3 Points Please
As I go out the door I hope that when I return to follow this up we will once and for all have our first 3 points under Kevin Keegan.
Out goes bets like Newcastle not to win the rest of the season at 8-1 as publicised on Setanta Sports today. I think it is high time we shut this bunch of muppets up by doing it on the pitch.
NO NEWCASTLE FANS WANT RID OF KEEGAN!
Lets all club together today as a team and unit which includes players, staff and fans to get it right on the pitch and get to the end of this season with premiership status intact so we can draw a line under the mess the club was in from fumbling errors from the previous regime.
3 points please… Thank you Fulham.
March 22nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Nearly half time, 1-0 up and we’re peppering their goal… Problem is we’re not getting that important 2nd (and 3rd) goal which is a little nerve-wracking… I hope I won’t be posting later about the missed chances that would have avoided an eventual draw/loss…
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
They had me worried but I’m a very happy man right now! I’d have liked to see us score a few more and be more ruthless
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Some better performances all over the pitch I thought. Still really nervy while in our own half but that is totally to be expected. Clean sheet is a huge plus aswell as the chances created. Didn’t think Butt pulled the weight of some of the others. Much as I don’t like the lad I thought Barton showed some signs of why we signed him. KK’s three up front is working pretty well from a working with what we have point of view.
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3338610,00.html
According to Sky Sports, Oba’s looking to leave… After all, he “only played the final 16 minutes” of the Fulham game…
DO THESE JOURNALISTS EVEN LOOK AT THE MATCH REPORTS LET ALONE WATCH FOOTBALL?!
Watched the highlights, Barton is starting to show the sort of form and skill he had at Man City. Pity he’s going to prison… Hopefully if he does (over the summer I expect) it’ll straighten him out once and for all and he can become a useful member of the squad and society. I agree about the three up front too, we seem to be causing defences a lot of trouble.
Martins is playing well too, or at least is making defences nervous as they know he can get a vicious shot away from next to nothing. We really have to keep hold of him over summer. As good as Viduka’s goal was he’ll need replacing over summer, with him maybe sticking around for a season as back-up. He’s dangerous but I still think he’s too slow, there are harder working strikers out there that will get more goals (and stay fitter).
Speaking of needing to be replaced, we’ll need a new defensive midfielder too, Butt can’t go on forever. Someone around the age of 21-23 would be great, with a smooth transition over next season with Butt phased out as the new lad settles.
Good to see Enrique and Beye playing well, hopefully we can leave these positions alone and simply buy in a new centreback or two in defense. I’d like to see what Edgar can do too, he’s meant to be playing well for the reserves.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I actually thought Butt was one of the contenders for MOM in all honesty. Broke up so many plays, last ditch tackles and his passing was generally on the ball compared to of late. Yes highlights made Geremi and Barton look great but still not convinced. As long as they do the job til the end of the season i’ll be happy. We’ve still got a way to go though. If we can pick up another win quickly we’ll be fine. Viduka had one of his better matches and is getting minutes in to make him fitter. Took his goal very well. Martins was as good as ever tho better 2nd half again as he stayed out wide helped the midfield. Zog came on didnt really do anything again. Hes had a poor season tbh. Thought Faye and Taylor did well to limit Fulham in the 2nd half. Enrique had another strong game was contender for MOM til some poor passing towards the end but he had a good game. Hes still young tho. Id like to see us sign Bullard though in the summer. Type of player we need.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Bullard might be good, although at 29 he’s only got a few years so wouldn’t be one for the future. Still, he might be worth buying for a few years whilst we rebuild over the next few seasons.
As for Butt, you didn’t see it from the highlights but he apparently played very well. I’m not saying he should be ditched asap like Ameobi etc should, but he’s getting old and next season would be a good time to bring in a new midfielder that can control the midfield and break up the opposition.
As for Zog, he’ll go, probably for about £6m I reckon (which will be daylight robbery I reckon but I expect that’ll be the price we’ll get as he’s sulked so much the buying clubs will know he’s no longer any use to us).
March 24th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Hmmm I would if possible show some power and keep him. Stop showing we get pushed about. I think Butt will be phased out. Hes a wigan/birmingham style player now. Hes not got the legs. Ameobi, Emre, Cacapa, Rozenhal, Barton, Geremi, Duff, Viduka even should be shipped out but REPLACED. Maybe even Butt while we might command some sort of a fee however low it is. TBH if Given doesnt get sorted he should be gone. No room for nicey nice. Hes not been at the races and if he continues to get injuries and his kicking continues the way its been its a big problem and no good to stabalising a back 4. I think in general the premier league is going through a transition of faces goalkeeping wise. Alot of old faces will go the journey next year. Bullard will be good for 2-3 years. The cost will be low as well as likely Fulham go down. There are bargains to be had and we need to be shrewd in the market to improve to hopefully attract a few more places at the end of next season after hopefully a better showing.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I agree with that list of players to be shown the door. However I’d add Smith and how could you miss our friend Mr Carr?! Emre, for me, is playing for his contract as he is injured, but I just think he’s now too inconstistant and picks up injuries too often to really get a run of form. I think we’ll see Duff stay though (in fact several might stay I think as that’s a lot of players to ship in one window) as well as Barton.
I admit I wouldn’t be gutted to see Shay leave, he’s been great for us but as you say there’s no room for sentiment. I’d feel sorry for him in a way though, he stuck with us even when he could have gone elsewhere and won things… If he goes we could stick with Harper for a season or two until Krul or Soderberg come through?
So who would everyone like to see come in? I think this window will have a healthy dose of realism…
Also as a talking point, respect for referees – what’s the answer? Personally having played rugby a lot when I was younger I agree with the idea of only the captain formally addressing the referee (with some leeway here and there)…
March 24th, 2008 at 11:42 am
As much as I don’t want him starting ahead of our current 3, I think we’d be wise to keep hold of Smith for a bit longer. Someone on here said (and I agree with it) he’d be okay in a squad which is functioning. He is a good footballer but he isn’t good enough to play so much of a season out of position and return as a PL quality striker. I think he’s good enough to stick around for another season in the ‘squad’.
All depends on what KK brings in during the summer though.
Remember this? http://youtube.com/watch?v=pjbwOXRVgds&feature=related
Totally agree with captain talking to ref only. Been saying that for years and see no reason for it not to be implemented .
March 25th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Yeah I agree Smith in the squad may not be a bad thing actually. He could be better in a functioning team but it has to be as a striker. Unfortunately in that depart we have alot of strength. On approaching the referees i think it shud be only the captain but i also think the current bunch of referees are awful and shud be sacked to freshen it up. I think they are all far too comfortable. Its jobs for the boys.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Personally I can’t see why we don’t bring in goal line technology etc – there are ways of making sure it doesn’t break up the game and makes it fairer. I don’t personally agree with the idea of mistakes “adding to the romance of the game”… I also agree that even if a referee sees something you should be able to lengthen a ban after the game from footage, seeing as they can rescind a red card in the same way currently.
Anyway, I must admit that Smith might be useful as a squad player – he certainly isn’t top of my list as players to leave and as I say I don’t think we’ll see all of the “dead wood” removed in one go. I see what you mean about him being good when he was younger Wes but he simply isn’t a goal threat or a creative player, hasn’t been for years.
I’m now starting to get excited for the summer – hopefully we’ll get a bit of momentum going and secure safety with a couple of games to spare (although we’ve still got plenty of tough games, whilst still quite fragile, so I’m not banking on it) so that we can give the younger players a run out and start looking at new players a bit earlier… It’s going to be an exciting summer I think…
March 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Yep, I can’t disagree with you about his ability in recent years to be any kind of threat. In his defence though I do think he has been poorly managed for a while now. O’Leary knocking him back to midfield simply to accomodate the zillion players he had bought being the beginning of it. This followed by SAF attempting to make him the ‘new Roy Keane’ in that position too. As good a manager as he is I’m sure he will admit that was a big mistake in judgement.
His attitude is good in that I don’t remember him moaning about this when his natural position was clearly up front. He never was that prolific but he was a total menace when playing well. At 27/8ish(?) he should have some life left in him so…. Aye, not first 11 but not at the top of my list to go either.
Really need to bring in some players who want to fight for each other. We’ve lacked some of that spirit for most of this season (from the outside looking in anyway).
March 25th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
We definitely need pace in the team… Milner’s not slow, although I’d be happy to see some competition for the right wing spot. A new left winger is needed too as N’Zogbia is off and Duff needs competition/is a bit slow. We need a new young defensive midfielder and someone that can attack with pace (although Barton might fill this spot). So, a whole new midfield I guess… Plus a big defender and a big striker – the defence is slowly coming together and there’s enough cover with the likes of Edgar and Ramage.
Going to be expensive for Mike Ashley… Then again we should make a bit of money from sales:
Ameobi – £2m to a team promoted to the Premiership
Emre – £3.5m abroad
Cacapa – £1.5m abroad
Rozenhal – £2m to Lazio
Carr – £1m to the likes of QPR/Celtic
N’Zogbia – £6-7m to a London club (because he, a family man, NEEDS to be down there)
Martins?! I hope not, but if he goes we’ll want a big return on top of the £10m we paid for him…
I think the likes of Smith, Viduka, Barton and Duff will be kept as they’ll add experience and might play well in a team with some youth and pace injected into it. Plus as I say you can only move on so much of your squad…
March 25th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Id look at it this way. 5 players out 10 players in. Im sure Mr. Ashley can buy us a few players. He paid £100k for 3 tickets on The Apprentice.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Am I allowed to post here without it being a moan for a change?
j/k
Decent performance, much needed result, springboard for some more points hopefully.
Transfers……… I think our biggest problem is not going to be who to offload, but how to attract better!!! Lets be honest we havent had the greatest of press lately, and thats gonna “warp” the perception of a lot of players. This will probably mean throwing money at people, which is never a good “recruitment” policy.
Refs………. lets not pussy foot around. You want the problem resolved? Its easy. Make the referees apply the full letter of the law. It wouldnt take too many games with Man U, Chelsea etc ending the game with 8-9 players before the clubs management start taking responsibility for their employees. There must be an introduction of technology as well, micing the refs, goaline cameras etc. But, there is one fundamental aspect that must be in place first……….. EVERYONE involved in the game must have the will to make these changes. You get so many “experts” berating the use of technology and how it will ruin the game, and in the next breath almost they are moaning about how some referee’s decision was wrong and changed the result.
YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS MATEY !!!!
Oh and the whole “only captains can speak to the ref” thing. Its bollox tbh. Watch footage of many of the top teams and its the captains that are doing the moaning, swearing etc. Micing the refs and having the rules enforced rigidly is the only way forward.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I agree about the mic’s. I probably wouldn’t broadcast the audio live straight away, although once things improve you can do as currently happens in rugby. After that the players will know that if they’re found swearing live on daytime TV they’ll be crucified. As for the captains only talking to the referee, simple – if they start swearing and moaning at the referee, they’ll be sent off. Like you say, clamp down hard and the managers will get their players in line as soon as you can blink.
I know what you mean about bringing players in, but my view is that if we’ve a decent enough scouting network we’ll find a few gems who’ll jump at the chance to play in the Premiership for a club like ours. I’m happy with one or two rough diamonds if it means we can slowly mould them into a strong team given time. I just don’t want any more has-beens looking for that one last pay-off…
As for the apprentice, when was that? I’ve only ever seen a couple of episodes. I’m sure he knows that the chequebook needs to be unleashed…
March 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
PS I notice the article I linked to above has now been changed. Makes the article seem somewhat unfounded now, which essentially it is.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
The problem with finding a few “diamonds in the rough” is that with every increasing demand for instant success, would these guys ever get a chance to shine? What about our youngsters? Will the likes of Carroll, Troisi and Godsmark ever get a decent crack at the 1st team if we keep bringing in players from outside? If they wont then we might as well cash in now, ditch the academy and do a Chelsea. Is that what any of us want?
March 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Some great points guys. I think referees being mic’d could be a good move. It will make them clearly explain their decisions as well knowing they being monitored and broadcast. Plus the flipside players wont swear. I agree with the youth players but that youth is still a season or 2 away at least and not all come through. 1 maybe 2 if you lucky. We still need 5 out probably 10 in. Strength our squad depth get rid of the deadwood and get players that are ready and available for selection instead of ready for a treatment and picking up their pay check. Plus youth need to be introduced into a performing team. If they into a struggling team they get destroyed. They need players around them who can carry them and help them on. Then a mistake aint as costly and they grow from their and learn. Im all for ditching last pay day players and focusing on the future where we can get 5-10 years out of players and make a profit. I still say our policy can do well in the new signings if we sign young players hungry and with talent. Players such as the Bentleys, Carricks, Youngs, Lennons, and many more. They are available out there. Maybe not those names but there are players at there hungry and will be willing to play for the team. Thats what we want.. A team not individuals. Lose as a team win as a team and that includes the crowd. If we play as a team you can beat anyone. Its just not very often we see it these days.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
BTW some other good names. Doyle, Bullard, Barnes (i know crocked atm), Ashton, Arteta, Cahill (last 2 very hard to get maybe not poss), Shorey, Bridge, Johnsen (Glen).. many more plus theres other leagues and countries. Biggest problem i see if a good central defender.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I think our existing youngsters will get their chance if they prove they have the ability. Keegan has attended most of the reserve games from what I can tell so is obviously interested in the younger players. I think he sees the current situation as being a bad time to throw in your inexperienced players, probably quite rightly. If we reach safety before the end of the season I’m hoping to see Edgar and Carroll given a couple of halves here and there to see what they can do. As Toon mentioned too, most of them also simply won’t make it to the top level. I think we all agree that the holes in our current squad won’t be patched simply by the youth set up, or at least not yet.
In terms of names, any of the ones Toonbobbyrobson mentioned sound good to me, although I doubt we’ll get the likes of Arteta, Cahill or Johnson. Not entirely sure about Bridge in a way, would he see it as a step down and relax a little too much? I’d like to see us sign someone like Bentley was when he was at Arsenal – obvious talent but failing to break through… We will probably see some foreign lads come in and it sounds like we’ll see more than one lad from Scotland, although I don’t follow the SPL so couldn’t guess at names.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am
He does seem keen on some of the Scottish players. I think Hutton was a gr8 prospect but unfortunately he went to Spurs. To add to that list above what about Crouch or Alonso?