Mike Williamson joined Wolves last month and it’s a pity, because for the second time in three games we will be struggling for defenders on Saturday against West Brom.
We suppose Newcastle are never too keen on having too much back-up or a bigger squad and when we get some players we let others go.
Some of that is to open up spaces in the Premier league 25 list, but we have players like Sylvain Marveaux who have never played for us for over two years and are still here.
Mike Williamson – a class act at Newcastle
Mike joined us just over six years ago when we signed him from Portsmouth for a cool £1M and he played 171 times for Newcastle with two goals.
Mike has talked about Newcastle and he thinks we will be safe, although that was probably before last night’s disaster at Everton where we put in a shocker at Goodison Park – it was hard to believe how bad we were last night.
We are still in shock.
This is what Mike said, first about owner Mike Ashley and then about manager Steve McClaren:
“They can’t knock him for the money they spent in the summer and this transfer window.”
“He came out and stated he wanted to win something and wouldn’t leave until they did, he has got ambition.”
“The fans will judge it on the consistency and how they progress from here.”
“Steve McClaren is a good guy, I learned a lot from him.” “He creates an optimistic environment and they deserve to be higher.”
“I hope the players they’ve brought in have added a boost and they can turn it into points.” “They will be fine, they have more than enough.”
“It was emotional to leave the north-east.”
This is the way to leave a club with a little bit of class – don’t criticize those you are leaving – don’t burn your bridges – be a professional.
Mike came in for withering criticism a year ago at Newcastle playing under John Carver, but overall he was a great buy for us at just £1M and immediately helped us get promoted playing for Chris Hughton – and he always gave his very best.
We wish him all the luck in the world at Wolves, where we expect him to be a standout for a couple of years at Molineux.
Comments welcome.
166 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Feb 4, 2016 at 8:51 PM
Comment #161Fire the entire management staff at the end of the season. That means Charnley, Carr, and McLaren out the door. Hire a proper Director of Football. Get rid of the players who can’t even be bothered to make an effort. That list is frightening by the way. Sissoko has to go I think (he’s probably already planning his leave taking anyway). We already know who the dead wood are and there are about 7 or 8 of them. A modern manager. I would give Rogers a chance because I just can’t stand the thought of Moyes. But Ashley has to grow a set first.
toonking
Feb 4, 2016 at 8:55 PM
Comment #162toon KK 42
what do you think point 4 of the pro pardew means?
I’ve always said myself this squad is poor overall, no leadership, no passion, no attitudes, no motivation just a bunch of mercenaries and hospital lovers. That post was to try and point out to the pardew brigade (pro and anti) about where both sides are right and that we’ve not changed since.
Ourtoon and maxpie were squabbling on earlier about english and foreign, I could have jumped in between the two of them if I really wanted to because again they act like the pardew crews and get too one sided. Ourtoon is right when he says forieign players are playing a far more modern game than the english players are but in a way maxpie is right in that english players are just as important as the foreign ones the players we’ve missed most of all are two english players thenselves, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton two players with an excellent leadership attitude and motivation. Pardew’s general record at newcastle and the anger over the sale of carroll would make it sound impossible for 4-0 to finish as a draw but we still had that great leadership attitude and motivation from nolan and barton so despite all that anger from the carroll sale the players were still ale to put it to one side and get back on track.
Pardew’s 5th place finish is a finish that probably did have it’s fair share of luck not luck like that you’ll see catchy point out but lucky to have saylor remaining fit for longer than normal. Kevin nolan and joey barton were both now gone but thankfully saylor remained fit for longer than normal, we went on a 11 game unbeaten run always had than leadership in saylor and could go on to stay confidiennt.
Ian Toon
Feb 4, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Comment #163Is Wijnaldum’s poor away form simply down to him not playing in the no 10 role, as some have suggested. He needs to be a big feature in all of our remaining games if we are to avoid the drop. He was anonymous and not for the first time in away games seemed disinterested when early on he was closely marked in midfield.
For me Colback is a must when fit to start as the ball winner and to provide the more creative Wijnaldum and Shelvey with more possession. Colback and Shelvey we have seen are a good pairing. Townsend played like a headless chicken and needs to calm down when in possession. As he gets fitter he will contribute more quality and get behind defences. I am hard pressed to recall anything worthwhile that Sissoko contributed and he doesn’t currently merit a starting slot. Saivet looks promising and merits more game time. With the midfield being so ineffective this increasingly presented problems for a stretched defence and for Perez who was totally isolated up front. Surely Mitrovic would have been a better option with Pérez coming on as a sub.
Yes it’s appropriate to blame Macca with such a bizarre team selection presumably designed to pressurise Everton in midfield. We had no ball winner which in away games is a must in the PL to disrupt the opposition flow. Shelvey looked unsure what his role was and Macca did little to sort out tactics and formation.
Aside from Elliot I thought Janmaat deserved special mention because with little support down the right side he showed determination to try to get forward.
Macca has to do better with tactics and team selection. Did we have a game plan and why were we so disjointed? Bedding in new players is not an excuse as he could have gone for the tried and tested; played to our strengths and made changes as the game progressed. A poor performance and it was a surprise that we were still in the game until the closing madness. Elliot clearly our mom.
WBA is a must win game and shades of the West Ham game for the crowd who have another big part to play. Let’s be up for it.
vlojo
Feb 4, 2016 at 9:51 PM
Comment #164Toonsend … Misogyny, Racism, Stupidity … STFU
OnceaGeordie
Feb 5, 2016 at 1:07 AM
Comment #165Makes me laugh every time i read this site.
People now sorry to see him go when they were calling him worse then shite! last season.
In all fairness Willo was ok, stand bye at best, nothing special but was at least often fit to play.
willowdalerez
Feb 5, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Comment #166Classy exit. Would have kept him for the balance of the season as he wasn’t getting replaced but he was unremarkable and is no great loss.