To explain this article before I get going… This is a rough overview of just a few stats and then some gossip and ideas. I’ve divided the strikers into three groups. What we have, who we have been linked with, and few outsiders.
The stats I’m using are career data where available and readily available, I’m far too lazy to do in depth stuff. There is a bit of a profile age, value, gossip etc, then goals per minute. So therefore the lower the number the better. So a figure of under 180 means better than 1 goal every two games, whereas a figure of over 300 means an Ameobi. Sorry about that Shola is actually better than that. The last figure is the assists rate. What this is is the number of assists divided by games played. So not minutes so me being lazy there. This time the bigger the number the better.
So who have we got currently?
Pappis Cisse is 28 has a value (according to transfermarkt) of about £13m scores every 175 minutes and with 21 assists from 268 games that gives a ratio of 0.078. What we need is a partner.
Yoan Gouffran is 27, £6.6m 282mins and 27/317 = 0.085
Gabriel Obertan is 24 £2.2m 415mins and 22/194 = 0.113
Hatem Ben Arfa is 26 £12m 343mins 30/236 = 0.127
Shola Ameobi is 31 £1.8m 276 mins 26/350 = 0.074
Sylvian Marveaux is 27 £2.6m 409mins 25/162 = 0.154
Sammy Ameobi is 21 £2.6m 360 mins 7/61 = 0.114
Adam Campbell is 18 unvalued 182 mins 9/30 = 0.300
So on that basis Papiss Cisse is our best striker with a goal every 175 minutes and Sylain Marveaux has the best assist rate. Adam Campbell has superb figures and should be featuring more often. Whether he is ready to be a regular starter is another matter.
Now for names we have been linked with…
Kevin Gameiro we have been linked with in the past before he took a big money move to PSG, which hasn’t worked out. He is currently not wanted and hence available probably discounted from the £8m+ transfermarkt valuation. He is 26 years old, scores every 194 minutes and has 41 assists from 267 games = 0.153. Whilst he is not the best striker from our big five statistically he is the best in assists by a long way. Up in the Marveaux region. He is described as fast dribbler. Wages may be a problem, he has two years left on his contract and is on about £55kpw.
Bafetimbi Gomis at 27 would normally be expensive at £12.5m but Lyon are keen to sell as they need the money. Gomis has made all the right noises saying that he won’t be forced out etc, however, don’t be surprised if he moves. With a goal every 184 minutes and 36 assists from 370 games = 0.097 he may be the answer. He has been described as Baby Drogba.
Andre-Pierre Gignac also at 27 is a reasonable option at a valuation of £7.5m however with goals at 211 minutes and only 25 assists from 288 games = 0.087 he would not be my choice. He is however described as powerful and dangerous with an aerial presence. Also I know of no gossip that indicates that we may be pursuing him He currently plays for Olympique Marseille.
Loic Remy of course was supposed to be our Christmas Present before he moved to QPR. Available at less than the quoted £8.8m, his wages and court case might prevent us moving for him despite Pardew’s admiration. At 26 his record of a goal every 199 minutes and 24 assists from 243 games = 0.099 are in the right ball park.
Darren Bent is 29 available at well below the £7.9m valuation and a proven EPL goalscorer. With a goal every 182 minutes he is the most prolific of these five players, and with 33 assists from 350 games = 0.094 he is no greedier than the others.
So for me It’s down to who would best suit playing alongside Cisse whose figures surpass all of the above.
Outsiders…
There have been various names mentioned by people on the blog, some of whom I can remember others I can’t so if your favourite is not mentioned please post below.
Brown Ideye at 24 has been mentioned as the next Drogba I think. Anyway at a market value of £9.7m he ain’t a cheap alternative. But with a goal every 180 minutes he looks like someone to match Cisse. And with 32 assists from 219 games = 0.146 his assist rate is very respectable.
Kevin Villand is only 20 so at £7.9m I’m looking for something special. At 215 minutes per goal and 32 assists from 188 games = 0.170 he also looks like a good shout.
My to are Phillip Hosiner from Austria Vienna who at 24 and only £2.2m is a bargain with just 140 minutes per goal and 27 assists from 227 games = 0.119. I would also like to add Angel Correa who at 18 is £2.6m but with a goal every 177 mins and 3 assists from his 11 games = 0.3 he looks a prospect. The other thing I like about him is he plays for San Lorenzo so could be part of any deal with Colo going the other way.
So my choice?
I would have a strike team of Papiss Cisse, Brown Ideye, Phillipe Hosiner, Yoan Gouffran, with Adam Campbell and Angel Correa keeping them honest. However that may be too many for some.
It’s hard to speculate when the summer has been thus far so underwhelming but please feel free to post your thoughts below.
Well said Vegas!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Man u have still yet to make a meaningful signing. So we aren’t the only ones.
brisvegas(Quote)
Yes well said Bris. I for one am looking forward to the season. Without europa, and with mbiwa, debuchy, sissoko, and hadiera having had time to settle, I have some confidence. Need a striker and collo and ben arfa to play a mostly full season mind.
MDS(Quote)
If we haven’t signed anyone by the end of the window, I will be pissed off and very disappointed. So I will save those emotions until then. If I am relaxed and happy now, apposed to being pissed off, it will make no difference to the outcome of our transfer dealings.. Although Troy believes that being angry and fizzing is the only way to handle the situation and to show you care. 😆 😆 Deary me 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Yeah…the only time to judge a window is when it shuts. Until then, I’ll enjoy my golf and bbqs 😉
MDS(Quote)
Love my golf (and hate it 😈 ) too MDS, gone out to 21 on my handicap due to a run of bad form. That frustrates me more that anything at the moment 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
And I’m off sailing.
brisvegas(Quote)
Try and keep the talk on football boys 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I hear ya. Got myself down to about a 7 early last year and then completely lost the plot. Working to get it back slowly but surely. Looking forward to setting the alarm this week to catch a few hours of the open before I head to work.
OK now back to football before we catch a lecture 😉
MDS(Quote)
7 nice, that’s tidy golf… maybe you can give me a few pointers 😉 looking forward to the open as well…
right football talk…. have we signed anyone yet! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Yeah we signed 4 in january!
I think bent will be the first one in. Wouldn’t bother me so long as we sign another to make him 3rd choice and let shola go.
MDS(Quote)
I think Remy will be the first, then Bent, with the later being the Shola replacement.. Bent wont be a starter but will see plenty of game time..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Bent will also be cover should Remy serve time at the big house..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Id be fine with that
MDS(Quote)
Oh dear. 😯 deary me 😯
Begas, keep sailing in a north westerly direction until you reach Shark Island. Supposed to be a lovely place for a dip. 😛
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, tut , tut, tut. 🙄 oh dear 🙄
I think this Ashles defeat has gone to your head fella. 😛
Which season do you want me to bring the subject up about finishing below a Euro spot?
Will it take another 5 or even 10 yrs before it actually sinks in that Ashley has no intention as the outlay is huge to get there, never mind maintain it. Do you really believe he would be prepared to pay wages in excess of £100k in order to compete with the top 4?
Do you really believe he would strengthen the squad sufficiently to maintain a premiership campaign and compete in the Europa ?
He’s had that opportunity last season and you saw the result. Do you spend your whole lives ignoring history fella’s?
You really do originate from convicts. You do know that don’t you? Or do you ignore that as well. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy
He doesn’t need to. Using the existing club finances he can, indeed should be able to achieve 7-10 whilst maintaining a wages to turnover ratio of under 70%. You are correct he is not going to increase that ratio to over 100% which he would need to do to compete with the big 6. No should he. Only an idiot would do.
Within those constraints however he has the flexibility to spend big on A player possibly 2. Apparently we did for PEA. He also has the scope to strengthen for Europe. He now knows what it takes.
To do more than that means growing the commercial side which Llambias failed to achieve. To do less than that means he is getting no benefit from NUFC. If as is proposed that NUFC is nothing more than a sports direct marketing tool then constant news stories coupled with european achievement is surely the target.
We were 3 wins short of 8th place last season. Cisse’s disallowed goals may well have secured that. The margins are fine and had we done that last season he would have been on his target in my opinion.
Premandup(Quote)
Speaking of history I think that the evidence of the January window shows that he does not want relegation again.
Premandup(Quote)
Troy, Troy, Troy, lord have mercy on your negative soul….
Firstly on your convict point…. I have no convict ancestors if you want to know the truth….
1 nil to Aussie..
I don’t even know what the Ashles are??
2 nil to Aussie
Spending big money does not guarantee league success.. QPR !
3 nil to Aussie..
We finished in Europe place barely 1 season ago, yet you go on about waiting another 5 or 10 😯 Nostrastavers at his best 😆
4 nil to Aussie..
Big wages do not mean big players playing to their best ability, which season do you want me to bring up where that has been the case?
5 nil to Aussie…….. and it is not even half time 😆 😆 😆
Troy will be reading this thinking… arghh he has done me again 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Troys argument holds about as much water as the Ashles Urn 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Prem, you can not speak of the successful January transfer window on here mate, it is forbidden and has been struck from our history books 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie man get a grip. It wasn’t a success. It was a blind panic reaction which worked for a few games until Pard’s incompetence sabotaged it. Despite everything that happened we failed yet again in our objective of getting relegated. Still there is always this season and since we blew our budget for the next 5 windows. we did get 5 players in after all it’s looking good. The future is troy. The future is gloomy.
Premandup(Quote)
5 in 1 out is a success, blind panic or not & I’ve always got a grip on it
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Lovely sail today. Absolutely gorgeous 22 degrees, blue sky, nice south easterly breeze. Perfect conditions for me. Winter is a really beautiful season.
A news flash for Troy: boats sail on water. And a geography lesson: North west of here is land for a few thousand kilometres, and Shark Island is in NSW.
Wrong again on all counts. Never mind, one of these days you’ll get something right. Statistically speaking, one of your predictions must come off one day. So hang in there, mate
brisvegas(Quote)
Look at you lot ganging up on poor Troy and using logical arguments, it makes me sick it does 😐
Newkie(Quote)
Lost this one now, hope I don’t have to wait another 700 posts for another article up – I’d be fizzin 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well whether Jabba wants us in Europe or not the manager certainly doesn’t 🙄 😳 that much we know for sure as it’s come straight from the horses mouth. Question is why doesn’t he ,oh yes our squad was too thin and we couldn’t cope once injuries set in . 😉 Note other teams strengthen when they know they have Europe to contend with ,our owner and coach , seem happy to go with what we got 😉 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim-he does, it was just a joke he made because of all the pressure he was feeling at the time.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie, yeah right, he moaned all season about Europe ,if he can’t handle pressure he needs to go or tell the owner to strengthen and grow a pair imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I cant remember anyone saying Jabba wanted relegation 😕 actually must say that he would be happy with anything above relegation and mid table would suit Jabba fine
Big Dave(Quote)
Why is everyone going on about our january signings? We signed what, four players? Yet we still didn’t replace our leading goalscorer who also left in January. That very nearly cost us our PL status. Sorry but the fact that Demba was our leading goal scorer last season even though he left in January is just a complete disgrace!
I wish you people would read the history books. Study the form – the man is a clown who is only bothered about NUFC surviving in the PL. This way he doesn’t have to invest anymore of his own money and he gets maximum exposure for his Sports Direct business.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy, I agree we need a new thread but I am not really prepared to write something up at the moment as all the conversation revolves around is the transfer market..
However I might contact Toonsy and see if I can upload articles to keep things ticking over..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Kim-how do we know he didn’t tell the owner to strengthen? He said Mike made mistakes, quite a statement because there aren’t too many people who would publicly slate their boss like that, I know I wouldn’t. Perhaps he said we needed bodies, Llambias said we didn’t, Ash trusted llambias but duly sacked him when he was proven wrong after last season?
Newkie(Quote)
newkie ,but he quickly added they all did once he realised his blooper 😆 .The man is spineless imo blames everyone but himself half the time. I really think Jabba was an inch away from kicking him to the kerb ,and would of done if not for the massive payoff.
KIMTOON(Quote)
fuk i hope we get a new owner to whinge and complain about sooner rather than later… 😕
Ashley has turned into the epitome of evil!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Newkie what do you know about the new fitness guru we got ? Which by the way I think we really needed one as I thought a lot of players didnt look to fit.
I am starting to struggle to get posting so if I dont I will still see it but reply later
Big Dave(Quote)
Stuart @330 “the man is a clown who is only bothered about NUFC surviving in the PL. This way he doesn’t have to invest anymore of his own money and he gets maximum exposure for his Sports Direct business.”
So which of the books you mentioned is that in – the history book or the form book? 😉
brisvegas(Quote)
Kim-he added they all did because…they all did. But he still criticised his boss, you can’t call him spineless on the one hand and then jab him for coming out and laying blame elsewhere.
I think even some of the most vocal anti-pardists (from the start) such as JJ didn’t blame him for over 35/40% of last season, he took some criticism on the chin and then went on to make very poor excuses like tiredness/pitches etc etc however if he had come out after every single match and said “I did this wrong” then he would have been out the door. People would have been happy then, but we would have ended up with kinnear as time has shown. Again in relation to work, there aren’t many who will consistently own up to errors…they may to a degree but they will always seek to share blame.
I don’t really buy the payoff thing, it was minimal when he got it and suddenly it became 10mil when he was favourite to be sacked, smells like press bullshit to me.
Dave-agree think we really needed a specialist because the lethargy in all our players was evident last year and was definitely a reason we struggled to get back into games or seemed to gift late opportunities to the opponents. She’s not really got a football background so it’ll be interesting how much our training drills change and if we see any of it on the pitch. Hopefully her methods will cut down the injuries as well, although personally I am unconvinced by our medical team/set up. Still need more footie coaches too!
Newkie(Quote)
Actually we could get a good article on the merits of ownership of clubs .As in should you be a fan of said club or just see it as an business or a vehicle to advertise your other ventures as in Ashleys case. We could argue the case for and against ,maybe looking at other owners and how well or poorly they perform and from what angle they are coming from as in fan or just owner. I’m **** at writing but I’m sure others could whip up a tidy article.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Play nicely children, don’t make me put you on the naughty step 👿
Let’s face it, most of us on here have never seen a successful Newcastle team and the odds are most of us never will, it’s only the degree of our failure that varies, for all the stick Mark got about his “blind faith” I believe it’s only blind faith that keeps all of us following NUFC, why else do it?…and on that note I predict a top 8 finish and we’ll win a cup…blind faith rules ok 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
nothing happening again 🙁 well at least in some games we will have 11 players on the pitch when shola moves on somebody will stand in for him 😀
icedog(Quote)
Aussie @334 ,I’m not a Jabba fan as you will realise ,I don’t think he’s evil just not that ambitious but then he doesn’t have the money that others have .That said we should really be aiming higher in the transfer market than Bent if rumours are true. If we sign him I hope he’s not seen as a purple by the owner because imo he isn’t. If the likes of Norwich ,Swansea and so on can attract Bony ,RWV and the like then why can’t we .I don’t consider us any less of a club.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Richie-bang on pal! I’m confident even some of the oldies on here will see a cup victory. Of course, they may well forget the next day, but that can’t be helped. 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Am i the only one who thinks Bent coming in will be as a replacement for Cisse ? its looking more likely , the russians want Cisse and will bid 10million for him we get about 12 /15 million after haggling with them and bring in Bent 5 million and Remy if he is not convicted 8 million . Shola leaves and we have the same numbers up front as last season only a bit more quality , will be 1 short though .
Axel(Quote)
RICHIE aye mate blind faith,or in your case just bloody blind 😀
icedog(Quote)
Kim, Ashley is a hate figure and always will be. When we do good, it has nothing to do with him and we do bad, it’s because of him.. it has become a broken record, every day that passes seems to amplify everyone’s distain with him.. i couldn’t care less about the guy to be honest, but i can tell you that who ever runs out on day one again’t man city will have my undivided support…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – it’s hard even for the die hard to keep up undivided support when the club is run by such sleaze merchants. It’s all so seedy. Lambias, Ashley, Wise, Sports Direct, Kinnear, Wonga, Pardew. Chris Mort was the only decent guy in Toon and he was a bloody lawyer.
georgio(Quote)
Is it the time of day? What is it? Every time I post a comment everyone disappears. Can you have BO on a blog? I know I talk bollocks most of the time but so does everyone else.
The above mentioned sleaze merchants have diminished our expectations so badly people are now resigned to only two new players neither of which are any good. Dreadful!
georgio(Quote)
Anyone else see the Daily Mail reporting that we’ve signed Faye Downey as a fitness consultant?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2364653/Newcastle-United-appoint-fitness-guru-Faye-Downey-aid-Alan-Pardews-pre-season-preparations.html
If true, I doubt she’ll be full-time since she coaches some tennis player. I wonder what her influence will be? Good appointment, though.
blip(Quote)
Georgio, i support the team no matter what.. not the owners, directors etc..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Oh, and put some deodorant on you smelly git 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
GEORGIO
July 16, 2013 at 12:15
Is it the time of day? What is it? Every time I post a comment everyone disappears. Can you have BO on a blog? I know I talk bollocks most of the time but so does everyone else.
😆
Newkie(Quote)
BRISVEGAS
July 16, 2013 at 10:22
You will find the form book is in fact a history book too.
Stuart79(Quote)
What does that mean Newkie – you got BO too?
georgio(Quote)
And that smart **** Aussie – support the team? Yeah right – it doesn’t matter who buys them, trains them, picks them, tells them what to do or sells them.
Last season’s form was a fair reflection of the sleaze merchants running the club. And the season before – they just got lucky on the roulette wheel.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, either that or the other way round. This season should clarify.
Premandup(Quote)
Well at least they don’t have us down for relegation …yet 🙄
http://hereisthecity.com/2013/07/16/ld-the-bookies-dont-expect-to-see-newcastle-in-the-top-half/
KIMTOON(Quote)
I am still disappointed we are going for Bent. But, as Axel says, it’s looking like Cisse’s replacement bc there is no way on earth anyone believes they can play together.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
BP – except Pardew!
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, i can’t do anything about who owns, trains or picks the team.. so at the end of the day i will always just support the team/players. If you want to moan and ***** about the owners and manager, fecking go it.. but in the end, that’s all you will do, just ***** and moan…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
We are being left so far behind. What’s happening?
JFK v Pard ?
Cisse ?
Cabaye ?
Colo ?
Ambitions ?
We are a club in Crisis there is no getting away from it. So many questions hanging over the club that it’s bound to put people off coming here.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Georgio-I was mainly laughing about the “talking bollocks” -didn’t you know everyone on here is always right?-But you could have a point with the BO. I’m in work and sweating like a nun in a cucumber field at the moment.
Newkie(Quote)
People say it’s good news about Colo, does it not just become inevitable he’s going sooner rather than later and surely shouldn’t be Captain anymore?
I just can’t believe we’re trying to sign Remy and Bent.
If we’re sticking with Alan Hoofball then we were at our best playing 442, or our most consistent esp at home.
We have looked pretty average playing one striker IMO.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Aussie it would seem you support the regime as well as the team as you defend them enough 😕
As for supporting the team ? I am pretty sure everyone else on here does weither they ***** and moan or not 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
KIMTOON i dont think we will get relegated even if the squad stays as it is now ,as i commented earlier i think Cisse will be off . Its obvious he is pushing for a move and using Wonga as a lame excuse . Bent in for him goals for sure just look at his record , think Remy will be brought in as Shola’s replacement and maybe a defender Tomkins probably with Williamson leaving . In terms of numbers we will be down on last season in terms of quality slightly better off . Up front and at CB we are at least 1 short in each department imo . On the other hand it gives Campbell and Streete a sniff of the big time which is Ashleys big plan all along . Would like to think we would move for Toivonen from PSV we have been linked with him in the past and he wants out their , he would complement our Strikers /ACM’s well even though he is as off this heed as his Swedish team mate Ibrahimovich. Well i can dream even with this bunch of numpties in charge 😆
Axel(Quote)
Big Dave, maybe i am offering a different view against the common feelings on this blog. If you are happy to pat each other on the back with your hatred of the regime, well I’m sure that will make for some stimulating discussions on here…
I’ve never questioned any ones support of the team and if i get called a smart **** for saying i support the team well that’s not good form..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Axel ,I fear you are right on Cisse mate ,it’s looking none too good right now,seen a rumour he’s off to Fulham ,can’t see it though ,more likely Russia I would think. Bent IS a goal scorer no doubt but he’s not getting any younger which is why we are probs reluctant to pay£8m and I do believe that’s right as I think he’s worth closer to £5.5/6m . As far as relegation goes ,hope not but if the status quo remains with no incomings of quality , then I would say we’re odds on certs tbh,sad but true as too many teams on a par with us have improved their squads. 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
Aussie – just as I admit to talking bollocks I’m also happy to be labelled a smart ****. At the end of the day (1st game) I always support the team even watching the last minute of a 0-6 whooping but until then the regime are up for grabs.
georgio(Quote)
Aussie ,I don’t think anyones love for the club is in question ,not yours ,mine ,daves anyones. Ialso don’t think there is mass patting of backs going on either ,for me there is nowt I would love more than for Jabba to show good intent and shock us with a couple of blinding signings like. I am more than happy to eat a huge slice of humble pie ,in fact the oven is on waiting for me to cook it 😉 .By the way I don’t class Bent as a blinding signing more a good back up man ,though I’m happy for him to prove me wrong. 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Aussie your in a right huff today lad 😆 pick all them toys up and chill a wee bit 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
BIG DAVE i think were all in the huff mate with the B@st@rds running our cub 😉
Axel(Quote)
Oh dear. 😯 it looks like I’ve really rattled Aussie & Begas’s cages today. 😛 😛 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
what the news on charlton cole? i think his joes ideal replacement for cisse 😐 bent in for ba job done.
stem(Quote)
i see us struggling next season probably relegated and if i’m honest it’s what ashley deserves! he has no ambition and even the smaller clubs aren’t taking premiership lightly! joe kinnear has been a big disappointment, all mouth and no action. i’m prepared for the worst because after scum and liverpool results i can’t pardew has learned from it. sad times ahead
stem(Quote)
to be honest stem i think our away form last season was poor at best. i don’t think anyone wanted to watch that on match of the day again. i think we will lose our best players and rebuild our team again but kinnear needs to speed up
terry(Quote)
Does anyone know if there will be any links for the motherwell match tonight? Will be interested to see how Dummet, Tav and Vuckic do.
andymag(Quote)