Jose Enrique is starting to show some of the excellent form he showed towards the end of last season, but he still thinks he can play a lot better at Newcastle.
Jose Enrique – becoming fixture at Newcastle – just like the Tyne Bridge
The 23-year-old thinks he has more to give than Newcastle fans have seen so far, although the Newcastle faithful are warming to a player who seems to have a heart as big as Tynemouth.
Nobody has ever questioned the temperament or personality of this lad, and he seems to be gaining confidence as the Newcastle crowd is getting behind him during the home matches.
Jose has started 30 games for Newcastle this season and has now made 49 appearances for the Magpies, and makes his 50th appearance against Bolton at The Reebok on Sunday.
Jose told the Newcastle Chronicle:
“I feel I am playing well at the moment but I feel I can do better. In Spain I played much better.”
“It’s different because when I arrived here Newcastle weren’t challenging at the top and Villarreal were a successful team challenging for the Champions League.”
“When you are scrapping down at the bottom, the games are of a much different nature.” “You are fighting at the bottom.”
While Jose seems pleased to reach a personal milestone, he is more concerned that Newcastle get away from that relegation zone.
Jose continued:
“It’s good for me to reach this tally of 50 games,” “In two years I feel I should have played more and want to play much more in the future, but 50 is a good number.”
“I’m happy to reach it but I would be even happier to get the three points.”
“I’m happy to play. But footballers are only happy when the team is doing well.”
“We’re confident of beating Bolton though. That’s for sure. Bolton are only three points ahead of us and we need to beat them.”
Jose seems to be settling in well at Newcastle now, and sometimes it takes a full season or more to allow these players, especially when they are young like Jose, to get acclimatized to life in England, and also to the football, which is of course very physical.
There were rumors that Joe Kinnear wanted to sell Jose in January, but there should be little chance of that now, with the Spanish Under-21 International starting to show some really top form.
Keep it up Jose!
Comments welcome.
35 comments so far
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Comment #1Loving this lad more as time goes by. Always shown glimpses of his speed and strength but now he is putting it all together and looking very good. If there is more to come then I look forward to seeing it.
ObaMartins
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Comment #2He’s looking a Good player, we will be silly to get rid of him….
Obafan
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Comment #3I’ve got to take my had of for Jose. In the beginning he was below average and he had lots of criticism to deal with. Not only from the fans on this blog, but also from people who have to pick the team (managers, who publically said they want another LB, cause that is a weak position at NUFC).
His level is growing very fast and if we are able to play with a good defence for the rest of the season then we will not relegate.
Harper
Beye – Colo -Bassong – Enrique
The four of them have already prooved they can get great results (Chelsea) and I know Beye is still injured but I hope he still can have an impact on the teams performances the last part of this competition.
Obafan
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Comment #4Comment n° 3: hat off not had
waddler
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Comment #5He is cementing his place in the team and it will take a very good player to dislodge him, well done son.
Toon Graeme
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Comment #6Hard to beleive he is only 23!
I got faith in Enrique and like him.
Sometimes I think we (the fans) dont give our players enough time and benefit of doubt. His understanding with Jonas and attacking form can only bear fruit and improve.
Hpe you have a blinder on Sunday mr bull
ronaldeano
Feb 27, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Comment #7Some people on here have always slagged Enrique off, but i have ALWAYS thaught that this kid will come good and improve into an established LB in the PL.
And i was right.
Enrique will get better and better, he needs encouragement and confidence from the toon faithfull and he will kick on game by game.
Just watch 😉
Toon Graeme
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Comment #8Anyone know about the facebook sight thats been set up.
Good to put faces to names:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64136173974&ref=mf
Dragonera
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Comment #9That Facebook site is cool. If i were still on the website i would join the group.
Toony Soprano
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Comment #10Jose is starting to look like he has all the attributes to be an acomplished LB.
If he can continue with this progress we are going to have a sound looking defence.
If he and Jonas could improve on overlaps and crossing we will have a good partnership down the left.
If we can add a CB, 2 top quality Mid and 1 quality striker in the summer we will be sound.
I can see some of the kids coming in to the fray next year (Kadar/Tozer/Lua) if Joe is brave enough.
Toon Graeme
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Comment #11Toony – Lua Lua a definate for the first team. I would say Doninger and Ranger too. I would say they need some bulk as they may get musclesd off balls but as a sub – Lua Lua is gonna be big for first team, maybe not now but in the future.
I like going to see the reserves – its a good atmosphere and you can see the fruits of the work being done behind the scenes.
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Comment #12Toony: Couple of good posts from you on here tonight mate…(another on another thread)
Agree about the kids being brought through….Just look at Gosling and Rodwell for Everton on Sunday…..some of our kids are ready to step up….no problem….
do you think we really need 2 quality centre mids though when we already have Barton, Nolan, Guthrie and Butt as back up? one creative one defo…2? not so sure
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Comment #13TG :
That facebook site looks canny….Spotted Tamas Kadar is a member….lol….he must like the banter on here….
would join but dont wanna give my top secret identity away 😉
Dan4Toon
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Comment #14good player, 1 for the future anarl like, just hope we keep him, hope he scores cant wait for his celebration !:P
Toon Graeme
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Comment #15Looney – the chances of beeing recognised at SJP are a few million to one, but sods law says I piss some one off who end up sitting next to me
🙂
You going to Bolton away? Forgive my memory but Im sure you said you had eventually got your tickets.
If you are make us proud with the singing there fella!
I got concerns about Ameobi – its a nagging doubt that wont go away.
Mark Lawro got we to loos 2 – 0 – lets wipe the smug baskets face with a win.
Toony Soprano
Feb 27, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Comment #16Toon Graham – Lambas stated we have spent good money on the kids, love him or hate him the results are starting to show the money seems well spent. It seems Money and Alan Tommo are doing the business with the nippers.
Does little Dennis need some praise? – i am not MA in disguise honest!!
Looney – i just think we need at least 1 really skilful mid, a big signing play maker to fetch all the others on, the same way as Beardsley used to.
Nolan/Guthrie/Barton – would do great but will they all stay fit? – 1 more defo
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Comment #17TG….nah not going this week fella….
yep I am oe of the patient fans you will ever meet and very very rarely slags off a player but Shola, for one reason or another, just does not seem to be able to cut the mustard….know he has just signed another contract but depending on who comes in the summer, dont be surprised if he is moved on for a fee….
Bloody Lawro….aye spotted that….rarely gets it right… 😉
Toony: yep a centre mid with proven quality would be tip top….would you have been happy with Johnson?…He has alledge has his problems but the lad has ability….he would be a very good addition
thelongshanks
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Comment #18Enrique is becoming a class act and still only 23.I think we may need a young back up as tozer and kadar dont seem to be considered or injured.Defence is playing with alot of courage and balance and if we can just bring in a good attacking midfielder with guile,skill and pace along with couple more good players we can def be up in uefa spot next season.
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Comment #19oh and big Jose….boy is showing his worth recently……dont under estimate the influence Bassong has on him though fellas….he plays on the left hand side of the two centre halfs and is constantly communicating with Jose
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Comment #20long shanks…..
Tozer has missed the whole season with injury but has the potential to progress…
Tamas has had a very good season and was pushing for the 1st team squad when he broke his leg….he will come good…lad looks a proper player
Turkish Magpie
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Comment #21Bassong will be gone because someone like Arsenal will offer summin like 12mil nd we’ll take it nd personally i think thats bad because bassong keeping out them goals is worth much more than 12mil
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Comment #22they are both centre halfs naturally so a young back up would be needed….we do have a young left back in the academy called Shane Ferguson….excellent young left full back…quick, strong in the tackle and very good on the ball….slightly lightweight at the minute however he is only 16 and will “fill out” in the next couple of years…..
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Comment #23Mr Turkish..
Bassong aint going nowhere and certainly not for 12 million…..30 million maybe…..
Arsenal couldnt afford him fella….not when they dont qualify for the champions league 😉
Toony Soprano
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Comment #24Toon G – i might start taking the boy to watch the kids at Kingston Park, seems that our future players are worth casting an eye over?
Looney T – Johnson i would not sniff at, could he be an Arteta type for us, i think thats what we need all the other MF are good box to box grafters?
LooneyToon
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Comment #25Toony…
yep..totally agree mate…
reet lads…I am off….
take it easy
thelongshanks
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Comment #26Bassong is our best player this season and i personally think he cud be the next desailly(hope i aint gettin carried away).In interviews i have seen he looks a good lad and seems to njoy playing at the toon.Hopefully we get him signed up on 5 year deal before the summer and we can concentrate on gettin in a few more gems.
Would love to see us go for someone like johnson or elano and with the players man city will sign this summer i think these are def possibilities.Also would love us to snap up sturridge as he looks a star.In a nutshell should just raid man city.Worked when we took parker and duff off chelsea when they were spending big! .
Toony Soprano
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Comment #27Looney Toon- are you Richard Money or Tommo? – well informed
Post 19 and 20 agreed ,
Steve Taylor was MOTM against Everton and no one was going to beat him!!
Toony Soprano
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Comment #28Long Shanks- Bass is class , you could spot it pre season – how we got him i will never know
seen some good french kids come here – Domi, Bernard, Zog – hope he doesnt get his head turned like they did.
thelongshanks
Feb 27, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Comment #29Toony Soprano-glad you didnt mention distin on that list the man was gone before he knew what colour jersey he was wearing.Zog was good but you could see last two seasons his heart wasnt in it and his agent had him brain washed to think he was better then he was.Wigan def aint a step up!
workyticket
Feb 28, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Comment #30Bassong is helping all the defence, including Enrique. I’ve seen how he talks, how he co-ordinates, how he leads. His precociousness as a defensive leader is somewhat remiscent of an early Tony Adams. The kid’s a master already!
Tom_Toon
Feb 28, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Comment #31This is no suprise to me about Jose coming good. His raw potential from when he signed was obvious to a blind person.
Would hate Elano or Johnson, both bad attitudes an the latter is a raging alcoholic. But we do need a central midfielder or two.
Brazilian Geordie
Feb 28, 2009 at 2:22 AM
Comment #32If anyone here has Facebook, check the interview I translated and brought from Orkut right to the Blog’s community in Facebook about Caio Ferreira.
Hope you like it.
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=7750&post=29112&uid=64136173974#post29112
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Feb 28, 2009 at 3:45 AM
Comment #33@ Brazilian Geordie
Has he actually joined or not? If not when is he going to sign? 😀
Brazilian Geordie
Feb 28, 2009 at 4:45 AM
Comment #34In fact, he’s not a Newcastle player yet. It seems he has signed kind of a pre-contract and his passport problem prevented him to move in the last window.
But you know, reports have being saying Newcastle are still after him, and also Caio himself has also said he sees that as a huge opportunity for him and he’ll be trying hard to grab it.
Tom_Toon
Feb 28, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Comment #35–