One of the most exciting young players on Tyneside at the moment is 19 year-old Londoner Nile Ranger.
Nile Ranger– get in! – in action against Liverpool
And Nile will have impressed the pants off new manager Alan Pardew on Saturday, with a tremendous performance in that final 35 minutes, although he should probably have scored within two minutes of coming on – but hey – that will come as he grows more experienced.
And in any case he turned the game in Newcastle’s favor with his all action display – and it was just great to watch – maybe we’ve seen 10 TV reruns of what happened after Nile was introduced in the Liverpool game. His impact was there for all to see and the lad’s only 19?
Nile has done fantastically well since he arrived on Tyneside two years ago, and he has put behind him some of his youthful daftness – and he has kept his head down on Tyneside. Nile deserves a huge compliment for doing that.
And we even understand he arrives at training on time these days – what more could you ask for?
And it was this week that we imagined what a Nile Ranger Andy Carroll partnership could develop into over the next year or so – when they could scare the living daylights out of central defenders everywhere.
The two of them did it with the Liverpool lot on Saturday, after all – just ask manager Roy Hodgson – he looked near the end as if he was going crazy.
Ranger told the Evening Chronicle today:
“It would be a dream to partner Andy on a regular basis – it’s something that could really work.”
“We understand each other’s game because we have played a lot of times together. The more we get to play together, the more experience we’ll gain and the better we can become.”
“It’s an exciting partnership.” “I had a great chance to get it against Liverpool, I felt I did the hard bit and went round the keeper, but the angle was tight.”
“I was annoyed, but I don’t want to be making excuses – I should have scored.” “That sort of thing happens in football and you just have to get on with it and wait for the next chance to come.”
“Liverpool are a good side and can defend well.” “But we showed we can be a threat for anybody.” “I try to get in behind the defenses of teams and feed off big Andy’s flicks.”
Whether or not Ameobi’s tight hamstring has cleared up for Saturday, we’d love to see Nile get a start at Birmingham, because their defense could be the next on the chopping block for Andy Carroll and company up front.
Nile continued:
“It was a memorable win against Liverpool and I was delighted to play a part in it.” “The gaffer told me to try to get on there and make an impact.”
“I feel I did that. I just wanted to keep on running in behind the back four.”
Well he got the job done becasue he certianly made an impact.
A word to Nile – you are doing great at Newcastle right now but keep your head down, do what the manager says – train hard, keep your feet firmly on the ground – and you have the ability to become a big star of the future.
For Newcastle of course.
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
Toon XI
Dec 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Comment #1Would love to see Ranger get the start on Saturday. Ameobi needs to benched after his ugly performances as of late.
cyprus
Dec 15, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Comment #2Give this partnership a run, see what happens. AC does so many flick ons with no one to pounce on them. Ameobi too slow or disinterested. I even thought of throwing in Rout for the flick ons. Fast, cracking shot, can dribble + score!
USGeordie
Dec 15, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Comment #3Ranger is right, you can definitely see that he and Carroll have a good partnership together. They played in the reserves together quite frequently and they know how the other plays. Where as with Shola, it was always either him or Carroll for the longest time.
Ranger definitely made the difference for us on Saturday as the whole performace had changed after he came on and consequently got 2 more goals. Needs to work a bit on his balance and calm himself down just a little. Then he will get better touches on the ball and perform much better.
BiffBaffBoff
Dec 15, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Comment #4This time last season this was all Andy Carroll needing to improve his balance, score more goals etc.. and look how much he has improved in just 1 year, hopefully Ranger can be the same and this time next year we’ll have 2 top strikers at the club for the first time since Shearer/Bellamy and Shearer/Ferdinand partnerships 🙂
Jamma
Dec 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Comment #5Not a natural finisher – which is a shame as the work he puts in is tremendous! Ran Liverpool ragged but always fluffs his chances (like when he should have put it in 2 mins after coming on).
Become more clinical Nile and maybe just maybe we will have a brilliant partnership on our hands..
lewman
Dec 15, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Comment #6shearer ferdinand is getting a little carried (for now atleast)away but if they could get 35 goals between them next season then that would be a great achievement.
chuck
Dec 15, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Comment #7Yeah thats`s true they can be a handfull for any defense in the future, when 19 yr. old Ranger gets a bit more experience.
But we are coming to a critical stage of the season, that could define whether we survive this first season back, or not.
I would rather go with the proven goal scoring record of Nolan than risk an inexperienced Ranger.
Sure give him some time in the late stages of the game , but a starter, no!
Look the kid has a good future, but face it how many 19 yr. old starters are there in the EPL ?
geoff777
Dec 15, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Comment #8Agree with Chuck.
Super sub with an occasional start at home.
Also lets not expect a win on Saturday.
Birmingham have only lost once at home in over a year.
Their last three home games saw them beat Chelsea & Aston Villa & draw with Spurs.
A point would be good.
A win absolutely superb.
MarGera332
Dec 15, 2010 at 3:57 PM
Comment #9I think we should give him a chance. What i really enjoy with NR and AC up front is we have two strikers that are hungry for goals, and they work their socks off!
GeordieGerman
Dec 15, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Comment #10chuck & geoff777, Still play Nolan, swap Ranger for Ameobi.
wynsleap
Dec 15, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Comment #11Nile just needs regular game time to hone his finishing and confidence and watch this boy go.
Once he gets a goal or two he’ll be a right handful just like our current No. 9.
Shola has had his day and never really threatened to become the striker we all thought he could be (apart from some welcome strikes against the Mackems!).
Nile and Andy are the striking future of this club.
They have the potential to be dynamite – as long as we keep them.
SuperShearer
Dec 15, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Comment #12It’s possible that Pardew won’t play two up top. After all it’s very unfashionable in the league right now. Most teams play a 4-5-1 that can turn into a 4-3-3 when attacking. If Pardew goes down that route then Big Andy will be up top by himself, leaving the likes of Barton, Nolan and Jonas to support him. Ranger might have to wait his time. I would love to see the two of them up their together though.
spanishtoon
Dec 15, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Comment #13Ha ha great to see Fat Sam kicked out….its clear they didnt want his bloody anti football good piece here on why sam was a factory football farm manager!
Big Sam Stuffed And Packed Off For Christmas http://wp.me/p1cykJ-41
pleased we got rid of him those years ago…hwtl
GeordieGerman
Dec 15, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Comment #14spanishtoon, it’s taken 3 days for you to think of away to use this to sneak an advert in… ?
Rafael
Dec 15, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Comment #15definately start him with carroll on saturday
NOVA2967
Dec 16, 2010 at 2:36 AM
Comment #16Nolan should be playing with Carroll dictating play.
While Ranger learns from the savy vet and how to get into the right place for an easy tap in. Bring him on in the second if needed.
We have to many CM and have to make room for either gosling or guthrie or even the young lad Vuckic soon enough.
Nolan and Carroll are a bit like Elmander and Davies. Ranger is almost there and Ameobi can be kept or sold this January depending on if we need another striker.
tcbelfast
Dec 16, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Comment #17why not give ranger a run out from the start.i think his performance on saturday done him no harm whatsoever!!!!
NOVA2967
Dec 16, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Comment #18fair enough
joppadoni
Dec 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Comment #19im going to the game this weekend and ive never seen Newcastle lose away from home in my life.
so a wins guarenteed.
i think ranger should start this one. hes ready, its as simple as that for me