Over the course of the summer there have been a number of articles detailing just how close we are to having a full squad. People bemoan our “thin” squad and our “lack of numbers”, but once again I will go through it and show that it is anything but thin on numbers.
I maintain that our problem isn’t a lack of numbers – our squad is bigger than Chelsea’s squad for example. Our problem is that there is a lack of balance in some areas and a lack of quality in others. With our 25-man squad already full it leaves our hands tied until players are moved on.
So far, players who have to be registered this season include:
Tim Krul, Steve Harper, Fraser Forster, Danny Simpson, Ryan Taylor, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, James Perch, Wayne Routledge, Joey Barton, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith, Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best, Demba Ba, Peter Lovenkrands, Xisco.
I make that 24 so far, which leaves us just one empty space in the squad. People will point towards a goalkeeper leaving and maybe Wayne Routledge, but aren’t those the kind of players we want replaced anyway? Are they not deadwood now? Jose Enrique is a different matter of course, but he might not go yet. Put it this way, clubs aren’t beating down the door for him at the moment are they?
Others like Alan Smith and Xisco are naturally going to sit out their lucrative contracts. Wouldn’t you? They are showing just how hard it is to force someone out the door when they don’t want to go and if anyone thinks that Ashley likes having them around and paying them a fortune for essentially doing nothing (that includes being left out of the 25-man squad) then I’d also guess that they are a sandwich short of a picnic.
There is still a lot of moves that can be made to our squad to make it better, but it’s going to take time. We aren’t going to get a full compliment of 25 starters, much like any team doesn’t have a full 25-man squad of players who could start every week, even Manchester United are included in that! Be realistic.
So one in and one out? Maybe, but it also has to be that way. I’m sure we could all think of many ways to improve the squad but the fact is that players have to go before they can be replaced.
See what I mean?
Good work looking up the player’s ages!
So then, one new striker (assuming he arrives) takes us up to 25. Which means sell to buy, as Ashley isn’t about to pay players like Smith £60k pw to be ineligible to play.
Makes sense to me. Routledge, Smith, Xisco out not only frees funds, but also squad space.
blip(Quote)
Oh, and that large squad ignores Fergie, Kadar, Tavernier, Vuckic and Abeid, all players I’d throw onto the pitch without being too worried.
blip(Quote)
we mayy have a squad but it needs investing in, not taking spine out of, and this is what has happened. without adequate replacements and we do have a habit of carrying alot of injury prone lads over the yrs. buy a number 9 fit 4 the job , a left back and a right winger, routledge out with shola and jose and poss lovenkrands, but then these need quality replacements
jam(Quote)
The lad in the background of that photo should be a target regardless of Jose staying or not…
CC(Quote)
I’d take van aanholt back, but I would think chelsea’s new boss would like him to be cole’s deputy at this point
AndrewT(Quote)
I would want to get rid of Forster, Raylor, Perch,Routledge, Smith, Xisco,Guthrie and Lovenkrands that would create room for new blood.
My wish isn’t gonna happen and maybe only three out the pack will leave but keep the policy of bringing in young hungry players I have had enough of so called superstars
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Agreed Toonsy, a lot of people seem to forget the whole 25 man issue, its pretty simple to get to grips with as well really, and I can understand why Ashley wouldn’t want a bunch of fringe players being paid for nothing, who would? The only thing that annoys me is why haven’t deals been done earlier?
Speculation around Ranger and Routledge has been going on since the start of the market, what’s happened? **** all. I can understand maybe Pards being reluctant to release Ranger due to his promise, and the fact that he can make a decent impact, but seriously why the hell hasn’t routledge been shipped out? QPR declared interest in him before the end of the season, lets just get him sold now-I’m guessing its due to Ashley wanting all his money back on the player, but which teams will take him now that its certain he can’t cut it in the prem? Sell him, make a loss, just get him off the books…
Newkie(Quote)
Agree wiyth the article that one in one out is entirely proper. Incidently, I think Kadar and Gosling need included since both are now 21 years old. That would make 26
It doesn’t make sense to have pay players in excess of the roster limits. I know Man City does it but not sure who else.
MDS(Quote)
Check out your list of 24 players Toonsy. No offense but how many decent centre backs do you see there? I see about 2.5. I understand your point about us not being thin in numbers but as for quality anyone would have to be delusional to think we have a decent 25 man squad. As for Kadar apparently he can’t even get a start in the reserve team in Holland. Perch is a joke, as is Xisco and Smith and I realize you are right we won’t be able to get rid because of their lucrative contracts. I wouldn’t call it dire but considering our owner has had several years now I don’t see enough improvement and he will constantly alienate the better players with the so-called wage cap. How will we ever challenge the top 6 (or even 8 for that matter) if we can’t hold on to our better players? The answer is we won’t. We will be a mid-table team at best with the owner gradually recovering his money by keeping wages low, signings cheap, and pulling in a steady stream of revenue in the 100 million pound range each year. The only fly in the ointment would be if we slip towards relegation and then he would panic and God knows what pathetic excuse for a manager we would end up with.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mike williamson is a little more than half a center back. There are plenty on here who believe he should play over STaylor.
Do ya think Kadar might still be recovering from a niggling injury? Cuz he looked mint when playing for the first team in the championship 2 years ago. I hardly think he could have gotten worse in 2 years
AndrewT(Quote)
Well discussed subject and correctly observed by Toonsy. We are lacking quality not quantity! But you could argue that we have some players with cronic injury problems, so therein lies some unbalance as do the fact that we are without a pure lb backup. (I refuse to look at Ferguson as a left back, because I honestly think he should be played further up the left.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
Mike Williamson is PL quality…he’s no world beater, but for 1million he was a bargain buy and he’s been pretty solid for us all season. Bear in mind it was also his first PL season…he’ll only get better presumably. Kadar, still young and recovering, needs a string of games.
Newkie(Quote)
APP, totally agree with u about ferguson. The kid offers so much going forward and just loves going for a goal. Definitely not a left back, simply someone who can do a job in an emergency
AndrewT(Quote)
Good comments AndrewT and alanpardewproject. Part of my point of saying we have 2.5 centre backs is frustration. I suspect Kadar has a knock as well but he always seems to have a knock! And why haven’t we replaced Campbell? We seem an unbalanced side to me with far too many midfielders and far too few quality defenders. Jose has burned his bridges, Kadar is constantly injured, people can argue about Willo vs STaylor but either way they probably aren’t the whole answer. So as far as I can tell we lack depth at left back, right back, and centre back. Not exactly the way to build a team to contend for Europe. That is my ongoing frustration.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Tav did a pretty good job yesterday, problem is he looks so small, especially compared to enrique..We’ll lack in strength at the back so Colo/Taylor/Willo and Tiote will have to be more solid…still at least we shouldn’t get caught by the stupid passes and runs that Enrique makes nowadays.
Newkie(Quote)
Agree with ur article in the most part but I think most people bemoan the size of our squad based on the quality in depth not the actual numbers.
We have over 40 players available to be pushed in to our squad if absolutely necessary but wen struggled a lot last year to come up with 11 top quality 1st teamers, either by injury, suspension or whatever.
Looking at our squad like that it is not a great deal better than last season right now. Not to mention the latest injuries already mounting up.
GeordieDan(Quote)
@9. I don’t think the point of the article was how many quality players we have- I think we all agree that some on that list aren’t good enough. I think he was just saying that because of our squad size, the one in one out policy makes sense.
MDS(Quote)
My frustration is I just don’t see a real football plan. All the talk from those who support Ashley focuses on how well financially managed we are now. Well there is more to running a football team than making a tidy profit each year. Who is our football mastermind in charge of seeing that we improve as a team each year? I don’t see anyone having that role at Newcastle. Don’t try to tell me it is Llambias or even Pardew. Both Keegan and Robson made mistakes in their time but I saw them both as true football men with great vision. I don’t see any sign of that now with our club. I hope we play well this season but it looks thrown together haphazardly and mostly based on minimal expenditure to me. All the best to all our long-suffering supporters.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
With all these internet rumours what would be an acceptable offer for Colocinni. Remember the message was put out we are a selling club.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
You all seem to be assuming that Ba Cabaye and Marvieux can walk straight int the first team ok Ba did ok at west ham the other two are unknown quantities and may or may not adjust ben arfa is going to be six weeks from now before premiership fitness and thats not counting losing two or three players to big bidsb near the transfer deadline If we had a first class manager i would not be so worried but after watching the last game of the season and the orlando fiasco it is blatantly obvious he is clueless about tactics talk yo a sunday morning coach even apro ashley one and theyd agree There are no players available in our price range thats why were after Erdinc a big striker who has scored 9 goals in 43 games even ameiobis record is better than that we have to hope to keep barton tiote and colo or big trouble will follow i am not an ashley hater but who else can you blame theappointment of pardew is in my opinion our greatest disaster
steven olsen(Quote)
Spot. One or two quality editions are all we are needing.
toon army barracks(Quote)
Expect a good game from Columbus tonight, they are a decent side. I hope we can put Jose’s rant behind us and play well to finish the tour. Get the players home in one piece Pardew, then work like hell on the squad. We have a mountain of work to do. I hope the match against Fiorentina doesn’t turn into an embarrassment. This squad needs to be pulled together quickly.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
just came on , defoe , crouch? any of that true lads???
Army69(Quote)
I guess one of the comments was mine T, and no I haven’t miraculously changed my mind!! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not disagreeing with the sentiment Ashley will not allow us bring in players and leave others on hefty wages surplus to requirement. That is a given.
Answer me this though, how are those players contributing now? We’re paying most of them for f-all. The reality is, at best, that we should take a hit and pedal them for next to nowt as quick as possible. At worst add to the wage bill and try to pedal them in January. There is money there to be spent, they just don’t want to spend it. They are taking a punt as usual and we have a lack of quality not numbers as two of the lads have already accurately noted. We’ve also removed key players and are taking a chance on additions who need to prove their fitness and their ability to gel with the squad. The board’s gambling ways will inevitably backfire again at some pont and there will be tears, mark my words chaps. Alas, I would prefer to be wrong than right on this.
bowburnmag(Quote)
BBM- agree in theory but who is going to take the likes of Xisco and Smith off our hands?
MDS(Quote)
GEORDIETWO once the boys are back from both the USA and Holland the squad will finally be pulled together and the real pre season can start . With so many first teamers having to be pulled out of the trip to the states we cannot really say their will of been any team building and game plans put into place . Against Leeds i think we may see the first signs of who will be Pardews first 11 and the formation and tactics we can expect come the Arsenal game . I just hope we can shift a few of the deadwood before pre season finishes and bring in the type of players we need .
Axel(Quote)
MDS – I’d be prepared to let them go for nowt and get them off the wage bill. The other team can use the ‘fee’ money to help pay their daft wages.
Truth is, that doesn’t fit with what I believe Ashley is doing. At the moment, he’s gambling on staying in the league with minimum outlay and where possible getting as much money back in. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see one of the other big names go along with Enrique.
Part of me rejoices in the thought that his gameplan is to move on sooner rather than later.
bowburnmag(Quote)
MDS
The only way them goons will leave is if we give them a substantial settlement towards their contract.
Greedy b’tards they want to get and live in the real world
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
It doesn’t matter how many times you post this info toonsy. people are just going to go on with their views, shame as your bang on? Has anyone got their leeds tickets yet?
Rorycn (Bottoms up)(Quote)
Also why am I spelling it ‘pedal’? What a numpty.
bowburnmag(Quote)
If you remove the players who don’t/can’t contribute anywhere near enough for Premier League standard, then you can quickly strike out 9 or 10, and that’s without knowing whether the new signings will do anything.
I can go down to the pub and get 24 other blokes. Doesn’t mean the squad is any good though.
Michael Laudrup(Quote)
BBM there is player we have that I would sugest to just do what ever we can to just get them out, the likes of xisco, Smith I would even go as far as trying to offer them a sweetner just to get shoot of them
Big Dave(Quote)
Rorycn – Leeds tickets have arrived according to Marktoon 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
his is funny ha ha
Man Utd Fans to boycott the club if any deal for Joey Barton goes ahead? http://t.co/xCXQrig … #nufc I couldnt help but laugh … 😀 man u fans r not real
pav is a geordie(Quote)
my leeds tickets arived on friday 😀
pav is a geordie(Quote)
MDS – I’d be prepared to let them go for nowt and get them off the wage bill.
——————–
I would too but no one’s going to pay their full wages. The only chance we have is to let them go and still pay half their wages or something. sort of like we did with Xisco and Deportivo last season.
MDS(Quote)
Can’t we just force them out like we did with Carroll apparently? 😆
toonsy(Quote)
I guess what this does prove is that if the player wants to stay there is fuk all the club can do, so it blows the I was forced out of the club theory 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
🙄 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
MDS I guess that just MA’s fault for buying them in the 1st place.
Toonsy im not hassling you but did you get a chance to look into the browser thing ?? no ❓ you lazy ***** 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
what is going on for the tickets for the scum game ??
pav is a geordie(Quote)
Dave – stop harassing me 😆
To be honest mate not yet. My full time is spent trying to sort out something to keep this place online at all times. Get a new smartphone you tight feker 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Dave – On a serious note I promise I’ll look Thursday 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Brother Toonsy, are yeh doing a game thread tonight?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
it could be worse I could be stalking ye 😆 I dont want a smart phone I can just about work me own ta 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy take Pards advice and dont make promises 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
I don’t see many current internationals in that squad at all. Lots of players I like, cos I’m black or white… but for a so called big Premier League club, it’s a light squad. Even Hatem Ben Arfa and Colo (as decent as I think they are) are bench players, if selected, for their countries. The club has money to spend if Ashley wanted. £39mil for Carroll and Nolan. It’s disgusting really.
Hoddo(Quote)
Dave – I said id take a look. Can’t promise I can fix it. Remember this stuff doesn’t come naturally to me so I have to search for answers, read it, learn it, then have a go myself.
FSOTC – Yes indeed. I was hoping to be back for the second half but I’ve been delayed so its unlikely. Jobey is sorting it out though I see.
toonsy(Quote)
Good post and good comments.Got to agree with Geordietwo and Steve Olsen.There does not appear to be a clear football plan to build and progress,more a gamble that wheeling and dealing will allow us to survive and keep the balance sheet positive.I think our senior pro’s have seen this and are rightly concerned.But thats what Ashley is , a risk taker,buyer and seller in business.Read some quotes from his address to the shareholders and investors meeting for Sports Direct – he sounds like an arrogant aggressive ******** – is that really what we want at the helm of our club – I wonder how the dignified Sir Bobby would have dealt him?
LeedsMag(Quote)
Right on, thanks. Consensus seems to be there’ll be no video available but maybe some radio coverage, right folks?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Why would Xisco be registered? There is no need for Routledge to be registered as he’s off, Guthrie is plain **** and so is Perch. There’s 4 for you!
Officemonkey(Quote)
FSOTC – aye, just radio. link to the site on my article. be patient 😉
Jobey07(Quote)
The author also forgets that you don’t HAVE to register certain players.
Officemonkey(Quote)
Office Monkey – Guthrie is good cover. Better than Smith, who you haven’t mentioned.
Jobey07(Quote)
Toonsy yer a c@nt but yer not a bad c@nt 😆 would it help if I could find out who my browser is ? as I have been trying but I could maybe phone 3 and ask them 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
You know, whenever the site posts the “When it’s bad, it’s really bad…strikers” article, we could have an interesting debate brewing on Xisco vs. Owen.
MDS(Quote)
Just got to.crew.stadium looks.like 50/50 supporters
Utah-Mag(Quote)
Officemonkey says:
July 26, 2011 at 22:16
The author also forgets that you don’t HAVE to register certain players
—————————
All player over 21 years old need to be registered, no?
MDS(Quote)
Thats the thing just because some people think they are **** doesn’t mean they dont exist . We need a new striker obviously but think about how many we have at the minute . Ba, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best , Ranger , Xisco . thats 6 strikers we need to move so of the deadwood on before we bring more in
Drake(Quote)
http://www.thecrew.com
is the match gna be on?
Army69(Quote)
Evening lads on a serious note I think hats off to pardew for saying a word for the norweigan Newcastle fan.
Liam southern toon(Quote)
@61. That is good of him- I didn’t see that. Link?
MDS(Quote)
@60. army- radio only, on the Crew site
MDS(Quote)
blah blah f-ing blah – we cant ship players out because they have to agree personal terms with the buying club which is something routledge, xisco, smith, ranger and co refuse to do – its not about playing games its about earning cash – Ashley and owlheed could refuse to name em in squad but it aint gonna happen.
unless they agree to move on we’re fooked on the quality front i’m afraid
stevep(Quote)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Norway-Victim-Tore-Eikeland-Rip-220711/151998701542864?sk=wall
batty(Quote)
🙄 just incase any 1 wants too leave a message
batty(Quote)
cheers batty.
In better news, Lee Ryder tweet: “nufc team spirit still excellent”
MDS(Quote)
Carroll replaced by Ba. (Ok, but I had higher hopes to be honest)
Nolan relaced by Cabaye. (Top goalscorer from midfield for a holding midfielder)
The club will struggle to sign the calibre of player the fans would like with Ashley’s current super-tight polocies. What it seems the aim of paying/splashing cash for in football is consistency, this squad in my opinion, as it stands, will likely be just as consistent as last season, a rollercoaster with no real progression made. No major injuries please!
Hoddo(Quote)
the season before last Cabaye scored 15 goals from midfield, holding midfielder. hmmmm…. 😆
Jobey07(Quote)
jobe aye i could of swore he was a box too box midfielder 😆
batty(Quote)
thought lee ryder said yesterday there was gna be good news coming out the camp 2day?? all i have read is we are after crouch , defoe and ben arfa is out for 4 weekS!! if thats good news then i dont know what bad news is 😆
Army69(Quote)
3.30
here in India.will be 7 am when
match gets over.Is it sad that
am mostly gonna give up a night’s
sleep to listen to audio of a
friendly?
deepak is an indian toon(Quote)
deepak – hats off to you mate 😉 hope you get all your indian pals to listen to it to then at half time eat a vindaloo 😉
Army69(Quote)
Army69- 🙂
deepak is an indian toon(Quote)
Sorry MDS it was actually on eds blog with quotes don’t know where they came from though
Liam southern toon(Quote)