One of the reasons we are hoping (praying?) that we stay up this season, is that if we can get through this bad patch, the summer transfer window looks to be an exciting time for Newcastle’s fans.
Kevin Keegan - has history of turning teams around quickly
Kevin has a history of quickly turning teams around, and he has said more than once that it will not take much to turn this side around, because he’s been consistent in saying the squad we have is already good.
That hasn’t been shown on the field since he arrived but to be fair to the players, they’ve had to change their style of play in mid-season, and dare we say it, there are signs they are starting to gel a lot more.
The full game against Blackburn, the first 43 minutes at Liverpool and the second half on Monday, Newcastle have looked a good attacking team, but our points return was abysmal for those performances. For about 2/3 of the time we’ve looked good in our last 3 games, but we have to get that up to 100% to really start going places. There are definite signs of improvement, that’s for sure. 
Even though our readers differ greatly on who played well on Monday, we have to pick our back four (Beye, Faye, Taylor, Enrique), and in addition Oba Martins, Michael Owen, Geremi and Nicky Butt as having strong games.
All of those players showed good fighting qualities, and we were surprised that Geremi looked so good, especially in that second period.
But if we survive we can expect some good players coming into the club in the summer, and out recruitment team of Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere are already working hard to not only identify the players, but even doing the deals if Kevin is happy with the players. And it seems there are plenty of good players available in the summer.
By the way ignore the Daily Mail stories on our recruitment team. They seem to want to cast Dennis Wise as the demon who is trying to cause unrest at the club while at the same time get Kevin’s job. Their reporting is about the biggest load of tripe we’ve ever read, but the paper’s probably selling well right now.
Let’s get all 3 points on Saturday with no let down after Birmingham, and once we’re safe, we’ll start to run more stories on who we should bring in during the summer and who we should move out. Another exciting development is we’ve got a bunch of good youngsters, some of whom (Kadar, Tozer) will force their way into the first team reckoning next year.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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77 responses so far ↓
1 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:38
damn this article its going to get me excited for next year already, i hate wishing my life away but i wish it was here already
2 Charlie Bucket // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:41
Hopefully in the pre-season friendlies we will see some of the youth team players given a chance to play alongside the senior players like last summer, I think if the likes of Kadar and Baheng can shine pre-season they could be worth a first team slot come the start of next season.
3 THELONGSHANKS // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:55
Love to see bridge,arshavin,bentley,modric and carrick come in.cmon the toon 3 points on saturday.
4 Stuart // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:04
Yeh you would have to say that KK will try and bring in similar type of players he had in his first spell managing NUFC. I can certainly see players like David Bentley at Blackburn coming in as he is perfect for the right hand side of midfield swinging crosses in and especially considering that he is contract dispute at the moment.
The midfield for me is where he needs to concentrate. Emre and Barton are just not good enough for my liking, Butt is good as the “Batty” holding midfield role. He ideally needs a creative goalscoring midfielder to complement Butt, someone with real class… ideas anyone?? Looking at his first spell as boss, he played 4-4-2 with emphasis on crosses into the box and considering the strikers we have are decent, new midfielders and wingers like Bentley, you would have to agree is where KK is likely to concentrate in the summer to feed the strikers.
5 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:14
I know a lot of you will disagree with this, but i was looking at the league table earlier and i think the botton three will stay the same Boton, Fulham, and Derby.
Then i had a look at our squad and i thought of the players tha kk will want to keep and i came up with this:
—————-Given/Harper—————-
Beye/Ramage—Faye/?–Taylor/?–Enrique/?
————————Butt/?———————–
Milner/?———————————N’Zogbia/?
————————Emre/?———————–
Martins/Owen—————Smith/?————-
So we will need 2 CBs, 1 LB, 1 DM, 1 RW, 1 AM, 1 LW and 1 CF
This is without our youngsters, most of whom will probably go out of season long loans.
I you look at the players from the bottom three i think that we could plug a few of the gaps in our squad:
Bolton: Cahill and Diouf = £7m
Fulham: Hangeland and Konchesky = £4m
Derby: Barnes = £4m
I would estimate all their combined values at about £15m
KK has a £50m Transfer budget so Added to this would be as i read somewhere the other day KKs top targets are:
Gomis = £9m (Reported, i think we could get him for cheaper)
Carrick = £15m (If Man Utd sign Veloso)
Downing = £10m (maybe part exchange shola and/or Duff)
£49m Spent and maybe we would make some money back on player sales also all are realistic targets.
So that would give us a squad like this :
—————-Given/Harper—————-
Beye/Ramage—Faye/Hangeland–Taylor/Cahill–Enrique/Konchesky
———————-Butt/Carrick——————-
Milner/Diouf——————-N’Zogbia/Downing
——————–Emre/Barnes——————
Martins/Owen—————Smith/Gomis
Not bad, Personally i would kick smith out first but i think KK will keep him.
I know Paul Konchesky aint great but i think he was good for West Ham a couple of years back and Charlton during his time there also has a few England caps so cant be as bad as some think and Bridge or Shorey will cost a lot plus i want to keep Enrique starting and have a back up.
Diouf is a hateful slime ball but a very good player and IMO best on the right so good competion for Milner but can play a variety of positions.
Hangeland and Cahill are what we need two big, strong, hairy arsed centre backs who win high balls 9 times out of ten and just boot the ball and dont prat around in their 18yard box.
Barnes is a must and we will wrap that one up im sure strong, quick skillful and versatile an england regular in the making.
Carrick, Downing and Gomis are definately KKs pick and i would love all three of them.
What do you lads think…?
PS i posted this earlier on but everyone will come on to this page now.
6 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:33
I think we need to define quickly. Keegan has a history of turning teams around quickly???
Just how quick is quickly?
7 Davies // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:35
Bentley would be nice, but I can see him ending up in the big four somewhere. It would also be nice if we could relieve Chelsea of Bridge and Wright-Phillips, but I can’t see it. I don’t see Carrick leaving Man Utd any time soon either, despite his heritage.
We’ll just have to wait and see what the new scouting team can do. Hopefully they’ll be tapping up McGeady and some players from Spain.
Of course, this is just speculation. There’s always the risk that we’ll be buying championship players………
8 ToonKing // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:36
Craigg, that defense you put together sucks arse.
Plus if i remember correctly Ramage is a lefty and more importantly crap.
To be perfectly honest i would only keep Faye, Beye and Enrique out of that defense atm.
9 wilhelm hango 4m namibia // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:37
eish, being a magpies follower since 1994 it saddened me a lot 2 see my team in ths state. i’m we are goin to stay up provided that we beat the hell out of fulham, sunderland and reading. i wud like however to c KK bring in a midfield maestro DECO n RIISER left back. Bentley could also add somethng 2 our midfield so do MAKALELE.
10 clinta // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:42
back four of Martins, Owen, Geremi and Butt??? Don’t you mean best for Ed? Oh we’ll give em a shot holding the back line anyways, they couldn’t conceed 57 goals in a season could they?!
11 geordie_jordan // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:45
CRAIGG, well done lad! what an excellent, not over the top read your post was. all your targets are realistic, we really could have that squad next year. great job.
12 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:45
@ Craigg. Just look at the clubs from which you want to buy players.
This has been what has been behind Newcastle’s demise, particularly this season. Lack of creativity, lack of flair, under Sam and with Keegan both of the above and tactics. Keegan does not do tactics, so we need to compansate his lack of tactical ability with a replete of flair.
I admit, a team with no flair will need a master tactician in order to get the best, there are no players in your selection that are known for flair or creativity.
Please do not say Carrick because he is a Geordie and a childhood Newcastle fan does not qualify him to be here. He has not set Manchester united alight and frankly £15m is too much for a player like him. He will only be another Manchester united reject at Newcastle. We need a mix of both experience, pace (very important), and youth (purely for continuity) Firstly we must offload the players who can bolster our transfer kitty.
I.e. Nzobias, Emres, Milners of this world. Then the dead wood, Ameobi, Carr, etc.
Then from there we may make judgements according to what we have available and what we need.
Your list is a typical Keegan list wich does not have momentum to continue a run toward the end of a season much like we did this year. We were a decent side mid table then suddenly we were the worst. We still have the same players but such a dramatic turn in fortune.
13 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:47
Include Kevin Keegan in that list of dead wood in my prior narrative
14 Spitfire // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:49
Stop it - all of you!. Lets just concentrate on staying up.
15 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:51
Ramage is certainly not left footed if you watch him play left back you will see that.
Cahill is a top lad and will be a superstar England Centre back.
Taylor also will play for England but he needs a good long rest at the moment as hes lost his form.
Ramage can cover all over the back four but has only played well occasionally at right back and everytime he plays Centre back he has looked much better.
Konchesky was meant to be a back up to Enrique because i would love Bridge or Shorey but their signing would mean Enrique leaving believe me.
Hangeland is a decent CB and i dont see many Top class CBs queing up to sign for us as Woodgate the only realistic option and he turned us down.
I would love Mexes or Samuel but im trying to be a realist
16 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:55
Alright michael give us a list of youre 8 signings then or can i guess:
Nesta
Puyol
Ashley Cole
Cristiano Ronaldo
Fabregas
Gerrard
Rooney
Etoo
Manager: Mourinho
Assistant: Lippi
Kit Man: Beckenbauer
This isnt football manager…
17 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:58
Geordie_Jordan
Cheers i was trying to look at players who are realistic and KK may be also looking at
but Michael thinks we should use our global appeal and neverending finances to rip all real madrids and Inter Milan superstars from them.
18 Chicken // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:06
Ed - I think you need to underline the “IF” and put it in capitals!
Fookin Hell - we get a point against Brum one minute and the next we’re chasing Ronadinho’s signature.
All in a day’s work for a Toon fan I suppose.
19 SuperShearer // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:19
Guy it’s all well and good planning for the next season but we need to avid relegation first, it’s still very much a strong possibility unless our current players start to fight for the team. We drew at Birmingham and we think that’s a good thing….under Bobby Robson we would be furious with a result like that. Shows how far we have fallen since those days. If we stay up I have every faith that KK will bring a good crop of players while also letting a lot go. I know he says he is happy with the squad but I think that is partly to keep moral up. Am fairly sure N’Zogbia will leave us in the summer which is sad, but if he wants to go let him. First things first though, lets stay in the Premiership.
20 Hadji // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:34
Craigg…7 mill for Diouf and Cahill…get real will ya.
Imo the teams who’ll be relegated in Europe are:
————————————————————
Germany
NURNBERG-Dominik Reinhardt & Zvjezdan Misimovic
DUISBURG-None
ARMINIA-Ioanniss Masmanidis
————————————————————
Italy
CAGLIARY-Foggia
REGGINA-Franco Brienza
LIVORNO-Giovani Pasquale
————————————————————
Spain
LEVANTE-Mustapha Riga,Alvaro
MURCIA-Reguero
BETIS-Odonkor,Arzu
21 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:37
Santa cruz a 15 - 20 goal a season striker a highly adapted eye for the goal leathal absolutely lethal akin to Van nistelroy. Or Emil Hesky Very complimentary striker big powerful and very very intelligent creates neat openings for his partner, and can make either Martins or owen a 20 goal a season striker.
He is not too fussed about getting too many goals unless an opportunity he identifies as a chance comes his way, hes does not just lash at a ball just for the sake of being in front of goal
Pablo Aimar: Quick midfielder with good skill and and game readability ,
Tim Cahill, Kevin Nolan, both midfielders capable of getting into double figures in a season and that is of the greates importance in this modern age of football. The top four teams attest to this fact.
Riise, Quick and no nonsense left back, loads of premier league experience as well.
Gary Neville - the old war horse very experienced and can bring a winning culture to the side.
Robert Huth, big, strong in the air and premiership experience.
Now I am not sure what these players would fetch. But an enviable collection of congruently complimentary strengths.
Diouf from your list may also be a potential target, the guy is class but needs the players around him to make his class more obvious.
22 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:39
SuperShearer no body is writting to you.
23 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:48
My selection no doubt would be expensive, but I think if we really get Santa Cruz we should let Martins go and we could fetch anything up to £12 - 13 m for the Nigerian forward.
I think he looks to score and has more selfish aims at Newcastle. Made manifest when substituted by KK. Did he not consider that the perhaps his substitution was for the better of the team? No he just wanted to be on at the expense of team optimisation and that is not a good fascet for any player.
HE would make an attempt at goal no matter how audacious even when someone is in front of an empty net. He looks to advance his own goal scoring tally and that is not good for team optimisation purposes.
Fairness, if he has a good opportunity to score he can take it but not when there is a path of least resistance.
24 John // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:51
nice work Craig. If we got those players we’d be going down next season for sure.
You’ve picked players from teams taht have been utter pants this year, even worse than us..
Come on, if we really want to be successful we should’nt be buiying players like that.
Top 6 , my arser, more like bottom 6
25 Hadji // Mar 19, 2008 at 13:57
Michael i’ll pretend blind about what you wrote about Martins.
MARTINS MUST STAY!!!!
26 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:01
Well said John. Craigg seems not to know the workings of an organisation. HE is simply picking players he likes. Not looking at team congruence. They work together not patches of great talent working independently.
The working of an organisation are you have to develop a culture, a culture is long term while a talent is temporary. Why do you think Arsenal play the same way since the time Vierra wa there, fast flowing passing football when the players that started this style have all left?
The answer is culture. Build a culture. We want to build a winning culture.
27 Scotty // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:05
craigg ur an idiot wat a waste of time all that speculative info was. get urself back on football manager. lets get back to reality and keep ourselves in the prem, then go get sum players who will strengthen our team not strengthen our prospects of anotha season fightin relegation.
28 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:16
Well said Scotty, What a list of very average players. They do not bring anything new to the squad or anything that we lack.
Think again Craigg.
Although in Craigg’s defense this particular blog is about Kev may bring in if he is still manager.
29 SuperShearer // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:23
Thanks for pointing that out Michael. I’ll go and cry into my sandwich now.
30 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:27
Sorry SuperShearer, no harm intended.
31 chuck // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:28
Payers I would like to see at the club.
Right Wing backs-Brown/Miguel Veloso
Left ” -Bridge/Enrique
Right wing- Wright -phillips/milner.
left ” -N`zogbia/ duff.
Def. mid. -Barton/Carick
Playmakers-Mcgeady/Arshevin
Up front -Bent/Martins/Gomis
Goalies- no change
Yep, there are those who will disagree with these
choices, but to compete you must buy talented players who dont come cheap, not cast off club players.
32 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:44
Scotty you think i am an idiot do you,
Well lets see your suggestions smart arse
Michael i certainly do not like diouf, Konchesky or Hangeland but im thinking of realistic targets.
we would not get Tim Cahill or Roque santa cruz, Riise wants to leave liverpool because he is no longer first choice so then he would be happy being 2nd choice at newcastle would he because Enrique is miles better, Why the hell you think that Gary Neville would leave man utd i dont know as he will end his career there no doubt and you say my suggestions are pants Kevin Nolan!! is an abysmal choice and was the reason Big Sam was sacked and trust me mate Emile Heskey would not last 5 minutes without our fans getting on his back big style.
Aimar and Huth on the other hand are great suggestions Michael and i agree whole heartedly.
But i will not hear some of you say that downing and carrick are shite they between them this season have set up as many goals as our entire midfield and are both lethal from set pieces.
And Gary Cahill is a terrific CB and is as good as anything we have currently.
One more point about the teams i was mentioning players from IE the relegation candidates Bellanmy was signed from Coventry after the went down and is a prime example of why you should look at the player and not the team.
33 Zero Cool // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:46
Michael your off it if you think we should let Oba go. I don’t know you well at all, but your the first (supposed) NUFC Supporter that believed Oba should go. He’s been easily the best striker on our team for the last 2 seasons. If we could get Santa Cruz (which we’re not) why wouldn’t you keep them both and let Owen, Smith, and Viduka go if anybody?! You make absolutely no sense.
34 ObaFan2 // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:49
A KK hater and someone who wants Oba sold ! sigh
35 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:50
Michael if i was picking players that i like then this is a team that i like:
Given
Richards Terry Mexes Bridge
SWP Scott Brown Gerrard Ronaldo
Rooney Henry
36 Stami - PLAY CARROLL // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:56
yeah i am hoping some of the youngsters make a push for 1st team towards the end of this season…Carroll, Lua Lua, Edgar to name a few…!
37 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:58
Hadji why dont you get real dont you think we have suffered from having untested players with no prem experience this season Rozenhal and Cacapa especially even Beye and Enrique needed time to adapt
we need to hit the ground running next time round whatever league we are in so KK will be looking for proven premiership or Championship players with the odd exception.
I think i would prefer to pay a combined £7m for Diouf who has played since 2002 in the english league and helped Bolton finish in the top 7 three times, and cahill one of the brightest young defenders around perfectly suited to the premiership than risk another carbon copy of this one.
38 SuperShearer // Mar 19, 2008 at 15:00
No problem Michael, of course if you wanted you could reply to my post if only to make me feel better. Surely it had one good point in it? No? I’ve been down south for too long!
39 Toon Al // Mar 19, 2008 at 15:13
michael it really does look like you’re just choosin the players u like.. why would tim cahill leave a side breakin into the top 4 to come to a team battlin relegation. and gary neville, why the hell would he ever come to us??? aside from that habib beye best signin from the summer
i dont agree with all the players craigg said but i agree with how he reckons we have to do things.
we are in no position to be takin prem top players simple as that. just to add, would like to see jimmy bullard here as he can rescue games
40 obafemiMartins // Mar 19, 2008 at 15:27
i want jimmy bullard.
41 big pea ov the weab // Mar 19, 2008 at 15:34
i think we will stay up 3 points on sat will near enouf ensure our pl position next season as long as he leaves smith out of the team and brings charlie back i dont c a prob with winning
42 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:00
Michael you are totally unique as i have never known of a newcastle fan have such a downer on Kevin Keegan
The other day you stated that “All that Keegan has done for Newcastle is attractive football”
Do you honestly hand on heart really believe that, Or have you forgotten about the saving of the club from relegation and bankruptcy, The 10 out of 10 run at the start of the next season, The 1st Division title that followed, the qualification for Europe for the first time in 23 years, and of course The Successive runners up spots in the league not to mention than this was in the space of 5 years and the legends he brought to the club.
Now you think we should sell Oba Martins and Replace him with Emile Heskey and topping that you think that Gary Neville is a realistic transfer target.
Also we should fund our bid for Kevin Nolan or Tim Cahill (who would never join) by selling Milner and N’Zogbia.
43 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:01
If the Money is right any of these players would leave their club. You are the same people who advocated Keegan had pulling power yet you question whether these player I have suggested would come. If the money is right any one can be enticed. Look at Beckham, already earning millions at Madrid and playing great competitive football and always being in contention for England yet when the Money was right LA galaxy got their man.
So puff to your thesis that breaking into the top 4 would have Cahill stay. Everton no doubt do not splash the cash when dealing in wages so doubtless Cahill would move for a weekly wage of about 60 -80 K a week. These are wages we paid Dyer yet he was injury prone and scored less goals.
Santa Cruz? Why not. Blackburn are not exactly setting the league alight a wage increase would be incetive enough to move, no?
Aimar, - The premier league is the league to be and Real Zaragoza no doubt pay him a low wage compared to his conteporaries in the Premier League. Huth, we got Viduka did we not? so why not huth.
Gary Neville, his good friend and contemporary butt can attest to life in Newcastle and thus entice him away. HE worked under Keegan once you forget, no douting that relationship should bring about a situation conducive for discussions.
Riise, wants to leave liverpool. NEwcastle Fans contradict themselves, you Say we want a good defence, we get Sam who had a plan the befroe he sorted our defense we said we want attacking football. Riise is a very attacking defender and would dear himself with ever changing demands of the Newcastle supporters.
Heskey, When he creats chances for our strikers we will praise him. Remember when Steve Mclaen called him back. He was amazing and the country praised him, yet he did not score. HE is a player who makes a team effort. A real team player, good in the air and complimentary to our smaller strikers. Very Complimentary. We can let Viduka and Martins go for a good fee.
You ask how I would let Martins go? Well we want a team, not a player. If MArtins departure means we can build a team, is that not a small sacrifice to make. One for all not all for one. We have a team to consider and no one is bigger than the team. This is the sort of thing that made Shearer untouchable. Gullit paid the price when Shearer was not playing well and was droped. Now before you get on my back, you musty admit that Shearer was in poor form at the time and Gulitt left him out to try something new, what happend the fans turned on him. Look at the Monday night Game, when Keegan took Oab off, the same Keegan loyalists used various English expletives to express their disgust at Keegan. These are the same people deifying him.
One player is not bigger than any club. Besides he cannot read a game
44 wilhelm hango 4m namibia // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:09
hola peeps th magpies loyal fans hola at me n lets become friends. im male english teacher 4m namibia. my email: wiley23@hotmail.com
45 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:10
Graigg you have been crying for change since Sam departed yet you want to keep the players you like. Zog and Milner have been playing have they not. If Zog is so good and Milner so Good and Martins So good. WTF are we in a relegation fight??????
Why are we there. These players you have mentioned have been playing, where have they been in games, No where. They are not as good players as you make them out. You are trying to build a team around the players you like, working around problems rather than fixing the problem.
If we keep zog, Milner, those are two players who should start meaning we would need two central mids. If we Keep Taylor and Enrique and Baye who everyone thinks is class then we get one central defender Right. We keep Martins then who playes beside him.
#
Only 11 players play and looking at the team it looks alot like this seasons, no?
46 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:13
michael comment 23-
is it bad that a team has one person who will try the unbelievable and attempt at goal from far out…
also he has in the past undeservedly been dropped to the bench in favour of owen when martins has been playing well… so no wonder he wants to score because he feels that if he doesnt he will be dropped again- remember he is only 23 years old.
also remember the goal he set up for owen with a beaut of a cross at st james park- the team we were against has missed my mind at the moment, so dont give us that cr@p that he is greedy
47 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:26
all for one and one for all… hmmm. turn what you said about taking martins out, why him, did you forget that we have michael owen- who i believe to be a good footballer but do you think he will pass a ball when someone is in a better position than him but has a chance to shoot… i think you know the answer to that
48 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:28
Martins is greedy, You talk of one goal he set up in your argument for Martins. Please! bring more eveidence. MArtins is an instinct oriented footballer. We need thinking footballers who work with probabilities.
If you know anything about animal psycology it is very applicable to human beings. You observe a state S(t) and then a set of valid actions for that state. You chose the action A(t) with the higest probability of meeting your goal that is to get your team a goal, yes. You should choose a valid action for that current state and then observe the next state S(t + 1) and then an action A(t + 1) for the proceeding state. all the while learning what you can do in a given state and which actions in those given states has the highest probability of achieving your Objective.
This is not a dodo birds game. MArtins never learns and does not take the best action for the team. Unlike a learning Agent, Martins has no boundaries that govern his play and thus if he wishes he could score with his teeth hence why he sometimes score amazing goals. Martins uses a policy of Greedy which means he will take the actions with the highest value despite obsticles making it imposible.
49 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:31
Owen is injury prone and would not fetch as much on the Market as Martins. Owen is an asset that is comfortably into it’s depreciation and Martins, it is debatable if he has started. Remember we talk about him as has the potential, potential will mean nothing if ii is never realised.
50 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:33
Animal psychology: my mistake
51 Ashton // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:34
next season i would love to see
GK : Green and Harper as back up
RB : Beye and Edgar as a back up
LB : Enrique and kadar tozer as back ups
CB : Van Buyten , Mexes : Garay and Taylor as a back up
DM :Tymoschuck , Annan and Barton as back up
RM : Bentley , Kaloda
LM :Mcgeady , Turan
AM : Arshavin , and i heard that we are interested in Nasri i would love it if we signed him love it !!
Striker : Oba , Owen . Gomis , and the scottish lad i forgot his name
52 ScottyT // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:39
craigg as good as diouf is he is one player i would just hate to see play for us. just remember when he scored 2 at st james park and strted taunting the fans what a prick .. konchesky wouldnt be good enough for me id rather have shorey/bridge or riise. and no for the person who said ramage is left footed .. he isnt lol
actually would like the same signings as ‘the long shanks’ post if we are really wanting to push up the league we need quality. arshavin seems good would be difficult to get mind, would love carrick, bridge would be good for the left, bentley again difficult to get him to come here but would be worth w/e we pay and modric again seems to be a good young talent
we need at least 5 or 6 quality new players in the summer if we are going to get near the top 8 teams atm.
53 Ed Harrison // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:44
Michael - top 6 next year - but when did you hear that last?
We think Keegan will make squad a lot lot stronger over the summer.
BTW - have reworded the thing about our back 4 - we meant back 4 plus Oba, Michael etc - not that those were our back 4.
Howay Manchester United tonight (for once).
54 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:48
You see Craigg and Leo Company for the toon; this is what I talk about. Comment 52 Scotty T: Stats no matter how good Diouf is he does not want to see him in our team. Why must we sacrifice our performance because we do not like a player, not on how good he is but just because you do not like him.
This is what is wrong with Newcastle, we Keep players and mangers not because they are good at what they, but because we like them.
If they can do the right job get them in. It is simple. Look at Manchester united and Ronaldo. Did he not get Rooney sent off in the world cup, his attitude was horrendous but Manchester united a professional club not a pub team as people like you Scotty t want to make us, put these things behind them and look to benefit the team not your feelings. Roanldo has scored 20 plus goals this season and 17 last. Had they listened to fans like you after the world cup, Ronaldo would be doing it for Barcelona or Madrid.
55 Ed Harrison // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:50
Lads, there some great posts on here.
How do we make this required reading for Kevin and his staff?
We could do a lot worse than some of the ideas on here, for what we should be doing in the summer.
56 ScottyT // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:56
ok for ure idea of me wanting to make us a pub team that can be shoved up ur arse .. if anyone around here has a more negative attitude than you michael then i would like to see it .. constantly complaining on every post
why not just get behind the team and support. i was simply stating that diouf is a right d**k and if he came to us it would just bring us yet more trouble surrounding our club with off field incidents etc. ive had enough of joey ‘the thug’ barton i dont want to hear about an assault trial or a spitting incident im more interested in football headlines tbh and more often than not diouf brings negative headlines .. or is that what you want michael to suit ur own style?
57 Michael // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:04
I simply do not turn a blind eye on whats wrong. I do not complain, I criticise. A criticism is not a lambaste (verbal attack) or Lampoon (Written attack) but pointing out what is wrong so remedial action may be applied.
I want to see Newcastle up there with the best, like any of the fans here. Come Saturday, Sunday or Monday, I back the whole team and the manager.
Consider, if our team was doing well, you would not see these comments from any of our fans being critical of our plight.
58 ScottyT // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:12
yes michael but that is the difference between some fans and others on here. some fans will only support and sing if the team is doing well, others try to be more positive and support while the team isnt doing so well in order to try and raise the players game.
no wonder st james is so quiet recently if there are loads of fans out there who just sing when we are doing well like yourself
i dont feel that critisicm in any sense of the word helps the club especially when you do it constantly. i try to give my honest opinions on all players and give ‘criticism’ when it is appropriate only. ’support’ the team through failure and success its our job as fans!
59 Hadji // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:15
Craigg…Were you hit with a wet sock or somethin mate,i was only refering to you cause i thought that 7 mill for Diouf and Cahill is too low.PEACE bro
60 Hadji // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:34
I think that this guy should replace Butt for the next season,Ipswich paid 600 000 for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYw34fX8zaU
They call him”Macedonian Steven Gerrard”
61 CRAIGG // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:00
Hadji i apologize, Maybe it is too low and i dont like Diouf i was just looking for examples
But Cahill signed for £5m in Jan i think if they go down they might take the same money.
I wish i had never mentioned Diouf, Hangeland or Konchesky change them for Arshavin, Lugano and Bridge to save arguments.
How does this look:
GK: Given Harper
RB: Beye Ramage
CB: LUGANO CAHILL Taylor Faye
LB: BRIDGE Enrique
RM: BARNES Milner
LM: DOWNING N’Zogbia
DM: CARRICK Butt
AM: ARSHAVIN Emre
CF: GOMIS Owen Martins Carroll
New signings in Capitals Is that an acceptable list and trust me MIchael you can slag off 7 of the 8 but leave Gary Cahill out of this the boy is a gem.
62 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:30
michael you do go on about alot of sh1t. when was the last time owen set someone up for a goal!!! i cant think of one stop the personal vendetta against obafemi
63 Tom_Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:47
My 5 signings would be:
Kompany
Alex Song
Castelen
Kahlenberg
Chermiti
64 ScottyT // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:06
alex song is interestin cos he dont get many games at arsenal and i think hes a canny player realistic also.. kompany is too good for us probably and the otha 3 who knows id put arshavin next to them though even though its probably unrealistic again
65 Tom_Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:10
Just saying who i would sign, not if they are realistic or not, i also like Bosko Jankovic who isnt getting many game at palermo.
66 ScottyT // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:21
tom_toon btw can i just ask do you just watch football from every part of the world or just pick names out randomly cos i dont really watch other football apart from champ league spanish and english (basically whatever is on the tele) so i havnt really got a clue how good most of these players are who you mention
67 Tom_Toon // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:29
I watch matches from alot of the worlds leagues every so often, but i do watch highlights of all the worlds leagues including african leages etc quite often.
Then obviously i watch the champions league and uefa cup, premiership, serie a and a fair bit of the eredivisie quite frequently. I also like the Fifa World Club Championship which i watch every year.
68 Hadji // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:43
Jankovic would be perfect,much much better than Smith.
What about German Denis for Viduka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLG05_U2YxM
69 kelvin // Mar 19, 2008 at 21:15
luisao–benfica
cicinho–roma
carrick–man u
Kalouda–brno
Alberto Aquilani–Roma
menez–Manaco
Joao Moutinho-lisbon
Pereirinha–lisbon
70 richie // Mar 19, 2008 at 23:42
carrick or a midfelder in his mould would be my first choice, a midfielder who can b the nucleus of the team,,
71 richie // Mar 19, 2008 at 23:50
hadji ive been campaigning for us to sign garven from ipswich so if the macedonian guy is any use lets try get both!
72 Aussie geordie // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:04
Carrick - Were dreaming he would not come.
Tim Chaill - Good goal scorer, dangerous header of the ball, energetic and can change a game. Best Australian football out there.
Samba from Blackburn.
73 geordie // Mar 20, 2008 at 6:52
It was really very strange for a team who was supposed to be chasing a top 4 finish earlier this year but now chasing for a premier league spot.
Whether SAM or KK, would not become bad managers overnight. So what was the main cause of the problem here?
Instability up there was the main problem. To sack a coach half way through the season and disregarded his ability in guiding the team to some good wins earlier in the season, caused the whole system to collapse, from backroom to the field.
For KK to pick up the scrap and achieve good results will take time. He needed time and money, so hope that the team can keep themselves above the water for now and come back stronger and more organised next year.
74 Michael // Mar 20, 2008 at 10:32
Timm Cahill is a diamond. The Modern Game demands a goal scoring midfielder. Liverpool have Gerard, Chelsea have Lampard, Ballack, and Cole, United have Ronaldo, Everton have Cahill and these are teams all fighting in the top 4/5 is this not a testament to this fact.
People on this blog mention players they like and cannot justify why they would want to bring these players to Newcastle. Simply drawing up a list is not enough, say why and what the player is addressing. I have justified my selections and have made selections which address our plights this season, i.e. lack of creativity, lack of premiership experience, lack of goals, lack of pace and lack of flair, not only that but have made my selections to fit around the tactic-less Keegan who is another piece of dead wood that should leave during the summer.
Keegan has won no games since his return, I do not care who you played but if you are half as good as the keegan loyalists make him out, you should have won at least one game by no and still that would not be good enough.
75 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:07
michael i know it may seem that i am continually disagreeing with you, but you are such a dooms day merchant, get over the fact that keegan wasnt ur choice for who joined as out manager.
tacticless- justify that please…
76 toon86 // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:50
I notice nobody wants Taylor at the back anymore, is it just me or does he seem to be at fault for the majority of our defensive lapses? Everyone keeps banging on about Arsenal and Co coming in to steal his signature, and frankly they can have him.
77 wags // Mar 20, 2008 at 20:53
michael you are a wanker oba was passing the ball in the second half and im not shore but a striker is ment to have an eye on one things that is scoring goals if hes not doing that then whats the point of him being there the games when he hasent played theres been f***k all plays at the opps goal because owen and smith played to deep in defs and not playing on the opps back line now with oba all of a sudden were looking at attacking footy again
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