Former Arsenal star Paul Merson was very critical of Roy Hodgson’s decision to select Newcastle United star Andros Townsend for the England national team for the upcoming European Championship.
His main criticism regarding Townsend’s selection was the fact that the winger only ‘turned up’ during the final few games of the season and as a result, he never really deserved a place in the Three Lions’ squad.
Merson perhaps has a point and Roy Hodgson has most certainly gained a notorious reputation of employing favoritism whenever he makes a selection for the national team.
In truth, the call up earned by the likes of Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson and Fabian Delph are equally questionable but unlike the aforementioned trio, Townsend’s inclusion can be justified.
Leaving any Newcastle bias aside, Townsend certainly did not enjoy the best of campaigns after spending the first half of the season at Tottenham with the kids and he did take quite a while to get going at St. James’ Park as well following a £12million January move.
Nonetheless, Townsend’s form during the final six games of the season was simply superb as he scored crucial goals against Swansea City and Crystal Palace, and his contribution was perhaps the most important one in helping Newcastle give themselves hope of avoiding relegation.
Unfortunately, Townsend was unable to save the Magpies but on a personal level, the 24-year-old would surely have been very pleased with his performance and it would be hard to find a more in-form player in the Premier League over the last two months of the campaign.
Admittedly, selection for such a big tournament would be better off done on the basis of performances throughout the year rather than just a few games and many feel that West Ham’s Michail Antonio deserved a place ahead of Townsend.
However, Townsend was forced to miss the first half of the season at Tottenham due to his attitude problem and while one should not condone such behavior, the winger certainly buckled down to prove his worth at Newcastle.
Perhaps most importantly though, Townsend’s advantage over Antonio is the fact that he already has international experience under his belt and also has the trust of Hodgson. On the basis of statistics, Antonio should be on the plane but Hodgson clearly does not rate the West Ham man and he would perhaps be a waste of a space if he had indeed headed to France.
Townsend is unlikely to start for England, who are priced at 8/1(10Bet) to go all the way in France, but he does have the X-Factor to change the course of any game when thrown on as a sub and overall, Hodgson has perhaps made the correct decision in including the Newcastle star in his squad.
What is this? Ed’s blog??? 2 new articles in a day? Crazy… 🙂
Going back to the youth posts from earlier. At no point did I saw that we have an excellent youth programme. But I want to see some of our promising youngsters given some game time in the Championship. I don’t care what age we signed them, but Darlow, Lascelles, Aarons, Haidara, Dummett, Mbabu, Mbemba, Perez, Arma and Mitrovic must all count as promising youngsters. Maybe others like Toney and Sterry will make a step up too.
That’s hardly a bad situation to be in! Ok, I know Mitrovic and Mbemba cost some proper money, but I’d like to see them grow at NUFC to be players worth £20m or £30m. Players costing £10m are commonplace these days. As Eric pointed out, didn’t McCormack move to Fulham for about £10m? A PL club paying £10m for a player is certainly no guarantee of success. Mbemba and Mitrovic definitely have some work to do to become genuine PL players for us. Mind you, we have some work to do to become a genuine PL team…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: I was pointing out that we have really nobody coming through from our youth system except Armstrong and two players who are out of contract and who have been injured a lot – Aarons and MBabu. The other players you mention we paid decent money for (including Toney) so I would reckon they would be at least as high on the pecking order as any loanee. I think all clubs give the loaning clubs assurances of playing time but it doesn’t always pan out.
What I was getting at is that it is quite often said that loan players will stunt the growth of players already at the club when that is not the case at NUFC because we have no one coming through and will be losing a lot of players because their contracts are up, or close to it, and because they do not want to play in a lower division.
We haven’t really made that many loans in the past but I think our squad will be so thin that we should seriously consider it now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The other thing about our youth system is that not only do our players not make it at NUFC, they fail to make it in the lower leagues as well. They might have a year or two at Carlisle or Gateshead but then are cut from them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
That’s not true at all. Look at Carroll and Tavernier for two. There was another right back (I think he played for Bristol City and was linked with a transfer back to us) who made a decent career too, and there have been others. There are plenty of our youth players playing in the lower leagues. Actually just remembered Newton is currently in League Two, so is Campbell. A quick search tells me that Edgar is in League One, Troisi was in Serie A for a while (now in China), Lua Lua is in the Championship, Ramage is in League Two, Streete is in League One, so are Inman and Alnwick. I could go on.
So basically…what you just said is utter ****. Simple as that.
Why make such stupid sweeping statements just because things aren’t as good as you (or any of us) would like??
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
And you want to be negative because some of our young players weren’t with us at 8 years old? Sterling signed for Liverpool for a fee that could rise to £5m, Smalling came from Fulham, John Stones came from Barnsley, Hart came from Shrewsbury. Yet their clubs often get credit for developing those players into the top players they are now.
I already said that we should use the loan market to plug any gaps, but I want to see our own players given chances first. And anyone thinking we’re going to loan players like Rashford or Iheanacho is crazy.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
So there is no truth to the rumour that Townsend is going to Lisbon:
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2879306/sporting-not-in-for-andros-townsend-close-on-sandro-move-sources
Probably some Mackem saw that Townsend would play at The Stadium of Light on Thursday and confused Sporting with Benfica.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: cheers for the updates on ex-players. I am glad some of them are doing OK. I suppose I have to revise my view that we do not produce players for the lower leagues 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
After what TDS said I have revised my opinion completely and now believe NUFC to be a feeder club for League 1 and 2.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s another two to come in the next hour! Sorry, we felt a bit Eddy today after a week of inactivity.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
We will disable comments on the next two to keep chat going in here.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
TDS – unlikely maybe but why crazy?.
Pep & Jose will go in with huge transfer kitty’s and will undoubtedly want to make their marquee signings.
As well as Rashford & Iheanacho has done this season, Pep & Jose will not go with them as their main forwards.
If they were loaned out to us for example, they would likely get more games & more goals then what they will at their parent clubs. Better competition than playing U21 football & will be working with a top coach, playing in front of 50k fans week in week out.
In the past we’ve seen the likes of Sturridge, Welbeck & Lukaku being loaned to lower PL sides. But there is a lot of money in the PL this season & clubs are more likely to spend.
I’ve said it’s unlikely, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Worth enquiring at least – shy bairns n al that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy the Magpie: You Aint seen Nothing Yet. If Rafa signs Ed will crash the internet with 2 billion posts in 20 minutes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I doubt we have a chance at Rashford but there are loads of others on the books of Chelsea, Man U and Man City.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy
Crazy because a guy on the verge of going to Euro 2016 doesn’t drop down a division. If Man Utd decide to send Rashford out on loan, there will be loads of PL clubs looking to take him. And Iheanacho is in a similar situation. Why would City get rid of their 2nd best goal threat?
Other clubs want backup players too, so even if they didn’t see these players as first choices, isn’t it likely that they want them in case or injuries or lack of form? And even if they decide to let them have a full season under their belt, that’s bound to be to a PL team.
Crazy things to happen from time to time, and I think this idea is crazy…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Eric – I doubt it too, but if you don’t ask you never get.
I would ask about Lingard as well. I doubt he will get much game time under Pep so why not.
If we don’t get them, nowt lost. We’d have the answer pretty quickly and then we move on. But we should be going with the best available options we can get.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy the Magpie: I am not sure you want to disable posts on the new threads. It is really confusing if you do that. Especially on mobile, I think.
It is your site though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Lingard will not get any time under Pep. I knew you meant Jose 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
I also mentioned Carroll who has done very well for West Ham (when fit) and Tavernier who will play for Rangers in the SPL next season. I wouldn’t mind those two next season…
Add them to our existing players that we developed and you get:
GK: Krul
DF: Tavernier, Mbabu, Tayls, Dummett,
MF: Aarons, Lua Lua, Vuckic , N’Zogbia
FW: Carroll, Arma
Subs: Harper, Huntington (Championship for Preston last season), Haidara, Sammy Ameobi…
I believe that all of those players made their first team debut when they were a NUFC player. Unless one first played in a lower/foreign league when very young.
That’s effectively what our youth programme has produced. Not great. But certainly not as **** as you’re making out. All of those players will be in the Championship or better next season I believe.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS – the fact is that both only got into their respective sides this season because of injuries to more senior players. Both are very talented and have taken their opportunity well. But without injuries to Aguero and Rooney/Martial – neither would have kicked a ball in the first team this season.
I don’t think Rasford will go to the Euros personally & I actually think the better option would have been for him to go to the U21 tournament instead.
There may be PL sides come in for them. But their clubs may doubt they’ll get much first team action & actually why would they want to strengthen a rival PL squad?.
More games with us, with a top coaching looking after them.
I accept it’s unlikely, but I don’t see it being crazy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
I don’t think Rashford will go to the Euros either. Not unless there’s an injury to Kane, Vardy or Sturridge anyway.
Why would they want to strengthen a PL squad? Because he can’t play against the parent club. So loaning him to Bournemouth or West Brom just means there’s more chance that those clubs will take points off the parent club’s rivals.
Why would those players want to drop a division? Why wouldn’t their managers want them to get experience in the top flight? Why wouldn’t they want a top youngster to fight for his place in the squad and get some game time? What message would that send out to our youth players if we go in early to get a loan player rather than work with what we have?
No. I still think it’s crazy. First Rafa has to sort out who is staying and who is going, then he needs to get in some more players, then he needs to work on improving what he has and then finally, if there are still gaps (due to injury or being unable to bring in the right players), we plug them with the loan system. But if I was Rashford or Iheanacho, I wouldn’t be dropping down a division.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: good luck with that team, they all spend more time on the physios table than on the pitch!
Including 2 players who are out of contract and have about 10 games between them is a bit of a stretch (MBabu and Aarons). As is Vuchic. As is Armstrong who hasn’t started a game. Krul we picked up at 16, Forster would have been a better choice. N’zog came from Lehavre at 17.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Tavernier may well play for Rangers in the SPL but has only played for Gateshead and Rangers in the lower Scottish leagues so far.
If you buy players at 16 and 17 and say they are NUFC youth products, is that really true? That applies to Krul, Lua Lua, NZog (who we had to pay comp for), Vuchic, Aarons.
I am splitting hairs a bit but only Carroll and Dummett have really been produced from the academy. The jury is still out on Armstrong. And Harper, seriously, he is 86 years old, you may as well have said Gazza.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Naming names in the lower leagues and pointing to players who are just about OK but that we purchased in their mid-to-late teens just backs up the point that we have produced next to ****** all ourselves in the last 10 years. Harper 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
We’re in the Championship now. You claimed we hadn’t produced any players. In fact you said “not only do our players not make it at NUFC, they fail to make it in the lower leagues as well”. So there’s a whole squad of players who will be playing in the Championship or better next season. I don’t care if they’re out of contract or not. That’s a team of players that we’ve brought through from the youth team.
You then revised your opinion to “believe NUFC to be a feeder club for League 1 and 2”.
Why can’t you just admit that you’re completely wrong?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I should have said Forster instead of Harper. Forgot about him.
As I pointed out, Sterling, Smalling, Hart, Stones and many others were all bought at a very young age but the PL clubs tend to get credit for developing them
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I don’t know why I am even arguing with you TDS because it is the exception rather than the norm that teams produce their own players. Even West Ham are failing and Man U haven’t really had much success after the “class of 92” until this season. The only team that seems successful at it is Southampton.
Everybody wants to be Barcelona, but even 2 of their 3 superstars were bought for big money.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS – Eddie Howe wouldn’t play him ahead of Callum Wilson of Afobe. Pullis wouldn’t play him ahead of Rondon or Berahino that’s why. How much game time did Bamford get at Palace?.
They would drop a division because it’s NUFC – and I didn’t mean that to sound pompous or anything like that. But if we were on about them going to a Rotherham or Wigan for example then yes – why would they.
But they would be come to a big club with a real prospect of finishing top of the league & getting a winners medal. At 18-19yrs or whatever they are, I don’t see they have anything to loose. Do you really think Jose will play Rashford ahead of Zlatan if he signs him?.
Now, all that said. I am pretty happy with the forwards we have going into the Championship. I’d like a more natural finisher as I don’t think Mit, Perez or Toney is – but maybe Armaz can be that player and should get his chance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric
I agree with your last post. So why are you slating the club like it’s doing something bad? We’ve produced an entire team capable of competing in the Championship. However, as for players capable in the PL? Forster, Krul, Carroll and Dummett would be the only ones at the moment. And two of those aren’t our players.
What I’d like to see is more of the younger players get a full season under their belt, so when we’re back in the PL, they have more time getting used to their team mates and the club in general. Look at the likes of Leicester where younger players have grown into their roles at the club. Drinkwater was 21 when he joined Leicester, Schmeichel was 24, while players like King and Schlupp joined really young. I want to see ambitious and talented youngsters like them given a good run so they can really drive us forwards in the PL, rather than the manager being nervous to put them in because they haven’t had much first team football with us.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: let’s cut to the chase, get to the bottom line, the nitty gritty. We will have a thin squad because we have sicknotes and wantaways and top PL teams will be spending big money to win NOW. Therefore, there will be players available in the loan market that can do a job to get NUFC back to where we belong. Our cupboard is bare, so this is an avenue we should explore. It will not hold back the likes of Aarons or Armstrong because they will be given every chance anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy
Just because Rashford won’t start, he could still get plenty of games for Man Utd. They will play a lot of games in the PL and the cups. Same with Iheanacho. I can’t see why they would get rid of players that have already made their marks on the PL.
As for Bournemouth or West Brom…well those are just 2 examples. What about the promoted clubs? I also expect Berahino will be angling for a move again. Bamford has never proven himself in the PL. He simply may not be good enough for it.
If Rashford and Iheanacho are going to become top players, they want to be testing themselves against top defences, not bloody Rotherham or Wigan cloggers.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Eric
Our cupboard is most certainly not bare. That’s an absolute load of ****. And people like you often seem to whinge that we have a thin squad but we actually rarely do when compared to other teams. Even top clubs like City, Man Utd and Chelsea had issues with their squad last season. Weaknesses are exposed with a couple of injuries in most squads.
I bet that loans will be explored. Once we’ve explored our own “cupboard” and also the transfer market.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Apart from Sterry, the young players TDS named above are all accepted first team squad members now, but they are not enough. Some arn’t even that young – Darlow is 25 and Dummett is 24.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: I am not whinging at all. I thought we were having a discussion with different viewpoints? I am laying out an argument, as you did, and there are points and counterpoints.
I think we have the basis for a good young team, but if I said that then we would have about 2 posts and that would be the end of it 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: I meant the U21 and academy is bare as proved by their positions in their leagues. The good late teen and early 20’s players have already graduated to the first team squad.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
Saying “the cupboard is bare” and some other things isn’t going with the argument that we have “the basis for a good young team”, it’s taking an extreme stance that people are bound to disagree with.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: Wigan just got promoted to the league we are now in and won the FA Cup 4 years ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
What’s your point about Wigan mate? Don’t get it.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
It is not that extreme to say the cupboard is bare when the U21s finished 2nd bottom of the 2nd division and the academy won very few games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: because you referred to Wigan as cloggers, when they are actually our peers and have won more than us very recently. You said:
“If Rashford and Iheanacho are going to become top players, they want to be testing themselves against top defences, not bloody Rotherham or Wigan cloggers.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: have you even looked at what the academy and U21s have done this year? Have you noticed any players being bought apart from Toney as developmental players? A few years ago we were told the plan was to buy the best 16-18 year olds and develop them for the first team. Apart from Perez and Toney, when did that happen?
So, yes, the cupboard is bare and because it has been neglected. Put in the back yard where a family of squirrels have now moved in.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Perez was 20 when we bought him!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why do you think Rafa got rid of the little punks hanging around the first team? Why do you think he wants to push the redevelopment of the training facilities and youth development. Because it is not working. Because Charnley and Carr, and Lliambas before that, paid no attention to it.
So yes, the cupboard is bare.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
I was comparing Wigan’s defence to defences in the PL and Europa League. And you bloody well know it…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: better they get experience on the Man U and Man City bench then as Pep and Mourinho will be spending at least 200 mil apiece on first teamers 🙂 Seriously, I doubt Rashford will be loaned out but the tier below him could be and will be better than our U21s who have been neglected by incompetents.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Actually, I didn’t know it because you didn’t make yourself clear.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TDS: But that is a minor point. The main point is that we have produced very little in the past 10 years and there is not much in the pipeline. That will not matter if Armstrong turns out to be another Gazza but it will if he ends up as a Campbell. A lower level clogger only fit for Rotherham like most of our other academy products that you seem so keen on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-set-hand-kevin-11381209
Good move Imo
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I think it’s a great move. I was impressed by what I saw of him last season.
Would you make him our RB if Janmaat buggers off and keep Anita as a utility player, or who he be back up to Anita at RB?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aarons would be getting another couple of years for me too actually.
That has to be a good sign that Rafa is close to signing as well by the way – who else would be making that decision to keep him on?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A minimum of 2 years for Aarons. They have to get their act together.
How can we see what they do not see? We see that MBabu and Aarons are worth a contract at a 5th of what they commit to with Coloccini? We see Taylor should be let go etc.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SHARPY I think your right Rafa wanted control of transfers,must have had a input on this.
By the way I’ve been off the blog for a while that stupid Blackie episode did my heed in and I thought you were treated shockingly anyway let’s move on
Icedog(Quote)
Aaron’s needs to be less of a tampon as I think he has a good football brain and could be be a star if he stays fit,would take a chance and give him a couple of years
Icedog(Quote)
It would be beyond incredible if we got any of them young players imo. Ineacho and Rashford have actually been revelations in their respectful teams and wont drop down a division.
Good move by Rafa to offer Mbabu a new contract. Thinks he’s got a future and could benefit greatly from Championship football like a few of them.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice – if it done your heed in, imagine how hard it was for me to keep my trap shut. But done & dusted and all good now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have to be honest, I’m totally lost off with what the hell has happened with these articles tonight like?! 😕
Why put all 3 up in one hit?. The one about the 5 players to get shot of could have waited to at least tomorrow to post on at least.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t find anywhere to comment on the other new articles.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice: I don’t think Sharpy is mad at me. I had a full bottle of vodka and a relegation to deal with 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – not anymore mate, we’ve exchanged posts since. Just like Blackie, it’s done & gone 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Same here mate I got lost and in the end couldn’t be bothered as it seems little point on the 5 player one if you can’t agree or disagree as the comments have been blocked.
I think I would have scheduled them for 1 everyday which would mean we would have had fresh content coming through and the chance of getting readers from news now, but we’ll it’s not me ?.
Big Dave(Quote)
What’s going on with the articles I thought no one was chatting as was stuck on thread 2 articles ago!
Kimtoon(Quote)
And Now. Alan Shearer:
http://www.football365.com/news/portrait-of-an-icon-alan-shearer
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Icedog(Quote)
Talk about confusing. Which article am I on?
Need to get this sort of stuff sorted lads. It took me 10 minutes to sort out which article I could find comments on . ..
Georgio(Quote)
I don’t know what the panic is for regards the time it is taking Rafa to sign his contract. It has taken Man Utd 6 months to negotiate and get Jose signed up…
Also what is happening with these articles? I can’t find anywhere to comment on the last two articles so comiong back to this one…
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART I agree mate,RAFA is working behind the scene on players pre-season and talking to people he may want to come in ect imo nothing is standing still,it took weeks to sort the grin reaper coming in
Icedog(Quote)
The new blog meisters blocked comments on the newer articles so it would make it easier 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What’s the point in that then?
Stuart79(Quote)
ask them 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done to the NUFC fans for persuading Rafa to stay. He’s on his way up here to sign now and will be announced later according to the Journo’s. Also credit to Ashley for letting him have free reign to run the club. 😛
Stuart79(Quote)
Big news for Newcastle fans from the Times’ man in the north east…
George Caulkin
CaulkinTheTimes
Rafa Benitez is travelling back to Tyneside now. Updated deal with #Nufc will be signed & confirmation he stays as manager will follow. 1/3
10:21 a.m. – 25 May 2016
George Caulkin
CaulkinTheTimes
It could come today or tomorrow, but he’s staying. It’s a huge coup for #Nufc & testament to club’s potential & his reception from fans. 2/3
10:21 a.m. – 25 May 2016
George Caulkin
CaulkinTheTimes
Benitez has been identifying possible signings for a week,but the hard work starts now. Crucially, #Nufc will have momentum behind them. 3/3
Georgio(Quote)
Big sighs of relief all round (as if we believe journalists!). Does seem like it’s happening though and it is a rare shaft of sunlight during some dark days. Relegation’s just settling on me now. When we were 5-1 up on Spurs, the fans were singing and the sun was shining it just didn’t feel real somehow.
Georgio(Quote)
Ffs been posting on the last article and wondering why nobody else was.
Message to new writers – let people know on the last thread when a new thread is up! The new thread title used to appear at the bottom of the last comment but it does not anymore – so the only way to tell is to scroll all the way up to top of the page after every comment and then scroll all the way down again. It’s stupid so please just take the time to post on the old article and let us know.
Also, don’t be afraid to get involved in the chat every now and then so we can get to know you. There is no connection there.
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAM with you 100% the blog is a bloody mess,no heart in it
Icedog(Quote)
Wtf is going on. That Townsend article is total trash. Can’t believe you wrote that. Is this place going to be a soulless money making site losing sight of where it came from and what is actually valued by the regular readers and commented? Lazy ‘writers’ regurgitating lazy stories written by lazy journalists. If that’s the road this place is going down then this place can go swivel. Why have we got ‘writers’ that don’t talk to us or join in the banter? Are you too important or something? I could understand if your articles were well researched and you just don’t have the time but they take you 5 minutes. There is no connection between you and the readers here.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ice my rant is over but Crikey this place is starting to have the snake oil salesman feel that Eric often complains about.
Shamrock(Quote)