Alan Pardew is again talking about improving Newcastle’s set plays – and in the season review he gave late last week, he was talking about getting a dominant big center-back in, who can score goals from corners, but Alan said almost exactly the same thing last summer.
Douglas – available as a free agent
At that time we thought that was a hint that he would be going after FC Twente’s 6’4″ Brazilian center-back Douglas, but we didn’t, or we did and weren’t successful.
Douglas is available right now as a free agent, after seeing out the last year of his contract at the Dutch club, and there’s news that Liverpool are now interested in the player.
This is some of what he said last week to nufcTV:
“The big fall down has been the center backs scoring goals from set plays. We need to have more dominance in that area.” “It’s all well and good saying that the set play problem is down to tactics, delivery, whatever. Ultimately you need players of six-foot four inches to go and head it in, or at least make first contact.”
“We haven’t had that all year and it means all our wins have been one-goal wins, apart from Wigan and Southampton.” “We’re not the strongest attacking-wise from set pieces and that is an area that we need to look at.” It is not just center-backs who Pardew expects to be a threat in the final third either, with the boss believing that the likes of Mathieu Debuchy, Santon and Massadio Haidara can all play their part too.” “It’s not like we play with our two full-backs to stay at home,”
“They are encouraged to get forward and at times it has cost us in terms of goals conceded.” “They haven’t delivered the goals but I think Mathieu Debuchy, in particular, has got a goal in him and I would expect him to get two or three next year.” “From left-back, Davide Santon played most of the season and will definitely contribute more. He’s grown as a man – you can tell. Then there’s Massadio and we have got better options from full-backs for scoring goals next year.”
That reference to 6’4″ players is a timely one – since we are supposed to be going after QPR’s Christopher Samba, but we already have Mike Williamson at the club, and he stands 6’4″ tall, but he is yet to score a goal for the Magpies in the three and a half years he’s been on Tyneside.
Chris Samba has Premier League experience, but would cost a massive £12M from QPR, and Douglas is available as a free agent this summer – who do you think would be the better buy?
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295 comments so far
Black and White with an army lol
May 29, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Comment #41Toon-Prodigy
i don’t think we need height for our set plays, we need a new style of set play.
Joe Blog
May 29, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Comment #42Read up to “….at the end of the day, you need players of six-foot four inches to go and head it in…” – Sunday league thinking that, so inept. The guy is a fossilized one-dimensional nugget.
one Tony Green
May 29, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Comment #43Black and White PEA has been offered 6 million a year tax free and a 9 million sign on fee from a Russian club so he is not coming to Newcastle.
Answer to your question both players and sell CIsse
Hatem's better than Messi
May 29, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Comment #44Spoof
I haven’t commented because I don’t know.
I don’t watch much European football and my memory is diabolical for player’s names. I can’t remember any of the Benfica player’s names and I saw them twice v us and once v Chelsea. Not one name .. lol
There must be a young 23-25yo CB somewhere in Europe 6’4″+ good feet and brain?
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Comment #45Agent stardust
I was just asking
Black and White with an army lol
May 29, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Comment #46one Tony Green
keep Cisse get rid of Shola,
Agent Stardust
May 29, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #47B&W
Thats a tough one. The reason is that AC may not be injury prone and is not really slow. He isnt super fast but calling him slow I think is wrong.
If PEA is that good then I very much doubt we will get him. With AC we get a local hero who will be fighting for the right reasons and stay here for ever.
Please don’t doubt the importance of those facts.
If AC is slow and injury prone and PEA is class and fast at same price then maybe PEA would be better option. But if he is as good as that he would be off in a couple of years anyway. Maybe sooner.
I want AC because he is a fkn nuisance. When he played for liverpool up here it was scary every time the ball went near him. If you look at last season it is someone like him that we needed. Its not hoofball when you have him in the team. The football appears bad now because the forward players simply arn’t the right players.
Black and White with an army lol
May 29, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #48Hatem’s better than Messi
Jores Okore
Spoof
May 29, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Comment #49T-P
now that could be a good debate, his stats and injury record is poor, but we only paid about £5.5m and although I don’t know what his wages are, I would guess at something like £45/50k per week, whatever the actual figures are, I’m sure that we would agree that he isn’t a financial burden on the club, if we sold him we would only get about £20m ( another guess ), his ability is unquestioned, so with that in mind I say we keep him, because if he does come good we would have a player worth more than double of what we would get for him, if we had paid £15/20m to get him and he was on a huge wage, then I could understand an argument for getting rid, recoup your loss’s so to speak, but an ability like Benny is a rarity, and having that ability at the price which we are paying makes it a no brainer for me, we have got to keep him and get him to sign a contract extension this summer
Black and White with an army lol
May 29, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Comment #50Agent Stardust
good point mate
Agent Stardust
May 29, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Comment #51Indian,
He’s my bestest friend LOL. Thats how I know hahaha
one Tony Green
May 29, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Comment #52Black and White Cisse makes Pardew look smart he is useless. Continually offside misses easy chances 8 goals in a season.
As for Shola glue factory he is like the old horse off Steptoe and Son
Toon-Prodigy
May 29, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Comment #53Charlie,
I agree. I think we could do alot better so long as we were given the full amount back into the squad.
Black and White,
At some point we need to get crosses in though from set pieces unless you want to try and walk it in. I would welcome a change in set pieces although the height issue would still be a big problem for us I guess.
Anita, Ben Arfa, Jonas, Cabaye, gouffran are no match for the size of the Centre Backs in the Premier I reckon.
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Comment #54Agent Stardust
U sure its not your alter ego 😉
lesh
May 29, 2013 at 3:04 PM
Comment #55Ah, guten Tag Herr uber Agent Stardust, wow gehts?
Although not a great Carroll fan, I agree with you that his presence in the side creates mayhem in opposition defences and that buying him would prove to be a great investment. Why shouldn’t he compliment Cisse by providing the knock-downs he could thrive on? Go for him, I say but do it sooner rather than later and get a third and effectuve striker. Yes, I know we have young Campbell, but he could provide a fourth striking option. The more the merrier
Ben Arfa’s a tricky one. A very talented player on his day but he lacks consistency and has a bit of injury history.
Jimmy Smith was such a player, Jinky was so so popular, could take the mick out of defenders with his trickery but, so inconsistent. Was Jinky an asset? On his day, yes but when it wasn’t his day, he was a waste of space.
To sum up on HBA, if a big big offer comes in, take it and reinvest the proceeds.
Spoof
May 29, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Comment #56Corky
yes, but apparently Sakho can be suspect as well, I wasn’t trying to imply that you were wrong or anything like that, sorry if I gave that impression, I was just adding to comments already made
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Comment #57Agent stardust
His article on Carr or pardew got good reviews too
Toon-Prodigy
May 29, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Comment #58Spoof,
What if he has another injury ravaged season though and takes off after next season for a low fee?
This is the stumbling point for me.
Hatem's better than Messi
May 29, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Comment #59I’m a Carroll fan. He wants to be here. He is scary.
We don’t have much of a threat, but every corner or free-kick with Carroll on the pitch and you have a good chance of scoring.
Get him signed.
Ketsbaia9
May 29, 2013 at 3:10 PM
Comment #60Players in:
Douglas
Alderweireld
Belhanda
Boudebouz
Siem De Jong
Remy
Bony/Benteke
Players out:
Simpson
Williamson
Gosling
Tavernier
Shola
Harper
Coloccini
Future team:
Krul
Debuchy Alderweireld Mbiwa Santon
Ben Arfa Sissoko Marveaux/De Jong Belhanda
Bony Remy
Subs:
Elliott
Cabaye
Anita
Tiote
Marveaux/De Jong
Douglas
Boudebouz
Cisse
Gouffran
toon kk
May 29, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Comment #61It’s best not to get to excited being a Newcastle fan because we usually get let down when it comes to transfers Ashleys a business man and will NOT spend big. He is running the club on a budget and wants the profits. Expect more hoof ball and lack of pace next season. We all know what the team needs, but as long as we’re in the premier league M.A will be happy. Shame he has no ambition.
Ketsbaia9
May 29, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Comment #62Haidara should also be on the bench. We can try Santon at left wing in a few games.
lesh
May 29, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Comment #63Indian, you’ll find that many have tried to impersonate Agent Strardust over the years. Look out for names such as Sawdust, Moondust but among them you’ll never find the true man.
He is truly a one-off!
Agent Stardust
May 29, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Comment #64Today is so different to usual. There really seems to be a lot of sense being written hahaha.
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Comment #65Kets Sir,
Douglas is gone to Russia
Spoof
May 29, 2013 at 3:14 PM
Comment #66T-P
football being football, and Newcastle being Newcastle, how would you feel if we sold Be Arfa and his replacement broke a leg, as Benny did, and hardly kicked a ball for the following, whilst Benny eventually gets his injuries sorted out and hardly misses a game for his new club whilst lighting up the league which he is capable of, you can never tell what is going to happen, but Benny is a great footballer who is ours, I feel we should keep it that way, but I do understand your concerns, however the potential he gives us makes him worth the risk imo
lesh
May 29, 2013 at 3:14 PM
Comment #67@55… wow = wie
one Tony Green
May 29, 2013 at 3:15 PM
Comment #68@ Kets wow that crack pipe is on full throttle today. Great list of players mate but not a chance. Chelsea would struggle to buy all them and their owner will spend money
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Comment #69Lesh!
You are not him are you?
lesh
May 29, 2013 at 3:17 PM
Comment #70Stardust, it’s your presence that has inspired the sense you’ve referred to!
lesh
May 29, 2013 at 3:19 PM
Comment #71Indian. I resemble that question.
I am most certainly not himself and never will ever be able to emulate his wisdom and generosity towards his fellow correspondents
HullMag6
May 29, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Comment #72The choice samba or Douglas? That’ll be Douglas then
Toon-Prodigy
May 29, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Comment #73Spoof,
I love watching Ben Arfa but my spider sense is telling me to let him go if we can generate 20 mill and invest it back into the squad.
I can only go off his stats and injury record. I don’t like it mate.
Im also concerned that his contract would be ran down come this time next season and he could walk away for peanuts, if not nothing if he decides to do an Enrique.
20 mill on two wingers if it was upto me and cash Benny in.
Feels strange saying that, but I’ll stick by it.
stavros
May 29, 2013 at 3:28 PM
Comment #74People seem to have very short memories.
At the beginning of the season I was reading Santon was the best right back in the country, Ben arfa was one of the best players in the world and Cisse was the best signing of the previous season.
Now all I’m hearing is people saying they should be sold.
Considering that most people saying these things think the manager should be sacked, maybe they shouldn’t be so quick to judge the players.
shamsoftabriz
May 29, 2013 at 3:28 PM
Comment #75We need Douglas because:
1. Douglas is good
2. If we sign a 6’4″ player who can head the ball on set pieces, it reduces the chances that we’ll see Andy Carroll’s flow-stopping ugly football ever again in a Newcastle shirt.
cyprus
May 29, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Comment #76Toon,
those stats aren’t as bad as you claim, mate, especially given the circumstances:
56 appearences. 11 goals. 10 assists.
That’s 21 effective contributions from a MF who’s been injured for lengthy periods and whose 56 appearances are NOT 90′ ones, remember.
This guy is the only true high quality we have. Give him a full year of fitness (is it possible?) and he’ll be worth 40 mil., if you really need the cash.
Ketsbaia9
May 29, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Comment #77Think that was just a rumour as was the Alderweireld to Roma one. Think Siem De Jong will be the hardest to get. I’d be happy if we signed another Marveaux type player instead of De Jong. All the rest are must siginings.
santonthenewmaldini
May 29, 2013 at 3:32 PM
Comment #78If Atletico really want Tiote ? I will carry him over the channel on my back for 10 million that was guaranteed to be invested straight back into the team!!!
He is the most overrated player we have always injured or suspended cant do a basic pass and always gives away stupid free kicks!
People say its his form and shit like that its not his form at all its just other teams have figured out if you pressure him he will lose the ball because he has no real skill or football brain to get out of those situations he is pretty much playing to the best of his abilities at the moment and will not get better unless he puts in some serious work on his technique
It was the same last season yes he had some great games (Man Utd Home, Chelsea Away)but he was poor in a lot of those games as well and was missing for a lot of the season Guthrie filled in for him amazing last season and Cabaye played awesome covering a lot of Tiote’s failures
Plus he always slows down our pass and moves by taking too many touches or making a shite pass or even worse a shot from 40 yards out!!Also the idiots shouting shoot at home games when he gets the ball need to pipe down cause it just encourages him!
Sell him we have Bigi, Anita , Perch and even Jonas who can take his place no problem invest the 10 million or whatever it will be towards getting 2 wingers
He has lived off that Man Utd home game for too long
Indian Magpie
May 29, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Comment #79Kets Sir
You mean Douglas to Russia
Robson Wonderland
May 29, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Comment #80I cannot believe any sane fan would even consider getting rid of Ben Arfa. We may never have a player as talented as him again, his attitude has been superb and his contribution when he has been on the pitch has been excellent. I agree he’s not played enough games but if we sell him then we’ll all know we let him slip through our fingers without seeing the best of him. Get him fit and play him. If we need to cash in on anyone I’d sell Cabaye. He’s a good player but we’re relatively well stocked in midfield with players who all like to play deep lying roles. For a big bid I’d cash in and get someone who likes to play closer to the front men like De Jong or move Ben Arfa in there and get a few out and out wingers which is where we’ve really lacked this season.