Newcastle have put together a win of six games straight while having some injuries problems and the really encouraging news is that we have achieved the results with a lot of our younger players and fringe players.
Mike Williamson in action yesterday against QPR
And for example we have won those six in a row without Cheick Tiote, and Papiss Cisse hasn’t seen much playing time and we will not even mention that Davide Santon and Siem de Jong have been out with long term injuries.
Alan Pardew had said before the game that Mike Williamson has been a great servant of the club in the nearly five years he’s been on Tyneside since signing on for a mere £1M from Portsmouth in January, 2010.
It’s fair to say Mike has been a great buy for Newcastle United.
And we remember after he hadn’t played for months, he was the Man of the Match in his debut for the club in the 2-0 home win against Crystal Palace on January 27th, 2010.
And Mike plays well when his place is under pressure, and the Stoke-born 31 year-old had a strong game at the back with Paul Dummett yesterday.
This is what Mike said after the 1-0 win against QPR:
“That’s the strength in depth we have got at the minute.” “The gaffer is confident to put players in and step up to the standards set.”
“They are a good team.” “A great team, with great players but we kept our momentum.” “And kept our positivity and kept our spirit.
“We got three points and it was brilliant.”
It’s hard to argue with Mike that we do have strength in depth this season, and one of the biggest problem Alan Pardew will have as players like Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Rolando Aarons, Davide Santon and Cheick Tiote and others return from injury – is what’s his best team?
That’s always a good problem to have.
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62 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Comment #1Just to clarify an earlier point -which has been poined out. The Vice Captains are de Jong and Mr T.
King Percy announced this in July.
thai-mag
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Comment #2I think we would have the strength in depth if we could keep our players fit, but as everyone knows that’s been our big problem the last few seasons, Maybe Souness was right when he blamed the clay soil at the training ground
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:40 AM
Comment #3Morning TUFF
Wgassup?
Mister Tuff
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Comment #4expat – morning – wgassup – what does that mean.
mindshaft
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:44 AM
Comment #5Of those 10 players out, the majority were here last season and were either deemed surplus to requirements or in the under 21s
So basically we have the same squad depth as last year but players have stepped up – just shows you should never write a player off
Mickalonius
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Comment #6Interesting that there has been no sign of Catchy or Laurent as soon as we start winning, I wonder why ? Some ‘experts’ people revel in being negative that or their expectations are so unrealistic that nothing will make them happy. This blog is a far more interesting place to visit now that I am not being referred to as a ‘sheep’ by said ‘expert’. Loving our winning run btw!
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Comment #7TUFF
Sorry mate. It was meant to be whassup but I have had one glass of merlot too many tonight…..lol
murvar
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:59 AM
Comment #8I remember the great Leeds team of the late 1960s and early 70s – it was born of a similar run of injuries which caused Don Revie to blood younger players who then went on to form one of the most talented and feared teams this country has ever seen. You never know…………
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:01 AM
Comment #9Murvar
Unfortunately they werent owned by a money grabbing scrotum like Mike Ashley who sold off assets at the drop of a hat.
Mister Tuff
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Comment #10expat – decent win yesterday. Have you been following the Fifa debacle. I reckon the cases that have been referrred to the Swiss authorities are probably folk from Uk and Oz – or there will be some sort of ludicrous twist to the story. The whole lot of them at Fifa are rogues and need clearing out. I like the idea of threatening to pull out -I do not agree with leaving any of them in their jobs.
dexter53
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Comment #11Can i just ask what people think of the atmosphere at SJP. I thought it was very poor yesterday. Didnt pick up until we went 1 up. We were outsung by a few hundred QPR fans and that shouldnt be happening. We have fantastic non stop noise away from home so why not at SJP?
OutOfToonFan
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Comment #12Expat, no, Leeds were owned by someone who couldn’t run a business to save his life, who bankrupted the club through an obsession with spending money they didn’t have in a gamble to play Champions League, which backfired spectacularly and resigned them to the lower divisions for a decade and counting.
You really prefer that model of managing your football club?
Slank
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Comment #13The only criticism about yesterday for me was Krul’s distribution and his slowness at releasing the ball.
We have some very quick outfield players who need to be sprung quickly to catch the opposition out of position. This requires Krul to act more quickly. Now to be fair to him it could be a lack of practice on the training field between Krul and the outfield players.
In combination with that I have always wondered why a manager doesn’t put three players spread out on the halfway line when a team is defending a corner as that forces the opposition to decide whether to send their big central defenders forward for the corner and risk the defending keeper catching the ball and throwing it to his forwards on the half way line or even kicking it into the opposition half for his forwards to chase. Is it worth the risk, certainly if we’ll ahead in a game.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Comment #14TUFF
We had people for dinner last night and I was too worse for the wear to stay up till 4am to watch the game but i saw the full replay this afternoon.
To be honest, I wasnt really impressed with them at all and I thought we only looked t3hreatening once Cisse came on up front with Perez. Sissoko was immense. He reminded me a bit of Patrick Viera in his prime. Defence wasnt really troubled and held Austin and Zamora easily. Colback was brilliant. Haidara excellent and linked well with Sammy down the left. We should have won by more though.
There is nothing in the press here about FIFA although a couple of weeks ago, There was something about the Australian bid for the 2022 world cup cost millions and we only got 1 vote.
West Ham were unlucky at Everton. They will be tough next week.
mag92
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:34 AM
Comment #15Once Santon, Coloccini, Saylor, Riviere, Obertan, Arrons, Abied, Tiote and De Jong, get back into the team we’ll have a good sub bench!
Whumpie
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Comment #16Well **** me – just going through airport security and got chatting to the bloke in front of me with the highly entertaining 2-year old boy in tow.
Moussa!!!
I s*** you not. Just met him, thanked him for yesterday’s performance and talked fatherhood for a bit.
Chuffed to bits. What a trip!!
Shadow_Shearer
Nov 23, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Comment #17Depth in strength is about how many players we have in each position. For every position we need at least two players who can play. I reckon we have three players in certain positions.
keepers
krul Elliot
rb
janmaat anita Rtaylor
Cb
Colo willo s.taylor dummet street
Lb
Dummet Haidara Santon
Cm or do
Colback abeid anita Rtaylor tioti
Wingers
Obertan arrons sammy cabella goufran
Attacking mid or number 10
Sissoko de jong, possibly Riviere
Strikers
Perez cisse ferreyra armstrong
I personally think we have a very good squad, so long we don’t sell any1 like sissoko. Sadly I can not see any transfers comin in for the next couple of seasons.
mag92
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Comment #18A couple of decent signings in January and we should have a really good squad!
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Comment #19Shadow
You missed out Darlow and Lascelles currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, Mbiwa currently on loan at Roma, Ben Arfa currently on loan at Hull, Marveaux currently on loan at guingamp,Campbell and Woodman currently on loan at Hartlepool and current squad members Vuckic, Ferguson and Guttierez.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Comment #20Shadow
However between now and august next year, I expect to see the following departures:
Mbiwa
Tiote
Ben Arfa
Gutierez
Krul
Marveaux
Vuckic
Ferguson
Williamson
Ferrerya
jimmysmith
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:13 PM
Comment #21Doesn’t the table gain in stature with the proud name of Newcastle Utd among the leading sides. Very reassuring. The league could certainly do with a strong competitive Newcastle Utd back among the senior clubs.
Whumpie
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:13 PM
Comment #22I think the club’s switch to a focus on local talent is going to prove a masterstroke. We played FOUR Geordies yesterday, all of whom will give their all and be wary of “doing a Carroll”.
Loving it at the moment but hoping to be proven wrong in January when I expect Ashley to step in and weaken the squad to keep us going for the target of 10th.
Note: that’s “10th”. Not “top 10”. That’s the club’s target. Mid-table. Forever.
I really hope I’m wrong!
Whumpie
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Comment #23Still can’t get my head around chatting to Sissoko – great coincidence. Flight to Paris is at the same time as the one to Exeter.
And his son is a wee dude.
south coast toon
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:22 PM
Comment #24well with the emergence of our youngsters and players rediscovering form i think we do have strenght in deph but not quality, oberton, sammy, abied, s tayor willo are all players who most of us wanted shot of what a change , whats made them raise there game is the question, cisse seems a different player when fit this season if he can get fit and play a dozen games im sure he will score loads,
dumment, harida, arons, perez all youngsters that have picked there game up, albieds loan move has got him on form, maybe marvours will come back from loan the same
somehow they have all hit good form, is it down to pardew who knows but i dont want pardew out at the moment , im not getting carried away yet still think we need 2 quality players at least in jan. am amazed at the turn around just hope they tell us all whats been put in the water at sjp…
jimmysmith
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:26 PM
Comment #25Expat, out of that lot the only ones that would be a genuine loss would be Tiote and Krul, and if we could keep those two and brought in even only one player in a really top class centre forward, I think we’d have enough depth and quality to hold our place in the top 8 next season. In fact lets get that business done in January.
welshgeordie9
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:31 PM
Comment #26That was a rubbish fight last night between cleverly and bellew, there’s more action in watching tom and jerry than watching that fight.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Comment #27Jimmy
I am fairly sure Ashley will look at having already replaced Krul and Mbiwa with the two lads from Forest. He will more than lijely rake in circa 15 million from their sale.
I am also fairly sure that he will sell Tiote for circa 15 million either in january or the summer believing he has already replaced him with Abeid.
The trick here is will he use this money to further strengthen the squad or reduce his loan to the club with it.
mag92
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:36 PM
Comment #28Considering HBA, has already gone to Hull City, to see out the remainder of his contract, its not too much of a expectation!
welshgeordie9
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Comment #29To the question do newcastle really have strength in depth this season.
You damn right we do, the best squad we have had for a long time.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Comment #30Jimmy
We all know we need a centre forward but MA might point out to Pardew that he has Cisse Riviere Ferrerya Perez Armstrong and Gouffean who can all fill that role. Why do you need another one?
toonking
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Comment #31RH
“// Nov 23, 2014 at 10:02 AM
To people like wolf and toonking, i think i have always been consistent. You go on like we never had any reason to be upset before.
It would be pretty stupid to be unhappy now, now that things have finally been taken on board and paid massive dividends, albeit after seemingly the longest time.”
if you go back through the post you’ll notice i didn’t include you as the group, J4A is the one who has mentioned you, you should re check my post as you’ll see i only give critism to LR32 and catchy because them two can’t even give a fraction of credit to pardew, something even you can manage.
Jamiemac
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Comment #32Mick
It’s ridiculous. I can pretty much guarantee as soon as we lose one or two they’ll be back abusing and scoffing at anyone/everyone that doesn’t agree with their views. Riles me.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Comment #33Welsh
Yes and unexpectedly so with possibly more kids to come through such as Satka Roberts and others in the not too distant future.
welshgeordie9
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Comment #34Has anyone watched Ben Arfa play this season, just want to know how he’s doing, watch him today if he’s playing.
jimmysmith
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:43 PM
Comment #35I think Darlow would have to content himself with a season as Krul’s understudy, unless Krul particularly wants to go. Same with Tiote, I think we’d prefer to keep him. Seems to me we lose players when a club meets our high valuations or the player simply wants to go. If we finish top six, which is a possibility, I think both could be quite easily convinced to stay on.
jimmysmith
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Comment #36Expat, Pardew wanted one more than we have now, but with the emergence of Peres there’s less urgent need, but Fereyra will have to be replaced if he doesn’t figure. I’m not sure Ashley is as cheap as all that. We have a big squad even now that he’s been prepared to carry. The problem being many just won’t figure. I think its clear we need another top striker, and also to ship some dead wood, to create some space to promote from within and to get some more good young prospects in.
expatmag
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:52 PM
Comment #37Jimmy
Tiote is 28, has 2 years left on his contract and has openly said he wants to leave. Ashley will sell before his valuation depreciates especially as we seem to have a younger hungry replacement already at the club.
Krul is a couple of years younger with a couple of years left on his contract too. There are rumours of bigger clubs coming in for him too.
I expect both to go.
Transfer Sage
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Comment #38Welsh
Seen a few hull games purely to watch him. Not started them all and a couple games he has started I’ve not even noticed he was on the pitch.
For a player with bags of talent he has never been able to use it all consistently. Would have loved him firing on all cylinders for us but he won’t be like that for anyone…the fact hull came for him says it all.
Bet when his contracts up he either goes to a middle eastern club or to some lower end side.
Transfer Sage
Nov 23, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Comment #39Expat
Tiotes head isn’t here anymore, always injured so if like us to ship him out. Don’t mind players playing for moves to bigger sides as they tend to play well as have a point to prove…don’t like players just plodding along like he is. (Nearly always fit for Ivory Coast).
As for krul, solid keeper but distribution is worst in the league. Be sad to see him go if he did but most teams in the league manage to get a good standard of keeper (only maybe a couple you’d say aren’t up to it) so i’d be confident we’d get a decent replacement.
jimmysmith
Nov 23, 2014 at 1:00 PM
Comment #40Yeah, but at some point Newcastle really will need to hold onto their better players, if only to keep the fans onside, and certainly if there is a desire to consolidate. We know we know longer really need the money. If the right offer comes in, I agree most likely they’d sell, but see less reason to imagine they are actively planning to. That would seem deliberately counter productive.