The Newcastle club have signed five players in the summer, but four have yet to make their debut for Newcastle United.
Cheick Tiote – yet to play for Newcastle
So if you believe the new players Newcastle have signed in the summer will strengthen the squad, and we do, then there’s potentially a better than expected season ahead for the Newcastle club.
Campbell, Tiote and Ben Arfa should all be in the squad for Newcastle’s next game at home to Blackpool in 8 days time, but of course we’ll have to wait until January until Dan Gosling is fit again, after his serious ACL knee injury he suffered at the end of March, when he was still at the Everton club.
Add to that the fact that one of our best players, 24 year-old local lad Steven Taylor, is yet to play this season, and we have 5 good players, potentially all starters, who have yet to play for Newcastle this season.
Talk about improving the squad in the summer!
And there is already talk of Newcastle’s new targets in January, with Newcastle United supporter, Per Ciljan Skjelbred of Rosenborg, seemingly still on the Tyneside club’s radar screen.
And if we are talking about players who want to play for Newcastle, we’ve been linked with this Norwegian International for over two years now, and he’d swim across the channel to play for his favorite club – the team he has supported since he was a boy.
So things may just be looking up for the Newcastle United club these days, and a win in our next home game and we could well crack the top six in the Premier League.
Howay The Lads!
Comments welcome.
40 comments so far
baro
Sep 3, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Comment #11st
baro
Sep 3, 2010 at 8:57 PM
Comment #2I just can’t wait for next Saturday when we play Blackpoop. I think we will shut them out! But not be as good as Aston Villa game. Sol, HBA, Tiote hopefully will make their debut. Can’t wait to see them playing in the Newcastle shirt especially Hatem Ben Arfa. The kid is new Cristiano Ronaldo. My guess is 4-0 and I’m being realistic.
Dennis Twice
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Comment #3…hmm we`re cursed club…
Dennis Twice
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:07 PM
Comment #41-2…..i don`t want..but…we`re what we are….
Robby Bobson
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Comment #5I can imagine ben arfa, carroll and nolan all scoring against Blackpool.
cant see Tiote playing in that game.
Dennis Twice
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Comment #6…hups game s on….
BeeGuy
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Comment #7What will give Holloway’s old heads fits is SPEED! Playing fast and on the ground should allow NUFC to wear out the old timers and confuse their kids and CC boys. Love a shut out, and hope there are no fluke goals that keep the Mighty pool in the contest.
StuW
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Comment #8I want to see how CH will use the Midfield now. Nolan, Barton, Guthrie joined by Tiote, Gosling, and Ben Arfa.
Tiote is an anchorman type DM, who will be important with games like Arsenal, where we need to cut off the midfield supply of players such as Fabregas.
Gosling is certainly one for the future, who can play first team football when fit, and is a potential England player.
Ben Arfa is a potentially world-class talent, who ould play central or as a winger. Could push Routledge out in fact if his form drops.
I am going to be intrigued to see how CH lines up against Blackpool, a team we should beat comfortably.
Warwick Hunt
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Comment #9I think Tiote could be just as good and important a signing as Ben Arfa.
nicolnj
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Comment #10who knows we might suprise some people with a top 4 finish like last time we got promoted back in 83 😀
nicolnj
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Comment #1193 I mean
Turkish Magpie
Sep 3, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Comment #12does anyone think Chris will change the formation to more attacking because it’s blackpool? saying that we went 4-5-1 against Villa and won 6-0
Captain Beefheart
Sep 3, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Comment #13‘…Blackpool, a team we should beat comfortably.’
Here we go again. There will be no comfortable games this season. Wake up. Blackpool will snap at our heels and stretch our defence for 90 minutes. Get used to it. Villa was a fluke result.
StuW
Sep 3, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Comment #14Woah Beefheart, I said should, not will. Looking at our squad in comparison to theirs, we should be beating teams like them easily. Undoubtedly, Villa was a fluke, caught a team on their off day. Chances are we wont get another 6-0 for two years at least.
Robby Bobson
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Comment #15Blackpool havent really strengthned from last season and they were the worst team ive seen by a mile at ST James last season. Charlie Adam is class but the energy of smith and barton should be enough to keep him queit.
If it was bloomfield road i would think different but i cant see it being anything other than a 3 or 4 goal victory.
burnsie
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Comment #16BEEFHEART IM SORRY LAD BUT WAT THE HELL IS YOUR GOD DAMN PROBLEM?????
HAVE SUM FLIPPING FAITH MAN AND STOP DOOM MONGERING, YOUR JUST GETTING BORING AND STALE NOW MAN.
EVERYBODY ON THE BLOG THINKS THE SAME, JUST LOOK AT LAST NITES PATRONISING COMMENTS FROM YOU…..
IM SORRY IF THE TRUTH HURTS BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL YOU MAN BECAUSE UR ALMOST BECOMING THE JOKE OF THE BLOG.
YOU’L BE GETTING ”MACKEM” CHANTS BEFORE LONG FELLA.
ITS NOTHING PERSONAL – ITS JUST THAT YOU SEEM TO DISCREDIT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY IF THEY ARE ”TOO” POSITIVE.
PLEASE MAN, JUST BE A BIT MORE POSITIVE BECAUSE YOUR POST ARE REALLY EMBARRASSING AND ARE GETTING SO FAR FAR FFROM REALITY.
CANT YOU SEE THAT??? HOW OLD ARE YOU BY THEWAY BUD???
burnsie
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:42 PM
Comment #17AND ENOUGH OF THE ‘HERE WE GO AGIN SHHITE EH? AND THE ”YOU HAVE TO BE OF A CERTAIN AGE TO UNDERSTAND THIS” PATRONISING TRIPE EH????
GOOD POST STU W BY THE WAY.
burnsie
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Comment #18AND JUST ONE FINAL THING (AS COLUMBO WOULD SAY) …..BLACKPOOL IIISSSSS A TEAM WE SHOULD BEAT COMFORTABLY AND THERES NOOOOOOOOOOO WAY THIS WILL BE ”STRETCHING OUR DEFENCE FOR 90 MINUTES”!!!!!
THAT MENTAL!!!
GET WITH THE PROGRAM MAN…ITS YOU THATS DELUDED FELLA NOT THE REST OF US ON HERE!!!!
RANT OVER, SORRY LADS, IV JUST HAD ENOUGH………..
Howay The Lads
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Comment #19Talking of Skjelbred he’s out of contract at the end of the season. So if we’re ever gonna sign him, I’d imagine that would be the chance.
Back to the new signings and formations…
Personally I don’t think, nor do I want, Hughton to change the team. Our central midfield is easily the best in the bottom half. Barton – we all know how good he is. Nolan – no matter what people say, he scores goals AND has a good work ethic. And Smith – incredibly underrated. Absolutely controlled the game against Wolves. Also he’s made himself more into a proper defensive midfielder more than a lunger; he’ll get the ball now and then play it rather than losing it to another man.
The signings should all have to work their way in (but be given every opportunity to prove themselves), otherwise we’ll be like England at the WC where the players knew they wouldn’t get dropped so played sub-par. We want every player giving 110% because they know, if they don’t, the bench will be waiting…
Robby Bobson
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:49 PM
Comment #20I do agree with ya, yeh there should be realism but we shouldnt overlook what we have got and should look to dominate blackpool…..but is there really ANY NEED TO SHOUT!!!!!!!!
short trousers
Sep 4, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Comment #21lads wil ben artha play ??
hwtl
Dukis22lt
Sep 4, 2010 at 12:32 AM
Comment #22I sure hope so short trousers, even if he comes on late in the second half i realy wanna see him play, i just hope if he wont perform as good as everyone things he will, he wont get any stick and instead given more time.
Stay classy Newcastle!
CT
Sep 4, 2010 at 12:36 AM
Comment #23Isn,t it tiresome? Beefy is rite to a point! Call fore top 6 is delusional and Blind Faith!!!! Simples Lads, Survival first, move to improve and settle in next, then keep saying it use the Arsenal model!!! That is MA`s plan and CH has proven to be the guy to understand and try to deliver! IF it goes t…ts, which it won`t???? Patience!
Brutooon
Sep 4, 2010 at 1:04 AM
Comment #24Will think Campbell,Tiote,Ben Arfa will at least get to the subs bench next week.
But i hope for:
Tiote to immediate replace Smith
Ben Arfa to replace Routledge
619nufc
Sep 4, 2010 at 1:08 AM
Comment #25————Harper——
Raylor–Sol–Colo–Jose
————Tiote———-
—–Barton—–Nolan—-
HBA———————Loven
———-Carroll———
I think CH wont mind giving the 3 guys their debuts as it is Blackpool at home.
Jonas, Shola and Routledge to come on.
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 4, 2010 at 2:54 AM
Comment #26Got to agree with most of the comments,we should,can and will beat blackpool,going for a 3v 0 home win myself.Captain Beefheart come on mate be more positive no pissing on the parade please
ToonLegend
Sep 4, 2010 at 4:09 AM
Comment #27as well as Skjelbred possibly coming in January also hearing were to go back in for Leroy fer
both lads will help improve the good work on the squad this summer
vinnie
Sep 4, 2010 at 5:01 AM
Comment #28i gotta agree with capt beefheart. expectations have risen due to the signings – good as they are, it could prove to be a double edged sword. would the fans brand CH a failure if we don’t finish top half now? i’m optimistic as they come, but talk of finishing top 6? top 4 even? thats fantasy football and probably not achievable within the next few years
ginkoh
Sep 4, 2010 at 5:03 AM
Comment #29Don’t be careless too much about Blackpool. They can destroyed Wigan at home that mean they have enough quality to beat us too.
Don’t you remember Aston Villa ? they think they can win us easily and what’s happen ? Show them some respect. Surely I want us to win but I don’t think it will be easy on next Saturday at all.
Don’t make the same mistake as Villa lads,
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 4, 2010 at 6:27 AM
Comment #30You will be telling us next wigan is a top team ginkoh,well here is a reality check mate wigan suck.And if yous are worried about blackpool at home god help us for the rest of the season
Rotonda heights
Sep 4, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Comment #31BURNSIE – PLEASE ALL THOSE CAPS ARE GIVING ME A HEADACHE !!!
Captain beefheart makes some valid points, give him a break man.
john_cena163
Sep 4, 2010 at 8:13 AM
Comment #32I c 7-0 to newcastle.
nufc1984
Sep 4, 2010 at 9:01 AM
Comment #33Toonlegend-There won’t be anymore midfielders come in January. Ch was trying to get a striker in this time so would think that will be priority. And if we buy anymore midfielders how will gosling feel? He’ll have enough players to get in front of when he comes back as it is!! We are well overstocked in that department when a lb and striker should be priority.
Penguin PJ
Sep 4, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Comment #34The day HBA signed for us I posted a comment for Chris Hughton’s support. At the time, I was just overloaded & consumed with an immense sense of joy & relief.
“Whatever happens here on till the end of the season, Chris should always be supported with backing of the fans with unconditional faith & love. He was down in the trenches with us all last season. I do not believe he stayed on monetary reasons. Plain & simple, he is a genuine football man who has honest work ethics.”
A certain Captain Beefheart had this to say:
“Penguin PJ@24 pens a very touching message of support for CH, much of it I applaud. However, no fan will ever give CH ‘unconditional faith and love’, in fact I don’t think he would even want that. To coin a phrase, judge him fairly on his results, and I think that will be more than enough to ensure a long and successful tenure.”
No fan? I thought I WAS that fan who would give him the ‘unconditional faith and love’ Just as I had given the same to Newcastle FC over the years & not expecting anything in return. Judge him fairly on result? I DID. We won the Championship with 102 pts, unbeaten at home all season, promoted at first attempt.
Or would you prefer that we end up where Boro is rite now? U seems to think we got up way too quickly.
And I don’t think we’re a fizzy pop team with 2 new midfielders. Campbell, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Gosling & Perch would def not agree with that remark. Especially HBA.
Your a harmless old man Beefy. I know where you’re coming from. Maybe u should change Cpt. Beefheart to Cpt. Reverse Psychology 🙂
GeordieGerman
Sep 4, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Comment #35Sixth place, forth place, Here we go. Deluded Geordies.
Let’s just see what happens and try to remember the target is to stay up. Anything above that is a bonus.
Robby Bobson
Sep 4, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Comment #36Erm only one person has said we could finish 4th.
Just because I and people say we should beat blackpool conformtably doesnt mean we should finish top half, 6 or 4.
Come on, we hammered blackpool at st james end of last season, who havent strengthened much and we have strenthenged alot….any team in the prem will say they should ease past blackpool at home.
God it annoys me when people get all hugh and mighty.
GeordieGerman
Sep 4, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Comment #37To quote Ed.
“So things may just be looking up for the Newcastle United club these days, and a win in our next home game and we could well crack the top six in the Premier League”.
toonster88
Sep 4, 2010 at 2:41 PM
Comment #381st time ive agreed wit BURNSIE,considering the fact of course that he’s that chappy who wanted keane.very aggrovating.
Davies
Sep 4, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Comment #39There has to be a balance here gents. There will be some games this season that are easier than we expect them to be, but I’m not making a single prediction on results. Everyone in this league is here on merit. Last season Burnley beat Man Utd at Old Trafford on their first premier league outing in God knows how many years.
My point is, we should hope to win matches, but not expect to. Predictions of a sixth place finish are reckless; there will be a portion of our support who will come to expect it and who will jump on Hughton’s back when we don’t get it.
For now, we should all be looking at nothing more than survival. Anything else is a bonus.
We do look good though, don’t we.
Sav
Sep 5, 2010 at 2:23 AM
Comment #40What have they got in common – they haven’t played for us yet???
You wouldn’t sell many papers with a headline that, Ed! ….Slow day, eh?
As for Skjelbred, I’ve never seen him play, but we have apparently checked him out so many times (and not just Newcastle) that I can’t help thinking if he was any good, one of our many managers to look him over would have taken a punt by now.
He’s no youth player any more and whether he’s a fan or not (aren’t we all?) the prospect of signing him doesn’t get my pulse going. It makes no difference whether he’s tattooed himself with black and white stripes, has a duvet cover with Frank Clark on it, whether he is growing a ‘Joey’ on his top lip or breeds magpies for a hobby – the question is, is he a good enough player to improve the team, or isn’t he?