The Toon Army Thread

[robertg22]

Very nervous if Lascelles and Dummett are our CBs!

 

[tige19]

Very nervous if Lascelles and Dummett are our CBs!

Lascellas needs to be given time under Mclaren who is normally great young talent. Lascellas was shaky with Forrest last term and wasn't a regular 11, we really do need Mbemba as well as Mitrovic.

On Mitrovic, has there ever been a more drawn out transfer than this? I've read dozens of articles we are hours away from signing him yet zilch. Annoying

 

[Moo]

Lascellas needs to be given time under Mclaren who is normally great young talent. Lascellas was shaky with Forrest last term and wasn't a regular 11, we really do need Mbemba as well as Mitrovic.

On Mitrovic, has there ever been a more drawn out transfer than this? I've read dozens of articles we are hours away from signing him yet zilch. Annoying

I think he's related to Bernie Tomic.

 

[robertg22]

If we had a choice of one, would it be Mitrovic or Austin? I am thinking Austin.... proven EPL talent

 

[tige19]

If we had a choice of one, would it be Mitrovic or Austin? I am thinking Austin.... proven EPL talent

Mitrovic has more strings to his bow, a little bit quicker and can create a bit of the dribble, pribdbly has more upside than Austin and is 6 years younger so the on sell would be huge ( which we know the club consider most important). Austin is an out and out poacher, made his living 10ft and closer to the goals and man is he lethal there.

I'd probably take Mitrovic purely as a commodity, but if we are looking for a mature tailsmen to wear the 9 then I'd go Austin.

Austin seems more keen to sign however it's the fee the issue where as Anderlecht can't get Mitrovic out the door quick enough however it's the player himself with the hold up.

 

[tige19]

Mitrovic on his way for the medical boooooooom

 

[Moo]

Mitrovic on his way for the medical boooooooom

Looking like it is done.

 

[scon]

I ain't got no time for that Ashley campaigner but it looks like a near relegation experience may have scared him into life.
If this is over the line,we've signed a couple of bottlers.
Also hearing some flash stuff about the new Scottish assistant.
Hope springs eternal;experience tempers it a little,but maybe summit's changed??
Simply one of many who hope so!!

 

[tige19]

Mbemba done deal... Great piece of work

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Could be a double signing (will wait for official confirmation from the club) but Mitrovic looks like a done deal. Mbemba supposedly on his way for a medical as well.

IMO, we probably still need (assuming Mbemba is finalised) another CB (as Willo is terrible, Colo not much better and Taylor is servicable but spends more time with the physios unfortunately). Lascelles and Mbemba are only 21 and 20 respectively so having a seasoned CB to help would be great. Tomkins from West Ham has been mentioned just about every window the last few years.

Also think we need 1 more striker ideally (with the talk of Cisse being sold), if Mitrovic goes down with injury, we're going to be light on options up front. Austin would be amazing though there's talk Villa may swoop if they sell Benteke. I feel like Austin is more likely to be a player who'd stick around long term than Mitrovic (who, if he hits his potential, will surely itch for a move to a bigger club again sadly). Austin to me (IMO) seems the kind of guy who could become a Toon hero over a number of years.

Think I read Riviere and Cabella are both out for at least the Southampton opener which isn't ideal either.

Exciting times. We've been slow in the window but if the deals are quality, then I can live with that.

 

[tige19]

Could be a double signing (will wait for official confirmation from the club) but Mitrovic looks like a done deal. Mbemba supposedly on his way for a medical as well.

IMO, we probably still need (assuming Mbemba is finalised) another CB (as Willo is terrible, Colo not much better and Taylor is servicable but spends more time with the physios unfortunately). Lascelles and Mbemba are only 21 and 20 respectively so having a seasoned CB to help would be great. Tomkins from West Ham has been mentioned just about every window the last few years.

Also think we need 1 more striker ideally (with the talk of Cisse being sold), if Mitrovic goes down with injury, we're going to be light on options up front. Austin would be amazing though there's talk Villa may swoop if they sell Benteke. I feel like Austin is more likely to be a player who'd stick around long term than Mitrovic (who, if he hits his potential, will surely itch for a move to a bigger club again sadly). Austin to me (IMO) seems the kind of guy who could become a Toon hero over a number of years.

Think I read Riviere and Cabella are both out for at least the Southampton opener which isn't ideal either.

Exciting times. We've been slow in the window but if the deals are quality, then I can live with that.

Read the interview with Mitrovic.. He had a Newcastle Jersey with his name on it as a kid, he says he was a Newcastle fan! Who knows, he could be full of shit but already he's a huge favourite on the fan boards and pages.

The thing with getting Austin will make it extremely hard to play both in the same 11 as they play very similar.. Keeping Cisse is a must, he seems content to be a super sub which will allow Mitrovic to play the number 9 role without any competition which will suit his personality. We also have Ayoze to support him and worst case Manu if things get desperate. I think the focus needs to be to bring in another CB along with Mbemba, the club is into Abdennour who is probably a pipedream HOWEVER if we are legitamately in the hunt then we could have the best centre back in the PL. Abdennour is an absolute beast of a human, super strong in the air and very organised, never gets caught napping out of position, you'll never see balls in behind him, the guy is a star.

All positives so far, just now for the luck of no injuries... That in it self would be worth 100ml.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Read the interview with Mitrovic.. He had a Newcastle Jersey with his name on it as a kid, he says he was a Newcastle fan! Who knows, he could be full of shit but already he's a huge favourite on the fan boards and pages.

The thing with getting Austin will make it extremely hard to play both in the same 11 as they play very similar.. Keeping Cisse is a must, he seems content to be a super sub which will allow Mitrovic to play the number 9 role without any competition which will suit his personality. We also have Ayoze to support him and worst case Manu if things get desperate. I think the focus needs to be to bring in another CB along with Mbemba, the club is into Abdennour who is probably a pipedream HOWEVER if we are legitamately in the hunt then we could have the best centre back in the PL. Abdennour is an absolute beast of a human, super strong in the air and very organised, never gets caught napping out of position, you'll never see balls in behind him, the guy is a star.

All positives so far, just now for the luck of no injuries... That in it self would be worth 100ml.

Definitely saying the right things at least! Yeah, I reckon McClaren is going to have up playing a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 at times so Mitrovic leading the line probably works. Apparently he is beastly at set pieces too with his heading so that will add a better target than 'aim for Willo's noggin).

Abdennour...geez that would be something else. I'd take Matip or just about anyone but given the quality of the signings made so far, if we got Abdennour, our defence (the second leakiest mind you last season) would be significantly stronger. Not conceding is half way to winning and the sooner Williamson and Colo are out of the back 4, the better we'll be.

I don't want to give him too much credit just yet but Cashley is at least (so far) proving he was genuine about investing in the squad. Hopefully it continues!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

 

[tige19]

Love the Jersey... Hate the Wonga!! He looks built for AFL footy.

 

[scon]

Shearer would've been a Hall Of Famer!
Give the Tunisian bloke the skipper's armband!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Love the Jersey... Hate the Wonga!! He looks built for AFL footy.

And he's only 20 as well. Certainly looks like he has the size to batter defenders who try and bully him. Also has a nice record of scoring in black and white tops - long may it continue.

I'm actually warming up to the new shirt as well - still don't like the Wonga but tempted to get this year's kit.

Also, not sure if this is the interview you meant Tige but you were right - he apparently was a Toon fan growing up (not just some throw away line fed to him by an agent or club PR person).

From before he was at Anderlecht back in 2013:

"There is no secret that I support Newcastle and admire Alan Shearer."

http://www.espnfc.com.au/club/newca...ollows-new-newcastle-star-aleksandar-mitrovic

 

[NUFC Tiger]

If we can get:

• 2 CBs (Mbemba & ?),
  
• a winger who can cross (Aarons has been killing it in preseason which is promising!) Thauvin?
  
• and maybe a young back up full back (someone who can cover Janmaat - unless they want one of Anita/Colback).

Plus move on Williamson, Colo (free up his wages - reportedly the highest earner), Obertan, Gouffran. I'd be really excited again haha.

If Cisse goes, Austin would be a nice replacement too.

 

[robertg22]

I hear that Abeid is being looked at and I think we should get rid of Tiote, so a big strong mid/defensive mid should be on that list too IMO.

Mbemba can play RB too which would help cover Janmaat if required.

Finally (sort of) feel we are on the right track. Let's see how long this feeling lasts!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I hear that Abeid is being looked at and I think we should get rid of Tiote, so a big strong mid/defensive mid should be on that list too IMO.

Mbemba can play RB too which would help cover Janmaat if required.

Finally (sort of) feel we are on the right track. Let's see how long this feeling lasts!

I remember reading something about Abeid being made available for transfer a few weeks back - hopefully that wasn't true as I'd also rather move on Tiote who's older, probably on more coin and seems to have been itching for a move for a few years now. Abeid was being looked at by some French clubs wasn't he?

Interestingly, I'm not sure where McClaren rates him but there's a few rumours that Spurs, Liverpool and AC Milan all want young Kemen from our reserves - he's yet to appear for the first team (made the bench last season) but seems to have a few admirers. If he has interest from bigger teams, surely he must be worth a look/given a chance? He can play CM and CDM too.

Also, it was only 1 game but Anita was really impressive in our final game last season - probably his best game for the club. I think he's more of a CDM too but he's tiny.

If we do play with 2 holding mids, I think Colback, Sissoko, Abeid, Anita (and hopefully) Kemen is a decent group to choose from. Tiote would then be surplus to requirements and could be sold off for a profit.

Good point about Mbemba as well rob - We'd still have Lascelles, Taylor and Dummett who can fill in at CB (hopefully next to a big name CB signing) if Mbemba was shifted to cover RB.

 

[robertg22]

I'd be happy for us to let Cisse go too if we managed to sign Austin. Austin/Mitrovic/Perez/Riviere (still holding out hope we can some day turn him into something decent...) isn't a bad group.

Removing him and Tiote would free up our wages considerably you'd think.

If Kemen's that good perhaps a loan spell might be better for him..

Not a fan of Anita but I guess he remains in the squad, so we need to make use out of him. Gouffran on the other hand....

 

[tige19]

I'd be happy for us to let Cisse go too if we managed to sign Austin. Austin/Mitrovic/Perez/Riviere (still holding out hope we can some day turn him into something decent...) isn't a bad group.

Removing him and Tiote would free up our wages considerably you'd think.

If Kemen's that good perhaps a loan spell might be better for him..

Not a fan of Anita but I guess he remains in the squad, so we need to make use out of him. Gouffran on the other hand....

How would 1 of Austin or Mitrovic feel as a reserve because it's virtually impossible to play 2 out and out number 9s. I reckon we would get half a dozen games in and one would be sooking, if we keep Cisse as the super sub it'll allow Perez to play of the shoulder of Mitrovic which would be perfect for his development. Could you imagine a free roaming Perez latching onto the crumbs from Alelsandar the great?

Personally id prefer us to spend our last 25m on a central defender and a full back who can cover both flanks. Either way even with Mitrovic/Mbemba and Wiji we have done extremely well, just need 1 more big signing and a nice depth squad member.

You can't knock Cashley this window, we have recruited world class CL calibre players.

 

[tige19]

Quote directly from Mitrovic today

Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg quote the Serbian striker as saying "I know the players of Newcastle only from Match of the Day on the BBC. It's so nice that also comes Chancel Mbemba. (Laughs) I'll be reunited with my regular opponent in training."

 

[robertg22]

How would 1 of Austin or Mitrovic feel as a reserve because it's virtually impossible to play 2 out and out number 9s. I reckon we would get half a dozen games in and one would be sooking, if we keep Cisse as the super sub it'll allow Perez to play of the shoulder of Mitrovic which would be perfect for his development. Could you imagine a free roaming Perez latching onto the crumbs from Alelsandar the great?

Personally id prefer us to spend our last 25m on a central defender and a full back who can cover both flanks. Either way even with Mitrovic/Mbemba and Wiji we have done extremely well, just need 1 more big signing and a nice depth squad member.

You can't knock Cashley this window, we have recruited world class CL calibre players.

Mitrovic is 20 so you would imagine it would take time for him to fully settle into the first team. But you're right both players are similar.

Agree that our priority has to be on a CB now... Mbemba and then someone else. Hopefully a taller CB.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Really good read on Mbemba lads - seems really motivated and determined No ego either which is a plus.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-new-boy-chancel-9708395

I think Lascelles will be a bit raw to start regularly in the PL so definitely need an experienced defender next to Mbemba (who's only 181? but with a great leap and electric pace). He apparently kept Ibra quiet in a champions league game so his lack of height doesn't seem to be a huge issue.

We're also being linked to another Dutch player - Jean-Paul Boetius of Feyenoord who's a winger and been capped for the national team. Looks a great prospect - quick, skilled and can cross. Him and Aarons could cause havoc down the flanks.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

On the striker situation, De Jong can also play hanging off a striker so might be deployed off the shoulder (like Perez) of whoever leads the line.

Colo, Tiote, Cisse would all be on big money IF they were moved on plus a few others like Obertan, Williamson (please!) and Gouffran, that potentially frees up a lot of wages. I think realistically we still need 1 CB, 1 winger and maybe a striker. A young fullback for added depth would be handy too.

On Austin, I saw a rumour we may offer $13m plus fringe players (think Vuckic and Bigi were mentioned) which might tempt QPR...

I also would like to see Armstrong loaned out for regular football at a lower league club. If Austin comes in, surely that means Cisse's out the door? Can't see Mitrovic, Austin, Cisse, De Jong, Perez and Riviere all potentially filling out the striker department.