Have we got the squad to challenge for a cup this season?

toonsy

Up for the cup?
The reason I’d like to bring this subject up is because of the Alan Pardew’s insistence that he has been tasked with a few challenges this season by the board.

The first thing that Pardew must do is guide the team to a top half Premier League finish. The second, a rarity at Newcastle, is to have a fairly decent cup run.

How realistic are these challenges? Do we have a squad capable of competing on all fronts? In my humble opinion I feel we have enough to get a top ten place especially as we were minutes away from it last season. However a decent cup run is never easy as we all know and don’t really need reminding of. Ahem, Stevenage. Sorry!

To have a decent cup run you need a decent squad and a decent balance between the squad so that you can shuffle the team but still keep the same brand of football and team spirit and commitment that would be needed, say, in a Premier League game.

This got me thinking; we are involved in the Premier League, FA Cup and still in the Carling Cup this year. Normally that is the order of importance to most top flight clubs. But do we have the squad to compete in all of them?

Now this is where I was interested to see how ‘deep’ our squad is and the results are actually quite surprising.

I have split the squad into three teams; one each for the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. I know that these teams will chop and change and it is likely we will use 25 players for the three teams, but I wanted to highlight that, if needed, we could call upon lesser experienced ones. The 4-4-2 formation seems to be prevalent at the moment so I’ve stuck with that for the time being.

Premier League: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Fabricio Colocinni, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon, Gabriel Obertan, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Demba Ba

FA Cup: Steve Harper, Tamas Kadar, Mike Williamson, James Perch, Ryan Taylor, Sylvain Marveux, Dan Gosling, Danny Guthrie, Shane Ferguson, Leon Best, Shola Ameobi

Carling Cup: Rob Elliott, James Tavenier, Steven Folan, Tamas Kadar, Paul Dummett, Peter Lovenkrands, Haris Vuckic, Mehdi Abeid, Michael Richardson, Sammy Ameobi, Nile Ranger

Food for thought isn’t it? This is without loanees such as Kazenga LuaLua and Fraser Forster, but generally I feel that this is the best 33 in the club. As you can tell the Carling Cup team will probably not get to far and arguably the FA Cup side would struggle against tougher opposition but, this made me realise that we have a squad packed not only full of promise but youth and talent. I have even left out a full Faroe Islands international and an England u-19 international. Exciting times surely?

Back to whether we can really challenge for a cup… We will no doubt mix and match the Premier League team and FA Cup team together and I honestly feel that our best chance of silverware is the Carling Cup. If Birmingham can do it then why can’t we? We have the depth of squad to compete in the FA Cup at the moment but once injuries strike we may find it harder and harder especially as the bigger teams seem to want to win the FA Cup more than ever.

If we managed to achieve a Carling Cup trophy and finish 10th that would be a very good season indeed. We have to be realistic in our attempts this season but looking at the way we can potentially play there is no doubt that a Carling Cup challenge is viable one. FA Cup perhaps not so much, but we could always reach the quarters or semis and with a bit of luck, who knows?

As ever we are full of hope but for the first time I actually feel we will take the chance to get silverware seriously and there is no reason why it should be beyond our reach.

What do you think?

Thanks to Liam Southern Toon for sending this in for us to discuss.

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.

View all posts by toonsy →

You may like these posts

141 thoughts on “Have we got the squad to challenge for a cup this season?”

  1. I think we should go for PREM first of course then league cup and then FA cup last. Simply cos the big guns will put more importance on the FA than the league cup. They will all put more imprtance on the PREM. I place manchesters x 2, chelski, spurs and liverpool pretty much above us. **** are a joke this season. Out of them teams, they will all be pushing hard on other fronts and will blood in youngsters and fringe players for the league cup. Of course fringe at man utd means Owens, carricks etc so still alot of quality. Its a realistic shot though and i think its not out of reach for us. Look at the ***** that win it sometimes, BRUM, Middlesboro etc… fuking ****. Why cant we win it? All the teams i havent mentioned are no better than us, anything is possible.

      (Quote)

  2. I think you said it all at the end. Every player or manager (excluding those with the biggest of egos) will tell you that to win any knockout competition you need a bit of luck along the way. Personally i won’t get too excited until we get a home draw in the quarters or into a semi, too much can go wrong in the meantime, by fault or bad luck.

    I don’t think that to say we are competing in the three competitions is a bit misleading as unless we get to the semi’s of the CC (I think), it doesn’t overlap with the FA Cup at all. So if you had one cup teams falling down with cramp i dont think theyd get too much pity 😉

    A good article and I definitely hold a little hope with players like gosling marveaux etc who can come in to rest players without reducing the quality in the team. Won’t get ahead of myself just yet though

      (Quote)

  3. For tomorrow: Elliot, Perch, S.Taylor, Coloccini (C), Ferguson, Guthrie, Abeid, Obertan, Gosling, Marveaux, Ba
    Bench: Harper, R.Taylor, Kadar, Sammy, Smith, Lovenkrands, Ben Arfa

    Good enough to get through, and give a few fringe players a game

      (Quote)

  4. Really positive points on the squad size. I really hope we dont put many first teamers out having seen Birmingham go down last year.

    Also whilst i dont agree with many of Jobey’s player ratings for last game, he is right, the booing of Given was disgusting and I cant believe we havent made more of an issue of it since the game.

    He was a servant to the club, turned down Arsenal numerous times and finally left when he saw the last chance in his career to achieve something. We had Joe Kinnear in charge, I cant blame him
    Compare this to the “there’s only one Joey Barton” chants. Some fans are seriously retarded. Oh yeah, Joey “tells it like it is”. yeah he claims that the board has no ambition and moves to QPR. Jay Bothroyd or Ba? Santon or Anton Ferdinand?

      (Quote)

  5. toonsy.. i would put our best squad out for the league cup instead of FA. I know that may sound like its stupid but i think there lies our best shot. The FA is still a big one and as the cup draws on… the teams will be at full strength to win it and the big hitters will come in.

      (Quote)

  6. Liam spot on mate success breeds success so we should be aiming to win every game that we play in.
    I strongly believe that we have a decent chance of a good cup run, and there is nowt better as a supporter to have the thrill of a cup competition.

      (Quote)

  8. Solano do you really think that Brum went down because of the cup ?
    As for your “there’s only one Joey Barton” chants. Some fans are seriously retarded. why’s that ????

      (Quote)

  9. Solano.. i am not so sure about given in my honest opinion. He was a loud voice in the dressing room and he did lie to us fans as it came out that he had been trying to engineer a move away from us for over a year. Also, i cant forget that every time he went out with injury, harps came in and did just as well if the truth be told but as soon as given was fit he gobbed off that instant saying play me or else blah blah. i dont think he should have been booed but at the end of the day, he aint all roses either.. he was one of the rat brigade the deserted a sinking ship and i am sure he would not have stuck with us in the CCC, christ, he didnt want to stick with us in the PREM even before relegation. All this loyal servant stuff too… he wasnt doing it for free was he? he was a very highly paid member of our team and was paid millions every year.

      (Quote)

  10. I think it’s fair to say that our cup squads will have a mix of the Prem squad. And like dubtoon said, the FA and Carling cups don’t really overlap much unless we’re in the top stage of the carling cup, in which case I would say put out the better side if we’re that far along!

      (Quote)

  11. To be honest, Given was great while he was here, but imo he’s no better than the other rats who deserted the sinking ship. Did he turn down Arsenal? Newcastle would have had to have accepted a bid and given him permission to talk to them for that to be the case and I can’t remember that happening(apologies if wrong), also when he left was the second time he’d put in transfer request while at the toon after he’d chucked a hissy fit when Harper replaced him in goal. At the end of the day though, he no longer plays for for us so I’m not bothered whether some boo him or not, that’s what happens in football when you play ex clubs.

      (Quote)

  12. Dave I agree a cup run only boosts confidence and if players like marveux and gosling dont start in premier yet have a great time in the cups when they are called on in premier they will be fit ready and buzzing.

      (Quote)

  13. Let’s get past Forest first, if we do that and get a home draw we can do well in this cup – def best chance of winning something

    A lot depends on luck of the draw in cups, even in FA cup we’ve had Portsmouth, millwall, everton, west ham and Cardiff etc in finals so although big teams take it more seriously it’s possible

      (Quote)

  14. i think this could be our year, there no doubt in my mind, about being fit to win the league cup. we have a good squad and a ambitious manager who has said many times that he wants a good cup run. we have a lot of young talented players mad to prove them self’s and break into the first team.

    the league cup is not a great competition, but it’s a cup that gets you into europa league, and if newcastle are in europa league next season then i’ll be more than happy.

      (Quote)

  16. Madabouttoon, exactly mate! This is a competition that we actually have a shot at winning with our talented midfield depth! Defense isn’t too deep, but there is enough quality there to hold most.
    Pardew has made us a very organized side at the back, and now with our attack starting to click into gear, we can punish sides as well. I’ll admit, we haven’t seen that, but the potential is apparent.

      (Quote)

  17. I would go all out for the cup, only cause a nice party bus trip down to Wembley would be class 😛

      (Quote)

  18. I don’t to put a dampner on things, only a few weeks back a lot of us were saying we weren’t as strong as last. We have started the season really well results wise, without playing well bar Villa.
    I do think we can do well in the cups and surprise a few in the league, but let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground for the forceable.
    We don’t want The tabloids saying the Geordies once again prove there heads are as empty as a hermits address book.

      (Quote)

  20. off the topic a mo,we know monkey heed got the bullet and was pleased,but think it was a bit rough on him when i found out he has been paying the players wages for months,the ground staff wages,even payed the last water bill all out his own pocket,talk aboot being used

      (Quote)

  23. Spence Hitman put a pic up earlier mate, I said yonks ago that I thought Steve Wraith was spot on about the sign.
    I also said that I think SD will be the shirt sponsors aswell when NR are finished, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of his Dunlop, Slazenger,Lonsdale,Everlast etc etc become the new kit supplier

      (Quote)

  24. DAVE peter reid plymouth manager that was until sunday,come on dave you knew the the song ; peter reid monkey heed

      (Quote)

  31. DAVE you been on the drink or what! he was manager not chairman,how do you think they have been playing so badly 🙂

      (Quote)

  33. Ice 🙂
    Spence your alright son
    Jobey I know some people dont give a ****, but I do because I would be pretty sure we’ll be losing out on sponsorship money, but if others arn’t fussed thats there choice.

      (Quote)

  34. I don’t think we’d have anything there if he didn’t put his there, he might have paid for it, ya never know. Just gotta wait until the accounts come out I guess.

      (Quote)

  36. DAVE kna not pulling your leg mate super mac has been telling the storey of reid paying it the lot out his own pocket for months its a fact!,new owners have give him the sack

      (Quote)

  39. Nah, couldn’t afford it. Who got you a ticket mate?

    I probably would of if I was still in Sheffield but the travel is to much from here!

      (Quote)

  41. Toonsy: That’s annoying was hoping I’d be able to catch it online. Just have to keep up to date with the live scores on BBC then 🙁

      (Quote)

  42. TOONSY can give you the link if you want,its that git risdale that has booted him,hes just bought the club for a quid!

      (Quote)

  44. The answer to the article is No we do not have a good enough squad to win a cup.
    Short of cover for the back four
    Would be a major surprise if Shola and Loverman were good enough.

      (Quote)

  45. Birmingham had a good enough squad to win it last year and relegation .

    You don’t need a great squad but a lot of luck.

      (Quote)

  50. BD – I don’t know, no one knows really. It’s not like other owners don’t do it. Dave Whelan has their ground named after HIM. a bit of poxy advertising doesn’t particularly bother me if we’re performing well.

    Spencer – Ahh, Yeah. Oh well. I went in the home end last forest game and when mental at the lino when he disallowed Nolan’s goal. I’ll not be able to contain myself if Ben Arfa gets badly hurt, i’ll be gutted

      (Quote)

  51. icedog – monkey heed sold his fa cup losers medal to raise money to pay his staff.
    stabbed a few days later. All their problems aren’t his making either.
    Think the club will fold soon 😕

      (Quote)

  52. Jobey….I take it you don’t know you can buy tickets for the away end direct from the Forest box office?

      (Quote)

  53. ****, just realised I probs won’t be able to catch it. Will have to live with updates from five live

      (Quote)

  55. Be a housing estate there soon, or shopping centre.
    Didn’t kna risdale had bought it for a quid like.
    Ya cant trust that fecker.
    GREEN ARMY.

      (Quote)

  56. Jobey I dont think the JJB stadium had much history etc behind it so IMO it’s slightly different but ah well.
    Toonsy I guess that will have to do ffs

      (Quote)

  63. Jobey….nope fone or in person mate

    Tue 20.09.2011 NUFC v Nottingham Forest (a) @ City Ground, 7.45pm. Member sale now, £20 adults, £16 over 65s, £10 U18s, £5 U12s. Allocation: 4,500. Away tickets also on general sale in advance from the Forest Box Office.

      (Quote)

  66. ICE: maybe if I can arrange a friendly with Newcastle Women’s as the chairman who I interviewed Phil Eadon was very happy for us to have a friendly at some point.

    So maybe then!

      (Quote)

  67. He never comes out of it out of pocket.
    He’s a millionaire but the players haven’t been payed for 9 months.
    There is some new consortium trying to buy the club, but its not easy.
    The local council are thinking of buying the ground, just to keep it going.
    Cant believe the were in the championship same time as us and gave us a good game at SJP.
    Crazy

      (Quote)

  68. Aye Ridsdale should be banned from running a football club. How the hell is he “fit and proper”? Even Ashley is better FFS, and that is saying something!

    I know he managed the filth, but I actually quite like him. He gave his all to Plymouth and got shat on from a great height. Will ha get his cash back?

      (Quote)

  71. Very sad story at Plymouth IMO.

    Good interview, Jobey!

    Can’t wait for tomorrow, live text it is then…. need to get all our talented young’uns out for a good run around! Agree that a good cup run will have the likes of Gosling, Abeid, Vuckic, Sammy etc pumped and fit and ready for PL appearances when they come. And get Ben Arfa out there, and Marveaux (first-teamer for me)!

    Sammy to score tomorrow!

      (Quote)

  72. Not a hope Toonsy, there’s much bigger creditors to pay before him.
    Trouble is they are in a downward spirral now and when results go against you and you are rooted to the bottom of the league, the buck stops with the gaffer. He must have seen it coming.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *