Newcastle United Thread 2015/16

[Geordie]

First topic message reminder :

Manager / Head Coach - Steve McClaren
Assistant coach - Paul Simpson
Assistant coach - Ian Cathro
Psychology / Fitness / Motivation: Steve Black
Fitness Coach - Alessandro Schonemaker

Current Squad
(A) - Promoted from the academy, playing reserves but eligible for 1st XV

GK's:
T.Krul, R.Elliott, Karl Darlow 
Brendan Pearson (A) , Freddie Woodman (A), P. Woolston (A),

Defenders:
C. Mbemba, F.Coloccini, Jamaal Lascelles, S.Taylor, P.Dummett, M.Haidara, Daryl Janmaat, C.Good
J. Sterry (A), M. Gilhesphey (A), K.Mbabu (A), L.Satka (A), L. Gibson (A), K Cameron (A), J. Cobain (A), A.Laidler (A), C.Williams (A), L. Suddick (A),
 
Midfielders:
G. Wijnaldum, C.Tiote, M.Sissoko, V.Anita, J.Colback, G.Bigirmana, S De Jong, S.Ferguson, R. Aarons
D. Barlaser (A), L.Smith (A), D. Ward (A), O. Kemen (A)
 
Forwards:
A. Mitrovic, P.Cisse, Y.Gouffran, A. Armstrong,  A.Perez, S.Ameobi, E.Riviere, I.Toney
C. Roberts (A), T. Heardman (A), A. Gilliead (A),

[Geordie]

Ha ha....no it was not a great advert at all for sports direct.

But im sure Mr Ashley with his 5 billion in the bank doesn't care.

Yeah I expect to see a massive clear out....but its who comes in that is the bigger concern.

I wouldn't be surprised if a top side put a bid in for Janmaat....they'd be buying a top class defender....and we all know Ashley has a price on every player.

[Geordie]

Any thoughts which side you'd put out in the next game?

[Guest]

--------------Perez------------
Ameobi-----De Jong----Cabella
-------Colback---Sissoko-----
Jonas-Dummett-Coloccini-Taylor
--------------Krul---------------

Riviere can't hit a barn door, so its au revoir to him
Gouffran is awful, so I'd rather have Ameobi running at WBA
De Jong must be fully fit now, no more of this cameo stuff
Jonas can play LB because Anita is shambolic.
Cisse is apparently not fit, so not picked

[Driver]

I'd still take the chance on Papiss starting, we need goals and he's the only man who looks like scoring this season.

[Geordie]

Well that seems fair enough..... So now what team will carver pick?

Cisse at left back?

[Guest]

Injury prone De Jong is out apparently with a thigh problem this weekend, Dummett is doubtful & Cisse has only trained this week & not ready. Aarons is still not 100%, could make the bench.

[Azzy]

Siem De Jong translates as 'most injured of men', or so I am told.

[Guest]

Everyone knew about his injury record, so what did we do, we gave him a six year contract.

[Azzy]

Siem De Ziek Brief?

[Geordie]

I see Mr Ashley couldn't even be bothered to turn up today.

The guys is as big a joke as the players he pays on the pitch.

[Guest]

Look how happy Coloccini is in the new 2015/16 Championship shirt

[Fernando]

#CurseOfWonga

I enjoyed how Carver banned twitter then Moussa was it on literally 5 hours later

Blackpool & Hearts both went down whilst sponsored by them now it's Newcastle's turn...

[Driver]

Well here we go this is arguably the biggest game in recent years for Newcastle United FC,

A former Friend turned for in every corner for the opposition, beloved heroes Nolan and Caroll against merceneries like Sissoko and co.

I'm predicting a tense atmosphere.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Genuinely think it'd be best for this club if they went down - can't see Ashley changing his philosophy of get to mid season and then not bothered if you stay up again.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You can have both of them back, although neither will play. Take Andy and Kev down to the Championship if you can.

[Fernando]

You don't Frak with Wonga then will take you down eventually

#WongaWillRelegateYouFasterThanHarryRedknapp

[Geordie]

So John....will Ashley put his money where his mouth is...and pay out the big money its going to need to sort this club out.

[Guest]

I'm still sceptical, actions speak louder than words, so it's a waiting game. I do genuinely feel this has been a wake up call though for Ashley & putting himself forward to be interviewed for the first time in eight years, suggests something might have changed. I'm not saying we're going to blow £50m+, but with the TV deal coming into effect for 2016/2017, Ashley knows the importance of being in the PL for that rumoured windfall, so expect him to spend this summer to make sure we are there. 

As for the manager, thought we would of heard something about the future of Carver by now. I'd take McClaren, but just wonder if someone else may now come forward, given Ashley's statement of intent. 

Out - Rivieire, Ameobi, Obertan, Marveaux, Tiote, Gutierrez/Coloccini & possibly even Tim Krul. I don't see any big names going.

In - Austin for definite, he is the no.1 target. Also, Lascelles & Darlow coming in from Nottm Forest.

[Driver]

I had a think that when they approach McLaren he said he'd want some cash to spend and that request was knocked back. This has made Ashley relise that he needs to invest and show some long term commitment.

[Geordie]

Should we make anything of the Viera rumours...or is it just tripe...

[Guest]

Looks like a decision will be made this week between McClaren or Vieira. They are both so-so in my opinion, upgrades on Carver, but I'm not blown away by either. I'm not convinced on Vieira, has no proven track record in management & don't see him being happy under Ashley's regime & I doubt the club will trust him to spend upwards of £40m this summer, if Ashley does invest. I'm guessing the Vieira approach is the club hoping he can develop Aarons, Perez & Cabella types, while keeping Sissoko on-side & believing the club is progressing enough to stop him leaving.

[Geordie]

But i'm not sure Viera would come unless he had cast iron agreements on money being available and him being allowed to get on with the job.

He would be interesting...been there done it as a player...worked under some top managers, would be good for the kids, would attract better players...

but....

How many top players have we seen become poor managers - Vieras arch enemy Mr Roy Keane being one (who I happened to think would make a top manager)

Its a risk, but one I would take over Mr McLaren, who I don't think would be much of a step up over Carver.

[Geordie]

So Viera rules himself out...due to apparent lack of control of transfers etc.

Looks like its McClaren then...a bumbling bottom half / relegation zone next season then.

At least he proved what half of us believed about Ashleys interview being utter tripe.

[dyrewolfe]

Well if he turns out anything like he did for us, you can expect a few seasons of uninspiring but oddly effective football.

You may even win the League Cup and get to the Europa League final the following season...

...before England come calling again after Roy is sacked / decides to call it a day.


Seriously though, best of luck. Seems McLaren is a real lottery. When it works, it really works, but when it doesn't...

[Geordie]

Yeah that seems to be the general thoughts...
He plays one tactical system, and when it works it is effective. But often it doesn't work.
We shall see. At least he should sort our flippin defence out and organise us a bit.

Theres some cr@p to get rid of before anything:

Williamson
Colocini
Ryan Taylor
Gouffran
Cisse
Tiote
Rivierre
Vuckic
Ameobi
Obertan,
Marveaux

Will be a nice start.....

[Guest]

rumours we've bid around £9m for Bas Dost. Too good for us & ridiculously cheap. Linked with Jonny Evans this week too. Can see Liverpool snatching Austin away from us, probably why we've gone for Dost. Thauvin is continually linked, just could be a clone of Cabella though in the PL. Wijnaldum is linked too but again is a level above us, but good to see us at least looking at these kind of quality players.

I'd agree with 90% of that outgoing list, I'd probably keep Cisse though, as natural goalscorers shouldn't be leaving really.

[Geordie]

I would agree about not letting natural goalscorers go...its just I struggle to list him as that.

I'd really like to get a solid base of English (or British) players, with a smattering of real quality foreigners.

[Lowlandbrit]

rumours we've bid around £9m for Bas Dost. Too good for us & ridiculously cheap.

Really not sure what your expectations are if you think they're below Dost. There's a reason you could probably have got him for half that this time last year.

[Guest]

To be honest, newcastle nearly got relegated are a laughing stock & he's coming off a great season & linked with a number of teams who will be playing in Europe, so not sure why he'd be interested in NUFC, other than money in the PL. £9m is pretty cheap

[Guest]

Newcastle United fixtures

Newcastle vs Southampton 
Swansea vs Newcastle
Man U vs Newcastle
Newcastle vs Arsenal
West Ham vs Newcastle
Newcastle vs Watford
Newcastle vs Chelsea
Man City vs Newcastle

Tough start

[Geordie]

Yup,...and we don't even have a clue who will be running out for them....

Names floating about already...

22yo Defender Tyrone Mings of Ipswich Town
Yohan Cabaye return. Not sure on that one
Charlie Austin still linked - £15m
Will Hughes from Derby - Mclarens former club
England u21 defender Lewis Dunk from Brighton
Bas Dost still floating about

And looks like Cisse is up for any offer over £10m

[Geordie]

Well I see the board a falling to type....no signings, falling behind teams they're already behind in the league.

At this stage...I can only see Newcastle going one way...relegation.

[Guest]

Have to laugh, McClaren can't even fill his own staff positions, let alone finding new players. After the Ashley statement & McClaren appointment, we should of pushed forward, instead we are now in limbo again. Why we are waiting for someone else to make a bid for Austin is mind boggling. Been linked this week & supposedly in talks with Joel Matip & Thauvin. Cisse is being pushed out the door, but doesn't want to leave. I'd rather keep him, his stats are still impressive.

[Azzy]

What baffles me is that Thauvin is supposed to be replacing Cisse - when he plays a different position entirely. Surely Austin replaces Cisse and Thauvin replaces Cabella?

[Geordie]

I see all the photos coming out from the Newcastle players on their 2 and 3 holidays this summer.

What a feckin cheek...they've been on holiday since January!!!!!!

[Guest]

Been hugely unimpressed with the lack of progress so far this summer. After the Ashley statement of intent, I really thought the club would be turning things around quickly this summer, instead it's been completely stagnant & now a lot of cynicism has grown amongst the fans.

Been linked with every tom, dick & harry this summer, so to not have anybody over the line is incredibly poor, seeing how clearly weak the squad is. Still expect to sign Charlie Austin sometime down the line, along with possibly Thauvin, but he could just be another Cabella, so not totally convinced on that one. Looks like Sammy Ameobi might leave for Cardiff or Wolves.

[Geordie]

Totally agree mate. Pretty poor going.

On a side note its not the big signings we want but least we are looking at the local talent
4 lads signed up to the senior squad. one big striker 6'4 and 3 defenders. I just hope these aren't expected to be major players this season...especially as we need a big striker, and that's what one of these lads are....

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-new-professionals-who-9566059#rlabs=5

PS I see Marveaux has been given a recall. I still think we haven't seen what he really can do yet. Play him in a proper attacking position. You never know.

[Geordie]

That Jamaal Laschelles from Forrest looks a monster of a lad. Hope he can play!!!
That would give us some physical presence at the back.

[Geordie]

Ive updated the squad....wow how many kids.

We so badly need to sign a host of senior players.

[Guest]

We so badly need to sign a host of senior players.

Reports saying we're closing in on Wijnaldum. If we could add Austin too, that would be very good work.

[Geordie]

But no where near enough though John.

[Geordie]

I see young Olivier Kemen captains France in the UEFA u19 competition.

Yes apparently Wijnaldum is one they are working on....and they appear confident that they will also land...Charlie Austin, Florian Thauvin and Joel Matip.

Edit: Another player potentially coming in prior to Friday’s game is 19-year-old Northampton Town striker Ivan Toney.
The prospect scored ten goals last season, and the Mirror are reporting that Newcastle are closing in on the player, who would cost £300,000.

Really?

[Guest]

------------Mitrovic---------
Aarons----De Jong----Wijnaldum
------Sissoko---Colback-------
-?-------?-----------?---Janmaat
--------------Krul-----------------

Not bad, certainly a goal threatening side, with pace. Defence is still an unknown

[Geordie]

Lachselles and Colo with either Dummet or Haidara as it stands John

We need to sign some more defenders. Unless the 3 youngsters promoted from the academy team are world class

We beat Milan , Benfica, Roma etc to sign Mitrovic. That suggests he's had assurances of further signings....

[Geordie]

------------Mitrovic---------
Aarons----De Jong----Wijnaldum
------Sissoko---Colback-------
-Haidara/ Dummett-----Mijtap   ------Laschelles-----Janmaat
--------------Krul-----------------

[Guest]

It just goes to show what offensive options we could have, if all fit, that we both didn't even pick Ayoze Perez 

[Geordie]

ha ha yeah....and even young Armsrong would work well with Mitrovic.

[Guest]

Pre-Season

FT - Newcastle 1-0 Gateshead - Cisse (p)

[Geordie]

Yeah heard Cisse had a decent little run out actually.

Whilst I know you don't take much out of the results...I am interested to see how we will be lining up and how we will be looking to play. Ie Slow passing game?, high tempo game??

[Geordie]

Well John, I don't tend to read much in to friendlies this early...so the 2-1 defeat wasn't a major issue.

However...it did highlight one specific problem....we badly need a few defenders. And Mike Williamson needs to be moved on.

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