George Caulkin on Shearer

[Big Onion 0]

Another good piece from Caulkin, consistently the best and best-informed writer on Newcastle this season for my money:

 

AT least he is trying things. Most of the protagonists at St James' Park this season have simply been trying, which is more than half of the problem confronting Alan Shearer. The manager's job has come to him desperately late and it is only as the days elapse and further corrosive evidence emerges of how far standards had slumped at Newcastle United, that the full extent of his task becomes clear.

 

But at least he is trying. Shearer has prompted some debate with the switches he made to Newcastle's formation during the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but there are two points to be made about that. Firstly (and you may be noticing a theme here), at least he is trying things. Secondly, he has been forced into trying things because of the ridiculously unbalanced, haphazard nature of his squad.

 

As with so much of what has happened on Gallowgate this season, there is rich, bitter irony involved, although it is asking too much of supporters to embrace any notion of comedy; too dark, too raw. But a man who began the campaign out of the team and out of favour is now being yearned for. Step (or limp) forward Jose Enrique, Newcastle's only specialist left back.

 

The season started with Kevin Keegan repeatedly stating his need for cover in that position. His employers did not take heed. When Keegan departed and with the January transfer window approaching, Joe Kinnear's public attitude towards Enrique verged on the dismissive. He wanted another left-back, he said. None came. By the onset of February, Newcastle had sold Charles N'Zogbia, who had, on occasion, (reluctantly) deputised there.

 

In the meantime, Enrique got his head down and toiled. He is never going to be Stuart Pearce or Ashley Cole and he is still overly fond of the long pass, but flakiness is gradually being removed from his game. He is no longer such a liability. However, he has been missing with a knee injury since Shearer's first match in charge, thereby squaring a circle of witlessness; Newcastle have no cover at left back.

 

There is no worse stage of the season than this for a manager to introduce new ideas (something previously discussed here). Players are fatigued, both mentally and physically, and in Newcastle's case there is the added problem of processing too much information from too many managerial figures (Keegan, Kinnear, Chris Hughton and now Shearer).

 

But what choice does Shearer have? At least he is trying. And as Newcastle fans would tell you, the Enrique situation is not an isolated one. Habib Beye, the club's consistent right back, was absent for three months between December and March. It was left to the likes of Steven Taylor and David Edgar to fill in, both of whom are centre halves. Ryan Taylor, bought from Wigan Athletic in January, can also play there, although without much conviction.

 

So when Shearer alternates between 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, he is not being 4-4-too-clever-by-half, he is attempting to wrest the most from a limited group of players which has been utterly neglected by his employers. Having no Plan B in two defensive positions has nothing to do with bad luck with injuries and everything to do with miserable planning and a farcical acquisition policy.

 

Shearer is trying. At the training ground, it has been a case of restoring basic principles. If you wonder why a professional football club should need a refresher course in such obvious issues as punctuality, discipline, team-bonding, fitness, injured players staying late for extra treatment, communication with those who have been out of the side (such as Mark Viduka last week), then you are not alone. One word: shambles.

 

His first big decision on taking charge was to restore Michael Owen to Newcastle?s starting XI. Fitness permitting, I would bet my mortgage on Owen remaining in the team for the pivotal home match against Portsmouth on Monday night, in spite of his recent lack of goals. Again, fitness permitting, I would wager that Viduka and Obafemi Martins will play, too. Newcastle need attacking impetus.

 

There will be a time for reckoning, for anger. Watching the Spurs match and seeing the lack of options at Shearer's disposal, the players who should not be there, the superannuated, overpaid superstars who contribute little, it was difficult to swallow those emotions. Over years and seasons and months and weeks and days, Newcastle's demise has been self-inflicted. Blame can be apportioned, but one man carries the responsibility. Hint: it is not Shearer.

 

Shearer should not be criticised for trying. With the clock ticking and games running out, it is all he can do. He doesn't have the luxury of a pre-season in which to experiment with tactics against lower-league opponents, he doesn't have fixtures he can afford to write off in pursuit of perfection. If something is not working, he has to change it, now, and so what if that looks confusing on the touchline.

 

Those who know say that he, Iain Dowie and Paul Ferris have been deeply impressive. They have authority and intellect, innovation and understanding. They talk and they listen. They have walked into the football club with ideas and a plan. They are no mugs. But even the most assiduous of builders need something to build with.. With what he has at his disposal, all Alan Shearer can do is try. He is making a decent fist of it.

[Happy Face 29]

It's always the arse licky articles that are spot on innit.

[Big Onion 0]

Cynic

 

While I don't deny there's an element of truth in what you say, I don't think there's much wrong with that article - Caulkin's obviously set out to do a positive piece, but it reads as a fair enough analysis to me . Obviously I've got more time for a writer who's generally been sympathetic towards our fans (Henry Winter is another) than, for example, certain local pressmen who seem more interested in slagging off a Newcastle supporters group than pointing the finger at the people who have fucked the club up.

 

Did I read somewhere Caulkin had attended NUSC meetings, incidentally? Anyway, I do like his stuff.

[Renton 22401]

Those who know say that he, Iain Dowie and Paul Ferris have been deeply impressive. They have authority and intellect, innovation and understanding. They talk and they listen. They have walked into the football club with ideas and a plan. They are no mugs. But even the most assiduous of builders need something to build with.. With what he has at his disposal, all Alan Shearer can do is try. He is making a decent fist of it.

 

I believe this.

 

The absolute worst thing about the situation for me, worse even than relegation itself, would be for us to have 'wasted' our one chance for Shearer to be our manager and then watch him be successful somewhere else, whilst we languish in the lower leagues. If that happened I'd be gutted.

 

How can we expect Shearer to be an overnight success with the limitations he has listed in that article (and much worse besides - the midfield)? How long was it before Keegan had any impact? I fear we've left it too late and yet again shot ourselves in the foot this season.

[Happy Face 29]

Cynic

 

While I don't deny there's an element of truth in what you say, I don't think there's much wrong with that article - Caulkin's obviously set out to do a positive piece, but it reads as a fair enough analysis to me . Obviously I've got more time for a writer who's generally been sympathetic towards our fans (Henry Winter is another) than, for example, certain local pressmen who seem more interested in slagging off a Newcastle supporters group than pointing the finger at the people who have fucked the club up.

 

Did I read somewhere Caulkin had attended NUSC meetings, incidentally? Anyway, I do like his stuff.

 

I don't think there's owt wrong with the piece either.

 

There was nowt wrong with this one either...

 

http://www.toontastic.net/board/index.php?...l=louise+taylor

 

But people were wishing ill upon her labia for it.

 

She did a blog post today that's similar to Caulkin's article on Shearer's blamelessness....

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/...ed-alan-shearer

Edited April 21, 2009 by Happy Face

[Big Onion 0]

Maybe Shearer's the one she gets a wide-on for these days now Royston's gone back to his caravan

[Happy Face 29]

Maybe Shearer's the one she gets a wide-on for these days now Royston's gone back to his caravan

 

She still can't help herself having the same old lazy 'Messiah' dig like.

 

Slut.

 

[Fop 1]

It's always the arse licky articles that are spot on innit.

 

So when Shearer alternates between 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, he is not being 4-4-too-clever-by-half, he is attempting to wrest the most from a limited group of players which has been utterly neglected by his employers. Having no Plan B in two defensive positions has nothing to do with bad luck with injuries and everything to do with miserable planning and a farcical acquisition policy.

 

Hard to argue with that though.

[peasepud 59]

Cynic

 

While I don't deny there's an element of truth in what you say, I don't think there's much wrong with that article - Caulkin's obviously set out to do a positive piece, but it reads as a fair enough analysis to me . Obviously I've got more time for a writer who's generally been sympathetic towards our fans (Henry Winter is another) than, for example, certain local pressmen who seem more interested in slagging off a Newcastle supporters group than pointing the finger at the people who have fucked the club up.

 

Did I read somewhere Caulkin had attended NUSC meetings, incidentally? Anyway, I do like his stuff.

 

Caulkin and Bird have been to most, if not all of the public meetings and spoke at them too.