It’s been easy for us all to get enmeshed in Newcastle’s injuries this season with Ryan Taylor, Danny Simpson, Cheick Tiote, Fab Coloccini and now Tim Krul all injured in the first three weeks of the season.
We need Shola Ameobi back banging in the goals
But there’s some good news on the injury front too, with the two Ameobi bothers, Shane Ferguson and possibly Cheick Tiote all being fit for the game next Monday at Everton, and reports that James Perch is recovering nicely from his neck injury – so we could have as many as five players back for selection for the Everton game.
We know that Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor will not make that game, and it could even be that Ryan is out for the season with his ACL injury, but Newcastle have not yet put any time estimate on his recovery yet.
One lad’s that’s really glad to be back in training is Sammy Ameobi, who has this to say in the Evening Chronicle today:
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for us younger players.” “With the players we’ve got now, they’re top young players that are coming through.” “I appreciate the fact the manager has put his faith in us since he took over and now it is up to us to start repaying him.”
“We have games to come where we will get chances that previously wouldn’t have come our way – and I can’t wait.” “The Ameobi family hasn’t been a great place to be!” “Luckily I’m back now and I don’t think Shola is very far away from being ready either so it will be great to have us both back.”
“It has been frustrating but I can see the end of it now.”
Ameobi has now fully recovered from the knee injury he picked up in early January, which put an end to his season, after he had looked so good for Newcastle during the first half of last term.
We also need Shola to come on and make an impact and score some goals, as we cannot rely on Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba to do everything up front this season either, and we still haven’t seen the two Senegal strikers combine well in a 4-4-2 formation.
Why we didn’t bring in another striker in the summer we have no idea, but given that we didn’t, why doesn’t Alan Pardew give 17 year-old Adam Campbell a chance – he’s looking great in the new Newcastle U21 side, and was simply unbelievable when he came on at Cardiff City in early August.
What do you think?
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135 comments so far
ppb
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Comment #1good news. smmy and shola. 2 forwards to bring on
NUFC_LEAZES END
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Comment #2This blog has been so dead since deadline day
wynsleap
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #3Shows how bad things are this season when we are supposed to get all excited about the possible return of an untried youngster and his ‘past the sell by date’ brother’.
check the toastie
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #4In Pardew’s words, Krul was worth 10 to 15 points for us last season, in my calculations that makes a top 8 spot a serious struggle, we may have peaked last season,
A serious opportunity lost. Greedy Bastords.
BeeGuy
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #5Oh, yeah, good news, NUFC to field a team with the average age of about 19 against the well disciplined and experienced Toffees. Boy, I’m looking forward to that!
alkinou
Sep 10, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #6A little compilation of Cisse’s goals for us in this long international break …. A lot of them are really really good !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Niwx1MBhNJ8
Ps: most of you probably don’t care but come on Belgium !!!!!!!!
bollance
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Comment #7Why have most written off the season before it has bearly began? Thi season will be exciting and I believe for the right reasons. We are in an extra cup competition which gives us another opportunity for silverware.
Pardew has said he will take a few risks which means playing a weakend team in Europe for the group stages. If we get through, spurs didn’t last season, then we have another chance to win a cup.
This season has the potential to be the best season for a long long time and even eclipse last season. Of course, we have not won anything for 40 years so we cant expect it but Chelsea won champ league for example
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #8Come on guys….players coming back from injury IS good news.
What’s age got to do with anything? If you want to call inexperience I can always go find a list of experienced, older but ultimately useless players if you want?
Everton are a hard team to beat at Goodison, no matter who the opposition. The team will need to play exactly as that…a team. Some of the top boys are going to have to raise their game a bit and hopefully Benny can produce some more magic, it wont be easy, but this game is far from decided.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #9@ 5 :
I think a lot of us have a lot more faith in the Youth team players than you do!
Its worrying that Krul may be out, but it is,nt a major disaster that Pardew may be forced to use some of the untried players from the youth team who are almost ready to break through to the first team anyway.
All of them will jump at the chance to prove themselves if given the chance, and will give their all on the day!
Don,t write them off so easily!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Comment #10Bollance……I’m not sure if they do it just so they can say “I told you so” or whether it’s just to manage their expectations and therefore not be disappointed if it does all go wrong. Seems like a sad way to approach it, but each to their own I guess.
jimmymagpie
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Comment #11Well, I have some good news. I have just been talking to my physio mate on the phone, and he tells me that they’re very hopeful that Tiote will be fit for Everton! No news on Krul yet – expected in this afternoon, but he did say that although he didn’t want to commit himself on Colo until they see him, that the documentation faxed through from the Argentinians didn’t bode well. Sammy was training this morning, but no sign of Shola yet!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Comment #12Well said Ibiza @ 8 !
south coast toon
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:36 PM
Comment #13we came 5th last season, any of us would have took top 10 at the start of last season{thats the sane ones of us}we acheived that with out alot of the players we have this season,we have a stronger squad,it still needs 5 or six quality players added to it,lets just get behind the team and the kids coming in, we havent got taylor out for the season or cisse or tiote or cabeye or kruel or collociny or perch or ba, jonas ,santon, things could be alot worse and pards will know that and be banging on about cover,lets hope we dont get any real bad injuries,and keep playing our youngsters and fringe players as often as pos top 8 is a result for us this season as long as sholas fit for sunderland, lets hope its afamily trait scoring against them
ppb
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Comment #14its been dead since deadline day because the wums have reduced in number. its gotten quieter since because the whining whinging idiots have gone
AmericanGeordie
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Comment #15Given that Newcastle’s best formations consist of wide or withdrawn strikers, I don’t regret the lack of a striker signing this summer as much as I regret the lack of reinforcements on the back line. (We have 3 traditional “target” men in Ba, Cisse & Shola.)
Though we list them all as midfielders HBA, Obertan, Marveaux & Sammy can all play wide up-front in the 4-3-3. Plus, Vuckic and Ben Arfa may both serve us best as withdrawn strikers.
In fact, it is time we stop thinking of Bennie as a midfield wing, and give him the freedom to roam as the deadly, creative #10 that he is.
Tsunki
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Comment #16Ppb – although I’m still hanging about. 🙂
bills-son
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Comment #17How many teams have got four Premier quality strikers? Why are we ‘thin’ with just Ba, Cisse and Shola? The Mackems paid £15M for Fletcher – the only striker they’ve got. Thats what I call thin – we are obese by comparison.
toonincheek
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Comment #18Bennie had his worst game, as far as I can remember (OK, my memory may not be spot on) against Brighton last year in the cup.
He wasn’t up against a technically strong fullback, just one who was strong physically and let him little space.
Based on that, a roving No. 10 role would suit his strengths and make him more difficult to mark.
But – we would have to make sure out RB had adequate cover.
Any two from Chiek, Anita and Bigi as CM would do that, with Cabaye further up.
Foxworth
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Comment #19In case anyone cares, here’s a list of all the current unattached players that we will no doubt not sign any of;
http://www.footballtransferleague.co.uk/football_club.aspx?football_club=Unattached
We could get Cherno Samba – the legend from Champ Man 01/02 – on a free!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Comment #20NewExPat…Cheers buddy.
Bills…..But just look at Man City!!! 🙂
Tsunki…King of the WUM’s? You don’t seem to spend as much time on here as you used to, what’s happened? Don’t tell me you’ve got better things to do?
ppb…Careful, that almost reads as an invitation to return 😉
beefman13
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Comment #21raheem stirling gets a full england call up after 2 games with liverpool, quite amazing!
Our hot prospect adam campbell for me has more about him and scores goals for fun as well!
really hope little arnie as i call him gets a chance. The little terrminator!!!!
magpiebop
Sep 10, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Comment #22I think Shola used to be a confidence player but changed after relegation. When Martin and Owen fled the nest it left a gap which Ameobi stepped into. From this point on Shola took it on his shoulders to be the main man. He had a great start to the season before injury even hitting a hat-trick in this period. Since then Shola has always played wii confidence in my eyes and makes things happen!
Shola is always going to be injury prone because of all the times he delayed ops to play for us when not fit. I think some on here should appreciate his quality and commitment to the cause a bit more before calling the great
SHOLA THE MAKEM SLAYER.
beefman13
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Comment #23check ,its all about business at the toon as you know and we are doing very canny, i dont think the people running the club are doing a bad job at all, we have just improved year on year when many said we would not.
maybe a couple of extra player would have strengthened us, but we have cover in my opinion that wont let us down even with these injuries.
I reckon only raylor will be the only one out for any decent length of time.
we have players chomping at the bit to get a chance and that is what you want.
shanghai fan
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Comment #24With all these defensive injuries, all I can say is “We’re gonna score one more than you…. ENGLAND!” I mean Newcastle!
Super Magpie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Comment #25As its stands we have 10 players injured, yes 10!
Even if we did spend this summer I don’t think any team could cope with that.
Although it looks like Sammy, Ferguson and perch will defo be back for Everton.
Possibly Tiote, Krul and Shola too. So atleast some are only minor.
I really can’t believe the bad luck that we have with injuries. We always seem to have more than most teams every season.
Still… I’m going to write off us getting anything at Everton. Without Krul, Tiote and Colo we will really struggle defensively and As much as I respect Harper. I don’t fell safe with him or Elliot in Goal, especially with our Best CB and Midfielder injured.
Especially If we play 4-4-2. 😀
Super Magpie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Comment #26http://www.fptp.co.uk/qcsindex/introducing-the-quantifiable-club-size-index-qcsindex/#.UE4ELhB5mK3
Apparently we’re the 3rd biggest club in England. 😀
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Comment #27Super…Well, if we’re going to play 4-4-2 we may as well just take the day off , we simply can’t win with a 4-4-2…EVER! 😉
Pushy Pardew
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:39 PM
Comment #28Beefman
Your right to take a positive viewon injuries. The Ameobi brothers are doing their bit. If players don’t make it we have top young players coming through who will be available like Fergi and Tav Also Tiote sounds promising along with Perch. Players raise their game to justify selection.
Super Magpie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Comment #29Ibiza
We actually can’t win with 4-4-2 …
Still, we’ll be 1/2-0 down at HT and only until it’s too late do we switch to 4-5-1/4-3-3.
It confuses me to why we ‘ve lined up 4-4-2 in every match and then when we fall behind or struggle (as always), Pardew changes to 4-3-3/4-5-1 and we play better.
We have players injured but this would be my line assuming Krul and Tiote are Fit.
—————Krul——————-
Perch Saylor Williamson Santon
————Tiote—Anita ———–
HBA ——-Cabaye——Marveaux
——————-Ba———————
check the toastie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Comment #30Krul being injured is a nightmare, Harper now goes down in stages and is stuck to his line and Elliot has never saved a shot from inside 16 yards in his career, hope Cisse Benny and Ba get their shooting boots as we are in deep shit regards clean sheets.
Hope they have Saylor currently wrapped up in 30 tonnes of cotton wool, if he gets injured then we are seriously weakened.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Comment #31Super….Whilst I definitely prefer your formation to the 4-4-2 we seem to normally start with, you can’t say “we can’t win with 4-4-2”.
For me, we need to control the midfield, Pardew has also said this on many occasions. It takes the pressure off the defense and gives us a better integration with the attacking players, so not so many lost balls (in theory).
Hopefully we’ll see more of it than not or an explanation as to why we start 4-4-2, but then slip in to an alternative set-up as I can’t figure it out other than to accommodate Ba and Cisse both in a central role, which surely can’t be the one and only reason, can it?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Comment #32Check…At this rate you’ll be praying for Simmo to return a.s.a.p
check the toastie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Comment #33Ibiza – rest assured the whole squad could be struck down with Ebola and i wouldnt want Simmo back.
Super – totally agree, i posed the question after the spurs game, how many games this year will Pardoo swap formation during the game, so far it is not looking good, 3 out of 3.
ppb
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Comment #34Christ its quiet.
redeem sterling England call up? oh what a surprise another Liverpool player.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Comment #35Check…..I’m hoping the majority of that comment was tongue in cheek, surely you don’t really believe having no players is better than having Simpson on the pitch?
Novocastrian66
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Comment #36Shola’s back. Yeeha we’re saved. Monday night cannot come slowly enough.
Pushy Pardew
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Comment #37bills-son
I do hope Campbell comes through this season . We need another different type like him to provide options,
hes quick and sees a pass which will provide balance for either Cisse/Ba. Young players can impress but until they get a chance at a higher level you can never be really sure that their the real deal. As for goalkeeper cover we have Alnwick who looks a great prospect. What sort of message does it send to him if as soon as Tim or Steve are injured we talk of getting a goaly in.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Comment #38ppb….Bjork comes to mind – shhhh, shhhh 🙂
Sterling looks a good lad to be fair, doubt he’ll get to play, just some cover in case.
check the toastie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Comment #39super – would play below team against the merseyside mackems.
Krul
Jonas Saylor Perch Santon
Tiote Anita
Cabaye Ben10 Marveuax
Cisse
Think Jonas needs to be converted into a full back, he really isnt a winger anymore and by his own admission has never really played Centre Mid, he hasnt got the range of passing and speed of thought for a PL centre midfielder for me, cant fault his commitment and graft however.
Super Magpie
Sep 10, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Comment #40Ibiza
Exactly, Pardew totally contradicts himself by saying we need control the midfield. If he wants to do that, play 4-5-1. We have one of the best midfields in the league.
As a team we should play to our strengths which is our midfield.
Accommodating Ba and Cisse should not be a problem, we have European games and would both play as much as each other.
I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. We as fans can say what we think ( although a lot don’t have a clue 🙂 ), but have no control over what happens.