Sam Allardyce has talked today to Lee Ryder of the Evening Chronicle and has said that Albert Luque – despite putting in extra training sessions is still not fit enough to figure in the pre-season build-up at Newcastle.
There’s no doubt Albert has shown good character so far with Sam to try to finally make something of his Newcastle career. But it’s still surprising to us he isn’t yet ready.
Albert was married recently and elected not to go on his honeymoon – which shows some dedication to the club and his career.
Albert Luque
Sam Allardyce told the Chronicle today:
“Albert is still quite some way off because he missed the Austria trip.“We will now start seeing more of James Milner and Geremi but not Albert. “In Albert’s case, deconditioning players throws their injury risk right up.
“We will monitor his fitness on a daily basis, and the medical team and sports science team come along and override you as a manager in terms of their expertise.
“That’s why you must bring them in and listen to their advice. Otherwise you could throw a player in and they could have a 45% chance of getting injured. “So an injured player just goes backwards, which has been one of Albert’s problems over the last two years.
“That extends back to the first few days of his career here when he severely tore his hamstring.
“Even two years on he doesn’t feel like he’s at the level he was in Spain before he arrived. “I have to be patient and get him first to the physical level and then the mental level to see if he can adjustâ€
We’re looking forward to seeing Luque somewhere near his best at Newcastle next season. After paying a whopping ₤9.5M for Albert to Deportivo – the fans deserve to see something special from Albert. Certainly Albert has the talent – even if he hasn’t yet shown the determination necessary to be successful in the Premiership. We think this is actually a very good move by Sam and his team – and when Albert is ready to play we hope he does well.
Sam might just be the man to bring the very best out of Albert – and certainly to Luque’s credit he seems to be giving it his very best efforts under Sam’s guidance.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
sam gardner
Jul 21, 2007 at 1:38 PM
Comment #1your right i say get rid
Obafan
Jul 21, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Comment #2Let’s give him time to build on his condition and then he’ll proove he is a quality player. He has never been given a normal chance, especially Roeder didn’t want to give him a chance. He scored at Palermo to secure the group in 1st place and then Luque didn’t touch a ball anymore in the 1st team, because of his attitude. Roeder, if you want to give a chcen to a player; give him a couple of games and not just 1 game to proove what that player is capable of. If we look at the performances of last year; i think there were lots of players that didn’t get their normal level. They had plenty of chances (Ramage, Babayaro, …) and Luque never got one; it’s a shame.
Obafan
Jul 21, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Comment #3Ramage is a bad example, because he jjust is not good enough to play in the EPL. If we should get rid of one player, IMO let’s get rid of Ramage. I hope BS sees this quite quickly (qfter he rebuild his defence) and then get him on the transfer list. Hopefully we don’t have to pay to get rid of him 😉
nightfall
Jul 21, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Comment #4ramage? no way…he lives for newcastle and he’s a fighter…keep him… he’s not for first 11, but a great back up player… plus…you’re all saying martins will improve, he’s only 22… well ramage is 23…what makes you think he won’t?!?!?
Lee Halbert
Jul 21, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Comment #5Have a look on Youtube for Albert Luque, you would not believe it is the same player that we signed – some stunning goals.
I say get him fully fit, give him and chance, if he cannot hack it then get rid.
Geordie joe
Jul 21, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Comment #6Because ramage is crap nightfall. He is slow and makes bramble like mistakes. He is no where near the standard we need.
valle1
Jul 21, 2007 at 4:18 PM
Comment #7Agree… Ramage sucks… I can still see that dreadfull backpass against Birmingham where he looked like he was scared to death… what a nightmare.
malaysian youngster
Jul 21, 2007 at 4:45 PM
Comment #8i would like to see edgar play. he did quite good when we play against aston villa if im not mistaken. i would like to see luque can perform the way he did in spain.good luck ya. newcastle is losing to carlisle now. so sad. now 86th mins still 1-0 down.
Ivan
Jul 21, 2007 at 4:50 PM
Comment #9why r we losing 2-0???
frank
Jul 21, 2007 at 8:44 PM
Comment #10sign with iraqi international player no. 5 ” Nashat Akram ” he is a great player and he is so mutch confident with on ball and he is wanted by sunderland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USjoQfjl8zw&mode=related&search=
so plz plz big sam sign with him he is top class player and hes using hes mind, hes a smart player, and skilfull and hes just 24 years old
and ask ed harrison about him
BS GET HIM NOW !!!!!!
Greg B
Jul 21, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Comment #11whos losing 2-0? 1-1 Ivan.
Anyway, I think some of you are a bit harsh on Ramage, we have only seen him, and quite a few of our squad (Emre, Owen, Luque, Martins, Duff etc) under the tutorage of messers Souness and/or Roeder.
Give Allardyce time and chance to work with them, give them the once over and im sure if they can give us anything next season Im sure Sam will give them their chance.
I agree Ramage, Emre, Luque, Duff, Babayaro etc have all underperformed these last couple of years, now Allardyce is in charge Im sure we will see an improvement in at least 75% of the squad.