Nike Ranger is about 28 months younger than Andy Carroll.
Nile Ranger – came close to first PL goal last night
So Nile in age now is where Andy Carroll was in September of 2009, and he didn’t show at all in the Newcastle side at that time.
In that relegation seaosn Carroll played 16 times and scored 3 goals, and so far this season Nile has appeared 17 times with one goal and in total has made 47 appearances for the Magpies with 3 goals.
But to ask Nile to do too much in the last 14 games is asking a lot, but he can still do a job for the club – hopefully. If he can do the job this season, in Newcastle’s time of need, he’ll soon become a favorite on Tyneside.
Last night, Newcastle’s best chance fell to Ranger, and what this lad needs now more than ever, is his first Premier League goal, and once he gets that he could look a different player.
But it’s also unfair to criticize the lad, even when he has missed some sitters this season – because at least he’s getting into the right positions – and we all know he has a lot to learn.
Ranger got on last night after just 13 minutes, when the terrible news that Shola Ameobi has probably sustained a broken cheek-bone was evident, after he took an elbow from Steve Sidwell.
And the 19 year-old’s second-half attempt from a Kevin Nolan set-up, was the closest Newcastle came to getting a point, after Damien Duff had scored his first league goal for a year for Fulham on 67 minutes.
This is what Ranger said today:
“It was disappointing to come here, away from home, and see that four unbeaten run come to an end.”
“When I came on, I kept on running and did my best but sadly it wasn’t enough.”
And he talked about how he almost got his first PL goal, which would have made him a hero on Tyneside today:
“I didn’t get a sweet connection. I got a bit of a connection but obviously the goalkeeper’s made a great save.” “As a team, we all need to be scoring goals, especially now Andy’s gone. There’s a lot of pressure on us strikers but we’ve just got to go out there and give it our all.
“There’s only three senior strikers now, isn’t there? Andy’s gone, Shola’s injured – I don’t know how long for but I heard he broke his cheekbone, although I’m not too sure yet – so obviously that’s a blow to us.”
Alan Pardew will need show some extraordinary leadership and inspirational qualities to get the lads in the right frame of mind for the massive challenge that Arsenal will pose on Saturday.
We want to see a guts and glory display, with the lads playing as if their lives depended on it, and maybe, just maybe, Nile can get his first PL goal, because Arsenal have a very soft center.
Comments welcome.
52 comments so far
Jamesthefirst
Feb 3, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Comment #41@mickguk – exactly as Raffo stated, across all teams throughout PL history players have settled into their groove at different ages.
Rooney looked class at just 17
Lampard was 23 or 24 before he looked like a proper player
Ronaldo took 2 years at Utd before it suddenly all clicked and it was unstoppable.
It took Carroll 3 years to develop into the player Liverpool bought.
Don’t forget exactly 1 year ago Carroll had only scored 3 league goals for Newcastle and all them in the Championchip.
I agree with Beardsley, Ranger has bags of talent, and one day it will all just click with him, it might be when he’s 20 or 22, who knows. But sending him out on loan would help his career much better than rushing him too soon like we are doing now
mickguk
Feb 3, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Comment #42James who said anything about rushing him, i dont even want him in the team !!
I dont want to go to the 1st team games and watch him develop i want to see proper 1st team footballers on the pitch. I can go and watch sunday league for free !!
benscott123123
Feb 3, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Comment #43To dismiss Ranger and say he should be sold is ridiculous. Fair enough he and Best were both poor last night but he needs time to develop and seeing as we havent got anyone else there’s no good in slating him when he’s clearly giving his all which is all you can ask
mickguk
Feb 3, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #44Sorry but let him develop in the reserves, like i said i want to watch first team players.
slomagpie79
Feb 3, 2011 at 2:03 PM
Comment #45give a chance to Lovenkrands…last year he was our 3rd best scorer…i think he deserves a chance
jesperfuglsang
Feb 3, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Comment #46Harper
Simpson – Colo – Willo – Enrique
Tiote
Barton Jonas
Nolan – Ireland/
Arfa
Ranger/Best/Løven
We have played 4-5-1 before, but a very oldschool version of it; maybe we should try a Barcelona-style of play with a touch of British.
Tiote as a anchorman, Ireland/Arfa as playmaker, Nolan as a support striker and Ranger/Best or Løven as a targetman.
jesperfuglsang
Feb 3, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Comment #47————— Harper
Simpson – Colo – Willo – Enrique
—————- Tiote
Barton —————————–Jonas
Nolan ———- Ireland/Arfa
———— Ranger/Best/Løven
Should look more like this!!!!
nufcburty
Feb 3, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Comment #48seriously, why are you all giving it out about Ranger… he’s younger then Carroll was when he was starting to make a name for himself, he’s not prem class just yet, just like Carroll when he was 19 and that goes to most great strikers..
he’s giving it his best, so respect him for it.
and about his attitude.. he’s 19.. you’ve gotta expect it in modern day life.. he’s doing well considering his back groud!
mcdine
Feb 3, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Comment #49carrol scored a header against stoke in are relagation season to get a draw actually.
nufcburty
Feb 3, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Comment #50OH MY GOD. NOT ONE WHOLE GOAL?!
well, did he have the pressure and expectancy Ranger is getting? no.
nufcburty
Feb 3, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Comment #51line up when everyones fit
…………………Harper
simpson Taylor Colo Enrirue
Barton Tiote Ireland Ben Arfa
………….Ranger Nolan
Subs:
Goslin
lovenkrants
Amiobi
Williamson
Guthrie
Jonas
Krul
Ranger up from purly for experience, i don’t agree with everyone about reserves.. he aint going no where, so play him, best way for him to learn!
Expat MAG
Feb 4, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Comment #52Very unfair to criticise young Ranger as he’s only 19 and still has a lot to learn.
This boy will be better than Andy Carroll in a few years time but will need our support over the next few months as he’ll come good if given the chance…..
We need another 4 wins to secure PL football next season, so very important we get behind the team and not slag them off
Howay the lads….