New boy Vurnon Anita came on for his debut on Saturday in the 71 st minute against Spurs, replacing Yohan Cabaye, after almost making his debut just a few minutes into the game, when it looked like Cheick Tiote had injured his groin, but the Ivorian was able to carry on.
Vurnon Anita – came on after 71 minutes on Saturday
The player stands 5’6″ tall, and is a box to box midfielder, and should do well once he gets used to the faster pace of English football, but he looked a good technical player on Saturday, and got better as the game progressed.
Anita had this to say to the Newcastle web-site today:
“I thought I could have been on after three minutes because Tiote looked injured.” “So I warmed up, then kept warming up and warming up, but thankfully he was fine. So I had to wait a bit longer but am happy to make my debut.”
“It was amazing and I am up for more now.” “The first touches were all about getting used to the game and the speed, because I had only trained twice with the group.” “As the game went on though I felt I got better and it went well.” “I can’t wait to do it all over again.”
“If you win it is always good. It is my first game, we got three points so it’s amazing.” “It was a very tough game but we win so it is three points in the pocket.” “I didn’t know much about Tottenham apart from a few players, so it was all quite new for me. But it was amazing to experience this game.”
“To beat them is a very good sign. It’s a great start to the season for us – you always want to start with a win. Now we must go to the Europa League and then Chelsea.” “They are amazing – brilliant supporters who supported the team throughout the game.”
“I had been told quite a bit about them but they were incredible.”
Vurnon may start his first game for Newcastle on Thursday night in Athens against Atromitos, and we expect him to be in the squad that Alan Pardew will take to Greece tomorrow morning. But who the other players will be that Alan takes in the squad tomorrow morning is an open question at the moment.
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70 comments so far
deeeeeeano
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Comment #1Got to start on thursday
Beattie25
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2I seriously believe that in at 10 games our midfield trio will not only be a match for any team in the premier leauge but a match for any team in Europe.
Obviously we’ve got a long distance to go before matching Busquets, Xavi, Inesta and Alonso, Khederia, Ozil but o tell you something we have a very special trio.
I will guarantee now we hammer somebody by 5 or 6 this season.
John Tudor
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Comment #3the makems away
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Comment #4Why does Ed say we are playing tomorrow? thought it was Thursday!
ross armstrong
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Comment #5my team for thurs
———-harper
tav willo perch ferguson
amalfa anita gos marveaux
——-shola campbell
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:35 AM
Comment #6Beattie…I like your enthusiasm, but I think might be a little bit too enthused 😉 lol
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Comment #7*you
Rotonda heights
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:37 AM
Comment #8ilovetoon
Yes we still hoof it a bit but with the signing of Anita we are evolving to a more passing game. With caroll we would go backwards, ie 6 goals in 40 odd games with Gerrard in the side etc.
The very near futue is Campbell. We have held our youngsters back in the past. Hopefully that is changing now.
ross armstrong
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Comment #9oops forgot raylor , obertan and abeid
pawl250
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Comment #10Love how everybody is licking Dembas arse now.
“4-2-3-1, with Cisse lone striker” all this none sense! Guy scored nearly 20 goals last year and the majority of you want to bench him LOL
I think I have literally read maybe 2-3 people other than me saying the same thing what about Ba all last week.
Look the formation might work it might not but having Cisse and Ba out on the pitch makes you much more likely to score goals, and goals win matches!
I though Jonas was MOTM too. I know Ben Arfa did well and probably was the most exciting player on the pitch. BUT he looked lazy in comparison to Jonas. The guy ran from left to right, up and down the pitch all day long. Was phenomenal! His work rate is by far the best in the team, and he never complains about coming back to defend or put in a different position!
Top quality professional! AND 4-2-3-1 …. he also wasnt in the majority of your starting line ups! If I had to choose Jonas or Anita based on that performance Anita can bench warm until Jonas gets tired because he was the heartbeat of our team on Saturday!
AndytheScientist
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #11Team for thurs?
GK Harper,
RB R Taylor
CB Williamson
CB Perch
LB Ferguson
RW Obertan
CM Anita
CM Gosling
RW Marvaux
F S Ameobi
F Vuckic
With, Ba, Abeib, Bigirimana, Tavernier all involved at some point. Should be able to get a draw.
Toonboy_84
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #12@pawl
When you say “licking dembas arse”, are you aiming that at me? If you are, I challenge you to find a post where I have ever said anything negative about Ba. Even at the beginning of last season when everyone though we bought a did.
Dannyo
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Comment #13Ed must’ve gone all wrong timezoney 😉
The match is Thursday, but they’ll probs travel tomorrow.
BigKirky
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Comment #14Anita will enable us to keep the ball a lot better which can only be a good thing, as well as more accurate passes going into out outlet players. Great stuff.
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Comment #15I have keept Jonas, Ba or Cisse in my starting lineup for the EL away game; i was unsure if Pardew would take the chance on Tav at RB or go with Simmo? I stiill am; Colo is back in though 🙂
I think it will be 4-3-3 and not 4-2-3-1, but that is basically just a technicallity 😉
Toonboy_84
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #16So what I meant was, I’ve always licked demba’s arse. Not just because he scored Saturday.
mackas7
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #17James Pearch made 46 passes on Sunday with 100% accuracy. Nice.
mackas7
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Comment #18Saturday**
pawl250
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Comment #19Toonyboy_84
I cant remember who specifically I am aiming it, basically all those 4-2-3-1 Cisse up top with Ba on bench last week.
I wasn’t specifically aiming it at one person but a group of people who seem to think he is better on the bench.
If you said the above then yes it is aimed at you and others, if not I think you are just assuming I am aiming it at you.
I did say –
Love how everybody is licking Dembas arse now.
“4-2-3-1, with Cisse lone striker” all this none sense! Guy scored nearly 20 goals last year and the majority of you want to bench him LOL
The quotation marks suggested I meant those who actually said it mate. Although I did generalize how I said love how everybody, I must apologise for that.
TorqToon
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Comment #20Pawl – I’m pretty sure regular posters on the blog have always maintained the same stance on Ba that we needed to keep him! Not a case of “licking his arse” as you put it! If that comment was aimed at the neggers who appear on here every so often then I would agree with you, however the true fans and football people alway knew Ba’s contribution to the cause even when he wasn’t scoring!!
And as for the lone striker up top formation – rotating between Ba and Cissé is a fantastic option and no reflection on one being better than the other! It’s all about the success of the team, and now have the personnel to change things up and adapt the side to suit the opposition.
arcarius
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Comment #21top teams play with a lone striker
like 5under1and, norwich, qpr or west ham all these are top top teams
we need to play with only Cisse upfront
Ba can replace Krul as our goalkeeper
GeordieToon89
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Comment #22Andy – we can only make 3 subs not 4.. I want to see Campbell involved aswell
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:55 AM
Comment #23Pawl…so you think we’ll go 4-4-2 and others think we’ll 4-2-3-1…boohoo that’s life mate 🙂
I think it’ll be 4-3-3 with either Ba/Cisse on top so I guess you’re aiming it at me as well!
Who else think we’ll go somthing else than 4-4-2 on Thursday?
Disclaimer: it doesn’t mean one doesn’t like Ba or Cisse just because they think our best formation in one where both might not play much together or Ba might have to play as an inside forward on the left.
WWYCD
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:55 AM
Comment #24Lad looks a fine example of Carrs scouting hopefully will be followed by a few more before September rolls around though time is running out
Apparently NUFC are interested in Johnson according to the Mirror and a few other rags
Toonboy_84
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #25@pawl
The reason I thought it might be aimed at me was that I started the demba love in today on the last article. I don’t do line ups and formations on here so I’ve never had him down to be on the bench. Maybe I read into you’re post too much. Not looking for an argument mate. We’re all here because we love the TOON. HWTL!
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #26Yo…it seems Sinclair is going to Citeh – I could see AJ going th other way…maybe 🙂
TorqToon
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #27Jesper – I also think 4-3-3 is the way to go…with the same front 3 as last season. Both Ba and Cissé drifted out wide on Saturday and looked more than comfortable. They’ve had time to train, play and adapt so having one of th slightly wider than the other will work out just fine! Where was Ba playing when he scored on Saturday again?!?! Wide left and drifted in…!
So seems it was aimed at me also (…although never suggested leaving big Demba to warm the bench!)
nufc_eire
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #28What about Dawson from spurs? I know he’s 28 and injury prone but could be going very cheap since he’s been transfer listed and is very good defender.
WWYCD
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #29jesper
Johnson going to Swansea? Haha
WWYCD
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #30nufc_eire
Dawson has been transfer listed? Didnt he just get made Spurs captain?
I wouldnt want him at all though haha good defender but we already have a good defender who is always injured
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Comment #31Torq…I totally agree mate; I thought Ba did great as an inside forward last season and would stick with Ba, Cisse and Benny up front.
Of course we will have to rotate and I think Marv will do great on the left and hopefully Obertan will come good this season 😉 knock on wood! lol
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #32Common Yo, that is not that far fetched 🙂
Not everyone is just looking for a pay check…and don’t underestemate the Laudrup factor mate 😉 He’s bigger than London lol
Iain Dowie
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #33——————————-Krul—————————
Simpson——-Taylor————-Coloccini——-Santon
—————Anita———Tiote——-Cabaye ——–
—————————–Ben Arfa———————–
————————Cisse———–Ba——————
This is the best formation to accommodate all of our players. Ben Arfa was drifting all over the pitch on Saturday and I think worked very well. The three midfielders especially Anita and Tiote sitting deep will allow the wing backs to go forward.
TorqToon
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Comment #34Yep! Plan for all occurrences. Let’s say one or both of our big lads gets injured…or they pull off a miracle and make it to ACON – we can then play Marv, Shola and HBA up top. Or if HBA gets a knock, obertan can have a crack as our right sided alternative. Do still think we could use another CF as Campbell may well take some time to adapt to senior football (although I hope not!)
People were moaning so much last season that we had injuries and lack of options to replace! Well thanks to MA, DL, Pards etc we have better depth. Alfi and Bigi have come in and impressed me, Our reserves are looking very strong and there is still 10 days to go to add to our squad!
OLDGEORDIE
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #35Last rumour. RVP put in a transfer request cos he doesn’t like the direction Manure are heading !!!!
WWYCD
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Comment #36jesper
True and Laudrup is a big pull but Id expect Johnson to want European football he is good enough to be after that imo and I doubt Swansea would blow their wage budgets to get Johnson in
John Tudor
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #37just play rotational formations all players have qualities in favour of this colo to play cf
John Tudor
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #38inside of games
pawl250
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #39I dont actually think 4-4-2.
I would prefer 4-3-1-2 could be a 4-3-3 if needed.
It would satisfy everyone except those that wish Cabaye plays a higher/free role in the attacking area of the team.
Cabaye Tiote Jonas
——— Arfa ——–
Cisse ———— Ba
Before all your Anita lovers lose your head Jonas was amazing Saturday, it would be disgusting to leave him out. If Anita NEEDED to be on the pitch replace Simpson, he was god awful only did one thing right on Saturday and even then he had to make up for his positioning that allowed it to happen!
——————– Krul ——————–
Santon – STaylor — Colo – Anita
———————————————–
—– Cabaye — Tiote — Jonas ——
———————————————–
——————– Arfa ——————–
———- Cisse ———- Ba ————-
This can also change to 4-4-2 should it be required a change during a match. The midfield is strong, the attacking potential is mouth water and I think Arfa in a free role will bring out the very best of him. He will also not be used defensively which he is very weak at.
Counter attacking is possible also!
jesperfuglsang
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #40Yo…I know and I am not saying it will happen, but I actually think it would be the right move for him cause I think he has to prove himself over again.
He moved to Citeh for the money and the gold 😉 this time he has to do it for football 😉
Where else should he go:
– the dindippers?
– the scum?
– Spuds?
Swansea would do him good 🙂 mind you I never get these things right anyway 😉 lol