Evolution, not revolution.

Adding to this is the way to go.
My eyes widened earlier when I read a rumour that suggested that Alan Pardew has been handed a £45 million transfer budget for the summer.

Alas it is just a rumour, but it has got me thinking. That kind of money can transform a squad. I doubt we’ll spend that much, but if we did it could cause us a problem in my opinion. A hindrance rather than a help if you like. Now I’m not completely barmy, yet, but there is a little bit of theory behind my thinking.

However much money we spend or however many players we end up getting in, we aren’t going to end up with a complete squad. It’s unlikely we’ll see massive changes in personnel in my opinion and I reckon we’ll see a few in and a few out. I refuse to put figures on it.

That would be a shrewd move as it would mean that the bulk of the squad would remain settled and there wouldn’t be that period where new players need to gel together. Continuity. Evolution of the current squad.

It’s about getting the balance right between maintaining our current qualities and addressing the gaps in quality that we have at the minute. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and that same theory will apply to our team. It will take time and we won’t suddenly turn into a European contender in one transfer window, but we can build on the solid foundations that we already have in place.

Alan Pardew recently touched on something I agree with – that we need some flair and creativity. If we can get those kind of players in to compliment our hard working and industrious approach then we’ll do better next season. I have no doubt about that.

So whilst this summer is important in terms of bringing players in, it’s also important to remember what we already have. Granted there is some dross in our ranks such as Ryan Taylor and James Perch, but we also have a solid base to build on with the likes of Cheik Tiote, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini and even Hatem Ben Arfa.

The key to a successful transfer window will be keeping hold of the majority of those players and adding to them. Easy!

As ever with these things though, time will tell.

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

47 thoughts on “Evolution, not revolution.

  1. Very good points toonsy!
    Pardew knows that he can’t make a huge overhaul of the team because that fighting spirit that we’ve been so well known for could die off.

    I don’t want a team like arsenal with tons of creative players but no heart to push through when it counts

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  2. @toonsy

    For once we agree. That is exactly what I’ve been saying for months. Pointless bringing in exciting new blood like Tiote and HBA if we are losing Barton and Jose. We’ve got to keep the core of our current squad and build upon it.
    😉

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  3. How many of current squad will make the starting 11 at the start of the season then?

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  4. @premandup

    How can we work that out if we don’t know who’s coming in? ❓

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  5. Premandup, my guess would be;

    Harper
    S.Taylor Coloccini (Enrique if he stays)
    Barton Nolan Tiote
    Ben Arfa

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  6. Is it really flair we need? We have Jonas and Ben Arfa, any more Flair and we get so unpredictable, the team itself can’t even guess what they will do. More than two “flair” players and the squad suffers unless you are Barcelona and the entire squad is flair that grew up together since about 9 years old.

    We need pace, not flair. Aaron Lennon is not flair but his pace is devastating. We need that, not unnecessary step overs.

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  7. BS9 my thinking is if we know who we are happy with that identifies where we need to strengthen. if 1 or 2 positions that is evolution, but at what point does it become revolution.

    D4T on that basis we need need three new 1st team players? Personally I think 4 as not yet convinced by Saylor

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  8. Premandup, yeah I agree but I think Pardew likes Taylor and see’s him as a starter for next season.

    If it was up to me I’d get Samba in 😉

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  9. FJ, am sure when Pardew mentioned flair he said pace as well, which I agree it does need, not just the starting XI but the squad.

    After Benny, Jose and maybe Jonas we don’t have a lot of pace.

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  10. I also like Samba. I expect Jonas to start as well, but I’d like him narrower rather than an out and out winger, more like how Joey has been playing.

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  11. I’d take guys with pace over flair at the moment.

    Like Routledge – but with the confidence to use it in the Premiership. Routledge is just what we need but he seems to hit a mental barrier in this division.

    I’d take a simple but fast player over a risk like Taarabt at the moment – although I’d take both if given the choice 😛

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  12. Premandup, my guess would be;

    Harper
    Coloccini (Enrique if he stays)
    Barton
    Nolan
    Tiote
    Ben Arfa
    Jonas
    Simpson (possibly)
    Best (he’s earned his chance to prove himself)

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  13. FJ, a think the most obvious one like that who have been linked with who has sheer pace is Lens at PSV 🙂

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  14. Not seen enough of Lens to comment too much, but what I have seen is good. He scored the goal to knock Rangers out of Europe, so I won’t complain 😉

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  15. I don’t mind if we only spend £10m as long as we get players the calibre of Tiote and Ben Arfa. How many of Chelseas and Man Citys big money signings have been any good there has been a few failures.Good teams have to be built over time.Lets hope we are about to start that process.

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  16. Can’t see us not buying a striker and starting with Best in the No9 role, but your right he does deserve a shout.

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  17. FJ 😆

    Yeah he’s small but is stocky too so would be well suited the Premier League.

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  18. hi guys, long time reader, first post

    i see people are saying nolan, barton, tiote, ben arfa and jonas are all safe in the first team for next season, yet pardew is looking at pacey wingers. in my view i believe nolan may be used as an impact sub as i cant see barton or tiote being dropped and ben arfas gonna play in nolans amc role. team imo will be:

    GK – Krul
    RB – Simpson (or new RB)
    CB – Taylo
    CB – Colo
    LB – Enrique (if he leaves then M’Bengue/Tabanou/Wendt)
    CM – Tiote
    CM – Barton
    AML – Jonas
    AMR – New Winger (Marvin Martins/Lens/Wijnaldum)
    AMC – Ben Arfa
    FC – New Striker (or Best)

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  19. My list are those I think will be competing for first team places, hopefully each will have strong competition and some even better than those listed.
    @prem
    I think best should be given his chance but I think he needs a pacey striker alongside.

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  20. Agreed. I don’t think best will be able to be a lone striker, and definitely won’t be a #9

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  21. Could be that Best and Ranger could forge a partership.Ive always thought strikers hunt better in pairs.

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  22. @nutmag

    Ranger is not good enough or have the right attitude at this stage of his career.
    A year on loan would be the best option for him IMO.

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  23. As far as I’m concerned I agree that a revolution is not needed. If we look at the squad, the following players would make my squad:

    Goalkeepers: Krul, Harper
    Defenders: Simpson, Coloccini, S.Taylor, Williamson, Enrique, Kadar, Ferguson
    Midfielders: Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez, Nolan, R.Taylor, Guthrie, Gosling,
    Strikers: Ben Arfa, Best, Ameobi

    The following players can then go out on loan: Forster, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier

    That leaves us needing a right back, a right winger and two strikers, whilst replacing certain players who may be leaving such as Perch, Smith and Lovenkrands with squad players.

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  24. Premandup, just behind the striker I would of thought in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

    Jobey, Raylor’s a hero now 😆

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  25. @Bobby
    I don’t think we ever played to Rangers strengths like we did to Carrolls Work on the training ground in pre season may change a few things.

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  26. I think HBA as our number 10 will slot in behind whichever striker we have up front. Probably with Nolan either being dropped or playing back a bit.

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  27. Ranger is nowhere near making the first team in my opinion. As has been stated, he needs some time out on loan to help develop his game. We’ll get at least one new striker so he’ll at best be fourth choice behind Best and Ameobi too.

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  28. Ranger has been awful of late and needs to go out on loan, I have not seen any improvement in his performances this season.
    The lad also has a terrible attitude and refuses to curb his socialising with his extremely dodgy set of mates.

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  29. Dan @ 31 – It’s amazing how my sheer hatred of Raylor has inspired people to actually him.

    I could use that kind of effect for sinister gains 😉 😈

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  30. TGS @35 Should have been at the Leazes end on Saturday. Ranger in his short time on the pitch was better than Shola and the Birmingham forward line. Worth persevering with IMO.

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  31. Groucho,
    I was at the match on Saturday and still maintain my view of Ranger, perservere with him by sending him out on loan to CCC to hopefully aid his development.

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  32. I saw a defining moment which convinced me Ranger has not got an eye or instinct for scoring goals. He ran into the box with a yard ahead of the chasing defender. Instead of wellying the ball at goal he hesitated and blew his chance. He was forced to turn and layit off.
    If this had been a one off I would give him the benefit of doubt, but it’s not.
    I’m sure he would be a better winger.

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  33. Ranger definitely needs to be loaned out. Sporadic sub appearances when we need a goal in the premier league is not the place for him to learn. Let a decent championship side outside of London educate him next year. He just needs goals. Everything else he naturally has

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  34. Bobby, I was expecting better of Ranger there because only a few minutes earlier he had a good shot and I thought that would of gave him the appetite for goals but like you say when he had the second chance he didn’t even shoot.

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  35. Hmm, ranger as an incisive winger is definitely a decent theory. His crosses are probably ****, but he does seem pretty adept at passing on the ground

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  36. I think we should blow our whole load (well, you get my meaning) on the outcasted strikers of other teams. 45mil for Anelka, Dzeko and Berbatov 😆 😆

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  37. Bobby S, Sawdust, what’s happened of late? The pair of you are behaving like civilise adults; constructive dialogue. Astonishing!

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