Wemberleeee and Jinxes

Wemberleeee and Jinxes

A new era has dawned on Newcastle United. A new board, almost a new team too, in fact. During the summer we have brought in 9 new players – Barton, Capaca, Enrique, Smith, Viduka, Rozenhal, Geremi,
Merde and Faye.

Observers will note that to a man, these players are more muscular, aggressive, steelier, than the types of players we have bought under the last previous regimes, especially the proper players that Souness brought in. I’ll try not to mention his name again.

Obafemi Martins said recently, that it seemed like a new club, such were the changes, and everything was better. Good. Such talk makes me get the optimism hat out of the cupboard, that I put away 4 years ago. I’d be even happier if Michael Owen followed this lead and extended his contract, as he will be a free agent in less than 2 years time. Surely he owes us a return of some sort.

Last season, some of us noted that we had rather a short team, composed of a few too many short players. We also lacked a bit of muscle too, which can be part and parcel of having a team of shortarses, if you think about it. A front pairing of Martins and Owen hasn’t came about yet, and probably won’t under Allardyce, unless we have some serious injuries. By my reckoning though, we’ve had more than our share of those, it must be someone else’s turn. This would surely be the shortest front pairing in the history of the game.

Big Sam Allardyce [BSA] has came in and addressed one of our most serious flaws, but I think he may have gone one step too far. Many people feared that we would turn into a Bolton under Big Sam, as if we played like Brazil before, say I, laughingly. Based on our early games, we are lacking a creative midfield player, and pace in midfield. We lacked this last season too. Having lost Kieron Dire, if you actually counted him as a player anyway, such was the amount he played, we need a replacement, one who plays though, thank you. Dire was sold and 2 more players came in [Merde and Faye], both defenders. I think the club should have switched their sights and replaced Dyer instead of buying one of those 2 players.Count in Nobby Solano and that is another forward who left the club, on deadline day.

So. Lots of possession, good passing, but not really getting behind defences is the verdict on our games so far. Maybe Barton will improve us, in fact I’m sure he will. But he is injured, so why don’t we have anyone
else ? Where is Emre, is he injured, or is BSA going to ship him out, he’s too small, and he’s a homer, in my opinion. I would sell him for a decent offer.

Overall, I am happy with Sam, and for the most part, the transfer dealings. I wrote previously he was my choice, and I think we can be successful with him, and could get back into the top 4, maybe even this season. If we had signed a pacy front player, I’d be more confident of doing this sooner rather than later. We can give the cups a serious run for their money, especially the League Cup, which we haven’t always done in the past, foolishly playing weakened teams on a few occasions and paying the price.

Wembley

Wembley. The finals of the domestic cups are back at Wembley. A new stadium, expensive, a proper stadium where the fans are close to the pitch, designed so the noise stays in, in short the dogs bollocks.

The last Wembley brought nothing but joy to NUFC on the first 5 occasions we played there, it was a lucky stadium. I was brought up believing that it was our 2nd home. The first time I went, in 1974, I can’t remember if I expected to win, but probably did. What I didn’t expect was to sit here some 33 years later and recollect 5 visits to this place, and 5 defeats, including 3 non performances, and only 2 goals.

At least in between I have been to Wembley and saw the team I support win on numerous other occasions. I’ve seen England play about 20-odd times at the old Wembley. The Keegan years, under Greenwood, when England played with a swagger, poise, intelligence and without fear. Although Clough should have got the job, Greenwood did well. England were unlucky in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Keegan and Brooking were injured, the 2 key attacking players, and in my opinion would have had a good tournament if they had played. I also saw England play fairly often during the first few years of Bobby Robson’s reign, including the 9-0 win over Luxembourg, and the shocking defeat against Denmark which cost qualification for the 1984 Euro, a terrible performance.

The best years were the Keegan years though. Funny how the little man inspires such things everywhere he goes.

Also strange how Newcastle United have had their longest period of trophyless years in their entire history during my time spent on this planet. When will it change ? Are we jinxed ? Has someone frowned on us and decided to pay us back in spades for the over the line Final win against Arsenal in 1932 by decreeing that we’d have one little golden spell to lure us all into a false sense of security then suffer an eternity of heartbreak ?

So here we are, the present day. The new Wembley. A new stadium. A new start, and a fresh change of luck.

Newcastle United. New owners, a new manager, a change of direction. And a change of luck ?

Will the 2 things marry together, soon ?

Yesterday, we were drawn away to Arsenal in the League Cup.

bump.

This article is in the new Mag.

Good read, I didn't see it last time around. Were crying out for some creativity and as you rightly pointed out Emre isn't that...get rid

Would like to see us sign a couple of creative midfielders and maybe ship ameobi out and replace him with someone like Roberts or Drogba

Roberts is a decent player who would be good at the price, but Drogba is the best centre forward in the premiership for my money.

Interesting is that he was said to have been in tears at Mourhinho leaving, and possibly now on his way to Real Madrid.

Viduka, Owen and Martins will all score goals, but we are lacking in the movement and pace department in forward positions.

I don't know how much money Allardyce will be handed in January, and even though I harp on about backing managers etc a lot, I don't particularly mean throwing around millions for the sake of it. I really mean backing the manager to buy the players he wants and the manager himself having good judgement and setting the highest standards. It doesn't always mean breaking transfer records, but most clubs with real ambition have one or two of these types, they lift the club, they send out a message to fans and other clubs, and they attract other top players to play with them. Shearer is proof of that, I bet you that every single forward we signed while he was at the club was attracted by the prospect of playing in the same team as him.

Agreed. We'll have van nistelroy from Madrid then if Drogba's going there