Looking Ahead

[Deleted]

When it comes to the Big Picture only one man counts at The Toon and that is Wor Mikey.

However as most supporters are probably only interested in what happens on the pitch this is as good a time as any to assess views about the squad. On that basis the Mac who is Super from the U S of A has certainly IMO hit the mark with this thread.

Key men for me in the make up of the team for next season in no particular order are;

Krul - Contracted until 2017
Saylor - Contracted until 2016
Cabaye - Contracted until 2016
Debuchy - Contracted until 2016
Sissoko - Contracted until 2019
Mbiwa - Contracted until 2018
Cisse - Contracted until 2017

Others that I see pushing for a place in starting eleven and being of value in a squad sense are;

Elliot - Contracted until 2016
Tiote - Contracted until 2017
Santon - Contracted until 2016
Haidara - Contracted until 2018
Bigirimana - Contracted until 2017
Anita - Contracted until 2017
Gouffran - Contracted until 2017
Hatem Ben Arfa - Contracted until 2015

Fringe players who may see time on the bench;

Perch - Contracted until 2014
Marveaux - Contracted until 2016
Good - Contracted until 2018
Campbell - Contracted until ?
Alnwick - Contracted until ?
Gutierrez - Contracted until 2015

The following are on the retained list but I would not lose any sleep should they actually go or are already destined to leave;

Gosling - Contracted until 2014
Simpson - Contract ends 2013
Harper - Contract ends 2013
Amalfitano - Contracted until 2016 (not totally sure about his end date)
Coloccini - Contracted until 2016
Williamson - Contracted until 2016
Obertan - Contracted until 2016
Stroller - Contracted until 2014
Sameobi - Contracted until 2015
Raylor - Contracted until 2015 (so much depends on his recovery time)

Of the ten above possibly five or six could definitely leave which IMO means even barring any of our key men being sold the squad will require more new blood.

There are also a number of others that are out on loan that may well seek pastures new come the summer. Two that may come back to uncertain futures are;

Ferguson - Contracted until 2016
Inman - Contracted until 2014

There are several younger players that I could mention who may still breakthrough or are already in last chance saloon, but probably not worth including for that very reason.

So there you have my lists and will be happy to discuss specifics regarding why I have them where they are, you just have to ask. One thing for sure getting rid of players these days is probably just as hard, if not harder, than bringing them in.

Lights Oot!

[Blue Star Broon]

finally some sensible posting as opposed to that Kielbasi nonsense

[Captain Marvel]

Apr 19, 2013 22:40:48 GMT 1 @clearwhitelight said:

When it comes to the Big Picture only one man counts at The Toon and that is Wor Mikey.

However as most supporters are probably only interested in what happens on the pitch this is as good a time as any to assess views about the squad. On that basis the Mac who is Super from the U S of A has certainly IMO hit the mark with this thread.

Key men for me in the make up of the team for next season in no particular order are;

Krul - Contracted until 2017
Saylor - Contracted until 2016
Cabaye - Contracted until 2016
Debuchy - Contracted until 2016
Sissoko - Contracted until 2019
Mbiwa - Contracted until 2018
Cisse - Contracted until 2017

Others that I see pushing for a place in starting eleven and being of value in a squad sense are;

Elliot - Contracted until 2016
Tiote - Contracted until 2017
Santon - Contracted until 2016
Haidara - Contracted until 2018
Bigirimana - Contracted until 2017
Anita - Contracted until 2017
Gouffran - Contracted until 2017
Hatem Ben Arfa - Contracted until 2015

Fringe players who may see time on the bench;

Perch - Contracted until 2014
Marveaux - Contracted until 2016
Good - Contracted until 2018
Campbell - Contracted until ?
Alnwick - Contracted until ?
Gutierrez - Contracted until 2015

The following are on the retained list but I would not lose any sleep should they actually go or are already destined to leave;

Gosling - Contracted until 2014
Simpson - Contract ends 2013
Harper - Contract ends 2013
Amalfitano - Contracted until 2016 (not totally sure about his end date)
Coloccini - Contracted until 2016
Williamson - Contracted until 2016
Obertan - Contracted until 2016
Stroller - Contracted until 2014
Sameobi - Contracted until 2015
Raylor - Contracted until 2015 (so much depends on his recovery time)

Of the ten above possibly five or six could definitely leave which IMO means even barring any of our key men being sold the squad will require more new blood.

There are also a number of others that are out on loan that may well seek pastures new come the summer. Two that may come back to uncertain futures are;

Ferguson - Contracted until 2016
Inman - Contracted until 2014

There are several younger players that I could mention who may still breakthrough or are already in last chance saloon, but probably not worth including for that very reason.

So there you have my lists and will be happy to discuss specifics regarding why I have them where they are, you just have to ask. One thing for sure getting rid of players these days is probably just as hard, if not harder, than bringing them in.

Lights Oot!

Wl how do you know the length of contact of each and every one of them!? Apart from doing your bit on here are you doing part time work as their agent as well?
ATB

[Deleted]

Capt'n just a matter of knowing where to look.....

Not sure I want to sell my soul to the devil to be an agent.

Lights Oot!

[Deleted]

Goalkeepers
Krul: 7
Elliot: 6
Harper: 1

Defense
Coloccini: 2...though most of this is borne out of resignation that he's good as gone, anyway
Santon: 7
Simpson: 2...same as Colo
Williamson: 1? 0? Negative 30?
Yanga-Mbiwa: 8...really a huge fan of this guy
Perch: 7...sounds crazy, but he's a very functional utility guy who can step up in many different roles
Raylor: No score...this poor kid and his injuries
Haidara: 7
Debuchy: 8...although he hasn't been quite as advertised...
Saylor: 9
Ferguson: 6
Tavernier: 2

Midfielders
Cabaye: 9
Sissoko: 10
Anita: 7
Ben Arfa: 5...what to do with Benny...when he's healthy and engaged, he's one of the most entertaining players in the BPL...but there are just so many other questions about him and whether he'll fulfill his potential at all, let alone at NUFC
Gosling: 1
Amalfitano: 3
Jonas: 4
Bigirimana: 8...just something about this kid that I really like
Marveaux: 7...what a turn around from the beginning of the season for him
Tiote: 4
Obertan: 1
Vuckic: 5
Abeid: 4

Forwards
Cisse: 7
Gouffran: 8
Shameobi: 5
Sameobi: 6

What have I learned? To me, there still seem to be a lot of movable/interchangeable pieces...the only folks I have at an 8 or higher are:

Yanga-Mbiwa, Saylor, Debuchy, Cabaye, Sissoko, Gouffran, and Bigirimana
anyway...thoughts?

Hate to say this......dont disagree with any of this except..............Gutierrez isnt a 4 .....Ketsbaia was a 4 ....Gutierrez is a fn Zero.
Anyhoo....good stuff Supermac

[Fairscup]

Goalkeepers
Krul: 7
Elliot: 6
Harper: 1 - Get what ever we can for him.

Defense
Coloccini: 2. Nice if he could put club first but doubt it.
Santon: 8 - I believe the lad has a future if he puts his mind to it.
Simpson: 4 Backup player
Williamson: 4 Backup player
Yanga-Mbiwa: 8...really a huge fan of this guy but he has Bramblesque moments
Perch: 7...Not so crazy - he's a very functional utility guy who can step up in many different roles
Raylor: 6 - Hope he makes a comeback after injury
Haidara: 7 - Hopefull
Debuchy: 8...I like him.
Saylor: 8 - with fewer antics
Ferguson: 6 - Hopefull
Tavernier: - I've seen too little to judge

Midfielders
Cabaye: 9 - Tired?
Sissoko:9 - but not a 90 min man at the moment
Anita: 7 - coming guy?
Ben Arfa: 5...what to do with Benny...when he's healthy and engaged, he's one of the most entertaining players in the BPL...but there are just so many other questions about him and whether he'll fulfill his potential at all, let alone at NUFC
Gosling: 4 - I'd give him a chance
Amalfitano: 3 - I'd give him a chance

Jonas: 3 - No end product.

Bigirimana: 8...just something about this kid that I really like
Marveaux: 7...what a turn around from the beginning of the season for him
Tiote: 4 - needs to clean up his act
Obertan: 1 - Wonder why SAF sold him?
Vuckic: 5- hopefully gets over injury
Abeid: 4

Forwards
Cisse: 7 - Not an out and out goal scorer
Gouffran: 8 - I'm impressed with his work rate.
Shameobi: 3 - Over the top
Sameobi: Don't know

[wateroftyne]

Jonas should be a 6, works his socks off!!

Back on form last few games.

[supermac]

Jonas is so polarizing, just from match to match (or maybe 4-match spell to 4-match spell)...the frustrating thing is you usually know withing the first 10' which Jonas is showing up...which has elicited more than a few profanities upon the realization that Evil Jonas is on the pitch...

[Deleted]

It doesnt matter which Jonarse shows up......neither of them have an end product,........ffs .......play a cardboard box....at least you know it can hold something!!! But that's all it can do.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Oh Ok ....try and be nice?..........let him run a race against one of Mercenary Michaels racehorses............but he'll get beat every time?.....well just do it anyway ffs......(see managed to get the other useless twot that boils my pizz in here).....HAVE A NICE DAY YOU LIBERALS......LETS BE NICE TO EVERYBODY.....................
Now wheres the Jack.......

[Fairscup]

Apr 22, 2013 16:10:02 GMT 1 wateroftyne said:

Jonas should be a 6, works his socks off!!

Back on form last few games.

Last few games? He was CRAP against Sunderland!!!!!

[Nattfare]

Goalkeepers
Krul: 7 - Really showed what he could do last season, has been more ordinary this one. Was in good form before his latest injury... which he has had too many this season.
Elliot: 7 - Seems more safe the more confident he gets. Slightly better than Krul on his feet.
Harper: - Contract is out in the summer. Either he looks for a new club, quits or gets a coach role in the club.

Defense
Coloccini: 4 - Even when he's been distracted he's been at least decent. Needs to be replaced in the summer.
Santon: 7 - See him more as a midfielder as he constantly fails in the positioning as a defender. Needs to stop with always cutting inside when he has the ball.
Simpson: 5 - Average, will do what is required of him and not much more.
Williamson: 3 - Below average. Don't understand why we always aim for him on free kicks either since he never wins them.
Yanga-Mbiwa: 7 - Like the looks of this guy. Still hasn't fully adapted to the league plus that he is a bit too arrogant on the ball at times.
Perch: 7 - Really good utility man. Not fantastic in any position but useful in most.
Raylor: - Good at set pieces but what else? Been unfortunate with a terrible injury this season.
Haidara: 7 - Looks promising to me. I'd have him over Santon as LB and move the Italian up the field.
Debuchy: 8 - Really likes going forward and makes many clever runs up the flank. A bit on the slow side though and needs to make sure that he won't get caught out from it while defending.
Saylor: 7 - Class A maniac. Lies down and nods the ball to the keeper or handles the ball and the grabs his own balls after. Sometimes he's brilliant, sometimes he should have stayed home with his strait jacket on.
Ferguson: 7 - Shows a lot of promise to me but shouldn't be played as a defender. Have gotten lot of slack for not being worse than anyone else really. Is doing really well in Brum at the moment and loan spell will only do him goo. Decent free kick taker too.
Tavernier: - Feel sorry for this lad. Has been loaned out to Gateshead and Carlisle and then being hyped to the real deal after that. The club has done bad on him in my opinon. Think he has potential but you don't play himm in the lower leagues and then just throw him to the PL to expect him to perform right away.

Midfielders
Cabaye: 7 - This season's form a 7 - his ability a 9. Is far too easy to mark and when he is it always hampers our play. Also has an ugly cynical side to his play.
Sissoko: 8 - Will run all day for you. Played to his strengths and on the right position he will probably work wonders for us. Really like what I see of him. Has probably been matched too hard.
Anita: 7 - Feel sorry for this guy too. He is a good footballer but he looks a bit intimidated by the English league. Too lightweight to play as a DM in my opinion.
Ben Arfa: 3 - Was one of the reasons for our positon last season. You always felt a sense of expectaion whenever he had the ball. But with all those injuries he's had, will he ever be back to that form?
Gosling: 2 - Just can't see anything in him that would suggest that he will make it for us.
Amalfitano: - A bargain buy that didn't really pay off? Think he will be gone in the summer.

Jonas: 5 - Just doesn't cut it anymore. Doesn't seem to have a favorable position either. Too slow an no end product as a winger. Too awful at passing to be a CM. Just not good enough as a FB.

Bigirimana: 8 - Bags of potential and some maturity in his play. Has benefitted a lot from playing full seasons in the Championship.
Marveaux: 7 - When he gets he ball, an 8. Otherwise he tends to get to hiding. Lazy? Been this season's Ben Arfa as you feel a bit of expectation when he has the ball.
Tiote: 3 - Seems to have completely lost his mind this season.
Obertan: 1 - Too weak, too slow in mind and too scared of the PL.
Vuckic: - Think he has lots of potential. But will he fulfill them here? Really unfortunate with injuries.
Abeid: - Looks a decent footballer the very little I've seen of him. Don't think he is ready for the PL and he'll need a lot of match practice first.

Forwards
Cisse: 7 - Was played on the wrong position half of the season. Is then being played as a target man. Worse quality in his finishing this season but he's still the only one in the team that scores goals.
Gouffran: 7 - Runs and tries a lot. Jonás does that too only he is a worse player. Still think he has even more to give than he has shown so far.
Shameobi: 2 - Too slow and can't get anywhere near the ball without conceding a free kick. That he is our 2nd striker is just tragic.
Sameobi: - Had a lot of hype around him at the start of the season. Has the ability but does he have the brain? Made a decent start for Boro before he got injured.
Campbell: - Looks like a clever little player despite his age. Think he is more of a Newcastle fan living the dream rather than a full professional right now. A loan spell to get some first team action can make him into a great asset for us in the future.

Well this is my two cents... or three... or one... seem to have lost a couple.

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 11:25:02 GMT 1 Nattfare said:

Goalkeepers
Krul: 7 - Really showed what he could do last season, has been more ordinary this one. Was in good form before his latest injury... which he has had too many this season.
Elliot: 7 - Seems more safe the more confident he gets. Slightly better than Krul on his feet.
Harper: - Contract is out in the summer. Either he looks for a new club, quits or gets a coach role in the club.

Defense
Coloccini: 4 - Even when he's been distracted he's been at least decent. Needs to be replaced in the summer.
Santon: 7 - See him more as a midfielder as he constantly fails in the positioning as a defender. Needs to stop with always cutting inside when he has the ball.
Simpson: 5 - Average, will do what is required of him and not much more.
Williamson: 3 - Below average. Don't understand why we always aim for him on free kicks either since he never wins them.
Yanga-Mbiwa: 7 - Like the looks of this guy. Still hasn't fully adapted to the league plus that he is a bit too arrogant on the ball at times.
Perch: 7 - Really good utility man. Not fantastic in any position but useful in most.
Raylor: - Good at set pieces but what else? Been unfortunate with a terrible injury this season.
Haidara: 7 - Looks promising to me. I'd have him over Santon as LB and move the Italian up the field.
Debuchy: 8 - Really likes going forward and makes many clever runs up the flank. A bit on the slow side though and needs to make sure that he won't get caught out from it while defending.
Saylor: 7 - Class A maniac. Lies down and nods the ball to the keeper or handles the ball and the grabs his own balls after. Sometimes he's brilliant, sometimes he should have stayed home with his strait jacket on.
Ferguson: 7 - Shows a lot of promise to me but shouldn't be played as a defender. Have gotten lot of slack for not being worse than anyone else really. Is doing really well in Brum at the moment and loan spell will only do him goo. Decent free kick taker too.
Tavernier: - Feel sorry for this lad. Has been loaned out to Gateshead and Carlisle and then being hyped to the real deal after that. The club has done bad on him in my opinon. Think he has potential but you don't play himm in the lower leagues and then just throw him to the PL to expect him to perform right away.

Midfielders
Cabaye: 7 - This season's form a 7 - his ability a 9. Is far too easy to mark and when he is it always hampers our play. Also has an ugly cynical side to his play.
Sissoko: 8 - Will run all day for you. Played to his strengths and on the right position he will probably work wonders for us. Really like what I see of him. Has probably been matched too hard.
Anita: 7 - Feel sorry for this guy too. He is a good footballer but he looks a bit intimidated by the English league. Too lightweight to play as a DM in my opinion.
Ben Arfa: 3 - Was one of the reasons for our positon last season. You always felt a sense of expectaion whenever he had the ball. But with all those injuries he's had, will he ever be back to that form?
Gosling: 2 - Just can't see anything in him that would suggest that he will make it for us.
Amalfitano: - A bargain buy that didn't really pay off? Think he will be gone in the summer.

Jonas: 5 - Just doesn't cut it anymore. Doesn't seem to have a favorable position either. Too slow an no end product as a winger. Too awful at passing to be a CM. Just not good enough as a FB.

Bigirimana: 8 - Bags of potential and some maturity in his play. Has benefitted a lot from playing full seasons in the Championship.
Marveaux: 7 - When he gets he ball, an 8. Otherwise he tends to get to hiding. Lazy? Been this season's Ben Arfa as you feel a bit of expectation when he has the ball.
Tiote: 3 - Seems to have completely lost his mind this season.
Obertan: 1 - Too weak, too slow in mind and too scared of the PL.
Vuckic: - Think he has lots of potential. But will he fulfill them here? Really unfortunate with injuries.
Abeid: - Looks a decent footballer the very little I've seen of him. Don't think he is ready for the PL and he'll need a lot of match practice first.

Forwards
Cisse: 7 - Was played on the wrong position half of the season. Is then being played as a target man. Worse quality in his finishing this season but he's still the only one in the team that scores goals.
Gouffran: 7 - Runs and tries a lot. Jonás does that too only he is a worse player. Still think he has even more to give than he has shown so far.
Shameobi: 2 - Too slow and can't get anywhere near the ball without conceding a free kick. That he is our 2nd striker is just tragic.
Sameobi: - Had a lot of hype around him at the start of the season. Has the ability but does he have the brain? Made a decent start for Boro before he got injured.
Campbell: - Looks like a clever little player despite his age. Think he is more of a Newcastle fan living the dream rather than a full professional right now. A loan spell to get some first team action can make him into a great asset for us in the future.

Well this is my two cents... or three... or one... seem to have lost a couple.

Excellent Natt.......got any spare patience you can give me....you seem to have it in abundance,,,,,,,,?

[Nattfare]

Sure thing, Canny. Take as much as you need.

[Fairscup]

I want to re-assess:

Every single player except Jonas 1 point

Pardew 1 point

Jonas - A pair of socks