International dreams CAN be realised at NUFC!

toonsy

Benny shows his grit, determination, and class!
I’ve gotten over dreading the upcoming European Championships now.

A couple of weeks ago I was all panicky over the possibility of losing a player due to injury or perhaps to another club who have the wedge to buy them after an impressive tournament.

I’m now at the ‘whatever will be will be’ stage to be honest and after a few weeks without football I’m just glad to have something to watch on the box again. These last few weeks I’ve even started to wonder why I even pay for Sky considering the fact I’ve not watched it since the end of the football season!

One of the reasons I’m actually looking forward to watching football once more is because some of our players are involved. Not many, but there are enough to ***** the interest of me and perhaps the nation as two of them will possibly come up against England in a couple of weeks time.

That made me think really. I’m looking forward to watching our players, which then made me thinking about players moving clubs to supposedly stand more of a chance of getting international recognition. I remember one of the many (and indeed changeable) reasons Jose Enrique wanted to move was to enhance his chances with Spain.

Well this summer he’ll be sat on his backside sunning himself watching it in exactly the same way you or I could after failing to win a place in the Spain squad. He has shown that he just isn’t good enough to play for his country regardless of whatever his club may be. I’m not saying Enrique is rubbish, as he’s not, but he’s also not good enough for his national team unfortunately, for him anyway.

The funny thing is that NOT moving clubs has actually helped some of our players gain a place at the European Championships. I’m going to discount Yohan Cabaye as he has been a favourite fixture in the France side ever since Laurent Blanc took the helm, but both Tim Krul and Hatem Ben Arfa have managed to force themselves into their respective international squads whilst playing for Newcastle.

Both have gone about it differently however. Timmy has been with is since he was a mere boy with goggly eyes. He stormed onto the scene at Palermo and then went on loan to a sequence of teams only to come back and establish himself as the undisputed number one goalkeeper. He’s saved us points single-handedly which is what good goakeepers do.

Hatem Ben Arfa was, is, a maverick capable of moments that just leave you shaking your head in disbelief. He can win games on his own although there was a sense that he’d lost his way when he arrived at Newcastle. Perhaps it was the fresh start he needed after a catalogue of arguments with colleagues and managers over in France?

A serious injury didn’t help his cause and that was compounded by another one just as he was about to return. However now he is fit and firing on all cylinders, with added strings to his bow for good measure. He is a more complete player now than he ever has been, and it’s testament to the hard work he has put in that he is now being rewarded with his first international call up since 2010 and his first ever international tournament to boot!

You see it can be done at Newcastle. Players can work themselves back into international reckoning at St James’ Park, which has to be another selling point for the club currently.

Anyone agree?

P.S. Congratulations to Kimtoon who was the winner of our shirt competition and is now the owner of a brand new NUFC away shirt courtesy of idealo.co.uk although I have a sneaking suspicion she may be giving it to someone as a gift, unless she has a secret of course…

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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140 thoughts on “International dreams CAN be realised at NUFC!”

  1. I actually think our foreign players have a better chance of getting international recognition than our English ones – not that we have that many english players of international quality!
    But the bias in favour of the south when picking english teams has always affected us. The last one was a 19 yr old goalie who plays for Cheltenham in Div 2 being drafted into the squad. Wonder if Hodgson has even HEARD of Fraser Forster? Must think he’s scottish. And what about Steven Taylor? I know he’s injured at the mo – but if he played for West Ham or whatever, he’d have a lot more England caps by now.

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  2. I wouldn’t say it’s Southern bias. More alleged “big club” bias I’d say.

    Why else would SIX players from Liverpool get into the England side after such a shocking campaign?

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  3. Totally agree that our foreign players are far more likely to get a call up than our english ones. As long as I can remember there has been a big club bias. Obviously the best players play at the bigger clubs but there are exceptions to the rule and it’s these players who are ignored/don’t win the number of caps they deserve. Just take Matt Le Tissier for example. One of the most talented players of his generation and he ends up with 8 england caps (Walcott has 24 at the grand old age of 23).

    By the way, I’ve got a blog over at http://www.extratimeandpenalties.com where I’ve written a bit about the problems facing Newcastle going into next season and France’s chances at the Euros. Might interest some of you!

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  4. Watching Ben Arfa in a couple of recent friendlies it’s clear he has a way to go to get into their starting 11 for competitive fixtures. He showed flashes at times but also seemed uncertain now and then. Still a very promising player for us and he gives us an entirely different look and threat when on the pitch. One of a kind. I’ve always thought Krul would end up the Dutch number 1. He has the size and skill to get much better as he gets older (which would be incredible for us). Still wondering if we will sign anyone before the Euros as promised by Pardew.

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  5. Just coz I’m bored…..what if the FA are picking the England squad, from detailed portfolio, and Hodgson has been told he is there only to coach them. Can’t think of any other reason why so many out of form players have been picke, other than they have been playing for their country at different levels for a few years now. Like I say, I’m a bit bored!

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  6. sorry but i tend to agree with UTD said before north of watford gap your fooked yes l/pool players have been picked could it be a bit of up yours by hodgson a good dig at them (told you i had good players) mind could be ime a evil thinker,as for taylor he was always a bit fitness prone,but pearce did give him a good go in u21s,pearce being northern based,but toon have never been given a fair shake,going back to super mac he never got the caps he should what about pop robson ect ect going back further to wor jackie never got the caps he should have,anyway enough of my rant 😐

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  7. Many international squads are built around a core of players from 2 or 3 top teams. Look at Spain. Having said that I cannot understand how so many Liverpool players have made the England squad either. It makes no sense. Many of them were poor throughout the season. Carrying older players in the squad like Gerrard is risky as well as he is now clearly injury prone. It’s time for a complete makeover of the England squad before the next world cup or we will be embarrassed again by younger, hungrier teams.

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  8. Toonsy , As you say playing for Newcastle does you no harm in regards getting a chance to play for your country and hopefully plenty more players will come to realise that now. It’s funny how so many players are highly rated whilst playing in black and white ,then move on to what they percieve to be bigger and better things only to see their career take a nose dive !.Some times its the system you play in and the players around you that make you look so good ,it’s not always wise to move on .Also I think any player would walk a long way befor finding a more adoring public than the Toon army . 😉

    Can I just say a big thanks to idealo.co.uk for the shirt .It’s great to win it and totally against my usual luck .And no secrets Toonsy ,it’s going to my lad ,the orange one he had bought us luck whenever he wore it so hopeing maroon does the same. 😀 😎

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  11. Got to say I don’t understand Roy calling up so many Dippers duds ,these are the same players who let him down so badly and ultimately cost him his job. Agree with Clinath@5 it’s enough to make you think he’s been given a list, as much as I think Rio is a **** he really should be in the squad now as his experience is wanted .I mean Kelly for gods sake ,what’s that all about.

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  12. I don’t know how England pick players but it’s certainly not on form, there’s plenty in that squad who I wouldn’t even like to see represent NUFC never mind my country….It’s a fix, it’s a fix, it’s a fix! 👿

    speaking of fixes…congtrats Kim(just kidding), well done 😉

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  13. The FA have confirmed that England are out of EURO 2012 and will be replaced by Liverpool.

    😉

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  14. KIMTOON @11 i think it was the so called big boys at l/pool that un-done roy thought they ran the show,think they will need to do a toon and shift them that think they run the club imo

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  16. This Liverpool thing – just a thought, but maybe Hodgson is picking them because he managed them fairly recently and knows them? ie knows the job they will do for him?

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  19. I think the whole England set up is a joke now like. During Sir Robsons time in charge there was a number of different clubs represented and I honestly believe the player was there on ability rather than the domestic team he was signed up with. I say that because you can’t really say play for anymore, very few actually start regularly for their domestic teams.
    England missed a trick about 20yrs when the likes of Germany, Spain and France made big changes to their national set up and we just carried on in the same way.
    I also love the fact that the Spainsh national team play their friendlies around the Country, allowing everyone the opportunity to watch the team without it costing a small fortune.

    I actually think we have a pretty strong bunch to choose from at the moment but either through injury or oversight I think we are million miles from our strongest squad.

    As for International opportunity playing for Newcastle. On paper it shouldn’t be a problem, we are a successful Premier League team with some good professional players … but we all know that’s not how it works. I’m really pleased for Benny getting his call up and hopefully that will shame our FA into considering all players from all clubs. I agree that our foreign players have a better chance of Int footie at the mo but i don’t see why, if we have an English player good enough that he couldn’t or shouldn’t get into the national squad.

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  20. Also Congrats Kim – hope the maroon shirt brings as much luck as the orange 😉

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  21. Thanks Sharpy. Picking up on your point about our English contingent getting called up ,funny how Pearce wants Saylor for the Olympics ,it’s a pity he didn’t get the job instead of Roy if Roys gonna pick the team like he is.

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  22. Funny I was actually pleased to see Roy get the job ,but I’m so dissapointed at his selections ,really thought he would be the man to bring through a mix of promising youth with a dash of experienced heads alongside ,instead we get the dregs of liverpool mostly.Poor Hart must be living in fear of the onslaught about to decend on him. Now I’ve said all that we’ll probably win it . 🙄 😉

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  24. UTD111 says:
    June 4, 2012 at 18:12
    This Liverpool thing – just a thought, but maybe Hodgson is picking them because he managed them fairly recently and knows them? ie knows the job they will do for him?
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    I doubt Hodgson is the one picking the team….

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  25. Toonsy agree with most of what you say, for the players to be playing in a top 6 side in the best league in the world must mean that our top players have something too offer, unless offcourse your English then you don’t really have a chance if you play up North.
    I have to agree with shearer087 that Saylor is a future England player and a future Toon Captain, but im not sure about being England Captain.
    As for Roy picking lots of the dippers I do think its more to do with he knows them and knows what he gets from them, maybe if he didn’t he would have had a bigger contingent from Manure etc.

    Kimtoon well done Girl and I hope the Lad brings us luck 😉

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  26. Roy didn’t work with AC, Downing or Henderson as they were all signed after he left 😉

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  28. Kim – I have quite a soft spot for the national team, start with Mexico and then Italia 90.
    I really wanted Pearce to get the job, even over ‘Arry. We have some really talented young English players who should be in that squad, similar to how Germany did it last time round. They were almost written off having a squad full of players too young. My England 23 would have been:

    GK -Hart, Ruddy, Butland
    LB – Baines, Gibbs
    RB – Walker, Richards
    CB- Dawson, Jones, Cahill, Caulker
    LW – Young, Sinclair or Chamberlain
    RW – Walcott, Johnson
    CM – Wilshire, Rodwell, Parker, Barry
    CF – Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge, Holt

    A fairly young team of a similar age. I put in Caulker as he had a good strong season with Swansea, as did Sinclair. Holt was one of the top English scorers this season and had 3 good seasons and should be acknowledged. May not win the tournament this time round but would better than the Liverpool team Hodgson picked

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  35. thats reet pick on a man when hes in kip,just gangsters you lot batty was reet 😆 😆

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  36. Ice….sleeping recharges the brain cells, I doubt Aussie needs much kip 😆

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  38. Tom Jones is feckin awesome ❗
    He has the Royal Concert rocking 😉

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  39. Sharpy@28 Wouldn’t argue with that list of yours ,but I would still send Carroll. 😉

    Thanks for all the congratulations on the shirt win everyone. 😀

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  40. Agree that Newcastle is now a decent platform for players to get international recognition (unless their English). By the way Toonsy, don’t mean to sound Whiney but when will my article be posted?

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  44. TGS Shirley isn’t a bad bit of gear for her age 😯 when you think she’s only about 10 yrs younger than Icedog like 😀

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  49. Thought the Commonwealth song was very uplifting and should be considered as the Olympic tune.

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  53. Big Dave,
    Wor Ice is 85……………………. isn’t he ❓ 😆

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  56. Ice,
    Matt Monro from Russia with Love, superb little ditty eh 😉

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  60. Andymag

    June 4, 2012 at 21:29

    Whos that on the balcony?

    >>>>>It’s Ice nicking the lead flashing whilst everyone else watches the concert. 😉

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  61. TGS the only monro i remember is the posters dave has on his wall sure it was a girl like,mind i could be wrong 😆

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  62. Andy – I don’t know but I wonder what the rent is for a room with a balcony in Buckingham Palace 😯

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  68. Good old Elton “what should I wear tonight David?”. David “why don’t you wear that sparkly pink jacket on?”. Elton “great call Davey baby!!”

    Got to love Elton though – Your song is one of my favourite songs ever

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  72. got nee time for the royal family or shity goverments,now if the concert was for the armed forces the ones who do look after the country for buttons i would show total respect what a load of pomp and ***** 👿

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  74. Batty – the ******* still trying to grab the limelight on Jubilee weekend!!! 😆

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