Mick Martin, who played for Newcastle from 1978 until 1984 and made 147 appearance with 5 goals for the Magpies, thinks the Newcastle midfield currently lacks pace.
Chris Hughton – is he looking for more speed in central midfield?
Mick talked to the Evening Chronicle today:
“I think it is vital you have pace in the middle of the park in the Premier League, otherwise you can end up with your backs to the wall in games.
“Playing against the Gerrards and Lampards of the world is a major step up." “If you have a player who is a driving force in there it can be a massive benefit."
“Then you have somebody pushing through and looking to pick out passes for your wide men and importantly the front two – whether it be Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll or whoever Chris Hughton decides.”
“If you do not have it then you have two midfielders in the middle pinned back because you are just hacking it clear and lumping it, ultimately inviting pressure.”
Chris will undoubtedly bring in a central midfielder in the summer, and one that has lots of creativity would be good, and it looks like if Chris gets his wish it could well be Arsenal’s young Jack Wilshere, who looked good at Bolton at the end of the season.
But we also have our own teenager starting to knock on the door and it will be interesting to see how 17 year-old Haris Vuckic does next season.
Certainly if he doesn’t show through before January, Hughton may well have to send him out on loan for the second half of the season, as the teenager will need first-team games one way or the other next season.
Mick Martin, like the rest of us, is really looking forward to next season but hopes we get an easy start to the season – like Blackpool at home, followed by Wigan away would be very nice.
Mick continued:
“I am looking forward to the start of the season like the fans will be too, but I just hope the fixture list is kind to us.” “If we can make a good start with two home games in there, that would be great.”
“If it is Arsenal and Chelsea away early on it can sicken teams.” “It would be good to have a few wins under the belt and get the fans going.”
Of course the last time we started in the Premiership we had Manchester United away and that Newcastle gave them a good run for their money in a 1-1 draw, where Jonas Gutierrez was outstanding, and even Alex Ferguson admitted Newcastle had deserved the point.
We always thought Newcastle were on their way back under Kevin – but then the volcano erupted.
Oh well – at least we are back up in the Premiership now.
Comments welcome.
57 comments so far
Tanzy
May 28, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Comment #1NUFC NEWS
boyd and wheater to sign soon
boyd free
wheater £3m
both passed medical now talkin terms
onouha in a few weeks around £5m
thats all ii no thanks
baro
May 28, 2010 at 8:34 PM
Comment #2Tanzy
Your just another guy I want to know something from. I’m not saying your right or wrong because I have no idea. But, where and how do you know this? And please no body put that freekin transfer roumors.com shit on their comment.
Howay The Lads
May 28, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Comment #3I think he knows because it said it on transfer-rumours.com 😉
Robby Bobson
May 28, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Comment #4The “creative midfielder” phrase is like the 20 goal a season striker phrase…everyone from every team claim they need one.
So Bartons passes to Lovenkrands vs QPR and for Routledge vs Plymouth isnt enough?
When Guthrie moved into the centre we started shifting 4,5,6 goals a goal, thats not good enough?
Kevin Nolan scored 18 goals last season? Thats not good enough?
We have two wingers who will not dominate the league but will fair quite well. Barton is a great player when fit and when hes not guthrie has shown he isn’t lacking in the creative department.
baro
May 28, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Comment #5Tanzy
I hope all 3 of them sign. We need a striker. But, when you see 2 defenders coming in that both are expected to see first team their is some danger, that somebody could be on his way out. Onouha would probably start at RB, while Jose Enrique has cemented his spot no matter what at LB. Colo and Taylor are suppose to start in the middle but now I guess David Wheater coming in, where does he go? He can go in front of Williamson who is a sub for the 2 CB’s. But, Wheater wants first team action. Simpson and R.Taylor replace right back, and Kadar replaces Jose Enrique. Wheater would not like that backup spot. On the other hand Kris Boyd will start next to Andy Carroll if he is going to Newcastle.
—————————Krul————————-
Onouha/——-S.Taylor/—–Colo/——Jose/—
Backups:
R.Taylor/——-Wheater—–Willo—–Kadar—
Simpson
Flop
May 28, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Comment #6I don’t think we need to sign anyone in that area. It would only push Vuckic further down the pecking order. I think a RB and cover for the wings should be priority then maybe a small strker to play off the big lads. Wish list would be Onouha, Ledley and someone like Oba Martins on loan.
boater
May 28, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Comment #7The main weakness in the squad is the lack of a pacey, ball playing striker/play maker with an eye for a canny pass; who can sit a bit deeper if needs be and also play off a lone striker. Moses would have been done like.
Mr. G Carr if you’re reading this and still wondering who fits the bill…
Ola Toivonen – (PSV)
Arnautovi? – (on loan at Inter)
Ruiz – (Fc Twente)
Mesut Ozil – (Weder Bremen)
Charlie Austin – (Swindon)
Hernanes Costa – (Sau Paulo)
Park Chu-Young – (AS Monaco)
Jefferson Farfan – (schalke)
My pic Park and Ruiz, both have been closely tracked by every big club in europe for a year now- although mebbes the latter is a bit out of our price range noo.
baro
May 28, 2010 at 9:14 PM
Comment #8I hope Haris Vuckic gets a chance next year. How you guys are saying Joey Barton was like a new 7 million signing after he came back from injury, well Haris Vuckic will look like a 15 million signing. Watch and see. Taylor came through academy, then Carroll, and now its Haris Vuckic. Hint: next is Samuel Adjei, 17-18 year old Swede who’s style of play and skills are compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s. 🙂
Robby Bobson
May 28, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Comment #9“The main weakness in the squad is the lack of a pacey, ball playing striker/play maker with an eye for a canny pass; who can sit a bit deeper if needs be and also play off a lone striker.”
Kevin Nolan got 18 goals playing behind the striker, but hey lets replace him.
The Entertainers
May 28, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Comment #10I dont particularly think we need that type of midfielder.
Guthrie and Nolan should be given their chance. Nolan despite his poor season last time in the PL is proven and Guthrie has the ability, he needs to more consistance and step it up a level.
Then theres Vukic, a player CH is putting a lot of faith in by the sounds of things.
The creative midfielder will only get a game if we play with 1 up top, i cant see us playing 2 forwards and a creative midfielder, we’ll be murdered!
Robby Bobson
May 28, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Comment #11and if you want pace lovenkrands…..
It annoys me when people overlook the players we have got and come up with people like Ruiz who is worth tens of millions and charlie Austin.
boater
May 28, 2010 at 9:19 PM
Comment #12Robby Bobson – you’re right. However, based on CH’s cautious 4-5-1 in the CCC, it’s fair to assume we’ll see one lone man up a canny bit this season – even more reason to get someone in to play in the hole.
The no.10 is the most magical role in the side: beardsley, asprilla, kaka, cantona, le tissier, mendieta, romario, rivaldo… the magician and architect of dash n go attacking play.
We can’t afford a riquelme or a snjeider – but I still think this, along with a utility left footer (such as riise) is the priority to complete the new starting 11.
baro
May 28, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Comment #13Boater
Mesut Ozil from your list is on top of my list. He is the next superstar in the making. Would cost more a lot but around 10 million would definitely do it. Bryan Ruiz who we were linked with before is a absolute beast. Perfect eye for goal. Park Chu-young got some good speed but we already got that position. Hernanes Costa is dubbed the next Kaka’
baro
May 28, 2010 at 9:27 PM
Comment #14boater
The new left footer could be HARIS VUCKIC. 🙂
boater
May 28, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Comment #15Robby Bobson – I’m not overlooking anyone. I think it’s fair to assume nolan is a nailed on starter – if not captain ,, lovenkrands will be important as well but I’m sorry I think going blithely into next season with Carroll and Lovenkrands as your best front 2, would be to court disaster.
Like I said – it’s not an attacking midfielder we need – but a mobile support striker who will be looking to create and weave magic – that sir is not Kevin nolan.
baro
May 28, 2010 at 9:35 PM
Comment #16boater
The answer is HARIS VUCKIC.
Kebabacus
May 28, 2010 at 9:41 PM
Comment #17Anyone ever thought what Jonas would be like in the middle of the park?
Pacy, hard-working, goes round people at will…
And he wouldn’t have to cross so much 🙂
boater
May 28, 2010 at 9:45 PM
Comment #18Baro I agree – Ruiz and Ozil maybe out of our league now, Hernanes has to get a move to europe this summer- more like Milan however. Park is a very technical n fast play maker aye.
It bugs us. Players like Huntellaar, Suarez, Ruiz, M’bia, Farfan, the everton afro dude, were ALL in the NUFC scouting radar in the past couple years.
Never mind letting shearer go. What a team that would have been. Well, those who hesitate masturbate as they say.
Tanzy
May 28, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Comment #19baro
sorry to say mate but yes this info come from transfer rumours. i no you get alot of people who post alot of s**t on that site , but i have mates who have sed the same. Yes i no that they cud be made up but at the same time can be true am not saying my source is chris hughton but chris is a clever man and will not give anything away if you remember in january the simpson deal was dead in the water the next day he was signed up permanently. also ii no is something to happen soon possible monday or sumtime next week.
tozer , zamblera -getting sold
r.taylor 50/50
s.taylor £9m + whilshere season loan
jimiley
May 28, 2010 at 9:48 PM
Comment #20Why do we need any loan signings and other rubbish? We have Guthrie, Barton, Nolan and Smith in central midfield. That midfield is good enough to beat all but the top 5 or 6. We will never win the league and under this owner do not even aspire to do so, so why sign any rubbish when what we have is good enough for a safe mid table birth. We are a club to make up the numbers and will never challenge for the league, so why is everyone so interested in who we will sign for two bob? Keep the faith. Mediocrity is good. It has to be.
boater
May 28, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Comment #21Baro – I hope so,, going off the hype Vuckic sounds better than Messi. But then so did Ranger (early days), Coppinger, Paul Robinson, Chora, bjarni gudjonsson,, etc, etc.
baro
May 28, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Comment #22Tanzy
Any sign that we will sign Aiden Mcgeady of Celtic? Because that site talks about how if we dont get O’hara than we will get McGeady. And Jamie O’hara is rated 6 million. If S.Taylor is off to Arsenal than we better keep Jack Wilshere permanently and sign a top young player like Mesut Ozil which is 100% perfect to splash the cash on. Taylor’s money would do it to get Mesut Ozil. He is just what we need.
jimiley
May 28, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Comment #23We are a top supported team, have a turnover to rival the top 20 teams in EUROPE, but under this owner have no cash to buy anybody and are resorting to loan signings. WHAT IS GOING ON FAT MAN?
Flop
May 28, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Comment #24Agree with Jimiley; Barton Nolan, Smith, Guthrie and Vuckic are and should be a good enough to keep us up. Why risk disrupting team morale with players we don’t need.
eltoro
May 28, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Comment #25I think we should try to pick up an exciting younger left footed winger, we’ve been missing one since N’Zogbia left.
One who we could get I think is Ryad Boudebouz. He looked good for france u19 last summer and will be at the wc with Algeria next month. Left footed and deadball expert who’s tricky on the ball too.
I don’t recall us ever being linked with the player but I think when we sign someone it will probably be out of the blue. If you think about Guthrie, Bassong, Williamson, Routledge – all of these successful transfers happened without prior knowledge in the media.
boater
May 28, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Comment #26Flop/Jimiley/Robby Bobson – for the record I wasn’t suggesting we bring in replacements for the midfield. I’m saying we need a creative, deep sitting striker/playmaker who can play off carroll/shola/best/boyd(?).
Squad morale is everything dead right – but there is by common consensus 3 areas ripe for improvement- left footer, covering rb fullback and another striker – we have 3 big men and really need someone to rival lovenk. for that other spot. so a no. 10 in other words.
Flop
May 28, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Comment #27boater how about Juan Albin? We were linked with him earlier this year http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11841_6067085,00.html
And he’s available on a free
boater
May 28, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Comment #28Good shout flop- I remember that now aye, heard good things about him. Didn’t make the uruguayan squad – so don’t get to have a ganders this summer shame.
eltoro
May 28, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Comment #29I read this yesterday – it suggests Albin isnt a free transfer
http://www.tribalfootball.com/getafe-invite-offers-striker-juan-albin-866681
I’m not really sure about it though. And if he is good enough to attract AC Milan as the article states surely he would have been capped internationally.
Flop
May 28, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Comment #30I see Ignacio Gonzalez made the squad though, I remember him…
The Carnivorous Badger
May 28, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Comment #31A truly beautiful picture of Chris Hughton, there.
jaynufc89
May 28, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Comment #32Sotiris Ninis < what about this guy. Newcastle are rumoured to be interested in him he could do well in midfield hes an attacking midfielder. as for the wheater and onuaha signings I think we will sell Colo been big rumours about it.. Hughton has already said Taylor is staying put and will offer him a new deal also taylor himself has said hes staying Arsenal wouldn't allow us to hav Jack whilshire on a full time basis. I think we need an exciting right winger and a CM sell nolan bring in mulumbu and Sotiris Ninis sell ryan taylor bring in that valencia right winger who we've been linked with as we've got gutierrez on the left. 4million for nolan would be good . as hes 27 and over the 26 age we're going for 5 mill for colo whos 28 .Although i think the team next year will be
Harper
Onuaha Wheater Taylor Enrique
Whilshire Vuckic/ Mulumbu Nolan Gutierrez
Carroll Boyd
StuW
May 28, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Comment #33To be honest, I think the only transfer talk we will hear from CH and SJP this summer will be when the players have signed the contract.
jaynufc89
May 28, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Comment #34I am hearing alot of rumours that guthrie is leaving.. wba, celtic, rangers.. although I cant see it happening.. taylor will stay ( stevie ) its going to be interesting. CH is keeping us guessing but I can see him pulling off a big coup and I don’t mean Onuaha I’ve just got a funny feeling Onuaha will sign but hughton will sign a big player aswell as Onuaha I had the same feeling about blackpool winning the play offs on the last day of the seasona dn I put a £140 bet on that and obviously won got 740 back plus my 140 normally when i get this feeling something big happens!!
Flop
May 28, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Comment #35jaynufc89-Ninis looks a good player but according to wiki has a 10 million buy out clause so rules us out. I would take 4 million for Nolan, but I think CH will be reluctant to let him go. But he has it all to prove this season. Can’t see us selling Colo either, unless for big money which I doubt.
baro
May 29, 2010 at 12:14 AM
Comment #36Jaynufc89——-Flop
Hey guys I made that Sotiris Ninis story up that he is linked with Newcastle United. Because he is one of my favorite players. So this football-roumors.co.uk website is total shit. Because I just wanted to test it out. And that site is full of shit, it was my first time on that site. Some might be true for example how Jose Mourinho joined Real and is 100% official, that they now put on there. Sotiris Ninis is not just a good player but a total beast, he is the next Xavi, , Kaka.But I made that story up. So dont look at it. I was just testing that site how that site full of shit works.
wilkyvondooom
May 29, 2010 at 12:25 AM
Comment #37the whole thing about sayin we lack pace in the middle is rubbish, we’ve got pace out wide where it matters. what we need is creativity in the middle..i dont care how quick the player is, if he can pick an intelligent pass then thats enough. if you look through the league theres very few teams with pace in the middle. mick martins wring on this one
wilkyvondooom
May 29, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Comment #38wrong even
Flop
May 29, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Comment #39baro – from what I’ve seen and read he’s a real world class player in the making if only…
baro
May 29, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Comment #40Flop
I know. But, hey I was just testing that site to see how fake it is. I posted that World Class Greek player Sotiris Ninis will sign for Newcastle United. Its not real story, I just tested site.