Leon Best got the job done for Newcastle yesterday, with two good goals in the 2-1 win at home to Fulham.
Leon Best – after scoring first goal yesterday
And we’ve been pointing out that this year, in his 15 Newcastle appearances he’s scored 8 goals, which is not too bad at all.
But a little surprisingly this morning, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says he still has to be convinced that Leon is a consistent goalscorer at Newcastle.
Alan talked about Best today:
“Leon didn’t start particularly well,” “He is a player that is starting to establish himself as a Premier League player, he has hunger, desire.”
“When he is playing poorly it does not affect him too much. I don’t worry about his confidence. He has that in abundance. He still needs to improve, though.”
“He has to prove he is a goalscorer. I have known him for a long, long time. For me he has never really had a run of goals. He has the opportunity and this is it.”
After after those two goals yesterday Leon should get plenty of chances, but we hope he still gets his chance if a new striker comes in.
When he had a run in the side earlier this year he scored 6 goals in 13 appearances for Newcatsle, and helped to fill in for the departed Andy Carroll.
And it doesn’t look like Newcastle will spend any of that £35M Carroll cash at all, in fact right now Newcastle have made £5M in the transfer market this summer.
And since Newcastle have also reduced the wage bill, we don’t want to hear Derek LLambias say the Carroll money has gone on the wages of the new players, because it hasn’t.
Tim Krul put in another great performance for Newcastle yesterday, and made three great reaction saves in the second half.
But Tim, following on form his heroics at Scunthorpe, just failed to keep a clean sheet when Clint Dempsey headed home two minutes from the end of the game, and that was the first goal conceded in three league games by Newcastle.
Pardew talked about the Dutch International:
“He is the type of goalkeeper who you know you will get reaction saves from,” “What impressed me was his presence, his reading of the game, and he looked big.”
“He took a couple of crosses, that was a signal that he thinks he is a good goalkeeper.”
Substitute Haris Vuckic was replaced in the second half with a broken hand, but we don’t know how long that will keep the 19 year-old Slovenian U21 International out of the squad.
Things are looking up this morning after a great result for Newcastle yesterday, and now to get three good players through the door before Wednesday evening.
Comments welcome.
218 comments so far
PlasticGeordie101
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #41We’ll get some more players in cos we need the depth.
KEEP THE FAITH! Ashley’s not as bad as everyone likes to say he is!
gorgonzola
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #42then again well said mushy
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #43ilovetoon8788
I truely hope so and I sort of believe thats what has gone on Pardew doesnt seem to be the idiot a lot of people say he is imo
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #44@ mystic mike who m.a.s.t.u.r.b.a.t.e.s. behind curtains you are a D.I.C.K.H.E.A.D.
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #45Stuart – why would we sell our best striker in Jan n not replace him 8 mths later???
Damned right I’m bitter mate.
shearermania
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #46off current topic boys….did anyone beside me acknowledge the massive and decent back tracking and defensive work yesterday by obertan….he was a bit hit and miss but i was really impressed by his work rate…especially defensively ???
Stuart
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Comment #47At least we agree you’re not a realist then.
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Comment #48But would yous really be so surprised if it did happen tho?
blyth toon fan
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #49is lew davies boring the life out of anyone else or just me?
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #50PIETERS IS THE ONE I WANT santon is rightfooted and must be only considered as a replacement for homer at rightback.pardew again showed he does not fancy gosling in midfield.
Mags
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Comment #51Sad to say but I firmly believe we will bring no other signings to our club this window.
We can all see another striker, a left back and cover for central defence is the absolute minimum we need.
Ashley is having us over again. Of all the billionaires in all the world and we get this malevolent, miserly cheapskate.
Where’s the money gone, where’s the money gone?
Dannyo
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Comment #52@ilovetoon8788
I hope he recognizes it, cause Pards keeps starting Loven for some insane reason.
Well, maybe not so insane, i can see the intention of starting Loven, being a slightly different player to the others.
But Loven is not good enough to be on the bench, and not ever starting.
So i question Pardews lineup and bench sometimes, but i hope u’re right, that he sees Best as or best striker.
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #53@JamieDalton82 Jamie Dalton
Armand Traore having medical at QPR
Surely not? I mean SURELY Wenger cant be letting one of his few defenders leave?
Oleg G
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #54First of all, need to remember that he scored another goal that was canceled (against Arsenal) which would give him another goal and us another 3 points and he would be remembered much better as a good scorer.
Second, he is still young, and we should give him the change. I personally believe in him. I like that he is hungry for the ball and he is always in action. Hard working player who is also scoring when is getting the chance to. He has good instincets as well.
Third, he is maybe not a superstar, but as long as he scores goals, who cares if he has a superstar status. Hard working players are better.
He just needs to work on his flair skills a little bit, his ball control when getting long passes (high and low) and he will be fine. He is strong and kind of big but also fast, so he has the potential to do great.
Anyway, I like Best, AP is just teasing him to do even better.
geoff777
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #55@shearermania
Yes he had a much better game.
Hopefully when the some of our player’s stop starving themselves for their God, they might start earning their 30-40,000 per week …?
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #56Blyth is that all you came on to say you pathetic troll.
Agree or disagree by all means or even feel free to add your own opinion. But just to come on to have a go is pathetic.
Gan back to your drugs pal.
barryvenison
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #57lee_ryderLee Ryder
#nufc Dutch media now saying Pieters deal is off #psv
2 minutes ago
barryvenison
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #58lee_ryderLee Ryder
#nufc in a nutshell #psv saying Pieters now “not for a sale”
2 minutes ago
Dannyo
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #59@NUFCLatest
NUFC Latest
SANTON’S AGENT ” At the moment there is no possibility that Santon close a deal to play in Rome.Currently the goal is to Newcastle, ” #NUFC
Timmers09
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #60Optimist –
Hargreaves – pay as you play good “engine” if stays fit.
Pieters – good young left back, Dutch game physically similar.
Sturridge- test Chelseas resolve last min 13 mil see if he wants us.
C.Jerome – in our position a realistic buy and some1 who’d join.
Santon- future prospect good full back cover.
Realist –
Santon – 5 million
Goalie- loan
Pessimist –
In – none “board and manager frustrated”
Out – Simpson – QPR
Ranger – released/Birmingham
Perch – Derby
Personally we should target players at the financially struggling clubs like Everton who have signed no-one! Possibly Wigan but Ashley hates Whelan so no Moses or Rodega. Any City players that want football not just money. Still that’s my 1.3 Euros worth.
MA
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #61If he’s convinced enough by Shola, then how on earth can he not be convinced by Best!?
shearermania
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #62well we tried to get a new player over the line but they kept moving the goal posts and we will not be kept for ransom…..but in janiary we will get our targets and we have already stolen a march on the other clubs….we have marked the cards
Geordie-Jake
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #63Obertan looks like squidward from spongebob
http://www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=568&q=squidward&gbv=2&oq=squidw&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=702l2262l0l3931l6l6l0l1l1l0l171l716l0.5l5l0
Dannyo
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #64The tweets themselfes might confirm that this is all true.
No go on Pieters, full out on Santon.
Makes sense, too bad tho, as i’d have preffered Pieters to all the other defenders we’ve been linked with.
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #65Thats what happens when you insult them with a derisory offer.
If you want quality you gotta pay for it.
But not NUFC.
Same for Gameiro, Gervinho, Erdinc etc
JOKERS
geoff777
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #66@Blyth
Post your opinions if you have any about NUFC.
Nasty personal attacks to bully others into not posting because you disagree with their views isn’t cool.
thud and blunder
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #67Ill say it again…
We wont sign anyone!!
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #68@Scottwilsonecho Scott Wilson
Pardew was openly talking of Pieters deal being ‘just about done’ at end of last week. It clearly wasn’t. Santon? Not much time left. #NUFC
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #69Simon Bird
@simonbirdmirror Simon Bird
@Scottwilsonecho Thursday 11pm, said Pieters would be in for Sunday!
@Scottwilsonecho Scott Wilson
Will a striker arrive? Your guess is as good as mine. #NUFC haven’t given an inch in negotiations so far – will they budge at end of window?
Dannyo
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #70@WWJBD
U just posted that to be a negger, lol 😉
Btw, Roux didn’t play for Brest yesterday..
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #71Dannyo @61 – agree 100%.
He is worth €7M and £30k/wk too.
Stuart
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #72@WWJBD – Maybe the deal was all but done, then after he played yesterday PSV upped their price?
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #73Pieters agent said he wanted to come to us and PSV said they wouldnt stand in his way but now its off
Santons agent says he wants to come here and Inter will apparently let him leave
The names change but the song stays the same
blyth toon fan
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Comment #74dang u got me there lew! yes thats all i had to say cos neggers like you put ppl in a bad mood. you havn’t got a clue who’s coming or going, ” Partpoo bigging up Krul ready for a sale on wednesday ” looks like your the one on drugs bud
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #75Dannyo hahahaha pretty much aye all these postive twitter messages pop up (from random sources) but the negative ones (from real media sources) are ignored haha 😀
Stuart do you really believe that? Really?
Toon1978
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #76Ashley is excellent at selling but seems a little inept at buying hmmmmmm!
GeordieToon89
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #77a think we’ll get Cissokho and Santon then a Striker and a would like to think wer one of the clubs going for Johnson perfect right winger get him on loan he would defo come to us
Lew Davies
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #78Stuart @ 69 – quite possible, or we never met their original valuation in the first place which is more likely and they have had enough of our pisstaking.
gorgonzola
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #79SO it looks like no signings… FAK if this is the case we can start looking at forgetting the target of top 10 and Pardew in all honesty could be let of the hook for not performing.
come Wednesday no signing, ASHLEY OUT BOYCOTT the damn faking games…..sorry to say… do as many other clubs do ….
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #80Wouldnt be suprised if we actually sign santon pieters and cissoko!! apart from ash bieng tight weve needed defensive cover well before enrique left santon can play either full back position( which leaves Raylor to move back in to midfield where he belongs) pieters can play left back or centre back where we need cover and think cissoko can play in a couple of places along the back. Also still hopin we go for roux over maiga think the lads gonna be quality!!! Lets give it another three days before we turn negative!!!!