Alan Smith made the bench on Sunday, and striker Leon Best is trying hard to make the bench in the final game on Sunday against West Bromwich Albion.
Leon Best – got the job done for Newcastle this year – well done
Both players have come back this year, from ankle injuries and surgery to fix the problem.
Smith has been out since he was badly injured in the away game at Sunderland in January, and it’s the same ankle he had badly broken, while he was at Manchester United.
It will be interesting to see how well he can play when he returns, as he has already admitted he;s had to change his game since the injury he sustained at the Red Devils.
Newcatsle Assistant manager John Carver, who was seen to celebrate big time with manager Alan Pardew at the final whistle on Sunday, said this today about the returning two:
“They are both desperate to play some part, but we will just have to see how they get on.”
But with the way the youngsters performed on Sunday afternoon at Chelsea, Alan Pardew may want to give them another chance in front of the home supporters.
And certainly this game should not have an end of season air about it, with Newcastle needing all 3 points to finish above West Brom in the Premier League table.
And with the youngsters coming on in the second half, they will be going all out to show the manager and the home fans they have a good future at the club.
And they’ll also ensure it’s no end of season type game.
3 points on Sunday is what we’d like to see, and then we’ll be flying high! 😀
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
toonfan09
May 17, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Comment #1rather him miss the game than miss pre season injured no matter what people say about him he knows were the back of the net is love to see him up front with a decent forward
PHOENIXNIGHTS
May 17, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #2agree toonfan-not worth the risk.Play Smith up front and see if he can get a goal in his final game!!!!! There is also young Airey, why not give him a shot.
Keep the Faith
nufc_mad
May 17, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Comment #3don’t know what it is about best, think he is more of a championship player, could be proven wrong next season but at the moment don’t think he a star player
Keano9
May 17, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Comment #46 goals 11 games tell me someone hows that Championship Qaulity I like Best and Im glad he’s proved everyone wrong, however i think we should wait till pre-season to play him he could be instrumental for us next season thats when to judge onces he’s had a full EPL season
toonfan09
May 17, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #5dont get why ppl dong rate him 6 goals in 11 games one of which was a sub appearence so its 6 goals in 10 starts and he has had at least two that were wrongfully ruled out one against arsenal and one against everton in my opinion he does his job his job is to put the ball in the back of the net and thats what he does
roshan MAGPIE
May 17, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Comment #6we should give Airey a chance rather than best
davybtoon
May 17, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Comment #76goals in 10 games shud of been 8 in 10 best has proven he is prem quailty and is definetely my first choice striker out of our current bunch, but yes id like to see airey n tavernier get some game time on sunday
Keano9
May 17, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Comment #8Also another note looking forward to summer this should be are Number 1 targets and alternatives tell me what ya think!:
No 1 Targets:
Cheick M’ Bengue – Position: Left Back (6M)
Ashley Williams – Position: Centre Back (4M)
Charles N’Zogbia – Position: Winger (6M)
Stephen Ireland – Position: Attacking Midfielder (6M)
Gary Hooper – Position: Striker (6M)
Jose Solomon Rondon – Potion: Striker (8M)
Bafétimbi Gomis – Position: Striker (12M)
total spent on No 1 targets: 48M
Alternatives:
Joe Bennet – Position: Left Back (2M)
Roman Hubnik – Position: Centre Back (4M)Jason Puncheon – Position: Winger (1.5M)
Ireland is a Must!(but only cheaply)
Danny Graham – Position: Striker (3.5M)
Hugo Rodallega – Position: Striker ( 7M)
Demba Ba – Position: Striker (7M)
total spent on Alternatives: 31M(including Ireland)
toonboyjake
May 17, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Comment #9Kean09 i think ashley williams is at the end of his contract so would be free, havent heard of rondon so cant judge that one, think shane long could do a job for us though, watched him against cardiff last week and he likes to get in the mix and makes good runs, gonna watch tonight and see how he plays but wouldnt mind him up front next year
davybtoon
May 17, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Comment #10kean09 – we cud see a mixture of both your lists there
Stuart
May 17, 2011 at 3:33 PM
Comment #11Save him for next season. I really rate Best to come good in time, but let him get fully fit over the summer.
I reckon we should stick as many of the youngsters into the team as possible against West Brom like, game doesnt mean that much, apart from a top 10 finish, but it’d be a good chance for the young lads to show what they can do.
Brutooon
May 17, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Comment #12Best play so little games but score 6 goals
Ameobi play so many games but only score 7 goals
Best ahead of Ameobi next season
Penguin PJ
May 17, 2011 at 5:42 PM
Comment #13Hope he comes back stronger & work out more in the gym for next season. A nightmare for CB to handle. Partner him with someone like Daniel Sturridge & they’ll be raining goals. Leon Best is the new Leon Best 🙂
Ben
May 17, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Comment #14Best is way sharper than Ameobi…not really saying much that. I tend to agree with nufc_mad though. He doesnt scream out classy Premiership striker to me.
His goals have been mainly scrappy affairs and I doubt he could turn a game.
The Entertainers
May 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #15Jury is still out on Best for me, took a long time to score and then exploded! Will the real Leon Best please stand up 😉
I honestly hope he proves he is a PL striker and at times has looked it. However he’s not a number 9 for my liking and wouldnt mind him as part of our 4 strikers in the squad.
As for Sunday, would rather Ranger got the playing time he deserves. Hope he scores the roof will come off! Haha:)
Lew Davies
May 18, 2011 at 7:06 AM
Comment #16Oh PLEASE!!!
Tell me what playing time Ranger “deserves” ?
He’s proved time and time again he is a crock of sh!t.
What he “deserves” is to be loaned out to a lower lge team to learn how to score goals. Nothing more nothing less.
Leon Best on the other hand is well worth a place on the bench if fit.
Why not give him some support and get off his back.
solano
May 19, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Comment #17Have NUFC fans forgotten what a good striker looks like? Best is very, very average and although his scoring ratio may impress some I think he is very limited ……Championship player, I’m afraid boys…………