Alright maybe it isn’t quite that extreme but the football season is close to the hearts of many fans of clubs up and down the country and, being realistic, we are no different.
So take this as a little preview of this season if you like. I won’t go into too much depth as Premandup has not long set me a more in depth at what he thinks could happen this season, so I’ll stick with being general about things and ask if you think we are prepared for the new season?
When you look at pre-season you would have to say that it was alright. Nothing spectacular, just alright. We played some good teams and some bad teams, we won games and lost games. Most importantly though a lot of players got a chance to impress and the majority of them took it with both hands and can be expected to be given further chances to impress in the coming weeks.
If there is one thing that is slapping me in the face like a bit wet fish though, it’s the lack of action some of our first team players have seen in our pre-season campaign. Yohan Cabaye has only played something daft like 18 minutes during pre-season, and others like Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa haven’t played much more. Tiredness is a reason apparently, although I wonder if their exclusion has at least something to do with wrapping them up in cotton wool?
We shall soon find out I guess…
In terms of transfers in, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I’d been hoping for more in through the door than we’ve seen so far. However it’s important to remember that we’ve not lost any of our big hitters so far and at the moment it looks like it is going to stay that way. Our first XI hasn’t been weakened although, much like last season, an injury or two in certain positions will leave us exposed although there is still time for these shortcomings to be addressed.
We have a very tough start to the season, not just in terms of opposition but also in terms of frequency of games. We have three games in the first week of the season, or five games in the first two weeks of the season if you prefer to look at it like that, which is likely to stretch our resources to the maximum early doors. I get the impression that the way our season pans out depends on how we come through the opening two weeks of the season.
Anyway, I’m ready for the new season and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.
The question is, what do you think we can manage this season?
I’m not so sure about the team being ready for a tilt at the PL and Europa but I’m well and truly aching for the season to start. Got a supply of whisky in, bought a new wide screen TV and have no work to go to so can sleep during the day and watch football all night.
Bring it on.
brisvegas(Quote)
brisvegas now that’s dedication man 😉 What is the time difference between you and the Spurs kick off….?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Like most others (and probably Pardeiu) I am uncomfortable about depth, but I also trust the club to get it right. This is a very different season for us: this is the first time in years when we’ve been just hoping to be as good as the season before!
Ready? Not really? Is anyone?
Whumpie(Quote)
Toonsy – you probably missed a little gem last night.
I never visit normally but someone highlighted some major crying on .organ.
Anyway – went over and found this gem – by WankyTissue himself “I write this blog as a hobby because I love Newcastle United and several thousand people read it every day. I don’t want to make a penny from it as I have no problems doing that elsewhere and fortunately, I don’t have to stoop to Ashley’s level to do so.”
Suppose he thought the same when he deceived everyone out of their cash! 😆 priceless!
Stardust(Quote)
No – My ******* season ticket still hasn’t turned up yet! 👿
EvilFranky(Quote)
MM – 9hrs. Kicks off at 2am. But I’ll be up watching games all night.
brisvegas(Quote)
Can’t wait till the start of the season now!
Then everyone can get arguing on which players are rubbish rather than the Carroll deal and the like 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Stardust@4 what I find interesting is that of the thousands of people who read it every day, decidedly few bother to comment. 😕
Munich Mag(Quote)
brisvegas 2a.m. in the morning shouldn’t disrupt the old body clock too much, but a bottle of JD will help you overcome the hardship.. 🙂
Howay the lads !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM – so true! 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Holiday here in Germany today, normally I wouldn’t be on during the day posting gash… 😳 I usually reserve my gash for the evening session… 😎
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m looking forward to the start of the season 😆 … my wife is not 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Hi! I can`t wait for it all to start! Our first match and that`s against a big club like Tottenham.. Wow! I really hope we have the man power to get 3 points from these match. Hoping that Colo are fit enough to be the rock in our defence!
I must say i am really impressed with these website. I have watched for updates every day for a long time now and these is my favourite spot on the web! Thanks! Written by a big NUFC fan from Norway where almost 90% of our population are support **** clubs like LFC, MANUTD, CHELSKI!
Norway ToonArmy(Quote)
Off topic I know but Sad to hear about Fabrice Muamba having to give up football on medical advice.good luck to the lad for his future.
Tommy Gibb(Quote)
I’ve been a Newcastle fan for a long time now and have always looked forward to a new season – although many times I’ve wondered just what it is I’m looking forward to.
There’s nothing better in the world than watching football – well, maybe playing it, but those days are long gone for me. I love the 😆 . I love the 😥 I love the 👿 and the 😯 and the 🙄 but at the end of a game I prefer it when I’m 😎 .
I’m ready, man, I’m ready.
brisvegas(Quote)
Norway ToonArmy
Welcome to the blog man !!
Where are you in Norway ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yes and hopefully most of this injury talk is just mindgames and trying to excuse players from internationals.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/08/15/dan-gosling-on-standby-to-start-against-tottenham-hotspur-72703-31624674/
I would be concerned if we are relying on this guy for Spurs, he hasn’t looked like he can even fill Guthrie’s boots tbh.
DJG(Quote)
Welcome Norway ToonArmy 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Aussie Magpie Fan…my missus is pretty understanding most of the time. 😉 you just need to find a way mate… 😕
Strangely enough, after an unexpectedly “successful” season last season I managed to iron out my mood swings, and actually enjoyed the majority of my Saturday nights. 😀
Not sure what the new season will bring though, fasten your seat belts, we’re almost ready to rock !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
DJG I’m afraid I don’t rate the lad…. squad player at best, and inferior to Danny Guthrie imo… 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
I have Guthrie in my fantasy team.
brisvegas(Quote)
MM hes very one paced mate 🙁
icedog(Quote)
Stardust@4 Caught that one as well 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Munich Mag: Thanks man! The capital of Norway –> Oslo. Next home match i will be at the st.james park with our colors and hopefully with the name Anita on my back! Can`t wait!
Norway ToonArmy(Quote)
I’d be alot happier if we had our 3 newbies in before now and didn’t have injury concerns over 2 of our most importance defensive players.
But let’s be right, 5 games in 15 days is going to test any squad to be fair – and what a bloody stupid time to have Int friendlies man!!
I always get anxious at the start of every season if I think about it, it’s never til around 7-8 games in that I kinda settle. I’m excited at the same time like, close season has always been too long for the fans tho.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Norway ToonArmy
A good mate of mine used to run the Norway toon army supporters club from Stavanger. I know loads of Norwegian lads who follow NUFC, spread all over the place…. You’re not alone big man !
Keep posting man, this is where it all happens !
Hope your dream comes true and you’re spotted sporting the famous black and white stripes in the toon with a few new stars in the team !
Munich Mag(Quote)
Icedog I agree mate, though he probably was never blessed with great pace, even before his career threatening injury. 🙁
I would love him to make a good go of it, but what I have seen so far makes me somewhat sceptical… Maybe this is the year he makes the big break through ?…fingers crossed for the lad..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Imo gosling will come good…he’s not first team material yet but that’s as much about the quality we have in midfield as it is about him. He offers something different from Guthrie who was again decent but again never really a starter.
He’s willing to take a chance and get in the box, and he can grab goals.
Newkie(Quote)
Three draws from the first three games is not beyond us, would be a great start imo.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Rumours circulating via text that Anita has just arrived at the Toon.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Fuking can’t wait for saturday to come, then we’ll be able to talk about footie, rather than transfer *****.
Stardy now now don’t be having a pop at your bestest buddy 😀 but yeah it was a bit a cheek coming of with that ****, but then again I don’t think there is any of the swindled bloggers left on there, so probably thought it was safe coming of with that BS.
Is there any news on Colo if he travelled to Germany ? To meet up with the Argies ?
Big Dave(Quote)
Newkie, you’re right there, over Guthrie, Gosling does pose a goalscoring threat in the box, that’s for sure. Whereas Guthers had a mean long distance shot on him…
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM, can usually tell what a player is going to be like from what fans of other clubs say and Everton fans were not bothered about losing him for nothing and said he had no pace and was a cover player. Just shows that Everton are a club that despite their ‘poverty’ have a good squad and have been on an equal footing to us during the Moyes era. I think Gosling would have benefited from going to a ‘lesser’ club tbh. Possibly in the championship or to a club like Reading where Guthrie will no doubt do very well. Bigirimana with his pace and energy already looks a better prospect IMO. Hopefully Gosling will prove me wrong but I’m not holding my breath till I’m blue in the face.
DJG(Quote)
Yep it’s on nufc.com that he’s arrived.
Buzzing for the kick off. Depending on the team we’re able to field I think we could be in with a chance of a decent result against the spuds. they’ve got many problems of their own.
Wantaway players, huge gaps in the team, loss of their captain, players still must be mentally drained after finishing 4th but not making CL.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Guthrie scored goals for us though, how many has Gosling scored so far? 😕
DJG(Quote)
Dave – I’ve never been a vengeful person, but I have enjoyed his demise – which he caused himself by just being himself – a thoroughly dishonest man.
Also on a funny note – don’t think I have ever been on there without reading we have signed this new player “Straw man” anyone know what position he plays – they seem to really rate him – he is their star player 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Munich-Aye, Guthrie was a good squaddie and undoubtedly his goals were/will be better than most Gosling gets 😉 his problem is he was an inferior version of Cabaye really and was only a year younger than him.
Gosling is the squad’s only traditional box to box midfielder, and is more likely to at least make an impact as a sub-something which Guthrie-through no fault of his own, simply because of his style-couldn’t really accomplish…
Newkie(Quote)
Excited for Saturday and the end of the Great Transfer Panic of 2012. Then I realized I’m away my friend’s hunting cabin for the weekend with no TV, cell service or internet. 😡 Looks like I’m recording the match and watching it on Sunday then
MDS(Quote)
Munich Mag:
Aha.. Okey! Yeah, i did knew that guy from our support group. Unfortunate he past away on the shooting incident last summer 🙁
Thanks Munich! My dreams will come true.. I have faith 🙂
Norway ToonArmy(Quote)
DJG-I’m not going to go heavy into stats, but Guthrie played 16 times in the league for us with one goal. Gosling played 12, with the majority coming from off the bench, and also scored one against Man City.
Newkie(Quote)
Norway ToonArmy says:
August 15, 2012 at 14:33
Munich Mag:
Aha.. Okey! Yeah, i did knew that guy from our support group. Unfortunate he past away on the shooting incident last summer
——————————–
@39. Really? That’s a shame..
Welcome to the site. You’ll learn who to ignore very quickly 😉
MDS(Quote)
Norway Toon Army, I know of the lad you mean, an unbelievably sad situation which belongs to another forum, not here… 😥 😥
Howay the lads, keep on posting man !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Can’t wait .I have become bored shitless only getting temporary relief from the distraction of the Olympics and Euros . Next year will be awfull as we won’t have any distractions other than golf and cricket and bloody Wimbledon 🙄 .
Really concerned on a number of things for first game ,not least the ‘ injuries’ to so many key players and no real reinforcments in yet. 🙁
Welcome ,Norway Toon@13 ,You obviously don’t follow the sheep like the other 90% so good on you. 😎 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Stardust@36….
The “straw man” seems to be usually quoted when the argument or discussion actually being debated isn’t going the way of ….ahem…. err… well, you know… 😆
I have my spondoolicks intact fortunately, had just arrived at the blog as it was all kicking off. In fact that’s what maybe inticed me, Blog-wars revisited… 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yallreet Kimtoon…..
Don’t fret, we’ll hopefully remain undefeated for the three opening games, which will be success imo.. 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
The problem with Gosling and his first team chances IMO is that he just doesn’t fit into the midfield system that we have at the club. If he is going to be a CM where he goes ‘box-to-box’ and getting into deep striker positions like Nolan, who is going to be back in midfield? Therefore he would have to play with Tiote or Anita in a deeper role so that he can get in the more forward positions. The problem with that is we are then sacrificing a Cabaye type player who sits alongside the DCM. The thing about Guthrie was he could come in and perform that role when Cabaye was out and also could cover for Tiote. I just don’t think Gosling has the pace or the movement to play those roles. He is more suited to a Nolan type role which we just didn’t play anymore last season. This is why I think we will need a defensive type central player to come in and Bigi and/or Anita will jump up the pecking order from Gosling. The attacking will be the strikers and the wide players. Gosling will be restricted to cup games IMO or when there is an injury crisis.
DJG(Quote)
Pah, who wants draws? Shola will destroy Spurs, just like last time 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Munich @45 Was so looking forward to thrashing Spuds ,now just hope we don’t get really thumped. 🙄
I can only hope this injury crisis galvanizes MA to splash the cash. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
I see the bookies have us as slight favourites against the Spuds 😯
JJ(Quote)
Lee ryders just caught up after trawling the net for 2nd hand info, Finger on the pulse as ever… 🙄
CC(Quote)
DJG-I know what you mean, he’s obviously a different player to what we have. I don’t think we’d be sacrificing a Cabaye player though, in our current 3 in the middle we had the two holding (Tiote, Jonas) and Cabaye who could perform brilliantly in defence but would obviously be free to roam forward and supply the strikers.
With Gosling well, whilst not being the fastest player I do think he has a decent engine, acceleration is something that can be worked on and imo he should. I know you get natural “pace” but he’d be capable of stepping it up a few gears with the right training. I don’t really think he’s any slower than Guthrie to be honest, and I think he puts himself a bit more.
If he’s sitting in a DM spot alongside Tiote he could just make a steady run up field whilst Cabaye has the ball and Tiote stays back ready to break up play and stop quick counters. Although if we did bring in Anita/Biggy continues to show his talent I agree his chances will be very limited.
Still with the Europa league and all the rotation we’ll be employing, I don’t think we’ll be using the same tactics constantly. He might work well with Ba, with both of them preferring to roam the midfield and pick up the ball, and run from deep. Who knows? Providing he can stay fit i’m interested to see what he can do. I don’t expect fireworks, but i don’t want to right him off just yet.
Newkie(Quote)
Anita having medical at Toon SSN
kimtoon(Quote)
Cant wait for Sat , feels like an age since end of the season, Hopefully we get off to a good start as we have a tough few opening fixtures. Great that the Anita deal appears to be been concluded and hopefully we can get in 1 or 2 more after him before the window shuts.
Johno Toon(Quote)
Stardy have to say you know niwt about CB’s 😀 but your spot on there, you reap what you sow in life, and you can only get away with treating people like **** so much but then you will have to pay the price for it. As for strawman yeah he must be a good friend of his or maybe even his partner because he’s always talking about him. 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Apparently Olsson the Swedish centre back at WBA is in the final year of his contract, and available for nowt soon… He would be a canny signing imo…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Kimtoon@52….have you seen that yerself on the tele ? There is so much speculation going on at the mo… 👿
Munich Mag(Quote)
mm,yeah it’s just come through on SSN as breaking news. 😎 😀
On Olsson he’s 29 so even though he’s free he doesn’t fit our age remit,though they might make an exception for a freebie 😉 ,good player I agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
munich
Rate Olsson certainly price and wages wise he would be a canny signing but could see fat mick being put off by his age…
CC(Quote)
The main aim in summer imo was to keep what we had ..which was good enough to be challenging to the last day for a CL place.
So far we have managed to do that despite rumours at some point that the full 1st XI is leaving
and at same time added some new young blood and hopefully welcomed back for an extended period marveaux and saylor
Would be nice to have had a couple new signings fighting for 1st team places but we are not going to pay over the odds and due to past signings no one is selling to us on the cheap anymore.Oh well nowt we can do about that except give some of our potential stars a chance.
But given luck with injuries Chelski can spend their £100 mil +to catch us up
Spurs aint strengthened,
Gooner signings will just replace RVP,
Manure on decline (with RVP or not)
Citeh i think walk the league , for same reason i feel we will do well this year, yeah they added Rodwell but their first XI will be basically be the same as last year and keeping a group of quality players together and again putting your trust in the same , is more important than the Chelski lot screaming for an over rated £30 mil Belgian or a little Brazilian who cries at the slightest knock
For once we go into a season with true quality throughout the team with a team spirit 2nd to none
Am i ready for the big kick off …was ready in May
Spuds beware coz come Saturday Papis coming to get you
spyro(Quote)
MM, Anita obviously got the assurances he was seeking as to where he plays as it’s all moving quite quickly now,must also be happy with our stingy wage structure too. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, the whole point is “resale” value right? Sign Olsson up for three years, sell him in two for 50k. There’s resale value, we bought him for free!
Agree he’d be worth signing…
Newkie(Quote)
Spyro@59 ,Cisse is injured along with most our best guys ,Spurs will be hard work I reckon.
kimtoon(Quote)
Have Spurs got a striker yet? lol They only have Jermain Defoe, Danny Rose and Dos Santos. They would pose less of a threat without Adebayor, although their midfield would still be strong which is why we need Tiote, Jonas, Cabaye fit.
DJG(Quote)
Newkie @61 ,Trouble is signing on fees and parasite agents cuts , no such thing as a real freebie anymore sadly.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye Kim I know what you mean, I just mean it can be done within the clubs stated intention of resale value. Can’t imagine there’d be much competition for Olsson, but then again I guess you never know.
Newkie(Quote)
Have they still got Modric there ,he aint been sold as he?
kimtoon(Quote)
Doh….is Olsson 29…my bad…. 😳
Still make a canny signing though, and he’s muckle, he gave Shola a good battering a few years ago I recall, and say what you like about him, the Makkem Slayer is a big lad… 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
They have Modric but he hasn’t played any of their pre season matches. Frankly if he’s on the pitch and Cabaye isn’t i’d be amazed.
Newkie(Quote)
Pardew has always said that ”control the midfield control the game”
Anita, cabaye, tiote arguably is a control the midfield line up….
Lovely 😆
CB and ST please now mr pards
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Munich M ag ,update for you ,Anita having a medical and talks on personal terms ongoing ,hopeing to tie up deal in next 24hrs. So unless there is a stalemate on terms or a failed medical ,he should be ours soon. SSN
kimtoon(Quote)
Toonsy,
Guess you going to have to edit my thread to… “to date we have only.made the signing of Vurnon Anita… 😉 ”
JJ(Quote)
Jesus ,it’s howling wind here ,it’s like bloody winter 👿 😯
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s a shame Anita is so slight and Tiote such a….loose cannon? Otherwise they could be dropped back to CB… 🙄 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Very intrigued to see how we’ll line up with a fit starting XI
Signing of Anita would surely mean either Ba or Jonas dropped to the bench. (Ba dropped as we play Jonas LW and Anita defensive mid).
Think that because Anita can cover left back we will hold off on Debuchy and try and get him in Jan like we did with Cisse. Not a necessary purchase anyway. If Simpson gets injured, Tav can play there or Santon with Anita/Raylor at LB.
Certain that it means 4-2-3-1 will be our formation of choice.
Not sure Ashley will take the plunge and buy a striker as this formation may mean Ba sits out a number of games. He’s a gambling man and he will probably wait to see the Ivory Coast – Senegal outcome.
Just need an experienced CB now and I’ll be fairly happy.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
ST-Aye I’m not just not sure what to make of Ba will play through the centre 90% of the time…I can’t work a formation where he’d do that with Anita now coming in, and Cabaye, Tiote, Benny and Cisse all guaranteed to start.
Newkie(Quote)