I was just comparing this season so far with last season and although we seem to be doing about the same in terms of results against particular teams, there are some other things which are much improved over last term.

We are scoring a hell of a lot of goals this season - last season our top scorer was Shearer / Cort with 7 goals - Bellamy has already surpassed this, as well as Solano equalling it.

I have a lot more confidence in our centre backs. Andy O'Brien has really come along well and is surely our best defender. He has formed a good partnership with Dabizas.

Our midfield seems a lot weaker than last season, mainly because we are playing with two wingers, whereas last campaign we had an imbalanced midfield, but theoretically one that was stronger defensively. If we can score more than the opposition though you won't hear me complain.

Shay Given is vital to our side, he is in some ways more important than anyone else in the team. Without him today we could so easily have gone down 3-0 or worse to an Everton team that, although confident, are not world beaters.

I am looking forward to Dyer and Cort coming back. Cort will add the option of a bit of strength up front in matches where we need it and Dyer is the inventive sparkle in midfield that we need to break down the tougher defences.

We have a lot of potential I feel, but we are hindered by our weak centre midfield. I feel that either of Acuna and Speed could feature in our team, but not together, they are two similar players, although Acuna seems to be doing the better of the two this season.

Still as unpredictable as ever though, we'll either play awful against Villa and loase 1-0 or play out of our skins and get a 3-3 draw.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Answers

Any Potential?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

I feel we have made progress since last season Paul - as you suggest, up front and defensively, which is why the dreadful performances against WHU and Spurs are so galling.

We have genuine pace and match- winning potential up front, both of which were lacking last season once we lost Dyer.

In defence O'Brien has been a terrific signing and will continue to improve, and seems to enjoy playing alongside Dabz who has also done quite well. While he may not be the long-term solution and doesn't offer much going forward, I actually believe Elliott has improved us defensively. From the little we've seen of him, Distin looks useful and given his height he could be real asset in helping us improve our ability to defend FK's and corners. We badly need to play with a settled defensive unit to allow them to gel together - and avoid the temptation to repeat the folly that was Spurs.

The real problem, of course, is in midfield where we lack bite, energy and creativity. I'm afraid we will remain frustratingly inconsistent until this problem is finally addressed.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

I was thinking through some possible midfielders we could look for: Nicky Butt (Manure): Occasionally brilliant, usually solid but is caught in possession a lot. Manure will want to keep hold of him as a squad player, although with Taggart favouring 4-4-2 and having Veron, Keane and Scholes to choose from, Butt is not as useful as he used to be.

David Prutton (Forest): Promising midfield talent, not the finished article but he comes quite cheap.  Has talent.

Jamie Redknapp (Liverpool): Not exactly the type of player we are looking for but would undoubtedly add something to the team. Injury prone.  Unlikely to be allowed to go by Liverpool.  Unlikely to want to move.

David Thompson (Coventry): Strong battler, maybe lacking technical ability but would fight the cause well

Paul Okon (Middlesbrough): Defensive midfielder, hounded by injuries but highly rated in Europe, probably too slow for the Premier League.  Available on a free transfer though.

Ray Parlour (Arsenal): Can do a fine job in centre midfield, but tends to drift out of games when the going gets tough.

Edgar Davids (Juventus): World class midfielder, although past his best is still better than anything at Newcastle in that position.  Temperamental and would want a lot of money in wages.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Carrick?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Carrick would be the best choice, but we couldn't afford him even if he would come.

What about Sam Della Bona at Chelsea? Jody Morris? Frank de Boer?

Our top target appears to be Brett Emerton (Feyenoord).

I watched the Rangers game tonight, and Barry Ferguson would look really good in the B&W!

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Paul / Clarky

Our defence always seems to be like a creaking gate just waiting to fall off the hinges.. Today it sounded like we just hung on in there. I agree with you that the defence (with 4 across the back)is not so bad but they desperately need more support from the middle to keep the hinges well oiled. The forwards aren't doing so bad..Shearer hopefully will get back to something like his old self at some time. Cort and Dyer will certainly help going forward both Midfield and up front. But we still need a hard tackling, ball winning midfield star in the ilk of Batty.. Speed does it on the rare occasion but I would prefer Accuna to him and neither are real world beaters.

All in all we aren't that far away from a reasonably good side but we still need a hefty push to become anything like championship material.

So where do we find superman?? or is that supermen?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Bob,
I just don't believe we have the finances to make major push for the PL Championship. However, I do believe we have the basis of potentially a very good young squad, with terrific youngsters like Gary Caldwell, Chopra and Offiong coming up on the rails.

We need to keep moving forward, and add to the strength of the squad - in much the same way as Leeds have done over the last 2-3 years.

The immediate, nay urgent, need is for a tough-tackling, energetic midfield player to support the defence, win the ball, and release the pace merchants - Robert, Bellamy and hopefully Dyer. I still believe Seth Johnson could have have done that job for us.

Other needs will become apparent as we go forward, but we must be entirely focussed on the present imperitive for a central m/f player - and get on with it before another season goes by the board without us at least qualifying for Europe.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

appears you answered my question while I was learning to type.

If we can't afford Carrick then we are not ambitious enough to win the premiership! We can not expect to home grow all of the necessary talent for this feat. Isn't it speculate to accumulate. According to the stats we have the 2nd largest following in England just behind manure..so why aren't we able to compete for the Verons?? Winning generates revenue. Carrick would be great and I believe we can "afford" him. More a question of could we persuade him to come.

Most of your choices seem to be uk based apart from Davids..Surely the rest of the world has more to offer.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

If Barry Ferguson were to come anywhere near the Toon I might consider becoming a Manure fan! He is a dirty evil bar steward with a big mouth and no ability. He is also a wimp - witness his need for treatment today when everyone thought he was dead and there was bugger all wrong with him - not even a broken arm. Too slow for the Prem. If you're going to sign someone from Glasgow why not look at Alan Thompson - another player we gave away!

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

18yo Jermaine Jenas (forest) get him now !!!!

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

I don't think Barry Ferguson or Alan Thompson are players we should buy.

Ferguson may be able to do a job but he seems very error prone.

Thompson seems to be past his best and struggled against the European teams, the Scottish PL isn't a good judge of a player unfotunately.

I was going to include Carrick in the list but I thought he wasn't going to leave West Ham. We also can't afford him. However, a Rob Lee + Nobby Solano + cash deal for Sinclair and Carrick would be something that would make me smile, unless the cash bit was stupidly high.

Carrick is probably worth about £7-8m, but West Ham would want around £15m which is stupid money.

Seth Johnson could have done the job, I agree with Clarky, and I think he will regret going to Leeds, where he will get little first team opportunites over the next season or two. Coming to Newcastle would have basically guaranteed him a place in the starting eleven as well as being a hero on Tyneside, as the fans generally take to players who get stuck in.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Bob, undoubtedly the rest of the world does have something to offer but my knowledge of foreign leagues is limited in comparison with the English PL. Obviously the big names are famous, but lesser known players are just that, lesser known. (That sounds a bit thick doesn't it? :) )

I also missed off that African midfielder who plays in Belgium, mainly because I can't remember his name. He is highly rated, good passer and quick feet, but again, like the Scottish league, Belgian teams aren't the world force in football so it would be a risk bringing him here, unless Fat Freddy could pull off a loan deal. BR has said he is interested in this player (I'll have to find his name out) so it's a start.

Brett Emerton as well, forgot about him (ta Clarky). Haven't ever seen him play to be honest, but apparently he is powerful and can tackle, he may be the man.

In all honesty I can't see us getting an English player as they are overpriced too much. Carrick is "on the market" for double his value, Butt would cost a fortune to get (although he would go elsewhere given the choice surely)

With a class centre midfielder we could go onto greater things, definitely qualifying for Europe. We sadly don't have any players like that from the U-17s or U-19s, the talent there seems to give us centre backs and strikers, not much else.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Bob, old son - you asked Paul and me a question, and we did our best to respond. I'm sorry it apparently wasn't good enough for you.

Like Paul I haven't commented on every m/f player from all around the world 'cos I don't know anything about them - alreet?

You can pontificate as much as you like about "our ambition" and "speculating to accumulate" - but if you haven't got the bread you can't make the sandwiches!

I realise a lot of fans don't want to hear about mundane things like the Club's financial situation - if you are, try reading my recent thread on the subject - but the bottom line is that Man U are awash with dosh through being unremittingly successful for the last 10 years, while the toon have won precisely NOWT, and have pawned the family jewels in doing it - the cupboard is just aboot bare bonny lad - fact: like it or not!

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Nice to hear a bit of optomism. I agree with everything you said. Perhaps our midfield needs strengthening but Dyer should help that when he's fit. I think we now have a great squad. When Shearer is too old we have Court/Bellamy/Ameobi. We can beat any team in the league which we prooved by beating the Manure. All we need now is time. If we don't make too many changes to the squad then we will progress hugely. Like you said the potential is there and if say in a years time this team of Court, Bellamy, Dabizas, Robert, Solano are still together we can acheive anything. Our team hasn't really had time to gel and thats why we have all of these inconsistent results And that change of formation is just experimentation. But our squad is exceptional. Think of Bellamy in a copule of years when he gets a bit more confident infront of goal. When he's played with Dyer for a full season. I really can't wait.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

I agree about Bellamy, Jim, he could really turn out to be top class.

We used to whinge about Dyer missing chances - very similar chances to Bellamy's misses, and eventually he practiced it and got it right. Bellamy I reckon will do the same.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Isnt Emerton a winger?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Sudden- midfield I think, Paul, agree Bellamy non stop one on one training with Harper/Karelse, Jacko, Alan Thompson has been found out, slow, needs time on the ball , will be surplus to requirements soon, Barry Ferguson will be in the premiership in two years , I sincerely hope it is with Newcastle, he is good , very good.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001

Brett Emerton prefers to play right midfield but plays as Right-Back with Feyenoord, all-be-it one that attacks down the flank a lot. Last rumour I heard was Arsenal were mulling over a 9 mill pound bid for him. He has a long standing ambition to play in England but wouldn't be happy as a squad player methinks. Canny player but 9 mill seems a bit steep.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

As I've just said on another thread - I believe BR has realised that he cannot continue playing with two lightweight wingers who are weak defensively. If we do, we will continue to get buried in m/f.

It seems to me that Bobby is looking to replace Solano with either Emerton or Sinclair, either of who would strengthen the midfield, while allowing Laurent Robert to continue 'doing his thing' offensively.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Diasgree with the comparison between Dyer and Bellamy: Dyer simply doesn't like to shoot unless he's sure of scoring while Bellamy has a go regardless. Give me the latter any day. Much rather hear groans when Bellamy fails in a 1 on 1 than watching someone with the pace to get there pull up his run and duck back into hiding. If Bellamy and Dyer end up fighting for the same place it will either be the making of Dyer or signal his departure.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

To be honest Softie, that is precisely the situation I can see unfolding. I just can't see Dyer playing in central m/f, so unless we use him wide right, it's either him or Bellamy alongside a big striker. There will, of course, be those who say we should keep them both to provide cover and give us options, but in reality neither would be prepared to accept anything other than being 1st choice.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Dyer is canny defensively, and I would see him wide right, that is why I don't see the point of going for Sinclair. Dyer is still only 22 whereas Sinclair is going on 29 so we have a lot of years in Dyer if we can "meet his ambitions".

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

We need some strength in midfield and while Dyer does a shift he lacks a physical presence

Sinclair does offer this

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

In yesterday's Pink, Dyer says that we should have beaten Spurs and that we can forget Europe if we get beaten by Villa blah blah. I thought there was a veiled threat...but maybe that's just Dyer to Leeds paranoia. In the same Pink, SuperMac talks about the formation and says "If you are going to manmark someone, why not Anderton who has an even better record against Newcastle".

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

How about Thoams Graversen from Everton. He from my country and has what it takes to play the defensive midfield. He is keeping Gascoigne out of the Everton team. He has been marvelous for the danish national team !!!! He is still only 24-25 yo. and has a past in Hamburg SV and Vejle (Denmark).

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

I've heard this rumour about Dyer's defensive quality, it apparently comes from the Opta stats which gave him an 85% success rate in tackling. Did you know that he only managed 20 tackles in 19 games to get this 85% success rate: it's the same as his scoring, he won't try unless he's sure it will work. Transfer that kind of workrate to central midfield and we'd better issue white flags to the players.

p.s. Just in case you thought I sounded a tad biased, I am still self- elected leader of the "Sell the jumped up little prick" pressure group. Still, we have to sell him this summer since he'll only have a year left on his contract and couldn't spell loyalty if you gave him all the letters, so the problem will soon be sorted out.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Interesting thread, the question could be, have we progressed under bobby never mind this season v last. Bobby inherited a squad which was reliant on Shearer and a midfield of Speed & Dyer. Lee was on his way out & the manager was trying to get a new forward line in as he thought Shearer wasn't the force he was.

We had spent £4m on improving the Midfield with Maric but this wasn't working out in part because he hasn't been given a decent run, now we have spent £4m on Bassedas which isn't working out, in part because he hasn't been given a decent run in the centre of midfield.

The previous manager had upset some of the senior pros in leaving them out or not giving them an automatic place on their return from suspension. Now we seem to have left certain players out to the extent they leave (Glass) or leave them out of the squad with no explaination (Barton).

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Softie, our whole season is based on the hope that the midfield may be better when Dyer is back. Why is there a need for a defensive midfielder, we've got three of them but are without a playmaker or creativity.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

DaveleF - your season may be based "on the hope that our midfield will improve when Dyer is back", but I'm firmly with Softie (sic!) in saying uneqivocally that mine isn't.

Quite frankly a midfield of Robert, Dyer, ANO and Solano would give me chronic diarrhoea - unless, of course, ANO turned out to be Patrick Viera. The other three couldn't punch their way out of their pay packets so how would we ever get the ball!

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

We'd never give it away ;-)

I think Bobby believes YKD is the answer. He's stuck by a perm of Lee, Speed & Acuna in midfield, not dared risk Bassedas. It's been a case of hoping these 3 will do a job until we get the lad back. I'm like you, I think we need more than just YKD but there is no sign of changing that. We had the chance of Lee Clark in the summer, even swapping for Speed and costing nowt but there was no action from Bobby.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Yes I know what you're saying Dave.

The way I see it - as expounded elsewhere already - is that BR does indeed fancy playing KD in central m/f. However, I reckon he has also realised that he cannot play with two lightweight wingers and KD in m/f. That is why I think he has decided to offload Solano and buy a stronger right-sided m/f player who will work up and down the line, and help the central guys with defensive duties.

I think he sees Speed as his anchor in m/f with ANO (Emerton or Sinclair, if he gets the opportunity) and Robert playing wide, KD in the centre and AS & Bellamy up front.

I could see us effectively lining up as follows:

Given

O'Brien/Griffin......Dabz......Distin/O'Brien......Elliott

Speed

ANO.......Dyer.......Bellamy.......Robert

AS/CC

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Dave, we don't have 3 defensive midfielders, we have 3 midfielders who are crap going forward, it doesn't necessarily follow that they can tackle.

Rob Lee used to be the complete midfielder in that he was good at everything without excelling. Now he simply can't get forward and can only tackle someone if they have the decency to a) stand still b) run toward him within a 5 yard radius c) sorry, out of options.

Gary Speed holds a place simply by dint of challenging for a ball while it's off the ground. He is our only midfielder who seems to understand that it is allowed. Like Lee he is more likely to pick up a yellow for a challenge than a round of applause.

Acuna. Jesus, what can you say? Only tackles in our 18 yard box for some reason. I understood the need to dig in the bargain-bin at the time, but you know the way you pick up a cheap pair of flip-flops on holiday when you came without any? Exactly, buy yourself a decent pair of sandals for next year or live with the blisters.

This lot couldn't stop a coach-load of old age pensioners (see Spurs game for evidence) and only look competent because Robert, Nobby and Dyer are so utterly insubstantial. What I called for was someone who can tackle but can also pass: Speed can sort of tackle and the other two can sort of pass but none of them seem to be capable of both in the same game (before anyone gets on about Rob Lee's wonderful passing can I just point out that if he passed it when he got it rather than doing the hokey-cokey first then we might find ourselves passing the ball around with 3 against 4 rather than 3 against 8).

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

You've got a point, I assume Speed, Acun and Lee can tackle but alas not very well. I despair at the lack of movement rather than the lack of defensive presence. Lee Clark is our man then?

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001

Having watched the Ipswich v West Ham match I watched Sinclair and Carrick and their performances were different.

Sinclair couldn't defend to save his life, he gave away an awful free kick from which Ipswich equalised, and his crossing wasn't too good. As for getting involved in the game, it never really happened. This might just be a bad day, but if he's that good then how come he's not in the England squad? If Carrick and Lampard could get in at West Ham then surely playing for a London club wouldn't make it harder?

Carrick looked the part I have to admit, he tackled well and his passing was just what we need. He also had a cracking shot that smacked the crossbar full on, when was the last time we saw any of our midfielders do anything like that? (Wait, Gary Speed against Bradford last season, forgot about that :) ) He didn't seem to run about non-stop like a headless chicken / Clarence Acuna, but if the ball was there to be won he'd give it his best damn shot.

Sinclair IMHO wasn't a better player than Solano and after this game I still think Nobby is better. Nobby can have a bad game and still set up two goals and score a decent tap in, but Sinclair doesn't have the natural ability of Nobby. The transfer request might have something to do with it, but he seemed a pretty similar player last season when I saw him play.

Carrick is superb and would make our team so much better. In a year or two he and Dyer possibly could play centre midfield, Carrick for long periods played as a defensive midfielder and Ipswich had no answer to him. He would cost quite a bit though, and £15m is too much (although £28m for Veron is also way too much, even if he is world class)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001