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September 15 2005 By Kyzer Sosay Well hell, I join the 15-20,000 girls and boys who filed into St. James' Park that Wednesday and the thousands of us who were unable to get there and I think we can all now say that “yup, we're pleasantly surprised and certainly very happy with the signings, thank you very much Mr Shepherd… and by the way, have you lost weight?” I feel that perhaps I was too harsh on Mr Shepherd, but when you're outside the box and can't see the internal machinations you can be forgiven for making the wrong assumptions. I saw his inaction in the transfer market as short-sighted and perhaps a hint he was already eying funds for Graeme’s successor. I also thought his failure to sign replacements as some kind of attempt to slash wages so that his pockets could bulge a little more. However, he pleasantly surprised me thrice, first with possibly the biggest coup in football transfers since, well since we signed Alan Shearer from under the noses of the dominant force in football of that time. Secondly we swooped to reclaim a player who has the qualities that fans of this club hold highest; loyalty, skill and trumpet playing. Finally he didn’t charge the kids to get into SJP to salute their newest goal machine; I think we can say our eyebrows were raised at that one. Shepherd has done what if we were honest we would never have believed possible. Admittedly we were fortunate with circumstance, and our success had as much to do with other party’s failure, as it has our effort and skill in the negotiating room. Much of that credit must surely land at the feet of the last big coup, Shearer seemed to have been massively influential in the signing of Owen (as Owens arrival paved the way for Nobby, one could argue he was also important for that transfer also). I know he was also an important factor in attracting Parker to the club, his signature seemed dictated by harassment from the number 9. Now I know much has been said of Shearer's inevitable tenure as manager and a lot of the noises have been anxious and unsure. This is evidence that he clearly has sway and skill in the art of negotiation, even offering up his beloved No. 9 shirt to hammer home the deal. So this suggests he has the subtlety to work in the sphere of management, we know he is influential on the players while he’s on the pitch and this would indicate an ability to motivate troops. The worries still lie in tactical nous and how well will he works when he is no longer cock of the north and must make way for larger more fragile egos. But I digress, back to the surprises, and I swear people will need to remind me that December 25th, and not August 31st is Christmas day. I could not believe the saga as it unfolded on Sky Sports News. Most of my disbelief was borne of incredulity at the response from fans and "experts" that somehow were in a position to comment. One Liverpool fan actually declared that this is the end of Owen’s career. Bitter? No not at all. I loved the details, the late night hone calls, the stately homes, the last minute bid from Everton. This was truly a story with enough twists and turns that would grace any movie. You might have guessed I’m never the most optimistic guy in the world, and so you’ll be expecting a but, and brace yourselves it’s a fair sized one... think Lisa Riley... you got that image? Good serves you right. BUT We are still lacking the fullbacks and left winger that would balance the side nicely, we've dramatically improved the first 11 but the squad is terrifyingly weak at the back. Owen is one of the few modern players that could ever actually "replace" Shearer. He's the pace and movement of Bellamy, with the added bonus of being able to put the ball in the back of the net with unerring frequency. Yet he is as likely to spend the season on the physio’s table here as he was to spend the season on the bench in Madrid Nobby not only brings natural width to the side, his style of play will compliment Dyer and Emre and with a player like Parker who seems incapable of losing the ball, we've a very impressive and stylish midfield. However at the minute, Nobby’s suspended, Emre and Dyer are both out with repetitive injuries leaving us with Bowyer, Parker, Faye and N’Zogbia… this is not as impressive or stylish. Yet we still lack the width on the left and our fullbacks are poor, and we're still not strong enough at the back. We’re not going to win the title, we’re not going to finish fourth, I now think we can get Europe, but the front six have got to be exceptional to make up for a weak ass back four. A back four that cannot be strengthened anymore this season. Phew, that feels better. I was afraid I might suddenly start skipping down the high street offering lucky heather and well wishes to passers-by. I feel suitably grounded and realistic… trouble is I can’t be too miserable today. We’ve two strikers who are more than capable of winning the game on their own; we've the possibility of a really dynamic partnership. Hopefully the arrival of Owen will bring the best out of the first 11. Also the arrival of a massive, simply stratospheric player will attract other names and more importantly, other talented footballers to a squad that was, up until a few weeks ago, seriously on their ass! I must doff my cap to Freddy he may still think like a 1990's chairman, but fuck me if he isn't afraid to back the club with cash. Yes he siphons off more than his fair share, and this could all be fruitless as we have absolutely no guarantee of European football, or silverware. He is a PR Nightmare for the club and area, but he has delivered once again. Now all we need is a good manager, a left winger and left back and a right back, maybe a couple of centre backs as well… I was pleasantly surprised and in that regard you kept your word, but the trouble with meeting expectations is that they are inevitably raised. So what’s next Fred old boy? You couldn’t possibly convince young Wayne Bridge to leave the bench of Chelsea to join the rebirth of Newcastle? What about Gallas? Howay man Freddy, get the cheque book out ya tight bastard. © Kyzer Sosay
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Pleasantly Surprised
