I want three predictions from the regulars before the season starts. Firstly the overview. How many points are we going to get. What position are we going to Finish in and why. Here’s mine.
If Pardew can get 26pts from the first 19 games last season. Then we should be able to at least equal that. We have strengthened the team and got a better manager and coaching staff. On the downside we have a tough start, and a poor preseason. So I’m going to hedge my bets with 50pts finishing 9th.
Second the starting lineup against Southampton on Sunday.
Finally the score against Southampton. I’m going for 2-1 us. Clean sheet it wont be so we have to score. Cisse & Gini to come good. Here’s some classic commentary from our 2-1 home loss last season;
OK that’s my load of rubbish. What’s yours?
Such a shame Maccy won’t start games with Wij and De Jong together.
Phisix(Quote)
I must lose that picture at the top. It was taken when I was much older.
premandup(Quote)
Stu – from the previous article.
Stu – it does say something, it’s says 2 things to me. McClaren is being honest, and it shows that he respects the fans enough to not try and bullshit us.
I think the wasted transfer windows in the past have left us with a lot of work to do, and carrying a lot of dead wood players. The 3 we’ve brought in are good quality, but they aren’t enough to rocket us that far up the league. The coaches we’ve brought in are very good, but if they don’t have the players, then there is only so much improvement can be done.
We all know that, so if McClaren said anything different it would be bullshit! – something we got plenty of from Pardew.
I think what we have now is capable of 11-12th spot – which is improvement and something to build on, especially if we can keep recruiting quality players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be fair to him SM and his team will only get a proper view of the players when we start playing real football. We already know some of his players better than he does at the moment because we have endured their performances last season. Some players may do better under a different style of play. Some will not improve no matter what style we play. Nevertheless looking forward with excitement to the new season and it is nice to start off being optimistic. We do have a hard start with the early matches and we can only hope it does not affect the confidence of the players if we do not start well. The game is largely about confidence as many games are. Still prefer SM to Pardew and Carver.
Groucho(Quote)
I don’t normally do forecasts it comes back and bites you in the ***,I just hope for a much better season but my gut says if we don’t improve the defence it could be more of the same,SM has said you cannot win games with a bad defence,Sundays game will be really tough they will be much fitter having been playing in euros
icedog(Quote)
It would be nice to go into the season at full strength but fear we will miss Dummett and Tiote in terms of conceding goals. Not having Cabella either could force Obertan into the pitch which is rarely a good thing.
Sharply is right in that the club continues to pay the price for the lack of incomings during Kinnear’s reign of terror. Had we added 2-3 during that time we’d be sitting pretty.
With the club supposedly eyeing a three window rebuild I certainly think they got off to a flying start this window.
MDS(Quote)
Not sure if posted but here is McClaren’s interview from yesterday. He comes on at the 35:00 minute mark.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02xr5kq#play
MDS(Quote)
Well for me I still think we will sign a good CB before the window closes and striker in January if we cant get Austin in. McC has said the defense is not good enough and they are looking, which is reassuring! However, it will take time for the new players to settle in to this league and it will take time for the coaches to get to know the players’ strengths and weaknesses. It will also take time for the players to adapt to a new mentality in terms of tactics and ambition. For this reason, I think we will see a few up and downs in the first half of the season, peddling between mid table and towards the relegation places. However, I think we will finish strong from February onwards, once it all clicks into place.
I do not think the likes of S’oton, Swansea, Everton, West Spam will necessarily fair any better than us and I can see us making a good push for 8th IF we finish strongly. After so many years of doom and gloom, i’m going to back us for that position, with about 53 to 55 points. The bigger sides will increase the gap between them and the rest of the league. I wont be disappointed if we finish in the next group between 8th and 11th.
For the line up – 4-2-3-1. Krul, Janmaat, Willo, Saylor, Heidara, Anita, Colback, Perez, Gini, Sissoko, Cisse. The other new boys on the bench due to lack of pre season with us.
For a score line – who knows? Maybe 2-2? Think we will struggle for the early matches. Be very surprised if pick up many points and even more surprised if we spank anybody in the first 10 games.
Shamrock(Quote)
Prem – it’s great to have the start of the season back with articles like this giving food for thought.
I personally think that we will finish 11-12th this season. Not sure what points that will require but guess around 46-47pts.
As for the Saints game. I think it will be too early for Colo and Mbemba to be honest. I agree with the rest of the set up – he may possibly go with Cisse over Mitrovic, just because of his experience. But I fear that our CB pairing is going to be Saylor & Willo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nice to see some sensible comments without input from the toxic toon haters! The US tour we could’ve lived without and it’s left us slightly behind. Not ideal but not terminal. Three windows is the plan and if this is the standard of signings I’m delighted. Macca has identified defence as a problem and should address that. Nearly a month left to find the right available defender(s). There is a way of playing Gini and De Jong together; I hope it happens. Success won’t happen overnight and it’s unrealistic to expect it. Personally, my ST is burning a hole in my pocket and I can’t wait to use it. HTL! ! !
Bobbybee(Quote)
BobbyBee, Gini can play wide left of the 3 behind the striker, with De Jong in the middle – no problem. I like the flexibility he gives us in midfield.
Sunderland looking to land Junazaj on loan apparently. Good signing if they pull it off.
Shamrock(Quote)
Thought McClaren’s comments on the De Jong/Gini were interesting. For those who didn’t hear he basically said that when the club needs a goal he likes the idea of bringing De Jong on and shifting Gini back to a more central role with Colback. Of course, that suggests Gini will start in the #10 role with De Jong on the bench. But he did admit he’s still in the process of figuring these type of things out so who knows how it will end up
MDS(Quote)
MDS if we had the quality for the front 4 we could drop Anita & Colback and play Sissoko & Gini in the holding roles. That would be attacking football.
Premandup(Quote)
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/786126950?-11058:809
You may have already see this from Mitrovic, but just saw I myself. Very respectful from the lad I thought & good that he one day has aspirations to be our no. 9
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem – I assume by that you would play 4-2-3-1?
If so, in your opinion, who or what are we missing to make that work?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy two things. I think that sissoko and Gini would be more attacking than Anita & Colback so that would put extra stress on the dence. Not clever. Also the 3 would be Cabella, SDJ & Aarons. Which if all reach potential may be good enough, but to replace Gini & Sissoko with Cabella & SDJ is not proven.If we signed Shaqiri then I would move Sissoko back. And if SDJ comes good then Gini as well.
Premandup(Quote)
sorry Defence.
Adding that once we have one I would be more confident.
Premandup(Quote)
For me, you have to have Colback or Tiote sitting in front of the back 4 keeping it simple and making the opposition fear their presence. Quite happy to have Sissoko or Gini next to one of them if we get a fluid front 4 – but not both. We would leak too many goals, especially because our wingers would be further up the field in striker support roles- the full backs will be under pressure in this formation and so we need a dedicated holding midfielder to drop back and fill the gaps.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock, that is an option and am happy to play with a CDM in the way that teams used to play with sweepers. Colo anybody? I remember Glenn Roeder saying that when he played that role at WHU it put years on his career.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem – I said in the last article that my preference would be to a 3 man midfield of Sissoko/Colback/Gini. Colback would predominantly sit in there and provide cover, with the other 2 getting up & down.
That would give us Perez & Aarons for the left forward position and Mitrovic and Cisse through the middle (with Riviere available too) but the right side would be an issue for me. We have Cabella – and Sissoko could be played there if we put Tiote into that 3 man midfield to sit in and allow Gini & Colback to get forward.
But I would like to see us get a real quality right sided forward.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also want a quality RW as my article at the opening of the window indicated. Domenico Berardi was my choice from Juve. Maybe unrealistic but who knows in todays climate.
Premandup(Quote)
Grrrr…every time I just check NewsNow to see if I missed anything, it annoys me when it’s logged me out and I see the sites I block. I especially hate The Mag because every article is negative. It may as well be written by a **** Mackem.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
As for the predictions, we’re targeting top 8 but that’s going to be tough. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us finish 9th either and points around the 50-55 mark and that would be a decent season too I think.
Not going to predict the starting lineup as that massively depends on the fitness of certain players, especially at centre back. I do expect Krul, Haidara, Janmaat, Colback, Wiji, Sissoko and Mitrovic to play but that’s hardly insightful…
Mostly I’m hoping for a good game. I’m more interested in seeing a performance from the lads and an indication that we could have a fun season rather than getting lucky and grinding out a 1-0 win at this stage.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Prem – Berandi would be a hell of a signing – maybe on loan, but don’t see a permanent signing unfortunately.
I would want a right footed right sided forward as well who’s focus would be getting the ball into the box rather than continually cutting inside to shoot with their favoured left foot. I personally hate seeing that!!.
If City eventually end up getting De Bryne I would pester them to loan us Navas.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Navas wouldn’t be my first choice, preferred option – he just popped in me heed at the time 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Leroy Fer fails his medical at Scum 😯
Sharpy17(Quote)
Steve will play Sissoko on the right of a front three (probably with Cisse and Gouffron to start with), Gini just behind, and with Colback and Anita interchanging between a DM and box to box roles. If behind he’ll bring on De Jong for Anita and push him up the pitch and bring on Aarons or Ayoze for Gouffron
MDS(Quote)
Bloody loads of options in midfield now! Colback/Tiote/Anita/Sissoko/Gini in central box to box roles. Cabella/SDJ/Aarons/Sissoko most likely to provide support with Mitrovic/Cisse/Perez further up front. Not sure I see roles for Obertan and Goofy too much but you never know…also whether Vuckic and Abeid come into the mix…or even Marv and Rivière?
I’m not too bothered about those positions, we have lots of options. Big big question for me is in central defence. Colo/Mbemba/Taylor/Lascelles/Willo are all options that will have been considered, but I’ve no idea who he’ll start with! I really hope that Willo is deemed surplus to retirements because we should have 3 or 4 better centre backs than him if we’re going to target top 8. It will be very interesting to see who plays…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
56 points finishing 8th
Result against Soton 2-2
——————————–krul———————–
Janmaat———williamson—-colo———haidara
——————–sissoko—-colback—————–
—————————–Wijnaldum—————-
Obertan————-cisse————-perez
Axel(Quote)
Thank you Prem.
Right, I hate to be a nagger like, but I think we are heading for more like 15th finish, simply because of that back line situation. Realistically Mbemba will take time to bed in and form an understanding with Colo, Janmaat and either Dummet or Haidara. Time is not on our side in that respect due to a lousy pre-season set up and short one too. After seeing the newbies come in I was really upbeat and looking forward to predicting better than my last season prediction of 15th finish. Had initially thought we could be looking at 11th-12th if more defenders arrived and a RW cracker and possibly Austin. The window is still open so other faces could arrive and will be happy to review my 15th prediction but if we’re done then I stand by 15th. This is no reflection on Steve or the coaches more the playing personal in certain areas. We also need to consider injuries should we get our usual outbreak of crocks come January. Maybe more will come in in January and they will indeed build over 3 windows, it would be a first if they did though .
As for the line up for Sunday, that’s difficult as right now we aren’t even sure who’s fully fit. I don’t think we will see Aarons start many games as I think steve wants to ease him in going by what he said last night. And not sure he’ll have Gini and DeJong on together to start either, possibly because De Jong is only just back from the lung issue.
Points tally 48-50 and score on sunday 2.0 to them, they are our bogey team and are more up to speed than us, plus we may well have a patched up back 4.
kimtoon(Quote)
Negger not nagger
kimtoon(Quote)
Why is the picture of the formation different to the players mentioned?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
In the open day yesterday Mclaren played Saturdays team in the first half then for the second half he switched Taylor and Williamson for Mbemba and Colo.
I expect Krul: Janmaat, Mbemba, Colo, Haidara: Anita, Colback: Sissoko, Wini, Aarons: Mitrovic but he may start with Cisse and bring Mitrovic on later.
As for points – hard to even guess at this stage. I’ll go for 3 on Sunday 😛
georgio(Quote)
KIM
48-50 points should see us finish a lot higher than 15th mate!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Kim – you’re a woman, you’re both 😳 😉 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio, I can’t see him starting Mbemba and I’m certain Aarons won’t start though would be pleased if he does.
kimtoon(Quote)
TDS, yeah, don’t know what I did there 😆 38-40 🙄
Sharpy@35, Steady now
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – last season saw Palace finish 10th with 48pts, Stoke 9th with 54pts. Saw I would hope your points prediction would see us at least 11-12 place.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, teams have gone down on 40 points have they not?
kimtoon(Quote)
I think I’d put money on us getting more than 40 points this season…
I also think Mbemba and Colo starting is entirely dependent on how they’ve been training and what McClaren thinks. That’s why I’m not going to predict as it’s just a total guess at the moment. Taylor and Willo may be the safe option, but I think Colo and Mbemba will be his first choice. I don’t think I’d be thrilled with Mbemba and Taylor until the former gets used to the league and I really don’t like Colo and Willo as neither have any legs.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Percy’s boys went down on 49 points in the 92/93 season
West Ham went down on 42 points in the 02/03 season
kimtoon(Quote)
But not all doom and gloom
West Brom survived on 34 points 😯 in 04/05 season
kimtoon(Quote)
If when we hit 40 I’m happy-ish as I can probably relax 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
KIm – you’re right about WHam and 42 points but Palace and 49? I don’t think so . . .
georgio(Quote)
KIM
I’d be happy to make a wager that we’ll get more than 40 points mate…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Weren’t there 22 teams that far back? So 4 more games?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Just wish somebody would bloody well sign Austin then he can stop being mentioned with us.
georgio(Quote)
TDS I don’t do pictures. It,s random,not generated. Ask Shamrock
premandup(Quote)
TDS yep I think you are right that would of been 22 then mate. But Scum went down on 40 didn’t they ❓
kimtoon(Quote)
TDS@45, ok, the loser donates to The sir bobby foundation yeah?, how much?
kimtoon(Quote)
TDS, according to Wiki our average points haul during our time in the PL has been around 54.57 points so it looks like your money is safe mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – set the terms for that wager mind missus. You suggested we’d get 38-40 points as it is. Are you suggesting we won’t get 40pts and TDS saying we will get more?
Sharpy17(Quote)
McClaren made it clear on talksport that we have not bid for Austin. I don’t think we will unless we get an acceptable bid for Cisse and decide to sell him.
The other possible signings getting mentioned – Rolan & Lingard, would suggest that they are looking to strengthen that right sided forward position – if the reports are true.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, TDS says more than 40
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – as utterly horrendous as our season was last season – and it was truly appalling!!! – we still managed 39pts
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m saying we’ll get 41 points or more, so you win if we get 40 points or lower. That seems fair right?
Not sure what a fair amount is, but if I say £20, does that sound reasonable? Don’t mind a bit higher or lower if that’s better for you. And agree on the donation idea.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Sharpy, I will gladly lose and donate to Sir Bobby’s foundation. I already have a bet with a mate so have to watch the £’s though.
kimtoon(Quote)
£25 TDS, HA HA 41, You’re not that confident then ;-
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, Like I said, more than happy to lose, everyones a winner then 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
Only because I don’t think Colo is fit & Mbemba isn’t ready – I would go with this against Saints:
——————— Krul ——————–
Janmaat – Saylor – Lascelles – Haidara
—- Sissoko — Colback — Gini —–
— Gouffran —————– Perez —
—————— Mitrovic —————
People might not like Gouffran in there, but for me he provides balance to the team, and going forward he can be a threat. I would like him replaced in that formation before the close of the window, but he was good on the right when we had Remy up front, so I’d go for that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We just dodged relegation last season and as the squad stands today, we remain woefully short of quality. It’s a difficult question regarding where we will finish as I can’t comment at all on the quality of the new signings.
I find it difficult to understand Prems opinion that we have a better manager than Pardew. I would like Prem to explain his reasoning.
Give me 5 games into the season and I will predict our finishing position.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
KIM
Ok. £50 then. I don’t know your financial situation to be honest mate, so I didn’t want to push too high.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS @32 – I did not have a football manager screenshot of Prem’s presumed line up to hand surprisingly! 😆 I used that screenshot because it consists of current squad members and the point of the article is that we are all invited to offer our opinion on what the team will be… So it was an example of what you might pick, hence the caption underneath.
You might also ask what the point is in posting a picture of a man from an olden day film sitting over a crystal ball – or rock?! It’s just an image to demonstrate the vision of the article, not an accurate reflection of what Prem looks like when he sits down to contemplate future outcomes of all things NUFC related… 😉
Shamrock(Quote)
Kim – sod that!. This way TDS could have you in his pocket!, he’d have bragging rights and would never let you forget it!!!.
I’m only joking. A friendly wager is a good thing and for a good cause like you say 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hahahaha, “woefully short of quality”. I love these ridiculous extreme statements! Compared to who? I think we’re equipped for top 10, but need a couple more to really think top 8 or higher.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Kim/TDS – as you can’t decide on an amount, could I suggest a pound per point?. So if we get 39pts TDS donates that, but if 41pts Kim donates that?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHAMROCK
Fair enough! I only looked at the image first of all and then breezed over the words, until I realised that I’d got it wrong though…
Nice that we actually have some options to debate now though!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Sharpy, I have this wonderful ability to blank out any bragging man having spent too long married to one of the best in the business, long since kicked into touch. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
SHARPY
I like your idea! So if we get 20 points and get stuffed, I only donate £20, but if we have a great season and get 70 points, Kim donates £70? 🙂
Only kidding. I think £50 is a good amount of money to donate.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Kim – you used to be married to Alan Pardew?! 😕 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I like that points per pound idea, we’ll do that then.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not even my grandma Baba Vanga could predict this one! 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpy 😆 I once had a bad dream about him mind. 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
McC is a better manager than Pardew in my opinion because he has won a senior domestic trophy, reached a European Cup final and gone abroad and won the league. He was also assistant under Sir Alex, winning several PL’S, the Champions League and FA Cup so has greater pedigree as a coach. His win ratio over his career as manager is 46% compared to Pardew’s 42% as well.
Shamrock(Quote)
Troy, you and I were the closest with predictions last season 😀
kimtoon(Quote)