Some players returned early to the Benton training grounds yesterday from their summer break, so they could undergo various fitness and strength tests, to ascertain how strong and fit they are at the moment.
James Perch – points the way for all players
Players returning included newly married Mike Williamson, James Perch, Rob Elliot, Dan Gosling, Nile Ranger, Danny Simpson and Mehdi Abeid.
We all know James Perch – the great Perchinho – who apparently was even born in Brazil, and may get that call up before the World Cup 2014 from the former World Champions? 😀
And James of course played just great in the second half of the season, at both center-back, defensive midfield and full-back, to prove he’s an excellent utility player.
That was after making an ignominious start to pre-season last summer at this time, when he didn’t even make the American tour.
The lads that reported yesterday were all in good spirits, and the Benton training ground fields looked in superb condition.
The lads were subjected to some body fat tests and medical examinations, that measure various fitness and strength levels of all players – and it’s all very high tech these days at Newcastle.
Perchinho talked to the local press corps:
“I always prepare for the worst. I prepare for the horrible runs and if it’s not that, it’s a bonus for me.” “It’s a massive, massive part of the season that you have. I’ve missed a couple of the pre-seasons in my career and the football season after hasn’t gone the way I’d like it.
“You pick up little niggles here and there and I think to have a good season you have to complete the pre-season first. That’s the main aim for the club, to get through pre-season pretty much injury-free.” “Everyone’s come in all right, although a few people have enjoyed the summer, I’ll say that, which is fair enough.”
“Pre-season is a time to get fit, and that’s what we intend to do. The banter started flying as soon as I walked back through the door, getting stick off the masseur, all the usual banter which makes you feel like you’ve never been away.” “They sent us a program through the post, it didn’t get much use if I’m being honest with you.”
“I do my own thing, whether the other lads stuck to theirs I’m not sure. It’s basically eating the right things, drinking the right things, doing a little bit of exercise here and there and coming back in as good a shape as you can, really.”
“It’s good to see everyone’s faces again. You do miss it when you’ve been away for a short period of time and you do want to get back and see everyone again.” “You could say we didn’t want the season to end but after the season we had, putting so much effort into finishing fifth, the lads needed the break.”
“It is good to get away and get some sun and to recharge the batteries. “Now the hard works is going to begin though.”
Perch had a holiday in both Dubai and New York this summer, and he arrived back from NYC last Monday, and would have experienced some of the heat wave that hit the east coast over the last several days, with temperatures here in Raleigh hitting 105 degrees F.
James will know that all he has to do next season is train hard and impress manager Alan Pardew, who has made it clear that whoever you are in the squad, if you play well you will get your chance, and be kept in the side.
We hope James continues where he finished off in May, and push for a first team position, maybe at full back.
He will need to still improve if that is going to be the case next season, but he knows that’s the opportunity for him, whoever Newcastle bring in this summer.
That’s just one of the things Alan Pardew has instilled in his players since he arrived a short 18 months ago, and Alan has been simply a revelation as Newcastle manager – and long may that continue.
Comments welcome.
64 comments so far
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Comment #41ToonMauritius
Ohh, can see you have already posted the link 🙂 sorry mate.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Comment #42Jesper…Easy mate…don’t want a reputation as a pill pusher!
No idea on that rule mate. Would of thought we’d have seen a lot more action earlier if that was the case. Plus most contracts run to the end of June to the best of my knowledge.
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #43That’s where my sudden deluge of all things Sakho has come from jesperfuglsang… Keep up the good work 😉
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #44Ibiza 🙂 sorry mate – that came out wrong!
check the toastie, Ibiza DOES NOT push pills mate. Buy you own 😉
Hatem's better than Messi
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #45There are more quality players out there than top clubs with cash.
More players are letting their contracts run down or have release clauses.
Sakho looks to be a better fit for us than any CB we’ve been linked to before.
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #46So reading between the lines, Ibiza is pushing pills to Sakho to get him to sign for NUFC?
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Comment #47I really got a NUFC news monkey on my back… God I need some good news soon 🙁
…Ibiza how’s the sun on Mallorca? (it is Mallorca right?)
ToonMauritius
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Comment #48jesperfuglsang
No problemo mate, but still tell me who is better Sakho or Douglas
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #49SAKHO IS BETTER!!!!!
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #50Remember I don’t kwow shit 😉 but I would go for Sakho in a heartbeat (if he is not ludicrously expensive) 😉 I am not that sold on Douglas.
…that or we sould find a young version Verthongen, so we don’t have to spend silly money on a CB 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #51Be cool man……take one of these and shut the hell up….geeez 😉
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #52* sould = should
shear-class
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #53check the toastie
Well any decent player would of stud out in that match, i dont just watch the first team and Perch IN MY OPINION which i am entitled too is ordinary
ToonMauritius
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #54Hope AP turn his attention to Sakho
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #55Jesper…Sometimes humour can get lost on the internet….I assume that was a joke? The Balearic weather is glorious mate 🙂 🙂 🙂
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #56Ibiza
sorry about the remark mate!
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #57Hahaha Ibiza… And he wakes up an NUFC player? That’s how it works isn’t it?! 😀
jesperfuglsang
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Comment #58Ibiza
was meant as a joke…but I can see it was a bid weak and not really funny. Sorry mate.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Comment #59It wasn’t that bad….just making sure it was in fact one 🙂
Tom4Nufc…Dates, signings, it works for most things 😉
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Comment #60Oh bloody hell… I feel a bit like the bloke standing in front of the person the fit bird’s waving at, and who waves back making a fool of myself!
Think I’ll stay away from the internet banter and just talk about the footy side of things haha 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Comment #61Tom4Nufc… Banter away good sir, banter away 🙂
Tom4Nufc
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Comment #62Haha fair enough Ibiza 😉
On another note, I should really do some work!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Comment #63Snap! Take it easy lads 🙂
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Jul 4, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Comment #64Hey a came up with the Master-PLAN.
Look, Reading takes Buthrie and Simpson, B’burn buys Best. DL went to holand to take Luuk and Douglas, but got nothing, so maybe he could meet PSG officials and let’s say agree a fee for Sakho and Gameiro 11.5M pounds, then took Debouchy (6M) for a ride back home at Newcastle, arange some friendlies with french clubs and also stop in Manchester to pick up lost boy John Guidetti (7M) (and A.Johnson if he pays for his ride and wants to join us.Just kidding.)
What do you think?
Outs:
Best, Simps, Forester= 8.5M
Ins:
Gameiro,
Sakho,
Debouchy,
Guidetti
24.5M – 8.5= 16M
that’s 4 M left
0.5 for curtis good, 1M for gael bigirimana, 1M for luke james 1M, and 1 M for me making this faboulas plan hehe 😀
?