Claudio Cacapa is an experienced player who didn’t have a particularly good time of it last season in the Premier league.
Claudio Cacapa - held it together for Newcastle in first half
Newcastle manager has spoken about Cacapa for perhaps the first time and has said he sees him as an important figure for Newcastle United.
One thing we are noticing is that a lot of players that were already here, when Keegan arrived last January, suddenly so much better under the guidance of Kevin.
That’s due to a couple of things, one is that Kevin can instill confidence in any player, and he also lets them know each one is an important cog in the new Newcastle machine.
The central defender, who can also play at right back, made his first start since last February in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.
Cacapa seems to be a little suspect to injuries and he had a hamstring problem problem that kept him out until he was able to make his comeback against Everton as a substitute on the final day of last season.
Keegan believes the 32-year-old former Brazilian international (4 caps) still has a lot to offer, given his wide experience at the top level with Olympique Lyonnais, and his undoubted leadership abilities.
Some times last season Claudio really looked the part and then on other occasions , like against Portsmouth, he looked hopeless.
Keegan told the Shields Gazette today:
“Claudio’s very important,” “He’s a good man around the place, and another one who has worked very hard in pre-season.”
“He hasn’t played for a long time, but he’s clever. He’s been round the block a few times in terms of his experience at Lyon.”
“I thought in the first half, when we were a little bit under the cosh because Hartlepool started off so well.”
” I thought he was the one who just held it all together for us.”
It was noticeable on Saturday that left back Jose Enrique has slimmed down quite a bit over the summer, and it would be interesting to know how much weight he has lost.
It also appears that Viduka has lost weight, and we’re sure that’s under orders directly from the gaffer.
Finally on Claudio Cacapa, we think and hope he can do a good job for the team this season, but he must become more consistent.
Comments welcome.
79 responses so far ↓
1 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:01
Far better than ‘Tayls’ - God that nickname annoys the hell outta me.
2 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:02
I think him and Faye are our best CB pairing. Taylor does make more mistakes and everyone should get thier chance to shine under Keegan.
3 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:02
Tom_Toon see you agree with me on Taylor
4 Tom_Toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:03
Or you agree with me, me you and spyro have been saying he is poor for a long long time.
5 Ericles // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:08
I thought Taylor worked for the Chronicle? or at least he’s trying to.
6 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:10
Not many people commenting on here
Know any good young players i could buy for a football game Tom_Toon? 
7 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:11
Be better than Anal Oliver and will keep him off the pitch.
8 goochy23 // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:15
i fink is gota be faye firstly then wil c, him and taylor bulit up and understanding when keegan came in and i beleievd they luked solid together.
also i fink alot will depend on the dm, butt a fantastic pro but more of a midfielder who likes to get up the field aswel as defend.
9 Ericles // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:15
According to the BBC site the Russian Press are saying Spurs are bidding some 15 million for Arshavin. If that is the case NUFC could nip in quick with a bit more. It seems other big teams are not pursuing him, so surely we could screw Spurs on this one? Looks like Spurs are selling 4 players to the Mackems after all - including “Earthquake” Kaboul and Pascal Chumley Bumley.
10 ToonKing // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:17
Cacapa was good in most of the games last season, got a lot of undeserved flack for that dreadfull Pompey game.
he’s gonna be an important member the coming season. Him and Faye may be a little slow pair, but as a few others i too think that right now thats our best CB pair.
11 broon ale // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:20
unconvinced about cacapa. there was other games besides the pompey game where he looked embarrasing.
12 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:27
As did most of the team. He might have been the buggest culprit but it doesnt mean it was all his fault.
13 Dips // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:28
Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:10
Not many people commenting on here Know any good young players i could buy for a football game Tom_Toon?
For which game? Pro evolution soccer 2008, FIFA 2008 or FM2008?
14 Steve T // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:30
Agree with broon ale, Cacapa had too many games where he looked out his depth. Taylor’s only 22 and will improve as long as he plays
15 indian toon // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:36
HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE NEWCASTLE VS HARTLEPOOL MATCH ( HIGHLIGHTS) , I WONDER IF ITS ALREADY BEEN POSTED
http://rapidshare.com/files/130932069/Pre-Season_Friendly__Hartlepool_vs_Newcastle__19th_of_July_2008._SSN_Highlights..avi
16 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:38
Dips any will do
mostly fifa and fm 2008
17 Liam // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:39
how have you seen that enrique has slimmed down i watched some clips from the game and i couldnt see him, maybe he has slimmed down an aweful lot lol
18 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:48
FINALLY! KK clearly rates him so i am happy. You could see his confidence was badly affected after the pompey game as the media relentlessly ripped into him. I want to see a confident CB in Cacapa this yr, much like the one we saw at the beginning of last season
well done Ed for the article
19 broon ale // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:48
cacapa had that uneasy technique which made me nervous whenever the ball went near him.
bramble give me similar nerves.
20 Carr is shite // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:49
Is there any truth in reports that warnock will be a newcastle player by friday? I seriously doubt it as there are no quotes that suggest it.
21 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:51
broon i have that feeling everytime the ball goes near taylor myself
22 Alex // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:53
I think cacapa is far to slow for the prem , he may have won a lot of titles in his time in France and in his prime was a great defender but he moved to the premiership a couple of years to late.That said KK seems to rate him so i hope i am going to look stupid criticising him come the end of the season.
23 chuck // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:57
CACAPA, smart but really lacks pace , a major drawback in the PL.
Good sub. for late in the game, not a starter.
24 gorskino10 // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:02
Is he trying to tell every crap player hes good, started with Geremi now Duff,Viduka and Cacapa
*Geremi past it
*Viduka past it and for a striker he does not score enough for his lack of workrate towards the team.
*Duff he looks fitter but lets see with injuries as he so prone to em its ridiculous
*Cacapa, times have changed now in defence you need to be TALL,STRONG,FAST, he doesnt have any and all i need to back this up is VS Pompy
Tommorow it will be about Barton being a role model to all youngsters :),so KK stop talking to press as you have been doing it alot in past few days just stay silent and work on bringing players in.
25 figsdad // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:04
still want another center back in the summer..
maybe enrique lost some weight thinking he can move better up and down the wings
next season..
he did look on the chunky side last season.
26 One Foot Wonders F.C. // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:06
Didn’t Cacapa miss out on pre season last year too?
If I remember correctly we signed him about the beginning of Aug and he had been a free agent since the end of the season ‘lapping’ it up in Brazil. He’s got undoubted class, I’ll never forget that tackle he did against ‘boro… timed it to perfection and saved a certain goal.
I think this season players like Cacapa, Duff, Geremi and even Smith could play an important roll for us. Smith just needs to score one goal again and do the training that strikers do.
At the very least he’ll be a good bench warmer and should strengthen the reserve team to help out the kids coming through. He could show them 101 ways to get a yellow card so as not to do them!
We obviously can’t sell and buy a whole new squad or even 8-10 players in one transfer window. So lets hope the guys who were a bit of a miss last season for whatever reason stand up and be counted this season fully fit and full of confidence.
I really don’t think we have to make the huge changes that everyone seems to be craving. 2 or 3 more ‘high end’ signings and give some of the younsters the odd run out or bench spot and we have a fair chance to be where we realistically aim to be.
27 gorskino10 // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:08
Jose did a little, but all when he was playing one of his first games he was amazing at picking out throught overhead ball for Martins it worked really well all he needs to improve on pace and defending as if Charles is LW he will come back being used to play LB so that side will be amazing.
28 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:16
gorskino
“…times have changed now in defence you need to be TALL,STRONG,FAST…”
I guess you dont rate Taylor then
29 Davies // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:17
Agree with Chuck, he’s got a lot of quality, but I don’t think he’s got the legs for 90 minutes. He’s saved our skins a few times when “Tayls” was nowhere to be seen. Probably of talking to the press somewhere.
Does anybody else here hate NU Mad?
I’m just looking at all of their headlines on the Newsnow site and they’re all horrendous sh*t stirring efforst like you get in the mail or the sun.
They are very negative about every single thing, including an article based on Keegan’s comment that he thinks Zog wants to stay. Their headline is “Charlie boy gets Keegan silent treatment”.
The guy who runs the site emailed me a while ago saying words the effect of; you can’t please everyone, but surely they are just taking everything our of context. They were one of the only sites that published an article about KK being one of the favourites for the chop next season.
Does this sound like a Newcastle supporters site to you, or a bunch of dickhead journos with nothing better to do than slate their own club. Perhaps they’re mackems.
The bloke was banging on about going to matches in Europe and accting as if this made him in some way a better supporter than me. At least I’m not publishing articles that basically slag NUFC off, or misinterpret everything the players, manager and owner have to say.
God I hate that site. It makes me sick. I love this site though. Thanks again Ed, for just being you.
30 Will // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:18
“Far better than ‘Tayls’ - God that nickname annoys the hell outta me.” - Tayls is so crap as a nickname.
31 figsdad // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:18
well its all about helping out..
But i think Duff will play more on the left and Spiderman on the right,,
But i think zoggy could play in the middle with either milner Or guthrie..
Maybe Butt may get selected games as he’s not getting any younger..
32 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:31
@ figsdad
i personally feel Butt would be a fantastic sub to bring on when we need to defend a lead. Better than Smith anyway. I dont think Butt will be able to hack 90mins next season, but would be amazing in short stints. Also, he only takes away from our creative side, so he is perfect for when we just want to break up the play.
Our midfield should be IMO
Zoggy—————————-Gutierrez
———–Guthrie—-Barton————–
and when we need to defend a lead, sub a striker and bring on Butt to make our midfield really compact
Zoggy———-Barton——–Gutierrez
———-Guthrie——Butt—————
IMO that would be a tremendous battling midfield when we need to kill a game off.
actually, thinking about it, it is quite a creative midfield aswell.
33 DC Magpie // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:32
Ed…
How about a community-based player ratings section after each game?
34 Dips // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:37
Sorry for the delay, here’s the FM players:
http://football-managers.blogspot.com/search/label/wonderkids
As for FIFA, i’m not really sure apart from the obvious candidates.
35 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:41
I think we will have a AM brought in so Barton wont be there until he gets out of the clink and match fit again.
36 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:41
Thanks Dips
37 Incognito // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:44
Ericles // Jul 21, 2008 at 14:08
I thought Taylor worked for the Chronicle? or at least he’s trying to.
______________________________
lol - or he works ‘privately’ for Oliver.
On topic: It’s good to see Cacapa get his recognition. Some corners of NUFC supporters have tried to label him the new Bramble - which is incredibly harsh considering it was his first season. Cacapa looks a very, very solid player.
38 goochy23 // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:45
is everyone assuming were goin bck to 4 4 2 to be honest when we had the 3 upfont i fort we luked alot more solid defending and more of a threat goin forward?
in honesty tho i finks its more about the personell we have available for us
39 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:46
@ Mackem in Milan?
oh yeah good point, damn! i really wish joey could get a good pre season under his belt
40 neblexa // Jul 21, 2008 at 15:46
If hes telling so called “crap” players that their good and they are responding in the same way geremi has, may this continue.
As for viduka being shite, i assume this person doesnt watch alot of football. Lazy, fat perhaps, but he certainly isnt shite. His presence was absolutely vital in our run in for survival last season.
If he can inspire duff into the form he’s previously shown im all for it. All the players previously labled as “shite” have all proven themselves elsewhere. If keegan can bring the best out of them he will.
41 macitect // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:06
So much good news today! I’m so heartened…
Ed- no room for comments on the News about the site post, so I’ll write it here:
Thanks so much for doing what you’re doing! Your site is the best resource for us NUFC faithful.
Cheers!
42 harrier // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:06
its obvious that the new training regime and fitness work is helping. Duffers Dukes and Jose all looking thinner. Good on Keegan - they will be much better players if they can keep gas in the tank for longer.
43 Kaler // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:10
Going on the way signings are going, I think we would be better off sticking with 4 - 3 - 3. Its the only time we looked a threat last season. Fair enough if we get in one or two decent midfielders then 4 - 4 - 2 would work, but with the current lacking squad I reckon our best option is -
———Martins——-Viduka———-
——————Owen——————–
Duff/Zog—————–Jonas/Milner
————–Butt/Guthrie—————-
———————————————-
Enrique—Faye–Cacap/Taylor–Beye
———————————————–
————–Given/Harper—————
44 agnetha // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:13
Viduka is to slow. He has always had weight problems and i would like to see him shipped out. Stunning wife though.
45 figsdad // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:16
we played 4-4-2 last SAT..
As for Barton he is a disgrace to the club sack him now and hold onto his regestration,
46 seetow // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:22
anyone likes garay as our centreback? he is typical keegan centreback, loves attacking, can play both RB and DM
47 Bingo wing // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:23
eeeeee warnock might be coming afterall as blackburn are trying to sighn full back Ricardo Osorio, this coul d be wanocks replacement!!!! - not sure its a good thing though
48 goochy23 // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:24
kaler i like that team!
its only assumin theres no more first teamers brought in, in which am hopin will not happen
49 Mark // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:26
davies.. yeh its a shiet website run by idiots. they use headlines like that coz they know it attracts the nufc fans ( we seem to be attacted to negative news these days lol) so yeh dont bother giving that website any hits. we dont want them making any sort of revenue from ads do we ? =p
cacapa..was pretty decent up till the pompey game. then yer we all know how the rest of his season went =/. lets hope hes put that behind him and he starts to play better again.
and with taylor, hes honestly not that bad.. but it seems some ppl have a personal vendetta against the guy on here =/
50 AndyNUFC // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:30
Our worst player nickname is Smudge. Cacapa is a player I rate and think can do a good job in this coming season. Ironically with these players losing weight, Cacapa’s probably the only one i’d want to beef up.
51 Ian Grainger // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:33
“and with taylor, hes honestly not that bad.. but it seems some ppl have a personal vendetta against the guy on here =/”
I agree Mark, I think because he was originally overrated people go out to say he’s not as good as people think but take it too far. He’s still a solid player
52 Dips // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:34
Real Madrid signed Garay and he’s gone back out on loan with Racing Santander again.
53 Michael // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:34
Anyone else like to see how N’Zogbia could do as a central creative midfield player rather than out on the left? I think it could be his best position. He has a good first touch, awareness and can certainly beat a man.
54 Spyro // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:37
i would michael, apparently that is his natural position too. Both him and Milner could be great in the middle. Especially Milner who seems to be built for a more central role
55 Will // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:38
“Ed- no room for comments on the News about the site post, so I’ll write it here:
Thanks so much for doing what you’re doing! Your site is the best resource for us NUFC faithful.
Cheers!” by Macitet
I agree!
thanx
56 Mac // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:46
I don’t think N’Zogbia would be good in the middle. He is an average passer of the ball at best,and if he tried to take someone on in a packed midfield and loses that ball we’d be a midfielder down while the opposition counter attacks
57 Dirk // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:48
…………Harper…………….
beye….faye….taylor….enrique
…………..Guthrie………………..
…….milner…….Zoggy…………
spidey……………………..Duff
…………….Owen…………………
not the team id pick cos i luv martins an vodka in the team. but wa a team that could b. im jus revelling in the options we have and the options we will have when kk brings more players in!
58 Alex // Jul 21, 2008 at 16:57
I agree Michael & spyro
Nzogbia Milner together in central midfield would be good. Nzogbia has always wanted that position and Milner is a real battler and i think would be better suited in that position than out wide.
59 liamtoonbirchy // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:21
i entered the fantasy league thing, zidane’s headbutt X1 lol
i got
howard schwarzer
boswinga evra carragher zoggy woodgate
kranjcar fabregas downing petrov arteta
owen bendtner carew
60 TomPoon // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:24
Ed - The font is tiny. Im gona need to goto SpecSavers!
61 toonfan1 // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:36
what the hell has happened to the writing
62 The Entertainers // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:36
Cacapa is not as bad as some of the comments in the past directed to him.
He obviously not the quickest and probably would be more suited to the Italian league.
63 Tom4Nufc // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:56
All writing gone dodgy
64 Seymour Butts // Jul 21, 2008 at 17:57
gosh this new design i s so annoying! everythings clumped together!
65 toonfan1 // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:00
wonder what has happened
66 Toon Sg // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:06
yoohoo, I am toon, where is the signings?
67 shearer4pm // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:11
http://community.footballpools.com/blog/2008/07/21/which-stadium-has-the-best-atmosphere-in-the-premier-league/
look whos winning spurs i cant actually believe it, only cus thats the only atmosphere the experience, dont go to away games do they
68 Hadrian // Jul 21, 2008 at 18:52
ED , SORT THE BLOG OUT PLEASE MATE , READING THIS TINY TEXT IS MAKING ME GO BLIND .
69 gorskino10 // Jul 21, 2008 at 19:18
spyro lol I always fort he would come good and strong but he has not looked as solid as I would hope I just feel he may not develop more like bramble.
70 kev // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:19
I dont understand how some people on here can pick cacapa over taylor. Taylor is younger and can improve, cacapa to be fair has experience and is decent but taylor needs to play it will probly be cacapa lst season at newcastle.
71 Ed Harrison // Jul 21, 2008 at 20:35
If any of you are still having trouble reading the blog - because of the small print - there is apparently a Wordpress bug - surprisingly it isn’t me. Please clear your cache — usually ctl- shift - delete will do that.
Or reboot your machine - and you’ll see we have a slightly new design too.
72 NUFCAl // Jul 21, 2008 at 22:48
I think Cacapa’s good, very underrated. He’s certainly better than Taylor, who is the worst central defender in the first team (bar Edgar who is utter turd) so he should probably be partnered with Faye.
I think it’s pretty unfair to judge him on last season’s performances, as his lack of pace was exposed hopelessly due to the poor midfield in front of him not tracking back, working hard enough or generally playing well enough.
It put a lot of pressure on a Cacapa whose confidence had already been shot - Allardyce is such a poor man manager, he didn’t do anything to protect Cacapa from getting pilloried by the press, in fact he made it worse by hauling him off unceremoniously after a quarter of an hour against Money Grabbing Arry’s boys.
Cacapa is a really good defender, he just needs a central defensive partner with some pace beside him i.e. not Taylor.
73 Ausgeordie // Jul 21, 2008 at 23:38
I think we need to have a Jonas song. How bout “My name is jonas” by Weezer
His name is Jonas
He’s playing on the wing
Thanks for all youve shown us
Listen to us sing!!!
I like 433 still as it means other teams need to worry about how to defend against such a strong attack. Puts them off their game a bit as they are not playing the way they want but rather the way we want.
74 T-Nem // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:41
we all know we need a brazilian in the side, and hes the man for the job
75 ilkkatoon // Jul 22, 2008 at 2:25
cacapa and faye cant be paired together. Its like the striker partnership up front of big man little man or striker which is powerful and can head the ball and striker who is pacey, in defence you need a defender who can head the ball and tackle and is solid and you need a pacey defender who can tackle, who still possesses the ability to head the ball, neither faye or cacapa possesses great pace however they can both head the ball and tackle fairly well (faye is better than cacapa at tackling).
Faye is also better than cacapa in terms of pace probably because he is younger. I just feel that we need to have a new defender who doesnt have to be over 6 foot but is fast and can tackle (eg; Cavalho, Yobo, Toure)
76 Sav // Jul 22, 2008 at 2:26
Bit off-topic, but with the first of our trio of good young keepers, the popular Tim Krul reportedly off to Holland, does anyone rate either Soderberg(?) or Forster as highly? Is that why Krul has chucked his hand in? And has Newcastle ever been as well off for decent keepers as now?
I doubt it.
77 SwedeEric // Jul 22, 2008 at 3:53
Söderberg just got 18 the other day! It´s like 10 years undtiö he is at his prime! And from what I have seen, he is the real deal!
78 NUFCAl // Jul 22, 2008 at 8:49
ilkatoon - so who would Cacapa better be paired with? Rozehnal was turd, Edgar is turd, Taylor is nowhere near as good as he and everyone else thinks he is. He’s also slow, slower than Faye I have little doubt.
79 kev // Jul 22, 2008 at 12:43
Taylor is one of our own and is the future of Newcastle not 32 year old cacapa. we dont want to ruin taylor career by not playing him. If taylor has a good player beside him he can only get better.
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