The Magpies were linked with the Montpellier captain last month as they looked to boost the depth of their defence – a task which they ultimately failed to complete.
Yanga-Mbiwa has been a virtual ever present since breaking onto the scene as a 17-year-old and is now helping his side go toe to toe with oil rich PSG in pursuit of the Ligue 1 title. In total he has made 175 appearances for Montpellier, which is no mean feat for a player that doesn’t turn 23 until later on in the year.
His admission that he would prefer to move to England comes in the midst of interest in the player from Bayern Munich who have been keeping tabs on him for a while. However it would appear that Yanga-Mbiwa has set his eyes on a move to England ahead of anything else.
“Bayern is a very big club. I’m really flattered, but my ambition is to one day play my football in England,” he told Sky Sports.
It is believed that it would take a fee in the region of £5m to persuade Montpellier to do business, and for that price I hope we are at least keeping an eye on the situation. By signing one player it could go a long way to adding some much needed depth to our defence as he can play right across the back four although he is primarily a centre-back.
That would give us cover in both full-back positions and added depth in the middle meaning that we’d probably only need another dedicated right-back (should Danny Simpson leave in the summer – a likely scenario given the reluctance to agree a new deal) and we’d be a lot more prepared than what we are now.
It’s a no brainer in my opinion.
as for defence im a little worried if collo goes ,(dont know whats going on with this simmo lark and sick of it lagging on).salor will be back next season..phew.. the lad is a rock most of the time and raylor has been great! the two things i recon pards will do next season is two solid fullbacks with two young attacking left and right backs(value will go up on these two)….santon and tavernier…thats just my opinion,but i do feel obertan will get better .and id love to see besty at his best again!….chin up all ..
look at our position in league!
stevo(Quote)
I think Mbiwa would be a great buy and bargain at 5million.
He plays in the centre but can also cover at right back if needed, as could Steven Taylor when fit.
If Simmo goes, I would actually get a left back replacement rather than a right back, as Raylor can play right back, and many others.
I know Raylor can play on the left, but I don’t think he’s anywhere near as effective there.
If we could then bring in one of Hoilett or Barnetta on a free it would set us up very nicely indeed.
Its hardly a massive investment to bring three players in, one of which would be on a free. And Smith would be gone, which would cover any wages going towards the free transfer. I’d also get rid of Shola Ameobi.
If we got Pieters he could cover at centre back and play left back. Would be two fanastic signings.
So basically: (three in, five out)
Ins: Eric Pieters (8mil), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (7mil), Hoilett/Barnetta (free)
Outs: Alan Smith (free), Danny Simpson (2mil), Peter Lovenkrands (free), James Perch (500k), Shola Ameobi (1mil).
Defensive options would be:
Left backs: Erik Pieters, David Santone, Ryan Taylor, Shane Ferguson.
Right backs: David Santone, Ryan Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Steven Taylor.
Centre backs: Fab Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Erik Pieters, Mike Williamson.
Just shows you what two quality versitile players could add.
It also effects the midfield, as it would allow Coloccini to provide extra cover in the holding role if needed.
DMC: Cheik Tiote, Fab Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye.
AMC: Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie
ML: Marveaux, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Hoilett/Barnetta, Ferguson
MR: Marveaux, Jonas, Hoilett/Barnetta, Obertan, Ben Arfa
ST: Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Best, Ben Arfa.
GK: Tim Krul, Fraser Forster, Steve Harper, Rob Elliot.
Send out on loan (with options to recall if needed):
Vuckic, Ferguson, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Fraser Forster, Sammy Ameobi, Nile Ranger, James Tavernier, Xisco.
**Obviously this is just an example, but it just shows it wouldn’t take a massive investment to significantly improve the depth of the squad.
JJ(Quote)
I don’t know too much about him to be honest other than what I’ve read on here, if the “bloggers in ITK” are correct than he seems like he’d be a decent buy.
Stevo…Aye, Colo’s a “must” stay for me, get him signed up.
richietoon(Quote)
morning lads.. seems a no-brainer to try go for him alright and £5m is not major money to part with.. versatile, young, captain of his club, all looks good, plus his indication that he wants to play in England may suggest there is a deal almost in place for him, might not be NUFC but still.. also our willingness to wait for the man we want could be a factor here, like Cissè, he may feel like NUFC is the club for him because we showed interest for so long and respected his decision to see out the season with Montpellier. Feeling optimistic today 😆
As for other defensive targets, think Pieters signed a new deal with PSV and we fell out with his agent which would probably rule that one out, but think taking Douglas on a free would be a huge signing.
Been thinking about the Cissè deal and long term tracking too, who falls into that category.. none are defenders but only names I know that have 100% been tracked for over a year by NUFC are Alain Traore, Benjamin Corgnet and David Hoilett. Aly Cissokho is the only defender I can think of but not sure about him tbh, mixed reviews and would be paying £7m+
KeithR(Quote)
Id defo go for this kid at a suggested cost of around £5m – but I think we will face fierce competition from the like of Arsenal and Liverpool.
I think you should be working on this deal now to real get ahead of the other clubs and let the lad know we want him. That said, I’d also be working on getting Douglas in on a free transfer to give us greater options at the back and to cover injuries and fixture demand.
That would give us 2 real quality CBs for very little outlay.
I personally would still like to see Pieters in at LB and move Santon across. That would give Pieters and Fergie for LB and Santon and Tav for RB.
If we can keep Colo then that would give ample defensive cover for a new season, 2 new cup campaigns and hopefully a European campaign.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mbiwa is good.
If we got.him.it would lead to an interesting question – if Colo does not sign a deal and has 1 year left at 30 years old….. would you sell him or keep until his contract runs out?
bkemp247(Quote)
Havent seen him play but i heard some french journo describe him as the 2nd best defender in their league after Sakho from psg so he must be half decent.
Links with him, Aly Cissokho, Hoilet and Luke De Jong seem to keep popping up, If we could get them and keep the current side together next season will be very interesting…
CC(Quote)
bkemp247
If Colo doesn’t sign he will leave now, there is no way Ashley will allow his contract to run out.
JJ(Quote)
Stevo – I’m hoping that putting the Colo deal off til the summer is a strategic move on 2 levels.
Firstly to see where we finish in the league, and secondly and probably more relevantly, to got rid of the likes of Smith and others which would free money up in the wage budget which would put us in a better position to offer Colo the deal he’s looking for.
I get the impression that the situation suits both parties though as you would expect either the player or his agent to have said something fishing for other clubs to get in touch, and that doesn’t seem to have been the case. Fingers crossed anyway.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like Richie know nowt about the lad, but it seems he is a good player and one we should try to get.
JJ you say Raylor can play LB but you would rather have him at RB because he is more effective there? What makes you say that
Big Dave(Quote)
I see Quimmys been sacked for good this time… 😆
CC(Quote)
Gary/Troy (your suggestion from the last thread)
I actually don’t think Cabaye plays that role at all.
Scholes, Xavi, Silva, all play that role of dictating the tempo of their teams.
But I don’t think Cabaye does.
I see him as more of a box-to-box type midfielder – although he does possess a decent pass and shot, he certainly isn’t a playmaker, simply because we don’t play with a system that allows for a playmaker type role – we are far too direct for that, and because of that, our providers should primarily be our wingers, unless it comes from a set piece in which case Cabaye would take responsibilty
We simply don’t have enough creativity on the wings, and in that regard I think Jonas is very overated as a player. Especially lately when he seems slow is no longer a decent outlet from defence to attack.
If Cabaye were to be utilised in a completely different system, with say this formation playing a less direct style, he would be far more creative.
————————-Tiote—————————
—————-Guthrie——-Cabaye—————
—Cisse————————————Ben Arfa
—————————Ba—————————–
Right now, whether we like it or not, we are a very defense minded team.
JJ(Quote)
To be fair to the regime. If they set their mind on getting a target they generally get them, normally monitoring them and moving in when the selling clubs hands are tied.
It wouldn’t surprised me if we did get him.
Is he good enough? No idea? If Carr believes so then he still has my trust.
@toonsy
I know you touched on him being versatile but I’m not a believer in relying on a player who can play along the back line.
I prefer a player to be played in his strongest position and master it.
It’s a sad reflection on the quality of the squad if we have to rely on a utility player to fill a void.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
jj your right pards wiil use young defensive lads who will attack thats the mix for next season i recon ,good plan
stevo(Quote)
Big Dave
“JJ you say Raylor can play LB but you would rather have him at RB because he is more effective there? What makes you say that”
The same reason I don’t really like Santon down the left flank.
The 4-4-2 system we are playing, means our creativity should be coming down the flanks. And to be honest, we have very little creativity there.
When Raylor plays down the left, it leaves us with two right footed players who have to cut in onto their stronger foot in order to put a decent deliver into the box. Whether is Jonas himself or Raylor overlapping him.
What this does is allows the opposition defence time to get back into good defensive positions, and it also makes it difficult for our strikers to get that extra yard of space when attacking the cross behind they have now been spotted by the defenders and are marked. It makes our play far too predictable.
What was so great about Enrique overlapping, was that he could whip in a delivery quickly because the opposition defense could re-organise.
With Obertans ability to use his speed to get down the right flank, he could then either take on his man, or give it to the overlapping Raylor to quickly whip a quality cross into the box.
We can’t do this with Simpson, because he is terrible in possession and panics.
I think with Santon playing left back its the same problem with him and Jonas cutting back onto their right, but unfortunately he is our only option there right now. Which is why we desperately need a left footed left back to balance us out.
Either that, or we need to play Ben Arfa, who is left footed on the left wing.
At the moment we are just far too predictable and IMO too easy to defend against.
Being more threatening down the flanks would open more space for players like Cabaye to be creative in the middle and its all a roll on effect…
Thats why I get so pissed off with players like Shola, because one bad apple can spoil the entire attacking emphasis.
When he plays its lack of mobility up front, which Cisse should solve.
We still need to sort out the lack of balance we have on the flanks.
That should answer your question 😉 😀
JJ(Quote)
JJ – I’d be looking to get rid of afew more than that and afew more in to be honest – but I get the point your making, just a couple of changes could make a big difference.
I think done properly we could clear 9-10 players out and bring 8-9 in. Xisco would be offered on a free for me I think, similar to what we did with Barton, we’d not make any money back off him but would save a fortune not paying his wages.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Troy I agree I would rather see us having round pegs in round holes, although sometimes due to injury we have to revert to square pegs for round holes, but we are still having players do it.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy – Xisco would have to agree to go, and he won’t.
EvilFranky(Quote)
JJ 😉 it just seems that your making allowances for Raylor because he is playing on his un-natural leftside, but realise that he would be better on his natural right.
But you seem to be critical of Jonas and his lack of end product etc, but you don’t seem to give him the benefit considering he is playing on his un-natural leftside, do you think he should get a go on his natural rightside before we write him off ?
To me Jonas is a prime example of a round peg in a square hole.
Big Dave(Quote)
Two things Sir Bobby knew a lot about were balance and pace…
Two ingredients to a quality team, which we are lacking at the moment.
What we have now is guts and determination.
Look at Sir Bobbys team for getting the defence:
Solano———-Dyer————-Speed————Robert
——————–Bellemy———Shearer——————-
Central midfield: Dyer/Jenas had pace in abundance and creativity, whereas Speed provided balance with brains, leadership, strong in the air, and he was left footed.
Wings: Solano was right footed, great skill, and brilliant delivery, what ever he lacked in pace, was covered for by Bellemy running the right channel.
Robert had pace, delivery, and what ever he lacked in defensive ability was covered by Speed.
Upfront: Shearer had great ball control, strong in the air, great finisher, great hold up play, and whatever he lacked in pace, was covered by Robert and Bellemy. Shearer was devasting because teams were forces to defend deep (due to the threat of Bellemy and Robert’s pace) and he could turn and shoot and score from anywhere.
If teams played a high line, he could turn provider feeding flick-ons to Bellemy, Robert and Dyer, who destroyed teams with their pace.
Its not coincidence we did well, it was a perfect balance. If only we had a decent defence then… That side was far better than the one we have now… Not on individual abiity but because of the balance.
JJ(Quote)
Dave/Troy – I think the idea would be to play players in their favoured positions but having players who could also provide competent cover in other areas would hopefully avoid situations we’ve found oursselves in the season whereby we’ve had Raylor at LB, and the Norwich game where we had Simmo and Perch at CB.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Big Dave
Jonas has played on the left wing most of his career. It appears to be his preferance. Otherwise I would have no problem seeing him giving a chance on the right.
Everytime he does play there though, he tends to drift infield rather than putting a cross in.
JJ(Quote)
Franky – that would be only flaw to my masterplan … god I hate that greed Spaniard … and the little cockney get that brought him in!!!! 👿
Sharpy17(Quote)
As Sharpy says, having a versatile player has it’s benefits. Mbiwa is a master of centre back, but the fact that he can play other positions when needed should ensure we don;t see anything like what happened at Norwich earlier in the season, where we had NO centre backs and NO players who could even realistically cover.
toonsy(Quote)
JJ he is rightfooted anf has stated that he prefers RW but he doesn’t have a problem covering on the left.
The fact he has been played on the left so much for us is just proof that he just gets on with it without complaining.
But it doesn’t change the fact that he would provide more on the right, and I just think its hard on a player that gives everything he has for us, and he gets a hard time for lack of end product etc while playing out of position.
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
Ye, well I’d agree with that. I see no reason why he cannot be shifted to the right.
SImmo needs just as much defensive help as Santon does.
Like I say its all about balance. Hopefully its something which is addressed before next season.
I don’t think next season will be as easy as this one.
JJ(Quote)
I think you all miss the point I’m making. Probably down to me not explaining well enough.
It’s clear why a versatile player is moved around and often can cope in their not preferred position.
My sole point is, it’s only down to lack of quality cover in all positions that versatile players need to step in.
If a left back is injured, I would rather see a quality left back as cover stepping in instead of a central defemder who plays out his comfort zone.
It’s lack of investment which is evident in our squad and there’s no hiding it.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
JJ you don’t think it well be as easy as this yr.
Amen that was what got me about not getting more players in in Jan, because we have done brilliant to be were we are, but we have other teams mis firing to thank aswell. but we mightn’t be in as good a position next yr, thats why imo we should have grabbed the chance with both hands. 😉
You have brought up another super point our wingers are expected to do too much covering for FB ‘, and yeah a winger should do a bit of covering, but when ours have to do so much ? Well that tells you that the FB arn’t good enough.
Big Dave(Quote)
I agree with you to some extent Troy, but in the same hand, you have to consider how dificult it is to keep ‘quality’ players happy with playing of the bench.
Nathandio(Quote)
@Nathandio
If you want to progress thats what needs to happen.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Smart point there JJ! It just goes to show what an astute manager SBR was. He made only two close season signings in Robert and Bellamy to totally turn around our balance and effectiveness. Happy days they were (in fairness to have Solano, Speed and Shearer there already . . .was just a little bonus. Maybe just two signings could do the job now.
georgio(Quote)
Big Dave
“That was what got me about not getting more players in in Jan, because we have done brilliant to be were we are, but we have other teams mis firing to thank aswell. but we mightn’t be in as good a position next yr, thats why imo we should have grabbed the chance with both hands. ;-)”
Dave, I couldn’t agree more… In fact I’d go as far as to say, if we don’t invest heavily, there is little to no chance we will be in the same situation we are in this year.
As for our fullbacks, no they arn’t good enough. And its a glaring weakness in our side.
*Just a note to the dreamers. When I say not good enough, I’m not saying not good enough to finish top 10. I’m saying not good enough to consistantly challenge for top five (Europe). Which should be our goal next season, and so easily could have been our goal this season…
Again I say… we WON’T finish top five… If you think we will, dream on…
I am very angry about us not getting a couple extra players in because it could have put us years ahead in terms of growth. As it stands, we have no chance of finishing fourth, or even fifth. And anybody who argues against that needs to see a doctor to examine their head. And yes you can quote me at the end of the season because it WON’T happen, no matter how hard we dream.
The best we can hope for this season is sixth or seventh. I think we will finish 7th or 8th. And that means we are relying on a lot of luck to get into Europe next season. Chances are we won’t be there.
Which is really such a waste… really. 😕
JJ(Quote)
Troy I do see a player versatility as being a good thing in that if it comes down to it he can cover very short term another position.
But for me the problem is when the stop gap becomes an alright longterm fix which has happened
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy
Look at my post @2, and you will see that buying quality (versitile) players gives you exactly what you are after. While still giving them game time.
We arn’t a big enough club to have quality players on the bench waiting for an injury. They need to be able to cover various positions, while still providing first team competitions for their “best” position.
Mbiwa would be a centre back, challenging Saylor and Coloccini for a first team place, but could also provide decent cover and competition to the full backs. Yet he wouldn’t be automatic choice as cover in those positions.
JJ(Quote)
That was a good side that Sir Bobby put together.
It was genius how he turned things round in a short period of time without spending a fortune.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Big Dave
“But for me the problem is when the stop gap becomes an alright longterm fix which has happened”
Again, I completely agree.
JJ(Quote)
Troy @35
From relegation fodder to a Champions League team in two seasons, on a shoe string… quite incredible really.
For me, Kevin Keegan isn’t worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Sir Bobby.
Keegan was a hero, Sir Bobby, an absolute legend!
JJ(Quote)
@JJ
I fully understand the theory behind having versatile players and by no means am I criticising the Toon for not having quality cover in all positions. These things take time.
But we have to be looking now IMO, to look for quality in every position and quality cover in terms of players in preferred positions.
If you want the club to step up to the next level fairly quickly then we should not be considering players because they are versatile IMO .
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’ve never seen John Terry, Rio, Tony Adams play at LB/RB.
Saylor sometimes gets moved to RB and he gets exposed. A centre back is a totally different position to the full back position and it takes a different type of player for each.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy @38
I agree, but players like Mbiwa (centre back) and Pieters (left back) are quality players in those posititions, the fact that they are able to play well in other positions if needed is simply an added bonus.
JJ(Quote)
Sort of agree Troy, like to progress we need quality cover for each position seperately, rather than one player covering a few.
But your examples don’t really work, you can just as easily mention a number of players that can play numerous positions as well, it is always a good option to have, and most the top clubs have utility players, if only for the bench where you can’t have back up for each position.
Man Utd have always loved utility players with Phil Jones arguably staking a claim for young player of the year.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
JJ @ 37 have to disagree with you there, SBR came into a team that was mis firing but had some real top quality players. Yeah he brought in a few top players to slot straight in and add a lot to the team, and I don’t want to talk ill of him but he also brought in some not so good
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy @39
Again, I agree, but our squad is a long long way from matching those of Chelsea, and Man United in size or quality.
We are still struggling play first team players in their right positions eg: Raylor, Santon, Jonas, Cabaye, etc… so lets get there first.
The mere fact that we are even in sixth place is either a massive overachievement for the squad we have, or an indication of just how the English league has declined in quality in recent years… Which is probably the case when looking at the performances in the Champions League which not long ago was dominated by English Clubs.
JJ(Quote)
Troy – I see your point and I really don’t disagree with you but to pick up on the word “quality”, that’s one thing our squad lacks in depth.
EPL clubs also have to now name a 25 men squad so that kind of restricts you to a degree.
Part of the reason for our very good start to the season was having a consistent back 5. If you are suggesting that we had a player of equal quality to come in and cover injuries/suspensions then that’s 8 quality defenders to try and keep happy with games, plus wages.
I want Newcastle to invest in quality throughout the squad, but having versatile defenders is something most teams have, if you think Man Utd have Phil Jones who plays CB/RB/DCM and Smalling who plays CB/RB, Man City have Richards RB/CB and Lescott at CB/LB, Chelski have Ivanovic who plays RB/CB.
I don’t think it would be too big an issue for us though to be honest as we already have Santon and Raylor who can play both RB/LB so CBs could play CB without having to be moved out to fullback. It would only be as a last resort, say if you have a RB long term injury and the one playing gets a red card and is out for 3 games, then you could move them over short term.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think we have completly punched above our weight this season , and that is a credit to Pardew and his staff to get so much out of this sqaud so far this season. It really has been a massive effort from everyone envolved. As much as it pains me to say it I dont think we will be in the league position ( 1 point off a Champions League spot ) we are in now this time next season. Now Im not saying it couldnt happen but I dont think it will. We have a good team and on our day can give anyone a game. But scratch past that first 11 and we have few players that are good enough. Hand on heart Danny Guthrie is the only player out of first 11 that I would have no problem playing week in week out for us. We have the likes of Marveaus Vuckic Ferguson Sammi who may turn out to be very good players but I havent seen enough ( for one reason or another ) of them to be totallay convinced. We have Ben Arfa who is a game changer but at the moment is too inconcistent. I like Williamson , he is a good honest pro but would you start him in the Champions League? If we were to qualify for it? I think we need anywhere between 5-10 players before we would be challenging for a champions league spot on a regular basis without relaying on other clubs poor form and us getting 120% out of out current squad. And that aint gonna happen this summer
Johno Toon(Quote)
Think we only need two defenders to complete our back line. One cb and one lb, if Simmo goes Santon will be shifted over and covered by Raylor, with the new lb covered by Fergie.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Troy
Top teams have always employed utility players. Phile Neville, John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Joleon Lescott, Branislav Ivanović, etc…
JJ(Quote)
Troy would you be happy with Rayor as back up Rb and Williamson as one of the back up Cbs?
You could say your a dreamer thinking we could get seperate quality back up for each position.. woo hoo hoo… 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Johnotoon
I’m not so sure…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2002/dec/11/minutebyminute.sport1
That is a god awful front and back line!
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
JJ – relegation fodder to champions league team in 2 season on a shoe string – are you talking about SBR team or our current bunch? 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
What our current bunch have done is very impressive, but we are far from a Champions League team 😀 or even challenging for it, no matter what the dreamers think 😉
Seventh place would be a very good achievement, whereas Sir Bobby got sacked for coming fifth 😯 😥
Completely agree with Johnno Toon that we have punched above our weight this season. I don’t see a repeat next season without at least 3 quality players coming in, and us not losing any of our current first 11.
JJ(Quote)
@JJ
Many of the above utility players you name have never been outstanding at their natural positions.
They are a jack of all trades without mastering one and that’s why they get shipped out to the lesser teams.
That’s my point .
Troy Stavers(Quote)
HaHa Solano @ 49! They were the days!
Johno Toon(Quote)
I love this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-17099388
It would be great if fans did this every week until Jabba pulls his head out of his *** on this.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Fsotc – if it happens every week, come summer they will probably announce that our transfer budget is £0 because of cleaning expenses.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
@fsotc
Wait for the onslaught .
There’s many on here who are appalled by their actions.
Me personally, I think it takes actions like this sometimes to change things.
I wouldn’t personally do it but I understand the deep feelings that it’s provoked and caused people to resort to those actions.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
“I wouldn’t personally do it but I understand the deep feelings that it’s provoked and caused people to resort to those actions.”
I hope its that Troy, and not just some youngsters who have taken the opportunity to vandilize just to get some publicity or brag to mates.
JJ(Quote)
In what way have we punched above our weight? All we have done is gone about our business and been well drilled, not rocket science. Maybe, just maybe we are actually a canny football team?
We have a first 11 with some real genuine quality and have improved over over the last 2 transfer windows…which will likely continue to a 3rd this summer.
This is the most depressing football site on the internet at the moment, this place can never just enjoy what is happening without constantly digging at something to be negative about. There is no reason at all in this current moment to suggest we can’t be in the same position this time next year.
EvilFranky(Quote)
JJ – I agreed, I don’t really think we will be contenders for 4 spot with 3-4 games still to play but I dont think well be far off points wise and will certainly be in with a crack at the euro place.
I don’t think we have punched above our weight like, better than expected yes but I think you can only punch above your weight for so long before your found out. I do however acknowledge that our success this season is thanks to the likes of Arsenal, Chelski and to a degree Man Utd not performing to the standard we have come to expect.
Next season wil be interesting to see if this season has been a one off or whether the top 4 have actually dropped a peg or two.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@JJ
Who knows? But to be honest, it’s likely to be some dimwit than a normally law abiding supporter.
I normally despise graffiti particularly when it’s not for a cause, but I understand what provokes people to resort to these acts when it’s something you feel passionate about.
I think people are naive if they thought this wouldn’t happen.
I’m just pleased they’ve spelt it correctly. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’m surprised there are some who are outraged by that, Troy. Where’s their heart? It’s probably a futile gesture, but it’s eloquent in a way that no letter to the editor or blog post can be.
Absurdity Corner:
Imagine a line of 50,000 with spray cans waiting patiently to be arrested as they step up and spray out the first few letters of ST JAMES’… and then got cuffed and stuffed. The coppers wouldn’t have enough space to put ’em. A fine bit of civil disobedience.
Imagine there’s no countries….
Imagine all the people…
Right. Where’s Rodz when you need him?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
I’m with Sharpy here–maybe we haven’t really punched above our weight, but the heavy weights above us are not in the shape of their lives.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Troy – I would certainly place myself in the appalled camp.
Asides from it being mindless vandalism, these idiots are defacing our beloved St James’ Park.
People are complaining about a professionally but ugly SD sign going up and disrespecting 120yrs of history, but take it down and there are no lasting damage.
These clowns go down their local DIY shop, spend a couple of quid on a tin of spray paint and feel it’s their right to go and spray all over our ground.
I understand their frustration, I really do, but this is just wrong and I bet I’m not in the minority.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s an utter disgrace that some thugs feel it is OK to commit these acts of vandalism.
What positive affect could it possibly have?
As for ‘punching above our weight’, what a load of rubbish. All we’ve done is improve our team and we have now quite rightly seen our points tally improve to go with it.
Arsenal have been getting worse for a good while now and Liverpool are only just finding their feet after very poor performances of late in the Premier League. Add to that the fact that Chelski’s best players are now old and the replacements bought haven’t been satisfactory. All of this combined is the reason we are now able to challenge those teams and long may it continue.
Gary Watson(Quote)
Gary @64
You don’t half talk a crock of **** mate… you really are a clown.
JJ(Quote)
@Sharpy
I do understand your point of view totally.
But there’s no getting away from it, FSOTC has a point in that it brings the situation home to the regime that any grumblings on a blog are ever going to achieve.
The very fact they immediately rub it off tells you it’s getting heard at he highest level.
Any letters of complaint to the regime by disgruntled fans regarding the name change will be simply thrown on Jabba’s log fire to set it burning.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Its not a bad thing we are punching above our weight , its a great achivment by everyone at the club. Us been a point outside champions league spot at this stage of the season , is to me , punching above our weight esp in terms of our squad. As I stated above we have a good first 11 and we can give anyone a game pn our day but our squad isnt good enough hence why I feel we have punched above our weight.
And for the record , that aint a bad thing.
Johno Toon(Quote)
And before you spew your normal cr@p…
Firstly Don’t provoke people on here by branding them “thugs” for having an opinion.
Secondly, if you are really stupid enough to believe that we havn’t peformed way above expectation, and we actually have a squad capable of consistantly challenging the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal without serious investment, then you are seriously deluded… 🙄 Thats you rubbish opinion, but in the past I would counter it with a respectful debate.
Thing is you don’t deserve one… 😉
JJ(Quote)
JJ 😯 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Just a quick question on Kieron Dyer…
I was only 6 when we signed him, was there a lot of hype surrounding him signing and was it considered a coup, just when he actually played in that team that was mentioned before with Solano, Speed, Robert, Shearer & Bellamy he was brilliant?
dan4toon(Quote)
Johno Toon @ 67
Exactly. The fact we are over achieving is a testiment to the guts and determination shown by the team this season. Its something to be proud of, but only a deluded fool would suggest we are actually capable of consistantly challenging the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea’s squads without serious investment and improvement to what we already have… In fact we’d do very well do simply repeat a top seven finish again next season in my opinion.
JJ(Quote)
As I said last week while I wouldn’t do it myself, I understand why it has been done, if it wasn’t for people like that, making a stand for what he believes in.
We would be better off living under a dictatorship where you just take what is handed to you and don’t question nowt.
Atleast now it is known that Fans are disgusted at the name change, because if it wasn’t for people likd that Jabba would think and know that he can do whatever he wants, and no one will question what he does. Good on them and well done I say.
Big Dave(Quote)
@JJ
Wow! 😯
I find Gary’s views often different to mine and have aired my displeasure on one occasion using the wrong word to describe him.
But, I don’t see his comments @64 to be that controversial. You’ll probably find a lot of people agree with his post.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Wow, Troy, you were right! People are angry at the spray painters! I must have missed that whole argument last week. Sorry to stir up old arguments, but I’ll throw this out there and then I’m off to work.
A fan-owned club would never have done the “renaming.” Introducing: Barcelona’s “Sports Direct Nou Camp!” It’s not “our ground” till fans own it. (Pro-forma “fan ownership comment” submitted.)
I’d like to suggest that the vandalism was the removal of the ST JAMES’ PARK signage and the “spraying,” as in “territorial pissings of a dog,” was done by Jabba et. al. in broad daylight last week.
I’ve often heard it said that comedians and artists can express things more eloquently in a small gesture than any politician (or businessman). Not that a clown with a spray can is high art, but it’s a powerful symbol of rage and rejection.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
JJ – Performing above expectation isn’t the same thing as punching above your weight. We haven’t punched above our weight at all, the quality in the first 11 is glaringly obvious but we lack strength in depth.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all needs to spend this summer to keep them in the hunt for top 4-6 also.
EvilFranky(Quote)