Alan Pardew knew before he took the job at Newcastle, that a big piece of the position was to bring through the youngsters on Tyneside.
Haris Vuckic – great player of the future?
That would obviously have been part of the job description he got from Mike Ashley, when he took over the massive job from Chris Hughton in December.
And two of the youngsters who are chomping at the bit for a first team opportunity are 18 year-old Haris Vuckic and 20 year -old Kazenga LuaLua.
It seems that both of them will be back following injuries next month, when we also hope to see Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor and Ryan Taylor back for Newcastle.
So if the lads can get some decent results in the games this month, the squad will be strengthened significantly as the season progresses.
18-year-old Vuckic is potentially a great player of the future, and interested both Real Madrid and AC Milan, before Newcastle snapped him up two years ago from his former club, NK Domžale.
It turns out the Slovenian U21 International had some knee problems last November, and had to have some minor surgery to clear the knee up.
LuaLua of course broke his leg while playing for Brighton at Hartlepool three months ago, but is said to be making good progress.
Pardew told the Evening Chronicle today:
“Haris has had a little operation to tidy up the knee. Kaz is also on the way back to recovery, but he’s a fair way away at the moment.”
LuaLua played really well for Brighton this season, and scored 4 goals in just 11 appearances, and they were the very first goals of his senior career.
Kazenga LuaLua while at Brighton
Alan was asked if Kazenga, the younger brother of former player Lomana, would get his chance and he answered:
“Yes he will. I enjoyed watching him play a fair bit last season when he was at Brighton. He’s got pace and he’s direct – I like those sort of players.”
Newcastle have a lot of good youngsters in the Academy of course, and they showed in the Carling Cup earlier in the season, they can really do a job for Newcastle.
We have to hope that Pardew gives the young lads some opportunities through the end of this season, and of course they will all be even better come August.
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
G
Feb 8, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Comment #1I still think it’s too early for Vucic, and I would much rather see him go on loan in the Champ or L1 / L2. After all, prior to his injury, it doesn’t seem to have done LuaLua’s chances any harm at all.
Markaccus
Feb 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Comment #2We could do with these players now. We’re going to have to buy a box of matches if we want strikers.
Davies
Feb 8, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Comment #3LuaLua looks really good. Would really like him back soon as he’d offer something very valuable that we lost when Routledge went back to QPR; a speedy right winger.
The injury might account for some of the anonymity from Vuckic when I’ve seen him play. Everyone says he’s an amazing prospect, and I won’t disagree, but I haven’t really seen much from him yet.
Let’s get these kids fit and get them in the squad.
lewman
Feb 8, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Comment #4vuckic made one fantastic curled pass in the carling cup earlier in the season and scored a decent goal in pre season so he has shown glimpses of greatness so he definately has talent.
The Entertainers
Feb 8, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Comment #5Really excited about vukic and believe he may well turn out to be the clubs best striker, even better than Ranger who I’m a big fan of.
I’m please to hear Lua Lua will be given a chance and think he may of been part of the reason routledge left as AP may seem him as equally as good if not with more potential.
On a similar note hope Kadar can grab a chance on loan when fit because I believe he’s another star in the making!
G
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Comment #6The Entertainers @ 5. Didn’t realise he could play Centre Forward too. Only seen him play in midfield. Another string to his bow, happy days.
Stuart
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #7I think Lua Lua should get a chance soon like, if he plays well when he gets back from injury we could put joey back in the centre where he likes to play and stick LL out on the right.
sammydolan
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #8Vuckic’s agent owes me money….
stuckdownsouth
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Comment #9I was very lucky to catch a word ‘Pedro’ last season at a corporate event and his exact words were ‘Harris is the best youngster he has seen since Gazza’. He will need time and patience from us the fans but fingers crossed!
Mags
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #10The two young players who have caught my eye are Shane Ferguson, who is already on the periphery of the first team.
The other is young James Tavernier. I see Bogie has extended his loan at Gateshead until the beginning of April.
I understood we list him as a central defender who can play fullback. That is the position I can see him taking up in the future. What a prospect.
Brutooon
Feb 8, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Comment #11Gave vuckic on loan to a top championship club, and make sure he play every game
Al-ToOn
Feb 8, 2011 at 3:09 PM
Comment #12Im from Brighton and currently work there, obviously though my heart is with NUFC. This season LuaLua has been the best player at Brighton and League 1. He is the reason Brighton sit at the top of table. At the time when he broke his ankle Brighton didnt win for 8 games after, shows how important he is. Everyone in League 1 is saying Alex chamberlain is the best young player but LuaLua is the best overall player.
NUFC seem to have a good relationship with loaning players to Brighton because down here in a few of the papers Brighton want Vuckic on loan once LuaLua got injured.
AlwaysTOON
Feb 8, 2011 at 3:38 PM
Comment #13Sounds good, but what about Jóan Símun Edmundsson? Plays well in the resverses, in the first 11 for the national team if Faroe Island. Desvers a shot I think!
max
Feb 8, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Comment #14why dont we get pavlychenko??
scottsellars...unsunghero
Feb 8, 2011 at 7:27 PM
Comment #15Alright, new to the board so hello all, we have got to give youth a chance but it needs to be carefully done we dont want to much pressure on the youngs yet , lets get safe then blood them last few games see what they have in their lockers
ITUNDERASHELL
Feb 8, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Comment #16Lets hope Pedro is right about Vuckic, we might have some team in the not to distant future.