Parky

It has begun........

Nice one T27.

"My impression of Roeder as a man-manager and tactician is positive at this point, not just because of the results he got last year, but also because he seems to do a very good job communicating with the players about their roles. I was amazed by the lack of complaining coming from Luque last year (can you imagine how loud Robert or Bellamy would have been whining), especially considering that it was a World Cup year and his lack of first team action cost him a place on Spain's WC squad." ST This is his strongest suite. He has been v good at getting the players to understand what is needed in differrent situations. Although I'm not totally won over regarding his tactical depth.

It's one that has me perplexed and I often change my stance. I might read summat by West Ham fans or an article and think we are in big trouble or see that Venables has been v positive about Roeders future and immediately change my mind. Also the way he interviews reminds me of an insurance salesman, all calm and short sentences. I wonder how in hell he is going to motivate 'the big players'. But of course we have to remind ourselves what he did at the end of last year, with his adjustments of the defence and his tinkering on how the midfield worked that made it more cohesive. The change in Shola since he took over is another perplexing development, scoring one in two goals per game. People say it is just because he is playing in his natural position, but I suspect there is more to it than that. Roeder understands that he is on the brink of greatness if he gets things right and has a little bit of luck. After the tumor no one can say that luck isn't on his side.

Talking about the friendlies, organising friendlies with two very good sides for me has to be a postive sign on the Roeder front.

David, Agreed. But I think Spurs have had 'their season'. I wouldn't include them imo as one of the strongest this year. Just a hunch like. Mido and Carrick did a hell of a lot for them last year and they still have the left sided problem. Made the Duff transfer all the sweeter. bluecool.gif

David, I thought about that and was very close to pontificating if we had 3 wins and 3 or 4 draws, but going by previous starts, that wouldn't really seem like a crisis of form, so I edged away from those numbers to get people to answer the question with sommat more concrete to go by. But I see what you mean. Also I don't think there really are any 'easy' games in the PL these days and perhaps 2 or 3 unbeatable sides. You make a valid point though. There are 3 tough away games in the first 12... Also newly promoted sides are harder to beat in the early games before the rot sets in.

A refreshingly honest post there Raccy boy.

"3 months? try 3 games" Antec This is one of my fears, that a lot of people are waiting and hoping for him to fail and it will take a miracle to win them over.

If and I say IF, Roeder has a bad say first 12 games ie one or two unconvincing wins and a couple of lucky draws and we lose the remaninder of those games. I am interested to know how much core support or sympathy Roeder will have. Will he get time to make it right to build on the impressive end to last term (which must have won a fair few over) or will his lack of good credentials and poor record start to go against him?

Luque hasn't got a chance in grinning hell to prove anyone wrong.

Lukewarm is ganna get swapped for a RM striker anyway if Fatty has his way.

.....and he smiles too much the dopey get..!!

Delima, Christ I'm either reading it wrong or he has no assists over 3 years!!! blueeek.gif The goals per game is how I imagined it. Around 3.7 per appearance for Depor. The nature of this quandry I beleive is that La Liga and PL football is miles apart in tempo/time on the ball and roles and postions players take up. The nature of defending in both leagues is miles apart as well.

"Luque is not a striker. He is a forward/left winger. When SOuness bought him, Souness said that he expected him to score 10+ a season but not 20+. I don't think he has anymore future in Newcastle as winger, as we are well blessed in this area. He is going to play more as a forward, and he seems to do well in this position lately." Delima So I wonder what his assist stats are? I mean: WHAT DOES HE DO? blueeek.gif

Well I don't condider someone with a career tally of 1 goal in just under 5 games an out and out striker. I think it was 1 in 3.7 or summat when he was at Depor in the league. But I haven't checked. The top 20 strikers in Europe like Owen all have career averages of 1in 2 or thereabouts. Simple indicators really. Not rocket science.

Thats the point.

Yeah same as all those rumours that he was one of the best 'strikers'/'creative forwards' in Spain. bluesleep.gif

Perhaps all those rumours about lax defending in La Liga are true then. bluebiggrin.gif

Quote from: stozo on Today at 04:36:17 PM "I think we should cut our losses on Luque. The guy has no pace which makes it hard for him to play on the wing. He is as fragile as anything, I mean he's played 1 game this season and already he's injured. I'll admit his goal against Lillestrom was good but throughout the game he jogged around, didn't ever pressure the Lillestrom defenders and never looked like getting in behind them. I mean I've seen people using his goal against Sunderland as an arguement for him but if people remember the ball bounced over the Sunderland playters head to get him, it's not like he made a deceptive run or anything. Also while the finish was well taken he never really accelerated away from the defender, in fact the defender had caught him up again by the time he struck the ball. I just don't think he doesn't have any really great qualitities, he's not got any pace, he's not paticularly good in the air, he doesn't have a high workrate and when he runs at people he doesn't make you think "Wow, he could dribble it past 3 defenders here". I will give him that he is a good finisher, I just don't believe he has the neccesary skills to create enougfh chances for himself." "Good post I reckon." Alex Agree totally.

Let's say for a minute we're after a striker who plays in Spain (not a million miles from the truth) and they hinted they fancied Lucky da Luque. Then we look at the history of Lucky's comments on his little jaunts back to the mother country...The links with Real that he was flattered by...etc.. There is a lot more going on here than just a player displaying motivational issues me thinks.

Any of you numpties considered for a micro-second Luque wants to be sold.

Why is it crap?

A baby pea at that.

That's why I try and stay away from this board till the season starts General.