Now I know you generally can’t read too much into things during pre-season as teams look for fitness and tend to rotate players quite often and you rarely face a full strength outfit, or a real top level one for that matter, even though we’ve faced some tough opposition over the last few weeks, but there is most definitely one person who has impressed me during pre-season.
That man is Sylvain Marveaux who now looks (*touches wood*) to have finally found some fitness after a horrid campaign last time out. Having a full pre-season behind him will help him out no end and hopefully his lengthly injury lay-off will actually prove beneficial to himself and the club in the long run. Remember, we could have had him back sooner but it was decided at the time to get him fixed properly as opposed to just patching him up again.
Dare I say it, but Marveaux could be “just like a new signing” which is handy really considering we’ve not actually signed that many players over the summer. His direct running, trickery, pace and vision can be a real asset to us and we’ve seen, albeit only briefly, that he can do it in the Premier League. I’m looking forward to seeing it more often this time round.
I must give honourable mentions to Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano who have both played well throughout pre-season, especially “Bigi” as he’s known, who looks as though he could do a job now to be honest. Also Mehdi Abeid has looked sharp during his time on the pitch.
In other news I see that Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa have been left out of the France squad by their new coach Didier Deschamps. Great news for Magpies fans! Of course naturally people have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and look for deeper reasons for their exclusion, such as deep-seated problems between Deschamps and Ben Arfa from their days at Marseille together and, apparently, an injury to Yohan Cabaye which isn’t actually an injury at all.
The fact is that it is a meaningless friendly at the start of a new season. I can guarantee there will be more high profile who either aren’t picked or end up dropping out with mysterious knocks. Move along, nothing to see here…
In more other news the draw for the Europa League is made later on today, and it has been confirmed that Newcastle are seeded for the draw. However there could yet be a sting in the tail as there are some decent teams who are unseeded, most notably the likes of Feyenoord and moneybags FC Anzhi Makhachkala. Newcastle will be hoping to avoid them in the draw for sure.
Have a great day all!
Yet to see anybody play, so can’t answer the question posed, but I’m looking forward to the Europa draw.
BRISVEGAS(Quote)
I’ve only seen a few pre-season games and not the best of streams.
Marveaux, Obertan, Bigi are my top 3 performers.
geoff777(Quote)
Ive been impressed with Gosling, He times his runs from midfield well and gets on the end of things. If he improves his finishing he can be a decent goalscoring midfielder.
He’s another one whos had horrendous luck with injuries as bad if not worse than Marveaux, Hopefully with more matches this season they can get more time on the pitch and show their best form…
CC(Quote)
None have been outstanding or poor. Non plussed by the whole pre season.
No real transfers eitherway.
No great performances.
I look back at the speculators who get excited over transfer prospects 6 weeks before the window opens and have totally burnt themselves out now.
Deja vu every 6 months. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@CC
If you gamble on buying injury prone players you have to live with injuries to players.
Both had long historys of injuries and that won’t change.
Ask Kieron Dyer. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Personally, I would drop Ba and play Marveaux on the left side of a 4-3-3. Always been a big fan of his. Certain players just look that class above – He is one of these. Very smart in possession and loves to drift into space.
Hope he stays injury free.
The Kid(Quote)
Players who have serious knee injuries and Achilles at an early age never recover fully.
If they do, they lose their pace. They will be dogged by injuries throughout their careers.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
the kid
I agree it may have to be Ba or Cisse with wingers or an number 10, We didnt keep the ball well enough playing 4-4-2 last season and looked much better with the extra man in the middle…
CC(Quote)
Troy you are a royal ***.
12 months ago many of us were delighted. It was you that refused to accept the Cabaye may just be slightly better than Nolan, Ba better than Carroll and so on.
End of January, again, many people were delighted to add a striker to the books.
This transfer window: we add a central defender and I’m delighted. Tbh even if we don’t for all we know Carr has pulled it out the bag and Good is a decent 3rd choice defender. Who knows.
We are split between fans that are happy but feel additions could take us forward. And fans that are angry and feel without additions the season will be a “failure”.
Certain fans will never be happy and content as it doesn’t matter how much we improve, there will always be “weak areas” to improve on. Man Utd came within a whisker of the title, but will still have fans moaning about Evans playing CB, lack of CMs etc. Never happy.
And it what world a 5-1 victory not a good performance? It doesn’t matter who it’s against, it was a terrific win.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Why am I even rising to the troll. You were saying the exact same thing about Ba one year ago! 17 goals later…
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Can we count bigi and amalfitano as signings yet? 🙂
MDS(Quote)
What decade are you living in Troy 🙂 🙂 with advancements in surgical technologies plenty of people come back from knee reconstructions etc and play as well as they did before. If you are young it helps as bodies recover quicker. Benny is an example of this…
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Troy isnt a real fan. Go support Sunderland like
Milktoonaus(Quote)
Off to the beach and I will reply later with my wealth of knowledge
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just a quick one. Trumpet, I think we accepted you were clueless many moons ago and therefore your condemnation of my viewpoint is a compliment.
Oh yes I am a real fan but some of you hate the truth. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Off to the beach. 😎
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I think maybe you and Big Dave did… But it must be hard to get an actual grasp of someone from all the way up each others arses. 😆
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
I know its a few weeks away but the opening game against tottenham, itll be essential to have an extra player in the middle of the park to handle modric/vdv and whoever plays on the wings gives bale/walker a tough time in tracking back, no problem going forward I imagine.
That’s where I see Marveux falling a little short (no pun intended) he is, as we know a bit frail.
Toonshire(Quote)
ST @ 17 ? wtf have I got to do with this ? If you have a problem with Troy sort it out with him and don’t involve me.
Anyway TC uses that **** one can you not make something of your own up ? After all your good at making ***** up and telling porkie pies that you still havn’t had the balls to admit to 😳 but maybe you find it hard admitting your wrong
Big Dave(Quote)
Hook, line and sinker… and rod and reel too by the looks of things!!! 😆 😆 😆
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Yawnish and tediosity. We need some footy, indeedy we doo doo.
BRISVEGAS(Quote)
MDS – I personally think we can, although I don’t know that they were supposed to be when they were signed.
Stand out players for me pre-season have been Marv, Bigi, Amal and Tav.
I’d love to see Tav make an impact this season similar to how Walker did at Spurs and having seen against Hpool the other night I think he probably could to be honest. I also think Amal will prove to be one of the best unknown freebies to be picked up this season.
Bigi may take a little while longer but is a real talent and hopefully working with Tiote and Cabaye will come on loads.
Marv will prove how good he is this season I’m sure.
Have we signed anyone yet? 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think Mourinho will take care of Modric for us.
Wellington(Quote)
Sharpy- I agree- those 4 have impressed me the most as well. All players that we didn’t have available last year.
MDS(Quote)
Live draw here I think >http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2013/draws/index.html
In case anyone is interested 😉
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Big Dave, are you starting arguments again mate 🙂 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Atromito FC away first
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Anyone fancy a trip to Athens? 😎
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Atromitos that should have been
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Time to go greece then. 😆 😆
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Anyone ever heard of them? 😛
I see Liverpool got Hearts.
Jon R(Quote)
I just watched the draw with my Greek friend (who is a huge PAOK fan) and he says we have nothing to worry about.
3rd biggest team in Athens
Good in the 70’s
Good Serbian Manager
Most of the team are greek and their captain is their 20yo right back.
Stadium is 10,000.
Rossco(Quote)
Rossco-That means we have everything to worry about. Stevenage anyone 😥
Newkie(Quote)
Yea and when a Greek says ‘nothing to worry about’ I think EURO BANKING CRISIS!
So maybe we should just accept we are going no further! 😆
Rossco(Quote)
Exactly! 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Amilatrafno
Gosling
Bigi
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
And on topic – Impressed with Marveaux, hopefully he can bring a different dimension to our play down the left. Looks pretty sharp after being out for so long. Could be a great buy in the fantasy football leagues. 4.5mil – Bargain!
Amil and Bigi looking like good deals, maybe more for the future but hopefully a good few games to play them in the season.
Looking forward to seeing what Good can do too.
Rossco(Quote)
Yeah , on topic Ammy, Biggy, Obertan, Gosling and Marv
Always knew Marv had the quality and thought that with some good game time Gosling would prove his worth, but Ammy and Biggy look great players, I expected potential but I’d be quite happy for these lads to play a role in cup/euro matches and cover for the first team.
Obertan looks good, perhaps it’s due to the lack of pressure…hope he can prove his worth this season!
Newkie(Quote)
Aussie 😀 you know me mate, I just don’t know why ST brought me into his debate with Troy, when I haven’t spoke to him from a few nights ago when he made a story up that I said we would be relegation battlers last yr, and when questioned about it he tried to change the subject then started to rant and rave, because he didn’t want to admit he was wrong.
I have no problem with bantering with people on here but I won’t let ST get away with making up stories about me to try to use it against me. If he had of admitted it I would have forgot about it but he hasn’t, then tries to have a sly dig at me when its Troy he had the problem with.
To add to that I am fuking pissed of that we still haven’t signed a 1st teamer yet 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Future prospects Amal, Bigi and Tavs all looked good from the little I have seen with the poor streams and ESPN. First teamers nothing we didn’t already know except Oba looks better and Marv was very good .Oh and we should forget Elliott never PL quality.
See the Dippers got Hearts then 🙄 , Never heard of Atromitos ,so that means we’ll get beat 😆 .
And still no first team signing yet 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
If I was a player for us I would be massively insulted if we signed a first team player, they got us into 5th place, what more do we want from them!
Back up CB & striker and I’m absolutely more than satisfied.
Yeah okay Dave, so this time a year ago you were just moaning because you thought we were all set for the season…
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Lets not forget:
“Anything lower than 5th would be a complete failure”
🙄
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Big Dave 🙂 🙂
I reckon next week we will see someone through the door.. I feckin hope so, or people will end up coming to blows on here 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Where is Icedog?? Haven’t seen him on here for a bit. I hope he wasn’t the negotiator trying to talk Richie out of that McDonald’s store he was refusing to leave 🙂 🙂 he could be there for weeks 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
@43. It will still be tame on here compared to last August.
MDS(Quote)
aussie magpie fan says:
August 10, 2012 at 14:49
Where is Icedog?? Haven’t seen him on here for a bit. I hope he wasn’t the negotiator trying to talk Richie out of that McDonald’s store he was refusing to leave he could be there for weeks
———————————-
Haven’t seen either of those two in awhile. I suspect foul play of some sort…
MDS(Quote)
AMF kna mate would never try to shift richie you would need chains and 20 ton truck to get him oot,not on blog at mo as got my brother over from aussie but will be back soon 😉 hope your watching my back while ime away 😀
icedog(Quote)
Yeah last year was pretty intense, luckily I was one of the most optimistic so there was no embarrassment for me
Newkie(Quote)
Yeah, I actually had a read back through the posts this time last year and there was a fair amount of emotion on show. 🙂 They should make the transfer window go for two weeks and then you will see deals done or not done.. there would be none of this protracted bullshit that we are witnessing now..
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Always Ice, your reputation is safe with me mate.. (cough cough) 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
AMF just popped on to see if we signed anyone while brother having a kip,someone must have poured drink down his throat as i know you aussies are very moderate drinkers 😯 knew i could trust you 🙄
icedog(Quote)
Ice 🙂 I hope your brother is working on his tan while he is over your way 🙂 🙂
No players as yet mate.. next week will be the one 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
I have been impressed by Amalfitano and Bigrimana and expect them to get a good few games this season. I also reckon Marveaux will become a first team regular this season.
With regards to first team signings, I am only concerned about CD ,where I would like someone to compete for a place with Colo and Saylor.
I would like another striker but a decent one will look at Ba and Cisse and decide he would not get much game time and go elsewhere.
Off topic, I read an interview with Rodgers on a dippers site on where he needed to strengthen his team.
He said he was happy with his four players up front, Suarez, Borini ,Gerrard and Downing.
He never mentioned Carroll at all.
sidekick(Quote)
I’ve noticed rumours that the liverpool owners are open to the thought of selling off the naming rights to Anfield. Not sure how true it is though.. be interesting to see how it plays out..
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Aussie @54 That would go down like a turd in a swimming pool ,would be funnny as though. 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
BIGIRAMMA
toonsupersaiyan(Quote)
Can’t really blame the Lpool oweners. They need to do something to replace the fortune that daglish through out the window in a drunken fit
MDS(Quote)
^^^threw^^^
MDS(Quote)
Very good article Toonsy and I agree with it.
Marveaux has indeed been marvellous pre-season and I also watched him against Hartlepool where he looked absolute quality and caused them no end of constant problems.
Amifitano and Biggy look to be two master signings as well, even though it’s early days.
From what I’ve seen of them, they are not a pair of flash in the pan players, so it’s down to some very good revision from Carr and Pardew bringing these two in.
Marveaux, (as you say) is like a new signing…but not just any new signing as he looks like a player that we could have easily paid double figures for in the millions…that’s how good he’s looked.
This Biggy reminds me of a smaller Tiote but appears to possess , not only a defensive approach but also an attacking flair about him, which of Pardew can nurture, ( which I’m sure he can) we could have an outstanding contribution from his this season.
Amifitano is getting better by the game and looks a real handful down the flank, plus his crossing is a lot better than we are normally used to, so it’s a massive plus for us.
Curtis Good is an unknown and I haven’t seen him but if he’s had his trials and been signed on a 6 year deal, I don’t think we need to worry about his future pedigree.
A special mention to Shola as well who has looked sharp and as fit as I’ve seen him in a long time and will be a big asset to us this season if used as an impact sub mostly and bleeds black and white.
A very very special mention to Sammi Ameobi who not only looks to have added a bit of body mass but also better ball control and pace, plus strength and end product to his game judging by pre-season, which is also a massive bonus.
Abheid has plugged away and is now finding his feet a bit better, so we could see a few more appearances from him over the season.
Haris Vuckic is also starting to get his act together which is good, as he somehow looked to be suffering from stage fright in games I saw him playing in, plus the start of the pre-season games and I was beginning to worry about his game nerves and reluctance to take on chances that were begging for him to take, yet he looks much more accomplished in the latter games pre-season, so let’s hope he can push on because he threatens to explode onto the scene, so let’s hope he actually does.
Overall, I think we will be a stronger force this season in all competitions and if we add one or two more players, I think we can create some shock waves this season and really stamp our authority.
All in all, a very pleasing pre-season with just Cardiff to play, plus, no real injury worries and a massive plus bonus of a fully fit and raring to go Steven Taylor.
I can’t wait for the season to start. 😀
wolfie(Quote)
Christ Wolfie, you need to shorten your posts! 😉 On the Good signing, the 6 years did surprise me, he may have the talent but I just hope the 6 year deal doesn’t discourage him too much ala Ranger….
Newkie(Quote)
Would surprise me if the Liverpool owners did that…When they initially came in they were contemplating building a new stadium-now maybe if they’d done that and named it something to get the cash to pay for it that would have made sense…but now?
Not sure if it would be good for us or not, presumably they’d actually get money for it, unlike us, and would be able to buy another few quality players…on the plus side, the fans would be raging and there’d be yet more pressure on rodgers, we need them to get into that cyclical hire and fire that ruined us for the last 8 years.
Newkie(Quote)
Can’t say i have seen too much of the pre season too say who has impressed most but i am looking forward too watching a fully fit Marveaux this season . I think that lad will give us some much needed attacking flair and edge that Jonas at times lacks , after watching the team against Ado Den Haag one thing i can say is Vuckic did nothing in that game and i am begining too doubt that he will step up to premiership level . On the other hand Bigi looked very much like he is the real deal .
Axel(Quote)
Maybe its already been asked on here earlier , but is it allowed for one person to have an investment in 2 football teams ? i can understand Ashley wanting to buy into Rangers ,he could make a killing (money wise) but what happens if in say 3-4 seasons time when they are back in the spl and they qualify for the same european competition as we do . We are in the same group as them in the Europa league and the last round of games after we having won everything , lose to them 2-0 and that 2-0 was just the result they needed to go through as well . ❓
Axel(Quote)
Axel-I always thought that it wasn’t allowed, I know Abramovich sponsored one of the Russian sides, I think it was CSK Moscow and they played Chelsea, there was some debate about that, but as he didn’t have any actual investment in the club nothing was done, or some such bollocks.
But yeah, pretty sure you can only invest in one club. Perhaps Ashley is going to get Sports direct itself to purchase Rangers shares whilst he as an individual owns NUFC? Not really sure…
Newkie(Quote)
Axel you can’t own two clubs competing in the same competition. But it may only be if you own majority of the club.
So we r off to Greece!
Johno Toon(Quote)
Maybe it will be a case of his investment only entitles him to all merchandising rights but no say in the clubs daily comings and goings,as the previous deal was for JJB sports I think which is Dave Whelan is it not. ❓
kimtoon(Quote)
SOLANOSTRUMPET
August 10, 2012 at 14:27 (Edit)
Lets not forget:
“Anything lower than 5th would be a complete failure”
ST any chance of you showing me where I said this as I take it they are my exact words since you have used quotation marks ❓ as you have been known to make up stories to try to prove a point 😆 😆
Kim did Whelan not sell off JJB then started DW sports ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice @ 51 😆 I wonder who would have poured the drink down his throat ❓ I would say his bro is guilty 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
I see ed has posted an article saying pards has taken Adam Campbell to Cardiff with the first team, must disagree with me that its a season too soon. Could be just a last couple of minutes sub to see how he handles it.
On the article
Marv, bigi and gabby have looked good in the pre-season and i hope theyre all given a fair go this season.
andymag(Quote)
Andy I was just about to say that
Adam Campbell @adamcampbell_
So happy to be going away with the 1st team tomorrow! It is a dream come true no matter if I get on or not ! #buzzing #ontopoftheworld #nufc
Good luck to the lad it will do him a world of good
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE@67 what me! ime a softs drinks man me 😉 ime as honest as a nine bob note 😀
icedog(Quote)
Andy meant to add it is probably too soon but it could be just a thanks well done for a good job well done, it will be brill for him to be with the squad
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice 😆 😆 I know your as honest as Batts and you could trust you as far as you could throw Richie 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
@ trumpet
You do make things up to be fair 😛
To set the record straight I have made it known that failure to qualify for the Europa league next season would be a failure, whether that be 6th place.
Trumpet, why do you twist other people’s quotes 😆
How can anyone really judge how any of our players have shaped up in pre season. Until they show it in the premier league then you simply can’t gauge them.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
dave
aye, as he’s about my age i feel a strong sense that i want him to succeed at the club. probably cus i was never good enough, so its good to see him make it to the 1st team.
andymag(Quote)