In fact the way that I am feeling now I reckon that we might as well retire it as it clearly only really means anything to us fans – a particularly raw point after the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, especially after we repeatedly heard how he was living the dream in our number nine shirt amongst other stuff.
However, we are having to struggle on after the departure of Andy Carroll, although to be fair we would have had to struggle on anyway as the Judas has been out for ten weeks with a thigh injury. It has presented an opportunity to other players though, and I’m looking squarely in the direction of Leon Best when I say that.
Best has had his critics since he arrived at Newcastle from Coventry City for a fee of anywhere between £500,000-£2 million depending on what you read. He struggled to fit into the side mainly because Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands were doing so well last season, which meant that the lad had to watch from the sidelines. Never upset a winning team and all that claptrap.
He was arguably our best player in pre-season and scored against Carlisle and PSV Eindhoven before suffering an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for the first four months of the season. He was, harshly in my opinion, branded a failure as he hadn’t done anything at Newcastle, but then again he had never been given the chance to do anything really. Judging a player on only a handful of substitute appearances is the wrong thing to do in my opinion.
Fast forward a few months and Leon is getting his chance, and boy is he taking it. Six goals in ten appearances is probably more than any of us had hoped for, but it’s his all round play that has impressed me more than anything. He can run, head, shoot, finish, hold up play and spot a pass, and he has improved since he was first given the nod for the first team by Alan Pardew.
But is he good enough?
I don’t want to sound critical of Best, but I just don’t think that he is the man to take us forward. Now I know that he has done brilliantly and has proved to be a more than able deputy in the last few games, but would you be happy to rely on Best for next season as well?
Where would you put Leon Best in the grand scheme of things? Would you be looking for someone to play next to him so he could retain his place in the team next year? Would you view him as a backup option? Or do you think that he is just not good enough?
As I said, it’s hard to be critical of Best given the goals that he is scoring and how he is playing at the minute, but if you were to ask me if Best was the man to fire us towards Europe either next year or the year after or whenever, then I would have to say no.
That’s my opinion, now let us hear yours!
[poll id=”8″]
No.
Stuart79(Quote)
Of all the strikers we have I would like Best to be the one who gets his chance and stays at the club next season and beyond (the rest can go at the end of the season for me including Ranger who’s a waster who doesn’t know how well off he is).
However we do need a 20 goal a season man alongside him … preferably another bargain buy (in the HBA Tiote bracket 😛 ) because we need consistancy. Another Andy Cole would be good 😛
shrews mag(Quote)
or another craig bellamy type player (but not craig bellamy 👿 )
shrews mag(Quote)
I think he’s great, gives his all every game and he gets goals. He could easily get into double figures this season, personally I would start him even next season.
He’s still young, he will only get better. He could have had another two added to his tally, against Arsenal and Everton.
He could have easily sat on the bench picking up his wages until we sold him but he was in Pardews face asking for a chance, he has the attitude and he’s proved he can score. I hope we stays this summer.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
For me it’s not about will he ‘take us to the next level’.
It is about should he stay at the club and be part of the squad, I think from what he is showing at the min the answer is yes he should. Assuming we sign some forwards in the summer and clear out Kuqi, Lovenkrands. I would be happy with Ameobi and Leon Best as 3rd and 4th choice strikers to the no.1 and no.2 strikers we bring in.
Ranger’s attitude stinks and im not even mentioning him in this theory. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
I think Donaldson/Airey could be higher up the pecking order to Ranger in the next few years. They both have what it takes plus a better attitude to Ranger.
DJG(Quote)
DJG – I cannot get my head around the lad who has been held up as the next big thing … and then can’t be arsed to get out of bed for training in the mornings.
Makes my p**s boil …
I would be there before everyone else and I would be last to leave … bloody waster …
shrews mag(Quote)
Some people have to learn the hard way. To be honest, yes he is quick and has a decent touch but he hasn’t really showed any instinct in front of goal to suggest he will start scoring many. Is he even ‘the next big thing’?
DJG(Quote)
I don’t think anyone has ever said Leon Best is likely to be challenging Ronaldo and Messi for best in the world accolades – but he is showing he is a very dependable Premiership striker.
Is he a guy with potential to be a legendary no. 9 type? No, but he certainly is someone to help us get where we are going. Also depends what you consider “next level”. Quite frankly, I don’t think we will ever get to where we were.
Geographical issues like most players preferring London to Newcastle for family reasons, issues such as the weather, our almost over-obsessive fan base being too much for some players to deal with, our current owner and five year plan not really being clear to anyone, our fickle nature of loving players if they score a hat-trick and then saying they aren’t good enough the next game if they don’t score another hat-trick. Blind worship of a striker like Ranger who has scored about 3 goals in 50 appearances while Lovenkrands gets a goal every 3 appearances and he is considered Championship or SPL scum.
Newcastle are never going to be an elite club in my book. “The next level” to me is probably at the position Aston Villa or Liverpool currently have. Europa League chasing and chasing domestic cup trophies. Champions League and league winning are never going to happen, in my book.
funkyjesus(Quote)
I would say he is good enough, like Andrew says he could of so easily had another 2 goals. and he needs 4 more to get into double figures in 9 games, if we signed someone who done what Best has done people would be raving about him.
dan4toon(Quote)
I think he’s a good player. I would have him as third choice (first choice off the bench) for definate. Results speak for themselves and his scoring rate is one of the best in the league over the last 10 games, which is over a quarter of the season.
Can he take us to the next level? Dunno about that, but he is currently keeping us at the level we are at, he is our most realistic chance of getting goals at the minute and if I looked upon a team sheet without him in at the minute, I wouldn’t be hopeful. Which is a horrific statement to make but we are that limited in attack at the minute. I don’t rate Lovenkrands at all.
Toonsy, Naismith is a winger I think. Bit delayed I know….
Moreno(Quote)
I think its his agent and his mates who has said to him (Ranger) that he’s the next big thing
You would think given his supposed upbringing, that he would be hungry to succeed … but I suppose if everythings on a plate … he just can’t be arsed. 🙄
Cannot understand that lad 👿
shrews mag(Quote)
Shrews cos he’s a southern shandy drinking puff
Moreno(Quote)
DJG – Isn’t Donaldson out of contact in the summer? I think Airely is too lightweight at the minute as well. He need to get on that steak and milk diet 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Fj,
Wouldn’t say everything you said there was correct – blind worship of Ranger? You must have got that from a different forum mate!
Moreno(Quote)
Moreno – Have a mooch at your e mail when you get chance 😉
toonsy(Quote)
funkyjesus
Aston Villa are currently fighting relegation mate. Liverpool have only very recently seen some light at the end of the tunnel to suggest they will have a strong finish and get into Europa.
The ‘next level’ for us IMO is signing more good players in the summer, keeping our current best players and finishing around where Liverpool are going to finish. Although I doubt we will.
DJG(Quote)
I am referring to the majority of opinion I see online. That’s from all the various Newcastle blogs to places like BBC 606. The vast majority love Ranger and think he should start every game, despite having the worst strike record for any striker I’ve ever seen at the club.
I am not saying that about most people on here, just a general consensus that Ranger can do no wrong. He scores and he’s great, he doesn’t score and he’s young. It’s no lose for him.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Toonsy – I can see the club offering Donaldson a new contract, he’s not like one of those players who obviously won’t be good enough, he’s an England u-19 international.
DJG(Quote)
“Newcastle are never going to be an elite club in my book. “The next level” to me is probably at the position Aston Villa or Liverpool currently have. Europa League chasing and chasing domestic cup trophies.”
Liverpool are having a good run which wont last, Villa are below us in the season with an unmanagable wage bill and a need to sell in the summer, The next level for us is getting Barton and Enrique to sign new contracts and bring in the quality in depth we lack, We are a promoted side who sit 9th with less than 10 games left in our first season back, Cannot really see whats to moan about…
CC(Quote)
Yeah, but Aston Villa were top 7 for about three seasons on the bounce and Liverpool have been in Europe every season since Jesus. We were relegated two seasons ago.
You can see why I still place both of them above us in the pecking order at the moment. We need to get through this season and then survive “Second Season Syndrome” first before we chase Europe.
Hell, we need to win at home at 3pm on a Saturday to be taken serious. That’s an embarassing record.
funkyjesus(Quote)
CC-
Agreed m8.
If we can’t keep Enrique, I won’t be that p” off if the club actually sign a good replacement aswell as other good players and sort of say. ‘well look, we are trying to steadily improve, if you can’t wait well get yurself away’. Actions speak louder than words, it’s about time owl face realised that.
DJG(Quote)
funkyjesus
Melted face and Portsmouth were top 8 for quite a few seasons on the bounce, where the hell are they now. It’s about steady growth and building momentum, not throwing huge contracts at fly-by-night players; hoping to achieve some mythical ‘next level’ in the short term. Especially if your Portsmouth or Everton and your ground is a field, a ramshackle stand and an open sewer. 😛
DJG(Quote)
Hmmm,so i heard Jonas is down too? 😕
geez.
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Jose Enrique came off in the first half against The Toffees with a hamstring pull, Leon Best and Jonas Gutierrez were both limping heavily after the game and Shola Ameobi was only able to play with the aid of a mask to protect his fractured cheekbone.
😥 😥
Mad crazy with so many ppl out. 😡
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Happy 24th Birthday to ben arfa. 😛
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
DJG
hoping to achieve some mythical ‘next level’ in the short term 😀
It can only be achieved by pure spiritual enlightment
Moreno(Quote)
I’ve already said this elsewhere, can’t recall the name of the site? 😉
Anyway we aren’t a million miles away from teams like Wolves, West Ham, Villa,etc.. and they are all what people on here are classing as relegation fodder.
Villa have just bought one of the best strikers in the Premier League, they have far more ambition than our owners.
On paper our squad isn’t much better, if any than the clubs I’ve mentioned. So, let’s no kid ourselves here, we aren’t going to get much better than what we are with our current management team.
We will buy low, develop and sell high, never moving on. Never keeping the players we need.
Sad times.
I read you everyday, keep up the good work. 😀
Micky Toon(Quote)
Good evening all 😀 On Best I think he has done well and better than I thought but I just dont think he is the strikerthat can take us to the next level.
IMO we need to get a top class striker as we are resonably well kitted out in Nets, a good defence but could do with a good back up for Jose, I like young ferguson but I think it will be a wee while before he gets a bit of weight on him, as for Kadar I havn’t heard owt about him for a while.
We are well stocked in MF when all are fit, so strikers is the weak link.
Big Dave(Quote)
I think a lot of you are making judgements on him too early in his Toon career.
It’s his first run in the team and his goal record is impressive. I believe he needs another season and deserves his chance to prove himself. He’s shown more to me than any of our other strikers and I would make him first choice and in the summer buy another 2 strikers to compliment his style.
I would hand him the number 9 shirt and back him to the hilt and see where it takes him.
bobby shinton number 9(Quote)
Micky spot on mate 😉 I would add that we are not that far away from the teams above 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
If some gypsy b*stard hadn’t left us short an hour before the window closed…..
Moreno(Quote)
DAVE A top class striker think we need more than one,your getting greedy git like ashley 😀
oh by the way hi dave 😉
icedog(Quote)
Then we’d have had more time to buy N’Zogbia! Yipeeeee!
Moreno(Quote)
Well he’s better than loven and ranger and more consistent than Ameobi with probably a better ground game, and he’s proving he can head the ball for goals and knock downs. Unless we go out and buy two quality strikers in the summer its hard to see him losing his place if we’re playing 4-4-2.
NewkieBrown(Quote)
Well Da hows you this fine day 😆
Thats why I said 1 top class striker if you ask for 2 you only get the 2 for a £1 strikers 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice I see golden balls was on today 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE so if gets injured we are back to our great strike force we have now,oh i see,good plan 🙄
icedog(Quote)
Ice your right but I just cant see the Fat Man paying for 2 top strikers, I think with 1 TC striker we can still use some of the other strikers we have, I know it might be foolish but I still have hopes for Ranger 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
What have I missed? 😛
toonsy(Quote)
Well Toonsy hope you are being a good boy, 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I’m always a good boy Dave 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
DAVE he has been good today on here,elsewhere well ———-
batty seems to have changed shifts,hes on mornings now,must be makeing the best of the dark nights thats left 😉
icedog(Quote)
Ice – I hear Batty is out lifting drain covers for scrap 😆
toonsy(Quote)
And what do you mean I’ve been naught elsewhere 😯 😯 😯
Me? 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Shearballs 😆 I think Batty is maybe still doing the removals or helping MA 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
what a bloody again,nee thought for us poll tax payers
icedog(Quote)
Dave – Who is that Shearballs? ❓ ❓ ❓
toonsy(Quote)
used to look forward to the words “amstel time” 😉
icedog(Quote)
by it takes that richie a long time to crank that p.c.up,must have arms like rambo noo,or is that campo cannot make me mind up 😐
icedog(Quote)
Campo 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Reet off to work. Got **** all to do tonight though so I’ll be back on in a min 😆
toonsy(Quote)
steady away m8,nee richie shifts youll get nought done 😀
icedog(Quote)
Bit early to ask if Best is the striker to take us to next level, we need at least 4 players in other positions to get anywhere Europe
Best is going to end up like Zamora or Carlton Cole in my view, if we get a Suarez type in he’ll do ok
He’s only 24 so can still learn a lot, prob better than a lot of others out there and he could yet end up highest English goalscorer this season
4411(Quote)
My ears are burning. Someone talking about me? 👿
shearballs(Quote)
4411’s comment about Best makes me wonder. Leon Best is English – but he plays for Republic of Ireland – so would Best count as an English scorer?
Same as if we signed Andrew Driver from Hearts. He is English – but he has lived in Scotland since he was a child and has only ever played in Scotland I think. He is now 21, so by this new home grown rule, would he be called Scottish or English?
It’s the reserve of the loop hole Arsenal use – having English players who don’t count to the home grown rule, lol.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Shearballs how da hell are ye 😆
FJ aye he do’s play for the Republic.
Ice I see Amstel time thinks I have an agenda 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
funkyj – interesting point you made there. I guess it depends on how the rule is interpreted.
Is the player classified as what is on his birth certificate, what is on his passport or which country he plays for.
Micky Toon(Quote)
DAVE aye sitting in a armchair too some say 😉 but ime not ganning there again,ill let you stand up for your self,ill always back you like,even though richie says your just a green midget 😮
icedog(Quote)
By that logic, Leon Best doesn’t count to our home grown rule as he plays for Ireland, but he has only played for English clubs and was born in England. I am not sure.
Another blog suggestion too – why can we not do good loan deals? We have loaned the likes of Guiseppe Rossi, Louis Saha, that American guy with the funny name and Syvain Distan and let them go to clubs where they excelled.
We loan Ben Arfa, Nacho Gonzales and Stephen Ireland and they instantly get injured and never play.
We are as jinxed with loans as we are at home at 3pm on a Saturday.
funkyjesus(Quote)
MT hate your photo m8,seems to be saying how much can i get for you 😯
icedog(Quote)
Micky that is one sick avatar 😆
Ice your a goodun mate 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
I have to admit last season I did think he was absolute cr*p, but this season he has proved me wrong. He is the the one first team striker I would like to see left in September, Lovenkrands, Shola, Kuqi can go and of course Xisco. Ranger can stay for now, but he needs to sort his act out.
Leon has this season some what come into his own despite being offside half the time! He needs time and I would like to see him really push two new strikers for their position next season.
He is PL quality and has potential but having said that I am not sure he can take us “to the next level”
pearceet(Quote)
The photo is saying “Trust me” 😆
Micky Toon(Quote)
🙄 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Why should any newly signed striker take Best’s spot by default though?
It isn’t sending a good message at all to the squad as a whole if the striker who kept us going in the second half of this season is ditched instantly because some fancy name foreigner who hasn’t proven anything in this league is signed.
Unless we sign Sergio Aguero or Fernando Llorente or someone like that, then I think Best should stay our first choice.
funkyjesus(Quote)
look out richie cranked up and glasses on too whey 😆
icedog(Quote)
Ok, so this is what I’m reading from everybody posting about Besty:
“He’s shown he has the attitude and the desire, 4 more goals and he’ll be in double digits after only starting for less than half a season, he’s scored hat tricks, braces, and often lone goals, helping our team salvage points against tough opposition, and often is one of the hardest workers on the pitch… BUT he’s defo not good enough to secure a regular starting position.”
Who the **** are you lot expecting to play for us? The reincarnated soul of Jackie Milburn, immune to injury, and can run a 4-.5-40?!
What I’m really reading between the lines is that since he’s a virtual no-name, the concept that people have of him just simply does not include his being a star. Well, maybe he’s working his @$$ off to get there and will be immense for us. He deserves to be our #2 striker after a proven big name. He should start for us every game as far as I’m concerned. He’s hungry as a starved tiger and will only get better and better.
OHurley(Quote)
Leon Best has the ability to be a great striker, but he needs quality service from the wings. (unlucky 🙁 ) He isn’t a creative striker who can make a goal from nothing. He does have good aerial ability and knows where the goal is, and can be in the right place in the box. Gets caught offside alot tho, but that will come with more games under his belt.
I like his attitude. But he hasn’t earned the number 9 shirt yet, not by a long way.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
FunkyJ-
Spot on mate.
OHurley(Quote)
FJ sorry mate but I just dont rate Best as our No1 striker, and in Footie loyalty dosn’t really count.
Lovens helped us get back up last year but he was still dumped on the bench,
Big Dave(Quote)
And for the record- I agree with Toonsy. The #9 shirt should be retired. Judas saw to that, the mangy git.
OHurley(Quote)
well said O’H. I agree. 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Big Dave – who is our no. 1 striker at the moment then?
If it isn’t Best, then you’re gonna name someone who isn’t signed by our club at the moment. Who is better than Best that we are realistically going to sign?
Our signings this summer will strengthen the squad – it won’t be big names.
funkyjesus(Quote)
I meant @68 NOT 72
I dont think the 9 shirt should be retired. Just properly earned and not given to the next BIG NAME striker that comes along.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)