After yet another in a long line of disappointments I found myself looking at some of the players that I used to love thinking ‘you’re not good enough’. So today I forgot all of my personal feelings and memories of our players and have given an honest assessment of what I think.
Goalkeeper
This is clearly our best position, we have arguably the best shot stopper in the league (although distribution is poor) and a protégé who was recently described as ‘the next Buffon’ by the Juventus chief of scouting.
Given – One of only a few class players to have played for this club recently. Top draw. Arguably better loyalty than Shearer (what with him not being a Geordie)
Harper - Until recently there were often claims that Steve was of equal quality to shay. After an extended first team run this season it is clear that he is not. On a bumper contract due to his loyalty, he will not ever be good enough. SELL.
Krul – Should be our number two. Get experience in cup games. In 2-3 years will be on a par with given.
Defence
Even Townsend was getting irate at our defensive personnel. Needs an overhaul.
Solano – has got to be right back from now on due to ineffectiveness at right mid. My all time favourite player but has he still got enough in him? Would keep him but only as back up to both the right back and right mid. Recent media interviews lead me to believe that he is intelligent enough to make a fine manager one day and his experience and ability mean he should be given a senior role at the club possibly player/coach.
Carr – High wages. High Fat chocolate fire guard. GET RID
Babayaro – See above. GET RID
Bernard & Moore – Ditto! GET RID
Bramble – Have previously said he should be given time. His time is up. Hes simply not good enough unless hes playing pub teams in the intertoto. GET RID
Taylor – still to be convinced. But has potential and is young. Needs a mentor, Tony Adams?
Ramage & Edgar – Obviously not good enough but are on a pittance and provide honest back up in case of the worst injury scare.
Hunty – was awful last night and against Wigan but still a nipper and captained England at his level. Too early to judge.
Onyewu- doesn’t seem good enough either. No point in buying somebody who is no better than what we have already got. DO NOT BUY
wow that was depressing.
Midfield
Some great names on paper, but it just doesn’t work does it. A lot of our problems last night stemmed from our inability to string 3 passes together. Even at my level we get balled at by the manager if we don’t do this.
Milner – Great potential and a tremendous work ethic. The hours he puts in on the training field will make him better and better. Needs to gain consistency with his quality.
Parker – I feel he is still suffering the effects of the glandular fever which apparently takes a couple of years to get over fully. Was awesome last season, great drive which seems to be missing this campaign. I feel he has to accept the defensive midfield position and the responsibility which comes with it(no more headless chicken stuff) as it is clear he is no playmaker.
Emre – Cannot defend and is in the team for his attacking abilities. So where are they? Does not score goals, does not create goals and wastes a huge amount of set pieces. Typical Newcastle player, comes with a big name but lacks substance. Being attacking is about more than being able to beat the same man 3 or 4 times. SELL
Butt – What a turnaround eh? But still not good enough in possession. Will do as backup but he isn’t getting any younger and should only have one more year at tops.
N’Zog – Again bags of potential. One of the youngsters we can actually pin our hopes on. Has suffered as a result of selling Boumsong and Faye and needs confidence badly. Can you imagine him playing under Wenger’s protective arm? I can!
Duff – disappointing but has to be given at least some time. With him milner and zog vying for 2 positions I feel we are adequately covered.
Dyer – what does he bring to the team? Pace? Hes not good enough up front or in centre mid and dosnt have he discipline or crossing ability for right wing. Could make a killer super-sub, but or 90grand a week we could get more. SELL
Pattison & O’brien – never going to make it so whats the point in keeping them around? SELL
Lua Lua – looking forward to seeing his emergence and hopefully a few games as sub in the years to come
Strikers
We have some quality here but do we need a big man who can cope with our pathetic, aimless long balls due to our inability to string passes together?
Owen – I get worried about whether he will come back as the same player, but then I see a clip of him scoring goals and his beaming smile. He will still be a top poacher no matter what.
Martins – I cant repeat some of the things that I was shouting at the tv last night as I watched him strole around half-heartedly. Then he got his chance and I was surprised to see him go for his favourite dink over the keeper (not!). Why when you have Andy Roddicks serve in your left boot would you not just bell the ball and rip the net off?
Again has bags of potential and with the right coaching (cough Shearer) will learn how to make his runs and how to stay clam in front of goal Could be brilliant.
Luque – Hasn’t worked out, wasting money on wages. SELL
Ameobi – I actually believe a lot of his critics are unfair, and Im sorry to say that I feel there is a racial element to this. Has bags of quality and looked a different player at the start of this season/end of last, even though he was carrying an injury. Admittedly he has no consistency but again maybe with coaching it will come. In any event hes good enough for the bottom half of the premiership and so makes a good backup striker in my opinion.
Sib – only player I feel identifies with the fans. Lacks quality but has great attitude and work rate. Obviously not good enough but will do for a new dimension if we are strugging (long balls)
Thanks for bearing with me. I have felt disappointment before with this club. The only difference is this time I saw it coming. Nothing is a surprise anymore. Come the big occasions – come the bottling performances. It really has to change and I pray it does, we can no longer accept it. And if that means booing the team off after semi final defeats etc then so be it. Failure is not acceptable.
By the way this was my first post, I’m just sorry it wasn’t under happier circumstances.
