The Toon Army thread

[Lowie01]

I have come to the conclusion Alan Smith is Emile Heskey.

Incorrect. Emile Heskey scores goals.

 

[ShearMagic9]

Lets look at the two positives:

A) Stephen Carr got injured.

B) Cacapa looked very good when he came on.

 

[apollo_creed]

C) Unbeaten

 

[tribey]

I know you're not a fan but an 'on' Damien 'Duffer' Duff is desperately required right at the minute.

If he's fit. I actually reckon he'd thrive in this current 3-4-3 malarkey, but then who do you drop?

Milner is a home-game performer. Well, imo he is anyway. From what I saw of him at Villa and during his time at Newcastle I've always noticed his performances are very good at home and usually uninspiring on away turf. It may be an incorrect observation, I'm not sure.

I reckon he's a victim of tactics. At home when we're going forward he's obviously got far greater license to attack his marker and the box. Away from home when we're on the back foot he tends to be caught in no man's land a lot, popping up left, right and all over.

Could just mean he's a frontrunner.

Ideally you want N'Zog up the field as well. His talent is wasted at LB. And the one month in the year that he's not injured, you may as utilise his extreme talent.

Yep. Hopefully the plan is Enrique at LB now he's fit and Zog wide left. Hopefully.

Owen? He's really, really struggling. Hasn't done anything of note for about five years and the commentators still talk him up as if he's Mr. Goal Scoring. His miss for England v Germany was worse than Robinson's goalkeeping error. Yet nothing was made of it. Owen looks off the pace and completely unthreatening at the moment.

Has played roughly 6 games in 2 years, but looks so far off the boil it just isn't funny.

Obviously needs football but whether Martins' mood will tolerate being dicked around for someone living purely off reputation is anyone's guess.

 

[tige19]

Faye is done for 2m, I am not as pissed about this as I once was if Ramages injury is set to give him an extended period out of the game. Really though he is not needed, we have enough creativeless midfielders and so so defenders in the squad, was their any real need to get another one??? cant wait for Emre and Barton to be fit, we really do lack Emres passing ability, as soft as he is noone can deny he is missed atm.

 

[Tigerbob]

I have read a lot of forums with Newcastle Fans not at all happy with the performance or the way things are going.

I wasn't pleased with patches in the performance at Boro (particularly the two goals conceded), but lets look at it in perspective.

Joey Barton, Emre, Enrique back into the team will make a massive difference. Some quality and creativity in the midfield and Enrique a natural Left back allowing N'zogbia to play on the left of midfield. Also allows Geremi to play Right back, where his toughness and smarts would be valuable.

Cacaba for me was sensational when he came on. I have watched this bloke play for Lyon and he is a terrific player. He came on and went to the center of defence with Taylor moving to Right Back. He will find his feet more and be a sensation. Rozenhal again was solid. Cant agree with peoples thoughts on Milner, was good against Boro, very dangerous, and have seen him all of last season be our best player away from home. Always gives his all, no way a front runner.

To me there is so much positives we can take out of the start of our campaign. We never, and I repeat NEVER start this well, we are always slow starters, this time we are undefeated. I think we are off to a Good Start.

GIVEN

GEREMI ROZENHAL CACABA ENRIQUE
MILNER BARTON EMRE N'ZOGBIA
MARTINS VIDUKA

HARPER
OWEN
SMITH
TAYLOR
BUTT
DUFF

As you can see, when fit we have a world class side and depth.

We have Barnsley mid week, then Wigan at home, I expect victories in both. We do that we get some players back, we have 8 points in 4 games in the League, uundefeated, things are going good.

 

[tige19]

I have read a lot of forums with Newcastle Fans not at all happy with the performance or the way things are going.

I wasn't pleased with patches in the performance at Boro (particularly the two goals conceded), but lets look at it in perspective.

Joey Barton, Emre, Enrique back into the team will make a massive difference. Some quality and creativity in the midfield and Enrique a natural Left back allowing N'zogbia to play on the left of midfield. Also allows Geremi to play Right back, where his toughness and smarts would be valuable.

Cacaba for me was sensational when he came on. I have watched this bloke play for Lyon and he is a terrific player. He came on and went to the center of defence with Taylor moving to Right Back. He will find his feet more and be a sensation. Rozenhal again was solid. Cant agree with peoples thoughts on Milner, was good against Boro, very dangerous, and have seen him all of last season be our best player away from home. Always gives his all, no way a front runner.

To me there is so much positives we can take out of the start of our campaign. We never, and I repeat NEVER start this well, we are always slow starters, this time we are undefeated. I think we are off to a Good Start.

GIVEN

GEREMI ROZENHAL CACABA ENRIQUE
MILNER BARTON EMRE N'ZOGBIA
MARTINS VIDUKA

HARPER
OWEN
SMITH
TAYLOR
BUTT
DUFF

As you can see, when fit we have a world class side and depth.

We have Barnsley mid week, then Wigan at home, I expect victories in both. We do that we get some players back, we have 8 points in 4 games in the League, uundefeated, things are going good.

I reckon Cacaba's pace is suited to RB especially for the EPL, keep Taylor in the centre of defence with Rezenhal. Quite frankly I dont know what to with Geremi, he is a squib, seems like a poor mans (black) version of Scotty Parker with half the heart.

Ideally for me:

GIVEN
CACABA TAYLOR ROZENHAL ENRIQUE
MILNER BARTON EMRE/BUTT NZOGBIA
VIDUKA MARTINS

HARPER
OWEN
BUTT/EMRE
CARR
GEREMI
SMITH

We are in a really good position come January, 1 of either Martins or Owen can leave, as much as I love Owen I would prefer to sell him and bring in a class central midfielder, we need to spend 10+m on a world class star to play alongside the likes of Barton/Emre/Butt, it shouldnt be to hard especially if we look a genuine European chance.

When looking at our squad, it is really well ahhh surprising how we are not in the top5, Arsenal esepcially dont seem to have anything that is overly above what we have.

Thoughts?

 

[ShearMagic9]

His name is CacaPa

I was very impressed with him when he came on, he will play in the centre which will (unfortunately, well IMO) move Taylor out to Right Back.

Faye coming in is kinda meh. I guess not too bad for 2m, and will provide good back-up, especially as it looks like Carr will be out for 6 weeks with a Hamstring (hopefully longer ) and Ramage out for a while with ligament damage.

For me we need an Emre in midfield, we lack creativity, Butt, Geremi and Smith are all too similar players.

 

[snakebite01]

When looking at our squad, it is really well ahhh surprising how we are not in the top5, Arsenal esepcially dont seem to have anything that is overly above what we have.

Thoughts?

Arsenal's first XI is better in almost every position. Their depth is questionable. So many people are underrating Arsenal's first choice team this year (Spurs supporters especially).

A team of:

Lehmann
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Rosicky Fabregas Gilberto Hleb
van Persie Adebayor

is top 3 standard. It's just their lack of depth that'll prevent them making a title challenge. The only position on the field I'd say Newcastle come out in front is the 2nd striker (Viduka > Adebayor) and maybe GK. LM is about even.

 

[tribey]

Arsenal's first XI is better in almost every position. Their depth is questionable. So many people are underrating Arsenal's first choice team this year (Spurs supporters especially).

A team of:

Lehmann
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Rosicky Fabregas Gilberto Hleb
van Persie Adebayor

is top 3 standard. It's just their lack of depth that'll prevent them making a title challenge. The only position on the field I'd say Newcastle come out in front is the 2nd striker (Viduka > Adebayor) and maybe GK. LM is about even.

Maybe GK?

If you gave any Arsenal person the choice of Shaymus or mad Jens they'd take our beloved Irishman in a Dick Cheney heartbeat.

 

[tige19]

Arsenal's first XI is better in almost every position. Their depth is questionable. So many people are underrating Arsenal's first choice team this year (Spurs supporters especially).

A team of:

Lehmann
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Rosicky Fabregas Gilberto Hleb
van Persie Adebayor

is top 3 standard. It's just their lack of depth that'll prevent them making a title challenge. The only position on the field I'd say Newcastle come out in front is the 2nd striker (Viduka > Adebayor) and maybe GK. LM is about even.

Yeah no doubt their firs 11 is probably stronger, I never stated otherwise but really are they that far ahead??

Defence:
Centre of defence they have us covered ATM, Taylor could be anything and Rozehnal has made as good as start as you could have hope for, Cacapa also is CL quality to so yes Aresnal are stronger but we do have talent their now. Full backs are are pretty similiur, all depends on how Enrique handles the PL, he has massive rapts on him and Clichy is hardly a star, but as of right now Nzogbia is levels abpve Clichy. Sagna is solid and we dont really have anyone at RB that is of a class level so I will give that to the gunners.

Arsenal 8.5/10
Newcastle 6.5/10

Midfield:
The Gunners have class all over the park here, just lack a bit of depth, Fabregas,Gilberto and Rosicky are streets ahead of Geremi,Butt,Emre and Barton with only probably Barton being able to match it with those guys on a creative attacking side of things, Emre at his best is as good as anyone but their is a massive difference between his best and not so good best. Milner is a gun, gives everything when he plays and Duff and Nzogbia have Hleb covered I feel, I am happy to say we match them on the wings. Overall though the Gunners have a bit more flair and attacking power through their midfield.

Arsenal 8.5/10
Newcastle 7.0/10

Attackers:
Viduka,Smith,Owen,Martins is their a better bunch of strikers/forwards in the EPL?? very very hard bunch to match against, we have cover in abundance here and quality from our number 1 to our number 5. Van Persie at this stage is probably .5 to 1 rating ahead of our best (Martins) but really is not enough overall to give the Gunners the edge. No depth here for Aresnal see Newcastle take the points, in saying that Bendtner could be anything and lift the Gunners ratings dramtically by mid season.

Arsenal 7.5/10
Newcastle 9.5/10

Keepers:
Given is as good as any in the world and is severely underated outside of England, Lehman has been on a brain freeze since the start of the campaign and his stocks have dropped a bit, although he has been all class for many years now.

Arsenal 8/10
Newcastle 8.5/10

Overall:

Arsenal 32.5/40
Newcastle 31.5/40

 

[apollo_creed]

Adebayor is ****ing shit.

If he's first choice then you're in for some problems.

 

[moomba]

Viduka and Martins can be rated, Owen is a question mark but Smith shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as "best bunch of forwards in the league".

And to be honest, Newcastle shouldn't be comparing themselves with Arsenal. Look at the Evertons and Boltons, then your Spurs and then a bit of daylight before you can even think about Arsenal.

 

[Tigerbob]

Viduka and Martins can be rated, Owen is a question mark but Smith shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as "best bunch of forwards in the league".

And to be honest, Newcastle shouldn't be comparing themselves with Arsenal. Look at the Evertons and Boltons, then your Spurs and then a bit of daylight before you can even think about Arsenal.

Were past the Boltons already, and Tottenham are overated only because of the amount of money spent/wasted.

I think you have the top 4 Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool.

Then you have the next 4 Everton, Newcastle, Man City, Tottenham.

Anything can happen in the season, we havent really put our best team on the park and remain undefeated, so I'm quite happy. Say what you will about Joey Barton, he will become our most important player as the link between the defence and strikers, which is when we look at our best.

 

[Al_Bundy]

Don't agree.

I'd suggest Aston Villa have a better squad than Everton and on par with Manchester City.

You've also neglected to mention Portsmouth. Who probably have the seventh best.

Their only weakness is midfield creativity and flair.

 

[snakebite01]

Were past the Boltons already, and Tottenham are overated only because of the amount of money spent/wasted.

5th best team 2 years running. We have the performances on the board to match our rating.

I'd hardly say we've wasted money either. Most purchases in the last 3 years are as good as/better than most clubs.

At the moment the top 4 is still the same as last season, the top 6 is still the same, and the likes of Man City, Newcastle and Villa are a bit of an unknown quantity due to many changes in the past 6-12 months, but all look capable of challenging for Europe.

 

[snakebite01]

Maybe GK?

If you gave any Arsenal person the choice of Shaymus or mad Jens they'd take our beloved Irishman in a Dick Cheney heartbeat.

Mad Jens had a great season last year. At least = to Given. He has been shite this year, but Given hasn't played due to injury.

Not as clear cut as you make out. FWIW I'd take Given though.

 

[Tigerbob]

5th best team 2 years running. We have the performances on the board to match our rating.

I'd hardly say we've wasted money either. Most purchases in the last 3 years are as good as/better than most clubs.

At the moment the top 4 is still the same as last season, the top 6 is still the same, and the likes of Man City, Newcastle and Villa are a bit of an unknown quantity due to many changes in the past 6-12 months, but all look capable of challenging for Europe.

It's my opinion for this season looking at the squads.

I really think the names brought in by Tottenham have been overrated. Still you guys have the talent to break into the top 4 if everything goes right, but I think this nonsense about Tottenham the best team by a fair margin outside the top 4 is laughable. The fact is there is a group, and yes I forgot Portsmouth, Aston Villa and even Blackburn who I think are at a similar level to Tottenham, Newcastle, Man City and Everton.

I really beleive with Joey Barton, Cacapa, Enrique, Emre, Given, Duff, Owen all at peak fitness or back into the squad, we will be a big suprise. Our injuries at the moment have been underrated.

Long season to go, but I am extremely confident with the way things are going.

 

[tige19]

Viduka and Martins can be rated, Owen is a question mark but Smith shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as "best bunch of forwards in the league".

And to be honest, Newcastle shouldn't be comparing themselves with Arsenal. Look at the Evertons and Boltons, then your Spurs and then a bit of daylight before you can even think about Arsenal.

Dude, basing this whole thing on names and individual talent really... no doubts about the fact that Everton are streets ahead as a football club that plays as 'TEAM', but on individual talent and names on paper we are ahead, quire easily I feel.

A long way to go for Newcastle, as it has been for many years for us, names on the player sheet mean very little, we have to have some cohesion and spirit in the squad.

 

[ShearMagic9]

Apparently we're chasing Glen Johnson

I'd be very happy if we signed him.

 

[tige19]

When big SA talks about signings they are normally almost a done deal, and when he says 1 will be done by Friday and hopefully 2 that even looks better. Glen Johnson welcome to Newcastle, a quality signing .

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1780_2691254,00.html

 

[Embers]

Can we have a refund. I still have the receipt on him

 

[tribey]

From .com

Axis of Ar$eh0les:
BBC: Boro biased cobblers

Tuesday night's edition of the BBC's local news programme Look North made no attempt at balance in their reporting of Sunday's Tees-Tyne game - preferring instead to take the opportunity to slate all things black and white.

Despite being broadcast in a studio on Tyneside, the sports segment presented by an odd pair indulged in some good old-fashioned misrepresentation of events at the Riverside.

Bumbling twit Mark Tulip initially tried to accuse Newcastle fans of homophobia before reading his autocue properly to drop in that new buzz word, Islamophobia (or is Islamaphobia - there's probably an explanatory wallchart free with The Guardian this weekend).

His sidekick meanwhile (some Radio5 cheeky boy) contenting himself with waving some Teesside rag round his head and providing unfunny and inaccurate comments on the segment of match footage.

Aside from some lame digs at Mike Ashley, this pair of clowns struggled to hide their disappointment at Newcastle's failure to lose the game - and we thought mackem Jeff Brown was biased.

And guess what? Footage of Mido in front of the Newcastle fans was stopped just before the first of his two-fingered salutes - it obviously never happened then and as well as racists we're all liars.

Let's hope the FA actually take the time to canvas opinion from both sides before just regurgitating the twaddle that some newspapers printed as the BBC look to have done.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I know he's gone now, but it's been reported that Kieron Dyer has suffered a suspected broken leg in West Ham's Carling Cup tie v Bristol.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6967762.stm

 

[Big_Tazz]

what happened with dragotinovich, wern't you you guys ment to sign him also?