There are players at Newcastle like Haris Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi and Gael Bigirimana who were once top young talents and very promising players on Tyneside, but they have simply not come through and will now find if very difficult to be successful at Newcastle.
We would be very surprised of any of those three will still be at Newcastle next summer.
Haris Vuckic probably was the one most fans thought could be a really big star when he was signed in January 2009 from Domzale – and some big clubs have been interested in him but he has not come through.
Haris Vuckic – has time tun out for the Slovenian?
And his loan spells at Cardiff, Rotherham and last season at Wigan have not helped him make the breakthrough.
He did have a really successful loan spell at Rangers the season before last in Scotland’s second tier (9 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances), but hasn’t kicked on from then – so to speak.
The player turns 24 next month and he had injuries last season at Wigan and was not a starter for the promoted club.
But Haris did score and play well on Saturday in the U-21 teams 5-1 drubbing of Darlington so hope may not be completely lost.
This is what an upbeat Harris Vuckic has told the Chronicle today:
“It’s good to be back,” “I had a great experience at Wigan, it was a great season for the club getting promoted and being Champions.”
“But I’m happy to be back with Newcastle and hopefully I can get a chance to get fit, play many games and show what I can do and then hopefully the gaffer can give me an opportunity in the first team, but we’ll see.”
“Yes I have spoken to the manager – at the moment I’m not in his plans.” “But hopefully with my games I can show him that I can at least deserve a chance and that he can try me in different positions.”
“Hopefully he will do that.” “No 10, right-wing, left-wing, middle – I have a lot of positions where I can play,”
“So I think that’s always welcome and always good for the manager because it means he can rotate if there are injuries or suspensions – which will happen.”
“That’s always welcome and my versatility helps but I think my best position is No 10 or right-wing.”
“It’s always important to be in a winning team who are winning every week and it gives you the confidence.”
“When you come on to the pitch with confidence then that allows you to win more games.”
“Actually it was a hard season for me as well, but eventually we did what we wanted and it was a great achievement.”
“I always try to help the team a lot with the experience I’ve got.”
“I’m still quite young, I’m only 23 years old so I have a lot of time left to play football but where I have been with the first team everywhere, it’s a good experience so I can always help the lads develop.”
Haris has one year left on his contract at Newcastle and the likelihood is that he will be sent out on loan for the coming season.
Haris has played 19 times with one goal for the Magpies and made his first team debut on 26th August 2009.
That’s when he had just turned 17 a full seven years ago and came on as a late substitute in the League Cup tie with Huddersfield Town.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
jazzyp
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:12 AM
Comment #1Sorry but move them on. This has been one of our down falls as a club,We have always had a nucleus of a top team.The trouble is we have always had the nucleus of a relegation team, Unfortunately the latter won
jimmysmith
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:13 AM
Comment #2“It’s always important to be in a winning team who are winning every week and it gives you the confidence.”
Not enough attention is paid to this. We start well, then you’ll almost certainly see a vastly different side to these players, Sissoko, Widjnaldum included, should they still be around.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #3Morning all
I think this week is going to be a big week in the transfer dealings of the TOON.
By next weekend with the ins and outs we should see what our squad will look like for the start of the season in two weeks this Friday coming…. NOT LONG!!!!!
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #4Wwsbrd
Sissoko openly has ZERO interest in playing in the championship. He has wanted away for a few seasons now, and he very rarely turned in a decent showing. Gini was also conpletely missing for many games last season, but is not currently (and continually) wh0ring himself to Arsenal et.c, like sissoko has done….for ages.
Ian Toon
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Comment #5Captaincy- I can understand why blogger fans are clamouring for Lascalles as captain. Just how many players today give a stuff about the fans or tradition and play for the badge.
I still savour the romantic side of football but I think Lascalles should concentrate on establishing himself in the team and captaincy will take care of itself.
He’s only 22 and no John Terry.
BenbulbenMag
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:25 AM
Comment #6Time for Vuckic and co. to go.
This was a great comment:
jazzyp // Jul 18, 2016 at 9:12 AM
Sorry but move them on. This has been one of our down falls as a club,We have always had a nucleus of a top team.The trouble is we have always had the nucleus of a relegation team, Unfortunately the latter won
Jail for Ashley
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:26 AM
Comment #7Charlie,
I think because of the Wijnaldum and Sissoko sagas we will see in and out goings until the window shuts, if we end up with 45M in the coffers from sales I can’t see Rafa not reacting to that.
WWSBRD
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Comment #8YCMIU
So u think Gini has interest in playing in the championship? Nar mate only reason u think he’s not whoring himself is because he wasn’t at the Euros so had no platform
martoon
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Comment #9I think if I was Vuckic I’d take the hint and look for another club. Rafa has told him directly that he’s not in his plans. If he wants first team football then he has to move – of course he maybe on good money at NUFC and doesn’t want to give that up!
jazzyp
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:28 AM
Comment #10Iantoon
I live in Nottinghamshire so have a lot of Forest fans.
Most were gutted when Forest sold Lascelles, As they all described him as the next Des walker.
If the lad can become anything like Walker then we will have an hell of a CB at the club
Jail for Ashley
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #11I can’t believe that Jaanmat would rather play at Watford than spend a year in the Championship, can these players not see the bigger picture or is it just that there pampered egos think they’re too good for it.
Jib
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:34 AM
Comment #12Vuckic only played 14 games for Wigan all of last season
jimmysmith
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #13Yeah, I’m struggling to believe that too, not least because he’d have way more fun playing for a winning team in front of a heaving St James’s crowd, for the same money. Watford must be a good bet to go down. A greater problem is the likelihood of a bid from a better club. It would also be skulking out the back door, when he’s said he wants to go out the front, if at all.
Rotonda heights
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #14I still can’t forgive McLaren for what he did to this club. The clamour for Sissoko, Wijni, Janmatt etc show he had the tools, but still he only ever played for a point away from home.
watch Wijni away from home with a Klopp, Koeman or Pochetinno’s mentality. Poor rafa will never get the chance to see that now.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #15Wwsbrd
Sissoko has been doing it for YEARS, man!
He absolutely does not want to be at the toon. He is going to be completely un-open to any sort of persuasion to stay.
Gini may well prefer to move, it is very probable he feels that way in fact. However, we are yet to hear of him and/or his agent going to papers and having hissy fits over getting him shipped out.
It is not a question of ability or performance. I am simply saying Gini might be persuaded to stay, wheras Sissoko has made it clear he has no intention of playing for a champs club.
Ian Toon
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #16posada- earlier. Yes you match the bidding clubs offer but are lied to by his agent as to how much the bidding club have actually offered in wages.
It’s a fair assumption that Benitez and Charnley have been down that road already. From a selling perspective Janmaat, Sissoko and Wijnaldum will all carry a domestic premium because they have played in the Premier League. On Janmaat (who I would like to keep) I see that Watford have secured Zuniga on loan from Napoli.
Not such good news is the widely held view amongst journalists that Liverpool are prodding and poking their way around our squad. Not just Gini but the ravenous vulture is attracted to Pérez with players coming on loan to us as a sweetener. Shame we missed out on Ibe.
magscar
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:53 AM
Comment #17Jail @7
I imagine Rafa has a plan b if either or both of Sissoko or Gini are sold. I agree that whether or not he would like matters settled by beginning of season it could as in other years still drag on to end of August.
Whilst there are well documented areas we need to (and will) cover I am not certain that if both those players were to be sold then both would be replaced with long term replacements soon as.
Rafa may have ideas on possible replacements but persuading them to come will be even harder than getting those that they are to replace to stay. After all both Sissoko and Gini are on long term contracts and club can insist on them staying if they were so inclined.
Rafa will have his valuations as to their worth to him and bids above that may be considered. If either go I am not necessarily expecting all proceeds to be reinvested if he can’t get who he would like immediately. Funds will be needed for January if there are problems with injuries , loss of form etc but also for next summer. We seem to have been fortunate this summer with the PL monies for 2015-16 and residue of monies already in bank but end of next season doesn’t bring an immediate replenishment even if we go straight back up.
Ashley prefers cash up front deals rather than HP ones so Rafa will need a war chest to compete with even those sides finishing 15th to 16th in PL and winning Championship won’t provide anywhere near what we will have missed out on.
Like other clubs he could borrow against 2017-18 placing money if we are promoted but I don’t think he would like to get on that train.
As usual I am content to trust in Rafa to get most decisions right and am relaxed about the speculation . Hopefully my optimism is good for several seasons 🙂