If we look at the players Newcastle have already bought in this summer, the Magpies can already field a strong side against Arsenal on August 13th, unlucky for some.
Hatem Ben Arfa – how many goals next season?
And when you think Newcastle now have Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling fully fit again, the side already looks a lot more skillful than last seaosn.
But of course Newcastle still have to bring in more players this summer, since the squad last season was far too small for the Premier League, and we also we need to increase the competition for places in as many positions as possible.
And with what we have this could be the team that starts against Arsenal:
Krul
Simpson (Taylor S) Coloccini (c) Williamson Enrique (Ferguson)
Barton (Gosling) Cabaye Tiote Marveaux (Gutierrez)
Ben Arfa
Demba Ba
Subs: Harper Taylor (S), Ferguson, Gosling, Guthrie, Ameobi, Gutierrez
No place for Peter Lovenkrands or Ryan Taylor on the bench in that line-up, and we still have a sneaking suspicion that Alan Pardew may prefer Steve Harper in goal, because of his vast experience.
But Tim Krul must also stand a great chance of breaking through as first choice next seaosn, and he’s the future goalkeeper at Newcastle, there’s little doubt about that.
If Steven Taylor cannot get back into the side at center-back, we have to think he could be challenging Danny Simpson for the right back position.
Hatem Ben Arfa will also play in that withdrawn striker role , in which Kevin Nolan was so successful in over the last two seasons with 30 goals scored, and it will be interesting to see how many goals Ben Arfa can score next season.
So you can see Newcastle could already field a very strong side, with increased competition for places.
But yes, Newcastle still need more players in to both increase the size of the Newcastle squad, along with its quality.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
95 comments so far
SuperShearer
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Comment #1Sorry if this is being repeated but Sky Sports News saying that Villa won’t bid for N’Zogbia.
SuperShearer
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Comment #2That’s a lie, not Villa…Sunderland will not bid for N’Zogbia or Defoe.
mattnufc
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Comment #3I’d sway Taylor for Williamson and Lovenkrands for Guthrie on the bench.
That is a good first team but we definitely need more strength in depth, especially up front.
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Comment #4I know pardew mentioned 1 up front next season, but surely that’s a call we should be able to make on a game by game basis. We also went into last season with 1 up front, but ended up by playing 2 most of the time.
~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Comment #5http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7029358,00.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
mattnufc
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Comment #6Hope this isn’t AC money:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/sports-direct-goes-upmarket-with-7m-acquisition-16020548.html
2 AMEOBI'S
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Comment #7Based on our current squad, this would do it for me…
………………..Krul
Gosling Taylor Colo Jose
…………Cabaye Tiote
Barton HBA Jonas
…………..Demba Ba
Bench: harper, willo, rtaylor, marveaux, guthrie, fergie, ameobi
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Comment #8Wow mackems have 9 new players signed up already! If only we had a big war chest from the sale of a star player to fund some ambitious squad investment.
JohnnyBrookes
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Comment #9I posted this on last page but for those that did not see it:
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
by JohnnyBrookes14
@nufcfans a very reliable source tells me there is a going to be BIG news at a press conf before a sporting event on 15th July #NUFC v #DFC?
Its the guy who does fanzone on sky for NUFC. He is not an ITK and never has claimed to be or spouted bullshit.
I replied to him saying “any inclination on what it might be?I’m praying for a sale”
He wrote back:
“watch this space”
Could mean fooking anything but still worth a mention i reckon
toonLYF
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Comment #10just with the return of Ben Arfa alone our squad is stronger than last year (Ben Arfa > Nolan, obviously) but with the singings we have brought in aswell, am i the only toon supporter that’s really happy with how things are looking?
People on here seem too quick to make the worst of every situation just going by the first thing they’ve heard. Some need to chill, IMO we will bring in a new striker when the squad returns from America, as a hungry center forward doesn’t need as much time to ‘gel’ with the team as the likes of Cabaye will. Bring on Arsenal and the scum, i’m f-ing excited! HWTL
swisstone
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Comment #11can’t understand how people are putting Marveaux in before Jonas???
Has anyone actually seen him play? Or just assuing he’s any good?
Same applies for the others he’s brought in. Surely no can say the new signings will make a place til we see how they fit in and adapt to a new style of football. EPL very different to Ligue 1
Barton gosling and jonas have proven themselves as good PL players. Yes even Jonas. But all too quick to assume the foreigners are better.
JohnnyBrookes
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Comment #12I posted this previously but here it is again:
The guy from fanzine, does NUFC games, never claimed to be ITK , or spouted shit: this is the conversation between us on Twitter:
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@nufcfans a very reliable source tells me there is a going to be BIG news at a press conf before a sporting event on 15th July #NUFC v #DFC?
JohnnyBrookes14 JohnBrookes
@DazWilliams @nufcfans You have any inclination on what it might be about? fingers crossed for a sale
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@JohnnyBrookes14 @nufcfans watch this space
His other tweets on it so far:
@nufcfans as I said earlier I cannot yet confirm the news ahead of Darlington game is #NUFC related but for my source to tell me suggests so
1 minute ago
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@
@Dan_Arnold7 very reliable source as far as I’m concerned. If I hear any more which I expect to I will tweet via @nufcfans.
12 minutes ago
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@nufcfans main reason I’m interested in this news on Fri, I asked scale of excitement of news 1-10..answer was 9.9, make ur own mind up!
15 minutes ago
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@
@JohnnyBrookes14 @nufcfans watch this space
21 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@
@bonzarelli1980 no
22 minutes ago
»
DazWilliams Darren Williams OBE
@
@nufcfans My source is reliable enough for me to tweet. Whether big news announced concerns #NUFC or #DFC I’m not sure yet. Watch this space
bostonmagpie
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Comment #13toonLYF @ 9
you’re not on your own mate, we’re looking hell of alot stronger than last season. im still sure another 3 players will come in.
and boater @ 8,
id rather spend nothing than bring in what sunderland have (bar craig gardener)!
belfastmagpie87
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Comment #14has anybody seen this,from kenneth shepherds girlfriend.haha
EllenWinter11 Ellen Winter
by belfastmagpie87
@cwarr07 was not out with me or Kenneth last night, no clue who he is. And making up info #embarassing #NUFC #nefollowers
4 hours ago
09nufc09
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Comment #15Boater signed 9 but lost about the same number of first teamers from last season, bent, mensah, henderson, man u striker who i cant remember his name, half their team out injured lol their team is weeker now than last year and they have spent all the money on average/potential lol
belfastmagpie87
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Comment #16what a dickhead.
i wonder how he will wriggle out of this one.
abc123
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Comment #17still think we need a better centre back to play alongside Collocini. Surely if Stoke can have a bid for Scott Dann then we can too
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Comment #18swisstone – you say people trot out the same unproven names – which I agree with – then mention gosling as proven.. which he isn’t. He was used in a number of different positions for everton – and mainly off the bench, then there’s the time out with injury.
Arfa and Gosling playing regularly should be seen as a bonus this season after so long out. We have no idea what they will be capable of week in, week out.
this is my realistic starting line up- with hba coming off the bench until he is fully up and running:
krul/
simpson/colo/saylor/jose
barton/cabaye/tiote/jonas
shola/
ba
bostonmagpie
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Comment #19Ben Arfa is fully fit
Tommyy
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Comment #20Belfast – what did Cwarr say?
Incentino
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Comment #21I feel like I need to clear something up, because it seems like there are a lot of people believing that Marveaux will replace Gutierrez.
The fact of the matter is that Jonas’ natural and best position is right offensive midfielder. Buying Marveaux allows him to move back to the position where he’s the most effective.
I envision the team to look more like this:
Krul
Simpson – Taylor – Coloccini – Enrique
Cabaye – Tioté
Gutierrez – Ben Arfa – Marveaux
Demba Ba
Honestly, that’s a pretty solid side if Marveaux can stay healthy.
bostonmagpie
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Comment #22thats a cracking line up Incentino!!!
swisstone
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Comment #23agreed boater that gosling wasn’t a settled regular for everton but was brought through the english game youth wise and at plymouth. cabaye for example hasn’t.
not saying gosling should start ahead of cabaye just saying we should see these players play before assuming they are better.
my point more about jonas, yes he has little end product but he gives 110%, has been loyal and works hard every game. Ultimately if Marveaux is better then he should play, but don’t people just chuck jonas to the side automatically after loyal service cos a player is better than him on fifa or looks good on youtube, or cos pardew said he’s good.
niafron
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Comment #24Bonjour messieurs.
So, as expected, Erding will not come. I’ve seen you were speaking of El arabi this morning.
His situation is complex. He’s not under contract with an agent, so it seems another agent than the one who is supposed to negociate for hm have highjacked the deal with Genoa!
Deal who is currently off. The leader of the race now seems to be Lille (who was also after Erding), but El arabi explain to be in contact with several clubs, wich probably include PL’s clubs.
He add things are going to accelerate and he will probably sign a contract next week.
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Comment #25Mackems have secured their own targets though – regardless of whether or not it’s of a higher calibre than our’s.
bostonmagpie
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Comment #26because their targets were easier to sign?
jaw4life
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Comment #27@ Niafron
Do you think El Arabi is good enough for the Premier League?
How does he compare to Erdinc?
Is he a striker or is he like a Stiker/Winger?
~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Comment #28Because they paid over the odds and offered ridiculous contracts for them?
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Comment #29swisstone – I totally agree with your point. People tend to base their team sheets on a fantasy or snapshot view of a player, rather than a nuts and bolts perspective. I hope arfa, gosling, marveaux, etc. all come in and do the business, but they have to earn their place ahead of last season’s starters… by the way I wouldn’t drop jonas for a second.
Incentino – Barton has to play if he’s still here surely. He’s my first name on the team sheet anyway, but can you imagine him settling for a place on the bench?
Incentino
Jul 9, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Comment #30Boater: I can’t imagine him being allowed to stay on the team to be honest. I like him as a player too, but he…. He has just screwed up too many times. He brings plenty of negative PR to NUFC, and that’s bad for business and the locker room.
09nufc09
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Comment #31Mackems have secured their targets because they are offering stupid contracts to older players, diggin their whole deeper but thats what you get when you fill your team with loanees and pay for players in instalments leaving yourself running at a huge loss every year. I cant wait to see jonas vs oshea again, so far out of the 9 they have signed 1 good player and one with potential that could be anything. Id rather stick to what we are doing scouting players to find out if there good enough, finding out about buy out clauses and buy players upfront.
jaw4life
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #32SkyGraemeBailey Graeme Bailey
Mevlut Erding move to #nufc not happening as I told you. But Graham Carr loves him and think they will continue trying up to end of window!
belfastmagpie87
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Comment #33@tommy
this is what @cwarr07 said last nyt.
cwarr07 Colin
@
@Neilfarrington Enjoying a night with him & the lovely Ellen, thanks
16 hours ago Favorite Reply
then kenneth shepherds girlfriend posted this today.haha
EllenWinter11 Ellen Winter
@cwarr07 was not out with me or Kenneth last night, no clue who he is. And making up info #embarassing #NUFC #nefollowers
4 hours ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply
belfastmagpie87
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #34so more or less @cwarr07 has been tellling porkys about being friends with nzogbias agent.kenneth shepherd…..
EllenWinter11 Ellen Winter
@
@BenBroadhead from what I can see most of his transfer news is rubbish!! @cwarr07 weirdo #NUFC
4 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
boater
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #35Incentino – Maybe, but we were talking about players that are here now. You also included Enrique – when everything points to him leaving.
Tommyy
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Comment #36Haha classic Colin, he’s always talking sh!t. I can’t believe he hasn’t given up yet, he’s been exposed so many times! That webpage highlighting all his cock ups is quality.
niafron
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Comment #37For me, Erding, Ba and El arabi are very close.
El arabi is a striker, not a winger. Can he play in PL? I would say yes, but there’s only one way to check that. Is not too expansive, so there’s a risk to take.
Well, He’s not the top striker you’re dreaming about. At least for now.
On the plus side, Lille is eager to sign him. They generally work very well, so it’s a good sign.
Tommyy
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Comment #38I also sincerely hope we don’t keep chasing Erdinc until the end of the window, smacks of desperation and would be, quite frankly, totally embarrassing! Especially for a player, who by all accounts, is a decent one but not a great one.
belfastmagpie87
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #39aye no,hes a knob.lol
anybody thinking nzogbia to us,is a done deal.
needs to read that.
Incentino
Jul 9, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Comment #40Boater: It’s true that we’re talking about players that are part of the squad right now.
If I was going to put Barton into the starting line up, I’d replace Cabaye with him. However, I follow french football rather closely, and from what I’ve seen from Cabaye – I rate him higher than Barton.
Regarding Enrique – the team will not start Ferguson next season. Period. It would actually be a better option in my opinion to put Gutierrez at left back (plays that position for Argentina) and let Gosling play right offensive midfielder.
Anyhow, Newcastle has been looking for a new left back. Unfortunately, the organization has been unsuccessful in the negotiations. I don’t believe that the club will move Enrique as long as there’s no real replacement.
Additionally – it’s silly season. I don’t believe for a minute that sides like Barcelona are having a good look at Enrique.