Can Haris cut the mustard?
Now to steal a headline from a former colleague of mine (cheers Bowburn
), you could be forgiven for asking who the Vuckic Haris? It’s an understandable question really as the highly-rated 18-year-old has dropped off the radar a bit due to a persistent knee injury.However, injury problems behind him, Haris is looking to make an impact next season. Perhaps now we can finally see why the likes of AC Milan and Manchester United have expressed an interest in the lad.
For me Vuckic has been inconsistent. Now that isn’t meant as a criticism at all as all young players go through it, but I’ve seen him go from anonymous against Accrington Stanley to class against Chelsea. The more games he plays the more chance he will be able to replicate that Chelsea performance.
He’s a big lad is Haris and stands at 6ft 3in already, and he still has time to grow! His preferred position is in the hole behind the strikers where he can pick a pass or create a chance. Perhaps there is an opportunity for him to learn his trade off Hatem Ben Arfa and Kevin Nolan? The style of Ben Arfa with the attacking threat of Nolan? That’ll do for me.
The title of this article is perhaps a bit harsh as it’s unfair to single out Vuckic and question whether or not he will make it. Put simply, he needs a chance to show us whether or not he can make the grade, as do the rest of our youth players.
It’s all well and good bringing through our own talent, but if they aren’t going to play then ultimately there is no real point in spending time and money on a youth academy or youth players. I realise that it’s early days in terms of our focus on youth, but as yet I’ve seen very little coming through from it.
Certain young players are clearly good enough from a very early age, but they only come along once in a while. Others have to work at their game and make do with chances when they come along. Even Alan Shearer was introduced slowly at Southampton, despite him scoring a hat-trick on his debut.
Part of the problem is that we are never really in a position to play any youth players unless it’s absolutely necessary or unless it’s a cup game. Given our history of early exits from cup competitions it’s hardly surprising that the young’uns don’t get much of a chance, and when they do, like they did against Arsenal, the manager will end up getting criticised for not fielding his strongest team.
Something has to give. It can’t work both ways.
So will Haris Vuckic make the grade? Who knows? Perhaps the most appropriate question should be will Haris Vuckic get the chance to make grade?
And that goes for the manager AND the fans! « Ex-star spotlight: Nolberto Solano | What are YOUR hopes for the summer? »
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187 Comments
toonsy toonsy toonsy , is that defo a yes 4 you doing the jackie milburn thread on wednesday buddy?
Army – I’ll give it a go. Can’t promise that I’ll do him justice, but I will try
god oves a tryer bud , thankyou very much
*loves
Reckon Vuckic should be loaned out if possible next season as we have enough strength in depth for his position as to make it unlikely if impossible he’ll even get a game bar cup matches. He was good at Chelsea, but not amazing and its not enough to judge him on, maybe he could go to Brighton alongside Kaz, they might develop some personal understanding as well as some good first team experience?
His preferred position is a classic no 10, which is where HBA is going to be played. Keep him as HBA’s understudy & stand-in, we don’t have anybody else there.
Last seen him against Arsenal in the carling cup defeat and thought he was class. Definitely want him in the match day squad next season. Wouldn’t be a certain starter.
Well he has the chance to learn from Ben Arfa every day, not many young players can say that can they? If teams like AC Milan etc were offering him trials he has ability.
Next season we should either use him or loan him out so he can play week in week out – I bet half the Championship would be ringing Pardew asking about him.
I think he’ll be alright as his attitude seems to be top class. Only worry I have is that he’s been injured pretty much since he got here.
He has a great chance to make it imo.
With him being a midfielder, people aren’t going to get on his back as much as they do with Ranger because regardless of Rangers age, if he doesn’t score people will criticize, Vuckic being a midfielder doesn’t have to score to have a good game so therefore less pressure from the start.
I’d loan Vuckic and Ranger to either Doncaster or Huddlesfield, if they come up…
Dan I dont think he will escape the criticism it seems to be a common thing with the younguns getting slagged Ranger, Vukic, Lua Lua etc
meant to add that your right that he probably wont get as much stick as Ranger
What annoyes me is when people say we never give the youngsters a chance, then when they do play and they might not peform well they say there not good enough and won’t make it.
We need to give players like Vuckic time.
any links for the Manure game going about
Dave, yeah people do like to knock the younger players for the smallest things at times
I really like Lualua and think he could have a bigger role to play for us next season then people think.
It’s one nil to Manu already Dave…the Mexican in under a minute!
Dave;
http://www.soccertvlive.net/watch/63866/1/watch-manchester-united-vs-chelsea.html
Witters cheers mate I got one now
Dan I think Lua Lua could be a goodun
Damnit, come on Chelski
Premandup-We have HBA and Nolan for that role, and if we get a pacey striker we’d switch to two up front with Bambi rather than using Vuckic
dave….ya got a decent link?
Good points newkie. After hopefully a good transfer window I don’t see vuckic standing a chance of playing next season. He definitely needs to be loaned out next season
sorry Richie i was drawing away there
im watching it on sopcast Channel – 6816
Vuckic, Fergie, Tavernier and Kadar have all impressed me at time. Never seen Airey but he sounds like another one.
We need to find some time for these lads
What a crap day
Cheer me up people
Dave…thats ok ya selfish fecker
@25
Perch is out for the season.
Poor Old Chelsea…….Oh well,worse things happen at sea……Ask Bin Laden
Andrew
Thats one back!
Aye game on
I was shocked when I walked in and saw my sons head between my wife’s legs…
Luckily I didn’t miss the whole birth
Cheer me up people
———————-
Xisco deal with Deportivo made permanent, RTaylor sold to MK Dons, Alan Smith announced his retirement, and Messi demanded that he be sold to the Toon, but only on the condition that Xavi be allowed to come along.
MDS
I was woken at 4am by my brother in law saying he was in trouble and he’d done summit stupid.
Then I couldn’t get hold of him so rang every police station within 50 miles looking for him.
I then found said brother in law smashed out of his face on meow meow so took him back to my house to straighten him up. He’s still asleep.
I’ve had no power for half the day. The weather is shit and the dog is pissing me off.
I’ve just had to iron ten shirts and four pairs of trousers.
I’ve had two children round here today being a pain in the arse. One of them is autistic and is currently banging his head off the sofa and the other one is ginger. I don’t know which one is worse.
I’ve had fook all to eat.
I’m knackered and I’m trying to get ahead with article for tomorrow but it just aint clicking.
Utter bollocks!
richie hows it going in Spain?
Toonsy, tad harsh on the children there.
After all, he can’t help being ginger, serious disease tbh.
And my laptop keeps turning itself off
Andrew….ok cheers 25c at the moment
, miss the football tho 
Shola’s more useful than Torres.
Marginally
Hopefully Chelsea will now give up & we’ll pick up something next weekend…
Witters – My thoughts exactly!
Although it is their last home game of the season
Possible…I’d guess they’ll try and figure out where to put Torres and mess around with formations, so we might have some luck? Or they’ll somehow find a formation that clicks and slaughter us 6-0
Not expecting anything, but we could grab a result if Tiote is playing, only problem is if he is he’ll definitely be picking up a yellow…and may impress Chelsea?
Im sick of these bloody dindippers saying we’ll lucky to get £8M for a player who isn’t an international, and Paul Konchesky would be a good Newcastle player. FOOK OFF MAN ARRGH!!!
At least now Chelsea effectively have nothing to play for. They will still play well, but not as well as they would have if they’d won today. Plus Chelsea are now old kernts with ageing legs at the end.
Toonsy look on the brightside you could have only had 20 odd comments in 2 days
Owlheed can shutup aswell, the Liverpool press are running with his little outburst now. What a dick, how the hell is he our MD. Gan and support Liverpool knobhead.
Dave
All Owlheed is doing is alienating himself from a large section of the fans. He’s so thick he cannot even come out with PR that would please the fans. When the fans gave Owen stick did he come out and support Owen? He didn’t care. With his comments he has shown how clueless he is with the support and that we should all be happy that Mike got so much money. Ashley get rid of this man he is a big part of the rift between the fans and the management.
I see Whitley won the FA Vase….get in!
Icedog where are ye
Yeah where ice? He hasn’t even popped on briefly today
Ice…Let’s be havin ya, where are you?
come out come out where ever you are
Haven’t been commenting much lately. Work alterations have left me pretty short of time.
However, would just like to say that it’s nice to have a squad that, for all of their shortcomings, always works their socks off for the cause. How long has it been since we have had that?
We can all watch the last two games relaxed and knowing we will once again be on the big stage next season. Just hope we make the right moves in the summer. I don’t buy this “one or two” signings stuff from Pardew. I think we will make a lot of changes (No less than 4 new first team players).
Expect a tough summer, with the likes of Spurs and Liverpool sniffing around, trying to pick off our best players since they can’t compete with the top four for players.
Enrique is as good as gone me thinks and we should be trying to create a bidding war for him. Barton and Colo will stay. So really it’s just a case of holding on to Tiote. It will be tough as not just Spurs, but Chelsea too will definitely be after him. It’s amazing how far Essien has declined since his injury, and Mikel, well, he never was a DM. A 20mill price tag needs sticking on the Ivorian’s head.
I expect Lovenkrands, Smith, Guthrie, R.Taylor and maybe even Jonas(After Enrique leaves) to be moved on and replaced. I also get the feeling Krul may be sold with Forster being brought back as no.1.
Whatever happens, it certainly won’t be a dull summer for us. We will no doubt have our transfer excitements and disappointments. Hopefully whatever we end up with come September will be enough to see us through to a top 10 finish.
alreet lads
Get rid of Lovenkrands and we need to buy two strikers who use movement and pace.
Lovenkrands needs to be kept for back up. He has one year on his contract and we’d only get about 500k to £1m for him anyway, so we may aswell run his contract out for a second time and have him as a body.
We really can’t afford to lose anyone since we don’t have enough as it is and we aren’t gonna be getting about 10 guys or something in.
Sounds like you’ve had a cracking day toonsy
army (relation to the Milburn dynasty),
How are you mate?
El Toro >However, would just like to say that it’s nice to have a squad that, for all of their shortcomings, always works their socks off for the cause. How long has it been since we have had that?
I dont like to be negative but I have seen a few games were they havn’t worked their socks off
I think we will struggle to get shot off Smith and I would add Xisco.
I dont think Jonas will go and im not 100% that Jose will go as he might decide to stay for his final yr
El Toro….I wouldn’t take much notice of the “2 or 3″ players anyway, I often go out for “2 or 3″ pints…never quite works out like that though
and I agree with Dave
Jobey – Aye, cracking
It’s got worse as I’ve just had a shave and whipped my sideburn off and have had to shave the other off to compensate. I look like Mr Spock
Ahaa, probs should just go to bed now ;P
I would do, but I’ll probably get shot by lighting or have an aeroplane fall on head whilst I’m walking upstairs
ahh i see
toonsy….sideburns are all “70′s anyway mate…don’t worry…
@65
You will probably fall ‘up’ the stairs.
Harris Vukic is going to be a beast, he’s 6′-3″ and 90Kg and he’s still in his sprogdom…plus he can play a bit. He is going to be immense for the toon…
Toonsy posing again…I wish I had an “upstairs”…
TGS you sober
I agree with Richie @ 62
MM,
The amount of sangria you out away, probably best you don’t have stairs
And…… I have my bus driving test in Friday 13th
That Alan Sugar thing is on bbc2, think Shearer is on it
Moreno…I’m a steady lad…haven’t had a drink since the last one…
Interesting programme on football business bbc 2.
Toonsy….ya’ll only get hit by a plane going up the stairs if ya leave the landing light on….boom boom, I’ll shut the door on my way out
I don’t usually agree with Dave twice on one thread but I agree with him @72
Munich… we always suspected you had nowt upstairs
I agree with Richie @ 80
richie…you’re in good form tonight mate…!
..
Munich…it’s a combo of boredom and the heat mate
Rich cracking the funnies
Trying to Toonsy
, ya power back on?
Richie are you watching wor Al
Nae beeb 2 out here Dave
I’ve downloaded Mrs Browns boys to watch though as I havn’t seen it yet
……I did put my signed Shearer shirt on the wall today though
well Richie if you hadn’t turned your back on your country ye would have had beeb 2
Toonsy..I have an Ad on the bottom of this page saying “single Thai girls”…………disgraceful, I always recommend a “double” knot myself like
Dave…see it does have it’s benefits then
Rich – Order one of them thai’s and see if you get a bonus package
Aye power came back on about 1pm.
Richie Toonsy must have stole that ad from another blog
Toonsy…kna…I might end up with, cough cough,”someones” ladyboy
Dave@93…great minds
slightly off topic, but I bet Bin Laden regretted completing that bloody census form
Bin Laden was found when his PlayStation Network details were hacked.
rich
I cant stand Alan Sugar but he makes a lot of good points that we already know but will anyone listen because he’s saying it
3 mackems were walking through a wood one day when they came across some tracks.
The first mackem said “Look at the wild boar tracks”
second mackem said “no no there definatly deer tracks
Then the third mackem said “no both of you’s are wrong, they’re bear tracks”
they still hadnt come to a decision when the train hit them
he said at the end ‘it’s far too like a casino’.
Wink wink Ashley & Owlheed.
@toonsy
Am I allowed on the blog? I’m hammered having been in jesmondo all day?
bobby
whats happening bobby
@batty
Don’t wink at me like dat! In unnerves me!
I’m waiting for commander Toonsy to give me the all clear.
I’ve just finished my thousand lines in my best hand writing for him.
Bobbys a kip….
Good old Bobby hows it going
Unless I get the okay from commander toonsy I daresnt reply.
Bobby I heard you often got thousand lines at school
bobby
do you reckon we will be in for connor wickham comp 
dave wor bobbys a shy lad ya wouldnt catch him in his pants and boots
@ batty & witters
Is he up the turret or at the guard gate?
I daresnt make any comments until he is overseeing.
Calling Toonsy. Calling Toonsy! Can I go ahead?
bobby ya off ya rocker
Permission to speak Toonsy. This is action man patrol .
Batty he’s as quiet as a Goose until he gets the boots on
bobby you always get off scott free
My radio is safe Toonsy, go ahead.
dave aye
bobby is that real radio
Batty did Ice get all the lead of that school roof
maybe thats why he hasn’t been on today he is recovering
Control ! We’ve lost contact with Commander Toonsy, can I have official confirmation to proceed with my views?
howay bobby join the nighty night club
dave you meen wickham comp ,aye he stripped it
I like them footie phone ins on real radio
Thankyou for the go ahead control.
Standby.
Batty thats good that he got it all stripped he was telling me about chatting a lass up at a wee shop round the corner from that whickham school, but I havn’t heard owt from him today
Bobby come in over
bobby how dus your wife put up with you ,u must be hectic man
he is hectic but I think he would be a decent lad but I dont want him thinking im overly friendly
Bobby come in or is your batteries flat now
Batty I think Bobby has feel out with us
@ batty, (I’m dying to call you Betty but I’ll get reprimanded so I won’t).
Connor Wickam? I havent seen enough of him but knowing our current transfer policy of speculating on young prospects, I wholeheartedly would be amazed if we don’t make a move for him.
Personally, as I haven’t seen enough of him, but having listened to Supermac who rates him highly, I would be more than happy if we went for him.
However, is he not just a prospect for the future? I would think so.
I want to see us get shot of Lovenkraands and kuqi. Send ranger out on loan. Keep Shola as back up and go for 2 quality strikers.
I’m happy with Best and Shola as back up and maybe Wickam but we need 2 more quality strikers.
Knowing the Toons budget, I believe Bellsmy could fit the bill if he was prepared to take a big pay cut, bearing in mind he’s 32 yrs.
But who knows if he’s interested in finishing business?
bobby you can call me betty as long as you use your fighting stance but leave ya troosers on
Over control.
Wo bats? What have you been looking at?
You have some strange images in your head.
bobby
Bobby would you take Bellamy as the main striker that we clearly need
See radgie Stavers has been on the bucks fizz.
DJG where
bobby try logging in, ya daft as a brush man you took some trackin doon ,heres me thinking you were just like this on here
you must be a p:sser when your on the lash 
bobby Y fronts and pit boots p:sser
Or perhaps buckfast.
@ big Dave
Bellers has never been the main striker in his whole career. He has always been the player who players off the main striker, not prolific but contributes with goals, but his main assett is his ability to run at defences fearlessly and cause disruption which creates chances for the main striker.
Ask Shearer.
But Bobby Benny is going to be taking that role thats why I asked would you take him as the big signing striker as I think we’ll only get 1
@batty
Ha. You still gonna get me by the throat?
Boxed for years and Troy Stavers is my cage fighting pseudonym.
Dont go into competitions now but a black belt. :
bobby ya gannin abit grey ,but not as much as me like
Batty what a sight that is y’s and pit boots but I guess it could be worse it could have been ugg boots
Bobby have you heard much about Isreali fighting
bobby that dusent bother me man , you couldnt dance aroond with oot air in ya lungs
answer me question how dus ya wife put up with ya ,pluss never had you doon as a family man 
Oh and batty
I’m worse on the drink. I can cause chaos in a bar but it’s always good humoured.
Ask Stardust. We can go into a bar thats quiet and by the time we leave we have them in good humoured uproar!
dave @147
aye his famous ugg boots
bobby i bet u do ,my sort of lad who likes a good laugh
@big Dave
The wife is highly intelligent and is the only thing that keeps me on the straight and narrow otherwise I might turn to crime and be a policeman.
Troy would be fooooorious!
bobby @150 i used too go in them bars that were quiet and they would fetch the police too get me oot
I like to think I’m the quiet one – and for the record there’s nee pics anywhere of me in Y ‘O ‘ Dangos!
Batty – that’s not the only one he has – he just does it to be stupid – and he thinks he looks great!
@batty
You say;
bobby i bet u do ,my sort of lad who likes a good laugh
@batty
Can you convince Toonsy? He just doesn’t get me.
bobby iam not saying she isnt intelligent ,bet ya she has slapped ya a few times when ya have been drinking and she hasent
Bobby a good Family round you is good to keep you on the straight and narrow mate, I know that it helped me
@stardust
Do you want your trunks back ?
ffs bobby that pic is gonna stick in my mind cant stop laughing ,off ya rocker
dave @158 it didnt help me
Please Booby – I am converting them to a facemask for an upcoming gimp convention – you have washed them haven’t you?
Stardy > that’s not the only one he has – he just does it to be stupid – and he thinks he looks great!
He is wrong then
and I would believe you are the quieter one
Batty @ 161 i would honestly say I wouldn’t be here otherwise, but I don’t know how they put up with me when I drank
@batty
I have the most easiest going wife ever. I have never, never been reprimanded by her for going out with the lads and I’m out all the time.
Let’s move on cos I’ve got that personality that probes people’s weaknesses!
(do I dare mention Toonsy seems like a battered house husband?)
Toonsy I never said that! I read Battys mind! Ban him!
iam knacked nite lads
Dave : It is quieter when we are out now but if you remember how opinionated I was post KK walk out and pro Ashley – Boobys the exact opposite. Every time we went anywhere we would end up with the whole bar in a blog style argument – its was hilarious – especially that I always won
Nite Batty lad catch you tomorrow I wont be on much longer mesel incas Bobby tries to quiz me for weakness’s
plus there is some leftovers in the micro that are calling me
@batty
Have you got access to my photos on my Facebook ?
If so I will upload some of dusty.
What’s your fiercebook name? Come on.
@big Dave
What’s your Facebook name?
Is that Battys wife summonsing him to bed?
Stardy I was always surprised that so many people thought you’s were the same person
As for the way you were before I think you have changed a bit from then.
Bobby I think the problem with slagging people on the blog is that you cant see the glint in the persons eyes to know that they are genuinly having a laugh, so sometimes it can come across as being a smart ass that is trying to put you down
Never understood the Facebook thing – all a bit to invasive to me
Bobby @ 171 I will add you tomorrow
Dave – the lack of intelligence line on Eds was a one I used to get a reaction for a laugh too – me and Bobby used to howl about how folks reacted – I mean – other than Wanky Tissues deceptions and You being the internets Biggest Racist
its hardly serious is it!
Oh and I used posh putdowns too lol – not clever I know but I used to enjoy the banter
@big Dave
Champion
And as for stardy thinking it’s invasive is typical of a garden gnome who is worried others will realise he’s a garden gnome.
He is 5ft 3in in high heels with a moustache like Joey Bartons on movemver!
What a horrible Ashley lover he is!
During movember
Stardy I sometimes still get this image of my old Ford Cortina with Deb and Dave on it
Your right sometimes I would take things the wrong way but I used to not say owt and after a couple of hrs I was glad that I didn’t say owt as I would have felt like a right c@nt for taking it the wrong way.
@stardust
What month did you win Mr Movember?
I dont really use FB that much except for family etc but it can be handy at times
and I find when you see a pic of a person you talk to on here you seem to get a better idea of who you’re talking to 
Nah Dave – you rarely bite Wanky Tissue aside – tell you what – there’s more people buying tickets for the Titanics next trip than there is posting on Mr Tissues blog. He has got some good lads fooled the way he fooled everyone else. We know that he will reveal himself to them in time though!
Booby – you still get those back, sack and crack waxes?
Stardy
they will learn the same way everyone else did 
Reet Lads thats me outta here catch you’s tomorrow or when ever
Nite Lads
@big Dave
Never get too close with Dusty. He will suck you in and spit you out like you used to chew Hubba Bubba as a kid.!
Never forget, Just like I hate Mackems with a passion , he loves Ashley with the same strenghth!
He has parked the red bus up at Eldon Square bus station with a note on the front.
I love Ashley with a passion but he really hurt me with the way he treat Hooters.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment and whatever hurt I feel I will honour my commitment to Mr Mike Ashley.
I estimate once Stardy realises the puncture on the red bus is repairable he will be back on his crusade and the divorce papers he submitted willbe withdrawn.
What a horrible creep dusty is!
@toonsy
That 40% loss in blog traffic can work two ways.
If I wasn’t here there would’ve no traffic.!
Actually! Just as I’m posting, I’m watching David Hasselhoff and I can’t help realising the likeness I have with him.
He is 63 and looks 43.! I’m 43 and look 63!
Uncanny! Bobby the Hoff!
The Hoff
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