Alan Pardew had mentioned at the beginning of the season that he had given the job of maintaining the good team spirit at Newcastle to his Assistant Manager John Carver.
Carver and Pardew – two coaches at the top
And we were all just a little worried that with Kevin Nolan having left the club, the great spirit of the last two seasons may be in jeopardy and disappear, and that wouldn’t be good.
But if anything the opposite has happened, and the bond and team spirit in the Newcastle dressing room is better than ever, and credit to John for doing a good job on that.
And it was also a challenge to new captain Fabricio Coloccini, but the Argentine has been a revelation this season with his consistent and first class performances at the heart of the Newcastle defense.
Colo certainly sets a great example when he wears the Newcastle United shirt, and Steven Taylor, the local lad, is forming a massively good partnership with Fab at the back for Newcastle, and that’s great to see.
John Carver talked today about how the club have rather impressively integrated the seven new players into the club, only one of whom was English – new goalkeeper Rob Elliot:
“We have had a good start and all you can put it down to is a good pre-season and good preparation, and above all the fact that the guys who have come in have integrated into the group quickly – quicker than I thought,”
“There was always the worry about whether we’d brought in one or two too many French players but as it stands at the minute that doesn’t appear to be the case.”
“I think it helps to have the captain who is a foreign player himself.” “He is definitely taking more responsibility.” “I mean I look at young Davide Santon and it does help him that Fabricio has played in Italy so can speak a little Italian.”
“It has helped him – it has made him feel part of the group quite quickly.” “I think we saw that on Saturday when we scored the second goal, he’s warming up but he joined in the celebrations.”
“I haven’t seen that too many times with foreign players.” “That tells you something – and tells you something about their mentality.”
That was great to see when Davide Santon and Sammy Ameobi ran down the touchline to embrace Jonas after his great goal on Saturday, and it certainly showed the spirit in the Newcastle camp – somehow we like Davide even more now!
There will still be a slight concern that a French clique may be formed at the club, but all our new French players, when interviewed, come over as great lads, and they all seem to have a team ethic at Newcastle, which can only bode well for the future.
The summer finished on August 31st with a lot of negativity surrounding the club, because of the failure of not bringing in a new striker to replace Andy Carroll, and also not spending very much of the £35M Carroll cash.
But something good is working at the club this season, with the lads in 4th place in the league, and playing so well, and the Reserves and Youth team not doing too badly either.
It’s all just great to see, and credit to Alan Pardew, John Carver and Coloccini for that, and long may it continue.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
toons4eva
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Comment #11st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angryman the Angry fan
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:41 AM
Comment #2tw@ off with your “1st!!!!!!!!!!!”
Waste if blog space
Toonboy_84
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:52 AM
Comment #3@ “1st”
Go and give yourself a celebratory reach around!
Team spirit does seem to have improved since the scousers left. Everybody thought otherwise but fair play to the lads.
How could you not be happy with Jonas around the place? Always smiling. Looks like a real fun guy to be around.
Toon_Jock
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Comment #4Tickets booked for the Spuds game, travelling all the way up from sunny London for this game – Can’t wait to see the lads playing at home, and being probably the biggest test of the season so far – so really glad everyone seems to be getting on and gelling nicely!
HWTL
liam85
Oct 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Comment #5How many people on here think that once Cabaye has his first goal he will be tapping them in like Nolan did? … or is it just wishful thinking? lol
magpiebop
Oct 7, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Comment #64-1-3-1-1
Krul.
RTaylor, STaylor, Coloccini, Santon.
Tiote.
Guttierez, Cabaye, Marveaux.
Ben Arfa.
Best.
Move Ryan T and Jonas to the other wing together wii them already developing a partnership and being right footed. Santon, Marveaux and Ben Arfa are just too good too leave out. Great spine!
toons4eva
Oct 7, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Comment #7cabaye is the sort of player who stays at the edge of the box doesn t look to run into the 6 yard box……that was what nolan used to do get inside the box…..so i don t really expect him to score that many goals as nolan did……
Toon_Jock
Oct 7, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Comment #8liam85, fully agree… and also Marv, HBA & surprisingly Titioe seem to like a punt at goal also. Think we could very well play like Barca if everyone (including Obertan) statrts firing!
DoddsyNufc
Oct 7, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Comment #9@magpiebob how can you leave Ba outta that team? hes really coming good, if its not broke dont fix it. our team is strong and playing well so ben arfa/marveux and santon will just have to wait.. personally i love that our playmaker( Arfa) has to sit on the bench, other managers would of threw him straight in nd unsettled the team. if we can play (and win) without him then imagine just how good we will be when called upon.
cupiddstunt
Oct 7, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Comment #10I think what else is helping is the mentality of the players that have come into the side.
In general they have come from sides that have tasted some success (either team or personal) to a greater or lesser degree, Ben Arfa lifted the league cup with Marseille just before coming to us but I think Cabaye is the best example as he was in the side that won the league and cup double last season and has turned his back on Champions League football to play for us, he brings with him a wining mentality.
When you have players with this kind of mentality they have a tendency to lift players around them to a higher level, and long may it continue.
NUFC_DOWNUNDER
Oct 7, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Comment #11Ba instead of Bet magpiebop… Need to bring in Taarbat, Olsson + striker.
magpiebop
Oct 7, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Comment #12Best has been good at holding the ball and leads the line well. Ba was carried by Best in the early games this season but is coming good and a good option off the bench.
davis_toons
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:24 PM
Comment #13John Carver is usinf his strenght in doing his job, good one to AP as well in e appointment