Why? Firstly because it gives us something to talk about and secondly because it gives me something to carry on writing about as I have a sneaking suspicion that the summer will be very quiet at St James’ Park.
I can’t wait till the competition starts if I’m being honest. That’s why I’ve previewed some of the favourites for the competition. At this current moment in time the host nation are the favourites. If you check http://static.williamhill.com/world-cup-2014/betting/winner-odds/, odds for Brazil are currently 10/3 to win the whole thing.
Germany and Argentina are joint second favourites at 9/2 with defending champions Spain ranked at 11/2. Belgium are 14/1, Holland 16/1, England are 18/1 with Italy placed at 20/1. I personally think the winners will come any of those mentioned so let’s take a look at what they are about.
Brazil
The hype started when they beat Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup and with a squad packed with quality playing on home soil you can see why they are being tagged as favourites. A lot of their key players ply their trade in Europe so there is an understanding of how the stronger teams from Europe are likely to play and they face the physical side of things more often than perhaps they have done previously.
Neymar has the potential to be one of the best players on the planet but things haven’t got off to a good start for him at Barcelona and he looks a little bit lightweight for the European game. However his Brazil record speaks for itself with 30 goals in 47 appearances so he’s likely to be the guy they rely on for the bulk of their goals.
Argentina
The Argies are always in with a shout at major tournaments and they have one of the best players in the world at their disposal. Lionel Messi has been outstanding over the years for Barcelona but he has never hit those heights for Argentina scoring 37 times in his 83 caps. Not too shabby from the Captain but still a far cry from the 243 goals in 275 appearances he’s managed for Barca.
Spain
The strength of Spain is in the team itself and the way they play although being blessed with superb talent always helps. The defending champions have been a dominant force in recent years although there is a feeling that their star is on the wane. Their midfield engine room of Xavi and Iniesta isn’t getting any younger but they do still have some sublime options in the middle of the park like Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas to name just two.
Up front they may struggle. Fernando Torres has been named in their provisional 30-man squad which is a surprise while their record scorer, David Villa, will probably make his last appearance at a World Cup if he impresses enough. The other options are Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente and Chelsea-bound Diego Costa, none of whom have been prolific at international level.
Belgium
They could go far in this tournament given the players at their disposal. In goal they have a choice of Simon Mingolet or Thibaut Cortois, both of who have had excellent seasons. In defence they have high quality with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderwiereld, a strong midfield with the strength of Marouane Fellaini mixed with the flair and pace of Eden Hazard and Kevin Mirallas and power up front with Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke. If Marc Wilmots gets it right they could be a feature in the later rounds of the competition.
Holland
Runners up last time out, if Holland are to go anywhere near emulating that feat they’ll need big performances from their big players. Robin van Persie, as Captain and top scorer at international level, will need to find his shooting boots while Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder will need to be at the top of their game. However at the back they look weak.
England
First things first are getting out of the group. Roy Hodgson raised a few eyebrows with his decision not to take Ashley Cole to Brazil but Leighton Baines has had the better season. However, should anything happen to Baines then it will be up to Luke Shaw to deputise at a very young age.
Up front Wayne Rooney has rarely produced at a World Cup and is yet to register a goal in the competition which ratchets up the pressure on Daniel Sturridge, who has had a great season to be fair. I can’t see the Three Lions going much further than the Quarter Final with either Ivory Coast, Greece, Japan or Colombia lined up as second round opponents should they progress.
Italy
The Azzurri are in the same group as England and indeed eliminated them in the last European Championships. A spine made up of Buffon, Chiellini, Pirlo and Balotelli is not too shabby but it’s the gaps around them than should concern the Italians. Marco Verratti has been excellent for PSG this term allaying some fears about taking a player so young to such a big tournament but it will once again be how that domestic form can translate on the international stage.
So that is my quick round up of the favourites for the World Cup. There will always be a surprise package or two thrown in (anyone remember Greece, or Croatia?) so it’s important to remember that, but it’s also worth remembering that these sides are ranked more favourably for a reason.
bloody hell close or what , scare there
kIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.coolsport.tv/stream2-live-nfl-streaming.html
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m sat watching 2 non league teams who are both able to string 10 or more passes together, close their opponents down and cross a ball into the box … PL footy is over rated 😆
Amazing what can be achieved when you get the basics right though! – football that’s enjoyable to watch.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good points on themag
http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/atletico-madrid-show-path-newcastle-united/
Maybe Pardew needs to spend a few hours in the company of Simeone and instil in the players the belief that nothing is impossible and the bigger they are the harder they fall.
Think about it….
It’s not that we CANNOT compete, it’s because we have no DESIRE to compete.
And therein is the issue.
Some good points. As with the dortmund example anything is possible with good managment and scouting. Maybe not sustainable success year after year, but definately the occasional push. Athletico also sold Aguero
KK(Quote)
I would say our scouting is very good.
Not extensive or global but nonetheless very good.
The problem is with what we see on the pitch.
The buck stops with the manager when the team can’t even get the basics right.
KK(Quote)
Fish smell from the head down!
Stuart79(Quote)
I see the Mirror are reporting Ronald Koeman is in the frame to replace Fat Sam at West Ham, but the West Ham board are to look at Moyes too.
kIMTOON(Quote)
I think West Ham’s owners are a we bit more ambition for their club than our owner…
Stuart79(Quote)
Arsenal also reportedly after Bony, so maybe Remy will end up elsewhere.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Some people try to excuse Pardew by saying we have no strikers & we sold Cabaye.
Apparently that’s why we’ve been playing rubbish & can’t score.
The odd thing is that our defensive record is worse than our attack!
We have the 11th best attack, woohoo!
However, only 5 teams have conceded more than us this season.
Three of those have been relegated & the other two are Sunderland & Aston Villa.
If Swansea, Hull, Stoke, West Ham, & Crystal Palace are able to concede less goals than us, it begs the question why?
Do they all have better defenders?
Perhaps they better defensive midfielders??
What’s the point of a defensive minded manager if he can’t even get his teams to defend properly!
KK(Quote)
Stuart ,without a doubt you are right@458
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/what-point-supporting-newcastle-united-3562279
kIMTOON(Quote)
Norwich conceded 62 goals & were relegated.
We’ve conceded 59 goals.
The difference in performance between us & Norwich (i.e. Alan Pardew vs Chris Hughton) is Loic Remy.
Norwich scored only 28 goals whereas we scored 43 (15 goals more ) – Remy scored 14 of those goals.
So it’s probably fair to say that if Remy had spent the season at Norwich, they would be staying up & we would be going down or fighting relegation against West Brom.
Does anybody actually think Norwich, West Brom, Sunderland or Aston Villa have a squad as good as ours?
KK(Quote)
Oh dear
kIMTOON(Quote)
Gateshead need to step it up now
kIMTOON(Quote)
KK – You’re bang on about Remy. Imagine if we had two players like him, we’d be top 6/7 I reckon. Funny how good players make such a difference… 😯
Funnily enough we had a real bad spell when Remy was out injured – bizarre! 🙄
Stuart79(Quote)
Well that’s Gateshead buggered then 🙁
kIMTOON(Quote)
2.0
kIMTOON(Quote)
@stuart79
Lol, i guess a £10m player like Cisse is sh*t not to mention the likes of HBA, Marveaux, Sissoko, Tiote, Colo, Debuchy, Krul, Cabaye etc
They must all be rubbish & would not look out of place at Norwich, right?
The actual point which seems to have gone over your head is that if Hughton was sacked & Pardew is no better, then shouldn’t Pardew be sacked?
Or are you happy with Mike Ashley’s ‘desire’ for midtable mediocrity?
KK(Quote)
2.1 game on
kIMTOON(Quote)
KK – You mentiomed Remy and you mentioned what an impact he had on NUFC, so why would I mention the players you then went on to mention?
But please, when you say the point you make goes over my head, I really doubt you see the irony when you typed it. Good players make good teams and good teams make good managers. If Remy had have been at Norwich they would in all likelyhood stayed up and NUFC would have been in the ****. Then Pardew would probably have been sacked.
But why stop there? If Fergie wouldn’t have had Cantona they wouldn’t have won the league in 1992, then Fergie would probably have got sacked and who knows what would have happened.
I don’t know any NUFC fan that would be happy with Ashley’s mediocrity but unfortunately we have no option.
Stuart79(Quote)
@stuart79
So without Remy, we’ve suddenly got a squad as rubbish as Norwich?
I know Troy believes that but do you?
I’m of the opinion that we have a much better squad than Norwich. The fact that Remy is the only thing that separates the two clubs is testament to Pardew’s shocking mismanagement of the players.
KK(Quote)
KK – Goals win matches, if you don’t know that then god help you.
Stuart79(Quote)
Another famous Ashley saying: “Life is like a box of meat pies. You always know what you’re going to get.” How true Mike we always know what we’re going to get from you.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
All over 2.1
kIMTOON(Quote)
Bah, gutted 🙁
Newkie(Quote)
@stuart79
You seem to have missed my post were i mentioned that the bigger problem for us was conceding 🙄
We have the 11th best attack.
However, only 5 teams have conceded more than us this season 3 of which were relegated.
Remy’s goals have only papered over the fact that we can’t stop teams scoring against us.
You can talk about goals winning matches & they do – but conceding goals loses you matches too.
What’s the point of Pardew naming a match day squad with 14 defensive minded players & only 4 attackers if we concede so many goals!
KK(Quote)
I give up – you are stupid.
Stuart79(Quote)
How many purples have we got now by the way? With Lambsarse gone I’ve lost track.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@stuart79
Very grown up of you 🙄
KK(Quote)
Let’s see now. Purples. How many do we still have? Remy is leaving so not him. Cabaye is gone so he’s out. Is Colo still a purple? Let’s count him anyway. Then there’s Sissoko? Purple? Part way to purple? Say dark blue then. Uhhhh….. How about Willo? Light blue? Chartreuse? What is he? Gouffy? Not sure he’s purple material right now. Krul? He’s more of a maroon shade I would think. I think Debuchy is purple though so 2 definite purples. Shola? No, more of a light pink. Most of the other half decent players are leaving or not wanted by Pards. So 2 purples then (possibly). Hmmm. Is that enough. What would Dekka think? 🙁
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m still waiting for the breakdown of NUFC transfers since Pardew came, KK?
Stuart79(Quote)
I like the idea of a fast, slippery attack next season. So Mike is looking into coating the players with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Nothing too expensive mind.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@stuart79
Here is the breakdown:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/newcastle-united/transfers/verein_762.html
KK(Quote)
@stuart79
I’m still waiting for an apology big man.
KK(Quote)
G2 Relax mate. Darren Bents the answer to all our problems. He will be Pardews secret weapon next season. As long as they hoof it to Bent then the goals will come that is if we are lucky enough to sign him.
stem(Quote)
Bent sounds like a very expensive signing STEM mate. I’m not sure Mike can afford him. Apparently Mike is having a moob job done this summer. He wants them to look bigger and more attractive. It will reduce the transfer budget significantly. Shame that. 😥
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Pardew is a talented manager. He maybe able to attract Heskey back from Australia ( Big signing) and get Darren Bent ( even Bigger signing). We our so lucky Ashley has the clubs best intrests at heart ?
stem(Quote)
I think that moob job will make Alan extremely happy. I think that’s why his getting it done, his bonus for finishing in the top 10. Shame for us fans though.
stem(Quote)
I prefer younger players on the rise STEM mate. But if they’re too expensive is Pele available? He can probably still pass better than some of wor players.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just a note to cheer you lot up from your Senior Official Club Journo. De Jong has gone into seclusion for some shooting practice with wet paper bags. As soon as he can burst one Ashley is going to get him on a permanent deal.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I can’t be bothered going through all that *****, so until you have provided the evidence I don’t believe you. 🙂
Anyway I don’t know how many one can come up with figures for nufc incoming transfers as every single signing since Colo ( A club record for a defender 😯 ) has been undisclosed.
Stuart79(Quote)
We won’t be bringing in any purples this summer. Too expensive according to Mike We might get one royal blue and a watery yellow however.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
What kind of a player is a watery yellow you might ask? Well, think of De Jong but with a weaker shot.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think Ashley should try and talk Gazza out of retirement and get Shearer aswell. Shearer would still score more goals than Shola, De Jong and Cisse put together ?
stem(Quote)
A lot of the lovely ladies on here have been asking me about Mike’s availability. Unfortunately lasses he is in a committed relationship with a budgie named Alf. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m being deadly serious. Shearer would have scored more goals than those 3 idiots we have up front last season.
stem(Quote)
G2 Your going to break Kim’s heart.
stem(Quote)
Stem I just choked on me tea.
kIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.nufcblog.com/2014/05/18/england-reach-finals-of-european-u17-championships/
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon’s taste in men is much too good to be seen anywhere near Mike STEM mate. And I agree with you. Shearer could still outscore Shola. And since De Jong didn’t score at all wor Alan’s granny would probably give him a run for his money.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Disappointed at the Heed result. Might have to just top the league next year.
Stu @ 477 Took you long enough …
brisvegas(Quote)
@stuart79
1) I gave you a direct link which shows that Mike Ashley has pocketed £20m in total since Pardew has been here – are you seriously trying to dispute that?
Do you think it’s more or less?
Other than a direct link, how else do you want the ‘evidence’?
@brisvegas
That was a very nonchalant dig at me in an attempt to burrow your way into this debate.
Nonetheless, you’re more than welcome to join the conversation. In fact i think most bloggers on here have been waiting for you to actually have a conversation instead of just turn up, post something irrelevant, try to act indifferent before disappearing off again.
KK(Quote)
There is some kind of irony with brisvegas & stuart79 calling me stupid – it must be a class thing as north east kids are stupid too, right?
KK(Quote)
Sorry Kim I shouldn’t joke. Your miles to good for Ashley, G2 I cant help but take the mick out of Ashley, Kinnear, Pardew, Shola etc. It’s pretty bleak considering but Cardiff, Norwich and Fulham would give there right arm to be in the league.
stem(Quote)
I know Shearer’s getting older now but I still think if he was around today Shola, De Jong would be bench warmers. However Cisse might shine from a decent partnership.
stem(Quote)
“Shola Ameobi has turned down a new contract offer at Newcastle United and could be playing European football with Hull City next season.”
“According to The Daily Mirror , Ameobi is in Steve Bruce’s plans for next season as he attempts to add to his squad, ahead of the Europa League qualifiers on 31st July.”
Well, huge respect for Shola for realising he’s **** and turning down the new deal offered to him by our useless #$%# of a manager Alan Pardew. Now officially the second most hated and useless manager we’ve ever had IMO. Anyone who offers Shola a new deal clearly hasn’t got a clue.
Also kudos to agent Bruce for helping us out the **** again by offering Shola a deal to make sure he leaves.
JJ(Quote)
Big Dave,
What do you think of Pardew offering Shola an extension?
Also to everyone else, do you think that offers some kind of indication as to what our ambitions are in the transfer market again this year considering we wanted to keep rather than replace Shola?
JJ(Quote)
“Loic Remy has reportedly told Newcastle United officials he won’t be coming back to Tyneside after a highly successful season on-loan from QPR.”
No surprise there. Pathetic that we wouldn’t pay the money QPR wanted for a permanent deal. He’s probably worth twice that fee now.
JJ(Quote)
“Newcastle’s interest in Cabella comes despite manager Alan Pardew reportedly keen to veer away from more French recruits”
Pardew himself knows he doesn’t know how to get the best out of technical players. He needs donkey’s to play his barbaric donkey football.
Such a shame to waste the talent we have/had at our disposal with a manager of his limitation.
If Pardew is to stay for any length of time here’s what I’d look to do.
Sell:
Ben Arfa, Marvauex, Obertan, Santon, Anita.
Buy Andy Carroll, Jonjo Shelvey, Steven Caulker, Jon de Guzman.
JJ(Quote)
“Pardew claims he was hugely unimpressed with the Frenchman’s attitude over the closing months of the season, but the same can be said about Hatem’s feelings towards Pardew!
They don’t see eye-to-eye and the Frenchman has told friends he is willing to see out his contract and wait for the axe to fall on Pardew … but that could change because Mike Ashley has confirmed the manager will be at St James’ Park at the start of next season.”
JJ(Quote)
JJ – I was with you right up until I read the name Andy Carroll 😯 😆
Would happily take Caulker and Shelvey, but you can keep Carroll and De Guzman mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know we’ve been linked with a number of different CFs with decent scoring records, but if we could get Jordan Rhodes from Bburn I think he’d be my preferred choice. I know he’s playing in the championship at the moment but the kid scores for fun and think he’s good enough to step up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Got his finger in all the pies has our owner.
http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/even-supporting-gateshead-couldnt-get-away-giving-mike-ashley-money/
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – neck end of £40 for a replica non league footy top by the way 😯
I haven’t bought one, my uncle who lives in Felling – just along the road from Gateshead Stadium – bought the blue away top. Looks smart like but £40 😯
Sharpy17(Quote)
JJ-If it was a choice between having Papiss Cisse as our only senior striker for next season, or having Cisse and Shola, what would you go for ❓
Newkie(Quote)
De Guzman is an alright player.He can at least take a decent free kick. Whoever we bring in, if we can’t get one or preferably two players who can deliver a good ball from corners/free kicks as well as score for them then we’re in trouble.
Newkie(Quote)
” Now officially the second most hated and useless manager we’ve ever had IMO” – So is it official or just your opinion…or is it officially your opinion? 😉 😛
richietoon(Quote)
Sharpy. I think he wants to dominate the World lol, he is like a bond villain .
kIMTOON(Quote)
See the local press is linking us again with Cabella and Grenier. Will we pay such high fees to get them over the line? Will their chairmen **** Ashley off? And if we get them what on earth is Pardew going to do with them?
It’s all bollocks – everyone’s away and nobody knows nothing. This is where the rumours link us with 512 players every year.
Interesting that nobody has yet linked us with an actual striker.
Have KK and Stuart stopped yet?
georgio(Quote)
Georgio…I can’t see us getting both of them(be pleasantly shocked if we get 1) and I still reckon Grenier will have much better options than us unfortunately.
I think KK and Stuart are just having a timeout to recuperate before recommencing.
richietoon(Quote)
Haha, the irony of Shola now moving to a club in Europe!
Not sure why signings that go well are thanks to Carr, but something like Shola allegedly being offered a new deal are Pardew’s fault.
Even if Pardew requested it, he is probably just terrified that we won’t get anyone else through the door 😕
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@richietoon
@georgio
Stuart79 gave up at post 477. Brisvegas wanted to jump in as his sidekick but seems to need a bit more time to collect his thought.
I think we need Troy back because, well it’s Troy…
KK(Quote)
For the record I would:
Sell Cisse.
Give Shola a new contract.
Sign two new first-team strikers.
2 new FW/Shola/Campbell as our strikers next season – with Campbell above Shola in the pecking order and Armstrong out on loan.
I think Armstrong (as many young players incl Carroll do) could benefit with a year out on loan in the Championship/League 1 playing regular football.
He isn’t yet good enough to start for a top 10 Prem team, so there is no point him hanging around on the sidelines getting a few minutes here and there.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
KK never stops, he is the gift that keeps on giving 😉
Solano-agree with that. Campbell isn’t guaranteed game time up in bonny scotland so give him his chance in pre season/early season and see how he does. Arma out to the championship (hopefully) to get serious game time.
Newkie(Quote)
*And before I get attacked.
It’s not that I think Shola is better than Cisse (though he performed better this season…).
Neither are good enough for our starting XI imo. One is paid a pittance and would be content to be a bit-part, one is paid 50k a week and may cause unrest if he isn’t starting .
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)