The Toon Army thread

[moomba]

Defences are probably even, but they have Micah 'The Body' Richards who is a gun of the highest order.

I'd say we are much better than you in defence. Dunne is a better defender than Richards and together with Corluka all three would walk into your best 11 IMO. Take out the Chelsea game and I think Garrido would make your starting lineup as well (I do rate N'Zogbia but much better value up field, and obviously a lot more to come from Enrique).

Their midfield is much better than ours, don't know how you can say otherwise to be honest. Elano, Petrov, Geovanni, Hamann is probably better than Barton, Butt, Milner, N'Zogbia, Emre but again, its close.

I'd say our midfield is much better, but to be honest I don't rate yours much at all. I'd have Johnson in our best midfield, before injury he was playing as well as Barton ever did, and although he can be a bit hit and miss (and a bit of a nutter) Steven Ireland is doing OK on the right. We tend to play 5 in the midfield which does help, but it is one of those fluid 4-5-1's rather than lump it up to a big lad up the front. Out of interest our midfield has provided 12 goals in the league from our 13 matches so far.

Our strikeforce is definitely better than theirs.

Without question, multiplied by a hundred. I'd rate Given higher than any of our lot as well.

So, you'd be correct in saying that its pretty even, but I think Man City just shade it. And their manager plays a style that suits their players too.

 

[ShearMagic9]

That's pretty much how I saw it too moomba.

I think that one thing we've got going for us is that we've probably got more depth than you guys at the moment though, would that be fair?

Dunno about 'much better' in defence. Dunne and Richards > Rozehnal and Faye/Taylor, but full back wise I'd say Beye > Corluka (from what I've seen) and Enrique would be about equal to Garrido.

Our midfield is definitely our weakness, our best Central Midfielder is probably Nicky Butt, and when thats the case you definitely have problems. Joey Barton is starting to hit his straps, and I was quite impressed with his second half against Sunderland, but theres still more to come (I hope).

 

[tige19]

I'm not arguing we should be playing like Bolton at all, but it seems to me that people would prefer us to go to places like Sunderland, and as long as we play attractive football they'd be happy.

Away from home in the premier league its about grinding out results, which on most occasions is unattractive. Look at the big 4, they win many games in a year by a score of 1-0, which is why they finish so highly. Its ugly, but if the results there its a job well done.

At home, we should be looking to be more attractive, but thats another story, as at home this year we have generally been good to watch (Villa game excluded).

I think you're a bit biased there mate, Man City have more talent than us IMO, although our depth is probably better. Same can be argued with Portsmouth for that matter.

See this type of post just irks me to tears, why should be playing a different style away compared to home?? do the dynamics of the pitch differ?? do the players lose a yard of pace?? do they lose the ability to hold possesion and pick the right ball to play?? This is just total rubbish mate, you deadset sound like a girl. We should be looking to play the same style every single fuking game, home or away it shouldnt matter, the faster this happens the better the results will be.

I rate us as about 10th..... Villa,Spurs,Blackburn,City,Pompey will all finish above us.

 

[TorresIsGod]

See this type of post just irks me to tears, why should be playing a different style away compared to home?? do the dynamics of the pitch differ?? do the players lose a yard of pace?? do they lose the ability to hold possesion and pick the right ball to play?? This is just total rubbish mate, you deadset sound like a girl. We should be looking to play the same style every single fuking game, home or away it shouldnt matter, the faster this happens the better the results will be.

I rate us as about 10th..... Villa,Spurs,Blackburn,City,Pompey will all finish above us.

Do you actually have any clue?

Liverpool have a squad that is 10x better than Newcastle's, yet we still play a different style away from home, with the crowd behind the opposition, they're up and they're attacking, so, more often than not, an away side would sit back (pack the midfield, if they don't have quality) and try and hit on the counter attack...

 

[ShearMagic9]

See this type of post just irks me to tears, why should be playing a different style away compared to home?? do the dynamics of the pitch differ?? do the players lose a yard of pace?? do they lose the ability to hold possesion and pick the right ball to play?? This is just total rubbish mate, you deadset sound like a girl. We should be looking to play the same style every single fuking game, home or away it shouldnt matter, the faster this happens the better the results will be.

I rate us as about 10th..... Villa,Spurs,Blackburn,City,Pompey will all finish above us.

Haha I sound like a girl? At least I have a clue.

This post reeks of someone that has NFI about the sport at all to be honest.

You have to play a different style away from home, the home crowd behind the home team, the home team will attack more, every single side in the premier league plays a different style away from home, its just what happens.

You can't play the same style away from home that you do at home, it just doesnt work unless you have players of the very highest quality (which we dont).

Tell me a side in the premier league that doesnt play a different way away from home? Even the big 4 do it against certain sides.

 

[apollo_creed]

settle down boys. the sandpit is for playing - not fighting.

I might have to call your mums to pick you up and take you home.

 

[Embers]

West Ham has a better defence. Midfield when fully fit I think we have the advantage in depth. Newcastle just shade our strikers. IMO Newcastle are with us at around 8-9th atm. Need another big summer to push into the top 6

 

[tige19]

Haha I sound like a girl? At least I have a clue.

This post reeks of someone that has NFI about the sport at all to be honest.

You have to play a different style away from home, the home crowd behind the home team, the home team will attack more, every single side in the premier league plays a different style away from home, its just what happens.

You can't play the same style away from home that you do at home, it just doesnt work unless you have players of the very highest quality (which we dont).

Tell me a side in the premier league that doesnt play a different way away from home? Even the big 4 do it against certain sides.

The girl comment was tounge in cheek mate, relax. So because I believe we should try and play a similar style away from home as we do at home means that I have no idea?? that logic doesnt sit with, if we get results playing the way we do at St.James then why not implement that same style at Reading or Sunderland or Boro?? against United,Arsenal,Chelsea yeah I can understand the reasoning of playing more defensive but for the most part we need to concentrate on what works, at this stage BSA prefered style away from home doesnt.

Anyway dude go and implement your strategies on FM, if successfull throw a CV together and apply for the Newcastle gig. Care for the address??

 

[tige19]

Do you actually have any clue?

Liverpool have a squad that is 10x better than Newcastle's, yet we still play a different style away from home, with the crowd behind the opposition, they're up and they're attacking, so, more often than not, an away side would sit back (pack the midfield, if they don't have quality) and try and hit on the counter attack...

Its hard to take anything seriously from a guy who says I have no clue when your name is Djibril Cisse.

Peace.

 

[ShearMagic9]

The girl comment was tounge in cheek mate, relax. So because I believe we should try and play a similar style away from home as we do at home means that I have no idea?? that logic doesnt sit with, if we get results playing the way we do at St.James then why not implement that same style at Reading or Sunderland or Boro?? against United,Arsenal,Chelsea yeah I can understand the reasoning of playing more defensive but for the most part we need to concentrate on what works, at this stage BSA prefered style away from home doesnt.

Anyway dude go and implement your strategies on FM, if successfull throw a CV together and apply for the Newcastle gig. Care for the address??

Well, its funny you mention that, as I've just won the Premier League in 2011/12 with Newcastle

Given
Vanden Borre - Coloccini - Taylor - O'Brien/Darijo Srna
Welch - Gerrard - Freddy Guarin - Bell/Mancini
Martins/Owen - Rapp/Okaka

With quality players not even making the bench.

Daniel O'Brien, Tom Welch, Darren Bell and Jorg Rapp are all regens, the first three products of my youth system. I signed Jorg Rapp for 190k when he was 16 years old, now at 21 he's worth a staggering 37,500,000 pound and bangs in goals for fun, won the scoring last season with 31 goals in the premier league, to go with 14 in all other competitions to finish with 45 for the year.

So could you give me the address please?

 

[ShearMagic9]

Anyway back on topic:

Newcastle's Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Carr has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old full-back, who was capped 44 times at senior international level, has decided to call it a day after the Republic missed out on next summer's Euro 2008 finals.

He told his club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk: "I feel honoured to have represented the Republic of Ireland on 44 occasions and have thoroughly enjoyed my international career.

"It's a chance now for the FAI to re-build for the future. There are many good young players that are coming out of Ireland, with the likes of Kevin Foley at Wolves, that should get the opportunity to play now."

Dublin-born Carr, who joined Newcastle in a £2million switch from Tottenham, made his international debut against Sweden in 1999.

He has spent much of the last three months fighting for fitness after picking up a hamstring injury at Middlesbrough in August, and has only just returned to contention for selection for his club.


(re-opens) Republic caretaker manager Don Givens, in charge for Saturday's final European Championship Group D qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium, was complimentary about the right-back.



"Stephen has been a great pro and a great player for us," he said.



"It's always sad when someone retires from international football, and it's sad to see he is going. But it's his decision."

Why can't you do us the honour and retire from Newcastle as well Stephen?

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce's top scouts will be in Tel Aviv on Saturday to take a close look at Russia star Andrei Arshavin.

Allardyce has already drawn up a list of potential targets as he prepares to enter the January transfer market and the 26-year-old Zenit St Petersburg man features high on it.

The Magpies will be represented in the Middle East this weekend as Russia travel to take on Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifier which will have major ramifications for England.

However, while Allardyce will be hoping the Israelis can do Steve McClaren and the whole nation a favour by taking something from Guus Hiddink's side, his interest will extend beyond the result.

The versatile Arshavin, who can play as a striker, in the hole, as an attacking midfielder or a right-sided midfielder, was voted Russia's player of the year last year.

Rated at around £7million, his acquisition would require a significant outlay by owner Mike Ashley, although Newcastle's failure to sufficiently supply England striker Michael Owen in recent weeks has become a serious concern.

Indeed, the club's last three strikes have been fortuitous with Reading's Michael Duberry and Portsmouth's Sol Campbell scoring own goals and James Milner hardly intending his equaliser at Sunderland on Saturday.

Arshavin has a reputation not only for scoring goals - he has 62 in 265 outings for his club, who clinched their first Russian title in 23 years at the weekend - but also for creating chances.

With Owen, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi already on the books at St James' Park - Allardyce this week rejected an approach from predecessor Glenn Roeder to take Ameobi to Norwich on loan - it seems the manager is looking to address his side's shortcomings behind the front line.

Now a fixture in the national side, Arshavin - reportedly a target for then Tottenham boss Martin Jol earlier this season - was born in St Petersburg and emerged from the Zenit reserve team to make his senior debut in a 3-0 Intertoto Cup win at Bradford in 2000.

Capped for his country at youth level, he was called up to the senior squad for the first time against Belarus in May 2002.

Allardyce worked hard during the summer to reshape his squad, drafting in Viduka, Joey Barton, David Rozehnal, Geremi, Alan Smith, Claudio Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Abdoulaye Faye and Habib Beye as the likes of Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Albert Luque, Nolberto Solano, Titus Bramble and Antoine Sibierski departed.

However, his team remains a work in progress and while he insists there is much more to come amid rumblings of discontent over recent performances, there is little doubt he will look to strengthen once the winter window opens.

He has has had to rebuild his defence almost from scratch - only Stephen Carr and Steven Taylor survived a summer cull - and while the likes of Rozehnal, Beye and Enrique have shown promising signs, they have met a steep learning curve.

Carr has plenty of Premier League experience they lack but is only just approaching full fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Republic of Ireland international has not played a senior game since the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on August 26, and his recovery was one of the reasons for organising yesterday's behind-closed-doors friendly against St Mirren.

Would be a fantastic signing. Arshavin is a quality player, and his versatility means he would fit in rather well. I'd probably play him on the right of midfield.

 

[Masss#10]

fc you talk about our midfield as if it is shitter than derby's lol, don't mention butt in our midfield again...players like that make our midfield look bad...

our full strength midfield:

Milner(Arshavin) Barton(DM) Emre Duff(N'Zogbia)

 

[Masss#10]

can someone post arshavin's profile?

 

[ronnie wearmouth]

Four classy defenders needed for the toon to go forward.

 

[ShearMagic9]

Four classy defenders needed for the toon to go forward.

The defence now is the best it's been in a long time. Our problem now is definitely our midfield, and while its not as bad as Derbys (), it definitely needs improving if we are to challenge for European spots.

Duff is coming back from injury, and I actually forgot he played for us. Quality player if we can get him off the treatment table.

I haven't seen you around before, good to see new posters voicing their opinions though

Which side do you support?

 

[ShearMagic9]

Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin (born May 29, 1981 in Saint Petersburg, then Leningrad) is a Russian international footballer. He is the top player of the Russian Premier League team Zenit St. Petersburg. He can play both as a midfielder and as a striker.

Andrey Arshavin graduated from Smena football school. In 1999 and early 2000 he played for Zenit's farm club, Zenit-2, in the Second Division.

In 2000 he was included in Zenit squad. He played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and finally as a striker. He won the Russian Premier League Award for the player of the season largely because of his ability play well as a winger, playmaker and as a striker. He is known for superb pace, dribbling qualities, vision, technique and passing. These attributes and his hard working nature have turned him into one of the most important players for club and country.

Arshavin scored 11 goals in his 25 matches for Zenit in the UEFA Cup. He debuted for the national team on May 17, 2002 in a match against Belarus. On March 24, 2007 he was the Russia captain in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia. He is currently linked with a January 2008 transfer move to Newcastle United Football Club.

Club Statistics: 229 appearances, 55 goals.

International Statistics: 26 appearances, 7 goals.​

 

[tige19]

Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin (born May 29, 1981 in Saint Petersburg, then Leningrad) is a Russian international footballer. He is the top player of the Russian Premier League team Zenit St. Petersburg. He can play both as a midfielder and as a striker.

Andrey Arshavin graduated from Smena football school. In 1999 and early 2000 he played for Zenit's farm club, Zenit-2, in the Second Division.

In 2000 he was included in Zenit squad. He played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and finally as a striker. He won the Russian Premier League Award for the player of the season largely because of his ability play well as a winger, playmaker and as a striker. He is known for superb pace, dribbling qualities, vision, technique and passing. These attributes and his hard working nature have turned him into one of the most important players for club and country.

Arshavin scored 11 goals in his 25 matches for Zenit in the UEFA Cup. He debuted for the national team on May 17, 2002 in a match against Belarus. On March 24, 2007 he was the Russia captain in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia. He is currently linked with a January 2008 transfer move to Newcastle United Football Club.

Club Statistics: 229 appearances, 55 goals.

International Statistics: 26 appearances, 7 goals.​

If Arshavin is as old as Oba Martins then I will pin drop off the Westgate , looks like he is 17 not 26. All in all would be a super addition, is rated hugely by Guss so that is a + in anyones books. I dont know much about him but I think he played in that game against England on the plastic pitch?? if its the same dude as I am think then he is very smooth on the ball, gracefull type of lad, likes to tuck in behind the strikers more than play on the right, plays the same sort of role as Totti for Roma or Recoba at hios best for Inter.

 

[Masss#10]

he plays the same role as what Luque was known for...but other than Souness, the other managers didnt play him and didnt play him in his other positions but striker...this still gives me nightmares because Luque had freakish talent but i don't know what happened..

 

[ShearMagic9]

If Arshavin is as old as Oba Martins then I will pin drop off the Westgate , looks like he is 17 not 26. All in all would be a super addition, is rated hugely by Guss so that is a + in anyones books. I dont know much about him but I think he played in that game against England on the plastic pitch?? if its the same dude as I am think then he is very smooth on the ball, gracefull type of lad, likes to tuck in behind the strikers more than play on the right, plays the same sort of role as Totti for Roma or Recoba at hios best for Inter.

I was thinking he looked young as well lol

He did play in the game against England and yeah, he is very smooth on the ball, doesn't panic and generally uses it well.

Zenit are a bit stiff asking for 7m though, if we can get it down to around 5 I'd be happy, but if we had to pay the 7 I certainly would.

 

[tribey]

he plays the same role as what Luque was known for...but other than Souness, the other managers didnt play him and didnt play him in his other positions but striker...this still gives me nightmares because Luque had freakish talent but i don't know what happened..

Did you not read the recent interview with Luque?

Basically said the entire transfer was an unwanted accident because Freddie Shepherd was a complete tool. Never wanted to come.

We were in panic buy mode prior to the Owen deal being done, so Shep went to Depor's president and asked him how much it would cost for Luque. He pulled a figure out of his arse - the equivalent of 11 million pounds - thinking we'd pull out, but Shep said yes with no negotiation whatsoever.

So then it was time for contract negotiations.

Shep asked Luque how much he wanted and he also pulled a figure out of his arse, thinking we'd scotch the deal. Luque asked for 80 or 90k per week, Shep agreed immediately and all of a sudden he was off to Tyneside.

Yes he unfortunately tore his hamstring in half in his second game which was bad luck, but he never wanted to be there in the first place. After he came back he didn't train hard enough, had a terrible attitude (homesickness, blah blah blah) and didn't get on with Roeder, who understandably expected far more from a supposed professional with a decade of experience and full Spanish caps.

In the end he said he felt guilty being paid so much to do fook all and the cutprice move to Ajax was agreed cause he wanted to get on the pitch again, despite Sam assuring him of a clean slate and an equal opportunity to make the first team.

Just disgraceful behaviour all round. Completely unprofessional approach and transfer/contract 'negotiations' and poor form from a mercenary who was made an offer he couldn't refuse.

 

[tige19]

I reckon this Faye injury is going to be a blessing for us, Taylor and Rozehnal (who is clearly our best CB) will get a chance to get some understanding together, I think it is 100% vital that these 2 are told they are the nunber 1 pairing and they have all the time possible to make the parternship work.

 

[ShearMagic9]

I reckon this Faye injury is going to be a blessing for us, Taylor and Rozehnal (who is clearly our best CB) will get a chance to get some understanding together, I think it is 100% vital that these 2 are told they are the nunber 1 pairing and they have all the time possible to make the parternship work.

Well they'll have to be really in January, but Faye is in our best XI without a doubt IMO, and I'm not the only one to share the same view.

 

[Masss#10]

never knew that about Luque, it always seemed bizarre why he didnt get a chance from these biased english managers but now it makes sence...we lost so much money on him, what a waste...

 

[Masss#10]

Well they'll have to be really in January, but Faye is in our best XI without a doubt IMO, and I'm not the only one to share the same view.

faye is a good player and is in our best X1 but he looks stupid at times with these mistakes...

Taylor/Beye Rozehnal Faye/Cacapa N'Zogbia/Enrique

Rozehnal needs to start every game for mine, thats why taylor should get use to RB...in all honesty i prefer taylor/rozehnal as the CB's but thats not going to happen week in week out...

im dissapointed with both Beye and Enrique, havnt looked dangerous in any of the games for mine and they need to get with it because two makeshift players are having the season of their lives...

the most promising sign we see there is our depth which will please most of us...

 

[ShearMagic9]

Beye has been quality whenever I've seen him, so I'm not so sure I agree with you.

Steven Taylor is a CB who can fill in at RB, thats how it should stay IMO.

Beye - Faye - Rozehnal - Enrique

Thats how I'd like to see our back four line up week in week out.