whothefisAlice
Well-Known Member
Does anyone think that they can be a real force next season? I think they are assembling one hell of a squad up there in Geordie land. If they can keep hold of Ben Arfa, Collocini, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, R.Taylor (if only for set pieces), Ba (low buyout clause that most know of) and Cisse (just purchased and a dead-cert superstar in the making it seems), then I really think they will be pushing for top 4 next year. I think this year is too soon for top four, and they have just lost Collocini for a few matches (he is their Vinny).
Stephen Taylor has missed almost this entire season through injury, and when paired with Collocini, they can be a rock solid cb pairing. I would say they do need a better rb, another cb (either as cover or to partner Collocini ahead of S Taylor), and another winger (Ben Arfa for me is better off sitting behind Ba and Cisse).
Cabaye, Tiote and Gutierrez are the backbone of a very solid, creative midfield, and with Taylor and/or Santon (not impressed yet though) adding extra width, they have no major room for improvement there having just said I think they could do with a/another winger (Obertan...chuckle)
They have a frighteningly good strike-force coming together in Ba and Cisse.
Again, holding on to all those names will be hard, and I do see at least Tiote and possibly Ba going, but with a couple of solid reinforcements, the emergence of Ben Arfa (without injury, and as a mainstay) and Cabaye, I see only good things for Newcastle. Pardew may have found his home up there, and if he can bring in a couple big names (remember they have a small fortune they, well Ashley is sitting on from a certain lanky streak of piss at 35m), and show their ambition to everyone involved, I see players staying and pushing for Ch League footy.
They won't be challenging for a title anytime soon, but it would be wonderful to have another club pushing the Chelseas, Liverpools, Tottenhams out of the top 4.
Just my thoughts. They play a nice style of football in my opinion, and I have nothing against N.U.F.C.
Stephen Taylor has missed almost this entire season through injury, and when paired with Collocini, they can be a rock solid cb pairing. I would say they do need a better rb, another cb (either as cover or to partner Collocini ahead of S Taylor), and another winger (Ben Arfa for me is better off sitting behind Ba and Cisse).
Cabaye, Tiote and Gutierrez are the backbone of a very solid, creative midfield, and with Taylor and/or Santon (not impressed yet though) adding extra width, they have no major room for improvement there having just said I think they could do with a/another winger (Obertan...chuckle)
They have a frighteningly good strike-force coming together in Ba and Cisse.
Again, holding on to all those names will be hard, and I do see at least Tiote and possibly Ba going, but with a couple of solid reinforcements, the emergence of Ben Arfa (without injury, and as a mainstay) and Cabaye, I see only good things for Newcastle. Pardew may have found his home up there, and if he can bring in a couple big names (remember they have a small fortune they, well Ashley is sitting on from a certain lanky streak of piss at 35m), and show their ambition to everyone involved, I see players staying and pushing for Ch League footy.
They won't be challenging for a title anytime soon, but it would be wonderful to have another club pushing the Chelseas, Liverpools, Tottenhams out of the top 4.
Just my thoughts. They play a nice style of football in my opinion, and I have nothing against N.U.F.C.