The team spirit at Newcastle continues to be sky high, and if anything, may be even stronger that in the last two seasons.
Jonas Gutierrez – in action for Argentina
Alan Pardew had the squad and coaches visit Slaley Hall on a team-building afternoon last Tuesday, as he continues to have the players and staff bond together.
Of course, we all thought that when players like Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton left the club, there would be a vacuum of leadership and the team spirit would be affected.
But that has not been the case and Coloccini, in his quiet and very professional way, is turning out to be a good captain for Newcastle, and Alan Pardew’s man management skills are there for all to see.
Jonas Gutierrez, who will now be on Tyneside until a month or so before his 33rd birthday, after signing a two year extension this week, had this to say about the team spirit today:
“The spirit which many people talked about last season, and in our promotion season, is still there and indeed, may even be stronger, and that has served us well too.”
“We have shown that in all our games this season, particularly in the two Cup ties, the game at QPR where we fought really hard for a draw and at Aston Villa where we had to come from behind.”
“On Tuesday we all went paint-balling up at Slaley Hall. All the players and coaching staff went, and for some of us it was a brand new experience. And it was a super day, too.”
” Cheick Tioté was the star, he was great, but it was just one of those days that everyone enjoyed.” “This team has such a good spirit, we’re all really good friends and love each other’s company.”
“It certainly helped all the new lads settle in even more, not that they needed to really, but also those type of things just help bring fun to the team and bring everyone closer together.”
It’s really great to hear that, because if a team has determination and the will to will, plus excellent team spirit, those teams can give the top four clubs a run for their money on any one day.
It will be interesting in November, when we start a very tough three match series, the first two games are with the two Manchester clubs away, followed by a home game against Chelsea.
The team will do well to get any points from those games, but we’ll see.
Of course Newcastle have just moved quietly behind the scenes to tie up Jonas Gutierrez with a two year extension to his contract, and we’re sure negotiations are ongoing to tie down a few other top players at the club, such as Coloccini as one example.
Gutierrez seems absolutely delighted to have been offered a two year extension at a club which he seems to love:
“The contract I signed means that I will be playing at Newcastle United until 2015 when I will be 32 years old,” “That is terrific for me, I am 28 now, so will have four more seasons at St James’ Park where I hope to give my best to the team, the manager and the supporters.”
“Physically I am in very good condition so over the next few seasons I aim to perform to my absolute maximum potential.”
“I love playing for this football club. Ever since I joined in 2008 I have felt a special bond with the city and its supporters.” “They are like nothing I have experienced before and it is honestly a pleasure to play for the fans.”
“I think the rest of the players think that, too. I know Colo very well of course and he thinks the same, he was so proud to be made captain and in my view, I think he is playing the best football of his career – we both have a lot to thank the manager and board for.”
Gutierrez is a really good guy, and the French players Newcastle have brought in seem quiet lads, but also very professional and very good players, and to us it already seems to be having a positive impact at Newcastle.
We don’t know how well we’ll do against the top four or five clubs this season, but we know the lads will give 100%, and you cannot ask for much more than that, as things seem to be looking up these days.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
nden85
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Comment #1last
BigKirky
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Comment #2Great words from Jonas.
10 BEN ARFA 10
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Comment #3we need collo to sign a new deal now,
santon looked class for reserves last night but rob elliot has been crap in 2 games.
roshan MAGPIE
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Comment #4I think Gosling should be in the squad for Tommarow s match and should replace guthre since he has done nothing and should replace some one in mid field in the last 20 min
ginkoh
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Comment #5We will face bad running period in some stage this season. but with our current squad I think we can coup with it.
Game against Wolve will be very hard game . Hopefully we can get something from it.
nden85
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Comment #6could just see us picking up about 4 broken ankles, a bust knee for Ba and PJ getting blinded on this paintballing day.
SincerelySamuel
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Comment #7this lad is brilliant his work ethic is examplary the fact he has spent the season so far protecting Raylor and still proving a stong atacking option is testament to that and is anyone surprised that chiek Tiote was the star of a combative team building exercise …no he is a one man army
SincerelySamuel
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Comment #8i think gosling is better than nolan by a distance but we have really upped our midfield a couple levels this close season which takes Goose from one of the best to mediocre as our midfield has serious quality now
roshan MAGPIE
Sep 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Comment #9SORRY SATURDAY S MATCH
drongo
Sep 29, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Comment #10Ive got visions of Tiote running rampant on this paintballing day. Bit like Arnie towards the end of Predator.
SincerelySamuel
Sep 29, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Comment #11apparently tiote bought loadsa paint grenades and went rambo 🙂
Scottishtoon95
Sep 29, 2011 at 4:06 PM
Comment #12@10 BEN ARFA 10
I agree totally about rob elliot the guys crap even in a reserve team, why did we buy him? Would rather have had soderburg as 3rd backup keeper.
magpiebop
Sep 29, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Comment #13I rate Soderberg as well looks assured, a very exciting prospect!
No.2 fer me!