We had an article out yesterday afternoon that Siem de Jong is very likely to be given Ben Arfa’s number 10 shirt when the squad numbers are released next week, and that assumes Ben Arfa will be sold this summer – and there’s been every indication that will happen.
Siem de Jong – a natural number 10
Siem de Jong has this to say in the local press yesterday about his best position:
“For me my best position is as an attacking midfielder, a player who comes in the box late as a second striker and helps with the attacking play.”
“That’s how I scored most of my goals at Ajax, by coming into the box with combinations of passes, or crosses. I hope I can do the same here.”
“I don’t really set targets, I didn’t really do that at Ajax so I won’t do that here. I’ve scored double figures in three or four of my seasons at Ajax, so double figures here? Maybe in all competitions.”
“The main part of my play is to see the space in the box and come as a second striker and score goals, also to get in some crosses.
What Siem is talking about there about coming into the box and scoring goals or setting up chances is exactly what we didn’t have this year, after Yohan Cabaye left the club.
And for the second time in two years Newcastle have completed a good deal with Ajax after Vurnon Anita was signed a couple of years ago.
Ajax Technical director Marc Overmars (a great winger in his day) had this to say about the deal:
“We are happy for Siem de Jong in his transfer to the Premier League.” “He played in our youth academy for several years, and after that in our first team for six years, where he was very successful.”
“All in all, he’s a perfect example of how we, at Ajax, see things going for our talents. We wish him much success.”
Pre-season will start up at Newcastle in the next day or so, and it will be interesting to see if Newcastle can make another signing very soon, given we have gained some momentum from the signing of Siem de Jong – and fans seem to agree he’s a good acquisition for the club.
Comments welcome.
57 comments so far
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:15 AM
Comment #1From what Siem says it all depends on the formation.
I do not see him lining up alongside Tiote if they are the only two in midfield.
I could see a midfield trio of Tiote and Grenier (or Cabella) alongside SDJ who would have licence to get in the box very much like Lampard does/did.
lesh
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:17 AM
Comment #2Ahh welshgeordie9, a cheery greeting to start the day – and a very good morning to you too.
😉 🙂
Rotonda heights
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:18 AM
Comment #3It’s funny how Ash has said he wants to see attacking football next season and Allardyce has forcefully been told to do so, as well as having an attacking coach forced upon him.
It’s going to be a stretch for 2 dinosaurs Pardew and allardyce to change spots but Pulis at Palace showed it can be done and he is the godfather of anti football.
I can’t help but start to get a bit excited by the new signing and hopefully more to follow of similar quality but I just hope Pardew has finally grasped the type of football we want to see and more importantly realise what would get him onside with disaffected fans.
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:19 AM
Comment #4Shaker Shakrah
‘..Grenier doesn’t have the dribbling skills..’
From Wiki:
He is known for his technical ability, dribbling, and free-kick taking.
Shaker Shakrah
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:20 AM
Comment #5# Slank
” I could see a midfield trio of Tiote and Grenier (or Cabella)”
4 – 3 – 3
Grenier ——– De Jong ——– Tiote
Sissoko —— Lacazette ——– Cabella
this is the best Starting line up mate !!!!!!!!!
Shaker Shakrah
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:23 AM
Comment #6# Slank
I saw 4 or 5 matches for him with Lyon
and i didn’t see that powerful dribbling skills
loke Cabella mate !!
ToonMatt
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:24 AM
Comment #7With a decent manager Ben Arfa could be a class player, we have seen glimpses of what he’s capable of, you watch if he goes to say Arsenal he will tear teams apart, It’s soul destroying watching this club being run by complete and utter muppets.
Toonfan8
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Comment #8shaker he isnt dribbler, but technique and dribbling are two different things…he is good in hold up ball, caabaye isnt dribbler too, but can hold up ball better than HBA who is dribbler
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Comment #9Shaker Shakrah @ 5
I doubt it as you previously said that Grenier wasn’t coming!
Also Tiote plays in the middle!
nut meg
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:28 AM
Comment #10I don’t think it matters as to what WE or HE think his best position is.What does matter is where our tactical genius plays him.Past experience tells me he’ll get shuffled about until nobody knows what his best position is.I sincerely hope that Pardew has a positive plan in place for the new recruits that we are looking to get.
Toonfan8
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:29 AM
Comment #11ToonMatt
I completely agree with you, HBA on his day is lethal, he can destroy any team in this league…but he has to be given some freedom…but Pardew wants him to be defensive winger, even Gouffy who came here as a forward has to play defensive winger….
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Comment #12PEA cost Dortmund big money and not really living up to his price tag. I doubt we will go for 15mil, but I still think he will come probably for around 10mil.
They can ask for 100mil, 200mil, etc but at the end of the day they will have to settle with far less and reality.
Spoof
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:32 AM
Comment #13RH
good for you I’m glad it makes you feel a bit better about things, I wish it was having the same effect on me m8 but it isn’t, a short while ago we mentioned about a possible deal for Lasogga and how it had long ball game written all over it, I have the same feeling about de Jong, I know that sounds absurd as he has came from Ajax who are a footballing academy, but his strength as he says himself is late runs into the box, I have an awful feeling that Pardew is going to use him as a Kevin Nolan type of player, I’m not having a go at the lad but that is what I am seeing, obviously I hope I’m wrong but I’m sure you can understand my concerns, if we now sign a Lasogga AC type of striker then I will be severely panicking, however if we get Lacazette then I would be a bit happier.
Shaker Shakrah
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:32 AM
Comment #14# Toonfan8
I know what the dribbler is 😀
yes Grenier can hold the ball but he is not a complete dribbler , Cabella is a complete dribbler is like Ben Arfa , but when he lose the ball he usually take a foul 😀 😀
the truth will out
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:33 AM
Comment #15is he about
im off
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:33 AM
Comment #16Toonfan8 @ 11
I think one of the problems with HBA, which wasn’t his fault, is that his fullback Debuchy always wanted to attack which often left the central defenders, namely Williamson exposed as both HBA and Debuchy were at the other end of the field.
There is an argument to say that Simpson was probably a better partner to HBA than Debuchy.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Comment #17Btw, I forgot how much did we buy Sissoko? and how much Napoli will pay for him now?
the truth will out
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:36 AM
Comment #18who is this Laclogga a pardew recruit
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:37 AM
Comment #19Slank
I think DM should help cover,but not preventing Debuchy to go forward.
Shaker Shakrah
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:37 AM
Comment #20# 9Slank
Tiote can play in any position as a Central Midfielder .
Right – Middle – Left
with Newcastle Tiote didn’t play in the middle in 4 3 3
formation and Cabaye is the one ho was playing in the middle .
Toonfan8
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:37 AM
Comment #21Grenier isnt dribbler, but playmaker shouldnt be…i show you 15 years old dribbler, i have never seen something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxAcAThpp-c&feature=share
Ibizatoon
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:38 AM
Comment #22Rotonda…The only think I find funny about what Ash has said, is that it’s only Pardew that has said it.
You use the West Ham example, well they as a club have gone out of their way to show fans that’s what they’ve said and have backed it up.
I’m still far from convinced and given the clubs history of misdirection and small gestures, seeing will be believing as far as I am concerned.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Comment #23I often see in WC when full backs go forward, DM drop down and become sweeper or 3 cb.
I saw many times Cabaye did that. It didn’t happen in NUFC.
Toonfan8
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Comment #24Slank
yes he was best in that formation 4-3-3
HBA—Cisse—-Ba
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:41 AM
Comment #25Santon03
Whose DM?
nut meg
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:42 AM
Comment #26Santon03 @ 23
Anita does !!
Spoof
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:42 AM
Comment #27Ibiza
Pardew has only used the long ball game when injuries forced it upon him, but he still gets a hell of a lot of stick for it so he may have the attitude bugger them, if they’re going to give me stick for it then that is what I will play, he desperately wanted Lasogga and he probably knew that he would get de Jong and for me the 2 of them together has long ball written all over it.
sparky55
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:43 AM
Comment #283-5-2 is the new formation of choice and there’s a few on here have been screaming out for that formation for a while now.
Just about every game I can remember last year we were over-ran in midfield playing that stupid out-dated defensive 4-4-2.
3-5-2 gives you so more options and quite a few teams in the world cup have used flying wing backs in this formation.
We have 3 very average centre halves but Colo, Saylor and Williamson (Mbiwa sold this summer) would be the defensive trio. Not great but that’s all we have no matter what formation we play.
You then could have Raylor as an attacking right back / right hand side of the midfield 5 whose ball delivery is pretty special and he also knows how to defend. Santon is gone so we’ll have hiadara as the LB / left hand side of the midfield 5 who in my book looks pretty damn good given half a chance.
My three in the middle with the squad we currently have would be Tiote, Colbeck and Anita, (sissoko will leave in the summer)
Two up front SDJ and Gouffy / Cisse with SDJ just playing off the CF.
This all on the basis we lose Krul, Debuchy, Sissoko, Santon, HBA, Mbiwa. If any these do stay then we’re stronger but HBA doesn’t fit anyway and Mbiwa simply doesn’t want to be here regardless. Debuchy and sissoko are Santon are definitely gone.
The squad is pretty thin at the minute so anyone Ashley does bring in will certainly be in contention and will no doubt improve the squad.
We have massive holes in the first team squad and certainly no real cover for any position so we’re looking fragile already but just three more good signing could transform the squad but not holding me breath.
nut meg
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Comment #29should have covers for the full back.
1949BH PROUDTOBEAGEORDIE
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Comment #30to all grenier fans especially the ones who havent seen him play. hope we dont sign him the next french flop. so much for his dead ball skills , shot accuracy 27% on target .102 corners 63 shots 48 free kicks for a total of 4 goals and 5 assists in league only double colbacks total and he played more defensive. lyons best spell of results against better clubs as well were when he was injured. all these are facts. however having watched him a number of times imo he is lazy and gutless a larger version of marv and lyon are trying to con someone into buying him and why isnt anyone else putting in bids for him– could be they realise he is not good enough.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Comment #31Slank
DM = Defensive midfield, Tiote.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:46 AM
Comment #32nut meg
I rarely see Anita and HBA on the same game
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:48 AM
Comment #33Shaker Shakrah
‘…Tiote can play in any position as a Central Midfielder..’
I think the giveaway here is ‘Central’
Unless my command of English has suddenly evaporated with old age or the OED has sneaked in a new meaning for the word but ‘Central’ means ‘in the middle’
Similarly a central defender is not a fullback.
.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:49 AM
Comment #34sparky
If pardew knew about how to use 3-5-2, then you wouldn’t screaming for it.
I like 3-5-2 too, but I give up hoping we will play like that.
Slank
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:52 AM
Comment #35Santon03 @ 31
Thanks for that, understood.
I had an alzheimers moment there as I couldn’t recall seeing or hearing of any one of our players called DM!
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:55 AM
Comment #36So.. a player should remain at his central position regardless what happen on the right or left side of the field even if noone there?
What I was saying player shouldn’t remain stationary or turning blind eye it’s not his position. It’s a team, everyone should cover each other, even if it means temporary changing his position or his function in the formation.
Santon03
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:56 AM
Comment #37Slank
LoL, sorry.
Shaker Shakrah
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Comment #38# Slank
thx for the clarification 😀
Ibizatoon
Jul 4, 2014 at 8:58 AM
Comment #39Maybe I meant thing*, not think…duh.
Spoof…I’ve seen you doing battle on the Pardew subject recently…I’m bang in the middle on this one. Does Pardew utilise his players properly, no. Does Ashley give Pardew the tools he needs to succeed, no.
I have seen Pardew try to have the players play football, I’ve also seen him give up on style too quickly.
I’ve also seen him say he thought we played football, the proper way, when we haven’t.
However, I’m not sure how you see the Ajax captain and play maker signing for us as an indication that Pardew will look to play long ball. I don’t believe that is what De Jong is about at all….but wont claim to be an expert…just seems an odd thing to buy a player from Ajax for.
Average_Contents
Jul 4, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Comment #40LDJ and SDJ agent talking about luuks time here
Think we all agree he didn’t have the best of times here but again it’s another case of a player being played out of position so how were we meant to see the best of him?
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/721643853?-11058