It’s early days but his performances thus far have quelled some discontent voiced by fans who initially opposed the move for a Sunderland player.
And it would seem that it’s not only fans of United who have been impressed by the 24-year-old as he’s earned a call up to the England squad for the upcoming games against Norway and Switzerland.
Killingworth born Colback has represented England before at Under-20 level with his one and only appearance at that level coming in a 2-0 win against their Italian counterparts in March 2009. Colback will link up with his international colleagues after the Crystal Palace match on Saturday and will be hoping to make his debut either in the friendly against Norway or in the first group game of the qualifying campaign against Switzerland a week on Monday.
There is also good news for Rolando Aarons who has been selected by England U20’s for their forthcoming game against Romania. That would still leave Jamaican born Aarons free to represent his birth country should he choose to do so at a later date.
Defender Jamaal Lascelles has also been called up to the Under-21 setup. Signed from Nottingham Forest before returning to the City Ground on loan, Lascelles has never featured for us but is likely to link up with us next season after another season of gaining regular first-team football.
Paul Dummet has been drafted into the Wales squad for the match against Andorra while Rob Elliot is part of a 36-man squad selected for Ireland for their games against Oman and Georgia. Dutch duo Daryl Janmaat and Tim Krul will link up with Holland as they face Italy and Czech Republic.
It’s always nice to see players from your club represented at international level. Being English and a United fan it hasn’t happened often that I can follow one of my own on the international stage – the last one was Andy Carroll – which gives me personally an extra interest in the England which I often lack. And for Jack, or any central midfielder, there are vacancies to fill in the first team after the retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Now I just have to worry about them all staying injury free…
It’s a good point MDS. I particularly like the look of Perez. I think he is going to be very good given enough time. For Pards however, there’s no time like the present. We need points from the next few games so we need a more attacking approach. Let’s see if he can do it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
MDS a very good point mate,one I would expect from you,a lot are having a go at the strikers but if you haven’t got m/f to supply the right balls they can stand there all day and not score,I saw only one decent cross played into the box and that was in Germany the kid crossed a good ball in Riviere buried it,never seen a good ball played in since,IMO let’s look at the guys who’s job it is to supply the bullets
icedog(Quote)
A lot of pressure on Colback in that formation Sharpy @75. I would prefer 4-3-1-2 with Gouffy and Riviere up front and De Jong in behind. But what does it matter? Pardew will probably play more defensively, at least until the second half and especially if we are trailing.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Well that’s the deal G2 can they all settle fast enough so as not give up too many points early in the season
Players need time to adapt to new culture, new league, new teammates, new manager, new system, etc. and that’s for any player coming in but it’s especially true when you remake too much of the squad in one window (look at Spurs last year to this year) We essentially remade our entire attack. Ideally you’d have brought in two of them last year and the others this year. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t quality there
MDS(Quote)
Can’t see us starting Aarons yet either Sharpy. Sissoko hasn’t been great but I can’t see Pards leaving him out of the starting 11 yet.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The team is crying out for a powerful CF MDS mate. I don’t think we can manage without one. We look terribly light weight up front to me. And that will lead to all kinds of frustration. If we don’t manage to score against Palace it could get ugly around the ground.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
SHARPY I tend to agree with that,would it work I don’t know,the game has changed a lot,times were you had a target man and a pacy guy up there tofeed off them ie Bellamy at toon Owen at l/pool ect ect seem to be gone,only Pulls and big Sam seem to stick to it
icedog(Quote)
It’s going to be a very interesting next few weeks. But if Ashley can’t recognize key weaknesses in the team why is he sitting on the board? He will dominate it and make it even more difficult to get things done in my opinion. I hope I’m wrong.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sharpy
I think you will see Sissoko alongside Colbeck in a 4-2-3-1
gives the flexability to bring on a DM to close down a game or bring on more attackers if we need them later on. Perez, Aarons & HBA off the bench would look good.
Premandup(Quote)
Its nice to read some footy crack on the blog for a change,I kept off lately there was only a couple of bloggers trying to score points off everybody and nobody did my heed in got bored to death with petty ****
icedog(Quote)
I’m with Ice. It depends what is meant by CF. In terms of the big lug who pushes CBs around, gets on the end of a cross, and collects the garbage up top I think the games moved beyond that. Id rather have the pace and skill of a Remy or a Sturridge any day
MDS(Quote)
Agreed ICE
Premandup(Quote)
Ice same here. I’ve only popped in a couple times this week for that reason. It’s been impossible to have a conversation
MDS(Quote)
G2 Mike can’t afford a new striker mate. His skint.
stem(Quote)
Too true Ice. I look qt Rivière and think that he could be the strong hold the ball up forward, but he’d need a couple of clever pacy forward mf players buzzing around and BEYOND him…de Jong and Remy (not, for me, HBA)
GTE(Quote)
Striker’s cost the most and Ashley hasn’t got a pot to **** in!
stem(Quote)
Ice , Cheers, yeah it was good to get a good result as I been off them ******** for weeks now, hopefully the GP’S receptionist read the count right lol.
I’m pinning my hopes on Cisse coming back good again and getting fed some decent stuff from De Jong and Cabs as I’m certain we won’t bring a CF in now. I’m really concerned about the defence though .
kIMTOON(Quote)
PREM I value everybody’s point of view even if I don’t quite agree,as I enjoyed that thread you done a little while ago it makes for debate,but for some to try and say I know better than you (on what grounds) and try to score points I have no time for,IMO everybody has a right to a view and long may it stay that way
icedog(Quote)
It’s not cheap hiring experts like Joe Kinnear, Dennis Wise, Alan Pardew and the electric, water and gas! Putting those sports direct boards up cost lots of money.
stem(Quote)
The thing that really bugs me about the team,I have watched every game toon have played this year,not once have I seen a m/f player get beyond the strikers in support,watch any top team and it happens all the time and they score goals look at the goal that city scored at the toon,Pardew put it down to class players partly yes but m/got in there in support to make the chance,don’t know if its Pardew lack of no how or what but our m/f just don’t do it
icedog(Quote)
Well done Colback, u deserve it.. who needs Cabaye 😀
The dirty mackems must be gutted! 😆
mark(Quote)
Or just look at how many goals Nolan got for toon by getting up and beyond the strikers
icedog(Quote)
@icedog
holding midfielders rarely get the chance, we have too many of them unfortunately. You would think they would support in abundance given we only play one up front. fair enough v City and away to Villa
I hope we start playing with 2 upfront or more support from midfield.
mark(Quote)
I reckon De Jong will be played like Nolan. bit of a floater outside the box.
mark(Quote)
MARK something has to change mate
icedog(Quote)
Ice you are spot on mate, but as Mark said the holding Mf players don’t get the chance.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Mark , I hope he won’t be a floater, we’ve seen enough **** on the pitch already 😉
kIMTOON(Quote)
@Kim lol
mark(Quote)
Ice – yes, it’s nice to talk footy on a footy blog isn’t it 😀
Prem – I think the only formation Pardew would play with 2 up front would be 4-4-2. I think you’re right, I think he’ll go with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1.
I heard a bit of a rumour the other day that one of the big reasons why Pardew and Benny have fallen out is coz Pards wants to put him on the left wing to get crosses in as he’s predominantly left footed. Benny does not want to play there as he prefers to play on the right so he can cut in and take a shot himself. Apparently they have had numerous arguements about it and this is also why some of the players get pissed off with him, coz they see that as selfish and him wanting to take the glory for himself.
I’m not sure myself, but I’d like to see them patch things up and get Benny back playing and creating/scoring goals.
Sharpy17(Quote)
ICE. It’s hard not to a little petulant footstamping occasionally.
Premandup(Quote)
when do we ever see Tiote getting the chance to score.. hardly ever & if he does shoot, its normally poor.
Anita.. powder puff shots, his shooting is worse than his through-balls
Colback, probably better than Tiote and Anita but sits deep
Sissoko, will get chances but should score more.
So we have our hopes on Cabella, De Jong, Goof and one lone striker..
I blame Pardew and his contain, dominate, keep the ball style football 🙄
mark(Quote)
Personally I see HBA as the perfect sub. When he comes on needing a goal he can be as selfish as you like. Bring n Aarons to feed Andy Carroll as a plan B. Or Both.
Premandup(Quote)
KIM then it comes down to Pardews tactics,look to defending before attacking, (when you can),yes that looks like the way he plays the game
icedog(Quote)
Mark that’s what Martinez and the powder puff style of football gets accused of.
Premandup(Quote)
we need Benny back! put him up front… Ideally we need a winger to cross but to who. 1 forward. Our wingers are normally to knackered to cross after all of the defending they do 😳
mark(Quote)
@Prem. We were very similar to Everton when Moyles was there.
Everton seem to attack more than we do. Barkley, Barry, Pienaar, Osman, MCcarthy, Mirallas are solid players but definitely have more in attack than us IMO
mark(Quote)
I wouldnt say Martinez is a top manager (yet) but he would definitely have us playing better football with more goals FACT! 😆
mark(Quote)
Mark I wouldn’t say Martinez is a top manager. He has the knack of replacing good managers and nearly doing as well. All this possession football that goes nowhere. Even Pards does more than that.
Premandup(Quote)
Ice agree, we contain for 70 mins then seem to push on, I just don’t understand it as to me you are just inviting pressure which is all well and good if you have a mean defence but we don’t. Honestly I get knackered just watching us huff and puff half the match, and it’s boring as **** to watch. In fairness our short range passing has looked better, but we can knock it about all day but still need that killer pass/shot which at the moment isn’t happening for us and won’t unless we push up more as a unit imo.
kIMTOON(Quote)
@Prem. I wouldn’t say he’s a top manager, he just has more flair and style compared to Alan.
Why don’t our centerhalves score goals? 🙄
mark(Quote)
If we don’t score first we’re fooked. so we contain all game with some counter-attack thrown in, if we concede, we have no chance of coming back.
How anyone can say Pardews style is worth him staying..
mark(Quote)
Coz Willo cant head for toffees. Pun intended
Premandup(Quote)
Not bothered by his style. he just happens to be the best we have had lately. OK KK did well with his financial Backing and SBR was was world class manager but other than that who else has had two top 10’s.
Premandup(Quote)
I’ll give you a clue. The last NUFC manager to get 2 top 10s was Joe Harvey. He got 4, but his best was 7th. ( excluding KK & SBR for those not following)
Premandup(Quote)
Will anything happen if we don’t score against Palace or Southampton? Even if we get a draw out of one of them? Any thoughts about what Ashley might do? The pressure will continue to mount but Ashley is used to it by now with us. The window will be closed and Pardew will be left to pull himself out of the brown stuff.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The idea of a properly functioning board with Ashley on it is a joke. I’m sure he knows that as well. Will a few more losses wipe the smile off his face? Maybe he’s had plastic surgery to make it his permanent expression.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@Ice
It’s not scoring points. It’s trying to stop the **** banter that many talk when it goes unchecked.
As much as you don’t like my banter I do find yours petty and trivial. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Spot on Mark @116. One of our many problems. A manager with no nuts.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Demba Ba and Loic Remy took the EIGHTH and SIXTH games of the 2011/2 and 2013/4 season respectively to open their Magpies accounts
apparently.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem – I tried to make that point about about Remy the other day, I didn’t realise Ba was longer again though, so thank you for that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
lol Prem. were u waiting for an answer. sorry mate.. I know all of the history mate but his style is pants. Defenders don’t score, midfielders don’t attack or score because theyre instructed to defend.
I hope Alan comes good for the sake of the Toon but he’s had a few chances here.
Our run last year was terrible. How many game have we conceded first then came back to win Or draw?
mark(Quote)
Of our first 9 goals last season 8 were score by players who are now gone or not available. Only Gouffy remains (and Cisse is injured). Does that sound like good planning to start a new season?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@Troy
stop being so bloody nasty. we can’t all be as funny and entertaining as you 😛
mark(Quote)
Mark, He needs to get us winning a few derby matches too.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Mark 128
Premandup(Quote)
Remy scored in his fifth league game for us Premand mate and then went on to score 7 in his first 9 league games with us. Do you think we have someone like that in the team now?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So do we have anyone who can score 2 goals every 3 games for a nice run of games? I don’t think so. How about 1 goal every 3 games for a stretch? How about 1 every 4? Hmmm. This is a horrible thought I’m having. 😥
GeordieTwo(Quote)
30-40 goals for the season in the team as it stands. Anybody else care to predict?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would include Cisse in that prediction. As for goals against. We all know what happens to teams who like to spend a lot of time defending (because they have managers who are expert at it).
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Come on mates! Give me what for! Let’s have a discussion.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mark we all know the history and would love it 👿 if a world class manager came in and transformed us into a top team, even a consistent top 10 team would be nice. In the meantime we have a stable club financially and an OK manager who gets top ten when things go Ok, but bores the socks off us.
It’s frustrating but NUFC did not earn the reputation of being the Soap opera of the EPL without reason, and it aint about to change anytime soon.
I know that there are people who say if top 10 is all that’s on offer then at least we could be entertaining with it. But unfortunately simply slagging off the owner, Manager & players, to me at any rate indicates that they dont support the club but are simply moaners who have found a cause to moan about.
And on that note given a 5 am start in the morning and 600 miles to drive and 130 as a passenger. I think I’ll hit the sack.
Premandup(Quote)
I’m off too. It’s not about moaning. It’s about caring about the club. Still, we’re still in the Prem and Pardew isn’t the worst manager in the world.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – we’ve had that discussion!, where the hell have you been all week?. It’s been done to death man, so I’m not sure what’s left to say.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cisse may (hopefully) come good, to do that we need midfielders to create more, we probably also need more creative midfielders 😛 on the pitch not being used as a 2nd lot of defenders.
We need wingers being allowed to express themselves and not expected to tire themselves playing wingback more than attackers.
We probably need 2 forwards to share the responsibilities.
to do all of the above we need Alan to change his style 😀
mark(Quote)
I’ve been busy Sharpy mate! I’ve got honey badgers to train, lug nuts to tighten etc. etc. What was the upshot of the discussion then? Do we have enough attack to even finish somewhere between 10th and 12th say?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@ Prem. I hate slagging off the Toon.
I can see the good in Ashley and Pardew. Ideally I’d like Pardew to change his philosophy just a tad. thats all. I would love Alan to come good at Newcastle but we’re pushing water uphill with his style…
mark(Quote)
What about an all out 2-3-5 for one game? Make it exciting. Two roving CB’s sweating heavily, 3 very fit midfielders covering, and 5 out and out attackers milling happily in the opposition’s box? Beautiful.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mark, you’re carefully riding the fence there mate. Admit it, you’re a closet curmudgeon like me! Harrumph!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Did I also mention I’ve had a very nasty hangnail Sharpy mate?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – it’s too exhausting mate, but it will come as no surprise that opinion was split.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also hate slagging off the Toon. But I love slagging off Ashley and sometimes it’s fun teasing Pards a bit as well. They’re like cartoon characters. Running around, flailing away, butting heads etc. etc.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
TROY your the king of petty and trivial so you will know
icedog(Quote)
might see a bit of transfer movement now..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2737173/Newcastle-defender-Mapou-Yanga-Mbiwa-agrees-join-Marseille.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
mark(Quote)
Sharpy from earlier.. our DM’s are too slow to get the ball moving.. I am not talking about the practice of playing with two DM’s, more about our personal.. they are all like for like. Id rather see 1 DM and a fast, attack minded player alongside the DM.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Im glad the petty fighting has stopped on here as well.. Troy and Stuart are ruining every thread with their nonsense! 😛 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)