The Toon Army Thread

[tige19]

Players > Manager ATM

His tactics are equally to blame though, his subs are equally bizarre to. We need a manager who will demand respect and will take a hard line approach, a guy like Hiddink would do wonders with our squad. Anyway, we're going to Brighton next season lads, start preparing to stream all your games from dodgy Indian links.

 

[tige19]

Elliott was terrible to

 

[tige19]

Hypothetically lads what would you do in this situation considering it's almost at dire straights? We have 2 weeks until we welcome the most out of form City side we've seen in years, if ever there was a time to play them it's now.

1. Hand the reigns to Cathro - see if his youth and enthusiasm can lift the players for the last 3 months

2. Play 2 up front regardless of opposition - 1 big ( mitro) and 1 all off his shoulder ( Seydou/Ayoze )

3. Never play Tiote and Taylor unless there are injuries, both were diabolical

4. Drop Sissoko against City, hopefully it wakes him up

5. Gini to the left - Townsend the right with Saivet and Shelvey in the centre

6. Lascellas auto select the rest of the season

7. Recall Adam Armstrong and use him as a super sub, lock him in for 20 mins a week and hope his energy can help.

We need to do our best to stay up, I believe in the squad but the leadership is terrible.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Any of you blokes up? I am waiting for the game, we a sneaky chance for points?

I'm just glad I didn't get up for it!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I think I've got to the point where I think McClaren has to go. Was never my first choice (or seemingly anyone's bar the board's) but he's been given plenty of time now and we're still no better off than last season with Carver IMO. Maybe he could come good with more time but I don't think we have that luxury and with some massive games coming up, I think we need to make the switch sooner than later.

With the 2 week break until our next match, I'd really like to have a go at getting Moyes in and giving him a few days to try and work with the team. Has a proven record of getting the best from limited resources and isn't afraid to embrace his fiery Scottish nature and let the players know when they're not doing well enough.

I think McClaren has shown he isn't up to it tactically - or at least was negligent in not pushing the board to sanction defensive reinforcements. Spending 80m is all well and good but when you're defence last season was BOG average, it suggests a big overhaul was needed in that department.

I wouldn't mind giving Cathro a chance but I think he might be a bit raw and inexperienced to take a gamble on and I think we need a proven and experienced hand at the helm to avert relegation.

As for changes from a playing perspective:

• Get Lascelles into the team - either at CB or to play LB. Like Aarons but he isn't a defender.
• Give Saivet, Shelvey and Townsend all starting places in the team (Seydou as well when he's up to match fitness/sharpness). As new signings, they can bring some much needed positive energy and enthusiasm to the team.
• Drop Sissoko - lazy, uninterested. I'd almost consider the same for Gini to be honest. Has had a few quiet games of late and seems to struggle when the pressure is on.

 

[robertg22]

I'm just glad I didn't get up for it!

Yeah not my greatest ever move! To be fair I went to bed about 20 mins in, was all over. Reminded me of the City game earlier in the season. Just horribly outclasses, showed no passion & creativity.

 

[Moo]

Not sure what all the negativity is about ....apparently we are going to play off in 17 cup finals for the rest of the campaign (according to McClaren)

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Yeah not my greatest ever move! To be fair I went to bed about 20 mins in, was all over. Reminded me of the City game earlier in the season. Just horribly outclasses, showed no passion & creativity.

At least all the damage was done early on instead of later - saved you a few extra minutes of sleep!

Not sure what all the negativity is about ....apparently we are going to play off in 17 cup finals for the rest of the campaign (according to McClaren)

Must be drinking from the same bottle as John Carver.

He said this in the pre game press conference. Not sure where it went wrong or why it went wrong so quickly after kickoff...

“We have got to go there (Chelsea) with no fear and have a go. We owe it to the fans and hopefully we can get a good result. -

 

[robertg22]

Must be drinking from the same bottle as John Carver.

Speaking of the great man, some quotes from him here:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35575072

Was particularly damning on Colo. No surprises though.

 

[tige19]

Speaking of the great man, some quotes from him here:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35575072

Was particularly damning on Colo. No surprises though.

I've never understood the Colo captaincy, it's like he is the default captain and no one gets a look in. Tiote at his best is a great leader, always vocal and is aggressive, unfortunately the guy is just plainly shit now. We don't have many guys putting their hands up, Jonjo given some time could possibly do it but there's question marks on his attitude and on the weekend you could see him losing the plot at Mclaren from the field.

Wheres Kevin Nolan when you need him? Best captain since Shearer.

 

[robertg22]

I've never understood the Colo captaincy, it's like he is the default captain and no one gets a look in. Tiote at his best is a great leader, always vocal and is aggressive, unfortunately the guy is just plainly shit now. We don't have many guys putting their hands up, Jonjo given some time could possibly do it but there's question marks on his attitude and on the weekend you could see him losing the plot at Mclaren from the field.

Wheres Kevin Nolan when you need him? Best captain since Shearer.

Kev is player manager of Leyton Orient now apparently, down in league two haha. He was great for us. Would even take Joey Barton as captain ahead of any of the flogs we have.

Can't think of too many other captaincy options for us. Janmaat is someone I've thought of in that regard but have no idea about his leadership skills. De Jong captained Ajax at least but is either made of glass, or not good enough, or both. Not someone you can make captain. Maybe Timmy Krul when he gets back to fitness.

Not awe inspiring is it?

 

[tige19]

Kev is player manager of Leyton Orient now apparently, down in league two haha. He was great for us. Would even take Joey Barton as captain ahead of any of the flogs we have.

Can't think of too many other captaincy options for us. Janmaat is someone I've thought of in that regard but have no idea about his leadership skills. De Jong captained Ajax at least but is either made of glass, or not good enough, or both. Not someone you can make captain. Maybe Timmy Krul when he gets back to fitness.

Not awe inspiring is it?

This is the worst I can remember us being and I mean we are more terrible than 09 when we went down! Theres literally not a player who is fit for the role, I'm really holding out hope for someone like Shelvey to take the bull by the horns.

God have mercy, please save us..,

 

[NUFC Tiger]

If Colo was to be stripped of the captaincy, of the current crop - I'd probably want Janmaat as captain. De Jong seems like a proven leader but can't get a game through form or injuries.

Shelvey might be a potential captain in the making. Not sure if he is captain material but love Perez's attitude for a young player.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Gini was captain of PSV wasn't he? Don't think he we have many others in the squad to have captained a top-flight champion-winning team. Goes missing a bit but you'd suggest he must have at least semi-decent leadership skills.

 

[tige19]

Gini was captain of PSV wasn't he? Don't think he we have many others in the squad to have captained a top-flight champion-winning team. Goes missing a bit but you'd suggest he must have at least semi-decent leadership skills.

PSV>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Newcastle

He is over qualified

 

[chunkylover]

Nice to see players enjoying the spanish sun. Enjoy it guys, you've earnt it!!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Anyone see the rumours Shelvey could replace Colo as captain over the weekend?

Surely we wouldn't give it to a new signing (not that I'd be against it as I think Colo is well past it personally).

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Also, Benitez has said his 'priority' is to get a job in the PL as his family is still based there. Surely we should have a crack? Would be a bit of a coup if we could get him! Promise him an open cheque book and see what he says. The worst that can happen is he says no...

 

[robertg22]

Anyone see the rumours Shelvey could replace Colo as captain over the weekend?

Surely we wouldn't give it to a new signing (not that I'd be against it as I think Colo is well past it personally).

Colo is out injured until April I read?

 

[tige19]

Anyone see the rumours Shelvey could replace Colo as captain over the weekend?

Surely we wouldn't give it to a new signing (not that I'd be against it as I think Colo is well past it personally).

I think it has to happen, jonjo has more leadership in his stools than Colo has in his whole body. The quicker we rid ourselves of him the better, for us to improve we need to change and its glaringly obvious leadership is in the firing line.

On Benitez, I can't see him accepting a job with us.. He is a big city manager, he is a big club manager and I'd think he'll be putting his hand up for the United job and even the Everton job before Newcastle.

 

[tige19]

Colo is out injured until April I read?

Fingers crossed

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Colo is out injured until April I read?

Think it's at least a month - maybe a blessing in disguise?

Mbemba I think is due back next week so we could probably get by with Saylor and Lascelles against City (gulp). Mbemba and Lascelles would be a partnership I'd like to see though. Both young and might form a good partnership in time.

Also, I wouldn't mind seeing Colback playing more at LB (with Dummett, Mbabu and Haidara injured). Would allow Saivet and Shelvey to play central mid and move Aarons away from defence.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I think it has to happen, jonjo has more leadership in his stools than Colo has in his whole body. The quicker we rid ourselves of him the better, for us to improve we need to change and its glaringly obvious leadership is in the firing line.

On Benitez, I can't see him accepting a job with us.. He is a big city manager, he is a big club manager and I'd think he'll be putting his hand up for the United job and even the Everton job before Newcastle.

Agreed. Shelvey seems to have a bit of fire about him which we need. Him or Janmaat would be my preferences - interesting to see who skippers in Colo's absence.

I think I read Benitez's family is in the NW of England so being in the NE might help our chances? Most of the top jobs are probably already off limits to him (can't see MU appointing him and Everton might be a stretch given his time with Liverpool). Maybe I'm being a tad optimistic but surely our $80m spending, 50 odd k home crowds and the untapped potential might at least tempt a few managers to consider us?

 

[robertg22]

Mbemba I think is due back next week so we could probably get by with Saylor and Lascelles against City (gulp). Mbemba and Lascelles would be a partnership I'd like to see though. Both young and might form a good partnership in time.

Pretty certain the City game has been postponed right? Due to the league cup final. Definitely works in our favour

 

[tige19]

Agreed. Shelvey seems to have a bit of fire about him which we need. Him or Janmaat would be my preferences - interesting to see who skippers in Colo's absence.

I think I read Benitez's family is in the NW of England so being in the NE might help our chances? Most of the top jobs are probably already off limits to him (can't see MU appointing him and Everton might be a stretch given his time with Liverpool). Maybe I'm being a tad optimistic but surely our $80m spending, 50 odd k home crowds and the untapped potential might at least tempt a few managers to consider us?

Tyneside is around 3 hours further north and London 3 hours south lol, I'm sure if a job closer to London cam up he would jump at it, maybe even Palace? I don't think the Toffees would give a hoot that he managed Liverpool, they have had a shocking season, with their squad ( like us ) they should be in the top 6-7 and even pushing CL with the downturn of the big boys this season. Oh listen, if he became available I would jump at it, I just can't see it happening.

On the captaincy, I'm not a fan of a full back taking the gig, imo you need to hold a really important position on the ground ( CB/CF/CM ). Jon is cut from the same bread of Stevie Gerrard and whilst Gerrard came across as a complete tossa he was a brilliant captain. I'm in the Shelvey corner, the guy really is an exquisite player and is an angry ant which I love, I want to see our captain having so much passion he near on head butts his team mates but has the utmost respect from them ala Kevin Nolan.