One thing that was good to see in yesterday’s game was the introduction of all three of our substitutes.
David Edgar - finally got into a first team game this season
Not surprisingly Charles N’Zogbia came on for Oba Martins, but then both David Edgar and Alan Smith got into the game.
It was great to see 6′ 2″ David Edgar because we still think this boy can still make it at Newcastle, but he needs to be given the chance. When he played last season he looked solid, either as a full back or center-back. He can play anywhere across the back four, but his favored position is center-back.
We’re not sure if Beye came off injured, but those were the reports on the TV. Whether the Senegalese is available for next week’s game at White Hart Lane we don’t know, but we could do a lot worse than put David in as a direct replacement for Habib.
It was also good to see Alan Smith back, and Kevin has left him our of the last two games, in which we have picked up 4 points, but it so easily could have been all 6 points, which just a bit of luck.
Kevin talked about Alan Smith after the game:
“Alan wasn’t in the team on Monday.” “But he’s very much in the team as far as I’m concerned.”
“He’s a great kid to have around your club.” “Even though he wasn’t playing, he’s not one who will sulk. He’s a team player.”
We’re not sure that Alan can make is as a striker at the club and it could be his best position is defensive midfield. We’re not sure if Alan will be satisfied to warm the bench and if he doesn’t get many games through the end of the season, it may be that he will want to move on.
We’ll just have to wait and see on that one, but we do expect the likes of Carr, Ameobi, Rozehnal, Ramage, Cacapa and even Duff, who looks the odd man out right now, to be candidates to leave the club in the summer.
It will certainly be very interesting to see what Kevin and the staff will do this summer, we cannot wait - as long as we’re still in the Premier League of course. 
Comments always welcome.
133 responses so far ↓
1 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:19
i agree, duff is not good enough anymore, there are much better left wingers out there
2 dylan2k8 // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:19
i agree n’zogbia should play instead of duff
3 Whitt // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:20
i’m afraid Smith’s best contributions a a striker are not as a target man, the way we have used him this season (when played upfront). i think he is actually more comfortable playing just off of a holding striker, i.e. when he played upfront w/ Viduka at Leeds. unfortunately for him, in that role, Owen and Martins would both be preferred to him.
if the rumours linking Alan w/ a move to Sunderland are true, and he gets to play off Kenwynn Jones, i think he will have a much better season individually than he has had here.
those are both big “IFs”…
4 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:29
Harps
Beye Faye Cuellar Enrique
Barton Butt Barnetta
Martins Viduka Owen
Changed the team in a few signings.
In the summer rather than buying in specified positions, just buy a lot of quality players and you cant go much wrong.
I really like that midfield (never thought id say that): Butt - Good Defensive, Barton - Good box to box, quite creative, Barnetta - Good attacking, can work the wings, quite creative.
5 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:52
————————-Harper————————-
Beye———-Taylor———Cahill——–Enrique
—————————Butt————————–
———–Barton——————–Biglia————
————————–Owen————————–
———–Carroll——————Martins———–
Owen as a support striker worked well in the Fulham match and we should try and turn him into a support striker permanently as he is captain and this role would get him more involved throughout the whole 90minutes. We need to start throwing young players like Carroll, Baheng, Zamblera etc in at the deep end like West Ham, Man City and Arsenal have done this season, so that we can see what they are made of.
Midfield doesnt have much width, but Barton and Biglia are both OKAY out wide and could drift in and out of the middle. Also, Beye and Enrique would have more attacking freedom on the flanks as the two CB’s are very well protected. Lua Lua, N’zogbia and Milner would all be good substitutes for all of the midfield.
I think the strikeforce of Owen, Martins and Carroll is good as they could frequently swap roles in this formation and confuse the opposition defence.
WOW! i have put wayyyy to much thought into this, i could go on and on but it would just get pretty ridiculous so im going to leave it there lol
6 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:02
Same, there are so many good players id love to come but keep it simple. Remeber KK best skill is to get the best out of average players, thats why i dont think we need an overhaul, just a few aspects of quality and creativity.
7 Hadrian // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:04
id love to make a punt for bentley in the summer , can see the big teams chasing him aswell tho .
apart from that i really dont wanna do the whole transfer target thing , learning of keegans buys last time round as they happended was both puzzling and amazing . puzzling as i wasnt sure why he was buying some of them , and amazing watching how they would turn out
cant wait to see who kevin has in store for us next season , there is alot of nice AM’s names floating about , and surely the big 4 cant sign them all !
8 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:05
as soon as we are safe we need to start throwing lua lua on, he has looked promising when he has played.
Who do yu reckon is going in the sumer tom
9 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:06
eeeeexactly Hadrian, which is why i am happy we didnt rush into signing Arshavin
10 Kiwi Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:12
I agree with Ed and don’t think Smith can make it as a striker but he still would be good cover as a utility man if he would be happy with that. With all the youth coming through at the club his should minimize the amount of signings we will need to make in the future, but in order to challenge for a European place in the future we need a few decent first team footballers who are hungry for the win and are at the peak of their careers.
11 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:13
going? errr, Carr, Rozenal, Duff, Capaca, Smith, Ramage, Ameobi.
12 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:23
it really anoys me that cacapa is seen as crap by most people on here, i feel he is better than we give him credit for and we should give him a chance…but oh well, your probably right, he will go in the summer
13 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:25
I rate him, i just think he will probably be sold.
14 Bill F // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:31
If KK plays Smith as a defensive players then I fear we will finish the game with only ten players for much of the time. He is just a little to enthusiastic I’m afraid.
15 Kieran hatten // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:35
I think throwing on players like Caroll for the 2nd half is in need a massive striker with great potential also put edgar on great player deserves his run out get rid of ameobi rumor to link up with norwich with roeder ummm summer signings DONT buy pandev been watchin him NOT GOOD!!
16 Bill F // Mar 23, 2008 at 20:43
Utility man, sputitlity man, I really hate that term. It usually describes a player who just is not good enough to get a regular first team slot. I want a team or squad comprised of first teamers only, all of them fighting for a place.
Incidently I have been really impressed with Koren of WBA, worth a punt imo.
17 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:09
i hope cacacpa stays and proves everyone wrong
18 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:23
Spyro
Cacapa has as much chance of being at he toon next season as Gareth Southgate has in getting his end away in the playboy mansion
It aint gonna happen
19 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:29
What a difference a week makes all of us, me included wanted about 8 out and about 10 in.
Now we have accepted Butt, Barton, Viduka and Taylors feet are back under the table
The london media arent that far off saying we are fickle but so are everyone elses fans did anyone see on some of those SKY message boards how many Villa fans saying O’Neill should be sacked unreal !
IN:
Carrick
Arshavin
Bridge
Rodriguez
Downing
Brown
Vokes
Out:
Carr
Cacapa
Duff
Geremi
Ameobi
Rozenhal
Smith
20 richie // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:32
wats everyones thoughts on gettin bridge?would he sign for us??
because i think hed be high on keegans list and would be an excellent first teamer
21 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:39
Emre needs to go aswell, he is too weak for this league, he needs to go play pansy football at fenerbace or besiktas.
Emre, Duff, Smith, Ameobi, Carr, Rozehnal, Ramage, Viduka and Milner all need to go for one reason or another.
…Mainly because we can get/have players in their position who are superior to them, or they are passed their best.
Emre = K. Lua Lua
Duff = V. Sanchez
Smith = L. Biglia
Ameobi = A. Carroll
Rozehnal = G. Cahill
Carr = Adriano (A MUST SIGN!)
Ramage = D. Edgar
Viduka = D. Cisse
Milner = A. Taarabt
22 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:41
Bridge would be a great signing and i cannot see him being out of Chelseas match squads for much longer without his patience running out, the same with Wright-Phillips and Sidwell those two would be great if we cant get Carrick and Arshavin.
23 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:42
Craigg i agree Villa fans are some of the most fickle fans ever. They are pathetic, if they are losing at half time they boo their team off of the pitch, but as usual it is never mentioned.
24 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:45
Not being funny, Arshavin is a decent player, but i only really wanted him in January as he wanted to come and we needed the creativity. There are a hell of a lot of creative midfielders about right now who are younger and better than Arshavin, we should sign someone better in the summer as we have a lot more time to persuade players to join and prices will be lower.
25 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:47
Spyro you cannot say that Lua Lua is better than Emre on the basis of a couple of sub appearances
And there is no way that Milner should or will be sold and if Taraabt is a good as you say Spurs dont need to sell him.
If that is adriano from Sevilla then he wont come, I havent seen Vanden Borre do anything special but I agree with most of the others.
KK will defo Keep Viduka and he may keep Smith as 4th Striker as much as we dont agree.
26 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:49
I like Arshavin and while there are lots of creative midfielders around ther arent many as suitable to the premiership or as versatile as Arshavin
27 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:52
Craigg right now Emre is miles better than kazenga…and the rest of our midfielders, he is class…But he is no use to us as he is always injured so we need to unload him
28 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:54
I will say that if i could pick any players my list wouldnt be anything like that above one, im just saying players i think are realistic and KK will like.
29 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:58
Yeah you have a point on Emre as much as i like him.
Like i said if i wanted to pick a list of my players for the summer it would be like this:
Mexes
Woodgate
Shorey
Carrick
Ribery
Wright-Phillips
Santa Cruz
30 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 21:58
Milner should be sold or kept as back up as he simply aint good enough, and we can get better players. I dont want to settle for someone who is just decent when it comes to midfielders. There are so many around that even teams like Birmingham can sign top quality midfielders if they look hard enough. e.g. De Ridder and Zarate(who is a midfielder/striker and very much a better, younger version of Arshavin)
31 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:00
SHOREY!?! i think Enrique will be better than him within 12 months
32 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:04
Shorey is an assist machine great delivery for the strikers especially if the team contained ribery who is right footed hence the need for an accurate lefty to whip the ball in.
KK will get Milner in the England side within 12 months and the improvement in Martins and Taylor will be huge by next season..
33 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:05
I also disagree about Adriano from Sevilla, i think if we offer him a decent(yes DECENT, not absurd) amount of money he will definitely come. Maybe if Ramos was still there than it would be harder to persuade him, but after Ramos left even Kanoute said that he wouldnt mind returning to the premiership only a few months after stating his desire to remain in Spain.
34 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:06
Craigg Milner will never be ahead of SWP, Lennon, Walcott, or Bentley
35 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:08
I think They would even play Young on the right before playing Milner. If Pennant got more games at Liverpool even he would be ahead of Milner
36 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:08
To be honest this speculating is pointless because we are probably miles off KK targets anyway
I dont care who he goes for as i have total faith in him in the transfer market
Although i would be happy if there is at least an effort for Carrick
37 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:12
which is another point, why dont we sign pennant, great delivery, pace, trickery and a lot of stamina
38 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:13
Milner is better than Pennant & Walcott has more ability than Lennon and deserves a chance more than SWP who never plays.
All he needs to do is have more consistancy with his crossing, He is good with either foot and can play on either wing and i would like to see him play in this 433 on the right of centre.
Cappello was even considering him before his injury.
39 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:13
true about probably being way off
40 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:15
We have a very different view on players Spyro as i hardly think that Pennants crossing is any more consistant than Milners who has as much pace, trickery, but much more versatility and a lot more stamina and a left foot that pennant cannot use.
41 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:16
Craigg, Milner is not better than walcott or pennant, it is crazy you say such things lol
I take it you never saw Walcott at Southampton as only someone who hasnt would speak of him so fouly.
Pennant is much better than milner in every department apart from long distance shooting.
And Lennon is on a whole different level to Milner. As is SWP.
42 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:17
I think you will find that most other fans will agree with my assessment of Milner, you overrate him
43 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:18
Milner is slow for a winger
44 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:19
Dont get me started on how shit pennant is, milner is miles better and you know how much i dont rate milner!
45 Matthew Tom // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:20
We have some good young players but quite a few of the older ones are just not good enough to do anything special next season. If I was KK I’d be concentrating on spending big money on a relatively small number of players in the following positions, so long as they’re top (and I mean top) quality:
One big striker - ideally Berbatov, if not try for one of Barcelona’s current crop - probably Henry but have a go for Eto’o or Ronaldinho, why not they might just come if KK can inspire them (keep Martins, Owen, Viduka, Carroll, sell Smith and Ameobi)
One very swift and talented right winger - try for Bentley, SWP, maybe Lennon but otherwise look abroad, probably Arshavin but I wouldn’t be afraid to go quite young in this position as wingers rarely get better after about 22 years old(keep Milner, Duff and Zog)
One central midfielder who can really pass the ball and run a midfield - ideally Carrick due to his versatility, maybe Deco (get rid of Geremi and probably Butt if we can get someone capable of playing DM - hence Carrick ideal - keep Emre and Barton)
One very good defender - we have two decent young-ish full backs in Beye and Enrique and we can fill in there with Edgar, Ramage, even Taylor if we get a top centre half - Van Buyten perhaps, or Distin wouldn’t be a bad option (ship out Rozenhal and Carr but maybe hang on to Cacapa, definitely Faye and obviously Taylor)
I’m sure there are other possible signings but as an overall strategy I certainly wouldn’t be just filling up the squad with “experience” like Big Sam. It’s all about quality and we should be spending the money on fewer players.
46 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:21
i think pennants personality makes people judge him harshly, he is a good player, but yes he is a prick
47 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:22
Matthew Tom - You should have just written ‘delusion’.
48 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:23
No he is a shit player, and a prick. The only thing good about pennant is that he can cross very well but that is on an amazingly inconsistent basis.
49 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:24
lol @ tom toon, i was going to say something about the henry etc stuff, but i thought i would just leave it because in truth, he has just as much a chance of being right as we all have, i bet NONE of the players we name will be signed
50 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:26
How can you say lennon is on a different level he is all pace and less quality delivery, Ive seen Walcott plenty including today to tell you that he is the same as a lot of arsenals English ex-players jeffers, Wright, PENNANT
who have failed to develop as expected and are/will be in the fotball league.
SWP is an awesome player and i never said JM was as good as him but he never plays and should not be selected as he hardly looks like he did in his city days.
And i can say that Milner is better than Pennant because if you ask any liverpool fan and they would snap your hand off for an exchange deal for those two.
I dont want to harp on about this so lets leave it a this, But i will say give him 6 months working with KK the same as Martins and Taylor and there will be a vast improvement in their personal weaknesses.
51 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:27
tom toon what do you reckon of Milner compared to Lennon, SWP, and Walcott then?
i really dont understand why you do not rate Pennant, whenever he comes on for Liverpool he is a serious threat…more than Kewell anyway
52 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:29
i know a lot of Liverpool fans and tey all say Milner is s**t unfortunately. In fact most fans i know say the same
Lennon is not all pace, his dribbling is some of the best in the league and his delivery is getting better all the time now that he takes Tottenhams corners etc
53 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:30
Like i said, your analysis of Walcott shows me you have not seen enough of him before Arsenal, he is class
54 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:31
Well they mustnt see him practically every week for the past 2 and a half years and im telling you he will be great once he sorts out his crossing.
55 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:31
Milner is better than Lennon, better than Walcott, not as good as SWP.
56 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:32
By the way, SWP played a hell of a lot until recently
57 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:33
thats poor tom toon, seriously
58 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:33
I dont care about a pre-arsenal walcott i saw a pre-arsenal Francis Jeffers and Richard Wright and look where their careers are.
59 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:35
How many clubs has Jeffers had, 300?
60 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:35
Tom Toon you are right he has so many more attributes than Lennon and Walcott
You could even say that Wright-Phillips is just as inconsistant as Milner crossing wise and none of them touch him for versatility or using their weaker foot.
61 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:36
Ok fair, i will do the same thing as i am doing with taarabt, i will not try and sell him to you anymore, i will let them get more games over time and then i will raise the issue once more in the future.
Anyone see Reina today? he had one hell of a bad game
62 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:36
Nah, SWP is just better overall.
63 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:38
However, i will say this, try and find a tottenham fan who will swap milner for lennon, try and find an arsenal fan who will swap milner for walcott.
64 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:39
I tried to say that earlier give Milner 6 months with Kevin Keegan the same with Martins and Taylor and there will be a vast improvement in them.
If N’Zogbia wants a credible career he would stick around and KK would improve his game as well.
65 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:40
I bet you could find a Arsenal manager who would swap Walcott for a couple of million !!
66 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:42
i think to see an improvement with taylor all we have to do is pair him up with another british CB. He is just like Dawson, immense when paired with Huddleston, Woodgate or King, but awful when paired up with Chimbonda, Kaboul or Zokora
67 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:43
And thats a silly way of doing things as the same as you and I have differing opinions on players I imagine spurs and arsenal fans do also.
you would swap milner for one of those i wouldnt thats why we debate on this blog and waste any free time i had all weekend.
68 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:44
Thats what people said about Song Craigg, but look now, he has come good and proved the doubters wrong…speaking of which, where is song?
69 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:46
How has he proved doubters wrong he never plays apart from his loan at charlton last season he may end up there in the Championship next season as well.
70 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:47
Id rather have him playing for us than him play in the Championship.
71 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:48
He hasnt played much, but when he has played for Arsenal this season he has been great, and for Cameroon in the African Nations he was great also. I live in London and i know a lot of Arsenal fans who have changed their opinion of Alex Song this year.
72 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:49
Speak for yourself but song aint laying me anywhere
73 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:50
Craigg you clearly havent watched Song when he has played this season
74 CRAIGG // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:52
Yes i think song is good as well but like most of their cast offs Upson, Bentley, Muamba, Sidwell he will have to leave to get first team football
75 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:54
Your probably right there, he will need to leave to get first team football. He should come to us, can play RB, CB, DM and will only get better
76 Spyro // Mar 23, 2008 at 22:55
…also Craigg, lets not forget their other cast off, the prolific anthony stokes lol! im so glad he went to the scum
77 Tom_Toon // Mar 23, 2008 at 23:32
Actually forget Barnetta because i dont think he can play that deep in a midfield 3. What about Zhirkov as he can also play lb.
78 richie // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:00
the question is would carrick/bridge / bentley want to sign for us??if their clubs let them go…??
79 richie // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:01
and furthermore are we buildin a team to break the top 4???
80 Gooderz // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:05
That’s the big task for Keegan, but at least he has some help from Jimenez.
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this earlier but apparently Marcelino is back in English football as a scout for Liverpool. I wonder if he’s on sick leave yet?
81 Charlie Bucket // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:26
Laryea Kingston of Hearts and one of the Arsenal pair of Gilberto and Denilson, and Dean Ashton would all make good signings.
82 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:50
richie if we aint building a team to win the league then what are we doing in this league? even teams such as wigan, middlesbrough, reading etc are building a club that will hopefully win the league someday
I dont care if we win the league in my lifetime (im 21) but i just want the toon to entertain the largest crowds, sign the biggest talents and play on the grandest stages before i die.
83 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:52
I wouldnt mind denilson, but i think gilberto is passed it and should go to spain or italy where the tempo is much slower, he cant handle the premiership no more
84 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 0:53
i dindt know Zhirkov could play LB, how old is he now anyway?
85 AdamCF // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:08
I’d prefer to gamble on up and coming players than former players from the big 4. I feel that the former big 4 players have been there, done that and are now just playing for their wages.
86 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:11
23/24 i think.
87 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:21
exactly Adam, players like wayne bridge have no real incentive to come to newcastle fc and perform, he has won the league, carling cup, and fa cup…whats he gonna win if he comes here? exactly. thanks but no thanks.
88 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:25
Spyro, what do you think of Dessena of Parma, hes exactly what we need in midfield, good passers, can attack and defend + Parma are doing crap so he may leave. Sadly i recon one of the big italian teams will get him.
89 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:26
Tom Toon Zhirkov would be a great buy then, maybe if we buy Arshavin he will put in a good word eh. We should be able to get him for cheap aswell he has been at CSKA for a while now, must be near to end of his contract, or has he renewed? Also, why dont we go for kerzhakov if we are in the russian mood?
90 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:31
He is class, very much like Biglia, to tell the truth I would like to get dessena or cigarini…or both, lol, They are young, can use with both feet and play great both offensively and defensively.
We should be able to get at least one of those eh, but we wont, people like me and you will simply have to admire these young talents as the pass us by mate
91 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:31
Kerzhakov just moved to Dinamo Moscow.
92 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:34
aint that a loan though?
93 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:35
Nope, permanent, something like 8 mil euro.
94 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:36
speaking of italian teams, tom toon do you reckon viduka could put in a good word for us to get bresciano from palermo? he is pure class
95 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:37
oh damn!
96 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:40
i still think a MUST BUY is Adriano from Sevilla, buying a player like that is like killing FOUR birds with one stone, plus he is young, we should break the bank for him
97 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:40
Bresciano, not sure he would fit 4-3-3, hes quite an advanced player n would have to play on he 3 pronged attack but he doesnt score enough goals for that.
If we did get Dessena, it would completely transform our team, more creativity and less pressure on the defence.
98 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:48
You reckon, i personally feel Bresciano would be great as he is hardworking and is always tracking back and making tackles the DM should be making
I know what you mean about Dessena, i feel the same way about Biglia, The good thing is there are a lot of these sort of players developing now as passing football becomes more and more the norm. E.g. Gago, Cigari, Veloso, Flamini, Lucas etc. The traditional english style of direct football is fading and that is why players like nicky butt etc are not really desired anymore, even CB’s are now required to have fairly good passing.
99 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:51
Recon would could get Biglia?
The thing that Dessena has for me over Biglia is that there is more attacking threat from Dessena.
100 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:56
yeah dessena is more box to box aint he, where as Biglia is a more relaxed player who will make a good tackle and then provide a killer pass, a la Pirlo
dessena will be seen by most as the player who is more likely to adapt to the pace of the premiership, however, i personally feel Biglia would be priceless when we are trying to slow down the play and dominate possession.
yeah i think we could get Biglia, we would have to offer some decent wages because obviously anderlecht are a champions league team, but we would provide him with a bridge into the best league in the world.
101 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:58
Emre-Biglia-Barton
Emre-Dessena-Barton
Could be good!
102 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:05
would be great…if emre could stay fit lol
N’zogbia—-Biglia/Dessena—-Barton—-Milner
would be even better for me
103 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:06
Tom Toon the important thing is that we can both see that the majority of our problems would be fixed if we bought a player in the mould of Dessena, Biglia etc, i just hope NUFC staff see this eh
104 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:08
I think we have a better chance getting Biglia than Dessena who will no doubt move to Inter or someone. So im going to join the campaign of Biglia. Apparently people from NUFC read this, so lets keep it going.
105 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:09
again me knowledge of tha foreign leagues shows up whose biglia and dessena paly for like italian? bit weary tnyt mind been oot lol
tbh any creative quality midfielder would be good for us atm its what we re oviously missing the most then probably defense
106 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:12
Biglia - Anderlecht
Dessena - Parma
Both similar players to Pirlo and if you dont know who he is then…
107 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:13
tbh one that i think we could get for a abrgain price is jimmy bullard from fulham if they go dwon
hes a quality player (the only one fulham have) and he could be a good little addition to the squadfor a small price
108 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:14
Yeah come aboard lol, and if we cant get Biglia we can always try for Dessena’s teammate Cigarini
still cant believe you rate Milner more than Theo or Lennon, Theo at Southampton was amazing
109 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:14
lol kk and na whose this pirlo guy like.. haha
j/k .. sound good ave gotta watch a bit more foreign footy like
110 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:15
Shit recently (Walcott) and to be honest the present is all i care about in football when judging players.
111 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:16
i agree about Bullard, and i wouldnt mind getting him as a last resort if we trully cannot attract anyone
112 Tom_Toon // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:17
only one problem with Bullard for me, his age, hes almost 30!
113 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:19
agree with craigg on milner a think hes got so much potential not got anywhere near as much pace as the likes of theo and lennon nd swp but skillwise and ability to take on his man is very good. if he improves his crossing then hes a complete player for me cos he can score goals as well as excite tha crowd rate him highly..
have to admit not gr8 recently but he has still been our most consistent player over the last few years and this break hes had atm will probably be good for him..
114 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:20
true tom_toon but like spyro says if we cant attract anyone and the window is closing quickly might be a good little buy like sibierski was on the last day (although i wasnt exactly chuffed at the time of his arrival lol)
115 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:34
the thing about Milner is this complete player stuff, its a gift and a curse. You are right in the sense that he has elements of almost every position in his game, but my point is that he is not exceptional at any one of those elements. E.g. decent dribbler, decent shot from distance, decent with both feet etc.
Where as Lennon is an amazing dribbler and an expert when it comes to using his pace. Therefore he will be a first teamer as he brings something great to the team, and Milner will just be a squad player because he can fill in a variety of positions. see my point
116 Spyro // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:35
also, milner for me is too slow for a winger, dont get me wrong, he is a good player, but i just feel we can do better
117 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:40
fair enough yh i get ya point maybe ya right cos true milner isnt the quickest but a still feel he can improve a lot so id say maybe sign a right mid to compete with him cos he can always play on tha left if needed and if duff and zog both leave he’ll be needed there
having said that i doubt any of theo lennon bentley swp would come so for me its not a great problem at right mid atm
118 Dragoner // Mar 24, 2008 at 2:46
Ireckon milner would be better for us in an attacking midfield role rather than a right midfield role, hopefully KK & the gang will see this, neways im off, its way too late to be on here
119 ScottyT // Mar 24, 2008 at 3:01
lol agreed but sleep will bring me pain in tha mornin from tha head ah well lol..
120 Ryan // Mar 24, 2008 at 5:46
hmm, I really do wish we can sign few players like bojan from barcelona, kerlon from brazil or breno from fc bayern. They play quite well. And 1 player i still doubt his ability. Zuiverloon who plays RB and CB.
121 dougnufc // Mar 24, 2008 at 6:21
Newcastle move for mystery American prospect
tribalfootball.com - March 23, 2008
Newcastle United are handing trials to a mystery American trialist.
The Sunday Sun says Newcastle are close to bringing in an American youngster spotted by Dennis Wise at a youth tournament in Dallas last week to Tyneside.
122 Len // Mar 24, 2008 at 6:43
Yes it was good to see David Edgar get on the pitch, if only for 3 minutes.
123 GP // Mar 24, 2008 at 7:54
Ryan - Breno turned down the likes of Real Madrid, Bojan is the future of Barca’s strike force and Kerlon has been linked with Man Utd, assuming he ever actually gets to Europe.
124 Ryan // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:07
I know that, but they quite young and very talented . that’s the reason why i hope that they will come.
125 KKN39 // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:30
Milner gives 100% no doubt when he’s on the pitch, w/ powerful shots and decent passes (not crosses), lots of movements / drive / experience / commitment / consistency. nice young chap. he’s just not gifted in his pace and dribbling so put him as a central AM or left side FW in a 3 man attack and he will be a much more valuable asset for us. a model professional to keep. can be a reborn Speed at his very peak for the next 10 yrs (at least) to come.
126 Nick Dryden // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:31
Ed glad we agree about EDGAR. He’s the best defender at the club by a country mile.
Sorry can’t agree about smith though. We have looked so much better with him out of the side. jack of all trades, master of absolutely zero!!!
127 GP // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:33
I agree with what some of you have been saying, Milner is more suited to a central role since his crossing is inconsistent and he lacks pace. I wonder if next season we’ll start to see him in that role…
128 KKN39 // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:40
Arshavin can be a good buy for us if he wants to come: skilful, pacy, creative, versatile, experienced, and hopefully he won’t complain about the NE weather and life style (and hence demand a quit for London) after all these years in St Petersburg. a skilful and goalscoring ST, a penetrating RW and a creative / dynamic AM are exactly what we need and this lad can play well in all these positions …
129 Cockney Magpie // Mar 24, 2008 at 9:00
———————Given————————–
Beye—————Taylor—————Enrique
———————-Faye—————————
Bentley———–Barton—————Downing
——–Owen——Ashton——Martins————
That team would do me nicely 4 next season
130 Leo // Mar 24, 2008 at 11:40
well done edgar
131 Ashton // Mar 24, 2008 at 14:02
I would love to see this line up for next season
…………………….. Hart
Edgar … Zapata …. Amorebieta …. Enrique
…….Carrick……… Mbia ………….. Barton
…Owen ………… Berbatov …………. Martins
man with this line up we could win the PL
132 Scott Hodge // Mar 24, 2008 at 14:43
I thought there was something going on when Edgar came on for the reserves in the last home game at RB and not CB. Obviously KK has decided as he can play him anywhere across the back, he will play him at RB and give himself cover for Beye. Very few fans know how good a ball player young Edgar is, he actually came to Newcastle as a midfielder. Just for the record he is still the Canadian junior 1500 m record holder and as he had the opportunity to become a Pro Ice Hockey player, can rough it up with the best of them !! He intends to stay at Newcastle if he gets the chance when his contract expires in 2009 !!
133 Thomas // Mar 25, 2008 at 1:24
mexes gets too many red cards, cisse is a bit dodgy, not as prolific a scorer as he was made out to be. Ashton has yet to prove himself over a full season in the Prem.
Gilberto Silva could be a solid investment, 30 but a worldcup winner, immense experience in the prem and still hungry to play, think he’d like’d enjoy the toon, a breathe of fresh air.
lastly, give walcott a break, hes only 18, bloody hell! lets not forget bentley was an arsenal flop and it seems everyones talking about him, as was upson, sidwell, larsson, etc. and thats imagining that walcott will be a flop which he wont.
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