It took Keegan 10 games to register his first win, but now with three wins in a row, and 4 games unbeaten, the Newcastle fans’ patience is starting to be fully rewarded.
Newcastle fans – better times ahead for the great Geordie faithful
Kevin talked today about the way the team has been playing:
“I’ve been excited with a lot of the football we played against Spurs and Reading,†“Not just the front three, but the way we’ve passed the ball and moved it.”
“The third goal was a real classic – a lot of one-touch passing, cutting open Reading with a lot of real incisive football.â€
David Edgar’s call-up to replace the ill Steven Taylor was the only change Keegan made to his starting line up and David had a good solid game, and showed why he has a future at the club, with his no nonsense and safety first approach at the back.
David must have been happy with his solid performance. Lamine Diatta also came on for his first 8 minutes of first team action, and Lamine looked what he is, an experienced International player.
We’d like to see Lamine get a run out at center-back just so we can see how he plays. He could be a good addition to the squad, and as we’ve said before, if he’s anything like his Senegal team mates Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye, we should sign him.
Kevin likes stability and he has tried to play the same team, simply because they have been doing so well, but that has also put some pressure on other players not in the starting eleven.
One of these is Irishman Damien Duff, who managed to get a good run out as a substitute in the second half on Saturday and almost scored, and Kevin has pointed out he is training like mad, trying to get back into the starting eleven..
Kevin talked about Damien:
“He’s on fire at the moment,†“I thought he might get a goal against Reading, he was unlucky not to.â€
“He’s champing at the bit to get back in the team and then it’ll be James Milner in the next 10 days and obviously Steven Taylor. We’ve got Andy Carroll too and other young lads.â€
“We’ve not only got a good squad at the minute, we’ve also got a good squad around it.â€
It says much for the spirit at the club Kevin has already created that experienced players like Duff are reacting the way they are. And we heard from Oba Marftins yesterday, that nobody wants to leave the club, since the players seem to love playing for the maestro, and think good times await them all next season.
And the maestro Kevin really seems to be, even though it took him 10 games to get a win, the change in the team’s results and performances over the last 4 games has been little short of incredible.
And we’ve noticed the critical gossip press have been rather silent of late, haven’t they? 😀
We’re on our way – make no mistake about that.
Comments very welcome.
10 comments so far
faustino
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Comment #1The change is fantastic but the next five games are HUGE….five real tests – a chance to take huge momentum through to next season.
If we can get results of any sort against Portsmouth, Chelsea and Everton then we can stand tall ready to be counted as uefa place chasers next year. Simply put if we continue this form until the end of May and score as we have, no one will want to play us next season. Mess up too bad in these three games we will have a much shakier time of things at the end of August.
Sunderland is a MUST win and WestHam we should take something from.
Have to say though Ed thought Edgar had anything but a strong game – looked shaky as a new born horse in the first 30. Play like that against Portsmouth and we’ll be in big trouble.
HeronMag
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Comment #2It’s great to here the desire and hunger being shown by the players at the moment. Plays can’t wait to get on the pitch!
It bodes well for the transfer market too. If we’re looking like an exciting team at the end of the season people will look at Newcastle United as a club to play for. I can see KK bringing in some BIG surprises .
Neil Snowdon
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Comment #3Dear Ed,
As I said earlier, if we held our nerve things would improve. I’m delighted that the vast majority of fans did exactly that and those who actually go every week have been very patient.
We do have some stiff tests to prove this is no flash in the pan. Kevin will also need to see other players in action to assess them prior to the post-season clear-out or retention.
Funny how confidence is the key to so much, both in football and in real life!
Regards,
Neil
ChrisL
Apr 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Comment #4Any idea what N’Zogbia is upto?
Bill F
Apr 7, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Comment #5ChrisL good question, I don’t think he is injured but he hasn’t been in the recent squads so we can only assume that there has been some bad behind the scenes stuff going on.
He is too good not to be in the squad so I reckon he has asked for a transfer and KK has decided to shelve him till we are out of trouble. I think he will be gone in the Summer.
ChrisL
Apr 7, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Comment #6Bill F – If that is the case then I’m pleased it’s not all over the press like it normally seems to be with us.
I’d be disappointed to see him go, but IF his heart is elsewhere then it’s for the best.
Punk Skunk
Apr 7, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Comment #7Aye, anyone that doesn’t wanna play for KK- Get shot!..They must be a fool or egocentric!?!..
…A bad attitude is worse than bringing flu to the training ground!..Hope Zog stays, but if he’s gone in the head, let his ass follow!..Pity like!..
…Yea, chris L, y’right, it’s kool as that it ain’t all over the media…Hope we feed those vultures as little as possible in future!..
stjames
Apr 7, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Comment #8It’s hard not to get exited by the way things are going at the moment. As I see it, KK has shown a touch of greatness.
1) He has in fact rehabilitated the players. He has given them back their individual identities, which Big Sam brutally robbed from them.
2) He has moved us out of the discussion about how to play our 3 strikers simply by playing them all. The roles he has given them shows his ingeniousness.
3) He has established a team spirit that works miracles both in offense and defense. Why do it alone when you can do it so much better together
4) He has identified the players that used to slow down the game by mostly moving the ball themselves instead of passing it. They seem to be coming back now and it will be interesting to see how the have evolved.
Every body knows the term “Horse Whisperer”. There is also the “Dog Whisperer” and now in KK, we have the “THE TOON WHISPERER”
🙂 🙂 🙂
Leo
Apr 7, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Comment #9“We’ve not only got a good squad at the minute, we’ve also got a good squad around it.â€
confused, i sure am
Whitt
Apr 7, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Comment #10N’Zogbia HAS been injured. he picked up a knee injury in the France U21 game before we played Spurs.