Newcastle United Thread 2015/16

[Geordie]

First topic message reminder :

Manager / Head Coach - Steve McClaren
Assistant coach - Paul Simpson
Assistant coach - Ian Cathro
Psychology / Fitness / Motivation: Steve Black
Fitness Coach - Alessandro Schonemaker

Current Squad
(A) - Promoted from the academy, playing reserves but eligible for 1st XV

GK's:
T.Krul, R.Elliott, Karl Darlow 
Brendan Pearson (A) , Freddie Woodman (A), P. Woolston (A),

Defenders:
C. Mbemba, F.Coloccini, Jamaal Lascelles, S.Taylor, P.Dummett, M.Haidara, Daryl Janmaat, C.Good
J. Sterry (A), M. Gilhesphey (A), K.Mbabu (A), L.Satka (A), L. Gibson (A), K Cameron (A), J. Cobain (A), A.Laidler (A), C.Williams (A), L. Suddick (A),
 
Midfielders:
G. Wijnaldum, C.Tiote, M.Sissoko, V.Anita, J.Colback, G.Bigirmana, S De Jong, S.Ferguson, R. Aarons
D. Barlaser (A), L.Smith (A), D. Ward (A), O. Kemen (A)
 
Forwards:
A. Mitrovic, P.Cisse, Y.Gouffran, A. Armstrong,  A.Perez, S.Ameobi, E.Riviere, I.Toney
C. Roberts (A), T. Heardman (A), A. Gilliead (A),

[Guest]

Opening fixtures:

H - Man City
A - Aston Villa
H - Crystal Palace
A - Southampton
H - Hull
A - Stoke

December & March look tricks months but easy run-in.

[Geordie]

John,

Unless we start bringing quality players in now...they're all going to be tricky months.

[Geordie]

Well its all quiet on the recruitment front.

[Geordie]

I see Debuchy has put out a come and get me plea...sayig he "misses champions leageu football".

Off to see his mate in Paris i think.

[Guest]

Gomis medical at Swansea, so we've missed out on him. Lasogga has also stated he wants to stay in Germany.

James Tavernier to Wigan.

[Guest]

Siem De Jong signed. Progress.

[Guest]

Well its all quiet on the recruitment front.

De Jong & now Cabella.

If we line-up like this, what do you think? I'd say it's a top half side but nothing more at the minute. If we got Remy, we might challenge higher.

------Emmanuel Riviere OR Loic Remy---------
Gouffran-----------De Jong------------Cabella
-----------Tiote-------------Sissoko----------
Santon------Coloccini--Williamson-----Janmaat
--------------------Krul-----------------------

Santon is apparently out for two months, so Haidara or Dummett could play. Bench - Cisse, Colback, Perez, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Anita, Taylor(s), Sammy Ameobi, Elliott.

[Geordie]

Yeah Cabella now signed lets hope he is worth the chase. And hopefully De Jong will be a good signing.

That looks like the side and its not bad....it has a couple of creative players at least.

I like the midfield of Sissoko and Tiote. I didn't like Sissoko being played out wide so hopefully he can really show how good he is in the middle.

Id like to see another quality centre back come in.

I hope Armstrong gets some game time as well. He's young, but with a more solid and creative side around him he may get some chances and he is a goal scorer.

[Driver]

We're in dire need of defenders and a striker , especially if Pards plays 4-3-3.

For me we'll be rolling out with this next season

Krul

Raylor
Colo
Williamson
Santon

Tiotie 
Anita

De Jong
Cabella
Sissoko

Cissie

Midfield is pretty tidy for me but worry about De Jong and Cabella being too similer , Ryan back in at right back could work a treat as we lacked quality delivery from set plays last season.


also YMB on his way out by Thursday.

[Geordie]

With injuries etc we are most likely to see the below start. Midfield, forweards looks good. But we badly need defenders.
 

Cisse
Cabella....De Jong
Anita...Tiote... Sissoko
Dummet... Colo....Williamson.... Jaanmat
Krul

 
Or More attacking
 

Cisse
Cabella....De Jong....Ben Arfa
Tiote... Sissoko
Dummet... Colo....Williamson.... Jaanmat
Krul

[Guest]

I suspect Janmaat will join + either Loic Remy or Emmanuel Rivière.

Cabella & De Jong are not similar. Remy is a pacy, tricky & creative winger type, whereas De Jong is a more natural finisher or no.10 with an eye for creating chances in central areas. Cabella playing outwide, allows us to bring Moussa centrally & makes us stronger in my opinion. Haidara is left sided, replace him with Janmaat.

[Guest]

Siem De Jong's already done what Luuk couldn't. Absolute screamer vs Oldham.

[Guest]

----------------Emmanuel Riviere ---------
Gouffran-----------De Jong------------Cabella
-----------Tiote-------------Sissoko----------
Santon------Coloccini--Williamson-----Janmaat
--------------------Krul-----------------------

That looks the team.

[Geordie]

Yeah Jaanmat signs (Has Debuchy officially gone?)
 
Looks a decent team.
 
As for last night, im not really bothered by the result...good to see a few of the kids getting a run out..like Armstrong, Aarons, Street etc.
 
If we can get the full strength side out (with maybe a couple more signings) an give the kids a run out in a solid side now and again it bodes well.

[Geordie]

Looks like we have near enough got that Riviere also.

Colback
Perez
Siem de Jong
Jaanmat
Cabella
Riviere

Pretty damn good business for us this window!

[Ent]

2 Newcastle fans on the Malaysian airlines flight that was shot down.

On their way to attend the pre season tour.

Awful stuff, RIP.

[Guest]

Yeah, tragic stuff. Just goes to show how passionate our fans are, that they would go & fly to New Zealand for some friendly matches. Awful news. R.I.P.

[Geordie]

Nice to see the lads put on a decent little show against Sydney.

4-0.

De Jong has made a good start to pre-season...all the kids got a run out (Vuckic, Armstrong, Campbell, Satka, and that young lad Rolando Aarons seems to be one to watch down the flank.

[Geordie]

Im starting to get a little annoyed by these rumours signing Arsenal kids like Gabry etc on loan.

Why sign then and give other clubs kids experience whilst our kids sit and dont progress.

At least give the likes of Aarons, Armstrong, Campbell, Streete, Satka etc a chance before dropping them even further behind other clubs kids who will have no loyalty to us at all!

[Guest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAZ6jNRL_tY&app=desktop

hopefully we see some of this next season.

[Geordie]

Oooh yes please....him and De Jong could be an interesting pair. And if Sissoko and Tiote can keep that midfield nice and controlled we could be quite strong this season.

I think your right about the team

------------Emmanuel Riviere ---------
Gouffran-----------De Jong------------Cabella
-----------Tiote-------------Sissoko----------
Santon------Coloccini--Williamson-----Janmaat
--------------------Krul-----------------------

Whats your view on the kids John? You can probably tell thats one of my sore points..how cant we produce our own talent from this area that has produced so many in the past....

Do you think any of them will get a few runs out this season...?

[Guest]

I'd like to see youngsters given the chance but Pardew is under so much pressure, as is every manager outside the top elite clubs, they can't really afford to take risks & play youngsters & see the club spiraling towards relegation. That would be the team I would play. Armstrong should get some game time but other than that, there just isn't anymore pushing near a starting place. Campbell won't dislodge Riviere or Cisse either, as was the investment they've made on those two.

As for other signings, linked heavily with Lacazette & Grenier. I'm hoping for one big signing still, think we need it to be honest. Our first XI is good but still needs strengthening, if we realistically want to challenge for a top 6-8.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I've heard Remy for £15m ish

[Guest]

We are contemplating it, however, we are still talking to Lacazette, as they only want around £16m + less wages. I'd prefer Remy, who's proven he can do the job already. Pretty ridiculous all this contract clause stuff, saying we must pay £15m, whereas top 4 only pay £8m.

[Geordie]

Well John has young Rolando Aarons propelled himself in to the squad?

[Driver]

I'v just got round to watching the games on Sky+ . Rolando impressed in patchs. I'm not buying into all the Obertan could have a part to play talk.

He's working harder now and tracking back a lot more than Hatem does which is the only thing he can do better than him.

[Guest]

No chance of first team but he'll be an option off the bench & is quick. Media overhype doesn't surprise me though, I wouldn't get too excited until he's effective in EPL games & not pre-season.

Interesting signings of Lascelles/Darlow. Got them dirt cheap in my opinion & Ashley will be thinking about resale value in a couple of years already. Wouldn't surprise me to see us sell Krul next summer. We still need a striker in my eyes.

[Geordie]

Sunderland have signed Rodwell for £10m...cracking signing if they can get the best form out of him....

[Geordie]

HAvent seen the Lascelles / Darlow signings? Who are they?

[Guest]

Basically Nottingham Forest's best young players. Very good deal for us, they will remain at Forest this season though.

[Crimey]

Is it a Newcastle policy to have one exciting year followed by a depressing year? This year looks like one of cautious optimism again.

[Guest]

After selling Cabaye, we wondered what direction we were going in. Some fans were angry, some knew that patience would be key, in preparation for a summer overhaul. We can't really complain, seeing as we've signed Remy Cabella, Siem De Jong, Emmanuel Riviere, Daryl Janmaat, Jamaal Lascelles, Karl Darlow, Ayoze Perez & Facundo Ferreyra. It's been a productive window & apparently we are still looking for another signing, possibly a striker. I think it will a good season & I'm very optimistic, hopefully the new signings quickly adapt & we can finish in the top 8.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Relegation looms

[Duty281]

Newcastle will be areet; there's quite a few sides in the Premier League poorer than they are.

[Roller_Coaster]

I think Newcastle will be top half.

Although, I chose to support QPR. Shows what I know.

[Geordie]

Relegation looms

You must have a lot of money on that...you keep harping on.

I think we'll be good this season. Top half...

For the first time in a long long long time im excited about some of the academy products. Hopefully some of them can get the odd run out this season...

[Mackem]

For the first time in 3-4 years I think you will get a draw against us! Haha

Na seriously I think you's will do ok. You've had a good summer with signings and signed the correct de jong now.Still think you are a striker short though.

[Driver]

I agree Mackem , we need another guy up top. 

Cissie might come back strong if he gets a full season up top rather than being messed about or injured.

Rodwell is a cracking buy providing you guys can keep him fit.

[Geordie]

Well is everyone ready for it.

Will we play to the potential i actually think we have this season.
Will we get Ben Arfa fit and motivated?
Will he play Sissoko in the centre instead of stuck out on the wing?

Or will it be the circus that we always get with Newcastle.

[Guest]

Not sure how it will unfold, looks promising but a heavy defeat to City first game & it will be a 'welcome' to the EPL for some of the new boys & confidence might drop. Top 8 should be the realistic target but I'd settle for a top 10 again. I think HBA days are numbered, being offered as a makeweight in deals & clearly not getting on with Pardew. Sissoko should be alongside Tiote centrally this season, but I don't think Cheick is even fit for the City game. Keeping De Jong fit could be critical, if Cabella is left to do most of the work, can see him trying too hard.

[Geordie]

Yeah very true

I see Shola has joined a Turkish second divison side on a 1 year deal. Found his level at last.

[Azzy]

Cabella and de Jong are two tremendous signings. Yet again Newcastle are going to be my FM team for the year.

[Geordie]

Well £4m bid tabled for Tiote from Loko Moscow.

If they were to come in with a real genuine bid...would you accept. I actually think i would consider it. On his day he's a cracking player but he can be a danger aswell...

Colback looks made to be his more assured / composed, less erratic replacement.

Its also a shame Bigirimana hasnt really come through as we hoped...but he's still young and might start to show aswell.

[Guest]

I hear we want £8m. I would accept, he's past his best now & Colback does look a more technically gifted midfield replacement. Yes, we lose the power of Tiote but with Sissoko moving central this year, that loss has been negated.

As for this weekend, looking for a much improved performance from Rivière. If we lose, the pressure on Pardew will come quicker thN he might think. Need to get off the mark.

[westisbest]

Am going to the game tomorrow.

thinking 1-1.

[Guest]

I went last year for the 1-2 to us, Ben Arfa was magical that day, such a shame that things just haven't worked out for him. I'm going for a draw, your probably spot on with a 1-1.

[westisbest]

I was there to John.

Have been to a few Villa Newcastle fixtures and we have lost them all.

Read that Newcastle have taken the most points off Villa than any other team in the prem.

[Guest]

Will we play to the potential i actually think we have this season.
Will we get Ben Arfa fit and motivated?


Or will it be the circus that we always get with Newcastle.

1. Looking unlikely
2. No chance, last I heard Birmingham City were offering to take him on loan

Circus? Every chance.

Not a good start. Two points from three games. Defensively we look vulnerable & offensively, even if we did create more chances this season, it doesn't matter because we've got nobody who even remotely looks like or resembles a goalscorer up front. I know it's early, but Cabella looks like another Ben Arfa, I'm not sure the prolonged chase was even worth it. Hopefully he improves but nothing of note so far.

Not feeling to optimistic now, the only bright spot is Aarons, but Pardew will probably want to protect him & stick with his first team & allow them time to gel & develop. Southampton away next looks a difficult game now. Defeat at St. Mary's & Pardew will be browing his pants & the pressure will be on big time because we will no doubt be staring at the bottom 3.

Christ

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Feeling my relegation prediction is one track so far

[Guest]

Ben arfa to hull & no strikers in. Disappointing

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