The current squad

[Christmas Tree 4672]

Just been having a nosey at the current squad and think quite a few prem teams would be quite envious (Putting aside champ league teams).

 

A few of these like Smith are at the end of contracts this year and will no doubt be shipped on, but as long as we can keep finding players like Tiote, Ben Arfa, etc and adding a few each window then I think we are on the way to being a decent top half team pretty soon (if not this year).

 

The gaping hole ofcourse is the striking department which is probably as barren as its been for some time. Carrols a decent prospect but shouldnt be trying to carry the burden as the main striker. An injury to Nolan at the moment would be devistating for us.

 

 

Goal Keepers

 

Steve Harper -- Tim Krul -- Fraser Forster -- Ole Soderberg

 

 

 

Defenders

 

Fabricio Coloccini -- Jose Enrique -- Sol Campbell -- Mike Williamson -- Danny Simpson -- James Perch -- Ryan Taylor -- Steven Taylor -- Tamas Kadar -- James Tavernier

 

 

Midfielders

 

Kevin Nolan -- Joey Barton -- Danny Guthrie -- Wayne Routledge -- Dan Gosling -- Alan Smith -- Jonas Gutierrez -- Cheik Tiote -- Kazenga Lua Lua -- Haris Vuckic -- Shane Ferguson -- Ryan Donaldson -- Hatem Ben Arfa -- Bradden Inman

 

 

Strikers

 

 

Abdrew Carrol -- Peter Lovenkrands -- Xisco -- Leon Best -- Shola Ameobi -- Nile Ranger

[Dr Gloom 21760]

the depth up front is very limited and one dimensional. we don't really have the kind of player with pace that can play on the defender's shoulder. i would be looking to move on lovenkrands, xisco, and best.

 

midfield's looking well stocked but a lot of those are young and unproven - like vuckic and lua lau - or older and a bit shit - like smith. for me, it's the defence that's the strongest it's been in a while. still need a decent right back mind, or for simpson to step up a bit.

[Bonamental 0]

the depth up front is very limited and one dimensional. we don't really have the kind of player with pace that can play on the defender's shoulder. i would be looking to move on lovenkrands, xisco, and best.

 

midfield's looking well stocked but a lot of those are young and unproven - like vuckic and lua lau - or older and a bit shit - like smith. for me, it's the defence that's the strongest it's been in a while. still need a decent right back mind, or for simpson to step up a bit.

 

I'm still optimistic Simpson can become good enough. It took Ricky a while to get used to playing here and improve, I know its not really a direct comparison, but Simpson hadn't had much prem football before joining us, so I'm willing to be a bit patient with him. Probably be shit now Ive said that.

 

Crying out for a striker though, but then so many teams are, so fuck all chance we can get someone good on our budget. Can we really afford to move on 3 strikers (even if they are as limited as those 3)?

[JamesD 0]

I think you should just be looking at surviving this season, then establishing yourself as a midtable side, before even considering top 10! We're only just cracking onto that now and we've been up for 4 seasons. It's a lot harder than it seems.

[JonTheMag 4]

And thats very good given your disabilities.

[JamesD 0]

Ha.

 

What I said is true though, one step at time.

[Besty 4]

Top 10 this year?

 

Just calm down a tad, an injury to a winger, Carroll or a full back and we're fucked!

[angrysteve 0]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

[JonTheMag 4]

Agreed, top 10, while not unreasonable would be an incredible result and should not be the expectation. Anything above 17th should be considered a success.

[LeazesMag 0]

if we don't set our sights higher, the likes of Tiote and Enrique will leave the club and we are back to square 1. It's pointless saying we should "add" to it bit by bit. Players want to play for successful clubs now, not in 3 or 4 years time, they want it now.

 

And Ben Arfa is only on loan and might not play for us again, in fact even if he hadn't been injured its highly likely one of the bigger clubs would have stepped in for him anyway.

[Tom 14011]

There's every possibility we could be playing the championship next year!

 

Take your time.

[Bonamental 0]

Agreed, top 10, while not unreasonable would be an incredible result and should not be the expectation. Anything above 17th should be considered a success.

 

This.

 

I can't see Routledge having the composure to have that great an impact down the middle, plus he'd be quite easy to bully out of the game. I guess if nothing else he could help try to strech the oppo defense, but I haven't really seen enough intelligence from him on the wing to suggest he has those sort of runs and timing in him. Would love to be proved wrong.

[JonTheMag 4]

I would sell Routledge, Xisco, Best, Smith, and Lovenkrands, could maybe get 4-7 million for the whole bundle, but thats probably a bit generous. Either way, take that money with hopefully more from Ashley and buy a striker.

 

And Leazes, I think our squad has a good enough base where we CAN add to it bit by bit. Theres good chemistry, and if we improve by 1-3 players each transfer window that could see us rise quicker than you may think.

[harrynufc 0]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

 

hmm.. i think its too risky. I dont think its as simple as saying those who have some pace will be good at running off the last defender. You need to be able to read the game, make those runs. Plus he would provide nothing else as a forward, no hold up play(as he has no strength), no link up play and certainly no aerial threat.

[JonTheMag 4]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

 

hmm.. i think its too risky. I dont think its as simple as saying those who have some pace will be good at running off the last defender. You need to be able to read the game, make those runs. Plus he would provide nothing else as a forward, no hold up play(as he has no strength), no link up play and certainly no aerial threat.

 

I think he would be better there than as a right winger who cant put crosses in though

[angrysteve 0]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

 

hmm.. i think its too risky. I dont think its as simple as saying those who have some pace will be good at running off the last defender. You need to be able to read the game, make those runs. Plus he would provide nothing else as a forward, no hold up play(as he has no strength), no link up play and certainly no aerial threat.

 

Could argue that the pre-Real Madrid Michael Owen lacked in these departments too, although he did have natural finishing ability. Was just thinking of a possible solution as people have identified we lack that type of player and it's probably a safe bet that Ashley isn't gonna splash much (if any) money come Jan. Ban Arfa is obviously out for the best part of the season, Lovenkrands looks off the boil and Ranger despite his fantastic pace looks like he cant finish. Having said that we seem to be coping with what we have, fingers crossed we don't pick up injuries.

[LeazesMag 0]

Agreed, top 10, while not unreasonable would be an incredible result and should not be the expectation. Anything above 17th should be considered a success.

 

This.

 

I can't see Routledge having the composure to have that great an impact down the middle, plus he'd be quite easy to bully out of the game. I guess if nothing else he could help try to strech the oppo defense, but I haven't really seen enough intelligence from him on the wing to suggest he has those sort of runs and timing in him. Would love to be proved wrong.

 

Routledge is hopeless. He is the same as Franz Carr, fast and that is all. Poor control, no composure, no vision, nothing.

 

Typical budget signing. Not good enough.

[Christmas Tree 4672]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

 

 

Can understand where you are coming from but the lad just doesnt seem to have the bottle, heart etc in that area of the pitch. Unfortunately think the championship is his level.

[Christmas Tree 4672]

if we don't set our sights higher, the likes of Tiote and Enrique will leave the club and we are back to square 1. It's pointless saying we should "add" to it bit by bit. Players want to play for successful clubs now, not in 3 or 4 years time, they want it now.

 

And Ben Arfa is only on loan and might not play for us again, in fact even if he hadn't been injured its highly likely one of the bigger clubs would have stepped in for him anyway.

 

 

Enrique didnt leave when we went down and not every player can joing the top four. It is simply foolish to think that you can buy overnight success these days. I would much rather keep adding several good players and get better that way.

 

Ben Arfa is not the messiah. Had he still being fit who knows what might have happened on Sunday. Would Barton have been on the right or Jonas. Would have been a completely different set up and not neccesarily better.

 

We've all seen these players come who have glimpses of brilliance but long periods of nowtness.

 

Overall though I am heartened that we have someone at the club who is managing to un-earth these gems. Dont know who it is but long may it continue.

[Christmas Tree 4672]

There's every possibility we could be playing the championship next year!

 

Take your time.

 

 

[Tom 14011]

If my glass was always half full I'd save a fortune.

 

Thanks CT.

[OTF 7217]

Squad's not bad if they're all fit, but if we have our typical NUFC injury crisis then we'll fall away very quickly and will struggle to score goals.

[tinofbeans 91]

Wondering what people think of trying to convert Routledge into one of those off the shoulder pace-merchant strikers. For me he's fairly inconsistent out wide, a bit light weight, often lacks decent delivery and goes missing in games from time to time... but he has got pace to burn, decent skill and showed last season he is capable of the odd tidy finish. Anyone think it would be worth trying to use him as an impact sub playing just off a target man (of which we have plenty) in a Walcott/Ashley Young type position where he's be up against slower (but admittedly stronger) defenders? Just a thought...

 

similar to walcott? not a bad idea.

[LeazesMag 0]

if we don't set our sights higher, the likes of Tiote and Enrique will leave the club and we are back to square 1. It's pointless saying we should "add" to it bit by bit. Players want to play for successful clubs now, not in 3 or 4 years time, they want it now.

 

And Ben Arfa is only on loan and might not play for us again, in fact even if he hadn't been injured its highly likely one of the bigger clubs would have stepped in for him anyway.

 

 

Enrique didnt leave when we went down and not every player can joing the top four. It is simply foolish to think that you can buy overnight success these days. I would much rather keep adding several good players and get better that way.

 

Ben Arfa is not the messiah. Had he still being fit who knows what might have happened on Sunday. Would Barton have been on the right or Jonas. Would have been a completely different set up and not neccesarily better.

 

We've all seen these players come who have glimpses of brilliance but long periods of nowtness.

 

Overall though I am heartened that we have someone at the club who is managing to un-earth these gems. Dont know who it is but long may it continue.

 

It is only last season that Enrique settled down and made the big impact that he has made. But when it comes down to it, the players inside the club know if they are playing for a progressive club or not.This is mainly determined by the quality of footballer they see brought into the dressing room and the team to play alongside them.

 

I'm afraid the likes of Leon Best, Wayne Routledge, James Perch, to go with loan signings, over the top 35 year olds, and crocked kids who can't even get into Evertons team will answer any thoughts they may have. This is quite simply a few "bargains" too many. The ambitious clubs buy top players and pay the going rate for wages etc. They will see this, and the attraction is obvious.

 

As for Hughton, he is managing the club with his hands tied, just like people in the past such as Arthur Cox, Gordon Lee, Bill McGarry, Jim Smith, Ossie Ardiles....the list goes on. He will make some good buys but most will not be of the standard you should be demanding at a club like NUFC. The end result is sadly that the manager is sacked, because he can't build a top premiership team on the cheap like this. It's impossible. Accept this is the case. Hughton will leave Newcastle either because he is a success operating on a shoestring and will go when someone tempts him to a better club ie Wigan, or because he can't achieve the impossible.

[Kitman 2204]

I think the best we can hope for is steady improvement i.e. as the likes of Smith go, quality additions are brought in using the money freed up and as finances improve generally. I think this is what CT's saying but I'm not holding my breath though.