We will hear a lot more from Fab Coloccini then we have done since he was made captain by Alan Pardew in the summer of 2011, after Kevin Nolan left for West Ham.
And the captain pulls no punches today in an interview in which he says Monday night’s performance just wasn’t good enough, and Newcastle have to cut out the mistakes and start putting some wins up on the board.
Good action shot of Fab Coloccini at Upton Park
This is what Fabricio has said in the Chronicle today:
“We now have three home games and we can’t accept what happened at West Ham.” “We must try to get points and wins in the next few games.”
“We see games against West Ham and Watford as teams in ‘our league’ who we should be taking points from, so it’s disappointing.” “We must try to avoid the same mistakes going forward.”
“For us, we can’t afford to have our heads down so we must look forward and get some points.” “We didn’t do what we’ve been doing in the first four games in the Premier League.”
“I’m frustrated about that.” “We want to try to do the same things as we did in the first four games.”
“We don’t want to go back to what was happening last season and we have to adjust this quickly, and make sure it doesn’t happen again on Saturday against Watford.”
“Last season we made mistakes without the ball and it’s something we need to stop.” “We need to eliminate the mistakes and learn from it.”
Those are good words from the captain.
Certainly the fans are worried after the poor performance against West Ham, and hope we are not going to have a fourth poor season in a row, after we did so well to finish 5th in 2012.
Newcastle have three successive games at home against Watford, Sheffield Wednesday (League Cup third round) and then Chelsea.
We have a chance to win all three – and remember we have beaten Chelsea for the last three seasons in this fixture, and Jose Mourinho has never won at St. James’ Park.
A win is what we need against Watford on Saturday, to get us off to a good start.
Comments welcome.
185 comments so far
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Comment #41If Pardew was crap and Carver was crap and an ex england mgr is crap, maybe we have to start saying our players are crap …and our 70+ year old Chief scout / Director of Football isnt as great as your local media cliam either. If Carr wants to keep scouting in France, we are going to keep getting players like Mbiwa who are going to find it hard in english football. He needs to up his game and focus on ( particularly) germany and spain. Who is controlling football matters at this club? A 70 yr old man, thats who. Its not good enough.
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Comment #42BandB…But trust them though. They know what they’re doing.
Ian…You’re sounding a lot more aggressive/frustrated these days. London life getting to you?
The overrated Frenchman
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Comment #43How can anybody in their right mind think that Colback should be starting? I had no time for him last season when he was supposedly “playing well”. This season, everybody seems to agree he’s “playing poorly”, but he still starts every game. What does McClaren see when he’s watching the game? Something every other Newcastle fan in the world is missing, obviously.
Shot Bru
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Comment #44Nice one Ibizatoon.
As Band B stated earlier, Coloccini appears to share Charnleys vision for the club…absolute mediocrity!
The club is full of ‘has beens’ led by McLaren, Coloccini, Carr, Moncur and the totally inept Charnley…
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Comment #45SMC is showing himself to be the defensive manager me all feared I think. As Sky showed, sod all balls were going into the box from our 2 defensive midfielders. The manager must accept full responsibility for this. And for not warning his players in advance to keep a few guys back in case their pacy players broke on the counter. The second goal was embarrassing.
toon kk
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:06 AM
Comment #46Munster
well spotted being saying that for a long time, although Carver was crap as well.
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:06 AM
Comment #47Munster…As you know, I don’t think a lot of this falls at Carrs door. I am still waiting to see proof that it is Carr making the footballing decisions. Just because he’s the senior footballing person out of Ashley (why include him Ibiza – he’s not on the board!), Charnley and Carr, doesn’t mean he’s doing anything other than scouting and advising.
Still, if it is down to him, why aren’t the club addressing the issue?
I wont repost my post @36, but the same applies. They no doubt think he’s doing a top job, which begs the question, who is at fault?
I think the summer shake up may have shaken the wrong personnel, or simply wasn’t a hard enough shake.
The overrated Frenchman
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:07 AM
Comment #48Exactly right Shot Bru@44 – they all need to go. I think if Charnley got the chop and was replaced by someone competent in the job the other dominoes would fall quickly enough.
Ron Knee
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:10 AM
Comment #49Ibiza
The policy of gambling on young players from overseas leagues hasn’t changed. Apart from a more cash splashed this season I don’t see any difference to what’s happened before.
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #50Shot Bru…Whats even worse as far as I am concerned is that it appears a fair few fans even accept that is our place in the league.
How we got there isn’t important, we’re there.
It’s why I struggle to believe we can move on. We still don’t acknowledge, and therefore cannot actually deal with the problems.
Carver was usesless, but that was always a huge gamble, one that shouldn’t have been made. Why we didn’t get in a new MD or at least a decent DOF I haven’t a clue.
I’m confident it has nothing to do with yes men.
“I don’t think anything works and you’re never going to move forward if you have ‘yes’ people in key positions.
I know people label me as someone who says yes all the time but believe me, if I said yes to everything suggested I wouldn’t last very long. It doesn’t work that way. They have to challenge me, I have to challenge Mike over things – that is how management works. That’s what I expect from all of my heads of department.
But do I want someone in who will continually try to change our strategy or put obstacles in our way? Clearly not. They will have to aligned with what we are doing.”
Reyantoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #51toon kk
You keep banging on and on about lack of pace upfront.U slagged Mitrovic heavily before for that mistake,then shouted about Cisse should have been our main striker,Cisse should have been this and that…….If you were given the responsibility,who would you have picked in the market as our striker?
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Comment #52Ron…Agreed. Same policy, just higher fees.
It’s something else I’ve wondered about our summer buys. The quality vs quantity arguement.
On the face of it, it’s hard to argue with. However, given our plight last season and need for more reinforcements over the pitch, was this the window to stick to this plan?
Could we have done with a few less expensive imports? A couple of older, but experienced PL heads? There were a few going round inexpensively. Granted they wouldn’t stand the test of time, but without them, can this team stand the test of a season?
Our policies are always so extreme. There is no balance in our approach- other than it’s okay to accept mediocrity, as it’s our level.
Keegan and Robson were backed well, and at a time where it was ‘easier’ to break in to the big boys place in the table. For me, a huge part of their success was the spirit and belief they pumped in to everyone associated with the club.
Where is that going to come from? Nothing against McClaren, but so far, it doesn’t look like it’s him.
Ian Toon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Comment #53I haven’t given a clean slate to Ashley, because he hasn’t yet fulfilled his promise for us to punch above our weight financially; never mind providing us with a team that was going to win something. It was a good start by Ashley but he’s a way to go yet. He does need to ensure that Macca plays a key role in the the scouting programme undertaken. Whereby Carr will scout the sort of players that Macca wants to blend into a squad. The indications are good because Carr and Macca get on and respect one another.
On the question of Coloccini talking of beating the likes of Watford who are in our league I really don’t have a problem with this. You’ve got to remember our record in 2015 and appreciate a return to winning ways on Saturday would be a start. You’ve got to start somewhere and simply start winning football matches will engender confidence which counts for an aweful lot in football.
Slowly, slowly catchy monkey.
Whumpie
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:28 AM
Comment #54I’m now a bit unsure as to the root causes.
Theory 1: Ashley was relatively sincere in his interview. The club are just a bit shit at doing what he said.
Theory 2: The interview was indeed utter buttock cheese and we’re still striving for mid-table, no higher.
The cynic in me thinks the latter, but there is an optimist that still thinks the former.
They both agree that it’s all very sh*t.
hibbit
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Comment #55you can only beat whats infront of you ………….what if watford beat us were do we go then ???
Whumpie
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:30 AM
Comment #56We have to remember that £50m in 1 window is, erm… window dressing. (Sorry)
The net average spend over the past four windows is something like £7m. That’s Championship club money.
We’ll find out a lot in January and next summer, but it could be another 2 years before we know anything. The only real test requires us to be in the top 7 at Christmas (i.e. will they then sell our best players), and that ain’t happening any time soon.
BandB
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Comment #57If I was advising Ashley, i would tell him to go on TV again and nip this unease in the bud.
I’d tell him to explain why we bought as we did, clear up what our target for this season is, and clarify what the three windows statement meant.
It would also dispel the gathering notion that, far from being more open, he has carefully placed himself behind yet another row of human shields, and that his interview was no more than a one-off panic measure.
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #58I see there is unrest in the camp, just what we need at the moment eh!
Only at NUFC.
If we got shot of Sissoko, Tiote and Cisse they would have to be replaced that second otherwise we are back to square one lacking in depth, our bench would be horrendous again.
The recruitment policies at the Toon are the major problem and always has been and it’s got to be instructed by Ashley, not the managers. Too many gambles and too many all at once due to neglect.
The wage cap is a problem and not signing players over 26 is a disgrace. We are missing out on quality players and experienced players who could do a mint job in this league. As ever though everyone they sign is because of resale value first and foremost.
And they scratch their heads wondering why it dosn’t work..
Balance is needed throughout the squad and the players not good enough should be gone, not keep them on to make up squad numbers.
jayphoto
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Comment #59@TudorCrisps – yeah completely agree with that line up for Saturday.
When Mitrovic is fit I’d start him up top but for whats available on Saturday think that your line up would show more ambition and intent.
One of Anita or Colback definitely need to make way. Both offer too much of the same, if anything I’d consider one playing and one being the back up to the other. Anita is technically probably the better footballer and has the ability to play a much superior game to colback but I think colback is more consistent whereas Anita can have shockers
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:46 AM
Comment #60the reason why the players “respect” and are supposedly behind colo is the same reason why he gets so much stick from the fans….coz he’s to bloody soft!…same with carver last year bein a mate instead of a boss and colo a hard arse captain…..praise when they do good yes but rip them a new one when they are shite…players know nowt will happen if they play bad….no fear factor at all….i wonder if they see that in macca as well?….if sir alex or bobby had these players or shearer or keane were captain would you see so many poor performances…..im not so sure myself
Bobbybee
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Comment #61Ian, I agree that Macca must have a bigger say in which players come in, in the future. He’s the one, after all, who has to turn them into a team. Obviously, the player he wants might not be available and then an alternative can be looked for. With 100m supposedly available over two more windows, that works out at an average of about 15m per player per position. If that money is used wisely, then come next season we should have a very good team. One or two older, experienced players, with no sell on value, should definitely be considered as well. That’s down to the board really. You can still get value for money without resale considerations. As long as they work out and bring success, they pay for themselves in the long run.
Ian Toon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:52 AM
Comment #62It’s called delegation with Charnley being accountable to Ashley. With responsibility comes accountability.
It’s now ” Jail for Charnley”.
You couldn’t make it up.
Solano- Yesterday. You did tell me two things I didn’t know on a player out on loan and one we have just bought. It’s good to inform and raise the blogs bar.
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:53 AM
Comment #63BandB…Now tell us what you’d really like to tell Ashley to do 😉
You’re not wrong though. I understand they don’t want to comment on every rumour that goes around, but given the lessons learnt from last year, you’d have thought it a wise move to not allow bad feeling to fester.
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:54 AM
Comment #64if we r to play that 4-2-3-1 formation which has’nt worked but will probably be played on sat…tudors team is worth a shout
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Comment #65Ian…What was last season though? Was Lee accountable for that, or did Ashley punish himself by removing himself from the board?
Is Lee on his last chance this season? Would you give a man on his last chance the opportunity to start a re-build?
Bobbybee
Sep 16, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Comment #66Ian, can you share that info matey, I missed it.
Ian Toon
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:01 PM
Comment #67Bobbybee- I thought you sorted out Blackley and his nonsense on where we are On the playing side . Over Perez he was suggesting he was just another Dyer. I think what he was doing was compare the two and say ( although he didn’t) he flattered to deceive.
We need to get some attacking intent in the form of Perez, de Jong. Rolando needs to show a little more so I would introduce him at some stage. I agreed with Lilongwe that Wij should be played deeper and I favour Colback in DM role as he has more steel but let’s get Tiote fit. Anita was marking the WHU goal scorer.
I will catch you later.
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:02 PM
Comment #68they might only send emails and do the good p.r stuff when theres nothing that can be awkward or tough to discuss….ashley should clear things up about a few things but if he says that there 50 million available next transfer window..players prices will double wages will be higher and the existing players could start bitchin on wantin bigger better contracts that they are not worth at present time coz they are not performing…so doubt he will make many if any more statements
Ian Toon
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:02 PM
Comment #69Bobby – I will later.
Ibizatoon
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Comment #70Ian / Bobby…
solano // Sep 15, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Ian Toon….”You’re out of touch”? Maybe! Or is it you being ironic as my former stalker/convert?
The game has certainly changed, but the ball is still round and I can recognise bullshit when I see it, read it and smell it. Nowt has changed at NE1 but a revised budget in line with all the other ‘survivors’ who exist to exist.
As for our summer ‘spree’ and the declaration of its success, which is only beginning to be challenged.
1) we didn’t clear away deadwood and disruptive influences and no hopers.
2) Our signings (with exception of Wiji) have question marks over them or have issues which I hope our ‘Super Scou’t Carr researched and evaluated.
– Thauvin is a problem diva off the pitch and had a poor last season in France, He also lacks application and pace.
-Mbemba is a good footballer who can play and defend but lacks height and( if not properly supported off the pitch) will encounter problems. He is autistic and will need a strutured programme that helps him integrate socially into his new environment (we couldn’t proovide that for Cabella who struggled to learn the language or come to terms with his sexuality)
-Mitrovic (as we already know) is a talented ticking timembomb who will continue to frustrate as well as (hopefully) delight.
Some of the above, is a statement of the obvious and some ‘claims’ may come to you as a surprise. All I can say is, I know far more than your Daily Ryder will feed you! ?
Bobbybee
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Comment #71I think the majority of clubs – ones without sugar daddies – have to factor in resale value to an extent when buying players, but occasionally you have to take a loss to bring in experience. Not recklessly, or you risk ending up with someone happy with one last big pay day who couldn’t care less – we’ve had our share of those and most weren’t that old! It’s getting the balance right – but that’s why the board get paid after all. They need to find that balance and spend wisely, or they have to answer to Ashley in the long run. Changes take time sadly, but let’s hope they find the right balance sooner rather than later.
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Comment #72i think anita and gini were to blame for allowing west hams 1st goal imo…anita went to deep allowing the space for payet to shoot but gini was the closest to him and let him runaway from him…but everyone was weak and to deep so not blaming one or two players most were crap on the night
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:14 PM
Comment #73Cabella? Come to terms with his sexuality??
Average_Contents
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Comment #74Ibiza, BandB, Angel’s, whumpie et al.
Completely agree regarding our very own colossus, captain courageous.
I posted the following this morning. Obviously you all decided to comment once ed’s run of threads stopped and didn’t just completely blank my post 😀
“We see games against West Ham and Watford as teams in ‘our league’ who we should be taking points from so it’s disappointing”
Teams in our league? Wtf! What a mentality to have and club captain to boot.
I suppose it’s what’s been drilled into the players by those running the club and when the king was here because he used to say things like that. It’s a mindset conductive to performance ie they are too good so therefore why try, we’ll pick up points against the smaller teams.
It’s fcuking pathetic and stems from the fat fcuk currently infesting our club.
That is all.
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Comment #75ibiza
thats some post mind….ano its not yours but how much is fact?..how did that come to be posted?
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:16 PM
Comment #76Ian, I dont think thats correct sadly. It has been made clear to us in the past that the manager will not be the arbiter of the types of players coming in. He will have a good input, but its not his call. Carr needs to serve Steve, but at best, steve is part of a triangle of equals. Thats why I was ridiculing people for hanging Pardew at every turn – he wasnt allowed build a team the way he wanted. For a start, he didnt even get the centre back he wanted – even if it was just to help on his dull fre kick routines. Pardew didnt want Amalfitanos – he wanted Bolasies and Co. Who knows what SMC wants but he needs to be given them. I just hope he is not another defensive mgr…
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:16 PM
Comment #77Mbemba autistic? Where had this info cane from?
SPRINGY
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:22 PM
Comment #78toon-prodigy
thats a canny couple of statesments to just put out there mind is’nt it!
jayphoto
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Comment #79@Ibiza – I’ve no problem with them mainly signing from abroad but the level of experience the players that are being signed have is a worry. I really like the look of Mbemba, but ideally at 20, he would have been signed alongside a 27/28 year old player in his prime.
Similar story with Mitrovic. Ideally he’d have come in along with a seasoned pro in their prime to compete with. At the moment, at 20, Mitrovic at least until January has a pressure of being the only hope for goals in his first season in the PL. Its a lot for a young guy to handle. (not counting Cisse, don’t think he wants to be here and don’t think the club really want him, wouldn’t shock me to see him in the middle east by October)
The summer window we signed some good players but either in Jan, or next summer the next wave of transfers need to be seasoned pro’s aged 26-28. Preferably with good English (makes a difference when settling)
Personally think if you add say Kamil Glik or benedikt Howedes or even Dan Agger I think we would be better balanced at the back.
Up top a Guiseppe Rossi at 28 would be a good signing, very good player.
BandB
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:26 PM
Comment #80Average,
I’m so sorry. I didn’t go back a thread, so hadn’t seen it.
It is awful when that happens.
At least you didn’t have to suffer the indignity of being blanked by people who did however agree with Ibiza agreeing with you 🙂