Watching the Newcastle Middlesbrough game this afternoon, you cannot help but think that some of the players we now have at the club, just aren’t good enough.
Kevin Keegan – tough job ahead
Yes, we have a very small squad which will be helped in a while by the many good youngsters we are signing, but some players need to be moved out in the summer, to make way for better players coming in.
We need to augment the squad with 6-7 top class players. It will not be easy for us to attract these types, because it’s getting to be almost a certainty that we will not qualify for Europe, for the second season running. 🙁
The players we need to move out probably include the following:
Stephen Carr
Claudio Cacapa
Shola Ameobi
Alan Smith
Peter Ramage
David Rozehnal
We didn’t want to put Peter Ramage on the list, because he’s been out all season and his contract runs out in June, and we just cannot see Newcastle renewing it. He will probably be snapped up by Roeder at Norwich City. We see Norwich beat Preston yesterday, with an injury time goal, for a valuable 3 points and are now in 13th position.
Claudio Cacapa is a bit mysterious because he can play very well, but we’re starting to think he may be too much like Rozehnal, and just not quite good enough for the Premier league.
Alan Smith is not quite good enough up front with his heading or goals, not quite good enough in midfield with his tacking and passing, and is not a good winger. Alan may be a very good squad player but nothing more, and we’d rather get our £6M back on him. He’s too ordinary for a Newcastle Keegan side, which we’ll have next season.
The players we need to bring in during the summer include those in the following positions – almost across the board really:
2 central defenders
left back
2 central midfielders
winger (either side)
big striker
So with 6 players out and 7 players in, the ranks will not be swelled too much, but hopefully we’ll sign some youngsters again and surely some of them at the club right now, will be able to force themselves into the first team squad for next season.
We did move out Celestine Babayaro in December but did not replace him in the January transfer window so we really reduced our ranks by two senior players in January, when we include Rozehnal.
What do you think?
Let us know your comments and ideas for the future – it’s more interesting right now looking towards the future. 😀
150 comments so far
Nick C
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Comment #1I think u could add Given, Butt, Viduka and Barton to that list….
neil
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Comment #2you can add butt to that list he is garbage!!
american pie
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Comment #3i knew from the beginning…smith doesnt contribute to the team positively. cacapa and carr too old for the league. but i expect wholesale changes in the summer, kk is only observing the players he has now. i hope we dont lose Nzogbia…he is KK’s kind of player.
brad
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Comment #4given are u dumb with out given we would’t be here FACT
Graham
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Comment #5Ed – not good enough for what exactly? We are a mid table team at best at the minute – so most are probably good enough for that.
We all know that if we want to be up with the big lads we have to replace probably 7 or 8 of our regular first team squad (not including the subs).
This cannot be done overnight though – you cannot just go out and buy a new team to immediately finish in the top 4. This is something which is going to have to be done over 3-4 years. First we buy some players who can get us in the top 6/7 and then we move onto the next step and so on.
Keegan has the squad he has – so its no use moaning about it until the summer.
We are improving game on game – slowly but surely – as I said – it’ll take time no matter who’s on the pitch. After the Villa game we have a 2 week break with not too many players away on International duty – we will also have 3 or 4 returning from Africa (although Geremi can stay if he wants). During that fortnight we will gel and improve as a unit and be better for it.
Lets stay positive – we’ve got who we’ve got so lets get behind them and support them 100%
lewdavies
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Comment #6got to add Nicky Butt to that list also. He is kak!
All our problems stem from the middfield. Cannot pass, cannot shoot, cannot supply the forwards, cannot tackle, cannot protect the defenders. The majority of goals conceeded are straight through the centre of middfield. This needs addressing before anything else IMO
Bob
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Comment #7I would say that Rozza and Cacapa have ability (caps for Czech. Rep and Brazil don’t come that easy) – but simply don’t fit into the Premiership.
Steven Carr and Ramage are out of their depth, although Carr has improved somewhat this year on his usual level of performance.
Ameobi should drop down a level – to Roeder’s Norwich for example. He did well under Roder and might be able to fulfill his potential there.
Smith is a decent player but has a very odd set of attributes and dosen’t really fit anywhere.
howway geordies
Feb 3, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Comment #8I would also add:
Geremi
Joey Barton
Mark Viduka
to the outgoings list.
brad
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Comment #9but some 1 sed given wtf comom who would we put in goal instead , imagin a newcastle with a strong defence and given in goal be unbreakable
Alex
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Comment #10ed of the players we need to get rid of you forgot nicky butt .Dont forget also the youngsters that are on the fringes of the first team this season LuaLua ,Carroll,Edgar and forster will get a chance under keegan when the time is right also the 3 lads from the ANC could all be in the team against villa .Nigeria lost today so that means Martins will be back sometime this week alongside Beye and Faye and these 3 will make a big diffrence to the squad that keegan has had to choose from so far.Lets not start to get to pesimistic, todays performance was an improvement on the last few games. Lets keep the faith.
Sinead
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Comment #11Just to let ye know, the FAI/Eircom awards are on now, Given’s up for senior player of the year, very tough competition Dunne has been outstanding as well, I can’t remember who else is up for it, Doyle I think. It’s going to be tight. It doesn’t really matter who wins it though, the 3 of them have been amazing. Hopefully Given will get it even though I’d say they wont want to give it to him again for the 3rd year in a row, have to be fair to the other boys. The entire teams there actually. LOL!!
Number 70
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Comment #12Little harsh on Cacapa alongside taylor recently hes been solid.
Ill agree with the rest but id also add these to the list:
Butt – Great and winning possesion and snuffing out danger, cant pass 5 yards to save his life and long wasteful balls are stupid
Viduka – Can score the odd goal now and again but slow very slow not really a target man.
Duff – Head down and run thats his style doesnt look up so misses runs of other players and also very rarely crosses it first time instead opting to beat his man repeatedly
Geremi – Offers very little
Owen – Yes i said Owen soon as we get rid of the owen factor we can build a good attacking team, Bottom line despite everyone’s opinion including mine is that he doesnt want to be here.
For a player of his quality how often have you seen him come back and fight to win the ball when he isnt getting service?
Looking forward to the summer.
toon4lyf
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Comment #13we dunt av da bad a side wen the lads from the african nations cum bac well av a good team we need to sell butt,ameobi,barton and possibly owen also im not sure about milner is ,havent had all our main players under keegan yet soo we wel havta see
buy: shuan wright philips,barzagli and arca maybe crouch 2
Nick C
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Comment #14Brad, Given has been a good keeper for NUFC, however I don’t think he has been the same since Harewood did him at West Ham over a season ago. He has become even more determined never to venture off his line, his kicking and distribution in general is awful, and his shot stopping is not as good as it once was.
Also, I have always felt he could do with being a few inches taller. That’s not his fault, but he just is not imposing enough.
And no, I am not dumb. But thankyou for your concern.
brad
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment #15ok fair enough hes movining with time but hes always been good like u sed but just say we did get rid who would step in ,forster ,kul?
Tom_Toon
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Comment #16Where is:
Butt
Owen
Geremi
on that list?
Toonarmybarmy
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Comment #17Number 70 – get rid of owen, what you talking about man, stop talking such utter s***. If you actually watch him, the guy works his socks off, even when we arnt creating anything for him. He is player we need to keep hold of if we are going to get anywhere. Wind your neck back in!
Lazy
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Comment #18Yeah, though I love Given for his loyalty; he doesn’t seem to be the player he once was.
I think we should keep the players we have now, but add:
1 Goal keeper
1 Central Midfielder
1 Right Midfielder
1 Left back (and play Zoggy on the left wing)
1 Central Defender
1 Striker
That will give the team a new spine, and strengthen our 3 current weakest areas.
No doubt that will cost a hell of a lot of money though.
Gordon
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Comment #19Duff was our best player today. Valuable asset if he can be kept fit.
Get Butt out – cancel his contract if we have to and give his wages to someone more deserving.
For me this is the best we have atm. Milner is way off form, ditto Viduka.
Given
Beye Taylor Faye Enrique
Zog Barton Emre Duff
Owen Martins
brad
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Comment #20well money mike ashley has 1.9 billion pound lol he will sort us out in the summer just w8 and see guys
ToonKing
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Comment #21are you people daft ??!! Barton and Owen shipped out ???
Joey is our best midfielder by a landslide and Owen is our best player and a world class striker.
If anything we should build our new team around them and Taylor.
Nick C
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Comment #22I dunno Brad. Jaaskeleinan? Good tall keeper, with plenty of Premiership experience. Regarding Ashley. Everyone assumes he will spend big, but he aint so far. Why did we offer 2 mill for Barnes. Either we want him or not. If we did, surely he is worth paying about 4 million for?
Offering low amounts and not budging is the sort of thing Shepherd used to do….
Lee
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Comment #23We certainly lack a attacking midfielder that can run with the ball through the middle,zogs can do that,but is currently used at left back,young lua lua looks quite bright,what ive seen of him. maybe he can grasp his oppertunity,if given a chance.
Hammy
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Comment #24Once/if we secure our Premiership status, I think we should chuck a couple of youngsters in to see if they can cut the Premiership mustard.
Most fans are in agreement who should be got rid of but you have to be realistic and say that most of these guys will have to take a dramatic pay cut if they want regular football, so assuming they are in it for the money they aren’t going anywhere until their current deal expires.
Would love to have known who the 2 or 3 enquiries were for during the transfer window,
I’m fairly sure none of them were on Ed’s wish list above.
brad
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Comment #25well like kk sed there was no 1 worth buying in jan so maybe kk told mk and now they are just waiting for the summer lets hope se spend big
Jon
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Comment #26Taylor??? He doesn’t know how to kick a ball, his passing is awful.
JK Muzzi
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Comment #27Stephen Carr is pure class, what you going on about, butt and barton were awful today and should never play for newcastle again, Man Utd next home match will have 13 players if butt and smith play again.
dirk
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Comment #28agree with toonking, we need to build the team around taylor barton and owen they are our best players and a team that cn play with them is n awesome team. I think harper shouldget some match time now as given is still the keeper he was but needs to no that there is some competition that can sill beat him to the goals.
w need another rw milner is class but hes playing too much he hasn misse a full match for over a year and needs abreak every once in a while. also another 3 defenders, i dont thnk lb tho as we should use our kids, get them used to the prem we need midfielders desperatly specially central if barton gets off he and emre should b the starters but we need cover.
Hammy
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Comment #29Nick, in the past there have been two prices for footballers, the first price being market value, the second being the price Newcastle United are willing to pay…..Marcellino, Viana, Boumsong, Maric, Robert (begrudgingly) cost over £30 million toon pounds, we’d have been lucky to get £5million back.
Ashley is a business man and I’m fairly sure he won’t be ripped off by crooked agents as the equally crooked Shepherd used to on a regular basis hence our ex £100 million debt.
Hammy
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Comment #30I think we should be kissing Ashley’s ass that we still have a football club to support…….
What’s the interest on a £100 million debt?
Pele's toenail
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Comment #31It’s a hell of a gamble waiting until the summer to recruit – we migth be in the championship by then…………………………………..
the artist formerly known as cooldj
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Comment #32viduka-fat and doesn’t give a flying f*ck.
ameobi- not good enough. never has been and never will be
Butt-a good dm but we can find a dm as good as him who can attack too.
Geremi-where to start?I want him out though he could be a good RB cover for the reserves.
Carr-he’s just got championship written all over him.
Ramage-see above.
Personally i would keep cacapa-awsome today and is getting to grips with this league though a short term measure.
Smith-works hard and i think as soon as he scores he will come good.
We need a RM a.s.a.p! As for barton i just don’t know. good player but bad person.
Tom_Toon
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Comment #33You dot build a team around Owen for two main reasons:
Hes past his peak
Hes inured a lot so what use is building a team around him when he wont be there alot of the team, NONE, my point exactly.
Gordon
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Comment #34Martins should be fit – left him, Kanu and Utaka out the side!!! Didn’t even put any of them in when they were 2-1 down…
Instead they went for Richard Eromoigbe and Victor Obinna – whoever the hell they are?!
No wonder the muppets lost!!!
Leo*
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Comment #35ADD NICKY BUTT TO THE LIST
ripley
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Comment #36Get Geremi on that list for sure.
The skipper likes Barton, and he’s the only one. Barton is not quality, so far.
Butt should not start.
Smith should go. Viduka, too. We don’t really know about Owen, do we, with the injuries and the poor service.
Given must stay. Taylor must stay.
Ameobi can go to the Championship, along with Ramage and Carr. Carr must go.
Leo*
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Comment #37my list of in and outs are
out
butt
geremi
smith
viduka
ameobi
in we need
1 cb
1 young right back
1 experienced left back
2 center midfielders one being along the line of s.appaih
1 right winger
and a strong striker
Bob
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Comment #38Gordon – Nigeria are managed by Berti Vogts!
I don’t think I need to say more…
Dazza
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Comment #39Damn right Hammy, Ashley has been drawing a line in the sand to say that we will not pay overinflated fees and wages to ordinary players, it would be nice to actually make a profit on a player because we have discovered them and made them better. Football is a business and if we want our club to survive then it has to be treat as such.
Steve
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Comment #40Out of the team that we have, the only ones I would keep are Given, Taylor, Milner and Beye. I think Barton can play a bit when he is fully fit and so can Emre so I would probably keep them. The rest I would sell. Martins is too inconsistant. Owen is too small and well past his sell by date and doesnt put in the graft that KK likes up front. Viduka not mobile enough. Ameobi is Ameobi. Butt and Carr are finished. Cacapa makes too many mistakes as does N’Zogbia although KK could make him into a great player. Carrick and Berbetov should be KK’s first 2 signings and 3 top draw defenders