The Premier League is difficult to get used to and it often takes players a full season or sometimes even longer to get used to the physical play and work effort demanded from them.
No games are easy and Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini is a good example of a player who struggled in his first season on Tyneside back in 2008-2009.
Sadio Haidara and Fab Coloccini
That turned out to be a calamitous season for the club and we were relegated, but Colo was one of the top players in our promotion season.
And then back in 2012 he was selected for the Premier League Team of the Season when we finished in 5th place and that was his first season as captain.
At that time, everything was starting to look good at the club but then the next season we struggled with the Europa League and only just managed to avoid relegation.
Newcastle have invested big money in the team in the summer and the £52M spent brought in Gini Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin (plus 19 year-old Ivan Toney for the Development squad).
Of those new players only Florian has not been a regular starter for the side.
They have all struggled to some extent in the first eleven games, but there are definite signs they are now starting to show some of their best form.
Coloccini talked about the new boys today before the crucial game at Bournemouth tomorrow:
“I think it is about the players.” “They have come in from different leagues and different levels.” “The Premier League is one of the toughest in the world.”
“It can take time to get used to the tempo, but week by week we are doing well.” “In the future I think we will be higher in the table.”
“I know what it is like. You take time to get ready in the Premier League.” “But for all that we are still playing well in games.”
“We have plenty to look forward to.” “They are in the Premier League because they worked hard.” “So we need to go there to Bournemouth knowing it will be tough.”
“We have to play like we did against Stoke and put the same effort and tempo in.” “But we need to try to get the three points because we need them at the moment.”
It’s been a terrible year for fans so far – four wins in 30 league games and we only just avoided relegation last May – so we hope Colo is right and we have a lot to look forward to.
Newcastle must turn up for the game at Bournemouth tomorrow and play somewhere near their best form – the players owe the fans for the very poor start to the season.
We are still 3rd bottom of the league just one point behind the Cherries and a win will take us out of the relegation zone before the two week International break.
It’s a very important game for Newcastle.
About seven fans in ten think we can win this game.
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 6, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Comment #1Hibbitt #33in last thread…I accept we all live in different places where we view the collective and individual aspect differently.
It’s clearly a case here mate.
Willo’s short comings is not other fault than his own. I don’t champion that and I don’t excuse it. The club is not a charity.
That the club should upgrade certain players I see now quarrel in 🙂
TroubledToon
Nov 6, 2015 at 8:38 AM
Comment #2(Yawn)
Lilongwe Geordie
Nov 6, 2015 at 8:42 AM
Comment #3“I think it is about the players.” “They have come in from different leagues and different levels.” “The Premier League is one of the toughest in the world.”
“It can take time to get used to the tempo, but week by week we are doing well.”
Funny that three of our best performers this season have been three of those who should have taken time to get used to the tempo. The bigger problems in the side have been those who have been playing in the Premier league for a while.
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2015 at 8:47 AM
Comment #4Slow down Colo, I had no idea my “Captains Wall Of Inspiration” would grow so fast.
I need to go out and get some more laminated pouches.
“But we need to try to get the three points because we need them at the moment.”
That one is going up on it’s own. Roar!
Ibizatoon
Nov 6, 2015 at 8:51 AM
Comment #5Jesper…I think where I struggle, is taking your point to the next stage. What it is either we, or Willo are supposed to do about it?
Mostly what people say is that he’s limited, but at least he tries to the best of his ability. As in, that is all we can ask of him.
Is it that you think he should have refused the contract and said “No, no, I’m not good enough for NUFC”?
Only one coffee in though, so may be missing the point.
Lil….Shhhh….don’t let the cat out of the bag. It just has to be new players adjusting to the league….