Nile Ranger will in all likelihood start as striker tonight against Leicester, but the 18 year-old must be given sufficient support up front.
Nile Ranger – second successive start tonight?
Ranger seemed to struggle in the first half last Wednesday against Huddersfield, until Ameobi was introduced at half-time to partner him and give him some physical support up front.
We expect Nile to be paired with Kevin Nolan, who will need to push up to support Nile, and hopefully manage his 3rd successive goal in as many games.
Chris Hughton is realistic enough to know that questions remain about the Londoner playing on his own up front:
“I think that’s one to find out,” “What we have is a young man who has deserved the opportunity to be included in the first-team squad. He warranted his inclusion on Wednesday night.”
“I thought it was a wonderful experience for him. There were periods when he showed his quality, and also times when you could see he was up against two hardened Football League centre-halves, who gave him quite a tough time.”
“He’ll learn by his experiences and as time goes on we’ll learn more about him.”
And while Ranger may be Newcastle’s most experienced available forward – 17-year-old Slovenian Haris Vuckic made his debut from the bench on Wednesday night and this lad is a good attacking goal-scoring central midfielder, who many predict will have a great future in the game, hopefully on Tyneside.
We have so many of central midfileders, that we expect Nicky Butt or Joey Barton could be moved out before the transfer window closes tomorrow night.
But this injury situation has also shown we are short of experienced strikers, and hopefully we will sign at least one in the next 30 hours.
We’re holding our breath of course to see what surprises Mike Ashley has for us tomorrow – and we just hope it’s not that he brings nobody in at all. 🙁
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Johno Toon
Aug 31, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Comment #1Gonna go with ranger score first newcastle to win 2-0 tonight
Rodzilla
Aug 31, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Comment #2The only “support” our strikers need at the moment come in the form of crutches.
Are we gona bring any players in or what?!
Incidentally, does anyone reckon Wenger would let us take Jack Willshere on loan for the season? I know he’s young (18 in January), but we could well use him – left/right wing, or in the hole. I rate him highly.
hitman
Aug 31, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Comment #3ie just gettn this off another site,its probs more shite like.
Csaba Laszlo will be appointed Newcastle manager. A compensation package has been agreed with Hearts and Laszlo will arrive in Newcastle for talks. Representatives of Laszlo have been in discussions with Newcastle for some time and they expect a deal to go through next week.
Lew Davies
Aug 31, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Comment #4Well that puts an end to any takeover rumours then!
Lew Davies
Aug 31, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Comment #5not heard anything about this sturridge loan.
Would be ok though if it happens.
magpie6699
Aug 31, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Comment #6hitman – I recognise that! – it’s the bottom line of the eye test chart when I had them checked a week ago!
hitman
Aug 31, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Comment #7lovenkrads in talks to come back
Geordie-Gerrard7
Aug 31, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Comment #8lazslo is alright man, i wouldnt be to disgruntled with that. that graham roberts cnt has been at it again they have a meeting tonight.
coopertoon
Aug 31, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Comment #9Newcastle’s most experienced available forward is a smith y not play him up front with ranger what do yous think?
punk skunk...
Aug 31, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Comment #10‘cos Smith is no striker…He’s a destroyer!..
ToonRich
Aug 31, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Comment #11I’m confident Nile can do a job for us, given the right supply & support. I’d love to see Haris get a good 20mins tonight also.
Off topic, I’ve had watching SSN on this morning…WTF is this report on about “Modric doesnt blame Bowyer for leg break” He has no right trying to blame Bowyer, unless I’m watching the wrong footage, it was Modric who went in on Lee? Bloody spurs players GGGRRRRRR
ToonRich
Aug 31, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Comment #12“Off topic, I’ve had watching SSN on this morning…”
Ment to say “Off topic, I’ve had SSN on this morning…” lol