Routledge, rather inexplicably, was allowed out on loan in January despite the blatant lack of depth within the Newcastle United squad. The move was even more confusing when you consider that no replacement was brought in for him which meant that we were actually a player lighter in terms of numbers as a result of his departure.
There is no doubting Routledge’s ability……. in the Championship. We saw last season how good he can be, and we’ve been reminded of that with his performances for QPR as he helped them achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League. The lad oozes class in that division and has all the attributes to be a decent Premier League player.
With pace to burn, a good cross and an eye for a goal you would think that perhaps Routledge could have transformed some of his attributes into the Premier League. However this wasn’t the case. Why is the lad too good for the Championship yet not good enough for the Premier League? The attributes, like I said, are there, so perhaps it’s more of a mental issue as far as he is concerned?
Sometimes though a change is as good as a rest, and a mid-season switch to QPR could have helped Routledge gain some confidence. Maybe, just maybe, he can use these two final games as a last throw of the dice regarding his Newcastle United future?
With Cheik Tiote facing the possibility of being omitted for the final two games of the season, and with rumour rife suggesting that Kevin Nolan has undergone surgery on his foot (as yet this is unconfirmed) it could be that Routledge has reappeared at just the right time as Newcastle, yet again, start to run low on midfield options.
Much depends on what Routledge wants. If he wants a move back to QPR then it’s pointless playing him. His mind, which I am convinced is his problem, won’t be in the right place and we’ll see the same Routledge that has seen him get chances at Aston Villa, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Fulham before being shoved back down the league pyramid.
However, if he wants to, and I mean really wants to, make a go of it at Newcastle and take a last chance to prove a point then this could be his opportunity to show us that he can offer something at Premier League level.
What do you think?
I’d defiantly have him at least on the bench. Maybe not vs Chelsea but vs Westbrom I’d be tempted to play something along the lines of;
Krul
Simpson S.Taylor Coloccini Enrique
R.Taylor Barton Mclaughlin
Routledge Ameobi Jonas
I think it would give a nice balance to the team although it probably won’t happen 🙁
dan4toon(Quote)
I doubt Routledge will want to play for Pardew considering when he left on loan he said he isnt good enough and we need better.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Surely he was moved out of the 25 man squad when he went out on loan and so can’t play for us?!
blip(Quote)
This time tomorrow I’ll be on my bus driving test 😕
toonsy(Quote)
toonsy you going to be a hgv driver
hitman(Quote)
surely airey should get a start sunday , another 2 goals last nyt , he seems like he knows where the net is, he cant be any worst than sho and loven
Army69(Quote)
Blip, am sure he got named in it, as did all the loan players. Even Forster!
Good luck Toonsy!
dan4toon(Quote)
Blip – loan players are still registered with their parent clubs so he should still be in our squad.
toonsy(Quote)
Army, he should defiantly be ahead of Lovenkrands!
dan4toon(Quote)
Apparently not. My mistake!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3120730/Premier-League-25-man-squads.html?offset=13
blip(Quote)
Dan – Just done a pretend test and would have sailed through it with only two minors. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow 😀
toonsy(Quote)
I don’t think they have to stay registered for their parent clubs – Stephen Ireland was registered as one of ours, Villa can’t play him even if he has a miraculous recovery.
Guessing Routledge remained as we had no-one to replace him with. Or a recall clause.
blip(Quote)
toonsy you cant be worse than some bus drivers ive came across, one didnt let me pay with a scottish 10 pound note – complained and got a free bus pass for the week 😆
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Hitman – I’ve already got my hgv mate. This latest one is for my pcv 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
😆 me m8 does it he loves it gets away from the misses 😆
hitman(Quote)
Andrew – I’ll be going on the coaches mate so won’t have to put up with tootling round the doors getting pissed off with everyone lol
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy, sounds good 🙂
Andrew, I just thought, people mustn’t like you drinking anything, first the bus driver then the steward last night 😆
dan4toon(Quote)
Aye yesterday I wasnt let on the bus because I had a bottle of coke…Apparently if I spillid it on someone they could make a claim. 🙄
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Thought youd just got a new job Toonsy fella
raffo(Quote)
Raffo – I did, bus driving, but they’ve had to train me up. Tomorrow are the final two tests then I’ll be offically a driver again.
On Routledge, it depends if pardew is going to give him one last chance. I know he wasn’t exactly complimentary but if Wayne can show enough in training then perhaps he could earn a last throw if the dice?
toonsy(Quote)
@milesstarforth
Miles Starforth
#nufc confirm Nolan set for ankle op later today, & also reveal Harper will have knee surgery tomorrow. Both out of last 2 games
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
toonsy, you have a bus drivers build I reckon.
Stuart79(Quote)
if routledge is able to play i think he should. I dunno why he cant make tat step up from championship to premiership , but if pardew doesnt want to keep him the last two games gives him a chance to show potential suitors wat he can do. Not sure if he will end up wit qpr wit the rumors of warnock been replaced wit lippi so we might have to find someone else to take him
johno toon(Quote)
I dont think he will be a bad player to keep, I cant see him being on big wages. I think QPR would be mad to replace Warnock with Ranieri
raffo(Quote)
Hopefully he will play no part in the next two games
Would much rather see a young gun.
Did Lua Lua play any part last night.
Young Donaldson also cannot be a bad player. Capped at all age levels must be given a half hour sometime.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
i agree on both points raffo , unfortunetely for routledge pardew doesnt rate him. I dont like warnock but he is a good manager esp at championship level but tat doesnt the second richest club in the premiership ( if im not mistaken ) will not dispense of him to bring in a high profile manager to attract bigger n better players. R qpr still loaded anyone?
johno toon(Quote)
yeah they are, but I am sure I heard Berni wanted out. They are very wealthy.
Routledge sums up exactly what I said yesterday, that we need to replace those types of players like Wayne, Simpson, Willo if we are to move up a level.
raffo(Quote)
What is needed to know is WR training with NUFC since his loan spell expired? If he is, then he & AP must have had a chat & sorted out what WR will be doing. It could be that AP has dropped the gauntlet, or re-affirmed that WR will not cut it at NUFC. I support either decision or conclusion.
Bringing a youngster in vs. Chelsea is a big ask, yet if one rises to the challenge, AP knows he has a player on his hands. AP cannot worry about a crushed ego if a youngster fails, as they have all Summer to recover their poise and learn new talents they now know they lack.
BeeGuy(Quote)
Toby, Nah Lualua didn’t play last night, not surprising really considering how long he’s been out for.
dan4toon(Quote)
@22….whey he looks like the back end of one. 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Beeguy….yep he’s been training with the Toon
richietoon(Quote)
I don’t think there is such a thing as too good for the championship but not good enough for the prem. If you can’t make the step up then you’re Championship player, simple as that. He’s a good player in that league but it’s not as though he’s a world beater at that level, then can’t step up. Some people just aren’t good enough I’m afraid and I think he’s one of them. Pity because I like him as a player and would like nowt more than him to play and play well in the last 2 games, I just don’t think he’d ever be able to do it consistently imo.
richietoon(Quote)
The thing I don’t get with Routledge is fair enough the defenders are harder to beat in the Premier League but put him in a crossing position in The Championship and he will put a great delivery in.
Put him in the exact same situation in Premier League and it’s a terrible ball. Defiantly a mental thing I say!
dan4toon(Quote)
Best of luck with your PSV test Toonsy.
Just think, by tomorrow night you could apply to Stardust for the post of driver of Ashley’s big red bus!
😉
lesh(Quote)
See Kenny has signed 3 year contract
Moreno(Quote)
Routledge is in London at the minute?
Shouldn’t he be training if there’s a chance he will play?
Moreno(Quote)
I got the impression that WR was just one mental blockage away from being a good PL player, and this would be a good chance to find out if he’s got through that.
But don’t be surprised if he’s just one of those players that can only perform in one particular shirt.
Like Judas. 😆
I was gutted to see Routledge go, tbh. If he’s back and training, I’d like to see if things have changed. He was so close to being exactly what we needed.
Whumpie(Quote)
whump ,we know you were gutted 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
I’d like to see young fergie get a start on the left. We’d get to see fergie and get to see Jonas on the right which I’ve been wanting to see for a ling time as well.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
If I hear one more scouse tw@t say “it’s the Liverpool way” I’m gonna put my foot thru the fookin flat screen!!
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Good luck Toonsy
As I live near you I will keep well out of the way.You know what they say “If they are determind to drive a bus don’t stand in there way” 😆
nutmag(Quote)
QPR’s loan deal will likely cover the play off dates too since I doubt they’d have taken him on loan just expecting automatic promotion.
I don’t think he’d be eligible to play with us.
funkyjesus(Quote)
He is in London anyway…
Moreno(Quote)
wonder why Ferguson didn’t get a game 4 the ressies last night?
Would have thought he would of featured if he is to line up against Chelski on sun.
Not even in the squad. Strange??
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Couldn’t wait any longer for Dans match report from last night so had to read Ed’s instead. 😯
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB- I think that shows he is considered a first-teamer now. with Nolan out we may very well see Barton back in the middle, Jonas on the right, and Fegrie on the left come Sunday
MDS(Quote)
maybe they didn’t wanna risk him in a game they felt they could easily win, Beardsleys Boots?
DevonMag(Quote)
TC……stealing car stereos,”it’s the Liverpool way” 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
BB – Just got in from work. It will be up in a bit once I’ve had a chance to have a look at it 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
MDS – sounds good mate 😀
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Devon – I hope thats right and nowt else.
The lad deserves his chance to destroy the chelski again.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Just been looking at the fixtures for the next 2 weekends, and its really tight for the bottom 6 teams. None of whom are safe or buried.
So happy we’re not involved. 😆 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB, same here!
Be quite funny if Wolves go down on the last day with us playing Westbrom as well 😆
dan4toon(Quote)
Toonsy I hope they don’t try and get you on the other Bus.
😉
Toonale(Quote)