Kevin Nolan is one of the leaders on Tyneside this season and his 6 goals so far have been paramount in taking Newcastle to the top of the Championship.
Kevin Nolan – great team spirit at Newcastle now
And while Kevin has talked about the complete lack of team spirit in the Newcastle dressing room when he arrived last January, he thinks it’s that renewed spirit which is mainly responsible for the fantastic resurgence of the team this season, under caretaker manager Chris Hughton and his assistant Colin Calderwood.
Nolan talked to the Shields Gazette today about our two new boys – Khizanishvili and Harewood:
“Zurab’s a lovely lad – he’s slotted in really well – and Marlon’s done the same,”
“That’s what we want – it’s important that whoever comes into the club has got that. They’ve got to get right involved with the lads, and enjoy this experience.
“Hopefully, we can keep them for a longer period. There’s a long way to go, and we’re going to need every player on the bench.”
Newcastle go into the international break three points clear at the top of the Championship, but that could and probably should have been a full 7 points, if only we could have won our last two home games. But we mustn’t get greedy, not yet anyway.
And Nolan says our two new Premier League players, Harewood and Khizanishvili are enjoying their time at Newcastle as they are already caught up in the fantastic buzz that’s currently on Tyneside.
Nolan went on:
“We’ve had a great start, and are at the top of the Championship, and they know there’s a standard here that they’ve got to live up to.”
“I’m sure those two lads are relishing that chance. Hopefully, they’ll prove over the next few months why we’ve brought them in.”
We do probably need to extend all of our loan signings for the full season – if that is possible.
That will help us to safeguard against injuries and loss of form, and we still expect some of out youngsters to come through this season too.
Comments welcome.
37 comments so far
G
Oct 6, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Comment #1I think we will have no option but to put some youngsters on for extended spells this season. Its a long season in this division, and whilst the additions are welcome, we will still need plenty of bodies for the average of 1.5 games per week come the end of the season.
MacToon
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Comment #2Quiet on here, is it because everyone’s holding their breath for this sale…. 🙂 Or just ‘cos it’s a break for \international matches.
We’ll struggle through to January probably with this squad, which should be strong enough (injuries permitting) and hopefully reinforce then, maybe a left back and some kind of play-maker or winger (one that can cross hopefully).
Bucks mag
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Comment #3About the whole Hughton/Shearer debate, I reckon Alan should get the job, with Chris staying on board.
Admittedly last season, Shearer would seem to have not done a good job with the record we had. But he clearly had substantial plans for NUFC. He had a list of targets drawn up for the summer, as well as a trainig plan as Nicky Butt said. Plus, I feel AS is a lot more of a figurehead than Hughton. For a start he was a great player, and captain, is a well known sportsman round the world. He has done the job with the players before, and knows them well.
Secondly, though Chris Hughton has done a great job, I still feel that he is not one to take us into the future. It might be harsh to judge people on their previous records, but when he was in charge for a short spell in the PL he was hopeless. Like some of our players, it could be he has found his level so to speak, finding it easier to outwit Champoinship sides.
Thirdly, people have been calling for Shearer to drop down a division. Well isn’t this a good place to learn? If we were to get promoted, he would have had a season under his belt of experience at least, not to mention I don’t think he would mess it up so badly that we were not title challengers.
Big Dave
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Comment #4MacToon your right it is getting very quiet round here. Im hoping for a sale very soon
buda boom
Oct 6, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Comment #5Zhurab has good feet but wehave had footballing defenders in the past and they have not succeeded. In the fizzy pop league you don’t get time to play. I think he better suited as full back not as a rock at the back. He is also awfully slow. I have seen milk turn quicker.
But there is no getting away from it he is the oly type of player we can attract at the moment. Cheap and available. How sad.
Would love to see amove for Ben Watson if QPR have not tied him up an a season long loan. Most impressive last week.
Partizan
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Comment #6Birmingham got bought by the Profitable Group??
will die for the toon army
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Comment #7Partizan, That is what they could handle we are a big club with a bigger ambition.
They cldnt match that.
will die for the toon army
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Comment #8WE have the Moat coming with The Yanks
toonsy
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Comment #9WDFTTA – I hope so matey, and Shearer on board aswell!
will die for the toon army
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Comment #10Yes AL,CH,CC and John Craver on board with Daglish cutting the deals with the transfers as DoF
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Comment #11No – no DoF for the love of all that is holy!
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Comment #12Here lads i’m pondering whether to start making a small blog like ed’s for mainly newcastle based articles. This is because i’m hoping to, one day, become a sports journalist and reckon that it would be great practice and show good initiative on a CV or in an interview. I don’t suppose should Ed or anyone on here reading this would be able to guide me in the right direction of how to get a decent one started?
lacedaemonian
Oct 6, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Comment #13I think all clubs need a football man on the board. But someone who has charisma and good business sense.
Stuart79
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Comment #14thisbastardspacebar’sstuckagain!
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Comment #15@AndyNUFC: You could create a simple blog on Blogspot or any of the other thousand free webhosts and find your feet, once you’re comfortable enough you could buy some webspace (for a simple blog, there isn’t really such thing as a bad host, if it’s cheap and has 99% uptime, it’ll do), install WordPress (what nufcblog runs from) and continue your blog on there. Make sure you’re certain before you buy your own webspace, though.
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Comment #16Cheers Thump, much appreciated!
Big Dave
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Comment #17AndyNUFC are you on worky’s blog aswell mate ?
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Comment #18Nah Dave i’m not, what is it?
Big Dave
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Comment #19nufcblog.org blog the guy that runs it comes on here at times workyticket, and there is about 4 or 5 regulars that write the articles. Maybe if you sign up im sure after a while there would be a chance that they might publish some of your work. just a thought
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Comment #20No problem, mate. If you have any questions give me an email on GeordieCode@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to give you a hand (I’ve done writing for True Faith and operated a load of websites and blogs and I’ve done web development and troubleshooting and stuff).
Isn’t worky’s blog nufcblog.org?
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Comment #21lol yes it is.
Admittedly I love his layout.
Big Dave
Oct 6, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Comment #22I meant to say dont be afraid to ask him as he is a decent guy. Just incase you think he might be a bit odd, thats his mate Stardust. LOL couldnt resist that 😉
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Comment #23Worky’s a good bloke, he just has some controversial opinions and let’s face it – he likes winding us all up.
I think Stardust enjoys the latter a bit more, though!
Big Dave
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Comment #24Thump it dosn’t seem to attract as much WUM’s as this one
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Comment #25Just had a look at NUFCblog.org, really impressed. Like the layout and well written articles.
Ross
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Comment #26Andy-did you ever get my reply to the questions asked about sports journalism? i wrote a complete essay i think but never had the chance to ask you if you’d found out any more,lol
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Comment #27I did Ross, was just at college at the time of reading so couldn’t write a reply, but again thanks very much for it. I’ve had some great responses from people on this blog. Like I said before too I think i’m going to start up a blog site to try and get ‘creative juices’ flowing and test the water with people’s opinion.
Ross
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Comment #28andy-sounds like a good idea mate, like i said before i’ve been told to basically get writing and try and get as much work out in the open as possible so starting up your own blog could only be a good thing.
I’m not 100% sure what field i want to go into yet. I’ve considered music journalism but i think sport would be what i’d want to focus on, specifically football. I’m a huge MMA fan aswell but the toon is my main priority sports wise,lol
Dragonera
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Comment #29Anyone read Stephen Ireland’s interview for the Mirror?
It is a good read, and an honest take on the modern day players view on international duty.
Thump
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Comment #30@Ross: Music journo is incredibly difficult to get into. Getting a start isn’t that much of an issue, but actually getting consistent work is incredibly hard unless you start you own magazine/website and even then you’re not going to see the plus side for a long while.
Ross
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Comment #31Thump-i sort of had that impression to be honest, its not very often you meet freelance music journalists, lol. Obviously something like starting up your own magazine is incredibly time consuming and costly also, i’d imagine. MMA journalism is incredibly rare within the UK i’d imagine aswell (seeing as the sport is anything but mainstream over here, even though its improving)..although i dont think i’d have the passion to do so anyway.
I’ve wanted to be a journalist ever since i can remember though..or get into something along the lines of radio work, guess its just a case of putting in the effort needed to do so.
AndyNUFC
Oct 6, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Comment #32http://halftimestottie.blogspot.com/2009/10/keegan-saga-concludes-moat-takeover.html
baro
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Comment #33http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Newcastle-braced-for-serious-takeover-offer-from-wealthy-South-African-bond-dealer-article182087.html
ED you were right about saying the next few days that an lot of takeover news willl happen. I hope this happens.
baro
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Comment #34I think this is like the 3rd South African who wants the club…
baro
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Comment #35http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6863695.ece
Thump
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Comment #36I like it Andy. Good read!
baro
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Comment #37Interesting how he is a bond dealer….He must be very good business person…with substantial money.