Are the Magpies back to stay?
August 13th 2010 11:02
Are the Magpies back to stay?
Being a lifelong fan of Newcastle United, it seems only right to blog about their prospects ahead of their first season back in the English Premier League, with the big kick off just days away. Whilst the opening matches of the season are tomorrow, Newcastle fans must wait until Monday night, to watch what could well be a bruising return to the top flight away against Manchester United. However, I should say now, I do feel we will stay up, though it will be close.
Last season was a welcome break from year after year of scraping for wins, and taking points anywhere and anyway they came. Winning each week was something which I'm sure, like me, the Toon Army faithful became accustomed too. But, there is no place like home, and now Newcastle are back in the Premier League, where they belong. What stood out last season was not necessarily class, skill or flair, but desire, determination and ambition, with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Andy Carroll, standing up and being counted. Chris Hughton cannot be praised highly enough, for turning a group of overpaid pre-madonnas into a group of lads seemingly willing to take a bullet for each other.
The season in the lower league also gave foreign imports a chance to settle, a season which should benefit them going into this term. Coloccini looked a different man at the back then in his debut year, and Jose Enrique developed into arguably a contender for the Spanish left-back slot. Even though I already felt he was the best player at the club, Jonas also improved. One thing that disappointed me last season, was the lack of action seen by Slovenian youngster Haris Vuckic. The attacking midfielder is set for great things, and last year was a perfect opportunity to give him first team experience, though injury put an end to that plan.
While there is an undoubtedly strong back bone to our side, with Harper in goal, Coloccini, Taylor, Enrique and new recruit Sol Campbell at the back, Smith, Barton and Nolan in the middle and Carroll up top, Jonas remains the only top footballer on our books. The signing of Dan Gosling, once he is fit, could prove to be a master-stroke from Hughton, as he arrived on a free and could have a big future. But I don't feel the likes of Routledge, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch, Best or Williamson will add anything more than depth to the squad.
The saga over Hatem Ben Arfa's on-off move to SJP continues, and personally I feel his arrival could change our prospects for the season. Though it could be argued he's shown himself to be more trouble than he is worth throughout this summer, he has undoubted talent, which is lacking within our squad. Also, Hughton showed last season he is good at dealing with troublesome players, hence why Joey Barton is still around. But with Jonas and Ben Arfa playing off Carroll, and Nolan, Smith and Barton in the middle, a solid 14th/15th place finish could beckon. Even if the Frenchman arrives, another striker and a left back remain necessities in the transfer window, and Craig Bellamy would certainly be welcomed back to the club by fellow fans I have spoke too.
The future seems bright for Newcastle, with plenty of talented youngsters coming through the ranks, but to ensure the club prospers in years to come, survival this season is a must. Though it is possible that with some luck and lack of injuries we could finish near mid-table, I would happily take 17th place come may if offered it now. Overall I'm just excited that Newcastle are mixing it with the big boys again, and can't wait to get started at Old Trafford on monday.
Being a lifelong fan of Newcastle United, it seems only right to blog about their prospects ahead of their first season back in the English Premier League, with the big kick off just days away. Whilst the opening matches of the season are tomorrow, Newcastle fans must wait until Monday night, to watch what could well be a bruising return to the top flight away against Manchester United. However, I should say now, I do feel we will stay up, though it will be close.
Last season was a welcome break from year after year of scraping for wins, and taking points anywhere and anyway they came. Winning each week was something which I'm sure, like me, the Toon Army faithful became accustomed too. But, there is no place like home, and now Newcastle are back in the Premier League, where they belong. What stood out last season was not necessarily class, skill or flair, but desire, determination and ambition, with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Andy Carroll, standing up and being counted. Chris Hughton cannot be praised highly enough, for turning a group of overpaid pre-madonnas into a group of lads seemingly willing to take a bullet for each other.
The season in the lower league also gave foreign imports a chance to settle, a season which should benefit them going into this term. Coloccini looked a different man at the back then in his debut year, and Jose Enrique developed into arguably a contender for the Spanish left-back slot. Even though I already felt he was the best player at the club, Jonas also improved. One thing that disappointed me last season, was the lack of action seen by Slovenian youngster Haris Vuckic. The attacking midfielder is set for great things, and last year was a perfect opportunity to give him first team experience, though injury put an end to that plan.
While there is an undoubtedly strong back bone to our side, with Harper in goal, Coloccini, Taylor, Enrique and new recruit Sol Campbell at the back, Smith, Barton and Nolan in the middle and Carroll up top, Jonas remains the only top footballer on our books. The signing of Dan Gosling, once he is fit, could prove to be a master-stroke from Hughton, as he arrived on a free and could have a big future. But I don't feel the likes of Routledge, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch, Best or Williamson will add anything more than depth to the squad.
The saga over Hatem Ben Arfa's on-off move to SJP continues, and personally I feel his arrival could change our prospects for the season. Though it could be argued he's shown himself to be more trouble than he is worth throughout this summer, he has undoubted talent, which is lacking within our squad. Also, Hughton showed last season he is good at dealing with troublesome players, hence why Joey Barton is still around. But with Jonas and Ben Arfa playing off Carroll, and Nolan, Smith and Barton in the middle, a solid 14th/15th place finish could beckon. Even if the Frenchman arrives, another striker and a left back remain necessities in the transfer window, and Craig Bellamy would certainly be welcomed back to the club by fellow fans I have spoke too.
The future seems bright for Newcastle, with plenty of talented youngsters coming through the ranks, but to ensure the club prospers in years to come, survival this season is a must. Though it is possible that with some luck and lack of injuries we could finish near mid-table, I would happily take 17th place come may if offered it now. Overall I'm just excited that Newcastle are mixing it with the big boys again, and can't wait to get started at Old Trafford on monday.
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