Whitley Bay resident Steven Taylor knows all about what it’s like coming through the ranks of the Newcastle Academy.
Steven Taylor – came through the Academy at Newcastle
Steven was a star youngster on Tyneside, who played for every England Youth side from U16 through the England U21 side, and he was captain of the U21 side.
Steven has had a tough job getting into the Newcastle first team this year, but showed that he may be coming back to somehow near his best in the last couple of games, in which he’s scored a header from a set play in both games.
Steven is deputizing for the injured Mike Williamson, but Steven’s ability to score goals on set plays, may eventually give him the nod over Mike Williamson, who has yet to score for Newcastle.
Steven thinks youngsters like Sammy Ameobi, Shane Ferguson, Kazenga LuaLua, Michael Richardson and James Tavernier have all mixed in well with the Newcastle first team this year, after so many senior players have been out with injury.
Steven told the Newcastle local press corps today:
“I came up through the ranks, and having homegrown players in the team and squad is so important to the club and the fans.” “It was good to see the young lads come on and get their chance, especially at Stamford Bridge against world-class players, and I think the fans like to see that too.”
“Now they can go on and achieve more, and it is up to us senior lads to give them all of the encouragement and help they need.” “It can be a daunting step, but they have done well. Getting that experience so early in their careers will stand them in good stead.
“They did very well, and that bodes well for the future.” “This season’s been fantastic.” “We said at the start of the season when on tour in Ireland that we wanted to avoid relegation, and we did that with a few games to spare.”
“We can finish the season on a high in front of our own fans against West Brom.” “They’ve been brilliant all season, and we want to reward them with another win.” “There’s no reason why we can’t perform like we did against Chelsea.”
Indeed the last two games have seen Newcastle give some gutsy performances, after the disappointing and all too too easy 3-0 loss at Anfield.
Those 4 points in the last two games have given Newcastle a decent chance of finishing in the top half of the table, but the job is not complete yet, and a good performance against West Brom on Sunday is what’s needed.
After all West Brom beat Newcastle 3-1 back in December, in what turned out to be former manager Chris Hughton’s 74th and last game in charge of Newcastle. Chris had a 53% win rate in those 74 games in charge with 39 wins, most of them in the Championship of course.
So Newcastle owe one to West Brom on Sunday.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
54 comments so far
G
May 20, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Comment #1I would love to see more home-grown talent. As a fan, I always feel satisfied that little bit more cheering the name of a local lad, rather than some big time charlie with an attitude on big wedge.
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 3:00 PM
Comment #2G I agree with you. Nothing better, especially if they become a beardsley or a shearer! Beardsley the best player i’ve ever seen play for the toon! Absolute quality he was
coolcatcarter89
May 20, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Comment #3I hope we commit to playing the home-grown crop more often. The League Cup next season should be their tournament, have real faith, play them regardless of opposition and if they make it to the final, allow them to try finish the job on their own, no switching for senior players. Would be the making of them if they won it.
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 3:09 PM
Comment #4cc89 we did that last year. We beat chelsea which was a great result and got pumped off arsenal 5-1? Still saw some good glimpses from Vuckic on that night and smith rattled the bar
G
May 20, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Comment #5Andy, both Beardsley and Shearer were undoubtedly toon legends, it’s such a shame that they never came through our academy. Beardo was manyoo (I think, might have been Carlisle?) and Shearer was Southampton. Just 2 examples of local talent having to go elsewhere for a chance. Hopefully that will now be a thing of the past? For my money Ginola is still the most skilful player I have ever seen in a toon top, but Beardo is deffo top 3.
boater
May 20, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Comment #6Yeah more home grown talent please for the mob on here to abuse night and day after one bad game.
roshan MAGPIE
May 20, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Comment #7these home grown players can save a lot of money to ashley
coolcatcarter89
May 20, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Comment #8Aye, we did Andy. Will stand them in good stead for next season and a few more have emerged, add to that duds like Smith will be out of their way now, could have a real strong showing!
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Comment #9C`mon Ed. !
Appealing to Geordie chauvanism ?
Sure it would be great to have a side filled with Gazza`s Millburns, Waddles and Shearers, even the Charletons.
But you and I know these players come along once in a generation.
And we just had a future Geordie hero jump on the owners helicopter, he could`nt get outta town fast enough, that what your looking for.
Well thats just a pipe dream, in which cas our hero`s will be from Africa (Tiote) France (HBA)
and other countries, get used to it.
Oh you meant those coming through the system, well did`nt N`zogbia do thatand why then did we sell him ?
gorskino10
May 20, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Comment #10Course, If they are strong/quick and have that good ol bulldog spirit thats what we want, i like the how rags to riches of bringing an unknown up and seeing him thrive in the first team.
Also any English player “Half” decent can usually command a good price.
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Comment #11Different story,
Concerned about these rumors we could be considering Defoe and C.Cole, these players are no more than failures now being dumped by their respective clubs, puhleez NO!
Now there`s a rumor making the rounds concerning Sturridge, take him in a heartbeat, pacey, got technique, can take on defenders (gave Enrique the run around) and most important can score.
Could imagine both himself and Ba teamed up front for us, could be a lethal duo ?
The what do I know ?
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Comment #12************Given************
Bassong**Taylor*Colo.Enrique
************Tiote************
Ben Arfa****Joey*****Jonas
******Ba*****Sturridge
Nolan
Ireland
Gosling
Simpson
Izaguirri
Krull
davybtoon
May 20, 2011 at 4:06 PM
Comment #13bassong at ryt back he is all left foot n wud b crap at full back
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 4:06 PM
Comment #14bassong right back :S No. Also izaguirre would cost us at least 8m. Your going to pay 8m for a lb and not play him? Given? I’m undecided, i loved him when he was here but left on bad terms which i was a bit disappointed with. Front 6 look good. Who would be captain if that’s what you would want?
Davies
May 20, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Comment #15I’d take Defoe if he wasn’t too expensive. Still got a lot of lead in his pencil, that one. I’d love Sturridge as well, but I think quite a few clubs will have noticed him and will be able to offer more, IF Chelsea even want to sell.
I’m still intrigued to see what fruit all of our trips around the continent will bear, if any.
Benton Toon Exile
May 20, 2011 at 4:18 PM
Comment #16I dont care if they are green and come from pluto as long as they play with passion and run through walls for the toon!
nyctoon
May 20, 2011 at 4:22 PM
Comment #17odemwingie out for the baggies
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 4:25 PM
Comment #18Just seen that nyctoon. Good news! Who else do they have up top?
hainesy
May 20, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Comment #19With no odemwingie they have sod all bar Dorrans but he is CM. They only have Fortune really 🙂 Roll on Sunday!
xXl NUFC lXx
May 20, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Comment #20coolcatcarter89 I hope we play with our first team in the League Cup so we can win and come to europe again..
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Comment #21Davytbtoon
I suppose you know more than Arry Rednapp then ?
Cause thats where he`s got him pencilled in for this weekend !
Plus do you not remenber he played across the back four when he was here, one reason to get him back, versatility !
davybtoon
May 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM
Comment #22chuck – he played cb n left bk he never once played ryt bk yes he can use his rytfoot but hes left footed
jus ask anyone on here when hav they seen bassong at ryt bk
BiffBaffBoff
May 20, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Comment #23Yeah lets all sign the players that desserted us in the relegation season, N’Zogbia always talked about leaving from the moment he arrived, I wouldnt touch him with a barge pole. There are plenty of other options out there that wont cost as much as Insomnia. As for Bassong, we made a hefty profit on him so like N’Zogbia, Im sure there are other options out there that are just as good quality wise but cheaper to buy as no doubt ‘arry will want as much as he can get for Bassong, same with Dave Whelan for N’Zogbia as Whelan and Fat Ash arent exactly the best of mates….
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Comment #24Hey ! just a wish list,
Johnson @Citeh
Kranjcar@Spurs
Long @ Reading
Coleman@ Everton
And of course those mentioned,
Given
Ireland
Izaguirre
Ba
Sturridge
Bassong
If Pardew brought in any of those it would be fine by me.
But then whadda i know ?
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Comment #25chuck I’d be happy with all of those. Aslong as you’re not pickin’ the team! haha
chuck
May 20, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Comment #26Davybtoon
I think you better get on the phone and tell Arry Rednapp right away, as he could be making the mistake of a lifetime playing him @ RB this weekend .
Biff baff boff
Sorry you are feeling deserted by both Bassong and N`Zogbia, i`m sure you will get over it !
Grow up for god`s sake !
WWJBD
May 20, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Comment #27We have a good keeper in Harps and two young future star ones biting at his heels…why would we want Given back? Bit early to be drunk here lads come on.
I’d have bassong and insomnia back but why are people touting Williamson for sale? Some peoples views on here make me dispair at times.
WWJBD
May 20, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Comment #28Also when we sold insomnia we got Raylor as well so 8 mill for him would be about what we sold him for.
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Comment #29For anyone who is not doing out tomorrow Forster will be in goal for Celtic on tv. 3 o’clock kick off on SS1. Check him out for yourselves, personally I think Krul is the better out of the 2
Tonytoon73
May 20, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Comment #30Like the picture WWJBD
alip123
May 20, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Comment #31personally, signings who may not capture the attention cud b wot we needed. Who honestly thought Tiote would be as successful as he has been, or even Bassong when he came?
Give the manager (Pards) a chance. He signed Koncheskey (when he was good), Doyle, Kitson and Benayoun who were very successful. I also trust Graham Carr, who scouted some brilliant aquisitions for us.
WWJBD
May 20, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #32Cheers Tony figured I’d promote the greater times for NUFC
I guess the current comparison is Pardew and Shola doesn’t that show how far we have fallen
coolcatcarter89
May 20, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Comment #33The only way I’ll have Zog back, is if when the P.A lists the teams before the match or, when he scores, gets MOTM etc, ‘Faithless – Insomnia’ kicks in and the crowd finish it off. Something like this: “Goal scored by no13, Charles *Music cuts in* (crowd) da da da duh da da da duh da da duh duh da duh da!”
Have a laugh at his expense, see if he can hack a bit of humour for a change.
Crawfordladd17
May 20, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Comment #34Van Wolfswinkel £6m
Ba £6m
Erdinc £6m
Lens £5m
Samba £5m
M’Bengue £6m
£34m
Andy
May 20, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Comment #35cc89 I will second that! That would be quality haha
Tonytoon73
May 20, 2011 at 5:32 PM
Comment #36I would give my left and right arm to have a manager and striker like that back at the toon. WWJBD
WWJBD
May 20, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Comment #37Haha crawford its new players everytime fella haha
And apparently Samba is the target of a 12 mill bid from Arsenal…food for thought
But keep it up lad I always enjoy your player lists 🙂
Tonytoon73
May 20, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Comment #38ccc I cannot get that tune out my head now. ha ha
WWJBD
May 20, 2011 at 5:36 PM
Comment #39Oh me too Tony but I doubt I will ever see another manager like Sir Bobby Robson again.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long on the striker front and Pardew might turn out to be decent maybe
Thump
May 20, 2011 at 5:38 PM
Comment #40That £35m for Carroll needs to be paid out in wages and agents fees too. We’ll probably get around £30m from that (liberal estimate)