Newcastle United’s 22 year old Spanish striker Xisco came off the bench to play an important role in an amazing Spanish comeback last night in Murcia.
Xisco - sparked comeback with second half headed goal
Spain were playing Switzerland in Murcia, Spain, in the playoffs for the European Under-21 Championships to start next June in Sweden, and they were behind 2-1 from the first leg
The Spaniards surprisingly fell even further behind when midfielder Shkelzen Gashi scored after just 25 minutes last night to put Spain 3-1 down.
After the interval Newcastle’s Xisco was brought on, and within just 6 minutes of the restart Xisco scored a good goal, with a looping header and on aggregate Spain were 3-2 behind.
But then in the 5th minute of injury-time Recreativo winger Sisinio volleyed home to send the game into extra time. 5 minutes of injury time, with the game being played in Spain looks a bit dodgy to us, and we expect the Swiss team were a little upset at that.
But then with just 8 minutes of extra time to be played, and the game presumably headed for a penalty shoot out, Raul Garcia completed the comeback to score the winning goal.
Spain are now through to the finals, winning the tie 4-3 on aggregate, after being 3-1 down on aggregate last night. England are also through, so both Newcastle’s Steven Taylor and Xisco will be playing next summer in Sweden.
We’ll now need to watch both the England and Spanish games next summer, to check on how the lads are doing.
Comments welcome.
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90 responses so far ↓
1 HeronMag // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:06
I still haven’t made my mind up about this lad. What does everyone else reckon of Xisco?
2 ryan peacock // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:09
xisco will get us 10 prem goals this season imo!
3 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:11
Heron Mag - I reckon hes gonna be a great player mate. He’s got the right attitude and he is hungry for success. He needs to be in the starting line up against Man City and for the next few games after that. Otherwise he’s gonna lose his confidence and wonder why the f**k he came here. He does look sharp when he plays which is very promising.
4 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:11
looks like he’s got potential, but he’ll need time, games and most of all PATIENCE from us fans
5 IndiaMag // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:13
Guys!! I’m from India and there isn’t a live telecast for the match against man city. Any idea about where i can watch it live online??
6 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:13
he looks poor so far, bottles out of tackles aswell and slow in possesion, he may get better but up to now hes crap
7 Chris F // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:15
he’s not played enough to judge him yet, to be honest.
8 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:16
He’s looked prettty poor so far it has to be said, no better than an average Championship striker. Whether he develops and adapts remains to be seen.
9 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:20
India Mag - best to check back here Monday when the match is on - the very kind people of the blog normally paste a few links to websites where you will be to view the game live.
10 Kevin Nichol // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:22
I’ve been very dissapointed in this lad thus far! His touch looks heavy, he has looked off the pace, hasnt really shown much of an arial prowess and doesnt appear to have much skill on the ball! THAT SAID….It is still early days and he may need some time to settle into the EPL. He may be one for the future; But when your paying 5/6 million plus for a forward then you really ought to be showing something straight away to justify that!
11 Kevin Nichol // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:23
….and before anyone states that its not his fault that he has come with a price tag (they would be right)…never the less he now has to be judged as a 5/6 million pond player!
12 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:28
i think he is gonna be too slow for the prem personally, has no pace and is slow on the ball aswell, and as far as people saying he needs to be in the starting lineup for the next few games, as far as im concerned you should be picked on your form not because you dont want him to loose confidence, i am not willing to sacrifice team performance and results for the sake of putting in a player we’ve just signed just so he doesnt loose confidence, you pick the players who are in best form who will get the best results and at the moment he is not in that team
13 Tom // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:33
I think he is going to be good, but I think he needs time, and games, to settle into the team and the club. He looks quick, strong and good in the air, lets give him the time he needs to prove to us that he can be a good player.
14 broon ale // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:34
looks poor so far
15 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:40
Nick 69 - You say he is slow. How will the lad ever able to improve and show what he has to offer if people aren’t willing to risk him. How’s he meant to develop if he’s not playing prem standard week in week out? Surely form is something you achieve by playing competitively week in week out. Ok mate you right, lets just put Ameobi on then coz he’s been in great form these last few years.
16 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:41
Well said Tom!
17 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:41
he looks quick? think uve been watchin a different xisco to me then cos hes looked anything but quick imo
18 cause I got the girth // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:41
im laughin my arse off at you’s who have passed judgment over xisco already, what is it, like 2 games he has played?!?! Retards, you need shot with shit! Do people need reminding about Bergkamp, Henry, Evra, gods sake even Ronaldo only started showing signs of how good he could be after 2 seasons at man u! Have a word with yourselves man!
19 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:46
when did i mention ameobi? at the end of the day u cant keep a player in the team just to build his confidence he has to earn his place in the team and win his place back by coming off the bench and doing well, the team comes before any player and therefore you pick who is best for the team you dont pick the team so that one player can build confidence, and your an idiot if you think it is worth possibly putting the teams results in jeopardy for the sake of builing a players confidence. incase you hadnt noticed we are not in a position to be able to play out of form players and give them plenty time to adapt, we are in a mess and need results
20 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:48
Martins is f**ked. Its a good time to Xsico through some full 90 min games to see what he can do. F**k me 2 games he’s played. The pessimism is unreal.
21 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:48
funny how you get critisced for judging xisco after 3/4 games yet everyones judged jonas to be a hero after 3 games but thats fine cos uve judged him as a success, bit hypocritical isnt it really
22 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:53
Cause i got the girth - I think you’ll find those who have said the lad has started badly have all said that he may improve. But we can only go on what we have seen so far, and he doesn’t look very good to be honest. It says a lot when I would rather have Ameobi on the pitch instead of him. Hopefully he will come good, but he doesn’t look ready for a starting place just yet.
23 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:57
exactly my point macas, we cannot afford to start him just to build his confidence, we’re in 18th place and need points, this isnt the time for carrying players, when results pick up then we have more room to give people time to adapt but not now
24 normski1930z // Oct 15, 2008 at 12:59
i suppose we will have to give the lad a chance to settle(at least 6 months or so) before we can really judge him imo…..but defo with nick69 he looks anything but quick…
25 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:00
Martins F**ked, Viduka f**ked, Who else you gonna play if not Ameobi?
Scored for Spain the other day. How do you know Xisco isn’t in form? Or good enough? He’s only played about 2 games for us. A player is never gonna reach good form if his confidence levels are low. Two first team strikers injured and you still don’t get a game……that’s gotta hurt.
26 Ashton // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:00
Give the lad a chance you bunch of pathetic deluded muppets ! adebayor was poor in his first season with arsenal well look at him now he is one of the best strikers in the pl
27 Stevo // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:05
Nick - when would be a good time? I’m sure if we were to be at the top end of the table you would say the same thing. Probably that you wouldn’t chance him as you need proven goal scorers on the pitch to win games to ensure a place in Europe. I’m just saying we paid a lot for him and he needs to be given a chance and now is a good time.
28 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:06
Who says we’re not giving him a chance?? The idea of this blog is to discuss the topics mentioned, well this one is about Xisco and in my opinion he has looked extremely average so far. If you look at the likes of Man United they tend to give new young players the odd game here and there, they dont play them straight away. I really hope he does well, but we can only judge on what we have seen so far.
29 Gooderz // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:07
I think Xisco is in the same boat as Habib Beye last season. Whilst they were considered quite strong in Spain and France which gave them a distinct advantage, Beye found he was not that strong compared to the Premiership players and had to bulk up a bit and developed a fondness for rice pudding.
If Xisco does the same then he could start playing the way he did for Deportivo and given his hard-working attitude that shouldn’t be a problem.
Anyone who remains unconvinced about his ability click my name for a link to Guillem Balague’s website talking about Xisco.
30 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:08
i would play duff up front like we did against everton, or even jonas, i think ull find hes played 4 times for us not 2. and i know hes not in form because i have been at every game he has played for us and hes been poor, its not hard, u watch the games and if hes not doing well that means hes not in good form, get it?
i think u all need to learn to read things properly, iv never said he shouldnt be given a chance but he certainly should not be an automatic starter just to build his confidence, u mention adebayor, yes he was poor in his first season, but he did not start every game tht season did he, which is exactly what i have said.
31 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:11
he should be given a chance as a second half sub for now, and then if his form warrants his place then you can think about starting him
32 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:14
I reckon he needs a few games under his belt before we go judgin’ him…He’s young, come to a new country etc…Let’s give him time to settle in!..& he has walked into all this BS, so we just have to lend him some of our support!..
…Plus, you don’t get into the spain u21’s for bein’ crap, do ya’?..
33 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:19
punk skunk- u dont get into the spain first team if your crap but luque did, tht means nothing. iv never once said he shouldnt be given a chance and i wont support him, my point is that you cannot start him every match just to build conifidence, and help him adapt with the club in the positon we r in at the moment
34 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:25
At the end of the day it would be a pretty dull blog if everyone came on here and said its too early to give an opinion on the player. I hope he can adapt to the league and show some form, unlike Mr Luque who was mentioned above.
35 Marty-TOON RISING // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:28
India Mag!!!!!
There will be loads of links on the day of the game.It will be on TVU PLAYER and if you check this blog before the game you will find links.
Marty
36 irish_al // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:32
I am happy for the manager to decide whether he is played or not, he is in a better position to judge
I hope he does well, i think he would play better if he was to develop a partnership with either Owen or Martins as the strenght of his game is that he can hold up the ball, similar to Heskey or Ashton
I feel we may not see the best of him for a while yet, but who knows
37 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:37
Nick,
i’m not disagreein’ with ya’ man…I think ya’ right about givin’ him subs slots 1st…
…On Luque: i reckon it’s attitudal with him, ‘cos i think he can play, when/if he puts his mind to it!..
38 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:42
Xisco was never meant to be quick, skillfull or prolific, we got him because he can hold up a ball and he has done that.
39 ToonRich // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:44
Nick69, you keep mentioning building up his confidence…what makes you think he wont come back from his international break full of confidence and ready to show us some more bottle?! I dont disagree with what your saying on a whole, I just think perhaps this break has done him good, to play with players he knows and he may just have hit some form this week.
40 troy stavers // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:46
I can’t understand why we don’t play our other major signing bought for the same amount yet never gets a bloody mention. Give Francisco Jiminez Tejada a chance !! Anyone know anything about him?
41 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:48
Think he’s injured mate?..
Not for too long hopefully!..
42 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:50
i dont remember the club saying we bought xisco simply to hold the ball up, thats just a stupid statement to make that he is only there to hold the ball up, that is just one of a number of things he should be doing and to suggest otherwise is pathetic.
43 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:51
To be honest I havent seen him hold the ball up that well either. Let’s hope he comes back full of confidence though.
44 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:52
and to be honest xisco hasnt even held the ball up all that well either, hes lost possession of the ball easily on a lot of occassions
45 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:54
That is what we bought him for.
46 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:57
Well if that’s all we bought him for then no wonder Keegan was against it.
47 It Could Be Worse, We Could Be Spurs! (DC) // Oct 15, 2008 at 13:59
You are joking aren’t you Troy?
48 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:03
Most players who score on their debut get ’slightly’ more grace!..Ho’way!..
49 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:18
read my post #3…patience!! something we dont seem capable of!! for gods sake give the lad a chance, he’s only 22 and moved to a new country to a club in utter disarray!! and those who are grumbling we should expect more coz he cost £5-6m should really get with the times. i could understand it at £15m, but £6m gets you kenwyne jones, chopra, nugent, balaban, half of luque…get it?? give the kid a chance FFS!!!
50 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:19
Btw, Nacho was signed on loan!..
51 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:20
ooops…i meant post #4
52 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:21
how do you know what we bought him for? erm thats right you dont, unless your good mates with dennis wise and he told you that cos nobody from the club has stated that we bought him simply to hold the ball up
53 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:30
He cost £5.7mil.
54 Mackie // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:32
Xisco can be thought of in terms of potential. I think we’re not sure of him yet, but people are being quick to jump on his back. Why?
My mate pointed out that other clubs like blackburn are doing much better business (Santa Cruz from Bryan Munich, cost less than Xisco!)
So we’re always gonna be harsh on the lad cos he cost so much, I think he will come good, he seems to have a good work ethic, so that automatically makes him better than Shola to start with!
Although i do like Shola, he’s local, and he gives a fuck! Even if it doesnt always translate onto the pitch.
Haway the Toon!
ps It’s the Geordie nation - not the relegation nation pal!
55 troy stavers // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:33
FAO - it could be worse, we could be spurs- what do you mean? I haven’t heard Francisco Jiminez Tejada mentioned at all since we bought him. Bloody hell we paid £5.8m!! Have you or anyone else?
56 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:38
That’s Xisco mate…Or are you talkin’ about ‘Nacho’?..
57 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:40
@ TROY
francisco jimenez tejada is XISCO, not quite sure whether you’re taking the water or not mate. i think that’s why “it could be worse…” asked if you were joking
58 Ally // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:42
is nacho fit for Monday lads, looked neat and tidy on the one occasion i seen him
59 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:43
f.j tejada is Xisco, signed permanently from deportivo for around £6m. scored against hull
ignacio gonzalez is Nacho, signed on loan from valencia. currently injured. came on as a sub against hull and west ham
60 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:43
He must mean Ignacio Gonzalez i.e. ‘Nacho’…
…If so, he’s injured & is on loan to us!..
61 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:43
Everyone has a possible chance of playing bar, Viduka, Baheng, Soderberg and Smith.
62 troy stavers // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:49
classic from Tom Toon! quote “we never got him to quick, skilful and prolific, we got him to hold the ball up”. woo hoo hoo hoo! £5.7m to hold the ball up! Are you sure you are not Tom Tit?
63 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:51
& Barton serves his last ban, doesn’t he?
64 xisco biscuits // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:51
according to physioroom.com Nacho is supposed to be back in training on monday so i’d say very unlikely to feature against ‘citeh’
65 troy stavers // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:51
@xisco - I was joking about tejada however I bet loads of numpties had to check on google to find out who he was!!
66 ToonRich // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:52
@ #42, here, here Nick…
I dont think anyone offical said that Xisco was bought to be a hold up player (I could be wrong!)
Wasnt he renowned for his strength and pace in the spanish league??
67 Paul // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:53
“Guys!! I’m from India and there isn’t a live telecast for the match against man city. Any idea about where i can watch it live online??”
IndiaMag, try
http://mymoneytips.co.uk or http://www.justin.tv
There are others too. You may need sopcast, TV ants or something like that installed though.
68 irish_al // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:56
Xisco was probably not signed specifically to hold the ball up but it looks like it is a big part of his game and his strenths play to this, i agree there is still room for improvement
not just in my opinion but from quotes from former team mates
i agree on the points about patience, i feel it may be two or three years before he looks good, maybe longer, maybe not at all, but i believe he shows potential and still has something to offer as a squad player now
target men tend to peak at a later age than players who have pace as their main strenght so i am not suprised that he does not look the finished article as of yet
69 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 14:59
obviously, you dont sign a player forone attribute, but that is what Xisco predominant attribute is and the MAIN reason we signed him.
70 Danny Duckfoot // Oct 15, 2008 at 15:01
He’s not going to make it in the prem. Not strong enough, or quick enough.
Another shocking buy from the bong-eyed freaks Wise & Co.
71 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 15:03
I would have prefered Chamakh but Xisco is better than Smith and Ameobi!
72 newcastle29 // Oct 15, 2008 at 15:06
india mag it you will deffo get it on myp2p.eu
73 JJ // Oct 15, 2008 at 15:23
He cant be worse than Ameobi or Smith so give him a chance I say.
74 Alex // Oct 15, 2008 at 15:41
JJ he has already proved he is better than Smith , he scored a goal for us something smith has failed too do .
75 It Could Be Worse, We Could Be Spurs! (DC) // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:09
@ Troy…”what do you mean?”…” I was joking about tejada however I bet loads of numpties had to check on google to find out who he was!!”
and you called Tom a Tit…I got it…God u r cool!
… another wind-up merchant, just what we need.
Go play in the street with Nando and Ganyui
76 magpie6699 // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:09
Anyone remember a video of Xisco scoring a goal in Spain? Someone posted a link around the time we bought him, I’m sure. He didn’t look slow in that video, if my memory serves me. Looked bloody good.
I think he does need time - and on the pitch as well as in he training ground. (Apologies Macas 34 for being dull!)
77 It Could Be Worse, We Could Be Spurs! (DC) // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:13
Would you guys have preferred Derdiyok?
He was presumably being considered for the same position, it seems his asking price was too high so we turned to Xisco as our second option.
I’m still optimistic of the boy, he seems to have the right attitude and he comes with a glowing reputation. I think we need to back this guy, really get behind him and let all of our positive energy rub off on him and the rest while also ridding us of this curse. TIC
78 Macas // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:25
magpie6699 - I’ll let you off, but only this once mind! I was commenting more on those giving people abuse for saying they didnt think he had done much yet
79 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:37
Now all the spanish speakers are fit & trainin’ together they should all start to gel a bit better, can’t wait!..
…Colo, Jonas, Enrique, Xisco & Nacho!..
80 IndiaMag // Oct 15, 2008 at 16:56
Thanks chaps, will def check back in here on monday for the links! Can’t wait to see jonas back in the team!
81 SamsFat // Oct 15, 2008 at 17:06
Xisco has a lot to prove at Premier level..
82 Nick 69 // Oct 15, 2008 at 17:19
i would have much preffered derdiyok personally
83 KK FOREVER (Ross) // Oct 15, 2008 at 17:54
skunk-is nacho fit? i literally have no idea about him, question to all you stats junkies-how many times has he actually featured for us? :/, i think i can remmeber him being brought on as a sub for half an hour or so once or twice, but apaart from that, im clueless!
Cant wait to have Jonas back, as ridiculous as it sounds we’ve looked a little flat without him. yes, one man does not make a team but by the looks of things he makes a bloody big difference to ours!
84 It Could Be Worse, We Could Be Spurs! (DC) // Oct 15, 2008 at 18:06
Derdiyok has scored 1 and made 3 assists in 7 games this season. That is in the Swiss league.
85 Paul // Oct 15, 2008 at 18:49
“Thanks chaps, will def check back in here on monday for the links! Can’t wait to see jonas back in the team!”
No problem IndiaMag, leave a bit of time before the game though, as you may have to install a plugin, and it’s usually best to get the stream up about half an hour before kickoff.
86 Punk Skunk // Oct 15, 2008 at 20:15
kkFOREVER,
i think Nacho is injured, but others on here were sayin’ he’s fit, so i know as much as you bro’…
…But i think he’s played a couple of times as sub, not sure if he’s started for us yet?..
…Probably just needs games, but with all this upheaval it’s not too surprizin’ that the new lads are takin’ a while to find their feet really…
…Hopefully JK can instill a bit of what they need into ‘em?..
…Ho’way!..
87 Tom_Toon // Oct 15, 2008 at 22:05
..
88 Nacho Man // Oct 16, 2008 at 7:28
You wonder why we are called deluded by other fans…
For God’s sake, the lad has played two games in a side lacking confidence. How can anyone pass judgement on a player after seeing so little of them. It would not surprise me that the people questioning the lads ability to cut it in the prem thought the same about the likes of Bergkamp and Henry.
89 ELFER // Oct 16, 2008 at 10:41
As you know I’m swiss and I’m very proud of our youngsters (as well as the A-team that had an amzing night yesterday!!!).
Well, congratulation to our lad XISCO, but I must admit that I’m a bit gutted about the referee who decided out of nowhere that there will be 5 additional mins to play…and even worse he overruled the decision of the linesman for a throw-in and that lead unfortunately to the goal of spain…well, so it be.
90 rob // Oct 17, 2008 at 7:05
He’s been fine imo. Got on the ball a bit, he makes good runs behind defenders, scored a goal, touch is ok, can hold the ball up. Think he has quite good attributes all round rather than a single thing that would make him stand out, ie oba’s pace, guiterriez workrate, owens finishing, xisco does all things ok for me