So as we are constantly reminded out season is effectively over - we are safe from relegation while a late charge toward Europe is out of our reach. Pride is all we have to play for - however I would like to think we have a number of players fighting for their future at the club.
We all know there will be a summer clear out and then hopefully a large recruitment drive. Obviously mass upheavals of a squad brings it owns issues as we saw down the road at Sunderland who struggled to settle after Di Canio brought in 14 new players.
I am going to give my assessment of our squad in terms of who I think will leave, and who I want to leave.
The Players who's time at the club is up:
Shola Ameobi - Great servant, but never been good enough.
Pappis Cisse - Lost his form & has no chance of recovering it
Dan Gosling - Never been good enough
Jonas - Good servant, time for a change
Steven Taylor - Local lad who loves the club, but sadly not good enough.
Hatem Ben Arfa - Quality player, but too much of a luxury. Unfortunately it is not going to work out for him at SJP
Gabriel Obertan - All round bad buy, never going to make the grade
Sylvain Marveaux - Never adapted to the English game.
Send the following out on loan to get 1st team experience:
Sammy Ameobi
Paul Dummett
Adam Armstrong
Remi Streete
Players I think could leave - but I want to keep:
Tim Krul - One of the top Keepers in Europe
Fabricio Coloccini - I expect more noises about a return to Argentina
Cheik Tiote - Our best player - Top clubs are likely to be interested
Mathieu Debuchy - Linked with Bayern Munich
Loic Remy - Top clubs likely to be interested in the QPR man
Hopefully we can do all we can to hang on to these lads who can be the spine of our team next year. Along with additions we can build a quality team and decent squad.Money need to be spent if we are to even stand still in the PL.
Whether Pardew is the man to take us forward and rebuild our team is a question for another day - regardless of him staying or leaving the squad needs major work.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Everton: The blueprint for NUFC
Newcastle faced Everton this past Tuesday night and were given a footballing lesson which resulted in a 0-3 win. We cannot take much from this game in terms of positives, however if we are smart we will take Everton's blueprint and try and implement this at our club.
Everton have a glorious history and had great teams back in the 80's while they have also challenged the top over the past few years. They have done this on a shoe string with many Evertonians believing they cannot progress until chairman Bill Kenwright finds a major investor.
We all know Mike Ashley is by no means Newcastle United's sugar daddy instead preferring to make signing's which "Make financial sense" therefore it would be smart to follow the Everton model. They have a good team which has been built for very little investment, they have wisely taken advantage of the loan market, and have given youth a chance.
Everton sold Felliani to Man Utd - replaced him with Barry and McCarthy, improved their team and pocketed 15m. Great business.
NUFC were unable to contain a free flowing Everton side who use their pace, skill, and positional freedom to outfox United. With Barry sitting the midfield directing play Barkley, Osman, and Deulofeu interchanged at will and our defense was unable to cope. Tiote, Colo, and Willo had no clue who to pick up, while our fullbacks looked lost as Everton do not play out and out wingers. We were all at sea defensively and massive credit for that must go to Martinez. Integral to this Everton system are the fullbacks - and I would argue that in Baines Coleman Everton have the best set of fullback in the league. NUFC do not.
Pardew's system of a solid midfield with centre midfielder Sissoko and centre forward Gouffran playing wide just does not work against the top teams.
Picking 'wingers' because of their defensive work can only take you so far. Against the poorer teams in the league this will, and has worked. However we are found out by the top teams.
Our biggest worry right now should be - what is our plan B? do we have the squad to play any different? I would suggest not. I would go as far as saying our only option is bringing HBA into the number 10 position as our other attacking options - Marveaux and Obertan will never make the grade.
If the rumors are to be believed there will be major investment in the NUFC squad this summer with a emphasis on attacking players. If we could bring in players like Remy Cabella, and Clement Granier we could possibly see a change in mentality from Pardew which will unleash an attacking, free flowing team. The question remains whether Pardew has it in him to change the footballing philosophy of his team.
I saw the following tweet for NUFC fan this week:
"I bet Martinez would get a great performance out of Ben Arfa'". I tend to agree.
Everton have a glorious history and had great teams back in the 80's while they have also challenged the top over the past few years. They have done this on a shoe string with many Evertonians believing they cannot progress until chairman Bill Kenwright finds a major investor.
We all know Mike Ashley is by no means Newcastle United's sugar daddy instead preferring to make signing's which "Make financial sense" therefore it would be smart to follow the Everton model. They have a good team which has been built for very little investment, they have wisely taken advantage of the loan market, and have given youth a chance.
Everton sold Felliani to Man Utd - replaced him with Barry and McCarthy, improved their team and pocketed 15m. Great business.
NUFC were unable to contain a free flowing Everton side who use their pace, skill, and positional freedom to outfox United. With Barry sitting the midfield directing play Barkley, Osman, and Deulofeu interchanged at will and our defense was unable to cope. Tiote, Colo, and Willo had no clue who to pick up, while our fullbacks looked lost as Everton do not play out and out wingers. We were all at sea defensively and massive credit for that must go to Martinez. Integral to this Everton system are the fullbacks - and I would argue that in Baines Coleman Everton have the best set of fullback in the league. NUFC do not.
Pardew's system of a solid midfield with centre midfielder Sissoko and centre forward Gouffran playing wide just does not work against the top teams.
Picking 'wingers' because of their defensive work can only take you so far. Against the poorer teams in the league this will, and has worked. However we are found out by the top teams.
Our biggest worry right now should be - what is our plan B? do we have the squad to play any different? I would suggest not. I would go as far as saying our only option is bringing HBA into the number 10 position as our other attacking options - Marveaux and Obertan will never make the grade.
If the rumors are to be believed there will be major investment in the NUFC squad this summer with a emphasis on attacking players. If we could bring in players like Remy Cabella, and Clement Granier we could possibly see a change in mentality from Pardew which will unleash an attacking, free flowing team. The question remains whether Pardew has it in him to change the footballing philosophy of his team.
I saw the following tweet for NUFC fan this week:
"I bet Martinez would get a great performance out of Ben Arfa'". I tend to agree.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Summer targets
At this point of the season I always turn my thoughts to the summer and who we could potentially bring to the club. Obviously we are safe from relegation so without that distraction we should be looking towards the summer lining up potential deals.
Like many fans I would prefer to see us look at British players or player with previous Premiership experience. I also have tried to be as realistic in terms of would these players be interested in joining us.
With that being said - the list below is not my dream wish list - rather a list of good players who I believe would join us and would improve our squad.
Steven Caulker - Cardiff
Although he moved to Wales for big money I can see Caulker moving on this summer if Cardiff drop into the Championship. Big, strong, and quick Caulker could be our defensive rock for years to come - especially are Coloccini seems to constantly be linked with a return home to Argentina.
Lewis Holtby - Tottenham (Fulham - loan)
Holtby came to England from Germany with a big reputation after a great start to his career in the Bundesliga. After the 100m plus transfer spree at White Hart Lane Lewis found himself surplus by new manager Tim Sherwood. Holtby would add energy and creatvity to our midfield where he can operate in multiple positions. Not a direct replacement for Cabaye he would give us options along with Vurnon Anita. I'd love to see Holtby move North this summer.
Jack Rodwell - Manchester City
Unfortunately for Rodwell he followed the big money to Man City where he has become swamped amongst City's great squad. Rodewell was great at Everton and was tipped to be the future of Englands midfield - he is in desperate need to move on and alot like Holtby he would offer so much to our midfield. He knows the Premier league and has that British steel.
Kyle Naughton - Tottenham
I would bring to Naughton as cover and competition for Debuchy at right back. We are short of coverage since Simpson left and a specialized fullback would boost the squad.
Scott Sinclair - Man City (WBA - loan)
Ok he has had a nightmare season at WBA, but he did enough at Swansea to suggest he would be a good addition to our squad. Both as an out and out winger or part of a front 3 he gives good options and has an eye for goal.
Fabio Borini - Liverpool (Sunderland - loan)
Forget that he is playing for Sunderland - Borini is quality. He took time to settle at Liverpool but since he has been given the opportunity to play week-in-week-out he bas developed into a dangerous forward who offers pace, movement and a sharp finish. Alongside a big man like Luuk De Jong or as part of a front 3 Borini would be a good buy.
Danny Welbeck - Manchester Utd
Quick, strong and a eye for goal. Although still with plenty to prove Welbeck would certainly be an improvement to our forward line.
Michu - Swansea
Suffered during his second season and undoubtedly upset by the departure of Laudrup Michu could be ready for a move. Why not bring this lad to St James. He can operate in the hole or as a target man. He took the league by storm and would be a great buy.
Javier Hernandez - Manchester Utd
Chicharito is a quality goal scorer - the ultimate poacher. Many clubs will be after him when he undoubtedly leaves Man Utd this season in a search for more 1st team football. We can offer him that and he would link well with a target man like De Jong in a 442 formation. I expect him to head to Spain, however I'd like us to try get him.
Worth asking the question:
Romelu Lukaku
Stefan Jovetic (loan) - Man City
Demba Ba - Chelsea
James Milner - Man City
Like many fans I would prefer to see us look at British players or player with previous Premiership experience. I also have tried to be as realistic in terms of would these players be interested in joining us.
With that being said - the list below is not my dream wish list - rather a list of good players who I believe would join us and would improve our squad.
Steven Caulker - Cardiff
Although he moved to Wales for big money I can see Caulker moving on this summer if Cardiff drop into the Championship. Big, strong, and quick Caulker could be our defensive rock for years to come - especially are Coloccini seems to constantly be linked with a return home to Argentina.
Lewis Holtby - Tottenham (Fulham - loan)
Holtby came to England from Germany with a big reputation after a great start to his career in the Bundesliga. After the 100m plus transfer spree at White Hart Lane Lewis found himself surplus by new manager Tim Sherwood. Holtby would add energy and creatvity to our midfield where he can operate in multiple positions. Not a direct replacement for Cabaye he would give us options along with Vurnon Anita. I'd love to see Holtby move North this summer.
Jack Rodwell - Manchester City
Unfortunately for Rodwell he followed the big money to Man City where he has become swamped amongst City's great squad. Rodewell was great at Everton and was tipped to be the future of Englands midfield - he is in desperate need to move on and alot like Holtby he would offer so much to our midfield. He knows the Premier league and has that British steel.
Kyle Naughton - Tottenham
I would bring to Naughton as cover and competition for Debuchy at right back. We are short of coverage since Simpson left and a specialized fullback would boost the squad.
Scott Sinclair - Man City (WBA - loan)
Ok he has had a nightmare season at WBA, but he did enough at Swansea to suggest he would be a good addition to our squad. Both as an out and out winger or part of a front 3 he gives good options and has an eye for goal.
Fabio Borini - Liverpool (Sunderland - loan)
Forget that he is playing for Sunderland - Borini is quality. He took time to settle at Liverpool but since he has been given the opportunity to play week-in-week-out he bas developed into a dangerous forward who offers pace, movement and a sharp finish. Alongside a big man like Luuk De Jong or as part of a front 3 Borini would be a good buy.
Danny Welbeck - Manchester Utd
Quick, strong and a eye for goal. Although still with plenty to prove Welbeck would certainly be an improvement to our forward line.
Michu - Swansea
Suffered during his second season and undoubtedly upset by the departure of Laudrup Michu could be ready for a move. Why not bring this lad to St James. He can operate in the hole or as a target man. He took the league by storm and would be a great buy.
Javier Hernandez - Manchester Utd
Chicharito is a quality goal scorer - the ultimate poacher. Many clubs will be after him when he undoubtedly leaves Man Utd this season in a search for more 1st team football. We can offer him that and he would link well with a target man like De Jong in a 442 formation. I expect him to head to Spain, however I'd like us to try get him.
Worth asking the question:
Romelu Lukaku
Stefan Jovetic (loan) - Man City
Demba Ba - Chelsea
James Milner - Man City
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