Jamaal Lascelles is a 21-year-old Derbyshire born central defender standing at 6’2”. He came through the youth system at Nottingham Forest and was subject of an underhand approach for his services by Everton in 2010. This resulted in a fine for the Toffees and a warning to Lascelles over his conduct. Clearly then, he has been highly rated for some time. He broke into the starting line up in the 2013-2014 season following a loan spell at Stevenage. He signed a 4-year deal in 2014, swiftly followed by an alleged failed 4 million pound bid by QPR being turned down. Later that year, our very own Magpies swooped for the services of Lascelles and his teammate Karl Darlow for a combined fee of 7 million pounds.
A condition of this deal was an understanding that the two players would go back to Forest on loan for one season. Lascelles’ form was hit-and-miss last season largely mirroring Nottingham Forest’s results. In mitigation, it can be pointed out that manager Stuart Pearce made a point of not playing Lascelles for a while, as he wanted to focus on the future of the club’s playing staff. Once Lascelles was given run in the side, it’s fair to say that his form picked up. It’s also fair to say that Stuart Pierce does not have the best reputation as a manager and his mismanagement of what should have been a promotion chasing Nottingham Forest will no doubt have contributed to Lascelles’ poor form at times. This can be evidenced by virtue of Forest leading the Championship table early in the season only to slump to 13th place by January following two victories from 20 games.
The following criticism was levelled at Pearce by Danny Mills: ”Pearce always starts well but goes off the boil. He is very predictable. After 10 games people work him out. I’m not surprised it has happened for him. Stuart Pearce came into Manchester City and had a fantastic ‘Honeymoon Period’ and then went wrong – and did the same with the England Under-21s. He comes in, everyone says ‘wow, it’s Stuart Pearce, legend! Psycho’ and all of that and he has that instant respect. He gets teams going but after a while, players aren’t stupid, they’re not naive and they start to suss him out. He doesn’t have the depth of football ability to back it up. Actually, he is not a great coach, he’s not a great tactician, he’s not a great motivator and he struggles with big players who question his authority.” …..Ouch….
At 21-years-old Lascelles is still young and whilst he has potential, he has not displayed the same kind of promise that the similarly aged Chancel Mbemba has done. Whilst we expect Mbemba to be pushing hard for a place in the first team from the word ‘go’, Lascelles is expected to be more of a squad player that we will need to give controlled Premier League exposure to in order to develop him and unlock that potential. Here is what Stuart Pearce had to say about him and teammate Karl Darlow;
“They are both outstanding lads, without question. Their character is first-class. However, I don’t think they are ready yet to go straight into the Premier League. Both the club and the fans will have to give them time and encouragement. They are potential rather than the finished article. Darlow more or less played in my first-team regularly, but Lascelles not quite so much. He will require a bit more time. However, from their point of view the move is ideal. They weren’t about to play for a Premier League club staying at Forest, but now hopefully they are. Though I fell out with the chairman over the deal, I told both lads they were going to a fantastic football club with passionate fans. I knew that from first-hand experience.” Maybe Pearce is qualified to make that judgement, maybe not – but nobody has seen more of Lascelles than Pearce in recent times, so i’d be inclined to listen to what he has to say in that respect.
It seems Steve McClaren and co. are still looking to sign an established central defender on top of the Chancel Mbemba signing and with the debatable ability but none the less experienced presence of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor already at the club, it makes sense to assume Jamaal will be back up during his first season with us, ready to make the step up when the contracts of Coloccini and co. expire next summer.
I have heard one or two people mention that this lad may be trouble due to an allegation of assault made against him. This brought back memories of the perennial Nile Ranger troubles further staining the reputation of our club however it was an unwarranted allegation and Lascelles cannot be described as anything other than a good young pro with good character. A statement released by the CPS in April this year: ”Following an in-depth review and careful analysis of the evidence we have taken the decision to discontinue the case. Once we had received and viewed CCTV evidence first-hand, it became apparent that this did not show that the defendant had been responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim.”
In the meantime, we have definitely picked up a promising defender in Lascelles, who is home grown and English (good for squad quota if we ever reach the European competitions again) and has represented England in all of the youth levels. He is considered one of the best young defenders in the Country. A scouting ‘source’ for the Daily Mail has this to say about the lad; ”When I watched him play he had an extra yard of pace for balls in behind him. He could pass and play and build from the back. He was a good size, elegant and composed. Newcastle have got a bargain.’‘ Mr Lascelles has featured regularly so far during Newcastle’s pre-season games and has looked reasonably assured and solid when tested. Certainly one to watch, who should be pushing our first teamers hard before long if he keeps his head down and continues to work hard to improve.
Finally, a word by the man himself; “It’s been excellent so far (since he joined the Newcastle squad). Everyone has been really welcoming, the staff are great and even though I have only been in a day or so, I feel really settled already. Training has been really hard and intense. We did running and fitness testing on the first day, followed by a lot of ball work in the afternoon – possession and passing drills. It’s been tough but everyone looks really sharp. I made sure I kept in shape over the summer. I only came up here for one day last year – to sign – and then was back to Forest straight away. But now I properly feel like a Newcastle United player. I can’t wait to get going, to really get stuck in to training and to play some matches.”
Follow Jamaal Lascelles @Lascelles16
Prem I would also like to see a series based on the Academy. Does anybody here keep a regular eye on the youth players and fancy doing an occasional write up on the progress of our next generation players?
Meanwhile; http://m.fantasy.premierleague.com
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Shamrock(Quote)
We need another centre half after Mbemba. Looking forward to seeing more of Lascelles and I still like Taylor & Colo but for a variety of reasons they are all unlikely to play 30 odd matches this season.
P.S I bet that baldy Kernt Mills wouldnt say that to Pearce’s face
CC(Quote)
Good article Shamrock.. Don’t know enough about the academy players to make a useful contribution but I have seen and kept an eye on Callum Roberts and if he continues to progress I think he will make it to the first team. Certainly I would have liked to have seen him play last season rather than Oberrtan. Roberts can supply and score.
I do think that under the Pardew/Carver regime not enough encouragement was given to our younger players. Even Armstrong when he was brought on usually appeared for just a few of the final minutes and often out of position. I hope McClaren and co. will be brave enough to take a few risks otherwise how the hell do you find out how good our kids are?
Groucho(Quote)
GROUCHO agree with that comment mate 100%
icedog(Quote)
SHAM cheers for the thread
icedog(Quote)
Nice one Shamrock! What’s the delay with the Mbemba announcement. He’s been seen on .com holding the shirt up. Seen at SJP, seen in town. What’s going on?
georgio(Quote)
CC
I still don’t believe for a minute that we’re going to have Mbemba, another first team centre half, Colo, Taylor AND Lascelles at our club next season. That assumes Willo going, Good/Satka almost certainly getting no games and Dummett pretty much limited to backup left back.
I’d say it depends how much McClaren rates Lascelles/Good/Satka. If he doesn’t, maybe they’ll go out on loan, be sold or just be in the U21s. Then I expect one of Colo/Taylor/Willo to be sold and another one brought in.
Don’t think it will happen though…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
http://www.benefoot.net/chancel-mbemba-another-future-star-leaving-anderlecht-for-newcastle/
Turns out he is actually 20. He was not allowed to play competitively for Anderlecht until he had an MRI bone scan to confirm his age.
Shamrock(Quote)
GEORGIO
Patience is a virtue my friend! Sometimes it just takes some time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. All of the paperwork needs to be 100% confirmed, submitted and ratified, the press release and other material needs to be written, checked and confirmed as ok. Medical records need to be confirmed as filed, registration processed etc. Better to wait a few hours than miss something and look like tits.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
SHAMROCK
Yeah. People are rehashing old articles about his age from 3 years ago when he joined Anderlecht. It’s actually quite possible that he made himself out to be older so he could play in adult clubs. You’d expect from a future top player if he’s well developed when young, that he’d be able to hold his own against adults in a poor league.
Can’t believe that adequate checks weren’t made and clauses added. It’s not as if this is new…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Cheers Shamrock, good read. Can’t believe they had to result to an MRI bone scan to confirm Mbemba’s age. How can a person not have an official birth certificate 😕
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s the Congo Kim. TDS may well be right. He may have been way too young to sign for Anderlecht. He won’t have been the first.
georgio(Quote)
If he’s 20 I’ll eat hay with a cuddy
icedog(Quote)
What a poor piece. Can’t spell Pearce’s name correctly. Spend time besmerching the man (dragging out axe-grinder Mills cheap shots) only to then use Pearce’s assessment of Lascelles as evidence of the kids ability – you can’t have it both ways, either Pearce is an inept coach, or someone who’s opinion carries weight. Then we get to hear from the player themselves…one day after they’ve been at the club. Insightful. Appreciate the effort, but poor execution.
Macca(Quote)
For those doubters – check out the link that Shamrock put up above. In that photo he looks about 14!
georgio(Quote)
The smaller photo.
georgio(Quote)
MACCA if you can do better go for it instead of nick-picking over spelling
icedog(Quote)
”What a poor piece. (1) Can’t spell Pearce’s name correctly. 2(2) Spend time besmerching the man (dragging out axe-grinder Mills cheap shots) only to (3) then use Pearce’s assessment of Lascelles as evidence of the kids ability – you can’t have it both ways, either Pearce is an inept coach, or someone who’s opinion carries weight. (4) Then we get to hear from the player themselves…one day after they’ve been at the club. Insightful. Appreciate the effort, but poor execution.”
OK. Here we go then;
1) One spelling mistake amongst several times where Pearce’s name is spelt correctly. Apologies for that. I shall hang my head in shame. How could I let auto-spell get the better of me on that one occasion?!
2) I actually used Nottimgham Forest’s awful downhill slide down the league table as the evidence. Mills’ quote was used as a view point from somebody that has seen it first hand and has a better idea than any of us bout the mans coaching ability. That last bit there (coaching ability) is key to my next point.
3) Whilst Pearce cannot manage a team very well (failure at every team he’s managed), he is an experienced PL player and so has an idea about what level a player needs to be at to be successful in it. He might not be able to coach a player as well as a lot of managers, but i’m sure he is able to judge how good a player is or is not. I’m not going to write off everything he says or does just because he’s a poor manager and no good at tactics.
4) …..And what exactly is the problem with hearing from a player one day after they have been at a club? Should I get my crystal ball out and quote something he will say in January next year for example?
Finally, I apologise for not reaching your high standards Macca. However I do not recognise your name and as such, do not really care for your opinion. But thanks for the feedback all the same. 🙂
Shamrock(Quote)
TDS – Don’t forget that all 3 of last seasons centre halves are in their last years of their contract. Will we want to lose Taylor for nothing or Williamson next season? I doubt it, so don’t be surprised if they’re both sold. I expect Colo to be sold also or he runs his contract down next and leaves next summer.
Stuart79(Quote)
Macca is probably a Mackem. Macca the Mackem! 😯 🙄 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
For example. I can go down the market and pick out the best piece of fish on the stand. Has it got clear eyes, not cloudy? Is the skin/flesh firm. Does it smell at all? There should be no smell. Is there slime around the fins? There should not be. They should not be ragged or dry. The gills should be nice and red.
Oh yes I know a good piece of fish when I see one (Pearce can tell what a good footballer looks like). But can I cook it (develop) properly, or assort it onto a plate of food encompassing other ingredients (players) that complement it so that the whole dish works together properly? Probably not.
I am in terms of making a good fish dish what Stuart Pearce is to being a good football manager.
Now you see Macca, why I can indeed have it ‘both ways.’ 😮
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAMROCK
You wrote “Nottimgham”, therefore I find your post completely amateurish and pointless. I shall not bother to reply further given your awful spelling is obviously a sign your posts are irrelevant.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
STUART
I think Colo will see out his contract and go back to Argentina. No big deal there I don’t think. He’s been a good servant. But at the age they all are, 1 year renewals is about right. I’ve no problem with just seeing how they get on with the season and renewing them if they’re doing well. It’s not as if we need to be worried about another club aggressively poaching them…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Willo sold, Taylor given a 1 year extension and Colo leave for free back to Argentina next summer. I suspect that has been the plan for Colo for the last couple of years…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Shamrock, he’s either a Mackem , a disgruntled forest fan, or possibly Stuart pearce’s love child 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
I also like how Macca misspelled “besmirching” while complaining about spelling errors.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Shamrock: fish metaphors 🙂 I could carp on about all sorts of things but I haddockupple of beers last night and don’t want to turn into Rodz.
Fish as a metaphor for deciding on whether a footballer is any good or not 🙂 🙂 🙂 I don’t agree with TDS though – everybody makes tiapin and spleling errors.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I agree on Colo but there’s no point giving the rest an extension as they’re not good enough or too injury prone.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric, TDS I only go on because there’s no plaice for it. I know he was talking total codswallop and was just looking for somefin to argue about. I shall move on.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Talk of deal breaking down?? anyone heard owt,picture of him leaving SJP with a face like a smacked **** or is it **** stirring
icedog(Quote)
We always take this long to make announcements, Ice. We’re probably just trying to find his birth certificate!
Stuart79(Quote)
😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Ice, where you heard that?
kimtoon(Quote)
Well little warning couple mates in Malta play for B/Kara played W/H just got beat in euros Bilic has them kicking everything above grass
icedog(Quote)
KIM through vine with photo
icedog(Quote)
Well, I keep telling me Mam that Marlon is a lankly streak of **** and that Ian Beale seems to visibly age with each episode and wife.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham – thanks for the new thread mate. Lascelles certainly has the build to make it as a top CB. I don’t know enough about the lads mentality yet though. If he’s come for footballing reasons then I really think McClaren is one of the best managers for his development. I could see the lad being a leader of our defence and he’s got the potential to be partner Stones at the heart of England’s defence too I reckon.
If we can get Mbemba and another CB in this window, then I’d get rid of Willo and either Saylor or Colo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy??? He plays for Forest in the Championship and has a couple of runouts against useless American teams and now he is suddenly the future for England? At least let him play a game or 2 for us before anointing him the next Bobby Moore.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Franz Beckenbauer better watch out because Lascelles might eclipse him as the best defender in history and his legacy will be gone 🙂 Jamaal might want to play for 20 years though or captain FC Bayern and Germany first though. Or completely change the definition of what a defender is.
C’mon, we haven’t seen the kid play yet and he is now a fixture for England? YCMIU.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cant wait too see Lascelles in action he surely has too be a step up in class from Williamson . Him and Mbemba at least gives us more options at the back , i hope we keep Taylor as a Squad player and bring in one more Cb with premiership expierence then get rid of willo and collo. Chester from Hull would be a decent getable signing and like Dummet can play both Cb and Lb .
Axel(Quote)
Sharpy said @ 37: “I could see the lad being a leader of our defence and he’s got the potential to be partner Stones at the heart of England’s defence too I reckon.” Pure comedy gold Sharpy, pure gold.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – are you on one tonight kidda?!. I have simply suggested what I think the lad is capable of and you throw the names of 2 legendary CBs into the mix 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lascelles may have potential but he hasn’t played at PL level yet. Do you want me to name every “next big thing” that turned out to be NOT “the next big thing”. A couple from NUFC – Campbell and Chopra.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy you didn’t simply suggest anything.
You said
“I could see the lad being a leader of our defence and he’s got the potential to be partner Stones at the heart of England’s defence too I reckon.”
That is a massive leap from a Championship team that finished 12th.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: you can’t say idiotic things and then accuse me for questioning your idiocy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Have you even watched him?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Youtube clips don’t count.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – So you cut & paste the bit that suits then. Did you read the bit where I said I don’t know enough about the lads mentality?!. He may have only played at Forest & in the Championship – but Hosgson has had him in the England squads already – so he’s obviously well thought of at international level.
I’m not looking to pile the pressure on the kid – and I said we need another CB as well as Mbemba – so I’m not seeing him as a first team player just yet. But I do think the lad has huge potential.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – your the idiot leaping to conclusion. Did I say I expected it this season like?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I cut and pasted what you said… word for word. I wasn’t trying to twist what you said I was saying you hadn’t thought it through. When did Hodgson have him in the England squad?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not leaping to any conclusion – I cut and pasted what you said.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – you didn’t cut and paste the complete post did you? – I’m not even sure you read it properly to be honest. You read a piece that you didn’t agree with and jumped on it – without seeking clarification, you suggest I’m comparing him with legends and call me an idiot. Yet you don’t even know that the lad was called up to the England squad last season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Whats everyones thoughts on rumours of Sissoko too Spurs for 18 million ? I would say to them , give us 10m plus Townsend and send him on his way.
Axel(Quote)
Sharpy: why would I cut and paste your complete post when I was referring to a specific part of it?
Here is Lascelles’ England career from Wikipedia if you can be bothered to read it. No mention of Roy or senior call-ups:
International career:
Lascelles has represented England at all youth international levels from under-18 to under-21. On 28 May 2013, he was named in manager Peter Taylor’s 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his debut on 16 June, in a 3–0 win in a warm-up game against Uruguay.
On 27 February 2014, Lascelles received his first under-21 call-up for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match against Wales. He made his debut starting in the qualifying match against Moldova on 9 September 2014.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Axel – it was discussed this morning on the previous thread – and that was exactly what I suggested mate. Townsend & Cabella would be more natural wide right options & the £10m would be enough to either replace Sissoko as a central option if McClaren wanted to, or would certainly buy the CB we need.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – because you have cut and paste the bit where I think he could ultimately be – but left out the fact that I said I didn’t know what his mentality & work ethic is. Also the fact that I said we need to strengthen further in that position.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-on-loan-defender-jamaal-8088608
He was called up to train with the senior squad last November.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are people that high on Townsend? It just seems like every time one of the “big” teams is willing to offload a player, that should tell us something (and doubly so with Tottenham, who aren’t even Top 4). There’s a reason Man United didn’t want Obertan. Also, Levy always seems to hold out for way too much money, so I’m doubtful we could get Townsend for a reasonable price. I remember when Niko Kranjcar was riding the pine at Spurs three or four years ago and they still wanted £10m+ for him.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
He TRAINED with the England squad. I didn’t know that. Maybe Hodgson will be managing Forest next year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
CHARLIE PRINCE the difference is though Spurs want one of ours ,leaving us in a strong position too bargain. Dont know why he does not fit in at spurs but you cant argue about his England performances . I think he is worth a gamble.
Axel(Quote)
Now I am trying to think this through – he trained with the England squad so obviously someone high up in England management thought highly of him. However, he didn’t play and was not even on the bench (not even in the squad, an afterthought). Had a couple of 5-a-side games and carried Wayne Rooney’s bags?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ha ha 😆
Taylor and Besty retweeted
Andrew Turnbull @ajt55 · 13h13 hours ago
@TaylorandBesty
(Elvis, Return to Sender)
Chancel Mbemba…
Age unknown..
No such birthday,
Defensive zone!
kimtoon(Quote)
Even better
Taylor and Besty retweeted
‘Killer’ T @1892Killer · 13h13 hours ago
“Mbemba you’re a Magpie (Mbemba you’re a Magpie)”x 4 “Mbemba bemba bemba what a Magpie Magpie Magpie you are” wins it 4me.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM how’s the clicking,the knee I mean of course
icedog(Quote)
Taylor and Besty retweeted
•S•C•H•T•E•V• @ssschtevvv · Jul 20
He was born in December
He was born in September
Chancel Mbemba
He was born in November…
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, I had to walk quite a lot today which has aggravated it a bit, but it WAS feeling better like.
kimtoon(Quote)
It is quite funny that we now appear to need to carbon date our players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
KIM that’s good mate,but at least you have clicked a lot lately 😆
icedog(Quote)
Ice 😆 I only click in the mornings
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ve gave up these dating sites,the Mrs didn’t like it 😀
icedog(Quote)
The Monaco c/h has traveled to Spain to talk to Barca,next move on
icedog(Quote)
@64 – that one’s a keeper!
Shamrock(Quote)
seems to have gone a bit quiet on signings again.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM aye more so when SM said days ago signings are close and some names may be a shock,couldn’t be that bloody close
icedog(Quote)
I get the impression Ian Cathro has taken the ‘mañana’ influence across from Spain and it has rubbed off on the boards attitude to getting things done, like signings…
I’m sure they will get there though. They have done alright so far this summer for a change!
Shamrock(Quote)
MACCA 14
might not agree with shamrock at times but jumping on him for a spelling mistake is shamefull of you
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)