Newcastle Need Flashes Of Brilliance

Love him or hate him, one thing Isak brought to the team was that flash of sheer brilliance that can pull a goal out of nothing and turn a turn a game on its head.

Schar had it with his long range shots, Bruno could do it, and Miggy in that blistering goal scoring spell seemed to have magic in his boots.

A team can be dominating a game, creating chances and threatening to score...

And then... bam, in a flash they are 1-0 down as a moment of outstanding quality sees the ball rifled past the keeper and the whole atmosphere of the game can change instantly.

Who Now Is Capable Of That Flash Of Brilliance?

Osula produced one of those moments last season with his fantastic goal against Manchester United that secured a 3-2 win in the dying seconds of the game.

But, as much as I believe he has potential, I don't see him as a player who will repeat that magical moment on many occasions.

Barnes? He has scored some great goals for us, and of the current players he is the one most likely to score, and the one most likely to conjure up that 'flash' goal.

However Barnes often takes more shots, and especially in the current team, than all of the other players added together, with some fans believing he is selfish in failing to make a pass when another player is in a better goalscoring position.

So... who else can pull a goal out of nothing?

Toon fans were really excited when Pardo signed and many were surprised that we managed to pull his signing off.

I hadn't heard of him previously, but watching his Youtube videos - where accepted even Shola Ameobi looked like a deadly finisher - young Pardo was whipping in goals from all angles and my hope was that he could do that in a black and white shirt.

We have yet to see one goal... but Pardo when he settles might just be able to produce those brilliant flashes every fan and team wants.

Toure? £43M was a mighty fee to pay for the young winger but he definitely has ability and a knack of being able to whip in crosses even when boxed onto the side-line.

He has already scored two goals from his few minutes on the pitch and he has the speed, skill and trickery to get past defenders and have a crack at goal.

The proviso here though is... if he is given game time.

We saw last season how Osula came into his own when he was given an extended run in the team instead of short stints as a late bit part sub - the same game time Toure is getting now.

Jaissle's problem is that either Barnes, Elanga or Murphy have to be left out to give him a start. Toure didn't get a start when Elanga was injured so he has joined Bamba and Steur as nigh on £100M of bench warming backsides.

John Lennon said "Give Peace A Chance"

Well, all some Toon fans are saying is give youth a chance.

Even if Pardo, Toure and Steur don't start let's get them on after ten minutes of the second half if the players in their positions aren't performing - not with ten minutes or less of the match to go.

These three young lads have the potential to provide those flashes of brilliance that others in the squad have shown they are incapable of; that doesn't mean they are poor players, just that they rarely produce anything out of the ordinary.

And the other big thing is this...

Flashes of brilliance whether it is swerving past two or three players, playing an exquisite pass, or conjuring a magical goal out of nothing are what get the crowd on their feet.

That inspires those players to try the seemingly impossible again, it inspires their teammates that anything is possible in a game even when behind, and it does exactly the same for the fans on the terraces and those watching in the pub or at home.

It gets the fans roaring in SJP, it fires up the Toon, deafens the oppo and drowns out their supporters. Give us Geordies flashes of theatre and there is no audience louder.

All I am saying is;

We want flashes of brilliance that can light up our season and take us from the dark place we are in now...

So, Jaissle, give youth a chance.

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