I’ve read a couple of pieces in the Sunday Sun today about our young Slovenian talent Haris Vuckic.
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!
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.
Moreno…I’m a steady lad…haven’t had a drink since the last one… 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
Interesting programme on football business bbc 2.
DJG(Quote)
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 😉
richietoon(Quote)
I don’t usually agree with Dave twice on one thread but I agree with him @72 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Munich… we always suspected you had nowt upstairs 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
I agree with Richie @ 80 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
richie…you’re in good form tonight mate…! 😆 😆 ..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich…it’s a combo of boredom and the heat mate 😀
richietoon(Quote)
Rich cracking the funnies 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Trying to Toonsy 😕 , ya power back on?
richietoon(Quote)
Richie are you watching wor Al
Big Dave(Quote)
Nae beeb 2 out here Dave 🙁
I’ve downloaded Mrs Browns boys to watch though as I havn’t seen it yet 😀
richietoon(Quote)
……I did put my signed Shearer shirt on the wall today though 😀
richietoon(Quote)
well Richie if you hadn’t turned your back on your country ye would have had beeb 2 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy..I have an Ad on the bottom of this page saying “single Thai girls”…………disgraceful, I always recommend a “double” knot myself like 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Dave…see it does have it’s benefits then 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Rich – Order one of them thai’s and see if you get a bonus package 😆
Aye power came back on about 1pm.
toonsy(Quote)
Richie Toonsy must have stole that ad from another blog 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy…kna…I might end up with, cough cough,”someones” ladyboy 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Dave@93…great minds 😆
richietoon(Quote)
slightly off topic, but I bet Bin Laden regretted completing that bloody census form 😉
richietoon(Quote)
🙄 😆 he would have been better binning it
Big Dave(Quote)
Bin Laden was found when his PlayStation Network details were hacked.
funkyjesus(Quote)
rich 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
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 ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
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 😆
richietoon(Quote)
he said at the end ‘it’s far too like a casino’.
Wink wink Ashley & Owlheed. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
@toonsy
Am I allowed on the blog? I’m hammered having been in jesmondo all day?
😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
bobby 😉
batty(Quote)
whats happening bobby 🙂
batty(Quote)
@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. 😕
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobbys a kip….
witters(Quote)
Good old Bobby hows it going 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Unless I get the okay from commander toonsy I daresnt reply. 😥
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobby I heard you often got thousand lines at school 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
bobby 😆 do you reckon we will be in for connor wickham comp 🙂
batty(Quote)
dave wor bobbys a shy lad ya wouldnt catch him in his pants and boots 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
@ 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 Shinton number 9(Quote)
bobby ya off ya rocker 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Permission to speak Toonsy. This is action man patrol .
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Batty he’s as quiet as a Goose until he gets the boots on 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
bobby you always get off scott free 🙂
batty(Quote)
My radio is safe Toonsy, go ahead.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
dave aye 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
bobby is that real radio 😆
batty(Quote)
Batty did Ice get all the lead of that school roof 😕 maybe thats why he hasn’t been on today he is recovering
Big Dave(Quote)
Control ! We’ve lost contact with Commander Toonsy, can I have official confirmation to proceed with my views? ❓
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
howay bobby join the nighty night club 😉
batty(Quote)
dave you meen wickham comp ,aye he stripped it 🙂
batty(Quote)
I like them footie phone ins on real radio
Big Dave(Quote)
Thankyou for the go ahead control.
Standby.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
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
Big Dave(Quote)
Bobby come in over
Big Dave(Quote)
bobby how dus your wife put up with you ,u must be hectic man 😆
batty(Quote)
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 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Batty I think Bobby has feel out with us 🙁
Big Dave(Quote)
@ 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 Shinton number 9(Quote)
bobby you can call me betty as long as you use your fighting stance but leave ya troosers on 😆
batty(Quote)
Over control.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Wo bats? What have you been looking at?
You have some strange images in your head. 😀
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
bobby 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Bobby would you take Bellamy as the main striker that we clearly need ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
See radgie Stavers has been on the bucks fizz. 😆
DJG(Quote)
DJG where ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
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 😉
batty(Quote)
bobby Y fronts and pit boots p:sser 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Or perhaps buckfast. 😀
DJG(Quote)
@ 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.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
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 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
@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 Shinton number 9(Quote)
bobby ya gannin abit grey ,but not as much as me like 😉
batty(Quote)
Batty what a sight that is y’s and pit boots but I guess it could be worse it could have been ugg boots 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Bobby have you heard much about Isreali fighting ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
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 😉
batty(Quote)
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! 😀
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)