This week has been a good week for Newcastle fans with Sam Allardyce being appointed manager. In his interviews on TV and radio he came across as a person who talks a lot of common sense – and somebody who freely admits this will be his biggest challenge.
But after a week in the Spanish sun – he seemed relaxed and healthy – and smiling more than ever – when he arrived at St. James’ Park last Monday.
While there are going to be all kinds of players linked with Newcastle in the summer what types of players do we need at the club?
We’ll need some help from the Geordie fans ( and others) on this one – so sharpen your pencils.
Sam Allardyce
Sam has made a good start by getting 6 players off the payroll who were peripheral to the team. We had predicted the following players would leave in our piece on Owen Will Stay But Others Must Go at Newcastle
- Albert Luque **
- Titus Bramble *
- Craig Moore *
- Celestine Babayaro
- Stephen Carr
- Olivier Bernard *
- Oguchi Onyewu *
Sam released those marked with an * in addition to goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek.
Luque ** is out on loan to PSV so the two full backs Carr and Babayaro are the only ones on the list who are still at Newcastle.
The first thing to realize about Allardyce is that we hope he continues the way he brought players in at Bolton. They don’t always have to be big signings.
We’ve had too many of those in the past which have not panned out. Let’s look at what Sam said recently (some important parts we put in bold) and see what we think he will do:
“The most important thing is probably the recruitment of new players for next season as quickly as we can,”
“To come back for the pre-season with the majority of the squad in place is something I really hope can be achieved.
“If we can start all together then it makes life a lot easier.”I think that there has always been funds available to bring in new players but what we have to do is make the right selection process, to make sure it is the right player, who wants to come to Newcastle and is capable of producing on this stage, on this wonderful stage at Newcastle.
“And that’s not always a big player. It could be someone who everyone else has not quite heard of, but there are plenty of players out there who could come here and come to the Premiership.””It’s been a very, very hectic few days and the decision has now been made, hopefully it will be a very successful time for me, Freddy Shepherd and everyone involved at Newcastle United – pulling in the right direction.
“You only have to look at the past in terms of recent years, I’m under no illusions. I’m under the same pressure as other managers who have been and gone and not quite achieved enough. I’m under the same pressures to deliver as soon as possible.
“But my life is not about delivering instantly but also to build something sustainable. To buy some time initially I need to get the results. Then I can build the back-room staff and playing staff to get results.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to get the same success as I have in the past four years at Bolton.”
Since Sam’s let three center backs and a full back go – we believe Sam will bring in a whole back four (at least) – two full backs and two center backs – and may still place either Carr or Babayaro (Celestine is the more likely) on the transfer list.
So who are the players who would add value to our squad at Newcastle – let’s split them into center backs and full backs and put down some candidates:
- Center Backs:
Sol Campbell – Portsmouth, Sylvain Distin – Manchester City, Curtis Davis – WBA, Anton Ferdinand – West Ham, Wes Brown – Manchester United, Fabricio Coloccini – Deportivo La Coruna, Gabriel Milito – Real Zaragoza - Full Backs:
Ben Haim – Bolton, Liam Rosenior – Fulham, Leighton Baines – Wigan, Luke Young – Charlton, Nicky Hunt – Bolton, Gareth Bale – Southampton, Wayne Bridge – Chelsea
Bolton’s Nicky Hunt
We think Gareth Bale is far too expensive and Wayne Bridge may not be allowed to leave Chelsea, and as for Curtis Davis – it will depend on whether WBA can get promoted – but all the others we could probably get.
Sam has already said he will bring in players from outside England so Argentinians Fabricio Coloccini and Gabriel Milito – who seem to have a lot of support on this web-site – could be possibilities.
As far as we are concerned – any two from the center backs and full backs list would be good – four in total.
Remember these players are replacing Bramble, Moore, Onyewu and Bernard – so that should bring a big improvement to our defensive squad.
That’s some of our thinking – have we missed anybody out?
Of course – we would have loved to have signed Jonathon Woodgate – but that miracle didn’t happen. 🙁
Let us know your thoughts on who Sam should bring in – mainly concentrating on the defense right now – which is the major area that needs improvement.
27 comments so far
Bill
May 18, 2007 at 1:32 AM
Comment #1I think it will be a mistake to let Titus go, we have seen the worst of him when he was playing despite being injured during this time. I believe we were just starting to see the best of him having got over it. He should be given one more opportunity to prove himself
Len Smith
May 18, 2007 at 1:42 AM
Comment #2Maybe you should read Sam’s speech again. This looks like the usual list of overpriced prima donnas that have failed us over and over again with maybe one or two exceptions. Campbell would be a great addition but dont expect more than 20 games a season. Distin just wants a big paycheque before he retires. I have watched Davies a couple of times this year and he looked very very average. Ferdinand is a total waste of time, thats why Curbs wants rid. Brown OK at the right price. Dont know Coloccini and Milito. Argie defenders tend to be tough and good footballers but probably overpriced and a major gamble. How about West Ham Collins for centre back. Totally unfashionable = cheap and a much better player than fatassRio. Ben Haim could be good but the rest will be massively overpriced and overrated. Good scouts could pick up 2 OK full backs we have never heard of from eastern europe for a pint and a pie each.
WOOF
May 18, 2007 at 2:42 AM
Comment #3NICKY HUNT ? ROTL
That was Bolton fans taking the p*ss.You are so far out -side the loop.That proves you know nowt about the Toon
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 7:51 AM
Comment #4Len – you could be right – maybe there will be new faces coming in we know nothing about.
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 8:06 AM
Comment #5Len – watched Collins a lot during the run in for West Ham – he looked great – but not sure Curbishley will let him go.
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 8:39 AM
Comment #6Good Morning Boys .
Is Scott Parker off to West Ham for £8 to £10m ? Who would be team captain esp as Kevin Nolan seems to be staying at Bolton . P/Ex Collins plus cash for Scotty– not sure if he feels he wants to stay seems very quiet for ateam captain .
Re everything going quiet . I think we have covered quite a lot this week and are we all Bogged out!!!??
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 8:40 AM
Comment #7sorry I mean “Blogged out “. Typos again !!!
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 9:13 AM
Comment #8Bill – Titus is gone !
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 9:14 AM
Comment #9Arthur – young Steven Taylor is a captain of the future – but at this time he is probably too young.
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 9:16 AM
Comment #10Woof – have to admit it’s hard to tell what’s really news and what’s paper talk.
Who would you bring into Toon?
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 9:17 AM
Comment #11Woof – what do you mean I know nothing about the Toon.
I know it’s sunny in the summer 😀
dinko
May 18, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Comment #12Shay Given can be a captain. Why not?
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Comment #13I personally don’t think a goalkeeper however good is an ideal position for a Captain . Can’t fault Shay’s commitment and class though .Weneed astrong talkative midfielder really ?Nicky Butt anyone ?and as Ed says ,Steven Taylor in the future
reggie22
May 18, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Comment #14with all the talk of scott parker to west ham y not the obvios choice id just straight swap for reo coker england u21 captain so he has the credentialls he is bigger stronger younger and he wants out perfect solution problem solved
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Comment #15But does Reo-Coker have a Baby Bentley problem ? Or Will Big Sam sort him out ?
reggie22
May 18, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Comment #16im quite sure he doesnt have a baby bentley prob he is england captain and u don’t hear all the stories about him as u do all the other in-fact i never heard anything about him outside football he wears his heart on his sleeve for a man so young i feel he was just a scape goat at west ham and if sam can motivate 30-37 year olds I’m sure he shouldn’t have a problem with young lads . it maybe just me but i think he is quality and would swap especially if Scott wants out id rather play my dad who gave 100% for the shirt than someone who don’t want to be here if we were in division 3 and the lads gave 100% id be there every week so its not always the success its the commitment and effort i ask for and we have lacked that when we were losing at AZ i just wanted to see shearer or Beardsley kick em the ass tell em what it means cover every inch of the pitch fight till the whistle get sent of if u have to just do something anything but no nothing that’s more upsetting than anything ! that is what sam has to install
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Comment #17I agree the commitment like Reading etc should make several of our lot ashamed .
Fair enough re Reo-Coker .It is as I ask that we bring in quality players who are prepared to fight for the cause
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Comment #18Dinko – there’s always a debate on whether a goalkeeper should be captain because he’s not out there playing in the outfield – but I’d be OK with Given because he’s so good as a goalkeeper and just a great guy – who gets respect from the others. Shay would love it !!
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Comment #19Reading and Sheffield United always played like their lives depended on it – love to see that. Hopefully Sam will get the same response from this lot – think he will because any player who doesn’t show that passion will be gone.
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Comment #20With Len’s comment at the top – we wonder if we may be way off on who may be coming in. Having thought about it – don’t think some of them listed will be coming – but we don’t know who Sam has his eyes on outside of England. When they come we may never have heard of them – but that’s not bad – given those he brought to Bolton.
dinko
May 18, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Comment #21I think Žigić (Santander) would be an exelent signing. He is tall 202 cm and he is exelent header. With short Martins Zigic will make the difference in the air. He also scoring with both legs. He is from Serbia so he know how to play in the snowy february ground. And he can teach young Caroll some of his haeding. Again i am sorry for my bad english.
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 2:54 PM
Comment #22dinko – thanks – for our readers here’s a link to wikipedia on Zigic. He’s 6′ 8″!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_%C5%BDigi%C4%87
Certainly scored a ton of goals.
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 2:57 PM
Comment #23Arthur – Nicky Butt would be great as captain.
Arthur Prince
May 18, 2007 at 6:01 PM
Comment #24The main thing that has impressed me this week are the number of comments on the NU Blog . It seems that the appointment of Big Sam has stirred up all the passion , opinions and excitement . This means surely that for the first time for some time now the club is going in the right direction and Icant wait for the new season . High expectation –absolutely . Well done ED and Ahmed for the Blog . Good to get the thoughts into print
Howay the Lads !!!!!!
Ed Harrison
May 18, 2007 at 7:03 PM
Comment #25Arthur – and to think by Xmas we could even be up there in top 6 – we’ll have to see – but still think the current sqaud is good. Needs Sam to bring out the best in the players we have – and we could be a lot better – much more quickly than people realize. Sam is as motivated as anybody could be – which is great to see.
Tooner
May 19, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Comment #26Luque never went on loan, just a heads up. The PSV loan deal fell through.
Ed Harrison
May 19, 2007 at 1:27 PM
Comment #27Tooner – the loan deal Luque tried to do in January fell through.
But on May 3rd – it was announced he’s going on loan next season to PSV.
Here’s the Evening Chronicle review of it on May 3rd by Alan Oliver.
http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/chroniclesport/tm_method=full%26objectid=19038873%26siteid=50081-name_page.html