Viduka
32 Marko // Feb 22, 2008 at 12:29
ToonRich, that’s a good idea putting Kadar in central defence. He has no Premier League experience so handling Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez should be a piece of cake
33 scott 9 // Feb 22, 2008 at 12:51
my team for saturday would be.
given
beye taylor faye enrique
milner butt emre zog
owen viduka
34 ToonRich // Feb 22, 2008 at 17:15
@Marko, I couldnt tell if that was sarcasm or not!? I think the youngster may approach the game better than the other, as he probably wouldnt be scared to be up against those names!
How much experience had Edgar had when he kept Ronaldo so quiet last season?…
Leave a Comment