The best players who we’ve had occupy the role are the ones who were playing for honour, pride, and most importantly, for the shirt. Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Mcdonald and Alan Shearer are all examples of this. Not only did they score regularly, they also did their country proud when called upon.
Andy Carroll’s rather ambiguous departure from Newcastle has left the great Number 9 redundant with a dramatic void in our attack being a by-product of his departure. He wore the shirt briefly after being handed the greatest privilege and declaration of respect by Chris Hughton. A local lad, born and bred in Newcastle, he understood the weight and the power of it.
Sadly he let himself be swayed by other guises. He did the shirt proud and the days of Shearer, albeit briefly, filled our memories as we watched him terrorise and run ragged Premier League defences. Suddenly though his respect for the shirt diminished and he departed for Liverpool to become their No9. I wonder if he pulls on the shirt and regrets the fact that he sees the red instead of the black and white and when he walks out at Anfield he wishes he could turn to the adoring Gallowgate fans saluting their number 9 instead?
However that is the past and this is the present. We need a new No9! It’s in our history, our blood, it’s Newcastle. The problem is that it has to be deserved. In my mind there are three main focal points for a No9 at the Newcastle:
1) Local pride; they have to understand the passion honour and love of the club the region and wear the shirt as if they are wearing the hearts of all the fans.
2) Ability; the No9 doesn’t just go to anyone it has to be earned by prowess in front of goal; leading the line with power, ability, and determination.
3) Nationality; Now this is a debatable topic as I like the rest of you wouldn’t mind David Villa taking up the No9 shirt for us. However I think the attraction and pull of the No9 would mean so much more to a fellow countryman. There is also more of an affiliation with the fans when its one of our own.
Contenders; Carroll could have been something great at Newcastle but he gave it up for other riches so it leaves the door open for others. In a dream world we would all want a local lad wearing the shirt. Why not? We had Shearer.
That’s why I don’t think any of our new signings should get the shirt; they are too fresh to the area they are most likely going to be foreign looking at our targets. They may have the ability, but do they have the strength to carry the shirt?
Now one local lad who is playing steadily for the reserves and is one of bright hopes for the future… Phil Airey. He is young untested and raw but at the moment I can’t see anyone deserving of the shirt .. So why not wait for young Airey to break into the first team and start scoring, because if he does he ticks all the boxes.
More importantly seeing him at a reserve game….The lad has got potential and there is a certain something about him that smacks of potential No9.
Note from Toonsy – A big thanks to Liam Southern Toon for contributing this article.
Now you’re asking a different question…you want to know who I think will be captain for next season now do you? Very well, Barton.
Newkie(Quote)
Ive got a feeling that the new captain may well be a Pardew signing that is not even at the club yet .Stephen Ireland . Just have a feeling that he is the player that pardew wants in more than any other reported target , why would he have kept him at the club so long while he was injured ? because Pardew rates him and see’s him as a leader maybe .
Axel(Quote)
@449 Taylor captained the u21’s what? Or do you mean he captained the u21s?
BrisVegas(Quote)
Bobby, well Colo was captain before Barton but I understand where your coming from with the vocal but Vieira wasn’t vocal on the pitch but was a great captain, same with Henry so it can work.
In the long run though I think Saylor is defiantly captain material.
dan4toon(Quote)
Taylor was England’s under 21 captain
Jobey07(Quote)
@newkie
Check back.
Hilarious! 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
I first posed the question to you at 00:46 mins as to who our great manager and captain will be next season.
You’ve floundered, spluttered and hiccupped with flannel and finally you spout at 01:38 hrs
Half a dozen players who could potentially captain us.
Woo hoo hoo hoo.
One of which you name as Joey Barton!
The man who has been told his contract won’t be renewed!
Oh ma gawd ! You’ve really shown yourself up this time. 😯 😳
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@dan
Not being cheeky but you spell definitely wrong every time. It’s not defiantly.
Not takin the Mick but you do it all the time, 😉
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Well we had great managers in the shape of Robson/Keegan and Shearer and won **** all for it 😉
Conversely, A’ex McLeish and whoever the Birmingham captain is are not exactly fantastic and they won something.
toonsy(Quote)
BSN9 – If we’re being pedantic it’d be “taking” not “takin”
Jobey07(Quote)
@axel
If Ireland is named as captain, if signed, then bang goes any team spirit!
Captains should be men who have earned respect.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobby – Takin? Or taking?
toonsy(Quote)
BSN9 – Nolan’s gone to West Ham, He’s captain, Bang goes their team spirit?
Jobey07(Quote)
Jobey – nice reconstruction. That makes me happy. 😀
BrisVegas(Quote)
@jobey
I wasn’t taking the **** with that, it’s just to put him right cos he does it all the time.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Yes, you asked who will be our great captain and manager. You actually believed we’d have a great captain and a great manager this season? Comparable to Mourinho and Chelsea?
Head back in the sand Bobby 😆
I then proved the other stuff you were spouting about every team NEEDING a great/good captain/manager to be complete trash, nothing different to what you usually post I guess, but yes, it took an hour to finally drill that into you. Blimey its been a long night.
And if you’d read properly I said we had many capable individuals who could be captains for us and good ones at that, it didn’t matter which was chosen.
And yes-Barton won’t be having his contract renewed after this season. You are aware what a contract is, correct? It means he’s still here for next season…the one you’ve kept going on about…
Dearie 🙄
Newkie(Quote)
neet neet closet homos, make sure ye divnt *** yasells too senseless.
Rodzilla(Quote)
BSN9 – you don’t have to justify yourself to me, I do it to Spencer all the time 🙂 but it’s best to check your own spelling first ;P
Jobey07(Quote)
@toonsy
Poor point.
Champions league qualification should be considered better than the FA cup nowadays. IMO .
Every good club has a good manager and captain.
Who will ours be?
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Thanks for the correction Bobby!
But my point still stands that Colo could be a good captain even if he isn’t as vocal as others and then after that Taylor can follow on for years.
dan4toon(Quote)
@jobey
You miss my point and motive.
I know when I’m takin, yes takin. an abbreviation, some don’t and keep making the same mistake on a particular word.
Not taking the pip out of him but advising only.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobby – Pardew and Tiote. Although seens as you have mentioned Champions League it’s fairly easy to see where you think we should be next season. Deee-looo-ded 😆
Look, we are rebuilding. It isn’t going to click all at once. It might not even click at all, but shouldn’t we at least allow some time?
toonsy(Quote)
BSN9 – Ahh, I understand, like when you’re advised to stop being so patronising to everyone….
Jobey07(Quote)
Fifteen minutes later… 😯
Bobby, at least have the decency to inform me when you’re going to run away from an argument, not very classy at all 🙄
Newkie(Quote)
@newkie
My goodness you are struggling tonight aren’t you.
You must have had your head stuck firmly I’m the sand.
What a great idea. You still consider Barton as being named Captain after everything he has said, thinks about the club and has Cabaye as his replacement in the same same dressing room.
Well done newkie. You’ve made it easy for me. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@toonsy
If I called you deluded I would get warned.
I don’t mind but it should work both ways.
If you think rebuilding is getting rid of our senior players who played above expectations last season then your right.
It’s not what I call rebuilding. It’s destruction.
I predicted all this before Christmas and I was laughed at.
But hey ho. I’ll never convince you even when the Walls of SJP are crumbling round you.
Blinkered in my eyes.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
You know, the more I think about it the more I think that Eto’o isn’t such a suggestion. He might be outside our age bracket and is probably too old for the big boys.
However, he has yet to play in the PL. His presence in the dressing room would be on a par with Shearer and could well gel the newer elements. He is a captain. He still scores goals and probably still has a few years left in him. I don’t think he would cost megabucks due to his age either.
He’d make a good number 9.
BrisVegas(Quote)
@ jobey
🙄
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@brisvegas
Join my reality train . Next stop Vegas!
No Etos on this train baby only cheap deals, cheap wages and average kinda guys.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Barton played on the right wing last season..is cabaye a right winger? 😆 Replacement indeed.
What he’s said about the club…you mean like his love for the club and the fans? Or is it him slagging off Ashley-the kind of thing you approve of usually but are now twisting to use to your advantage? Hmm 😕
I said I thought Barton would be chosen as captain, and I said I think he had good leadership attributes. I didn’t say it wouldn’t be without some problems, which club doesn’t go through growing pains? Again, if Barton isn’t captain I’m not fussed at all, plenty of other suitable candidates.
Who do you think should be captain then?
Newkie(Quote)
Uh oh. Newkie is back onto Ask Jeeves, how to beat Shinton in a debate. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Nothing real about your train, bobby.
BrisVegas(Quote)
No Bobby, there’s a post right above you if you’d care to respond, hope it doesn’t take another quarter of an hour to come out with those shabby responses again 😕
Newkie(Quote)
@newkie
Your answer regarding Barton is no improvement on your poor answer before., 😆
Who do I think should be captain?
Have you missed my whole point?
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Good point, Newkie.
BS9 – Who do you think should be captain and who do you think should be manager?
BrisVegas(Quote)
Ug oh.
Back onto Alan Hansen solution to football queries!
Leave Hansen alone man. It’s between seasons and he likes a break! 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
It didn’t need improving, I tried to simplify it so you might get it but alas, looks like as you can’t respond properly you’ll just push it under the carpet, as you do with most posts that prove you wrong 😕
No, I’d like to know what you think, as mad as that sounds 😆
Who will be our captain?
Newkie(Quote)
Bobby-posted in the same minute? You really are impatient, is it that time of the month for you? 😆
Newkie(Quote)
@brisvegas
I will help Newkie out cos he’s struggling.
My whole point is, every great or good team has a great or good manager and captain.
We fail on both fronts!
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
BS9 – Who do you think should be captain and who do you think should be manager?
BrisVegas(Quote)
“My whole point is, every great or good team has a great or good manager and captain.”
Already shown to be nonesense yet you still come out with it, dear me, why can’t you learn Bobby 😕 ❓
Newkie(Quote)
That is to say, who would you like to be manager and captain – presuming of course that you want Newcastle to do well.
Sometimes I wonder.
BrisVegas(Quote)
Right off cos mrs shinton is wanting to talk team tic tacs.
My god Newkie. Brush up on your jousting skills . Very poor. 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Standard shinton running off when he’s challenged or proved consistently and conclusively wrong. 😉
Nothing new there then 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Goodnight Mr Delusional. ➡
Newkie(Quote)
Well, we can’t leave it there. I’ve only stayed around so we can get up to 500 comments.
BrisVegas(Quote)
So
BrisVegas(Quote)
it’s
BrisVegas(Quote)
up
BrisVegas(Quote)
to
BrisVegas(Quote)
me
BrisVegas(Quote)
Woooo Hoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year
BrisVegas(Quote)
Does it ruin it if I make it 501? 😯
😆
Newkie(Quote)
so as soon as BS9 was asked who he thought our captain and even manager should be, he runs off?
…wow
AndrewT(Quote)
i’m in Minnesota and it’s only 10:00 over here so I can keep this stuff up for quite a while
AndrewT(Quote)
so i just took the time to look through all the **** that bs started about “great team having a great manager and great captain.”
People first proved that that statement was incorrect.
Then others went to offer their thoughts on who our captain could/should be.
bobby says that everybody is mad or not answering his queery, when in fact several people have.
He totally ignores these statements of reason (surprise, surprise)
Then when the question that he asked everybody about who our “great” or even “good” captain could/should be, he totally dismisses it
… probably because Steve Wraith hasn’t come out with an opinion on it publicly yet.
AndrewT(Quote)
shame that I don’t have anybody to share this observation with at the moment.
AndrewT(Quote)
LOL- what’s going on in this place? 500+ comments? Nothing like a good transfer window to bring out the knife fighting amongst toon fans….
Great fun reading the comments…too bad it took me 8 f’ing hours. 😉
MDS(Quote)
its a little ridiculous right MDS?
AndrewT(Quote)
Yeah Andrew but in a good way. We can smoke the Scum and there’s 130 comments. Get a little transfer banter going and it turns into bloody Remembrance of Things Past
MDS(Quote)
haha, that’s true.
although i guess when we destroy the scum there are much better things to do than banter on a blog.
getting pissed and/or enhancing the moment of joy by seducing your wife with the infectious joy come to mind
AndrewT(Quote)
with the transfer stuff there’s the whole thought on “is he good or will he be average/****” debate. Then it just snowballs from there. Bring BS9 into the mix to make ridiculous statements and antagonizing everybody else and apparently it’s a recipe for 500+
AndrewT(Quote)
511 Whoo!
AndrewT(Quote)
just to keep things going, and since I never got the chance to share while everybody was awake, i think getting Ba is awesome!
If he can just stay somewhat fit, i feel that he could fit in beautifully with the squad.
Am I confused over the willingness to get rid of Best right now? Hell yes, I am. It makes absolutely no sense to say that your current second-choice striker can go if a deal comes in, when your primary striker is injury prone!
AndrewT(Quote)
I am shocked and appalled that I kinda agree with Chuck (BSn9) here…
I think Pardew is decent… We arnt going to attract the likes of Jose Mourinho… We couldn’t even get Martin O’Neil…
So I think Chuck has to wake up and smell the coffee and be satisfied with Pardew for now…
But captain wise, we are lacking a genuine leader and a history or tradition to demonstrate to newbies what playing for Newcastle is about…
We can’t just start a new season with a fresh squad. No matter how good the individuals are… There must be leadership and culture and pride instilled in them…
Who will that person be?
JJ(Quote)
to talk on the other rumors and bits of news, just cuz i can, and why not boost the comments:
I still think that we can get Zog. The money isn’t a problem for us, just a bit of an annoyance for MA
I’m pretty sure that Barton is going to have a bit-part with the squad this season because his overall attitude is going to be completely differnet from what we saw this past season. However, if for some reason the club decide to offer him a contract and he takes it, he could be extremely invaluable. He would definitely have to fight for his place in the team every weekend though with Cabaye and hopefully some top wingers coming in.
AndrewT(Quote)
I was actually getting to that next in what I thought was my lonely time to reflect.
If Joey was definitely going to stick around and had a contract, he would obviously be the #1 choice.
Harper certainly isn’t guaranteed a starting spot, and i don’t like the keepers being the captain anyway, for practical reasons
That leaves Colo for me, or possibly Saylor already. Even though Saylor can be wreckless, and a bit self-centered, he truly knows what this club is about, and has that air of leadership too. One of those two for me.
Colo would be a bit of quiet leader, showing by example, but Saylor would be much more active and an in-your-face type of Captain
AndrewT(Quote)
Shola – no way…
Harper – too quiet and dont like gk as captain
Colo – good shout, but does he want he responsiblity
Tiote – great player, but hardly an example when he’s suspended all the time
Barton – doubt he’s gonna stay
Taylor – another good shout but he needs to prove he is worthy of a starting place next to Colo.
In all fareness to Taylor, Nolan would have had the same problem this season…
It would be ideal to sign Barton up, So let’s hope that happens
JJ(Quote)
And to remark on Pardew, JJ, I think that he COULD prove to be a very good manager
AndrewT(Quote)
but to comment on something that was mentioned by funkyjesus, i think, it makes sense that we’re getting all these bargains in early.
The bargains in the transfer market are only available until somebody else snatches them up. We’ve been very good to snatch up the bargain of Cabaye, then Ba, and probably next Neil Taylor. Probably directly after that, I think the club needs to claim N’Zogbia because he is a proven talent within the PL and everybody knows that he wants to leave and that he will leave.
After those players, we can focus on ‘regular’ transfers that aren’t affected by clauses in contracts or players that have declared that they want to go somewhere else, somewhere better – which in many cases could be us actually. How crazy is that for a thought considering we just finished our 1st season back in the top
AndrewT(Quote)
He could,
As Taylor could prove to be an outstanding captain…
I Guess what we have to remember is that we arnt a great team. We a trying to build a great team…
And just as a team isn’t instantaneously great, they mould and shape and develop. So can captains and managers mould and develop into the role.
Let’s hope that happens.
JJ(Quote)
we’re clearing the dead wood for several reasons. Obviously, Nolan was never going to get that contract here.
Ranger has no drive to be a footballer.
Smith is done at the top level.
Barton wants a slightly less ridiculous contract length than Nolan.
Best… really can’t figure that one out other than Pardew feels that he was lucky and really doesn’t offer anything to the squad. With his stats from this last year, MA is probably just trying to get the most money he feels he will ever be able to push for him
AndrewT(Quote)
YES, JJ! This is obviously a major rebuilding year for the Toon. We can’t expect to demand instant greatness just because we’re finally acquiring some quality players. It will take time for them all to gel, get comfortable, and for Pardew to see what systems work best with these players, and how he’ll have to adapt when missing 1 or 5
AndrewT(Quote)
on that note, I’m actually going to bed 🙂
AndrewT(Quote)
Taylor and Zog would be great
As would Sturridge on a loan to buy deal, and then resigning Barton and Enrique.
But we’ll only know the clubs intent at the end of the window. It’s the first time with Ashley in charge, we’ve actually been in a position to invest heavily.
Let’s hope he does. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t. This window will certainly answer a lot of questions…
JJ(Quote)
i agree with icedog @2 they should put the number 9 shirt on the wall in the dressing room with the phrase “it’s not giving, its earned” that would get them playing well it would get me going anyways
moore83(Quote)
Mark Douglas from the Journal is reporting very good news imminent from the club, wonder what it could be?
Robert(Quote)