16th September 2004
By
Craig Hope
If the appointment of Graeme Souness was met with discontent in certain
quarters of the Toon Army then surely solace can be found in the fact
that Venables and O'Leary were not appointed. I was personally relieved
to see O'Leary, Moyes and Redknapp overlooked. The reason? They were
the three managers linked with a move for our international midfielder
(!) Kieron Dyer during the past two weeks. Any manager who obviously
fancies Dyer as a player is a bad judge of ability and character and
is not what we need at St. James' Park.
Souness has however demonstrated a certain degree of acumen in some
of his recent purchases. Most notably with the acquisition of Brett
Emerton and Jonathan Stead. The one time Newcastle target Emerton
has impressed at Ewood Park and certainly appears to have more about
his game than any of our right sided players – be it at full back
or in midfield. Stead, as we found to our cost last season, is a great
finisher who will no doubt go onto score regularly at Premiership
level. Having been handed a long term contract Souness will not only
have to assess the short term potential of our current squad of underachieving
stars but also make a decision regarding their long term prosperity.
The following review takes a closer look at some of the factors that
Souness will have to take into account during this period of assessment
and examines where the future of some of our stars may lie.
Shay Given – The Irishman is regarded as one of the
Premiership's best and has indeed saved the Toon on many an occasion. However
his lack of vocal influence appears to do little to inspire confidence
amongst our already unorganised back four. The very best goalkeepers
have that something extra in leadership and communication qualities
– something Given sadly lacks. VERDICT – Good enough,
but if a keeper of equal ability is available with that added vocal
quality then I feel this is one area in which we can improve.
Stephen Carr – On four appearances alone this may
appear harsh – but he is not good enough! Not good enough that is
to take us to the next level. Carr will no doubt slot in very nicely
and could without question look comfortable in a Newcastle side competing
on the UEFA/Champions League border line. The addition of Trabelsi
or Miguel would have strengthened our right back position – the acquisition
of Carr merely added to our options. VERDICT – Will
no doubt be given a good chance due to recent purchase but will ultimately
be deemed not good enough.
Olivier Bernard – Cast your mind back to Inter Milan
away in the CL and you will remember one of Bernard's most awesome
performances in a black 'n' white shirt. Compare this to the uninterested,
lethargic, general lacklustre approach of the Frenchman that has turned
up this season. Be it contract wrangle or not, Bernard is displaying
all the classic symptoms of yet another Frenchman to fall out of love
with Newcastle United. Bernard has definite talent and has never stopped
improving since he was first used by Sir Bobby in conjunction with
Lua Lua on many occasions to try and salvage some late points. VERDICT
– If the contract is sorted and his attitude and performances improve
then he has a definite future at SJP – if not then yet another Frenchman
bound for London or Paris.
Andy O'Brien – Next time he plays watch him and notice
– for a centre half he can often have a quiet game. O'Brien too often
hides and allows his fellow centre half to perform the majority of
the defensive duties. An average player in every department, who along
with Aaron Hughes must be a centre forward's dream opponent. VERDICT
– A squad player at best who must be replaced with a player of substantially
greater quality.
Aaron Hughes – As a full back he was often awarded
too much time on the ball and as a result wasted possession. At centre
half he is forced to make quicker decisions and ultimately looks a
far better player. However he has a definite lack of physical presence
and for an international captain a lack of vocal authority. The Hughes
– O'Brien partnership is frighteningly short of pace, aggression and
authority – as mentioned earlier; they must be any centre forward's
ideal opposition. VERDICT – Playing alongside a vocal
and aggressive leader Hughes could do well, he has a future at SJP
not only because of his ability but because of his invaluable versatility.
Titus Bramble – Unfortunately Titus has been labeled
with the 'error prone' tag now and will find it difficult to shake
off – especially amongst the national press. I had a conversation
with him last year and he said he would benefit from playing alongside
Jonathan Woodgate and not to forget he was still young – well at least
you're still young Titus! What he can learn from O'Brien or Hughes
I don't know. When he plays with O'Brien I would argue that Bramble
performs 70% of the defensive duties, it is therefore obvious he is
going to make mistakes. He is now our best central defender and has
undoubted ability. He is quick, good in the air, brave and has exceptional
distribution for a defender. He needs to learn with age how to use
this talent and develop a brain to compliment his raw ability. VERDICT
– Will become a great centre back if he can learn to cut out errors. He
needs to play with an older defender who can share the defensive responsibilities.
Jonathan Woodgate – Sorry! I forgot we sold our best
centre half and failed to replace him – in effect condemning ourselves
to at least half a season of inept defending and an almost certain
absence of clean sheets.
Robbie Elliot – A player deemed not good enough two
years ago and forced to rot in the reserves now finds himself involved
once more. Why? Has Elliot been out in Gosforth Park doing extra training
to recapture his form – no! He has been recalled because we simply
have nobody else. VERDICT – Robbie has no long term
future. He shouldn't really have a short term one. He has however
and so we must watch on; in reality with dreaded anticipation and
at best with eternal optimism!
Kieron Dyer – How sad it was that he played a major
part in Sir Bobby's demise. A central midfielder (?) who can't pass
more than 10 yards, tackle, head, shoot or cross and who used to be
able to dribble. But don't forget – he will run all day! We don't
care – Sebastian Coe can run all day! Coupled with his lack of ability
is an obvious lack of professionalism and arrogant attitude. Dyer
is a prime example of a young starlet believing their own hype and
ultimately not fulfilling their much prophesised potential. VERDICT
– He has to go, if not only for the sake of some of our other
young hopefuls whose development is no doubt stagnated by Dyer's playboy
influence. A shock transfer to Gateshead Harriers perhaps?
Jermaine Jenas – It seemed only natural to follow
on from Dyer with his sidekick Jenas. Two seasons ago I believed that
he would almost certainly travel to Euro 2004. For a teenager he was
playing with maturity beyond his years. Following his first goal
for the Toon against Wolves in the FA Cup, Jenas went on a run that
combined outstanding performances with a goals return that any midfielder
would be happy with. Then last season he appeared to lose interest. He
went missing in games for long periods and appeared physically weak
and drained having appeared the previous campaign so energetic and
strong. His season was eventually cut short due to injury. During
this time incidentally he checked into a hotel in Leeds and enjoyed
the high life with friends, spotted in night clubs most nights – most
significantly after the defeat in Marseille appearing totally unaffected
by the result. He has however tremendous ability and has certainly
shown that this season in the first half of matches at least. His
second half performances have tailed off and he looks short of match
fitness. VERDICT – Can become a brilliant player
with the right guidance. Having been one of Bobby's favourites Jenas
became too comfortable; the arrival of Souness will hopefully change
this.
Lee Bowyer – A central midfield role is a must. On
the right hand side Bowyer appears lost and plays very much within
himself. His strength is timing those runs from deep and arriving
in the box to either have an effort on goal himself or create a distraction
for the opposition defenders. How many times do you see Newcastle's
central midfielders passing pointlessly between themselves (especially
at home) appearing totally void of any idea of how to beak a defence
down? Bowyer adds energy to the middle; he has a hunger and aggression
that we so badly need. VERDICT – I believe Souness
will fancy him. I hope he does - an on form Bowyer in the middle of
the park will reduce our often static approach. He has the ability
to change the shape of our midfield – too many times last season with
Dyer and Speed our midfield was so rigid and void of any invention.
Nicky Butt – He has already demonstrated his evident
desire to win and distaste of defeat. He needs to install this into
his team mates. His ability is not in question. What we can gain from
Nicky Butt's presence is his attitude and professionalism. We need
more players who the rest of the team are going to respect. Players
like Butt who have played for their country and won trophies consistently
throughout their career. All of our much talked about potential laden
stars have to learn from someone – Nicky Butt is a perfect example. VERDICT
– A central midfield berth alongside Bowyer is what the majority of
Geordies are crying out for. A definite future on Tyneside and a possible
future captain?
James Milner – Last season he was playing for a doomed
side and was the young, local lad thrown in. He had the fans on his
side and not a huge amount of expectation on his shoulders. Now, he
is playing for a top five side in front of an expectant public. He
has a £5 million price tag and is the supply line for one of England's
greatest ever centre forwards hoping to break goal scoring records
in his final season. The difference in Milner's performances is already
evident. Undoubted potential and a seemingly strong, professional
character. His is only 18 and needs to be handled carefully. If not
his confidence and subsequent development could be affected. VERDICT
– Needs to improve on crossing ability and relax. A future at SJP,
where on the park I don't know. This is one young star however we
must not fail.
Darren Ambrose – Yet to see what Sir Bobby saw in
him, apart from a few bright glimpses at home to Chelsea last season. VERDICT
– Time he started to show something or else we should start to look
to cash in while he is still labelled with 'potential'.
Laurent Robert – Last season especially his goals
went a long way to ensuring our Uefa Cup participation this time around. However,
his overall contribution to a game is simply not enough. Too many
times he cuts infield only to lose possession or ultimately make a
ten yard pass to our right winger who is no further advanced than
he was twenty seconds ago on the left wing. He very rarely gets to
the by-line to deliver a decent cross and has never really been a
dribbler. VERDICT – Needs to be replaced. We need
a left midfielder who can participate more in team build up – when
Robert gets the ball the rest of our team seem to stop and seem afraid
to commit to attacking positions, half fearing no doubt that Robert
will lose the ball at any moment.
Shoala Ameobi – Last season he endured quite a bit
of stick from a section of the Leazes End. He appeared lazy and uninterested. Now
however Ameobi appears dangerous and energetic. He has two great feet
with respect to close control and has that ability to beat a man. His
eye for goal appears to have improved and most importantly he looks
hungry for goals. VERDICT – I only hope he bides
his time this season as I think first team opportunities will be limited. Beyond
this season however Ameobi can become a big hit at SJP if he continues
to progress in the manner he has done in the past twelve months.
Patrick Kluivert – When he came in against Villa
he showed his evident class. If a ball went to him it stuck to him. He
brought other players into play and at times we showed the fluency
and speed of attack that was such a major factor in our successful
02/03 campaign. Another player however who enjoys the social life
that our Quayside/Jesmond areas have to offer. VERDICT
– I hope Kluivert is not here simply for the 'jolly'. He is a world
class player who three or four years ago we could only dream of signing
(remember his reception in the pre-season friendly and the 'if only'
feeling you felt). He can become a huge success pending clashes with
team mates and potentially confrontational managers.
Craig Bellamy – He has been nothing short of fantastic
this season. His will to win and expectations of himself are so great
that you only hope his influence rubs off on some of his colleagues.
He has to however control his frustrations that often see him dropping
so deep to collect the ball that we're left with one man up front
and an overcrowded midfield. I don't want his 'in your face' attitude
to tone down. It's why we love him and the opposition hate him. VERDICT
– He must start every game when physically possible. He brings something
to the team that nobody else can and is arguably our most influential
player.
Alan Shearer – Save the best till last! Big Al is
still the best and those with short memories should not forget this.
It's such a shame however that we didn't go out and buy a top class
right winger for Shearer to feed off in his last season. He sometimes
appears to sulk and needs to erase this for the benefit of the team
– it is understandable however given the lack of supply he is often
subject to. VERDICT – Give him chances and will score
goals. We need Alan; hopefully he will have the same resurgence he
experienced during the last arrival of a new manger – five goals on
Souness' first game in charge?
Souness will obviously make his own decisions regarding our players. It
is evident however on this review that certain areas need strengthening. Most
notably our defence and wide midfield positions. We have not won in
the league away from home for almost a year now; this is not the sign
of a good team. We have ability and some great players – hopefully
Souness will install a mentality that eradicates this 'losers' mentality
we have sadly developing at our club. A team that looks to have some
resemblance of a 'game plan' needs to be developed and a whole new
approach to attitude and professionalism adopted. Like you would expect,
the Geordies will give Souness their 100% support and will forever
pray that this manager will be the one who finally delivers a trophy. We
can only hope we are not in store for the same misery our last Scottish,
ex-Liverpool and Blackburn manger made us endure!
Craig Hope wants your feedback - If
you have any propositions for Craig or any comments regarding this
or any of his other articles or any matter regarding NUFC he would
love to hear from you so drop
him a line. |
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