Jose Enrique spent four good seasons at Newcastle United, after he was signed for £6.2M from Villareal in the summer of 2007.
Jose Enrique – Liverpool left back
Sam Allardyce was the manager at the time, but of course he lasted only six months and was gone in early January of 2008, to be replaced by Kevin Keegan, after Mike Ashley failed to lure Harry Redknapp up to the north-east.
Newcastle made Jose into the player he is today, but he also wanted to leave Newcastle, once Andy Carroll was sold to Liverpool.
In fact Newcastle lost four of their best players last year in Carroll, Nolan, Barton and Enrique – and yet we have turned out to have a better team because of it – so work that one out.
We have to think that if Newcastle could have held on to Jose through last year, with Newcastle’s great start to their season, and the way Alan Pardew was managing the side, he could have even stayed on Tyneside.
And he would have seen Newcastle doing what he wanted, to get into European competition and further his football career, so it’s just unfortunate that he left at the time he did, but it’s all water under the Tyne Bridge now.
Jose was sick of the penny pinching going on by Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley, and he even criticized newcatsle’s transfer dealings of last summer.
But Newcastle transfer market purchases of last summer have turned out to be stellar, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Davide Santon in particular, even though little money was spent on players.
Jose now finds himself at a club who are doing very well in the cups – Liverpool have already won the Carling Cup and they play local rivals Everton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
But they are struggling in the league table in 7th place, and a full 8 points behind Newcastle – we had to find some way of getting that one in this article. 😀
For the record Jose played 129 times for Newcastle with a single goal, and he was a good player for the side.
The American owners of Liverpool will be happy about the Cup performances but not about their league position.
So Kenny Dalglish should remain manager for at least another season, but he’ll have to do much better in the league table next season and Champions League competition will be a must, so it has to be a top four place or bust.
It will be interesting how much John W. Henry of New England Sports Ventures, the current owners, will be willing to shell out to Kenny, in the transfer market this summer, after seeing a poor return so far.
And with any luck, Newcastle can join Liverpool in the Europa League next season, and Liverpool can do us a favor there, because if they beat Everton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, then 6th place in the Premier League will qualify – and Newcastle are 8 points clear in 6th place right now.
A win against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon is what we are looking for, and if Newcastle can show some of their best form, there’s no reason we cannot beat Liverpool at St. James’ Park, for the second season running, and stretch our lead over the Merseyside club to 11 points.
Comments welcome.
39 comments so far
ilovetoon8788
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1The only player i still wish we kept. 1 of the contender for Liverpool player of the season and still 1 of the best attacking fullback in the league and in the world.
Did an amazing run in liverpool last game in the defeat. Was in the 80th min. Took it from his own half right down their touchline.
Arfa will find Enrique different from most fullback he has faced. And Simpson will have to be on top of his game to stop Enrique marauding runs.
Great player. If he had stayed we would be flying in the league.
Toonboy_84
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2I think JE deserves a bit of abuse. He did put the boot in after he left.
geoff777
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Comment #3On current form with home advantage, we will win easily.
Love to give them a real thrashing.
A start like we had at WBA and they could fold.
I think Carroll will get the worst reception a player has ever got at SJP.
Can’t wait for Sunday.
HWTL
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #4ilovetoon
You should change your name to ilooveenrique
I think you’ll find that is is Enrique that will have his work cut out defending Ben Arfa rather than the other way round
ginkoh
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #5All I want to said to both them is “keeping your good job there” because until now they did very well at Liverpool.
For us haha HWTL !!
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Comment #6Jose Enrique Twitter quote, July 25th 2011:
“The club is allowing all the major players of the team to go. Seriously, do you think it is the fault of the players? This club will never again fight to be among the top 6 again with this policy.’
Ha ha ha
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Comment #78788 – i think Jose will lose the battle with Benny, not the other way round!!!!
supatoonkid
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Comment #8To be honest I’m glad we sold Jose because if we hadn’t we’d have never bought Santon. Inevitably this will be a superb piece of business for us as Santon has already proved he is very good at going forward from a LB position and has superb ball control/skills however he still is a bit defensively unsure at the moment (that’s why I’d pick Jonas at LB for the moment, atleast until Collo is back). He’s only 21 anyway (5 years younger than Jose) so I think next season he will be much better and with a new CB or two+ possibly a next RB if Simmo leaves I think we’ll have a solid defence. As well he has Champions League experience so that shows he just needs to rediscover that form he had under Jose Mourinho at Inter and then I think we may have one of if not the best potential left back in the world.
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Comment #9Pard_Who – great minds…………..
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Comment #10Supatoonkid – love your optimism and i do think he has bags of potential.
I would, however, prefer us to get a left footed LB next year and move Santooon to RB
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Comment #11Indeed toon tom
spitfire_
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Comment #12Who cares about on lying sob… I’m still waiting for his promise to start negotiating for new contract after we’re safe. Btw negotiating is not when you to got the offer which you reject it and then you say that want to go.
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Comment #13Pieters springs to mind!!
Pardew's fist pump
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Comment #14I hope the long-headed ugly pillock get’s torn apart by the crowd, much more than I do Carroll.
Cool Hand Luke
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #15Yeah i would leave off the runs into our half if i was Enrique, lest fire and sulphur rain down upon the hordes of bindippers from the 5th horseman of the apocolypse aka Ben Arfa’s left peg.
SimonToon
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #16Santon will be a far superior player by the end of next season. I liked Jose as a player, and still do. But if you want to jump ship to go to a bigger club (cough) then so be it. Hard luck, Jose.
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #17Fist Pump – definitely…………
“He’s just a $hit Peter Crouch” 😉
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Comment #18Jose is good, there is no denying that, but he is not World class and I don’t think we will miss him once we find another bargain in the Summer.
He looks good in a poor team and I really honestly believe that if he doesnt make the Euros he will want to return to his native Espana to push for the world cup in 2014.
I expect a transfer to Barca, Real or Athletico in the near future.
SimonToon
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Comment #19By the way he is a great attacking full back. His runs look awesome, but with out an end product, who cares?
geordiejamie89
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Comment #20@alan_pard_who haha i can’t believe enrique said that. It’s no wonder he hasnt been linked saying much about newcastle in the papers this season. As much as I do wish he’d stayed because he’s quality, I hope Newcastle tear them apart and hopefully he’ll have something nice to say for the toon afterwards. I’ll happily cheer Enrique, and Caroll so long as he doesn’t score, unless it’s an own goal. Santon is looking better than Jose was when we first signed him, hopefully Santon will get it right and be part of the growth. I don’t think we should boo Caroll just yet. You never know he might want to return in the future, and we don’t have any better geordie strikers lined up just yet so it’d be nice to have him in the squad as something different in a couple years time. Jeering him will only motivate him aswell, so there’s no point, he’ll only end up celebrating when he scores which will be deserved.
Pardew's fist pump
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Comment #21Nowhere near good enough for Real or Barca.
If I remember correctly, he was solely liable for as many goals against as Simpson last year: miss-kicks, giving away possession in our own half, playing people on side, going to sleep on the back-stick – he’s been the same for Liverpool this year – he’s impeccable at defending 1 vs 1 around the outside, but not much else where he excells.
Vastly overrated.
Klatoon
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Comment #22Carragher will give us a penalty or 2.
Cabaye against Spearing might get feisty, Cabs almost snapped the dirty scouse’s shin at Anfield. Luckily the ref missed it.
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Comment #23I think what some fans don’t understand about Carroll is that it is more than a former player returning to his old stomping ground and therefore getting booed.
Taking everthing into account the most important thing for me is that he was local, a fan, always dreamed of the number 9, lived the life that only a few ever get but millions dream off and then he pi55ed on it from a great height.
Regardless of if he motioned the move he still could have said no. I think he saw the money, the ‘trophies’, the England number 9 and shit on every Gerodie accross the world.
You let your city down, your history down, your fans down and your self down and I think it is a footballing decision that he will regret throughout his career and I for one hope that he is verbally anhilated for his crimes against the toon.
Shearer came home, Carroll ran away from it.
Toon_Tom
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Comment #24geordiejamie – yes mate agree with that!
It took Jose a season to get up to speed with the EPL and then improved dramatically over the following seasons.
Santon I believe will be a solid FB next year, hopefully replacing Simo at RB and we gain a quality left footed LB next season………….
In other news ; Sunderland’s Europian fixtures announced for the 2012/13 season – – – – –
Swansea at home ,,,,,,,,,,, and Swansea away 😉
jamesnufc86
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Comment #25@21 – that is spot on , Enrique offers power, pace and great feet, and is probably the best in the league at 1 v 1 defending but he is not an intelligent footballer. I can honestly see hatem giving him a hard time , Enrique is much stronger but hatem has better feet and they are probably equal in terms of pace – but with hatem more acceleration- I think it will be Enrique’s hardest test this season if hatem is in the mood
Billy1985
Mar 30, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #26jose played really well for us but he has been terrible from liverpool hope they get a very bad reception. we have moved on for the better. it just goes to show all the players that were talking to reporters and radio etc weren’t right for the club and its been proved by how well we are doing. players thinking they are better than what they are so we got rid for better cheaper players. pards and ashley etc have done great just think if ashley didnt do what he has done we would be like rangers now, i agree he could of done it different with us the fans but give him credit we have a great team and i honestly think if we get into europe i think ashley will keep the money until these rules come into play that your only allowed to spend what you make whilst still strengthening the club too
Benry
Mar 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Comment #27Look Jose is good and all, but Ben Arafa will tear him a new one, then verbally abuse him.
Magpie_Man
Mar 30, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Comment #28WHEN we finish above Liverpool, I can’t wait to see the look on their faces haha
Munster Mag
Mar 30, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #29Pards at 21….I think he’s good enough for Barca, given that they allow their defenders to be a bit iffy at times. A mile better than Santon, unbeatable by any winger in his day, when with us. Excellent on ball, good passer , strong, fast. Some people have revisionist memories on this site. Not having a go , but I’ve rarely seen a better left back at Newcastle in all the years I’ve been a fan.
Munster Mag
Mar 30, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Comment #30Billy at 26 – he hasnt been terrible at Liverpool. He’s been one of their best players from what I have heard. made a bad error against QPR ( along with Sunderland v Everton , the most enjoyable result this season not involving NUFC) but he’s a super player.
Munster Mag
Mar 30, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Comment #31Maybe keep a lid on expectations lads, how many teams have we “torn apart” this season ?
toonfan_Ew Ew
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Comment #32Even though we’re 8 pts above Liverpool, it’s still be a hard game, and you know we have our off days sometimes. Munster Mag has a point about keeping a lid on expectations, unless Liverpool become the 3-0 Man Utd team for the day. Good riddance Jose, I won’t boo you, but I’m sure we have a more down-to-earth and better LB now in Santon, since you’ve gone!
Szarka
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Comment #33It needs to be said that Jose left before we bought Santon or Cabaye ( If i remember right), maybe before Demba Ba. Even we didnt believed in Ashley policy in the summer.
Aldo JE is a good player hes a bit of one footed, so HBA can beat him easially.
Sorry for my english.
Ericles
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Comment #34We must trounce Liverpool at St James Park. We must do it with players who are proud to play in our black and white stripes. Am not bothered about the feelings or opinions of those who USED TO WEAR our colours on Sunday. Howay the lads. It is April 1st and my youngest son’s birthday – let’s make fools of Dalglish and company, OK?
JDdubai
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Comment #35Lets not just slag him off coz he left, lets face it while he was playing for us last season we were all saying he was the best left back in the country…
I wish he was still playing for us as Jose LB and Santon RB next season would have been mint…however he deserves to get some verbal for leaving and shouting his mouth off and I hope HBA destroys him though id say it’ll be 50-50 as to who comes out on top.
Billy1985
Mar 30, 2012 at 2:21 PM
Comment #36@ munster mag i watch all the football and he looks half the player he did when he was with us. you cant go off what you have heard im going off what i have seen.
Cool Hand Luke
Mar 30, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Comment #37The solution is to give Ben Arts the floating role, then noone can mark him out of the game
Cool Hand Luke
Mar 30, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Comment #38.The solution is to give Ben Arfa the floating role, then noone can mark him out of the game
Cool Hand Luke
Mar 30, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Comment #39Darned predictive text