Have we improved the team?

Cabaye - An imporvement on Kevin Nolan?
Now first off I realise that writing this article is akin to treading on very shaky ground, mainly because the transfer window is still actually open.

Nonetheless, I was motoring along the M62 earlier (stunning scenery by the way – a rather nice looking lass came and sat on the front seat, which was nice) and my mind started wandering. It wasn’t wandering onto dirty thoughts of deviant acts, but instead I started thinking about Newcastle. Like I do quite often actually…

I was thinking about our transfers thus far and about how they (dare I say it?) could potentially improve our team. It’s kind of linked in with this theory of “one in and one out” transfers aswell as the 25-man squad ruling so perhaps it’s worth pondering.

Anyway, as you’ll have no doubt read, Alan Pardew has basically said what we’ve known all along – that Ashley wants the club to run itself. Call it tight, stingy, business or whatever you like, but the fact is that it is the hand we’ve been dealt by the man at the top so until he changes I guess we just have to roll with it and make the best of it, or raise enough money to buy the club ourselves. Hmm, maybe I’ll chat about that another time…

That kind of leaves us in a difficult position really. To get to the top you have to splash the cash, much like all the teams at the top have done such as Chelsea and Manchester City. They got to the top simply by throwing enough cash at it, and it worked. We tried and failed ,aside from a couple of seasons, but such is life.

Being honest it’s hard to break the top four. In fact I’d say that it’s pretty **** difficult to break the top six which effectively rules out Europe for near on three quarters of the Premier League. It can be done though, with luck admittedly.

Now we aren’t going to be lavishing large cash amounts unfortunately, which means that we aren’t going to drop players that can play in the 25-man squad out of the running when we don’t have to. As ***** as Alan Smith is, the fact that he is on £60,000 a week will ensure that he has a place in the squad until he leaves at the end of the season.

To be honest, it’s ****, but it does kind of bring me neatly to my point. My point being that the majority of players who have left have been replaced with what look to be, on paper at least, better players. Here is how I see it.

Yohan Cabaye v Kevin Nolan – Now I don’t think many people will deny that Nolan’s goals were important for us, but if you take them away from the equation (and when Andy Caroll left they were taken out of the equation) you aren’t really left with a lot.

I would hope that Nolan’s goals will be replaced partly by Cabaye, but also partly by other members of the team. Marveaux has an eye for a goal, and Obertan (if he officially signs) likes to have a pop whilst Hatem Ben Arfa will be playing in a more advanced role once he returns. That kind of thing – spread the love, or goals in this case.

What we have in place of Nolan is a player who can chip in with goals AND work for the team. It was the second part of that which Nolan sadly lacked. Personality matters not when you have an opposition midfielder coasting past you on the counter-attack. Secretly I bet Cheik Tiote is pleased that he’ll have some reliable help in the middle of the park.

Sylvain Marveaux v Jonas Gutierrez – I feel bad for this one as I do like Jonas and feel he works hard for the team, plus there is the fact that he hasn’t actually left yet, if he does at all, or even if Marveaux is a replacement for his whilst Jonas shifts to another position.

However it’s his lack of any meaningful and consistent end product that is the most common complaint when people talk about Jonas.

In place of him we have a dedicated left-winger who can beat a man, have a shot or even cross the ball. Isn’t that what you want from a winger? I’m sorry but the argument of winning free-kicks kind of loses its strength when you don’t have anyone on the end of them.

Gabriel Obertan v Wayne Routledge – I’ve read a few people now saying how Obertan is just another Routledge. Wrong. He is far better than Routledge – I’m far better than Routledge for crying out loud! Obertan has the potential to be even better once he gets a run of games under his belt. He wasn’t so highly rated in France for nothing you know!

In terms of position it’s a like for like replacement. Both are right-wingers, both have pace, but the difference is that Obertan can do something with it if given the chance to shine. Again this is based on Obertan completing the formalities and finalising his move from Old Trafford early this week as has been reported.

Demba Ba v Andy Caroll – This is where my argument kid of falls down. To me Andy Carroll was a one-off. Do I think Ba could replicate Carroll’s goalscoring? Well yes, and the stats of his career say that he could. Ultimately a striker is judged on goals, but Carroll was different.

He was more than just a striker. He was a focal point, a worker, but alas I guess it matters not. I’d prefer to have Carroll over Ba in truth but ultimately it just isn’t going to happen. Obviously. What is needed (and we all know this) is another striker to help Ba and make a front pair that can rival what Carroll did for us. Okay maybe not in terms of physical strength and presence, but perhaps in a different, more mobile, more skillful way?

You see to me we’ve largely managed to improve on paper, which is great, but football isn’t played on paper, which is a problem. On the surface we have a better set of individuals, but will we end up with a better team as a result? Maybe eventually, but I wouldn’t put money on it happening straight away and that is where we could have problems as I feel that a poor start to the season will be enough to tip some fans over the edge, or even further over edge in some cases…

Anyway, back to my question. Have we improved?

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.

77 thoughts on “Have we improved the team?

  1. “I feel that a poor start to the season will be enough to tip some fans over the edge, or even further over edge in some cases…”

    I know exactly what you mean, Toonsy.

    If the relegation season taught us anything it’s that we must get behind the team for the full 90 mins. Save the cockney **** for another day.

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  2. cannot say yet,lets see after 6/8wks into season teams on paper mean sod all, couple of seasons ago our team looked good on paper and we all know what happened there 🙁

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  3. Good luck getting POTTLE to answer that question… I asked him the very same question a few weeks back and after 12 or so posts he still hadn’t come up with a simple answer… 😯

    RE the article… Yes we are definitely stronger…

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  4. We seem to be keeping away from having a squad with ‘over-30’ players in it aswell which I kind of like. Obviously some players are still worth having into their 30’s but the way the prem is going now I think we will see less and less. I would be worried if we replaced them with underage, or rather, under-experienced players but that isn’t the case. The players we have brought in all seem to have played a number of games at a high level. (apart from Abeid obviously)

    I think if Obertan comes in we are sorted in midfield and actually are starting to look quite strong dare I say it in that department. The thing is though we don’t seem to have improved the defense at all and I think this is where we will fall down. The speculation linking us to Eric Pieters is interesting; decent LB by all accounts and a good enough replacement for Enrique. I still think we arn’t strong enough at RB. We have a number of players that can play there but, in my opinion, they simply arn’t good enough to repel the left wingers of the premier league.

    We need another striker as well, even with the addition of Demba Ba there just isn’t someone that you could say was a top prem striker in the current lot. Someone you could rely on to come on and really cause problems. I’m starting to think that is how we are going to operate, with a huge contribution from midfield. In all honesty I prefer this to simply hoofing the ball to a target man but it doesn’t always work. We will have to see if Vuckic can transfer his pre-season antics to the premier league as well which is a big ask. He does seem to have the size and strength to play through the middle supporting a main striker though.

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  5. I think when you count Joey and Jose into the equation we are not stronger. I really think we need a striker asap and have needed one from Jan.

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  6. Agree with just about every word in this. I’d rate Jonas a bit higher and hope that between him, Cpt Marveaux and Obertan (possibly even Joey if they can straighten things out) we’ve got good options for different matches rather than necessarily a ‘better/worse’ comparison.

    I don’t think anyone – including the club – would disagree on the striker thing either. I’m yet to be convinced that Carroll without Barton and Tugboat will ever be as prolific, but he’s going to be impossible to replace in terms of his ability to have an impact all over the pitch.

    I think we could be stronger as things stand, but I won’t be convinced until:
    a) We get that striker
    b) We see them operate as a team, not a hastily assembled kit of foreign bodies thrown on a pitch to replace the core of a once-functioning team.

    I think we’ll be ok on both counts, but I wouldn’t bet a ******* on it.

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  7. Alot of if’s but’s and maybe’s in there, tonnsy.

    Still worrying about where our goals are coming from for me.

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  8. DJG and Big Dave – totally agree. But do people believe the club are genuinely working on it? I do, but I can understand how some may think otherwise.

    There’s also the much bigger problem, regardless of whether you think Ashley’s hand will go walletwards or not: Are the players out there?

    I think we will find another LB. But the right kind of striker? That’s incredibly hard; it’s such a specific requirement. Has to be of a certain type, love the club, be the right age, attitude, and availability.

    I think you could have all the money in the world and still have problems.

    However, even if we don’t get the striker I still think we’ll do better this year. I certainly think we’ll be exciting to watch; it’s much better to have half a dozen potential scorers on at a time than rely on two or three. I think AP’s got that bit spot on.

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  9. Stu – I get your point, but look at last year: highest scorer got, what – 12 goals? Yet we were one of the highest scoring teams in the country.

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  10. Plus you could say we have quite a strong first team on paper, but the reality is we have a weak squad.

    We havn’t even got Ferguson to fall back on now. So if Enrique is ‘injured’ or jumps ship without a replacement we are now down to playing R Taylor or Jonas out of position; or a welsh youth player without a single competitve appearance. We could really be exploited on both flanks soon unless Pardew sorts this out quickly.

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  11. I hate to keep banging on about the fullbacks but I just think we could have the best midfield in the world and it will count for nothing because the wingers will be constantly pulled back to defend and Cabaye to plug gaps at the back.

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  12. has`nt jonas played at left back for argentina??? , mabye thats what pardew has in mind?? jonas and marveaux interchanging (left back/left winger ) throughout the season

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  13. pardew says another 3/4ywks for benny 🙁

    DJG aye we are weak at full backs,and ive never rated simpson anyway,he still hasnt signed that contract,hope he doesnt if he thinks he can do better elsewhere go for it imo,ime sure even one of the res could do better than him

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  14. I didn’t know Fergie was out for a long time. Hope not – he was just brilliant last year.

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  15. Apparently we are after the young lad who plays left back for Holland. Alain De Pardieu was ower there watching him at the weekend.

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  16. Yes is the answer but wouldn’t have Smith in the squad even if he was on £200,000 a week. Pay him up and show him the door.

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  17. djg…we havnt got smith or nolan and barton playing in the midfield..2gether…and we had gutherie as well..when we were stuck…so them players couldnt get back…this season we should see a big improvement in that area…we missed tiote big time…with mobile players we will be defending higher up the field…

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  18. DJG I have said this before but we could possibly have a top notch MF that will supply tonnes of ammo, but you need a sniper to hit the target.
    Whumpie the fact that top quality strikers are few and far between is why we will have to pay bigger money, I would go all out to try to get Sturridge as I think with his situation at Chelski we could have a chance, and I really think the lad has potetial to be a cracker.

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  19. toonsy fergie will be fit this week…a little birdy told me…but this is newcastle united anything goes…what about ben arfa…i sound like a broken record..when is he ready or what is wrong with him…

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  20. Ice
    I’m hoping Tavernier will be a good RB for us. I think it’s a problem area in the whole country though to be honest. That K Walker at Spurs is highly rated and I thought he looked average at best the other day. Maybe Mr Carr need to look in france for a good RB.

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  21. DAVE 100% agree on the kid he might just be the missing jigsaw piece,they say he has a chip on his shoulder but a lot of good players do,but the fat git wont go for it,its said he can go on loan for 3mil for a season,i would pay it

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  22. Toonsy

    A very fair, balanced and enlightening article. I agree that like for like, potential and most importantly pace, we are theoretically a better starting squad ( first 11 and subs) when all are fit. We lack a striker as is constantly highlighted by any toon fan you talk to, whether optimists or pessimists. We seem to be linked with all of the spuds strikers and if we could get any of them I would take pavluchenko as I believe he would best suit our style and give great competition to ba. Midfield and goalie sorted but I also share concerns at full back and I suggest we need a new lb and rb, both of whom should be good enough to push for a starting place. Not had a chance to see the new guys in pre season but definitely excited by the quality we have brought in

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  23. Big Dave – I dunno. We know money’s not the answer. I doubt if Sturridge wants to come, and from what I’ve seen of him I’m just not convinced he’s worth such a huge punt. Also, I suspect AP’s less than impressed with his massive ego.

    I’d still like to see him here, mind – just to find out! 🙂

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  24. Ice – is that right? £3m loan fee PLUS wages? Hmm. Still a lot, but perhaps worth it if it had an enforcable option to buy clause. If not, I’m not sure it’s a good idea; better things to do with £5m than buy an unproven temporary hole-plugger to be honest. Chelski would benefit far more than us.

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  25. Toonsy – Excellent piece.
    Carroll was a focal point OK , but that was over-emphasised because we had no other alternative!
    Agree 100% about Nolan.
    Jonas is the one that gets me though. Yes he puts in 110% and we do love someone who tries, but his strongest point appears to be moving the ball 20 yards further up the pitch before giving it away.
    Very reminiscent of Peter Ramage in so much as he tried like hell but…..
    Good point about the 25 player squad.
    Just hope we dont hear the following “judge me when I’ve got all my players in” or “nobody could do any better with all these injuries”.

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  26. I don’t know; we do seem to do better when Jonas plays. He seems to be involved in a lot of our best moves, including a lot of goals – it’s just that it’s rarely through a direct cross. I wonder we just expect all wingers to do the traditional role and don’t give due credit to his version.

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  27. WTF is up with Tiote… so he is queueing up with everyone else for a visa…. maybe the immigration official wants a £100 backhander to expedite and Ashley is too cheap to stump up? 👿

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  28. Personally feel we have one of the strongest midfields in the premier league average defence and strikeforce… Shame because our midfield is superb! 😆

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  29. Hi lads, long time reader but first time poster. Am a Singapore NUFC fan currently living in Dubai – need some advice here. Planning a trip up to St James for the first time in my life to finally catch a glimpse of the team I’ve supported since the Keegan era (the first one!). Aiming for the Fulham home game on 27 Aug.

    From what I gather, I can only book the tickets to the game when it’s up on the official website ya? And also, would appreciate if anyone can tell me which is the best area to sit? From the stadium plan, looks like the Milburn Stand offers the best all round view? Any advice here lads?

    Also, where’s good for a pre-match meal and drink? Sights of newcastle worth a look in the couple of days I’ll be up at Newcastle? Haha….know this is a hell load of questions but am very excited! Any advice would be very much appreciated! Cheers!

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  30. Is there a market for Pardew being sacked this season… cos in all honesty… it wouldnt surprise me. Some bookies have us barely escaping relegation this year. If we are in a dog fight come xmas, then i think the fat cuntroller will give him the flick

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  31. With the 25 man squad, presumably the way to go is 2 players per position, and up to 3 utility players. So That gives us:

    Krul (Harper)
    Simpson (Raylor)
    Collo (Williamson)
    Saylor (?)
    Enrique (?)
    Barton (Obertan?)
    Cabaye (Gosling)
    Tiote (Guthrie)
    Gutierrez (Marveaux)
    Ben Arfa (Best)
    Ba (Ameobi)

    Versatile: Lovenkrands,

    I haven’t included Kadar (CB), Fergie (LB), Vuckic (AM), Abeid (AM) etc as they’re yoof. There’s the assumption that Ben Arfa will play as a second striker too.

    As much as I don’t want to see Raylor play too often, I’d say priorities would be 1 CB, 1 LB (soon to be 2) and a striker. Then it’s not a bad squad.

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  32. I don’t know if we have improved or not. The trouble is with foreign imports is that it can take time to bed in. Comparing Cabeye to Nolan based on their stats from last season is not an accurate comparison of their ability at this level. The Premier League is one of the 2 best and most competitive leagues in the world. The French League probably comes in at 5th or 6th. That is a huge difference. If Marveaux’s body struggles with the rigours of the French League, how will he fare with a faster, more physical English League? If Barton stays, will he unsettle the changing room? Will Ben Arfa actaully get himself fit enough to have a deent run in the side?Will he be the same player, with the same confidence if he does? Now Tiote has settled in, will he get booked less often and miss less games as a result?
    I hope this famed Carr & Pardew thorough player research shines through…

    Now then my Premier League.com NUFC Head to Head League currently has 19 teams, so we need 1 space filled. It’s free to join, quick and easy and is great fun, so snap it up before it’s gone! Code to join is 139461-54775. 😀

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  33. Welcome aboard to the Flying Penguins! OK that’s the 20 needed for the season. Good luck to everybody that has got involved 🙂

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  34. Toon-Kenji….welcome to the nuthoose, I prefer the Gallowgate because I prefer to be behind the goal, se corner will prob have the best atmosphere.
    Drink just about anywhere, there’s The Gate complex, Fluid, The Strawberry, 3 Bulls,Rosies and of course Shearer’s, all within 5 minutes walk of the Stadium, for food I’d go to Stowell st for an “all you can eat” Chinese, loads of choice and 2 minutes walk. Enjoy it mate and hopefully they’ll get a win for you :mrgreen:

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  35. Pace? Yes, but Wayne Fereday and Franz Carr were quick. I’d like to see these lads play regularly before we judge.

    I think we’ll miss more than Kevin Nolan’s goals this season, alas too when Barton is moved on. I was Nolan’s biggest critic for his lethargic ways but he undoubtedly influenced the team at crucial points.

    I worry about the Sunderland game being the tipping point. As the lads from True Faith point out, woe betide Pardew (despite his hollow words) does not grasp the reality of what this game means in our region. Not ready for the first four games apparently? Let’s hope that’s not true. If we get a hiding down the A19, the worm will turn and Pardew doesn’t seem prepared for that.

    Could be post-derby carnage.

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  36. Toon..K, sights to see, quayside and bridges, castle keep, Monument/Grey street. If your driving, Angel of the North,Durham Cathedral and the coast, Bamburgh castle etc and yeah you will have to wait until tickets are on the official site but they’ll be easy enough to get.

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  37. By the way, rather than put it on the other thread about Capello’s double standards, Cleverly has walked into the England team after playing his first game for Man Utd.

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  38. Could Fergie not me moulded into the Ashley Cole left back, he’s always bombing forward. If you’ve got the energy and stamina then fergie could utilise his skill at both ends of the flank

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  39. Toonsy, you drifted, nay lurched right away from the plot – you never did say what the rather nice looking lass that came and sat on the front seat was after or whether you stopped the bus even?

    🙁 😥 😉 :

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  40. taken from Skysports Transfer clockwatch

    “Speculation:
    Reports are claiming that West Bromwich Albion are close to agreeing a fee between £6million and £7m for Reading striker Shane Long. The Baggies reportedly met with Long’s advisors over the weekend, with the Republic of Ireland international in line to become the Premier League club’s record signing. ”

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  41. Bowburn, I wonder if Cappello’s comments on Joey were issued at the behest of Mr Pardew….. you know, as a point for JB to think about, just how his behaviour impacts on more than the club?

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  42. BBM – did you have a sucky weekend, mate?

    I do agree with your points, but it’s not like you to sound so down about it all!

    You never know; our new midfield could prove to be the sensation of this season.

    Weeeeee’re gonnaaaaa scoooooore one mooooore thaaaaaan youuuuu! Etc.

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  43. I think we’re a tad better & agree with Stuart regarding where the goals will come from…

    Although I believe that the final piece of the jigsaw will be the addition of new signage of the east stand… 😆

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  44. We’re stronger all over the park except up front really….I’m not so sure i’d be so keen for marveux to take Jonas’ place though…Perhaps we should play marveux in the hole until Arfa is fit again? Our left without enrique and jonas would be massively exposed….Obviously even if obertan isn’t great he’s going to be better than routledge.

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  45. I think we are far better than last year with Jose and Barton in the club.

    In additon to new transfers, the inclusion of Ben Arfa, Vuckic, Fergie, and Gosling makes us a better team all around, especially in attack.

    If we lose Jose/JB then we will need a couple of replacements brought in

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  46. Is it just me, or is the silence from all these clubs “queueing at the door for Barton” according to Willy McKay, a bit, um….. deafening?

    Same with Jose. Zero bids.

    I wonder what odds you’d get on both being here at Christmas? 😮

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  47. @62. I think clubs might come in for Jose late with a low ball offer to try and get him to force a move.

    As for joey, if the only firm interest is from Wigan that about somes it up. Doubt any club will match his wages.

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  48. HalfTime @51, if Fergie could get his strength and endurance up, then yes he could be moulded into a Ashley Coel type, however I do worry that he has a weak heart and not enough determination to be that player. Benice to be proved wrong though… For now I’d certainly give him a #2 role at left back up until january to see how he performs.

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  49. Routledge wasn’t/isn’t such a terrible player and shares some strengths and weaknesses with Mr Obertan –

    tricky and skilful
    genuinely fast
    and as such…..able to go past players easily
    but – shocking delivery from wide areas
    poor decision-making in the final 3rd of the pitch

    I still think it’s worth taking a punt on Obertan though – he’s still only 22 and could improve in the aforementioned weak areas with greater experience and confidence.
    Plenty of managers have thought that they could elicit such an improvement from Routledge…. let’s hope it turns out differently with our new boy!

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  50. Toon Kenji…no probs but another thing to bear in mind is something Toby le Rhone posted for someone on a previous thread
    “Be careful about your travel arrangements for the Fulham game. It is scheduled for the Saturday but on the Thursday previous Fulham are in the back of beyond playing in the Europa Cup so in all likelihood the game will be moved to the Sunday”

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  51. What about these 2 players we are now being linked with? Erik Pieters 23 LB, plays for the Dutch national team, and Ola Toivenin striker, 25, 34 goals in 75 games for PSV? Anyone ever seen either of them play? Pieters sounds interesting and Pardew checked on him over the weekend. Maybe this is a real target or 2 real targets instead of more journo nonsense.

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  52. GEORDIETWO
    i have seen them both play a fair few times and i would not touch Toivonen he is a complete head case . He always leads with his elbow when going for a header and is a very dirty sneaky player ,he has kicked more opponents than nigel de jong , cattermole and Henry from wolves put together . As for Pieters he is better than Enrique and is not for nothing a regular in the dutch national team ,i hope that one comes off ,then we will have improved the squad .

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  53. @richietoon – man! that will suck if i’ve made travel arrangements for sat! will bear that in mind. thanks dude. u going for the game?

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  54. Toon-Kenji…..unfortunately not, moved to Spain in April so had to give up the season ticket 🙁

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