Wayne Routledge signs 3 year deal with Swansea

[ATB]

Football is a low percentage game, even the top wingers only find a player with a small number of their crosses.

 

I like that

[Cajun]

Was never a fan of the lad before he came here but I have been very impressed tbf.

[Mick]

I thought he had a great game.. aye, most of his crosses were blocked and sometimes he holds the ball a bit too much, but he gives us pace and directness that lack elsewhere in the team.. Villa couldn't cope with it.

 

Most of his crosses weren't blocked, he kept hitting the defender, the defender just had to stand in front of him.

[TaylorJ_01]

He's fast, he's small, he's got no final ball, Wayne Routledge...

 

Except he does.

[sparkzter]

He is improving, bit more coaching with his crossing and he could start to do some real damage especially if his confidence grows.

 

As for frustrating please look towards our Mask wearing buddy on the other wing!!

[Tachikoma]

Jonas wasn't even trying to cross in the Aston Villa game, actually.

 

The way I see it the only thing Rout was lacking was an understanding with Perch. Tried to do too much on his own.

[DubblyDubblyDubbly]

Get real boys and girls... or should that be apostrophes ?

Recognised wingers/whatever go for big wedge .. even to teams other than Citeh. You can't expect the finished article for a few £million these days. His performance was as good as that little sh1t from Tottingham and way better than £12million Downing. Both he and Jonas do my head in, but their workrate and effort has some class included, unlike Smiffy.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I don't find Routledge frustrating at all, it's just a lazy stereotype to criticise his decision making and final ball - I think both are decent enough.

[Shak]

I expect he'll be erratic this year, he should provide enough moments of quality to be worth having in the side though.

 

I'd really love us to have another proper winger in the squad though. Another option for when Jonas or Routledge are struggling. Saylor is pretty desperate, Lovenkrands never does much out wide, Guthrie is no winger...

 

There'll be times when Routledge in particular will need a rest, hopefully we find someone who can replace him without losing what he gives us.

 

Unless Lua Lua starts forcing his way into the reckoning I'm not massively confident we have that player in our squad though.

[Disco]

I expect he'll be erratic this year, he should provide enough moments of quality to be worth having in the side though.

 

I'd really love us to have another proper winger in the squad though. Another option for when Jonas or Routledge are struggling. Saylor is pretty desperate, Lovenkrands never does much out wide, Guthrie is no winger...

 

There'll be times when Routledge in particular will need a rest, hopefully we find someone who can replace him without losing what he gives us.

 

Unless Lua Lua starts forcing his way into the reckoning I'm not massively confident we have that player in our squad though.

 

We badly need cover on the flanks, if one of the two get injured we're sturggling and badly and we'll become massively lopsided and, as a result, predictable again thus making us easier to defend against. I'd have gone for Miroslav Stoch (went for £2.5m after WC) but since he's obviously not available somebody like Eagles who'd be available for cheap on lowish wages and probably wouldn't mind playing off the bench would be ideal.

 

As for Routledge I have been pleasantly suprised thus far and long may it continue.

[DJ_NUFC]

Erm, that ball he played out to Carroll to the right of the penalty box from the outside of his boot was about as close to Nobby Solano that we've seen since the Peruvian has departed St. James'.

 

Give him credit, he was a constant thorn in their side all game, and yes, while his final ball can improve, we're not missing Milner at all (whose final ball was/still is just as lacking and indecisive).

 

He just needs to score more belters now like Milner.

[Dave]

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/8359680.Newcastle_is_ideal_home_for_wanderer_Routledge/

Newcastle is ideal home for wanderer Routledge

 

9:32am Saturday 28th August 2010

 

IT says much of Wayne Routledge’s itinerant existence that, despite only joining Newcastle in January, he has already made twice as many appearances for the Magpies as for the two other Premier League clubs where he spent three-and-a-half years of his career.

 

Tottenham, 2005-08? Three top-flight starts sandwiched between loan spells at Portsmouth and Fulham.

 

Aston Villa, 2008-09? Two Premier League substitute appearances either side of a twomonth loan to Cardiff City.

 

Throw in Championships spells with Crystal Palace and QPR, and it is easy to see why the winger has earned a reputation for switching clubs in the way most players swap shirts.

 

When he arrived at St James’ Park in January, Routledge freely admitted he was searching for the side that would bring his free-roaming days to an end.

 

Seven months into his Newcastle career the 25-year-old might finally have found a club he can call his own.

 

“I came here looking to put down roots and that is what I’ve done,” said Routledge, who made an instant impression in the second half of last season as the Magpies romped to the Championship title.

 

“I’ve never been happier in my career. I’ve been at a lot of clubs, but I’ve found something really good here. I’m really enjoying it.

 

“I get on really well with everyone and I think that shows in my football. I needed that. It’s gone really well for me up here. I had to get settled at a club, find a club where I felt a part of it. I feel as though I can express myself here.

 

“Your team-mates give you the confidence to do that.

 

When you’re happy and settled, I think that will always be when you play your best football.

 

“Here, we’re all striving for the same thing, which is to keep Newcastle United in the Premier League and hopefully a little bit more than that.”

 

Unlike the majority of his team-mates, Routledge was not a member of the Magpies side that tumbled out of the top-flight two seasons ago.

 

But just as the likes of Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Joey Barton are driven by a desire to atone for mistakes that occured in Newcastle’s last ill-fated stay in the division, so Routledge is equally desperate to prove himself as a Premier League performer.

 

The winger was tipped for the top when he joined Spurs in a £2m transfer from Palace in 2005, and while his career has taken a somewhat circuitous route since, he could yet reach his intended destination if he maintains the form he displayed in last weekend’s 6-0 win over Aston Villa.

 

“I’ve got a point to prove as a Premier League player now, but I think everyone has here,” said Routledge. “We’ve got a point to prove every time we step out on to the pitch.

 

“At the moment, things are going well, but we have to maintain it. The Premier League is relentless and if we let our standards slip, it could all change very quickly.”

 

After an opening-weekend defeat at Manchester United, the manner of last Saturday’s victory dispelled many of the fears that accompanied Newcastle’s elevation to the topflight.

 

Chris Hughton’s side did not look out of place as they swept aside a Villa team that were expected to push for Europe before Martin O’Neill’s surprise departure, but the challenge now is to maintain that standard at Wolves this afternoon.

 

Newcastle’s strong away form was a key feature of their success last season, and while no one is expecting a repeat of their 12 victories on the road, Routledge is looking for signs to suggest Newcastle are capable of taking points from the backyard of the sides that are likely to be in and around them.

 

“The result against Aston Villa has given everyone a lot of confidence,” he said. “It was an unbelievable result and it couldn’t have gone any better for us really.

 

“It’s nice to win in that manner no matter which division you’re in, but I think it was important for us to get a home win under our belts quickly.

 

“We feel we belong in the Premier League, but we also have to prove we’re good enough. We are here on merit after coming up as champions, but that result has given everyone a lot of self-belief.

 

We are back where we belong.

 

“The trick with a result like that is to follow it up. The aim is to take some points from the Wolves game and build on what we did to Villa.”

 

[Heron]

[Ronaldo]

Played very well today. He'd be the last player from the current midfield 4 that i'd consider dropping.

[Alberto2005]

Played very well today. He'd be the last player from the current midfield 4 that i'd consider dropping.

Yeah he was very good today, good in possession aswell.

[SteveMc]

I agree he did play well - gave us a really good outlet

[Flip]

Still lacks the final ball, just like Jonas.

 

I like this combination of one tricky winger and one hard working winger, but it just sucks that both don't seem to be able to score. While Routledge did score in the Championship he seriously doesnt seem able to score when going forward.

[Ronaldo]

Still lacks the final ball, just like Jonas.

 

Utter tripe, he put in several good crosses today, as he did against Villa.

[BeloEmre]

Still lacks the final ball, just like Jonas.

Not really...Had some decent crosses today, and should have got at least one assist, if Nolan could learn how to score on a volley.

[SteveMc]

Still lacks the final ball, just like Jonas.

 

I like this combination of one tricky winger and one hard working winger, but it just sucks that both don't seem to be able to score. While Routledge did score in the Championship he seriously doesnt seem able to score when going forward.

 

We've only played 3 games man

[Guest Heneage]

He seems to have played well today so good on him. I'd still like someone on the wings to challenge him, but then that might be Ben Arfa. I still do like him as a player.

[Numbers]

Played well today to be fair, was a contant threat.

[NG32]

He was in Hannah Hannahs last night with his pals, i was sat right behind him. Suprised he was back up here so quick after the game.

[Tooj]

He hasn't impressed me as of late like.

[jdckelly]

i'd drop him for jonas tbh