Even though captain Fabricio Coloccini played last night with a slight groin problem, he still had another excellent game for the Magpies in central defense.
Fabricio Coloccini – Newcastle are on track for Arsenal
Fab talked only about his team mates after the game, and thinks the team is on the right track to get fully ready for the first game of the season, against Arsenal on August 13th at St. James’ Park.
And Coloccini chipped in with a nicely taken goal on 51 minutes last night, that put Newcastle 2-0 up.
Newcastle will now take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, and then on the following Saturday Newcastle will entertain Italian club, Fiorentina, at St. James’ Park in the final pre-season friendly game.
This is what Coloccini told the local Newcastle press corps today:
“We’ve found our condition, and we played well,” “We have to keep going like this, work hard and look forward.”
“We have to improve, and to work more. We have two games more – Leeds and Fiorentina. They’re really good teams, so we have to play well.”
“The goal was nice. It was a good corner from Sylvain, but I’m only thinking about the team. We played well.”
“It’s important to share the goals, but the most important thing is the team, and that’s why we have to do the right things.”
“We have a hard season, and we have to be strong.”
It was an excellent way to end the American tour last night with their first pre-season win, and a good one too.
Haris Vuckic again looked good, and other teenagers Paul Dummett and James Tavernier both looked steady in the Newcastle back four, and 21 year-old Dan Gosling had an energetic game and was unlucky not to score in the second half.
The performances augers well for Newcastle, and Alan Pardew will soon have to decide which youngsters he will keep as part of the Newcastle first team squad, and which ones he will send out on loan.
And Fabricio seems to be growing into the captaincy very nicely, and of course the Argentine was a very popular choice with 93% of readers in our poll saying that Coloccini was a good appointment for Newcastle captain.
Comments welcome.
22 comments so far
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Comment #1There was still a huge togetherness displayed last night by the team, just shows that one player (Nolan) does not make a team.
Nice to see the lads supporting Collo, I think he was by far and away the best choice.
Dannyo
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #2Yup, good man him me thinks.
TOON ARMY!!
blissna
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #3Finally some positive news!
Andy
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Comment #4Did Marveaux go off injured last night? Or was it just a little knock?
barryvenison
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #5Nzogbia spent the majority of last season playing down the RIGHT side for Wigan but he often switched sides throughout the match with Cleverly or Moses. He also played down the RIGHT side for France in their last international. So please stop acting like we aren’t signing him because he can only play LW. It’s because Ashley doesn’t like reinvesting in anything other than himself.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Comment #6@4
Think it was a bit of tiredness and maybe cramp just a precaution I think, no word of an injury, remember he has been out for a long while too
catchy in norway
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Comment #7http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6843212/columbus_crew_v_newcastle_united_highlights/
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Comment #8@5
I would rather spend the £9.5m upfront where we are desperate for a decent player.
Andy
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Comment #9Yeah i know. Just heard something about it. 75 mins he played i think? Very good to see
WWJBD
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Comment #10Agree with ya barry. The reason we havent gone for Zog is because he would cost
NUFC_Richyg01
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Comment #11News on Clubcall that Swansea are very confident of signing Routledge.
Andy
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Comment #12Maybe we didn’t want n’zogbia? Who knows but i agree with Richy @8. Zog wasn’t a must. A good striker is
WWJBD
Jul 27, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Comment #13Thing is I dont think they can justify saying we cant afford a 10mill winger and a 10mill (or 6.5 apparently) striker when they recieved 30(going up to 35) million in Januray
Dannyo
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Comment #14@ NUFC_Richyg01
Clubcall are usually very late with their news mate. If i remember right, that came up in the news yesterday that the deal was back on. After seemingly having fallen through.
I just hope the lad moves on soon, both for us and for him.
Free up some cash to maybe get another one in. Or atleast make it easier for us, having more cash to splash on…wages…
Aye Aye How
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #15All this money “we have” will not get spent, as he repeats, its going back into the club by means of wages , constructionn ect… We’ll sell Enrique and with that transfer fund we’ll buy a striker and lefty back!!! No doubt about it…
gorskino10
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Comment #16Thanks for the link @catchy in norway
🙂
Andy
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Comment #17I don’t think we need to get rid of routledge. He always impressed me more than raylor playing rm. If AP wants to play this attacking quick football routledge could slot into that if we do get injuries.
WWJBD
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Comment #18I am still of the belief we should keep Routledge for this coming season….I didnt understand why we sent him out on loan to QPR in the first place
The Entertainers
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Comment #19I worrie about the captaincy issue, fearing we didn’t have a automatic replacement for Nolan. Barton and his contract dispute ruled him out. Smith didn’t have a future. Harper is a keeper and not best palced to captain IMO. But Colo has the armband and I have hopes he will transform into the silent leader that he’s capable of doing. Firstly he’s a CD and sees everyone in front of him, his English is pausable and is rarely injured or suspended. Added to that the respect he has from not only players but fans too. We all want curly hair now 🙂
Shearers-Island
Jul 27, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Comment #20Inter Ya Mam has joined the Fantasy League……Al-Habsi, Baines, Riise, Vidic (VC) Enrique, Barton (C), Cabaye, Downing, N’Zogbia, Hernandez, Gervinho …… Subs Hilario, Shorey, Odemwingie
Canny few teams in it. Bring it on…..
Davies
Jul 27, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Comment #21Were we even after N’Zogbia? I mean I know he’s improved, but there are better wingers out there with the same, or greater ability, for the same, or less money.
If the feeling is that we SHOULD have been after him, shouldn’t we have been after all the other players of the same ilk?
Personally, I’d have had a hard time accepting him back in the team, simply because of the manner in which he conducted himself last time he was he, and the manner of his departure. For a team that was held together with team spirit many times last season, do we really want a dummy spitting quitter thrown into the apparent harmony that still appears to exist at our club?
OttersPocket
Jul 27, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Comment #22We do not need N’Zogbia we have enough widemen.