By all reports the Newcastle tour of New Zealand was a huge success last week, and so much so that the organizers would like Newcastle to return next summer, but that’s unlikely to happen.
New boy Jack Colback in action last week
It’s not surprising that New Zealand wants to attract the top clubs down under, as they try to build up the Australian A League, and they will want to let their youngsters see the top teams in action.
Certainly Alan Pardew seemed delighted with the events of last week, with Newcastle winning both games and not conceding a goal, and Bob Moncur by all reports did a stellar job as the Newcastle United Ambassador.
Manager Alan Pardew says the team spirit is improving at the club:
“The most important thing is we start building a bit of spirit between us – for the new guys coming in to get used to our ways and the way we play.”
“We have been fortunate the guys we have brought in are very intelligent guys and have slipped in very, very quickly.”
“The landscape of this place (New Zealand) is amazing, and we have had a couple of internal flights and that has been amazing, coming over the mountains and everything else you have here.”
“We had a nice trip to the film studios.” “The guys really enjoyed that.” “They got to hold an Oscar for the first time.” “Hopefully we’ll get some Oscars ourselves when we get home.”
“The guys really enjoyed it and we had a nice experience there, it was great.”
Our team spirit took a beating starting last January, when we sold our best player Yohan Cabaye to PSG, and owner Mike Ashley has to take some of the responsibility for the collapse of Newcastle’s season.
But our players also didn’t perform anywhere near their potential in the second half of the season, after we had been great up until Christmas, and were in 6th position in the Premier League, before we were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at home on Sunday, 29th December.
That started the rot – and it was after we had won seven of the previous nine league games, including a win at home to Chelsea, and away wins at both Tottenham and Manchester United. 😀
That form tends to be forgotten, given our terrible second half performances – so we hope we can do as well next season through Christmas – and then keep up the good form and results.
Good team spirit and Mike Ashley not selling our top player in January should help that happen.
Comments welcome.
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74 comments so far
Pizzicato The Arizona Geordie
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:03 AM
Comment #1Have to admit Colback has been good
Pizzicato The Arizona Geordie
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Comment #2Dingo, way to go. I saw you posted the Cardozo videos in 2007.
Blaydon-Toon
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Comment #3Agreed Colback looks a very tidy player – useful addition on free !
Slank
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Comment #4I am wondering whether the signing of Colback and De Jong means that the club are no longer looking for a creative playmaker.
I would imagine that the combination of Colback and Tiote will make it that much easier for De Jong to play a more creative role.
Also, with Colback being left footed and a good tackler it should allow Haidara to get forward knowing he has cover behind him, and possibly not be so reliant on Cabella to get back. It’s been a long time since we had a left footed left back. And with the prospect of Aarons coming through it is looking good for the left side of the team.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Comment #5Dongo…wow you have been here along time mate!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Comment #6*Dingo (stupid phone)
nufc 11
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Comment #7The players need to get used to our ways the way we play? What way was that Alan? Becoz it seemed to the outside world much of your players and yourself didnt know the way you play last season the results were a joke if ever there was a joke good one Alan.
mindshaft
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:34 AM
Comment #8Guess we’re gonna end up playing a 3 -5-1-1 type formation given we have no out and out striker so Riviere and DeJong as the two furthest forward
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:38 AM
Comment #9mindshaft…if that is the case we are really in for whooping
beermonkey
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Comment #10mindshaft
we lined up 3 at the back the otherday and it did not look good
we line up 4231 and 433 for the coming season
Fostino
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Comment #11with the new season not far away we are still short a striker, and a recognised one at that. very worrying that we havent got one yet
what more i do not think we have a top cb partnership either..lacking a lot of pace with our cbs. a top cb is needed as well.
surely its not too much to ask to get a top st and cb and with a bit of luck if we can ship jonas, obertan and perhaps ben agra than a renewed bid for gernier would be the icing on the cake
Toonfan8
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:02 AM
Comment #12now Charnley has to bring striker of class PEA/Remy…then try to ship out Jonas,Obertan and HBA…and bring maybee one CB, personally I prefer Richards but Dier would be also good addition…in fact Jonas,Obertan,Marveaux didnt appear much last season, HBA a little bit more, but not that much…now we seem to bring players with good attitude and I like that…all of the new lads seems to be hardworking players, we have to go this way…
Toonfan8
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:08 AM
Comment #13GK Krul,Elliot,Woodman
LB Haidara,Santon,Dummet
RB Janmaat,R.Taylor
CB Collocini,M.Yanga-Mbiwa,S.Taylor,Williamson,Good
CM Tiote,Colback,Anita,Abeid,
WG Cabella,Sissoko,Gouffran,S.Ameobi,Aarons
AM De Jong,Vu?ki?
ST Riviére,Cissé,Pérez,Armstrong
RB Anita,MYM can cover there,AM Cabella,Sissoko can play there,SC Gouffran can play there…
we have better team now, if we can bring two players we will be in excellent shape…I dont give there Jonas,HBA,Obertan,Ferguson as Pardew doesnt want them here…
beermonkey
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Comment #14well the twatasphere was a wash with news of pea and remy and grenier last night nice to see that 12hrs on it has all come to nothing
god bless twatter
WLtoon
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Comment #15I too think we desperately need a striker,if Riviere get injured we are screwed.
We need a striker anyway bcos Cisse is injured,and even when he,s fit there no guarentees he,ll start finding the net.
It worries me the fact we are so slow in bringing in a striker.
,and to be honest,i dont think we will get one.
Its gone very quiet after the flurry of transfers,there is still time ,but its starting to be deja veux time.
Our Toon
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Comment #16We definitely need a big cf and a big cb before the season starts, as for Remy I hope we don’t go for him….didn’t want to play the last game of the season, didn’t want to join 1st time round then wouldn’t commit to us as he wanted CL football…now he goes back to where he belongs playing in front of 17,000….The mercenary wanted to join them over us so let him stay there!!
Benteke or Bony would be my 2 main choices
Dier or Micah Richards would be my choice as CB.
dufuss
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Comment #17@16 on those 4 chances of one are zero
thehen
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Comment #18our signings have been quality and for once i am eagerly looking forward to the start of the season on more striker would be a bonus.. if not then lets concentrate giving our young blood some game time, otherwise they will become the next vukic,sam ameobi, ferguson ect they need game time
lesh
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:49 AM
Comment #19Jeper
You still fighting your Nakio’s autocorrect?
jimmysmith
Jul 29, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Comment #20I’m an Aussie, albeit born and raised in Whitley Bay, and I can assure you it’s high time the toon visited here. Jesus, even Boro and the Filth have toured. And as for New Zealand, it’s only full of half pint Englishmen anyway. C’mon tour Aussie, sick a this bullshit!
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:16 PM
Comment #21Looks like another quiet day
musomag
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Comment #22Colback is a GREAT addition, he’ll fight for a starting place, he’ll work his arse off for the team and, as we found out last season, he certainly knows how to turn up for a derby match.
I hope we get a few more quality signigs too but things are starting to look good again at NUFC so it’s time to stop the F-ing negativity and whinging. Start supporting the team and let these new lads know they’ve made the right choice.
beermonkey
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:25 PM
Comment #23markaccus
not a lot going on tomoz will be busier as we have a game tomoz
Our Toon
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:30 PM
Comment #24Musomag
We haven’t improved on last year the squad is still shirt on players (minimum 3 players) one could argue that we’ve only replaced what’s left. IF we make more signings then yes let’s cheer the team on but when we don’t sign a CB or a ST then we have nothing to cheer mate.
Our Toon
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:31 PM
Comment #25Short not shirt (predictive text)
anthc
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:32 PM
Comment #26I think the deal for remy falling through is nothing to do with his medical but second thoughts by rogers with the medical a perfect excuse to call it off.
I don’t think remy is good enough for the top teams as a starter but as a squad player maybe but they don’t feel hes worth the wages. Remys ego obviously thinks hes a world class superstar but the lack of interest from top clubs must be telling him he maybe needs to lower his expectations and demands as he is gonna end up fighting the drop with qpr.
All being said I would have him for 6mill as we’ve already paid 2 and offer him no more than 60k a week just to top arsenals offer.
If we’re gonna fork out 15mill rather try with pea or bony although I don’t think we have a chance of either.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Comment #27lesh…I sure am! But sometimes it seem I change language accidentally 😀
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Comment #28Beermonkey
Wonder what sort of team will play at sheff. Cabella to get a run oit?
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Comment #29Out*
Slank
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Comment #30Markaccus
Pardew has said it will be the youngsters that will play at Wednesday as many of the others are knackered after their efforts in New Zealand.
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Comment #31Slank
Ah right. I missed that. Will be nice to see all the kids together just to see what they can do.
beermonkey
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:58 PM
Comment #32markaccus
i think it will be mainly youth
willo dummet to start and the players that came back late will start coming on in the second half
in the shalke cup thing over the weekend we will start with a blended team and i think for the second match we will see our startin 11
martoon
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:04 PM
Comment #33Markaccus – Difficult to imagine any of the players from New Zealand playing. Jet lag from the states is bad enough, God knows what is is like after a 26 hour journey back from New Zealand!
DokToon
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:08 PM
Comment #34gmorning all,
i dont know if anyone needs a good laugh but…
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/28/manchester-city-host-askjesus-navas-twitter-chat-hilarious-comments-ensue/
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Comment #35Thanks Dok…how do you feel today after drinking all that weak beer yesterday? 😉
beefman13
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Comment #36its positive vibes from eberyone within the club, but still three centre halfs who turn as quick as a bottle of milk, they are not good enough, it was proved many times last season, sorry to say this especially about Colo, but we need more consistency, and Willo, good lad but we have to move on from these lads, plus Mr Newcastle Taylor is a comedian in waiting, Mbiwa is getting the confidence knocked out of him by Pardew, the best of the group for me, oh and our Manager scares the hell out of me, hope he proves me wrong, i am desperate for us to do well, he is like a giant shadow for me though, to many bullshit statements to last a lifetime from the fella.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Comment #37*weak lite beer- sorry!
LGFUAD21
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:34 PM
Comment #38Dont get all of the Grenier talk.
Given we have Moussa, Tiote, Anita and Colback I really dont think CM is a priority.
Thats personal opinion and what I think the club think also.
Only way he’d come is if we lost a CM. Anita is already too good for the bench. Have 2 of those 4 on the bench would be excessive for a club that is not even playing in Europe.
LGFUAD21
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:38 PM
Comment #39beefman13
It could also be Pardew’s suicidal high line.
Look at Arsenal who were one of the best teams defensively last season.
Mertesacker is arguably the slowest defender in the league. and Koscielny is hardly Road Runner.
Difference is the played in a way that complimented that.
Pottsclock
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:38 PM
Comment #40WHU – what a joke !
Imagine being a manager at a club where the chairman “liked” a tweet asking for you to be sacked.