That's Entertainment!
Aston Villa 4 Newcastle United 1
Newcastle United 1 Middlesbrough 1
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United 0 Bolton Wanderers 0
When you look upon those results, entertaining would not be the first words out of a Newcastle United fans mouth, yet this is the reality of King Kevs appointment. The truth is if things do not approve then a relegation battle is on the cards, a fact that for many Geordies will be hard to digest.
When Keegan arrived back the optimism amongst fans was as high as it was during his last tenure at the club, yet within a week and the appointment of Dennis Wise, questions began being asked, of which no clear answer has been produced.
If the return of Keegan is to be a success then the blueprints of his last time in the hot seat needs to be copied to a certain degree. The bases of the blueprints should be the season that United almost won the Premier League title in 1995/96.
When you look at the axis of the team, you can get a clearer picture of the kind of team that Keegan needs to re-build. Granted, the Newcastle defense of that season left a lot to be desired, and in all fairness probably cost them the title, but it’s really the midfield and forward line that should be examined.
In midfield you had Lee Clark, Rob Lee, Keith Gillespie, and David Ginola. These four would be later joined by David Batty, and probably Keegans most controversial signing, one that many believed cost him the title, Tino Asprillia.
When you look closely at that midfield, it was a strong, yet exiting midfield. You had the exiting young talent, and local boy, Lee Clark. Clark had an exceptional season in 95-96 and was unlucky to lose his place in the team when David Batty arrived. For Keegan this time around he needs someone who will work hard for the team and give everything for the cause, just as Clark did. Right now, Newcastle lacks that type of player. Joey Barton could be the answer, yet too many off field troubles keep him from being that type of player, United so desperately need.
Alongside Clark you had ‘Mr. Dependable’ Rob Lee. Rob Lee is one of the Premierships most underrated players ever. He made that midfield tick, not only with his work ethic but the way he would put in performance after performance, week in, week out. Newcastle just doesn’t have a Rob Lee type of player. Nicky Butt has been the same since he left Man United, and Emre has struggled ever since his arrival. Keegan needs to bring in someone he can rely on, just as he did with Rob Lee.
During the 1995-96 season, one of the most exiting things about Newcastle was their use of wingers, in particular Keith Gillespie and David Ginola. These two alone created so many chances for the Newcastle forward line. With their pace and attacking flair, United where a joy to watch. Compare that with present day Newcastle and it’s a stark contrast. Damien Duff has struggled to find the kind of form that made him one of the Premierships most feared wingers. His constant injury problems have hampered him, and he looks less effective with every passing game. James Milner has failed to live up to hype that surrounds him. He just not comes across as a winger that will create the chances needed. Charles N’Zogbia is however someone who could revive Uniteds attacking play from midfield. He is a major threat, and a talented young player, when played in his correct position (i.e. not left back).
Upfront for Newcastle United during the 95/96 season where Peter Beardsley and Les Ferdinand. In Beardsley you had a seasoned campaigner, who was still being picked for England. He was probably having one of his best seasons, since his Liverpool days. Ferdinand was a major goal scoring threat, who fully complimented Gillespie and Ginola’s wing play. The duo seemed to gel up until the arrival of Asprillia, when the team was shuffled around to accommodate the Colombian. At this present time, Newcastle do not have a strike force that has gelled, which comes as a surprise considering they have Owen, Martins, Viduka, and Smith to choose from. Granted, due to injuries, and the African Cup of Nations, Keegans only options have been Owen and Smith. The quicker he can find the solution, the better.
Now I could carry on and examine the 1995/96 and present day Newcastle defense, yet the obvious stands out… they both can’t defend!
It came as a surprise that Keegan didn’t bring in anyone during the January transfer window, he will be hoping that this doesn’t come back to haunt him and a true rebuilding of the club can begin in the summer, if he is around come then.
You can email your thoughts to thisissoccer@gmail.com
soccer football premiership la+liga serie+a mls premier+league
http://thisissoccerusa.blogspot.com/ - a football fans thoughts
Newcastle United 1 Middlesbrough 1
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United 0 Bolton Wanderers 0
When you look upon those results, entertaining would not be the first words out of a Newcastle United fans mouth, yet this is the reality of King Kevs appointment. The truth is if things do not approve then a relegation battle is on the cards, a fact that for many Geordies will be hard to digest.
When Keegan arrived back the optimism amongst fans was as high as it was during his last tenure at the club, yet within a week and the appointment of Dennis Wise, questions began being asked, of which no clear answer has been produced.
If the return of Keegan is to be a success then the blueprints of his last time in the hot seat needs to be copied to a certain degree. The bases of the blueprints should be the season that United almost won the Premier League title in 1995/96.
When you look at the axis of the team, you can get a clearer picture of the kind of team that Keegan needs to re-build. Granted, the Newcastle defense of that season left a lot to be desired, and in all fairness probably cost them the title, but it’s really the midfield and forward line that should be examined.
In midfield you had Lee Clark, Rob Lee, Keith Gillespie, and David Ginola. These four would be later joined by David Batty, and probably Keegans most controversial signing, one that many believed cost him the title, Tino Asprillia.
When you look closely at that midfield, it was a strong, yet exiting midfield. You had the exiting young talent, and local boy, Lee Clark. Clark had an exceptional season in 95-96 and was unlucky to lose his place in the team when David Batty arrived. For Keegan this time around he needs someone who will work hard for the team and give everything for the cause, just as Clark did. Right now, Newcastle lacks that type of player. Joey Barton could be the answer, yet too many off field troubles keep him from being that type of player, United so desperately need.
Alongside Clark you had ‘Mr. Dependable’ Rob Lee. Rob Lee is one of the Premierships most underrated players ever. He made that midfield tick, not only with his work ethic but the way he would put in performance after performance, week in, week out. Newcastle just doesn’t have a Rob Lee type of player. Nicky Butt has been the same since he left Man United, and Emre has struggled ever since his arrival. Keegan needs to bring in someone he can rely on, just as he did with Rob Lee.
During the 1995-96 season, one of the most exiting things about Newcastle was their use of wingers, in particular Keith Gillespie and David Ginola. These two alone created so many chances for the Newcastle forward line. With their pace and attacking flair, United where a joy to watch. Compare that with present day Newcastle and it’s a stark contrast. Damien Duff has struggled to find the kind of form that made him one of the Premierships most feared wingers. His constant injury problems have hampered him, and he looks less effective with every passing game. James Milner has failed to live up to hype that surrounds him. He just not comes across as a winger that will create the chances needed. Charles N’Zogbia is however someone who could revive Uniteds attacking play from midfield. He is a major threat, and a talented young player, when played in his correct position (i.e. not left back).
Upfront for Newcastle United during the 95/96 season where Peter Beardsley and Les Ferdinand. In Beardsley you had a seasoned campaigner, who was still being picked for England. He was probably having one of his best seasons, since his Liverpool days. Ferdinand was a major goal scoring threat, who fully complimented Gillespie and Ginola’s wing play. The duo seemed to gel up until the arrival of Asprillia, when the team was shuffled around to accommodate the Colombian. At this present time, Newcastle do not have a strike force that has gelled, which comes as a surprise considering they have Owen, Martins, Viduka, and Smith to choose from. Granted, due to injuries, and the African Cup of Nations, Keegans only options have been Owen and Smith. The quicker he can find the solution, the better.
Now I could carry on and examine the 1995/96 and present day Newcastle defense, yet the obvious stands out… they both can’t defend!
It came as a surprise that Keegan didn’t bring in anyone during the January transfer window, he will be hoping that this doesn’t come back to haunt him and a true rebuilding of the club can begin in the summer, if he is around come then.
You can email your thoughts to thisissoccer@gmail.com
soccer football premiership la+liga serie+a mls premier+league
http://thisissoccerusa.blogspot.com/ - a football fans thoughts
Labels: football, la+liga, mls, premier+league, premiership, serie+a, soccer
posted by This Is Soccer USA at
1:11 PM
<< Home