I think most fans would agree that Leon Best has surpassed any expectations we have had in his ability over the last few months. He was required to step up to the plate and that’s exactly what he has done and he is now one of the first names on the team sheet when it comes to our attacking options.
Of course, some would say that this is a selection by default as we are currently so limited with our attacking options up front, but Leon has proved he is worth selecting and has responded to the gauntlet set down with gusto.
I was extremely impressed with Leon in pre-season until a nasty cruciate injury set him back months and was sceptical when he appeared on the bench later on in the season due to him struggling to make an impact on Tyneside in our Championship winning campaign. He seemed to be in the same category as the signings of Perch and Routledge in that he had found his level in the Championship and just wasn’t good enough for the big stage. I thought he would always be a backup player and would only get a chance if injuries took their toll.
In his first Premier League start with the club, Leon was a surprise selection against West Ham United. Alan Pardew explained to journalists that Leon Best had been beating down his door for a chance to prove himself and that’s the sort of attitude he wanted to see from his players, so Leon was gifted his chance in the big time.
Many fans were having a laugh about the selection of Best and weren’t confident he could deliver the goods. They were wrong. We all hoped he would have a good game but I don’t think anyone could hold their hands up and admit that they expected Leon Best to come out with a hat-trick on his first Premier League start. Having scored a hat-trick and added goals against Arsenal and Brimingham to his tally, he now has a scoring rate of a goal every two games in 2011.
Leon is a skillful guy with the ball at his feet and from what we hear about the clubs recent ‘training’ break in Portugal, he is also the best at any other mini sport you can think of. He also demonstrated recently against Fulham that he can find the back of the net with his heed as well. Let’s be honest though, this boy has been around a while now and it’s about time he started making a name for himself. He made his debut against Newcastle on his 18th birthday and his most prolific spell of his career was at Yeovil Town on loan from Southampton.
He has proved he has the hunger and desire and can score goals against good defences as he was unlucky not to get two against Arsenal having been wrongly flagged offside. His next challenge is to keep the spot he has earned ahead of the returning Shola Ameobi and promising youngster Nile Ranger, whilst keeping Lovenkrands firmly in his shadow.
I currently feel he is our best chance of getting goals against Everton at the weekend and really wish the boy well as he comes across as a lad with a great personality.
MarkToon wrote a cracking article a couple of weeks ago singling out Leon best as one of our top performers of late and rightly said that Leon was a confidence player. How much more confidence do you need knowing that the Toon faithful are behind you 100%?
If Leon continues at this rate he should be in double figures at the end of the season which I would personally be delighted with.
Do you think Leon has what it takes to play at this level for years to come or is this just a flash in the pan? Would you pick him over any of our current crop of strikers or should he make way for Ameobi?
Toon News 24/7
RSS
E Mail
Twitter
Facebook
108 Comments
We’ve got to give Leon a break, because to be honest he’s really come up trumps over the last few weeks against Arsenal and Brum. Well done to the lad, performing well in one of the hardest leagues in the world. A snip at 1 million quid…
Moreno he is not a bad Lad but IMO he is not the man to take the place of Judas, and I dont mean just the No9 Shirt, I think he is a decent player but not the striker to take us forward.
I just wish he would practise not getting caught offside
Yes he done brill against the scum but from then he hasn’t really pulled many trees up but I hope he can prove me wrong
aye he seems a good lad trys his heart oot ,and is quick in the box
He has certainly prooved me wrong n Im more than happy to admit that I think he can break double figures this year.
Be great for us to finish aboue liverpool n best to out score andy
Did you not get the footage from Soccer AM then Moreno?
I replied to your message asking where in the game “The Best Shuffle” took place but not sure if you saw it.
Good post Moreno…well done mate..
Moreno your a dab hand at these blogs
DAVE aye good thread,best has just followed shola in that off-side trick
Bets and Shola up front tomorrow, way too much fire power for Everton. 2-0 to the toon would do very nicely. For the first time in a while I actually have confidence in keeping clean sheets, and if you don’t concede you have a good chance of picking up all three points.
Agee Munich think we should be gunning for all 3 point tomorrow
Any word on barton?
Cheer lads, I just reckon that with 5 goals in 10 games, he has a better scoring rate than a lot of Premier League strikers out there at the moment and was a fraction of the price.
Another question then, suppose we have a new striker up front and you have Best and Ameobi on the bench to come on and try nick a goal….who do you pick?
Johno …agree mate, would go down nicely. I’m also curious about Barton, did he spit his dummy out last week or was he genuinely injured ? Either way it would be great to have him back tomorrow…
DAVE i think richietoon should do a thread as a going away present to us,sure toonsy can set a brail keyboard up for him
fj, they never got back to me today…saw your post and I had already replied to soccer Am saying that I though it was between 75-85 minutes and explained it in detail. I will send them another mail now but expect they would have been sorting stuff out for the show in the morning
Ah, that’s rather poo. Would have been a good video to accompany this blog, promoting The Legend of Best.
Well he had to step up to the plate and with 5 goals in 7 he has done that. The goal against Birmingham is what gave us the cushon and probably the 3 points because it seemed to put the game beyond brum brum. Would be nice if he can find the net against the toffeemen and he was unlucky not to score against Bolton.
I wouldn’t say that I never doubted him… but I though his run under Hughton was not his potential. Bizzare considering how we keep hearing about what a great coach C.H is.
A great coach who was busy dealing with a million other things with no staff whilst also trying to coach?
aye mate, was holding off the blog till I got the video but it never came in time
I applaud the job Best has done. i think there is a real place for him on th squad as a 3rd or 4th striker- and I genuinely mean that as a compliment as I would not have said that 2 months ago.
Defo have Best and Shola up front. Hope to god that Joey is ok for the morra. Of all things, he’s been revelation on the right. 2-0 to the Toon, 2 points above the scum, and hopefully find ourselves in 6th place, firmly out of the drop zone, and a new contract for Jose and Joey. That would be a GREAT weekend.
Chris Hughton will always be a legend for me and this club and he should have a statue outside St James’ Park in my opinion. I really think it is going to take about 5 or 10 years before we can truely appreciate what he managed to save this club from.
If we really are on the way to a better, more realistic approach to the Premiership and can maybe even become a team regularly fighting for Europe, we will look back and see what Hughton achieved.
We’ve had plenty of comments saying Pardew’s stats beat Hughton’s so far – but could Pardew have done what Hughton did last season?
That’s what saved this club from a fate we can only shudder at.
MDS-
Where do you live again, man?
funky i could of done it never mind pardew
FunkyJ-
Agree with that, mate. Hughton saved the club from a meeting with perpetual mediocrity. Would sure love to buy the man a round!
My Hughton post in response to DJG at post 16, not some random rant, lol.
Batty-
Somehow I don’t doubt that
I can still remember the day we got relegated like it was yesterday, remember walking up the hill with a mate up to his house after watching it in the pub. Im just happy that we are where we are at this point in time and I think the people hoping and worse still expecting a Euro place are getting a bit ahead of the objective.
DJG-
Yeah, maybe a bit ahead, but why not? We’ve got the opportunity. Why not try to take it? I won’t be gutted if we don’t make Europe because this season has already been a dream compared to what I was expecting!
Ice that would be good mate a farewell blog
where we can abuse him for one last time 
Davey-
Ain’t it past your bedtime, ya mick b@stard?
(says the guy who’s name is O’Hurley
)
Also there have been a few teams of our level that have got into Europe after a few strong finishes in the league. All they did was get to the sort of early knock-out stages and had a worse year in the league because of the extra games and injuries ect. Fulham are a recent example of this. I don’t think we are ready for europe. I would rather we had a good strong top half finish in the league next season where we turn over a few teams and suprise a few of the big guns.
DAVE think of the stick we can give him when hes gone,not that we would like
Aye Ice we wouldn’t do that mate
your getting good mate
OHurley
ice, dave
wouldn’t worry he’ll never be out the spanish internet cafes with a pocket full of euros!
DJG-
It could also mean a bit more money for us and the ability to keep players like Jose who WANT to be playing in Europe. It would instantly increase our visibility to other players and other clubs in Europe (and elsewhere) and could provide the impetus to sign some great talent. There’s always two sides, like. Besides, you’re startin’ to sound like Stu
DJG I know what your saying but getting into europe would keep the players happier and getting better players easier.
So shall we bin the cups too cos of the extra games? The object of the game is to play as many games in a season as possible, that means you’re doing well. If that’s not what we want then what’s the point? Absolutely no evidence whatsoever to say they had a crap season because they qualified for Europe.
MORENO have they got brail key-boards there like m8?
OHurley @ 36 see mate I knew you wern’t thick no matter what anyone says
Dave,
Guess I got good teachers, like
Love the crack on this site. Toonsy, you defo got the best bloggers (except Dave and Batty who can both kiss my ass lol)
Dave @ 40
Me? Thick? Ha, your mum been tellin’ ya stories about me again, eh?
later lads
see ya, dog
Ice take it easy mate catch you tomorrow
OHurley @ 41 I wouldn’t kiss what a dog wouldn’t lick
Batty are you going to take that of him
Ha, that’s no way to talk about your lass
Yeah Batty, you gonna take that off me?
Cya Ice, of up the dancers in ya Stannah?
LoL, wot u lot up to? It’s not THAT damn late. I know… all y’all are off with your missuses gettin’ freaky, ain’t ya?
Richie,
Wow, I have no idea what your last comment means lol…
Richie I think his Stannah is broken down mate
OH… “dancers” is stairs and Stannah chairlifts……for the old folk
OHurley its near 11 mate soon be time for me to get scooby snacks
Dave…let’s be honest, ya could do with giving them a miss for 1 night….at least
flight tomorrow, can’t be arsed….and I miss the match
Richie its bad not to eat mate
I know its hard to believe but I very rarely eat during the day so I normally have me dinner before I go to bed 
Dave-
Yeah, weed will defo make give ya the munchies hehehehe
Richie @ 55 is that in a chinook or hercules
Richie-
Gotcha!! lol thats mint
reet Lads im outta here be good and dont be starting any fights
Dave… worse Queezyjet
later dave!!
night mate
http://www.sportingpreview.com/prem_news/10110841.php
Some very interesting claims and figures in that lot. May throw some light on the Joey Barton contract situation.
cya Dave
never trust that sportingpreview…..they are a ramping site and occasionally release stories/reports to start betting trends which they can lay against…always be wary of them…
Aye Moreno…. but they are merely quoting a newspaper in this one.
That was in the Sun…why would it shed some light on JB’s contract situation?
fair enough, even more chance that its bullocks then
oh I know that. Its run by bookies. Remember the infamous ‘Klinsman to be announced tomorow’ story. Then the odds dropped slightly and people parted with cash the bookies knew they would be keeping. I suppose if people were stupid enough to bet on it it served them right but even so, they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.
To be honest richie even though it’s from the sun, it wouldn’t suprise me at all if it was true and the figures sound spookly realistic to me.
As I said this morning or was it last night
even if true, every club who gets relegatednwill do the same thing, financial reality and all that 
Everything they have mentioned really is what happened. Including the club being for sale at the time, there being no manager so to speak, players who we could find buyers for were sold and ones on high wages like Smith, Barton, Collo we probably tried to sell and there were no buyers. Sounds pretty damn spot on to me. Plus the fact at the time Barton had got sent of at Liverpoop, fell out with Shearer, was public enemy no.1 and we wanted rid.
….As Stuart said it makes a mockery of what Ashley/the club said about keeping those players to get us up, but if you take owt Ashley says at face value then you deserve what ya get.
DJG…. as I said every club who goes down does the same, I would be more surprised if it wasn’t true and unfortunately that’s what needs to be done if you go down for the most part.
and The Sun have either just picked this up yesterday from ‘somewhere’ or they have had it a while and choose today to release it?
Just smells a bit fishy though doesn’t it?
Why is it that we are targeted and clubs attempt to screw us on a daily basis?
Do you ever see as much rubbish printed about any other club in the tabloids? Even a fraction?
‘Why is it that we are targeted and clubs attempt to screw us on a daily basis?’
Typo, meant papers not clubs….
I thought most of those numbers were known…looks like quoted sales prices for those who left, and if Ashley was eager to save on wages, then he’d half to sacrifice sale value to the buying club. There’s only a handful of clubs that can pay ridiculous sales prices and then match ridiculous wage demands too, correct?
Interesting read. Seems we’re the better for some of those deals not going through.
Anyway lads, I am away to sort the kids stuff out for the morra so have a good night.
This is why Ashley needs to learn from him mistakes (he seems to be this season) and have us in a position where we have the strength (more strikers) to be nowhere near the bottom 5 in the table.
neet neet.
This orange vodka from poland im drinking is lush.
As for the Europe question, I am one who believes that the team should always be striving for that. To play just for survival is too risky IMO. Take tomorrow’s results for instance. We win, there’s a chance we can capture 6th. Survival is almost assured in that position, but in reality, it’s mathematically not. So, the club needs to keep pushing as if Europe is the goal. Strive for the best. Never settle for mediocrity. That’s not what the Premier League is about. Teams don’t get here by being the average at what they do…
If it gets to the point where the team is mathematically safe and Europe is unattainable…then start playing for fun…throw in the young ones. But, if we’re always pushing for that 6th place, and it’s still a possibility to get…then I don’t think they should ever stop trying.
As others said, more money and the attraction of players are all positives for the club. And for selfish reasons…more games to watch.
DJG…does it have a name?
Moreno…must be cos we’re a “big” club
cya mate.
DJG….aye ya right mate, but I have adopted the tactic of not believing owt he says until it’s proved otherwise
WODKA ZOLADKOWA GORZKA
I am a beer and wine kind of guy, except that the one hard alcohol i enjoy is vodka.
cheers
Vodka used to have me walking along railway lines wi big lights coming towards me…..strictly lager when I’m oot and usually red wine in the house….unless I’m full then may have the odd vodka…..and the occasional shot
DJG – 32. Seriously, Fulham got to the final did theyn not?
Yeah, me too. The only spirits I really drink are gin and vodka. My pal who got it said just drink it neat. Er no thanks Im mixing it with Lemonade.
toonsy- You have me on that one I’ll admit.
The point I was making though is that it has been detrimental to their league form. What are they doing now?
I think we should build. With enough persuasion and signings Im sure our current players will stay. And if they don’t f### em. Im still waiting for N’Zogbia, Bassong and Milner to lift the champions league.
wait, you’re mixing an orange vodka with lemonade? Does that work? I’d think there would be a serious citrus battle going on there.
DJG….how do you know it was detrimanetal to their league form?
Teams can do well one season and crap the next, with or without Europe.That’s football.
So if on the last day of the season we’d qualify for Europe if we won and wouldn’t if we lost you’d be praying for a win?
Doh *praying for a loss*
DJG, they are on course to finish mid table….as they do every year….can’t see it’s effected them that much
Toonsy…can ya text me scores tomorrow?…I’ll be getting drunk in Dereham
Because theres more games and players get injured and knackered.
Richie, you need to get yourself a “smart phone” and download some apps. A couple of quick touches and i get the league results for BPL, Serie A, La Liga and others.
Is there any news on Barton and Ireland or are they both still 50/50???
Wheres everybody gone?
so we shouldn’t go in the cups then?
players get injured at any time, we’ve done crap in the cups and still had injuries, that’s football and still nae proof europe makes you have a worse season.
Norcal…nae good having a “smart” phone, if the person operating it is an idiot
Whey I’m away, early flight, neet lads.
Richie
Well C.H didn’t.
neet everybody.
HWTL’s for today! DOUBLE! DOUBLE! DOUBLE!
Rich – Will do
DJG – I get what you’re saying. Sometimes the burden can be too much, but other times a club can deal with it. With Fulham its hard to judge as they have not long changed managers so that could have been why they started so poorly.
Besides, if the took had more games it would give me and the boys more articles to do and would help this place in becoming number one blog.
Nice blog Moreno. For me, we should be starting with Best and Ranger with Lovenkrands and Ameobi as subs.
Thanks Jill. I like your no nonsense approach to answering the question!
I agree with you on that selection 100%
Leon Best is a good player, but needs plenty of service coming into the box from the wings. This is our problem. We need Jonas to be more frequent and consistent with his crosses. Besty has shown he has great aerial ability, unlike shola, but we need to get Nolan further into the center of the box to get his knock downs as Lovenkranks tends to keep to left side too much.
We need a decent rightwinger too. Or simmo needs to improve his crosses too.
If we can improve this we can win today, but I’m not convinced. Although its great for the players to have the incentive of going 6th with a win. If that doesn’t get them fired up, nothing will.
Think it will be a tight game, just hope we can keep it clean and no more red cards ffs.
Any news on Joey B?
I really like him. He gives his all every single game, you can see that usually when he can hardly walk at the end of the match – couldn’t say that about any of our players the season we went down.
He’s proved he can score goals at this level, what more do we want?
« Newcastle v Everton – Match preview. | Llambias lambasts Keegan! »