I was made aware on this website a couple of months ago that there was now a Chicago Chapter of NUFC USA. So I looked them up and made my way to the Milwaukee preseason game and they were a very friendly lot. The Guy that runs it said he had been to a pub earlier and Biffa from NUFC.com was in there and was treated like a rock star. Him holding court and the whole bar hanging on his every word.
So to Sundays’s match. It was scheduled for 7.30 am and I went over thinking there would be a couple of people there. Well, there were about 20 all in Toon tops and all in their 20’s and early 30’s. They had had a 6-8 foot NUFC banner made up and hung it in the window. They even had a professional photographer taking pictures. I was the only Geordie, they were all Yanks and had adopted NUFC in the past few years when Pards and Carvs were managers. I thought the were crazy, but I suppose there would be an affinity with NUFC as the Chicago Cubs haven’t won anything since 1908.
Anyway, its 7.30 and I thought I would be the only one having a pint, but no. The organiser gets a round in for about 6 at our table. When Cisse scored they all went mad like they had been Toon fans all their lives, jumping up and down and knocked the table of beers over.
I got talking to these Lads and they are all Accountants, Estate Agents and Lawyers so God knows what attracted them to NUFC. One works for United Airlines and is flying into Bristol for a few days but specifically to go to the Swansea match. He asked me what the Welsh are like and I explained their love of song and sheep.
Well, the beers kept flowing and it was an entertaining match so we decided to stay and watch Liverpool. After about 4 hours of drinking starting that early, I must admit I needed a nap to recover. I am just so surprised how passionate this lot are about NUFC and that football seems to finally be taking off over here. NBC have just picked up the Premier League until 2021 showing every game and paying $1 Billion so it must be happening all over the country. This is a far cry from just a few years ago. There had always been a hard core of support for successful teams but not locals for NUFC. Maybe Schteve will have to get used to US tours!
A linked up philosophy won’t make a difference to the quality of the youngsters. We need to make proper investment into the academy – not just give jobs to people like Beardsley. Do we have an academy director?
Stuart79(Quote)
Agreed about the latter two points, quality investment and director. I was keeping abreast of what was going on there for a while, but haven’t been Recently, so not sure what the structure is. When I say linked up philosophy I am lazily referring to all of those things. Style of play, the right recruiting, obviously being overseen and being linked to the 1st team. I am knackered now but enough to say I reckon this is something that the new coaching set up will definitely be on to in time. It will sync nicely with the new training centre!!! 😆
Lionel(Quote)
Georgio@145, Humid mate and overcast, waiting for the storms they predicted.
kimtoon(Quote)
Barcelona have La Masia for their academy. We will have La Mironga for ours, after our two benefactors- The Mirror and Wonga. Let the money and talent flow!!! 😀
Lionel(Quote)
Weve barely produced or even developed anyone of note since the club farcically gave Roder the managers job permanently, He should have been thanked for getting us back up the table and gone back to the academy.
Another Shepherd **** up
CC(Quote)
Agreed.
Lionel(Quote)
Why would Hughton want to do business with NUFC for Dunk or Williamson? We sacked him for no good reason. Then he took on Jonas after he had a cancer operation when Jonas was told to find another club by Pardew. I am sure Hughton knew of the operation, but still, that means he knows who he would be dealing with when dealing again with NUFC, even with new Management in place.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He doesn’t seem like the sort of man that holds grudges and, two, he loves the Toon, not necessarily Ashley, there is a difference. You would do the same, Eric!
Lionel(Quote)
Here we go again. We are favourites to sign Austin again. On Ed’s blog they are taking the **** out if him about the number of articles he has put up about this story:
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/459118/Newcastle-favourites-land-Charlie-Austin-Tottenham-Everton-fall-behind
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu@151, Yes Joe Joyce.
kimtoon(Quote)
says it all, Kim. Hi I is he still in a job after the lack of anything resembling a youth production line?
Stuart79(Quote)
MDS NBC do a good job on the whole. They don’t usually do the match interview straight after the game but will have other Premier League related stuff on, shows like ‘Men in Blazers’ etc.
To answer your other question, my neighbour is Mickey Mouse 🙂
Jill(Quote)
Stu He hasn’t done that badly with the u18’s it’s Peters lot that have not really lit up the world.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/steve-mcclarens-son-gets-level-6247211
Shamrock(Quote)
Sorry, haven’t been around for a bit, but nice read, Eric.
Also, as a US fan and Comcast/Xfinity subscriber, I am extremely pleased with the new Premier League deal. Was able to watch the game last week on my TV using the On Demand feature Eric mentioned a few weeks ago. Happy days are here to stay…at least for 6 more years.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
so collo needs to be writeing letters again 😯
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
proper wimp he is
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
TAE, give Collo a break… he gets slated for being too quite and not saying enough and then when he does make contact with fans, he gets slated for it anyway. 😳 😳
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Just read the letter. It is quite ‘nice’ really. I quite like the honesty about the captaincy. Like him, I ‘hope’ we have a good season and we can be proud of our long standing player and captain, Colo
To “New” Newcastle. If nothing else they are starting to get a decent PR team together. 😆
Lionel(Quote)
Finally the club have realised that supporters are the most important thing. The PR and coverage has been top class the last couple of months.
Stuart79(Quote)
Great read Eric, glad it was full of supporters. A packed bar supporting the same team is great as I’m seeing in Corfu. Meeting up with 20 others for the game tomorrow 😀
There’s definitely a different vibe with our club. Even a few players saying life is better now. Dare I say it seems some are suggesting Pardew/carvers era wasn’t liked. They seem to enjoy the coaching and the attacking intent
Just need results and a couple of players
GASHLEY(Quote)
I wonder if the failure of the youngsters to develop is necessarily totally due to those in charge or whether it is due to a glass ceiling between the Academy and the first team? I feel that Steve will break that glass ceiling if it exists given time.
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho – I suppose cream always rises to the top. If they’re good enough they’ll play and let’s be honest, the last few seasons they’ve not had to be that good to push on into the first team.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart Perhaps we are using semi-skimmed but a clever saying does necessarily mean it’s true. The point I am trying to make is that encouragement plays a large part in development and that goes for most walks of life. I agree some will rise to the top no matter what, but I think they are the exceptions.
Groucho(Quote)
AUSSIE MAGPIE FAN
give him a break dint make me laugh if he has to write letters it dint take a brain wave to tell ya the club dont trust him in front of a camera
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Re Colo, he speaks too:
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/787403561?-11058:809
I have no problem with Colo at all personally. I’m pleased he’s staying on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Seim de Jong says he is fit. That is very good news and I hope it is true – like an new player 🙂 I haven’t really seen him that much but seems that he doesn’t really rely on pace, more intelligence and shooting ability (could be our Bergkamp ha,ha ). Seriously, he should give us another option with Mitrovic being more old fashioned centre forward and Cisse all instinct. However, on Sunday I thought Cisse was excellent except for a bad first touch on a couple of occasions, he was everywhere and always looking for the ball.
A new era starts tonight – Friday night PL football. I know it is because of scheduling conflicts but I think they plan on more next year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see shola has had his *** kicked out at C/P,free agent now maybe scum should grab him 😆
icedog(Quote)
How come we still get every f-in Pardew article on Newsnow? Can they not just take him of the feed. I want him out of my life 🙂 (I don’t click on them but I see the headlines).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC to be fair to Jong he was the best player in Holland for a good while,a good player doesn’t lose his class a year out is hard,I will give him time to come good again
icedog(Quote)
And another thing… I see people saying Cisse is injury prone. He had a broken knee-cap and bones heal. I can’t recall that many other long term injuries. He’s not a Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor or Robin van Persie. I wouldn’t sell unless a middle east or Chinese team are willing to pay over the odds. He’d still be worth about the same in January when we will have seen how the new players are (I think there are 2 years left on his contract?).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just checked, Cisse does have 2 years left on his contract.
Ice, I am looking forward to seeing what de Jong can do. He was an exciting signing last year and it is just a pity he had the injuries.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
cisse aint injury prone lol i was surprised he was back so quick from a broken knee cap meself 😉
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
pards took a huge gamble with cisse career bring him back so quick to save his job in my opinion
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
For the first time I remember we have all of our main players in training (knock on wood). The only ones out are Marveaux and Riviere who would not be picked for a match day squad at the moment anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
granted his gamble come off for him but it could of so easy gone pear shaped and if it had we would not be a prem team today
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
and to come back from a serious injury like that, and still hit double figures, shows the guts the guys got, and the toonarmy, owes him a huge thankyou, for keeping us in the prem.
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Eric – I was buzzing when we signed SDJ last summer. He was outstanding for Ajax and is a really intelligent footballer. He may not be as technically gifted as Bergkamp but he’s that type of forward – bit like Sheringham as well. Not the fastest player in the team, but he will find gaps around the oppositions defence & midfield where he can do the damage.
At the moment I don’t see how Mc will fit him & Gini into the same 11, but it gives us options to mix things up and change formation & tactics depending on opponents. He would be good playing behind Mitrovic in a 4-4-1-1 formation for example.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are we missing something here with Keman,l/pool spurs,villa,now Monaco are looking to sign the lad yet he’s nowhere near our team
icedog(Quote)
Ice – he captained France U19s this summer to the semi finals and was a stand out player by all accounts. I think they are seeing his potential rather than seeing a first team player now.
I think 2 things regarding Kemen – firstly, they are looking to move Bigi & Abied, but nowt said about Kemen (which suggests they intend keeping him – unless silly money is offered). The second thing is that he has been with us about 2-3 seasons now, which means our scouts spotted something in him long before others did.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Leicester have signed Inler too. Villa signed Toure from Barca too. A lot of teams adding real quality to their squad. Clearly the league will get more competitive. Have we made any strides relatively speaking? Obviously our team has improved but with everyone else improving also have we done enough to move forward?
As for SDJ Sharpy – the jury is still out on him. Some Dutchy said he wasn’t particularly pivotal to Ajax in his last season so I just wonder about him.
Stuart79(Quote)
On Kemen, there’s no point the scouts getting credit for spotting a player when he’s young if he’s a) not good enough or b) Not rated by the coaching staff. I think it’s fair to say b is obvious.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – SDJ did suffer with injuries in his final season at Ajax and only managed 19 games – but still managed to score 7 goals in those games.
As for Kemen, how on earth do you know that he isn’t rated by the coaches? or that he isn’t good enough?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have had horrendous injuries to defenders over the past 2 years Nd he’s still not got a look in. That would tend to suggest one or the other.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – or it might tend to suggest he’s a defensive midfield player and not a defender 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hes played a lot at the back, Sharpy.
Stuart79(Quote)
Same as that Mbabu or whatever he is called. Another who came with a good reputation but then…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – he hasn’t played at the back at all, he’s played centre midfield mainly with Bigi before he went to Rangers. I think you have him confused with another player. Mbabu is another story, I’m not sure what happened with his development, but he doesn’t seem to have progressed as I imagine they would have hoped.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are you sure this isn’t a non-story about Kemen? He is only 19 and therefore doesn’t need to be in the squad. If he develops he will be homegrown. He wasn’t sent to Rangers on loan which I think was an indication that those players were surplus to requirements. The 5 players we are said to be asking for bids for are: Williamson, Abeid, Gouffran, Bigi and Vuckic.
I have no idea what Kemen’s contract situation is or who is sniffing around. I do know that Aarons had a couple of decent games and the press had him off to Man City and Liverpool. I am not sure if there is any substance to the Kemen rumours, whatever they are.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So if he hasn’t progressed then surely he’s not good enough? So my post above is relevant.
Stuart79(Quote)
Is this where the Kemen story came from? Is it credible?
http://whatculture.com/sport/monaco-join-liverpool-and-tottenham-in-hunt-for-newcastle-midfielder.php?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sounds like no new signings then 😕
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
That’s the noises Macca’s making Liam.
georgio(Quote)
Is Maccy right that we have a decent squad?
GK’s – Krul, Darlow
DF’s – Janmaat, Colo, Taylor, Mbemba, Dummett, Lascelles, Hiadara
MF’s – Tiote, Anita, Colback, Cabella, Wini, Aarons, De Jong, Sissoko, Obertan
ST’s – Cisse, Mitrovic, Perez, Riviere
Thats 22 players.
We are crying out for defenders. Only 3 of the 7 are premier league class.
We may just get away with our ST’s and as for wingers we still have Sissoko who plays wide right with Aarons, obertan and potentially Marv / Cabella.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Stuart – Kemen’s a central midfielder. To get in he’d have to replace Tiote and Anita. He had a late, late tournament and has just got back into training.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – I am talking about last season. Considering this season is one game old it would be a fair job for him to get into the side now.
Last season Tiote was injured for most of it, Pardew didn’t rate Anita and in some games he even played Gouffran there! Now that tells me he didn’t rate the kid.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – the lad only just turned 19 in July – that may explain why he has progressed to the first team yet.
Both he and Aarons are in the final years of their contract so it will be interesting to see what the do in terms of new deals.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart: I am not getting what you are saying about Kemen. Carver managed the last 5 months and was scared to pick any young players. The fact that an incompetent idiot didn’t pick Kemen says nothing in my opinion.
You were as tough on Carver as I was, and we have no clue what Steve thinks as as Giorgio says Kemen has been on international duty.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart – Pardew rated Williamson and Shola 😳
georgio(Quote)
Kemen has never played defence… He was named as a sub a few times but had better players ahead of him. Apparently he’s a bit of a hothead
2-1 to the lads tomorrow with mitro starting
GASHLEY(Quote)
Eric – I am saying that if Kemen couldn’t get in that side last year then he will never get in the bloody side! His age is irrelevant. He has been here a couple of years and has never got a game! Not even when we were throwing appearances around like confetti in cup games. Why is that? That’s what I am asking. Age is irrelevant. Many 18 year olds get picked in the PL.
Why hasn’t he even been loaned out?
Stuart79(Quote)
So what team does McClaren go with tomorrow. Does he stick with the 11 that started so well against the Saints or does he look at the way the Swans winger turned Ivanovic inside out and try to stop that?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://mobile.twitter.com/Kemen92
Criptic tweet?
GASHLEY(Quote)
Sharpy: same team. Montero is a left winger and we will be playing Sissoko and Janmaat on that side. Hopefully Swansea will have something to think about with our players. I have seen Montero destroy a few players and then on occasions be anonymous. Maybe Ivanovic had an off day.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’d stay with the same team and hope somehow we now know how to stop crosses and head them.
Stuart79(Quote)
Would you stick with Obertan or play Aarons or Perez there instead?.
Gashley – it’s cryptic in the sense I haven’t got a bloody clue what it says!! 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart79
August 12, 2015 at 08:16
Very good!
Seem a canny set, if a little deranged!
Propa’ Geordies then. Good read, cheers Eric!
Newkie(Quote)
Is be tempted to stick with Obertan seeing as though he’s been building him up and he offers more defensively which I think we will need.
Stuart79(Quote)
Re tomorrow’s match, I’d like Perez in for Oba but I don’t particularly want him on the wing so it’s tough.
I’d like to push Sissoko back into Anita’s spot so we have some height at defensive mid, but allow him to come forward in support while Colback stays further back. Then have Wijn and Perez playing slightly wider, ready to support Cis?
Newkie(Quote)
This is the Swansea team that faced Chelsea and played 4-2-3-1 formation –
1.Fabianski; 26..Naughton, 33.Fernandez, 6.Williams (c), 3.Taylor; 4.Ki Sung-Yueng, 8.Shelvey; 23.Sigurdsson, 10.Ayew, Montero; Gomis.
This may be a risky move away from home but I’d go 4-3-3
———————- Krul ——————–
Janmaat – Mbemba – Colo – Haidara
—- Sissoko – Colback – Gini —–
—— Perez — Cisse — Aarons ——-
I think the 3 in midfield will slow their midfield down and those 3 up top would give their defence more headaches than just Cisse up front as a lone forward.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think we would all pick Aarons or Perez over Obertan but I doubt that will happen. I think Steve picks Obertan for his perceived defensive qualities. I think he picks Cisse over Mitrovic becuase of PL experience and I wouldn’t disagree. So, I think we will see the same team, but at least we have GOOD options from the bench with Aarons, de Jong etc…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: last season
Montero 1 goal
Gomis 8 goals in 30
Swansea are a decent team but they are not Barcelona. There is the thought that we will try to nullify the opposition rather than play to our strengths. We have been conditioned to think this way by the last two managers but we have to get out of this mindset. Still, I think Steve will go a bit safety first in his first away game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – my other option would be 4-3-1-2
——————– Krul ——————
Janmaat – Mbemba – Colo – Haidara
— Sissoko – Colback – Gini —
—————- De Jong —————
——— Cisse —— Mitrovic ———
The 3 midfielders will go toe to toe with their attacking 3. De Jong will give their 2 holding midfielders headaches and Mitrovic can have the physical battle with Williams.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I’m not saying we should fear Swansea, but in my opinion they have the stronger players in a 4-2-3-1 formation. If we match it or decide to ignore it then we will get beat mate. Chelsea, who also set up 4-2-3-1 and have World Class players in each position were matched and arguably bettered last week.
I just think if we got there 4-2-3-1, then we aren’t going to test them enough. I think our 2 in Colback & Anita won’t be able to handle their 3, and Cisse will be out muscled by their defence. Our attacking 3 would be our key, but Obertan could be the weak link – if he went Perez or Aarons then maybe, but I’d still fancy Swans if we matched them 4-2-3-1.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: you are falling into the Cholo trap of putting up the team of what you want rather than what will happen 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)