We had seen Habib Beye play center-back before, and he played in that position once last season for the Magpies, and we remember him flinging himself in front of the ball to block shots, and thought this player is 100% committed in everything he does.
Habib Beye – tremendous display on Saturday
So we weren’t too surprised that Beye looked outstanding in the center of Newcastle’s defense last Saturday, and Shearer may keep his experience in the center of defense, and play him alongside the ever improving Sebastien Bassong, and bring in local lad Steven Taylor at right back, for the Stoke game.
But Shearer remembers Habib from the days when Newcastle were successful and playing in the two-legged UEFA Cup semi-final against Olympic Marseille.
Beye had an outstanding game at St. James’ Park in the first leg and quite a number of fans remember the performance that night from the Marseilles captain.
And in the second leg, at the Stade Velodrome club, Shearer was again shut-out and the French side booked a place in the showpiece with a 2-0 win in France and a 2-0 aggregate win. Some guy called Didier Drogba got both the Marseilles goals that night.
So Shearer was not surprised by Beye’s outstanding performance on Saturday, and Alan talked today to the Shields Gazette:
“I thought Habib Beye was magnificent,” “When you consider how long he’s been out injured, for him to come through and play center-half the way he did was very, very good.”
“I have played against him so I know his quality.” “I reminded him that if Sebastien Bassong wasn’t playing, we might need him at center-half.”
“I asked him ‘how many times have you played there?” “He told me he had played against me for Marseilles – and I said ‘that’s why I’m asking from you!'”
And that’s what Alan got from Habib on Saturday, and the Senegal International will be a very valuable player through the rest of the season for the Magpies, as he’s been badly missed since Boxing Day.
The back four formation will be very interesting for the Stoke game, but we think it will be S.Taylor, Bassong, Beye and Enrique in some formation, depending on where Alan wants to play Beye and Taylor.
Let’s know what you think about this.
Comments welcome.
166 comments so far
Toon Graeme
Apr 6, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Comment #1Ed – whatever Shearer and Dowie come up with for the back 4 – lets hope it works and ditto in the mid and our lads upfront get some ball service.
I cant even say Im confident about Saturday and that concerns me!
RyanToon
Apr 6, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #2for me. Beye and Butt where the only two putting it in on saturday the rest need to buck there ideas up imo
Christoon
Apr 6, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #3gotta be beye and bassong in centre. no other way.
Toon Graeme
Apr 6, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #4Ryan – hope you enjoyed your time at SJP on Saturday (despite the score).
Butt worked in the mid and threw himself about a bit and got in some excellent tackles.
I’ll be honest – I never really noticed Beye – nor Nolan – it all depends and what your eye catches when you are watching in the seats.
ToonRich
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Comment #5Toon Graeme, did you not see Beye overhead kick in the first half! I think if Colo had tried it he’d have scored an own goal the way he’s playing!! He also made that challenge that made Anelka miss his clear chance in the 1st too.
I think Beye should stay cb, Taylor might be more useful as rb – hasnt he scored a few from that position already this season?!
Toon Graeme
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Comment #6Toonrich – nope missed that one.
Here is another one for you – Sky normally play the game of the day – from what I picked up on its normally based on result.
By right Bolton should have been on having slaughtered the smogs – however it was us. Not that I am complaining – especially for those that didnt see it. However, was it a case of because it was Chelsea and Man U were being televised the next day or that Liverpool were on Setanta that night. Top 3 all on TV? Anyone else think the same.
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Comment #7Where do they get these stories from?
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=150130
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=150135
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=150133
although the last one was in the paper
WELSHMAG
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Comment #8Team for stoke
________Harper_________
Taylor_Beye_bassong_Enrique
______Butt__Guthrie______
Jonas____Caroll_____Martins
________Owen___________
I’d love to see Carol play in a deep position holding the ball up and playing the one two with martins and Owen then moving into space. It’s Such a simple game and if done effectivly can be lethal. I think we’ll need a big midfielder/striker as stoke are so physical.
Toon Graeme
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Comment #9turkish – I heard the Zaki one earlier today.
I think people just sit and write any old bulls locks.
One thing I have learned and I think we have is not to believe anyone we are linked with in the press!
dougnufc
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Comment #10I felt Beye lacked height at CB, he also loves going forward too much which exposes our defence most of the time. He is still a great player but I feel he is best at RB.
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Comment #11Welsh Mag-
There are loathes of formations out there, whichever 1 shearer picks, i’ll be happy with
Here are my choices of all the possible formations Shearer would choose
442
—————————-Harper———————–
—-Beye———–STaylor—-Bassong—Enrique-
–Jonas———–Barton——Guthrie—–Duff—–
——————–Owen——-Martins—————-
433
—————————–Harper———————-
—–Beye———–STaylor—-Bassong—Enrique-
————-Jonas———Butt————-Duff———-
————Owen——–Carroll——-Martins———-
4141
——————————Harper———————
—–Beye———-STaylor—–Bassong—Enrique-
—————————-Coloccini———————
–Jonas———–Barton——Nolan——–Duff–
—————————-Owen————————-
451
——————————Harper———————
—-Beye———–STaylor—-Bassong—Enrique–
—Jonas——Barton——Butt——Nolan–Duff—
——————————Owen———————–
42211(weird but effective)
—————————–Harper———————-
—–Beye———–STaylor—-Bassong—Enrique-
——————Butt————–Coloccini———–
—–Jonas————————————–Duff—-
—————————-Owen————————-
————————–Martins————————-
In all formations that Martins,Guthrie and Barton aren’t playing in they are to be used as super subs 😉
stevep
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Comment #12@bennytoon – what you gonna do next season when you have yet another lower mid table finish and no nufcblog to go on.
everyone else – how about we chat to Ed with the following.
Add a paypal donations button with a running total to the amount needed to run this site on a yearly basis
Get 4 or 5 writers to assist in publishing articles
If he just wants out completely he could transfer domain ownership to myself and I’d sort out the website side of things (although I can’t dedicate time to writing articles)
Any takers?
beyethegreat
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Comment #13steve p
that last 1 is a good idea if what i am thinking is correct that means that though you would own the site and be able to run it but would appoint othersto be able to take care of the article side of things
Stuart79
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Comment #14I believe the blog would have a brighter future if it was being written in the UK.
As Ed says getting up at 4 am every morning in your retirement is really great for him.
This is by far abd away the best blog in the country and we need to help anyway we can!
An idea for now though – I think we should have a guest blogger every day or every week.
This could lighten the load slightly for Ed now.
chuck
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Comment #15Preaching to the choir when it comes to Beye.
Terrific pro, best player on the team, consistent, veratile, with a positive attitude.
On a different note, understand we are about to put in a bid for Zaki at Wigan, seems to be a fairly prolific scorer, any opinions ?
There`s also a rumor concerning Nani at Man.U.
arriving , dont place much value the rumor, but he`s a decent player and young.
Both of these better than the Crap players who have arrived lately.
stevep
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Comment #16@beye – yup that would be the idea, I’d effectively end up funding the site but hope to recoup the money from paypal donations – I’d hopefully cover costs and therefore be able to drop all the adverts
stevep
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Comment #17@chuck – mate Bruce is on record saying Zaki is a complete nightmare who constantly goes missing ( and I mean missing from the country, not on the pitch). He’s the last sort we want at the mo – Nani rumour is bollox imo
beyethegreat
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Comment #18steve p
gd luck with what ever happens
shearerwonderland.
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Comment #19anyone know if tomorrow (the open training day) costs?
RyanToon
Apr 6, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Comment #20nani??? 10m no thanks
zaki would be a steal
Thump
Apr 6, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Comment #21@shearerwonderland: nufc.com is reporting that it’s free and is open from 11:30 and starts at 11:50.
workyticket
Apr 6, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Comment #22stevep // Apr 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM
“If he just wants out completely he could transfer domain ownership to myself and I’d sort out the website side of things (although I can’t dedicate time to writing articles)
Any takers?”
So you want Ed to simply give you the domain rights of a site that has taken over two years to build up, and us to write stories for free while you collect all the revenue?
nice try Steve! 🙂
Toon_Factor
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Comment #23Beyes best position is right back!
beyethegreat
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Comment #24http://www.squidoo.com/savenufcblog
Ericles
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Comment #25I simply do not think that Ryan Taylor, Coloccini and Nolan are the quality required for a relegation fight. They can sit on the bench as back up! Glad Guthrie is back and Bassong and Steve Taylor on the way.
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Comment #26lets start using this blog lads 😉
http://tynetime.com/
Toon_Factor
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Comment #27Turkish Magpie
No offense to whose it is, but it aint very good
Leo
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Comment #28just incase you dont see my post RE: lovenkrands, i was told by my friend close to the club that he actually suffered a mild cardiac arrest. he is going to be ok but was a huge scare to the system, he is unlikely to play again this season
sorry if this has been posted already i have been at work
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Comment #29Toon Factor
its a guy called Doocey’s, he posts on here
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #30Any links to the reserve game lads for when it kicks off?
oh and any news on the team thats been named?
Stuart79
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Comment #31SBR has made yet another perfect judgment on the Toon.
Basically saying if you get rid of good players with pace and replace them with average slow players you are only going one way!
He wrote this back in January and has re-iterated the fact recently.
Thanks for nothing Messrs Ashley,Wise and Jiminez!
Toon_Factor
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Comment #32I reallly think Sunderland will go down instead of us looking at the fixtures.
Sunderland 32p + 5p 37
Man United (H)
Hull (H)
West Brom (A)
Everton (H)
Bolton (A)
Portsmouth (A)
Chelsea (H)
Newcastle 29p + 9p (hopefully) = 38p
Stoke (A)
Tottenham (A)
Portsmouth (H)
Liverpool (A)
Middlesbrough (H)
Fulham (H)
Aston Villa (A)
It going to be close put this is what I reckon
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #33Has anyone got a response from Ed about the ideas you have suggested? The Mackems have just as many hard games we do. Plus they have Man Utd up next 😉
shearerwonderland.
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Comment #34anyone got links for the reserve game?
Dragonera
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Comment #35If we win against stoke the mackems will go into the relegation zone. Well, providing Man U score a couple 😀
workyticket
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Comment #36Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Apr 6, 2009 at 6:17 PM
“Has anyone got a response from Ed about the ideas you have suggested?”
Ed would be as daft as a brush if he fell for that one!
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Comment #37Reserves link?
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Apr 6, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Comment #38Dunno about a link but Guthrie has limped off. It goes from bad to worse.
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Comment #39waldo, where u getting this from?
Turkish Magpie
Apr 6, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Comment #40This song represents Newcastle’s season perfectly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H25lz7gchaw
I’ll let you figure out how