Jose Enrique has made the left-back position his own this season, with 24 appearances for Newcastle (23 starts), after being injured earlier in the season.
Jose Enrique – wants new signings at the club
Jose talked to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, and wants to see Ashley and company improve the squad significantly in the summer.
Jose said today:
“I hope the fans come back, but we need new players.” “Both of my years have been the same – we have had too many injuries and not a big enough squad.”
“At times 10 or 11 have been injured.” “You can’t play like that. You can’t expect right-backs to play in midfield and wingers to play at left-back or have a striker playing out of position, and it’s hard to ask young players to come in too.”
“We can’t have excuses for doing badly but the squad needs improving if we want to move on.” “I think Newcastle will bring more players in next season.”
“They are still a big team that I knew about in Spain because they played in the UEFA Cup and Champions League.” “The last two years haven’t been good.” “We need to climb the table.”
Yet Enrique is confident that Newcastle can get something out of their game against the Gunners tomorrow, and cites Newcastle’s fine performance against World Club Champions Manchester United, in our last home game
Jose continued:
“They are one of the best teams in England, and it’s a difficult test.” “I still think we can win, though.”
“We showed against Manchester United we can compete with the best teams.” “It’s no longer a case of we need to get something, we must get something.”
“And with our fans behind us we have a great chance.”
Enrique feels that his run in the side on Tyneside, has more than enabled him to finally become accustomed to the physical requirements of the English Premier League.
Jose added:
“It’s different in Spain – completely different to England.” “But I have become accustomed to it.”
“It was hard for me at the start last year because it was a different team and a different club.”
“Now I know what the manager wants from me in games.”
Jose has done well at Newcastle in the second half of this season, and he now looks a good player, well suited to the Premier league.
And you can hardly accuse Jose of not being a fighter, as he has turned in some great games at Newcastle over the last couple of months, and we think he’s going to be better next season.
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
lesh
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Comment #1Let’s hope you’re right Jose.
beyethegreat
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Comment #2he has improved immensly in the last part of the seasson and if we stay up he will be important next year
Toon Graeme
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Comment #3Hughton reports they have been working on fast passing and possession.
Jose says he thinks we can win the match (knew it would get published today – someone saying it)
Steven Taylor rallying in the press
Im gonna take it on face value and am looking forward to a good/ hard game tomorrow with hopefully a few goals and 3 points for we.
HOWAY LADS
Toon Graeme
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Comment #4Beye –
Are you going to the Chelsea match? – In know you mentioned last night.
beyethegreat
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment #5toon graeme
not sure see what my mate says hopefully he will say yes i feel sorry for him he has never been to a match as his dad mam brother and sidter all support sunderland
Toon Graeme
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Comment #6Beye – I hope you get yourselves there, it should be a good atmosphere – normally is against the big teams.
beyethegreat
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Comment #7ttg
definatelyif it was up to me i would have a season ticket but though their is a big toon fan base where i live not many seem interested in going if i do get their it will be the best team i have seen at st james’ ever
bennytoon
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Comment #8http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/predictor/default.stm
I just did this BBC predictor and even with you losing your next 2 games you will have to have a terrible run to go down. Unfortunatly i think you are safe
LoonyToon @ graft
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Comment #9Benny…
Did that predictor a couple of weeks ago before Man U game…..got that and Hull prediction right…and we ended up safe…glad you agree
Jose has been very very good over the past few weeks….big test 2moz probably against Walcott…
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Comment #10Beye where abouts you from like?
sahota
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #11Hey Guys, we have reason to be happy today … Benny has said some good words. Com’on Benny you are not that bad as we all think 🙂
chuck
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Comment #12A vastly improved player, in the latter half of the season.
But we are going to beat an improving arsenal team, i think not!
I recall a few seasons back when W/Brom were playing in a home game at St. James, where they appeared candidates for relegation.
The home crowd were singing Going down, going down, Albion fans responded with so are we , so are we.
I am afraid there may be some truth to the chants this season.
Shanghaitoon
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Comment #13If they all put in as much effort on the pitch as they all do talking about it, we’d be top of the league by a mile!!! Pity its all talk and no action …
THE MAGPIE
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Comment #14Well of course he has made the position his own-we dont have another left back.
But as i said before you cant buy another 10 players just because 10 are injured all the time.
More investment in the medical side is required.
Whumpie
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Comment #15Well said, The Magpie (inventive name, btw)
Benny – I never thought it would be you who came in and injected some optimism into all this dark “we’re stuffed” discussion!
Good on yer.
Obafan
Mar 20, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Comment #16If all players would have improved like Jose has, we would have been in a much better position without being constantly linked of getting relegated.
I would pick this team:
Harper
Beye – Bassong – Collo – Enrique
Guti – Nolan – Geremi- Loven
Owen – Martins
I think Hughton will play:
Harper
S. Taylor – Collo – Bassong – Enrique
Smith – Butt -Nolan – Guti
Owen – Martins
Subs: Ameobi for Martins
Tom_Toon
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Comment #17Really like Enrique, he is a raw talent and progressing and has a good attitude. I’d like to see him score, why not start tomorrow 🙂