robbo_11

We are imo. Although we could quite easily remain in the storming phase if results remain poor and the pressure builds up on Sam Allardyce. He has already had a slight dig at the players and we will have to wait and see how the players respond against the next opposition. It also got me thinking that under Roeder we had a strong team rapport because of the situation the players found themselves in. Youngsters like Edgar and Huntington thrown in against Man United out of position with Sibierski leading the line and we had a respected captain. It was almost backs to the wall for a lot of games and this brought the best out of the players available (Palermo away). When Roeder actually had to make a decision he often chose the wrong one (tactics against AZ Alkmaar away and Man United away).

We haven't moved from a group of players into a team of players yet. There are four processes when changing a group of individuals into a successful team: Forming - familiarisation - interpersonal comparisons Storming - resistance to the group - rules are developed Norming - team identity formed - conflicts resolved Performing - energy channelled towards team success - close rapport among group - mutual encouragement Basically, Newcastle are in the process of moulding together a new team, from the playing side to the management. To expect success instantly is impossible as the players are beginning to get familiarised with the situation as are the management. However, constant team changes, tactical changes injuries, change of captaincy etc disrupt this process and therefore it takes longer. It is imperative that the correct players are bought to fit the system and team ethic. It was mentioned before the Arsenal game about an apparent dispute between players and management. This "rift" between Given et al and the management links directly to the second process. As Sam has came in and tried to create new rules with regards fitness, diets and training it was reported that some members of the group were unhappy with this. More recently there was "uproar" about staying in London before a game with Chelsea over the festive period. It is natural for a group to test the boundaries of how far they can go when challenging the management, but to keep going against the management stops the development of the group. The norming stage is key to team success. It was mentioned that there was arguments during the Wigan Athletic between players, clearly no conflict being resolved. The desire for success seems to be lacking as well, "..the players looked like they were a side already beaten when leaving the team bus..." and distinguishes a succesful side from an unsuccessful side. Performing is the final stage when a group becomes a team and enables inidividuals to develop a close rapport, understand team roles and rules. Problems with Newcastle Effective team traits (Amshel 2003) include: - appropriate leadership - something which has been mentioned and I feel is lacking. The captain is an individual who can commend the respect of players and communicate efficiently with both management and the players. Smith can easily lose his head in moments of heat, while Geremi is not fully commited in all aspects of the game (pulling out of challenges). - constructive climate - Barton criticism of the fans was an awful bit of PR, although it wasn't as bad as was reported. Players should wait until the situation to air opinions is relevant and also after a positive period of time. Is Sam Allardyce open to constructive criticism? I think he is, I'm sure he asked player if it was him they disliked after a poor performance and was met with silence. A group of players against change. No clearly defined roles - having so many backroom staff can't help. Players who dislike members of the group. Without time a group cannot development and with high expectations from fans the group faces massive pressure to perform on and off the field. The longer this goes on and financial implications become greater the worse it will get.

Newcastle, Arsenal and West Ham are keen to sign Gillingham youngster Luke Freeman, according to the League One club's manager Mark Stimson. The 15-year-old striker last month became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup and recently spent time at Newcastle and Arsenal. Stimson rates him at between £200,000 and £300,000 and said: "Luke had a fantastic day at Newcastle and Arsenal. "He is going to West Ham to have a look around. He will then make a decision." But Stimson insists the player will not leave unless Gillingham receive an adequate offer. "Those clubs will speak to our chairman (Paul Scally) and something might come of that," said Stimson. "I think he will be moving on, but only if that is right for this football club. It has to be attractive for us because he is a talent." Another striker, albeit a one to fill the U18's probably. Has made 2 appearances for Gillingham already. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7161899.stm

"After the game, Antoine Sibierski caught the eye after emerging from the home team dressing room wearing a purple velvet suit"

1 Man Utd 19 27 45 2 Arsenal 18 21 43 3 Chelsea 19 15 38 4 Liverpool 18 21 36 --------------------------------------------- 5 Man City 18 5 34 6 Everton 19 16 33 --------------------------------------------- 7 Portsmouth 18 10 30 8 Aston Villa 19 8 30 9 West Ham 18 7 26 10 Blackburn 18 -2 26 11 Newcastle 19 -3 26 12 Reading 19 -11 22 13 Tottenham 19 4 21 14 Birmingham 19 -9 18 15 Bolton 19 -8 17 16 Middlesbrough 19 -16 17 17 Wigan 19 -15 16 --------------------------------------------- 18 Fulham 19 -14 14 19 Sunderland 19 -21 14 20 Derby 19 -34 7 7 points behind 6th. 8 points clear of 14th. 12 points clear of 18th.

Are the players still staying in London instead of coming home now?

3 minutes added time.

Ashley looking "most disconsolate" amongst the fans. A "disjointed performance from Newcastle" and "a fantastic performance from Bramble".

Yes, another wonder goal if I recall correctly. Just read last seasons match report on nufc.com. "Onyewu's block on Baines towards the left edge of the box gave the Latics a free kick from which allowed Ryan Taylor to rifle home a free kick reminiscent of the effort by Didier Drogba that removed us from the Carling Cup last year. Question marks remain over Given's position". Same old, same old (minus Onyewu).

Didn't Ryan Taylor score against us in the last game at the JJB?

Spot on, he looks shot atm. It doesnt help that the non-exsistent DM who has just got a new deal is actuall stopping f*** all in front of him. but we replace him with Cacapa? Who was so bad against Pompey that he got rested with an "injury" for weeks after? Face it, Allardyce has left us (still) in the s*** defensively. I see nothing wrong with playing Cacapa. Fair enough he had a shocker against Portsmouth and was taken off to help him (good man management from Sam). The same should happen to Rozehnal to stop the pressure getting to much on him. Cacapa has looked relatively solid in most games he has played in Fulham (a), Tottenham (h) and West Ham (h) as examples. I don't see how you could hold one game, no 11 minutes, against a player when he has played well in 10 games. I think Cacapa did ok yesterday and was let down by the midfield pushing on too much and his defensive partner. He was often the last line of defence in the last 10 minutes and stopped Derby from scoring on a few occasions (when Barnes tried to out pace him).

I think its time to Rozehnal out of the firing line, starting at Wigan. Taylor and Cacapa should start the next game. We looked alright going forward yesterday, but the defence is still indifferent. I'm sure I read on here that someone else had observed that Derby did most of the attacking down the right hand side in the first half, as Martins was too central and Beye often had to cover two men as Rozehnal's positioning was questionable. Martins is not a winger and this causes another defensive problem, as well as stifling creativity.

I think its hard to predict as Newcastle are too unpredictable. We draw today with many expecting a win and draw with Arsenal with many expecting defeat. We're likely to beat Man United away and then lose to Sunderland at home!

"Sam cannot beat a Derby with a team that ...." My thoughts on the game are that we outperformed a hard working Derby outfit, that took their chances, for long periods of the game. From the kick off we had at least 2 chances to score in a minute. It is disappointing tht we have only got 1 point today, when most were expecting a comfortable 4-0 win, but we didn't lose and the unbeaten run continues. Both of Derby's goals were well taken. I'm disappointed with a few individual displays and not convinced by a few, but would anyone take any Derby players into their Newcastle team? The referee wasn't great and I thought he missed a penalty for the barge on Smith in the first 20 minutes and constant time wasting by Derby. If we were to sack Allardyce now (in the most hectic part of the season) that would be the worst decision possible. I predict a better display against Wigan (although some will say it can't take much after today).

"Alan Shearer to come to my house..."

Smith "Son of Ashley"

Claude Davis - Eddie Lewis replaces him.

The Fulham match report. "Joey Barton’s injury-time penalty kick saw United win for the first time since they defeated Bolton on the opening day of the season." It wasn't that bad

Well once we grabbed the lad back I think we did it in that brief session in something called the uefa cup. Yeah I think he played there against Palermo and got an assist. Not sure if he played left wing on many other occasions, Man United at home?

I'm sure there was something about Kevin Bond in his relatively short time here was on £150,000 per annum AND got win/draw bonuses AND a car or money towards one. (Sunday Sun)

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9562/taylor1fe4.jpg Beye: "Your sure it won't hurt?"

Don't most of the academy players play for the reserves and U16's get drafted into the U18's? I thought that was why we are getting players in to fill the reserves like Tozer, Ngo Baheng and Kadar.

Can't speak much English either which may be a problem EDIT: Saying that id guess Smiths Brazilian aint up to much His Portuguese may be good though Alan Smith will probably get it.

Adriano has joined São Paulo on loan for 6 months (30 June 2008). The move is essentially to help him recuperate mentally after a difficult period and Inter will have a keen interest on how he plays in Brazil. Adriano said "I have wanted to find my old self. It would be an honour to win a title with this club. I want to work hard during my time here and return to the national side." No move to the Premiership for him.

Habib Beye has certaintly done the most since his summer move, followed closely by Abdoulaye Faye. I think it is the presence of Beye when attacking down the right hand side which we have lacked in recent years that has appealed to the supporters. Faye looks a rock and wins most things in the air, almost fearless when challenging for a ball. Cacapa looks like he has true class, but due to the short attention span of fans who can only remember 11 minutes of a game against Portsmouth he should be dropped as he is crap. Watching the Fulham game yesterday, his presence at the back made Newcastle look solid and often made a few last ditch challenges to keep a clean sheet. I think given time his ability will shine through and help younger players at the back. Rozehnal looks good when going forward, but there is always the chance he will be outmuscled or lose the flight of the ball and we will conceed. I think that he would be ore suited to the defensive midfielder role, picking up the pieces and carrying the ball forward, rather than the last line of defence. Geremi has been indifferent and my main criticism is that he doesn't seem to want to get stuck in, often pulling out of challenges. He can be quite slow as well, but has great set pieces and an eye for a good pass. At least he goes forward rather than side to side or backwards. Smith gets stuck in and seems to excel in the hold up role, but he never looks like scoring. I think that he will get his fare share of assists given time and maybe an odd goal. Joey Barton hasn't set the world alight up here, but again given time he will surely develop some fine form and help steer Newcastle to wins against teams like Fulham. He also showed some bottle to take the penalty yesterday after a disappointing performance. I wouldn't like to pass judgement on Enrique just yet as he hasn't really played and could be one for the future. He looked strong at the back, but resorted to the long ball quite often. As for people saying he should be in for N'Zogbia etc, why change an undefeated team? If we lose the game he makes changes "he doesn't know what he is doing" will be the response from some fans. Mark Viduka has done ok when he has played, showing some magical touches and amazing strength, but my main gripe is his injuries to date. He will get us goals against lower sides.