Paul Dummett is a player who divides fan opinion. He certainly isn’t the most gifted player we have but after a solid season, has he improved or is the Championship just his level?
His limitations
Since breaking into the team after a loan spell with St.Mirren earlier in his career, Dummett has pretty much made the left back role his own ever since. The signing of Lazaar last summer was perhaps meant to usurp him from the role moving forward but he has rose the occasion and has made more appearances than any other player under Rafa. He is a solid defender, can play centre half if needed and has a great attitude.
Frustrations with Dummett come with his inability to go forward, which is a key part of a modern full back. He always needs a few touches to control the ball and rarely gets to the by-line. He also has a tendency to misjudge cross field balls which has cost us a few times and allows an attacker to get in behind; Nottingham Forest away this year being a prime example.
At 25, it is debatable if these weaknesses in his game will radically change.
Should he have been in the Championship team of the year?
Dummett arrived in the Championship off the back off a poor season during our relegation. He was no worse than many other mind, in what was a feeble squad effort until Rafa arrived. Malone of Fulham was voted as the best left back in the league at the PFA Awards evening. Dummett has had a good season and having made more tackles, interceptions, aerial challenges and pass completion rates than anyone else in his position, can feel hard done by at not getting more recognition.
Cut out for the Premiership?
Dummett is one of a few of our players who have proved they can do a job at the highest level. Of course, if we want to progress beyond a relegation scrap next year we need a better left back than Dummett and I expect Rafa to address this in the summer.
He has proved able to do a job if needed though and ideally, he would be a reliable squad player next year who can come into a few different positions. To really thrive in the top flight I just feel he lacks the tools going forward, this season he has had plenty of time to cross the ball from deep and when given time, he has a quality delivery. However, you aren’t afforded this time in the Premiership and this is where the weaker elements of his game do get exposed.
What role can he play moving forward?
Ideally we will sign a left back this summer who will have the impact Lazaar should have had this year. Dummett has never been pushed for this place and we badly need more quality to compete next year.
He is certainly worth keeping hold of though as a squad option though and like Lascelles, may lack the quality at the highest level but is a good character to have in the squad. It was a lack of those that led to our downfall last year.
A centre forward gets owned by a centre back and it’s accepted.
A full back gets turned inside out by a winger and they are *****.
I guess it goes with the territory, and when Dummett has a bad game, he has a real stinker – the type that sticks in memories.
Personally I like him. I think he’s much improved, but far from the complete full back. He’s better defensively than offensively but can still get caught out with that ball over the top and in behind him.
Homegrown and always gives 100%. I want to see a better LB brought in but Dummett is a good back up IMO
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/888034841?-11058:809:3
Does this lad still have a future at NUFC?.
He had a spell where he looked a real prospect, but fell away through injury. He can cover both full back positions so may be one worth sticking with?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like Mbabu but he is still rough around the edges. Only played 25 games this season and picked up a card every 2 games. Tough one to call. Maybe he could be back up to Yedlin this season? Maybe he needs another loan. Not sure really but definitely has potential.
shamrock(Quote)
As for Dummett, we need a left back to at the very least compete with him but I think he has to stay. He is steady enough and we have bigger weaknesses elsewhere to address.
shamrock(Quote)
hes the second fastest footballer in the football world only Bale is faster,he never gave Hazard a kick in the game i watched at SJP
icedog(Quote)
Yeah I saw he is fast Ice, but can he stay fit? Is he consistent and is he disciplined enough? 10 yellows and 1 red in 24 games is a bit of a worry. He did well against Chelsea for sure.
Is a loan better to see how he progresses or do we risk putting him in the squad? Could come on leaps and bounds or we could end up being short in that position when he gets injured, banned or turns out to be a 1 hit wonder. Tough one.
shamrock(Quote)
We need, and Rafa likes, a full back that provides far more attacking impetus than Dummett has ever provided. Clichy or Gibbs are examples that could be available. The game in the PL is all about wingbacks these days. Like Chelsea and Spurs.
georgio(Quote)
I would take Gibbs for sure.
shamrock(Quote)
Sham – yeah I like Gibbs a lot and him one side, Yedlin the other gives good width & pace.
I like than Ake from Chelsea as well, but I think if Chelsea allow him to leave B’mth may snap him up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be honest I don’t think Dummett is going to be that great fullback. I had him down as centre half and obviously did a decent job in the Championship but I think it’s highly likely he will struggle in the PL. But so do many full backs to be fair… Is he good enough one on one? I am not so sure. Would certainly fancy Gibbs from Arsenal.
Stuart79(Quote)
Does nobody rate Haidara? I know it is hard to tell since he was injured for a while but he does fit the description of an attacking full/wing back.
There is silly money being asked for fullbacks now as well. Spurs are talking 40-50 million for Walker. Unless there is a contract situation we might have to look to Europe. However, that didn’t work out with Gamez and Lazaar so that seems a **** shoot as well.
We get linked with a player, you think yes, he would be good. Then you see the selling club are asking 20 million for a journeyman like McCarthy or Cairney. They are both in their mid-20s and what have they really done to justify those fees?
All this money in the PL has complicated transfers by allowing small clubs to compete. Bournemouth have a ground capacity of 11,475 and reportedly can pay Defoe 130k a week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Heidara has been here about 20 years and has been injured for 18 and a half of them. Shame but whats the point in him?
shamrock(Quote)
The Reina story makes sense now that I see he only has a year left on his contract. Northern Echo says the fee is 4 million which is cheap when you see De Gea at 60 mil and Pickford at 25 mil. I never understood why Liverpool let him go in the first place. Wasn’t he Spain’s number 1 at the time?
We could even make a profit by selling Sels, Krul and Darlow. Their combined wages would easily cover Reina. We would be left with Elliot as a very competent backup and Woodman pushing for that role. If Woodman is not ready and needs a loan then keep Timmy-the-hoof for the remaining year on his contract.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is one simple way that we could become immediately competitive. Change the method of payment for players to installments instead of cash up front. Every other club pays this way and it is a method of matching revenue and expenditure because we get the TV, gate and sponsor money in installments.
The problem is that Ashley thinks he gets a cash discount. Is this really true? Maybe from smaller clubs but I doubt from the PL teams. He is also worried about relegation when revenue would drop but you still have the wage bill. He has to get over that and realise that Rafa is not Pardew or McClaren. We will not be relegated if Rafa is given decent funds.
Paying in installments could easily give Rafa a boost of the headline fees paid of 50 million because you are spreading the cost.
Ashley has stated Rafa can have every penny generated by NUFC. Making this simple change would give him a much bigger transfer kitty this year. Hopefully, we would buy players who could be sold if the unthinkable did happen and would not just spunk it all no-name, no-hopers like Sunderland did. Then again, Sunderland had like 6 managers in 5 years so they never had a coherent transfer plan. You would think this would not be the case with Rafa given his recent stints in Italy, Spain and England.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would keep Dummett, he’s solid enough but I actually prefer him as a CB . Gibbs would be a great buy I have to agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric I would not go down the structured payment route. You get a one off advantage, but thereafter you are restricting yourself. Like all debt you end up paying for your past rather than having the money.
As a one off, to get the key player when we are just promoted I can understand the logic, but otherwise I’m not convinced.
Premandup(Quote)
I am suggesting as a one off because Ashley has said he wont be putting money in. I think we need a bump to get us to PL standard. I would be totally against it mind if it was spent on paying over the odds for the likes of McCarthy and Cairney, who I have no doubt would improve our squad but there must be better players out there for 20 million.
The alternative is for Charnley to get an overdraft or structure a bond offering. Both of these involve structured payments. I just don’t see where the mooted 70-100 million is coming from with us probably having to pay off a bit of debt from the year in the Championship. Even Sunderland made 93 million in TV money and the parachute payment to us was only about 40 million.
Rafa has said that we will have to get lucky or creative to get some of the players he wants. I assume he means partly that we will target some players like Reina who are about to enter the last year of their contract.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Quote from Rafa, May 6th:
“The ideal situation is to bring in some experience. But at the same time you have to analyse the prices. They are sometimes impossible. Sometimes players from abroad are a little bit cheaper, but they can be better players. The main thing will be to make sure, if you bring in players from abroad, that they are mentally strong enough and with the personality to go with the intensity of the Premier League. Some players they are not stupid and they know: ‘Maybe it’s my last chance’. Sometimes you can find a player that you don’t expect that you can sign because the circumstances are right”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So on average PL clubs got £120 last season – Chelsea around £150 down to Sunderland on £93m.
I don’t know what the cost is to run a PL club, but if we go with the average of £120 – then I reckon that should leave Rafa around £75m to spend each season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: this is just my guestimate but with sponsor and gate receipts we should be on about 150 million. The ideal salary total is about 60% which is 90 million. Then you add on daily expenses such as training ground and maintenance and that is probably another 10 million. So, even if we are only middle of the pack there would be an excess of about 50 million a year. The problem is that will not all be available at the start of the season unless we get an overdraft.
This year I am sure we will have to pay off some debts from being in The Championship which is why I am suggesting payments in installments or getting an overdraft, which I am sure they will do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The transfer market is not a perfect market. We can all name mistakes and busts. There was one mentioned above – Mangala, who I think cost like 40 million. Rafa has not proved infallible either. However, if he can just find one Xavi Alonso, just one, that might vault us to a new level.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was just thinking on the Sissoko situation and it got me thinking – have there been many players who could say they have left NUFC and really went on to bigger & better things?.
I can only really think of Gini with Lpool, but Townsend, Sissoko and further back than last summer, I can’t really think of many like?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think you have to go back a while and they all happen to be Geordies – Gazza, Beardsley and Waddle. Maybe SuperMac. Arsenal were a step up but I am not sure if he surpassed what he did at NUFC.
Sharpy, I know you meant more recently but it got me nostalgic about players I had seen live and not just in friendlies over here.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Talk is Tammy Abraham is coming in on a loan.
shamrock(Quote)
Looks like that way, Sham. Good move for him that’s for sure. Good move for us too if he’s any good but only if we still manage to get a ready made striker in.
Stuart79(Quote)
No mate, you are probably right. I was thinking of Andy Cole and his trophies at Man Utd, but then that move funded Shearer coming in so no real loss. There’s not many really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not a bad move, but I’d be happier if there was an option to buy – even if that came with a buy back clause
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ferdinand and Ginola going to Spurs was arguably a step down back then. Strange how things have worked out in subsequent years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Before we all get carried away with Rafa’s “war chest” and some of the figures we will see for incoming transfers I just read something in the Telegraph showing some of last year’s signings that almost disappeared without a trace. Hopefully Rafa has better judgement and scouting:
Fernandes to West Ham 5.4 million
Masuaku to West Ham 6 mil
Djilobidji to Sunderland 8 mil
Kums to Watford 8.5 mil
Ross McCormack to Villa 12 mil
Success to Watford 12.5 mil
Nolto to City 14 mil
Jordan Ibe to Bournmouth 15 mil
Borja Baston to Swans 15.5 mil
Boufal to S’ton 16 mil
Musa to Leicester 16 mil
Janssen to Spurs 17 mil
Lucas Perez to Arsenal 17 mil
Sissoko to Spurs 30 mil
Notice that a lot of these flops did not go to the traditional big spenders. Of course, some could still come good but that usually doesn’t happen. For whattever reason some players are just not suited to the PL
Eric Sykes(Quote)
James Milner, Andy Cole spring immediately to mind
Some would argue Shay Given but not sure if he won anything at man city
Guess it’s a sign that we’ve had average players who can only really warm subs benches at best for other clubs.
GlosMag(Quote)
Guess it’s a sign of what can happen when two silmilaly positioned clubs take two approaches … Newcastle chose to settle .. Spurs chose to give it a go
You could probably lump the Scousers into that mix too
Let’s hope Ashley’s serious about giving it a go from here
GlosMag(Quote)
Carroll going to Pool was a step up which sadly for him failed to work out, likewise Enrique.
Our players do attract interest from top clubs though , they just fail to progress when they move there, See Debuchy and Sissy for most recent examples. Gini is doing ok at Pool but I wouldn’t say he’s ripping up trees.
Great news about Tammy if true, always rated the lad.
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s an awful lot of dosh for an awful lot of mediocrity .
kimtoon(Quote)
Still think Rafa’s after a top striker, a through the middle traditional centre forward. Mitro’s flaky, can’t trust Gayle to stay fit and Tammy is very raw. Giroud was linked yesterday.
georgio(Quote)
Kim – yeah that’s what I meant by my original point. Players that leave and go on to be a first teamer and key player for the ‘bigger’ team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would take Giroud. He shouldn’t be that expensive as he is 31 in Sept. His main fault is that he is slow but so is Mitro. At least Giroud has an eye for goal.
Mitro has now had 2 full seasons so I think if we can get close to our money back I would sell him. And definitely if we could get Giroud as Mitro would only get 15 minutes at the end of the game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If we get Abraham there is a chance that we could still be able to buy him if he does well. Chelsea loaned Lukaku to Everton where he had a very good season and they still sold him. It depends on who they buy and how Batsyuai (sp?) does. They are a club that wants immediate results and are not willing to wait for a player to develop. How many have come through their supposedly world class academy in the last 10 years?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Where does this leave Adam Armstrong? He is 20 years old now and actually 6 months older than Abraham. Backup for Gayle?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They say this Abraham is a top player I’ve watched all the goals he’s scored they are all inside 6 yd box tap ins,poacher yes but a top player a fair bit to go before he’s that,will he get those chances in the PL,all I can say is Rafa must think so,let’s see
Icedog(Quote)
Abraham says he’s wants to hear what Hoots has to say before he decides which club to go too
Icedog(Quote)
That would seem an easy choice to me Ice. NUFC have 50k+ fans every other week and a manager who has won La Liga twice and The Champions League. He even won the Europa League with Abrahams’ parent club. Abrahams will also be playing with better quality players at NUFC as I cannot see Brighton risking everything to stay in the PL.
I think these Londoners have this strange idea that Newcastle is some backwater. I would agree if they were talking about Sunderland 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
😆 😆 😆
Icedog(Quote)
Good point, have we actually given Arma a fair crack of the whip. Should we be bringing on him instead of Tammy for Chelsea ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Arma’s a clinical striker and he should have had a chance before now. Should have kept him at home last season.
georgio(Quote)
Im not sure about Abraham on loan. We need a starter better than Gayle. Is Abraham coming in as a sub? Cant see chelsea happy with that. If he is coming in as a starter, is that good enough? He is unproven in the PL and what does that mean for Gayle? Loan to buy makes sense, but not a straight loan.
shamrock(Quote)
2-1? Madrid after extra time… These 2 are so evenly matched on paper.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow Real were outstanding tonight like. Never looked like loosing that – and Ronny is just a goal machine.
Like him or loath him – he’s not just the best CF now, but one of histories best.
Sharpy17(Quote)
When Rafa was fired RM were 2nd in La Liga and top of their CL Group. He had these same players. You can’t be sure he would have done the same as Zidane has done but I think there is a good chance he might have. He was sacked after they got a pasting from Barca (I know there were other issues like clashing egos but he was only there 6 months and having seen the way Rafa works he would have sorted that out). The way La Liga works is that tie breaks are decided head to head so it wouldn’t have mattered that Rafa’s Real got beat 4-0 and Zidane’s Real got beat 2-3 this year by Barca.
Real are a strange club. They fired Ancelotti after he won the Champions League.
Just glad that I saw this team in Madrid this year as I think it will go down as one of the best ever. Who knows, if Ronaldo can keep going for another year they may win 3 in a row. He is 6 months older than Rooney 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If the rumours are true and they probably aren’t, then we seem to be interested in CBS and goalkeepers. These would seem to be the last places we need to strengthen. Good players are welcome in any position but when resources are finite I would prefer us to concentrate on the areas where there are weaknesses or a lack of back up.
Groucho(Quote)
You don’t think we have weaknesses at CB and GK going into the PL? We certainly had them in the championship. We need at least 6 new players.
georgio(Quote)
Need to strengthen throughout the team so far as I can see. At the back , but some creativity and potency in attack is a must for PL survival. Need lots of goals to stay in this league .
RIP all those killed in London overnight and thoughts with those injured .
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s looking very likely that our next 2 signings will be CBs – Hanley we expect to leave, but does that mean the end for Mbemba as well or is Rafa getting well stocked for a 3 at the back formation do we think?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho – we need improvements all over the field mate. I know what you’re saying though. I was hoping for a really dominant CB, a dedicated DM, a playmaker and a top striker as first priorities.
georgio(Quote)
Rafa said he’s un-happy that club haven’t signed any more players yet,I was even wondering why the Cairney thing hasn’t moved one inch even though he said he would like to come,no wonder Rafa isn’t happy as he wanted the signing in quickly,I just hope Penfold and jabba aren’t playing. funny games with Rafa over the money they promised,after all it is jabba we are talking about
Icedog(Quote)
Well it wouldn’t be the first time they mislead a manager Ice, trouble is this time they are really playing with fire if they are. If he gets pissed off enough to walk away there will be a hell let loose .
kimtoon(Quote)
Nobody has signed anyone yet (other than City with mad money).
Plenty time yet, and I’m guessing all Rafas targets are still out – unless he desperately wanted Darren Fletcher ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Everyone is on holiday. Its only the beginning of June. Lets relax and see what unfolds.
shamrock(Quote)
its all right some fans saying there is plenty time (4weeks to training) but why is saying hes not happy with lack of signings!,i always smell a rat where jabba is in charge
icedog(Quote)
Who says he is unhappy though?
shamrock(Quote)
I’ve not heard anything about him being unhappy. He probably hasn’t talked to a journalist for weeks! It’s the journalists who are unhappy with only total unfounded rumours they dreamt up themselves to write about. How many is it now 70? 80?
Things will happen soon as players/managers return from holiday. Rafa will have all his plans in place.
georgio(Quote)
Rafa-frustrated-there-are-not-more-signings-by-now,this was reported by club media partner Daily Mirror y/day,IMO it’s Rafa puts to Penfold who he would like to sign,it’s all down to him to get the deal done! after he’s reported to Jabba of coarse
Icedog(Quote)
Why would the club sign off on their ‘media partner’ reporting divisions amongst the hierarchy though Ice? I believe it is all total tosh until I see a quote from Rafa himself – like we did in January.
Since then they have obviously cleared the air and set a few things straight (or Rafa would have walked by now), so I think it best not to get too worked up by stuff being reported in the rags without sources being named or actual quotes coming to light.
shamrock(Quote)
ime not really bothered what the rags say,what will be will be,i was just putting it out there,but i still think Penfold is reporting to jabba and its him thats say yes or no,i dont trust him
icedog(Quote)
neither do I Ice and frankly he only has himself to blame for me and other fans feeling that way.
kimtoon(Quote)
Also reports we have had an bid for that Florian Lejeune accepted too.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.themag.co.uk/2017/06/clubs-official-media-partner-state-newcastle-agreed-10m-euros-transfer-florian-lejeune-newcastle-united/
The official media partner thing again
kimtoon(Quote)
not sure but did he not play for m/city for a while??
icedog(Quote)
He was there at City but never played. Guys been all over the place. I did read though that he’d played a lot as a DM. It’s all smoke and mirrors (Daily) at the moment.
georgio(Quote)
he’s got a lousy disciplinary record apparently .
11 suspensions in 4 years !
over 2 seasons got 30 bookings and 2 reds
kimtoon(Quote)
news that TIote has died after falling ill at training in China,very sorry to hear that
RIP son
icedog(Quote)
Oh dear god, Tiote has died 🙁
RIP 30 is no age
kimtoon(Quote)
what is it with black players and heart attacks at young ages, so so sad.
kimtoon(Quote)
Crikey. RIP Mr T…. 🙁
shamrock(Quote)
Cant believe the news about Tiote ?
That’s knocked me for six that one like.
RIP Toots ??
Sharpy17(Quote)