Damien Duff has come out today and said in the local Sunday Sun that Newcastle players should fear the Championship.
Damien Duff – imperative to get promoted
The Irishman has warned his team-mates it is important that Newcastle put behind their problems and concentrate on getting promoted at the first attempt next season from the Championship.
Damien spent two seasons – 1999-2000 and 2000-01 – in English football’s second tier with Blackburn Rovers and Graeme Souness, finishing 11th, then second place and promotion.
He says the time outside the Premier League top flight was really tough and predicts an even more competitive Championship 10 years later.
Damien Duff said today:
“I would like to think so.” “I have done two years down there with Blackburn about 10 years ago, and it’s tougher than people think.”
“There are 46 games and no easy matches down there.” “It’s just a battle every week – well, three times a week some weeks – so it’s imperative that the club does get back up straight away, but it’s going to be tough.”
“It must be even tougher than it was then – same as the Premier League. Compared to 10 years ago, it’s an awful lot more competitive than it was.”
“There’s no easy games in the Premier League now, and it’s the same in the Championship.”
Good words from Damien, and even though wee have not had a smooth pre-season the lads must concentrate on getting a win next Saturday at WBA.
They cannot use the excuses of consistent turmoil behind the scenes – because in any case they should be getting sued to it by now. 😀
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Wallsend Will
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Comment #1We can’t get back on “auto-pilot”. Not with the present squad. One or two bad results will leave us adrift in mid-table. Reading between the lines I believe Shearer would break his holiday if something were to happen next week. I hope so anyway, this living hell must stop sooner or later.
Graeme
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Comment #2If it wasnt for the attitude of a large proportion of the 1st team squad, we wouldnt be there in the 1st place. Why he thinks that the players who wouldnt/ couldnt peform last season, will play their socks off this season, I dont know.
The 1st thing that needs doing is appointing a MANAGER, who has been there, got the tee-shirt and knows what it takes to win. Hopefuly, he can then coach, kick, beat some sense into the squad so we DO start playing again.
I’m not holding my breath with the shower we have at the moment though.
Rangerman
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Comment #3The problem at the moment is that the players are low in confidence, if we can get a few wins together then we are more than capable of putting a decent run together and getting promoted.
Toon Graeme
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Comment #4In response to the title – NO chance – unless we get some experienced championship players on the team!
ian
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Comment #5All we are doing is the same since Ashley started selling players other teams want which have done a good job for us then built up a stock of players we pay premiership wages to but are not good enough to use.
Business naivety which will put us down further.
Some fans appear to agree!!
For instance they are happy with a striking line up of Carroll, Ameobi, Xisco and Nile Ranger.
I would be happier with Martins, Nile Ranger, Beckwith and Wesley Baheng as our strikers.
We probably could have afforded that without selling anyone else by subsidising a Xisco and Ameobi sale, but if we had to, if we kept Krul and Frasier as keepers and sold Harper.
But all we can do is sell the players others knock at the door for!!
Talk about stupid.
Tino 11
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Comment #6Rangerman – I think a few are low in passion and the feeling they actually want to play for us aswell, until we get rid of those players then i can’t see us putting a run together.
BlacknWhite Barmy
Aug 2, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Comment #7Spot on Graeme – I suppose they can always blame hte turmoil at the club if they dont try again!!
I await a rallying call for a strong defence and effort from Collocini
Toon Graeme
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Comment #8I touched on this yesterday:
Dont you think we should (if only for one game) forget about all the feud and hatred of Ashley and Llambias and UNITE and fill SJP for the Reading match.
We are on the tele and should create one of the greatest atmosphere’s we can – flag, scarfs and end to end singing.
Our way of seeing off Sir Bobby at SJP for all those who didnt see his match.
Starkadder
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Comment #9It is not imperative that we go straight back up, but it is imperative that we do go back up within four or five seasons.
What we need is a period of stability, so that whoever comes in, owner and manager alike, can properly address the issues at the club and put them right. That way, when we do go back up, whenever that is, we are better suited to being a lower premiership team. We can then build from there.
Make no mistake, there will be no repeat of the Keegan era. We will not be promoted and immediately challenge for the premiership title. Far too many teams, both in the championship and in the premiership have got a good head start on us.
It will easily be ten years before we get anywhere near the summit of english football again.
Archie Mag
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Comment #10I’m actually looking forward to the Reading game just to sing my heart out for Bobby. Even if we do still have Hughton in charge.. *shudders*.
Toon Graeme
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Comment #11I hope this works:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26502&id=1523070934&ref=nf
Alex
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Comment #12Still cant see why colo ever got into the argentine national team , he was left wanting for pace and physical strength last season in the premiership . God only knows what will happen to him in the ccc , its full of true hardmen type of players . i really fear what is going to happen in defence when Bassong and Beye leave ,which they will . We are going to get slaughtered in that department .
Doocey
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Comment #13I’d be very surprised if we flew back up.
First of all, we haven’t bought any Championship proven players and secondly we’ don’t have enough depth.
We need a large squad to cover for injuries and knowing us, there’ll be a lot of injuries indeed.
SBR4EVA
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Comment #14The only thing that is imperative is that we get rid of ashley.
What he has done is nothing short of treason. His treachery has disgraced us.
Until that s.o.b. leaves we will only get worse.
As to who do we want as manager – no decent manager will want the job while he is still there.
We have a crap squad with no manager and no hope.
God, I wish Bobby was still with us.
Wallsend Will
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Comment #15Toon Graeme. It works fine. Thanks for the pics. A great tribute to a great man captured forever. RIP Sir Bobby Robson.
RyanToon
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Comment #16SKY SPORTS NEWS
NEWCASTLE REJECT 10M BASSONG BID FROM SPURS
ian
Aug 2, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Comment #17If they are rejecting because they want to keep him then I would take it they have a buyer.
If Ashley was keeping the club he would only reject it for more money he would sell a good player and keep payiong wages to ones who do not play, his maths works on an infant level.
Darryl
Aug 2, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Comment #18I’m glad we rejected it. I think we want atleast 15million. Either that, or new owners are coming in and bassong has been told to stay with us this year, and hope to get promotion straight away..