Alan Pardew, his coaching staff, scouting staff and players are really surprising not only the so called ‘expert’ pundits like Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson, but the Black and White Army itself.
Throughout this summer I’ll admit to being one of the pessimists. There is a difference though. Whilst a lot of fans were up in arms about the sales of Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique I thought each departure was a good move for the club.
When that disgrace who’s name I can’t bring myself to mention because he is not a man, but a well paid bully left at the beginning of the season I was made up. Andy Carroll was a decent prospect sold for a fee he will probably never be worth even when he does reach full playing maturity. Kevin Nolan was a leader and knew how to score, but lost half a yard of pace with each game and ended up appearing to run backwards towards the end of the season. No way is he going to be a top level player in three or four years time so a new contract for that length of time was out of the question. Jose Enrique wanted to move onto ‘European’ (lol) football with Liverpool and lost interest in us from January onwards – so all in all they all had to go.
My gripe was with the reluctance to spend money. Appearing to pull the purse strings far too tightly and come out with a load of bull about free transfers costing as much as a normal one… I had a gut feeling that Yohan Cabaye would be a good piece of business, but thought he would take time to settle. Generally we signed a couple of players on the cheap that I thought were a huge gamble. Foreigners that did not have a name, unlikely to make much of an impact in the best league in the world – I could not get my head around the lack of a ‘big’ striker coming in or replacing the players that went with proven quality.
How wrong I was. Graham Carr and his boss have done a great job in bringing in financially viable, technically and physically suitable and mentally mature footballers with a sound work ethic. The signings we have made to replace the players going out have been class to be honest. Given the contribution Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba alone have made to our cause so far, some teams (Liverpool….cough….cough…) could pay upwards of £40 million for a pair like that and not get anywhere near the same return.
Our midfield is covered in every aspect at the moment and has the manoeuvrability to change shape and formation with ease, losing none of its effectiveness. We are by no means the finished article. We are light a full back, centre half and striker still. However if the management can somehow get players through the door in January to fill those positions then I don’t care about price tags anymore. I trust their judgement.
Trust, there’s a word you don’t often hear associated with this club anymore. Anyone else feel the same? Maybe it is just me, but how can you argue with what you are witnessing so far this season?! If we fill those positions in January then this team could be set to do something special this season.
Now naturally after the stick us Toon fans have gotten over the years about expecting too much and the press unfairly painting some deluded picture of us to the rest of the nation, we are on the whole guarded about wanting to open our mouths and say we believe in this team.
However, this run of results is the best we have had in a very long time. It is not by accident either. We have heard about how hard Alan Pardew and Steve Stone are working on curing our long line of defensive woes and six goals conceded in nine games is providing promising results. The gaffer is stitching a brand of football together at the minute that is built on a team game – defending as a unit then attacking with technical precision, high work rate and flair that appears seamless at times.
The formula is working too. Nine games in and we have not lost. Not just that, we have not even looked like losing. Don’t give me that guff about not being tested yet. Spurs were a test. Arsenal might not be at the top of their game, but are a test for anybody. Wolves gave us a hell of a test and Wigan, desperate to turn things around, tried and failed. This team has shown time and again that when the plan is not working like it would hope, it has the mental resolve, work rate and little bit of class to just get the job done.
Put it this way, last season we finished 12th. QPR were not in the league, so lets compare this season with last based on the eight remaining fixtures we have played to date. This season we have accumulated 18 points from those games, last season we had just 5. That is how far this team has come. We are burying teams that previously we could only draw with, it is a jump up in class. Nine games in is pretty much 25% of the season. The boys are being consistent in the long term, we have not been able to say that for a while!
Now then here comes my reason for feeling optimistic about our chances this season… We have 30 games left. 10 of those are against the elite of Manchester United (twice), Manchester City (twice), Chelsea (twice), Arsenal (once), Spurs (once) and Liverpool (twice). You would be right to say it will be a huge ask to expect us to compete with them, which is why out of a possible 30 points I can only see us picking up maybe five or six.
However, the remaining 20 games are ALL winnable against sides similar to, or just not as good as us. Of those 20 games, I see no reason why this team cannot pick up 10 wins and 5 draws – losing 5 in the process at tricky destinations like Stoke and Everton for example. However that would see us pick up another 35 points. Add that to the 5 or 6 we gain against the elite and the 19 we have already amassed and we are realistically looking at a season total of 59 to 60 points.
Based on last seasons table, that would put us bang on the money for 5th or 6th place. With Arsenal looking unbalanced and Liverpool being inconsistent having spent big on players producing little, I reckon we are a realistic shout at pushing one of the two down to 7th with the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Spurs occupying the top four places.
Call me deluded if you want, but us fans have suffered long enough and this team is making me believe again…
What do you readers think? Is the top-six now a realistic target this season based on what you have seen so far?
wow when you do the math that does seems possible..but just keep in mind during our relegation season wolves are joint top after 9 games.
my main concern is if collo or saylor injured for a long time do you trust perch or kadar or willo to play well every week?
ron(Quote)
Good read Shamrock, I said a few weeks back that looking at last seasons final league table that I’d hope to finish higher than at least 5 of the teams who finished above us last season and would be disappointed if any of the teams who finished below us manage to finish higher than us this season……..so far, I’ve seen nowt to change my mind and long may that continue, for now I’m just happy to enjoy the ride.
richietoon(Quote)
I stopped reading when you said you thought Andy Carroll and Enrique leaving were good.
Pffft!
UTD111(Quote)
I dunno. On one hand I think its entirely possible but on the other I think its all still early days.
Here’s a question… Have expectations been raised due to the start we’ve made?
toonsy(Quote)
UTD111 – That’s how to be tolerant of others opinions 😉
“I don’t like it so I’ll not read it wah wah”
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy….yep ish……I’d say hopes been raised rather than expectation, but that’s natural and would happen at any club…..I remember when me and Jay we’re at Bolton away last season and their fans were singing about them going to play in Europe 😆
richietoon(Quote)
I’m interested to see how we respond to a defeat or a couple on the bounce. Good read by the way shamrock, without a doubt our expectations have risen after this start, I think we can finish top 8 if we have luck with injuries AND buy a good striker early on in the January window; how we cope without Ba and Tiote will be interesting.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Although I’d love to still have Enrique I’m not too disappointed about any of the other players leaving.
Cabaye is a gem and I believe our midfield is as good as any in the league.
Expectations are high and so they should be. If we avoid injuries to key players then we can finish in the top six, maybe even top 4. I’ve seen nothing outside the the two Manc clubs that scares me.
If we bring in a couple of quality defenders and a striker and DO NOT sell the like of Colo, Tiote or Cabaye we have a definite chance of European football next term.
Paul(Quote)
Its early days. I would be happy with say a 8th – 10th place finish and maybe a good cup run in the fa cup and the one we have started in the league cup. A 7th place finish sometimes gets a europe spot. If FA cup winners and runners up both finish in the top 5 and league cup winners. Would love to finish 7th and get into europe.
Depends what happens in the january transfer window as well.
The 59 sound(Quote)
Shamrock good read mate and you make a few good points 😉 As for the ‘Bully@ I take it your talking about Joey ? Ifso I would say Tugboat was a bigger bully only we never got to hear or see as much of it.
Andrew @ 7 I agree I have been over the moon with how we have done so far, but as i’ve said a few times I worry how we will bounce back from a bad run.
But the more I see the less im worrying 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Has the weather in Ireland been affected by Joey’s move to London, Big Dave? 😉
Toon Chicken(Quote)
We’ll know a bit more about this squad after the next 4 games.
I think if we can handle any potential injuries we can finish 6th or 7th
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Apologies for going against the party line, but I take the opposite view from above. I think we could even do reasonably well – and prove hard to beat against the ‘top’ sides.. with the odd win and a fair few draws, amongst the inevitable defeats.
The reason we won’t stay in the top 4 is due to a lack of goals across the teams – we have only beaten one team by more than one goal so far.. the margin for error against the mid-table/lower placed sides is very narrow, and doesn’t look set to improve given the lack of natural finishers in the side. Apart from Ba – now shola’s out, we don’t really have finishers in the team, even when we dominate for large spells.
Not a moan – just my opinion on where we are these days.
boater(Quote)
Toonsy @ 5
I’m one of the most tolerant folk you could ever sit down to tea with…
But I’m a very busy person and haven’t got time to read something based on an introductory premise that is totally at odds with my own beliefs.
Nothing personal Shamrock
UTD111(Quote)
TC 😆 I dont know about the weather in Ireland but its chucking it down up here in the North 😉
I think your trying to make a point TC 😀 ❓ I wonder what point your trying to make 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
UTD111 so if you dont agree with someones opinion then your not interested in it and just dismiss everything else they say ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Awesome read Shamrock, getting rid of Joey ‘Am hard as hell, but not really’ Barton had to happen to get the squad harmony where it is today he was a bad apple.
Nolan had no chance of gettin the contract he wanted, and Andy ‘I wish I was a student in the big market’ Carroll, who in there right mind could turn down 35mill.
I hope we strength in January just to protect ourselves against injury and hopefully get a top 6 finish.
I BELIEVE!!!
HebburnMag(Quote)
Big Dave – I didn’t agree with the introductory premise so it wasn’t worth reading on. I skimmed it – saw nothing there that’s going to change my mind. I didn’t wish to give up minutes of my life studying it fully when I knew there was nothing new in there that would affect my opinion. I chose instead to do something productive but thanks for your concern mate!
UTD111(Quote)
I didn’t wish to give up minutes of my life studying it fully
————————-
yet you feel the need to disparage it in three seperate comments spread out over 54 minutes?
MDS(Quote)
UTD111 – Haha fair enough mate 🙂
Is it about changing your opinions though? Or is it about giving your platform to the opinion behind the article, which is essentially whether or not you believe we can finish high up etc
Changing opinions sounds a bit “cult” for me like. Like the New World Order kind of thing 😕
toonsy(Quote)
🙄 😆
UTD111 is the idea of a blog with different people with different opinions not to produce a bit of debate, or is it just that if you dont agree your not interested in it ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave @ 15 😉 😆
Toon Chicken(Quote)
very early in season and very happy with progress but we all need to be cautious I expect three or four defeats in next five games if this does not occur then maybe we can get optimistic not excited. We will not finish in top four to six but seventh is best of the rest. To over achieve we need to see how good Santon is, get another full back, quality cover at centre half not williamson, see how good marveux is as obertan in not good enough and sign a quality centre forward as best not good enough and ba good when he wants to be. Still massive improvements needed.
shaun(Quote)
toonsy, the new world order is the current world order. The Illuminati have just got rid of another rebel mind who didn’t follow the script in Libya and have another country.
We have people in this country who disagree with people protesting for a fair wage – people’s minds have already been brainwashed. Who needs a sheep dog when the sheep control themselves?
Mike Ashley and his like are just the usual Common Purpose handlers who make people think it’s an appropriate way to go.
funkyjesus(Quote)
TC 😉 your a crafty one 😀 I will admit that I think we are better of without him now, but I still think he is a good player 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Hypocrites by the way, anyone?
http://www.true-faith.co.uk/tf/editorials.nsf/LookupUNID/60B9C3098143D595802579320048E351?OpenDocument
toonsy(Quote)
FJ – A little too deep for now mate. However a bit later when I’ve had a few pints perhaps it won’t be and we can have abash at that 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy @ 26 they dont know what side of the fence to be on 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
toonsy, it’s never too deep for some conspiracy chat 👿
funkyjesus(Quote)
definately hypocrites, but I did LOL at this line though- sadly, it is true:
“When I hear either man opining on United, I want to puke. The club was heading for disaster under those two charlatans but they rarely removed their snouts from the trough”
MDS(Quote)
Well done to the club for their season ticket offer.
Finally some good intentions to follow a positive feeling on the pitch.
Well done, Mike. 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah Stu, nice idea that. Should lead to some packed houses. With the open training session as well they are starting to do some good things with the supporters
MDS(Quote)
4 current or former Newcastle players potentially involved in tonight’s game.
Abdoulaye Faye, Steve Harper and Kevin Nolan start and LuaLua is likely on the bench.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Big D @ 25 – fair play to ya for admitting that mate! 😀
Toon Chicken(Quote)
TC I never thought we would be better without him, but when he went you tend to try to find positives about it.
I really do think that we will never look back there isn’t asmuch old **** being spouted about Toon Player JB on twitter etc, I also think he might have been an over bearing influence over some of the younger players, if they made a mistake, which I believe makes them even worse. So all in all i’m glad
Big Dave(Quote)
TC + BD most mature discussion and exchange ever witnessed on these here pages.
TOONPIPES(Quote)
100% agree
Toon Chicken(Quote)
na man pipes – we’ve been civil with one and other regarding JB for a canny while now.
I was just trying to stir the pot earlier, but Dave knew I was just pulling his leg. 😉
Toon Chicken(Quote)
That season ticket deal is a goodun. Im even contemplating getting one myself 😯
toonsy(Quote)
TC I have been waiting for you to try that for a while now 😆
TP we like to agree with eachother on here sure 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Well seriously could things be brighter in the nufcblog.co.uk garden? peace and love and happiness allllowah
TOONPIPES(Quote)
Stevie Harper playing for Brighton .. happened quick in the end didnt it
TOONPIPES(Quote)
nolan just scored a scorcher past harper ..
TOONPIPES(Quote)
Tugboat scored 😥
richietoon(Quote)
Fuk Tugboat 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
TOONPIPES says:
October 24, 2011 at 20:00
Well seriously could things be brighter in the nufcblog.co.uk garden? peace and love and happiness allllowah
——————————-
Long may it continue IMO. Prefer reasonable disagreement and football banter to the throat cutting of the summer
MDS(Quote)
anyone reckon terry said it? .. as of last night i thought he was saying ‘blind’ , but that doesnt seem to match up with his explanation of events and what he said in his statement ..
TOONPIPES(Quote)
MDS .. me too …i like discussing opinions (arguing) but not when its just people being totally pig headed and unreasonable for bad
TOONPIPES(Quote)
aye – fank thuck we don’t have to listen to any of that bullshit bus banter anymore.
Woohoohoozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Whilst I’m pleased with the strength of the first team and the start we’ve made, I really feel that injuries will decide our fate.
I honestly don’t think we have a hope of finishing top 4 without injuries, and I still think we are weak at centre back and up front. And lets face it, someone key will get crocked sooner or later.
My prediction is 8th, or 7th/6th if we have a bit more of this weird ‘luck’ stuff that we’ve never had before. I’d still be delighted with 8th, and I think some people are getting a bit carried away, though I really hope they aren’t
NorthernPaul(Quote)
the wheel on the bullshit bus gone flat .. bobbs is nowhere near as much fun now
TOONPIPES(Quote)
Northernpaul .. agree with you .. think 8th is the place for us .. higher than that and we will have to be lucky as we dont have the cb / fb and striker to carry us through if a 1st choice get injured
TOONPIPES(Quote)
Interested debate so far lads. Naturally it does rely on key players staying fit and getting suitable reinforcements through the door in January, but I reckon top 6 is not out of the question. Dont get me wrong, I’d be happy with 8th to 10th no question, but reckon the manager, his staff and players have shown they could really push us on this season with a bit of luck.
BBC news – Toon ROCKED by Shola blow… I like the lad but lets not get carried away! Pardew’s reaction was interesting though – something along the lines of ‘I think the fans will really notice not having him around.’ – Sounds like a little dig at the board again for not getting his striker through the door in the summer…
@ UTD 111, we all have our own opinion mate. I would not expect everybody to clap their hands at every article I pen, however if you think Carroll is or ever will be worth £35million or that Enrique should have been forced to stay (and ultimately go on a free after bringing down the team spirit) then your opinion is not worth taking note of – in my opinion!
Furthermore, if you dont have the time to read something you feel is complete drivel, then why pass comment on it?
Tell you what, you put an article together and i’ll tell you what I think of it – that’s if I can be bothered to actually read it. 🙄
Shamrock(Quote)
8th would probably suit us pretty sweet.
I’d be slightly worried if we finished any higher that it might be too much too soon.
We now all know that the club will not spend beyond their means, and a Europa League campaign will not bring the revenue needed to strengthen the squad significantly enough to compete on on two fronts.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
TP & MDS – re: the debate vs talk cr@p at people argument, I’m totally agreed. Thta’s one of the reasons that sets this fans blog apart from the others… 🙂
Shamrock(Quote)
6-7th seem a pretty reasonable target at this point, 3-4 spots above where I would have predicted during preseason.
The way I see it, there are 4 clubs better than us (Mancs, Chelsea, Spurs). We are in the next group with LPool, Villa, Stoke, Aresenal, Everton and probably one surprise (QPR?). Clubs like Bolton and Fulham, who I thought might be in that second tier seem to have sunk a bit.
MDS(Quote)
Thta’s one of the reasons that sets this fans blog apart from the others…
——————————
I assume you took the summer off from blogging on here 😆
MDS(Quote)
TC@54 aye m8 stoke finding it a bit hard when comeing up against the little bit better teams in PL.mind brum finding it ok 😀
icedog(Quote)
TC @ 54 I dont know mate I would say MA would jump at the chance of a Europa spot, and would maybe invest money for players to allow it to happen.
As that would give him and SD the exposure he wants, and we will benefit from it to 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
MDS – i reckon that if we can finish within 1 position of Arsenal we will have had an incredible season ..
TOONPIPES(Quote)
Naturally there is the occasional discrepancy I might add! Summer transfer season always brings out the worst in people and our current form brings an aura of calm granted… Generally though, the tone throughout the articles published and comments from readers is one of reasonable balnaced debate as opposed to pig headed bullish comments etc etc… 🙂
Shamrock(Quote)
Ice – I think the group stages are a bit of a joke to be honest.
Should just be knock out from the get go like it used to be.
Won’t make UEFA as much wonga that way tho I suppose. 😕
Toon Chicken(Quote)
STFU Shamrock u w@nker 😆
Toon Chicken(Quote)
@62. Agreed about the Group stages. A lot of matches with poor sides at that point that could distract us from the league. Would be worth it for the KO stage though
MDS(Quote)
TC – I never like you….! 😉 Re: the the European Cup group stages – total waste of time. Surely it would draw a bigger worldwide audience if it were knockout from the word go? I’d certainly start watching it again if that were the case…
Shamrock(Quote)
see the foxs have sacked there manager,bet theres another fox to move in oneil 😉
icedog(Quote)
half price season tickets eh,and shola oot for 6wks, enough to make you buy one 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Agree with you Shamrock but you missed out the word “luck” and we have had a bit of that this season for a change
nutmag(Quote)
problem with Arsenal and LPool is that either could go out and spend big in january if they fear missing out on CL and aren’t too many points out.
MDS(Quote)
True Nutmag. About time we had some luck though. Cant help but notice that the ‘better’ teams generally seem to get the key decisions in their favor. Mybe we can become one of those for a change!
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock – great article mate, very good read.
TP/TC – I kinda miss talk of the reality train 😆 only cos I know how it’s turned out like 😉
After this start would be happy with tenth and a cup run or 7-9th without. We’ll know better come december (then January transfers, then after ANC etc…)
Just proud of the lads and the club tbh. Moreso than for a long long time. Everyone at the club at the moment is a credit to themselves and the badge with the way they’re going about their business
Dubtoon(Quote)
MDS in l/pools case mate its a case of chaseing money imo
icedog(Quote)
MDS – that does not guarantee success though. Liverpool have spent stupid amounts recently and it is getting them nowhere so far…
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAMROCK snap 😉 good thread by the way mate
icedog(Quote)
The Europa League is fine as is. Keep the group stages as its guaranteed income, but scrap the teams from the Champions League dropping in.
toonsy(Quote)