Newcastle-Online have went behind enemy lines and teamed up with Glory-Glory.net,
a Spurs e-zine similar to this website, to find out their views ahead
of today's game against Spurs. Check it out...
By Rob: 21st August 2004
As Johan Cruyff himself once put it, a team can sometimes lose a competition
and still end up the winner. I believe this is exactly what happened
with Keegan's Newcastle United of the mid nineties. Eventually,
his team didn't win anything but their positive attitude (as
well as some good results, of course) has won them a lot of friends
and raised the club's profile beyond many people's expectations.
So despite all this irritating "best fans in the country"
that you would hear about six million times a game, and all the damage
they've done to Spurs over the past ten years or so, you would
be hard pressed to find a lot of Spurs fans who hate Newcastle.
And while it may be disappointing that the gap between both sides
in terms of club development isn't any wider when Spurs have
been going backwards for most of last season, it would be seen as
a huge surprise if Newcastle didn't finish above us for another
season. Now whether that means that Champions League football will
be back in the North of England next season is an entirely different
matter.
Granted, the motivation should definitely be there with Shearer's
and Robson's careers coming to an end. After what must have
been seen as a disappointing season last term, much will depend on
the interaction between new signings and first team regular for Newcastle
to make a push for that coveted fourth spot.
Ever since he first put on the black and white shirt, Shearer's influence
on Newcastle's game has been growing. In fact it's been growing to
the point that now a lot of the team's ability to convert chances
into goals is down to him. He's had a lot of partners over the years
but most of them have found it extremely hard to shine alongside him.
Now it's Kluivert's turn. I've never been a fan of his: very poor
attitude and lack of work-rate ruin whatever his good first touch
could bring to a team. Add to that the fact that he's probably too
similar to Shearer, a goal poacher, and it puts some huge question
mark on this acquisition. With Bellamy's usual injury problems and
Ameobi's apparent inability to score on a regular basis, Shearer will
once again be a very busy man up front.
On the other hand, the midfield seems to be one of Newcastle's
strength. Players like Dyer, Jenas and Ambrose already offered a good
mix of creativity and hard work but the signings of Nicky Butt and
James Milner will add some welcome depth in the squad. Basically,
they have a midfield with the ability to make some good runs and knock
the ball around efficiently.
Butt if one of these players who could be very useful when you already
have a fast and creative midfield so when he's used to his new
team mates, he should definitely bring something to the club. The
club took a gamble on Bowyer that didn't pay off and I'd
be surprised if he remained in Robson's plans for too long.
It's disappointing to see that a player who showed so much promise
has now become very average.
Having said that, Robson has proved his ability to guide young players
to the top of their games over the years and while some may say that
Dyer and Jenas can be inconsistent at times, I don't think you
would find many people who doubt their ability. With more players
in that area, Robson will be able to rotate his squad and can even
afford the odd injury now and then so I expect Newcastle to play some
attractive football again this season.
The defence, however, emphasises most of the club's shortcomings
and could prove Newcastle's Achilles' heel. Some players
are distinctly average like Elliott or O'Brien (far too limited
technically to make an impression at the highest level) while Bramble
is far too inconsistent to be relied upon. Aaron Hughes, while not
the best defender in the league, is still a consistent and versatile
player though. But *Woodgate's injuries could be the key to
a very successful season for Newcastle. There's no doubt that
he's a very strong centre back but, more importantly, his presence
in the team could boost Carr back to his best.
Our former right back enjoyed his best seasons when he was playing
alongside a rock solid Campbell. It gave him the licence to move forward
and bring an extra man to our attack. Unfortunately, when paired with
shakier players, he finds life a lot more difficult. He's still a
consistent performer though but with Newcastle's current problems
at the back (Olivier Bernard's situation seems a bit…confused)
they need more than that.
As with most teams in the Premiership, a fully fit Newcastle is a
match for anyone and, in Spurs' case, more than a match, I'm
afraid. Unfortunately, given some players' injury record (Bellamy,
Woodgate…), others struggling to find consistency and the presence
of troublemakers in the team (Bowyer, Kluivert, Robert…) it's
hard to believe that everything will go according to plan.
On potential, Newcastle are the team to contest the fourth spot to
Liverpool but it would take a miracle performance from Robson to keep
everyone happy and performing to their best for the next nine months.
A finish between 5th and 8th seems more likely as anything below that
would be disappointing, from an outsider's point of view.
They still have more than enough to beat a Spurs side that is still
coming to terms with Santini's ideas but another dodgy line-up
like the one against Middlesbrough and we could be pleasantly surprised.
Rob (Spurs Fan)
*Wrote before Woodgate's move to Madrid |
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