Since Jose Enrique became a starter a few games ago he has looked a good young player who will only get better as he plays more in the tough Premier league.
Jose Enrique - cheer up Jose - we’re doing well now
Keegan talked about our 22 year-old Spanish left back:
“Jose is improving with every game. It has taken him a little while to adapt.” “We have had a couple of meetings with his brother about what he has to do to improve.”
“His brother speaks good English and when Jose was out of the team, he was more or less asking ‘what does he need to do to get back into the team?’.”
“Whatever you are seeing now, it will be another 50 per cent once he has got a pre-season with us under his belt and has not been interrupted like he was last year.”
“Apparently, he did not have a full pre-season and that is vitally important for players. Players who miss any part of pre-season usually suffer somewhere in a season”
“His focus is now better. There is still improvement in him, but he has got a lot of qualities.”
“He has a lovely left foot and he has a maturity about him at times that belies his age. He is still a very young player.”
It also seems that Kevin will be bringing in a new center-back and an experienced left-back during the summer, so Jose will have a challenge next year for the left back position. But that is common at a club like Newcastle and good for Newcastle and good for Jose too, as it will only bring the very best out of him.
We’ve been very impressed with Jose, but he is not yet the finished article, although there is no doubt he is good enough to make a success of his Newcastle career.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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14 responses so far ↓
1 Leo // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:16
i dont think we have had two good left backs at our club for the last 10 years atleast
2 I_McP // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:18
I like Jose and I think it would be harsh if a new 1st choice LB was brought in. However, if that was Wayne Bridge I wouldn’t have too many complaints. As for the new CB what about Huth from Middlesbrough?
3 Eric // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:27
Enrique is improving all the time and he is a quite skilfull LB. Of course we need another quality left back - perhaps one who alternates and rotates with Enrique according to the needs and tactics of the game being played. Also there will be injuries and rests. We are thin on the grass for LB’s and RB’s if Carr goes? Though Geremi can cover there too.
4 Kash // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:30
Huth is always ijured, but a quality CB. I would prefer someone like Sylvain Distin possibly. He’s a good, quick CB and can play LB too!
5 Callum // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:41
Kash - Why would you think Distin would swap Portsmouth for Newcastle based on recent years and this season where Portsmouth are in the FA Cup semi-final with a good chance of winning… A TROPHY!
6 Tom_Toon // Apr 4, 2008 at 10:19
Alex of Chelsea for CB.
7 Obafan // Apr 4, 2008 at 10:36
Indeed Distin would be a very good player for our defence, but I can’t see that happenning.
Enrique deserves lots of credits, cause he struggled under SA and has now found a good rhythm. Off course a very young player, so I realy would buy a good LB. I say let us go after Dante from Standard. He is very strong (also in the air) (can cover as CB) and is also very good in going forward. He would leave if a good offer came and if Standard did not change his contract, cause he has to pay lots of taxes in Belgium (special rule or something).
8 AdamCF // Apr 4, 2008 at 11:22
I thought Jose Enrique was only 19?
9 steve // Apr 4, 2008 at 12:30
Nope - Enrique waas born 23 January, 1986 which makes him 22
10 ronaldeano // Apr 4, 2008 at 12:41
I think that this kid has the potential to be world class
11 CRAIGG // Apr 4, 2008 at 13:10
Obafan my point on Hughes was that we need players who can be back up. We couldnt go and buy a top quality right back and say youre second choice to Beye because they wouldnt come. You need players who wouldnt moan and are solid if not spectacular IE Aaron Hughes would be a decent signing, He can also leave Fulham on a free in the summer.
Look at Man Utd their back up defenders are O’Shea, Brown, Silvestre and Evans they are decent but no where near Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra and Neville.
Any way the subject is Enrique and i think he has been excellent since arriving worrying if he gets injured, So we need another Left back.
12 Whitt // Apr 4, 2008 at 15:08
if we brought in Wayne Bridge…
Enrique would still be 1st choice.
13 Obafan // Apr 4, 2008 at 15:22
CRAIGG - Okay you’ve got a point there. Ijndeed we need better back up players than we have now. Hughes is better than Carr, but are there no better options.
I still stick with Dante of Standard: really solid and hard working defender.
14 Toooooooooooooooooon // Apr 5, 2008 at 0:58
Enrique and Beye both is better than carr and babayaro….so i m happy for now. but its nice to got a good backup
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