What do we think of the Newcastle engine room? – Part deux.
Posted on January 7th, 2010 | 66 Comments |
Today’s review looks at arguably the fulcrum of a successful team, the midfield, the place that could and should control a game and dictate the style of play. Our midfield this season has been very much part of a strong defensive ethos, and while we have grafters in there, we’re also lacking some natural creativity and pace.
Looking at the current crop, it really makes you pine for some of our former midfielders who have graced the hallowed St James’ turf in the last couple of decades. Reminisce about the grace of French wingers David Ginola and Laurent Robert. Recall the guts, determination and drive of Robert Lee and Gary Speed. Consider the guile we had in Emre, albeit fleetingly, and the sheer brilliance of Nobby Solano. Even having pure pace a la James Milner, Keith Gillespie to worry the opposition. You can even look at some of the less popular characters. We would kill for the pace of Kieron Dyer and dare I say, I could forgive Jermaine Jenas. Possibly even Damien Duff is a big miss? Maybe that’s stretching it…
Anyway, that was the past, what about the present? As with my review on the keepers and the defence, I’ve only included the lads who have played at least a couple of games so far and I’ve just added to my initial review from back in October.
Kevin Nolan – It’s difficult to be anything other than impressed with elements of Kevin Nolan in a Toon shirt this year. He looks committed, he’s saying the right things and appears to be a great influence on the youngsters and the rest of the squad. His goal return speaks for itself and he has won games almost on his own. Just imagine what he could be like if he got more than half-fit (Update) Nolan has just carried on regardless, and even appears to have a lost some weight, which is encouraging. Great attitude on and off the pitch, fully committed and capable. More of the same please Kev…….. rating so far – 9/10
Joey Barton – Ahhh the badly-behaved engima…….what to say about the one man who still divides fans to this day between those who want him long gone and those willing to let him repent and reform. And yet his ability, the one thing we always thought both sides could agree on, though not about whether it was enough to warrant him staying, is sorely lacking. Yes, he’s potentially a very good player but when will that finally be realised? At the moment he looks a shadow of what we were hoping for. His injury just yet another reason to be sidelined, along with other well-documented problems. So far not so good for me (Update) No return yet for Barton, but he’s been doing plenty of talking off the pitch in ridiculing his fellow professionals for their poor attitudes (ahem). We await the opportunity for him to walk the walk…….. rating so far – 5/10
Nicky Butt – The majority of Newcastle fans appear to have given up on Nicky Butt but personally I still wanted to give him time. I believed, and probably still do, that he has experience and quality left to offer at this level. However, he hasn’t been great this season, although pre-season injury probably upset his preparations and he looks sluggish. His lack of pace times can leave him exposed with nippier opposition (Update) I think arguably in more recent games, Nicky Butt has come in and done a decent job. Still wish he’d cut out the ‘cup final’ balls and concentrate on winning it and giving it easy, but think he deserves some applause for a couple of decent performances when called upon…….. rating so far – 7/10
Danny Guthrie – When he first came, he looked the slick, accomplished midfielder you might expect to come out of Liverpool’s academy. Despite a lack of pace, his touch and passing was extremely tidy and his set plays effective. He did go off the boil last season, as did many, but I don’t often see him hide and he’s started to influence games more this term. Had his best game on Saturday against Doncaster (Update) Might feel a bit like he’s doing ‘the Ameobi’, as he’s been in and out of the team since the Coventry game. And when he’s playing, he’s arguably not playing in his best position, so we’re probably not seeing the best of him. Hasn’t got the natural pace of a winger, and tends to tuck in and come inside quite a bit. But unfortunately, we don’t have strikers running into the channels, otherwise I think he’d take advantage. For me, he’s often left looking for options that aren’t available but still uses the ball well. And simply for his two back-to-back sublime deliveries, I’m giving him a decent mark……… rating so far – 8/10
Kazenga Lua Lua – Fringe player who looked like breaking into the first eleven, amid clamour from the stands, to inject a little pace into the side. Does like to get at the opposition but hasn’t proved that he knows when to run with it and when to drop it off. Hopefully still one for the future (Nothing to update on)……… rating so far – 5/10
Geremi – Technically still very good, but unfortunately, his legs seemed to have gone before he got here. Playing cameo roles when required this season and even looked like staking a claim for a permanent place after a decent spell but illness put paid to that. Picking up obscene wages all the while. What more to say? (Update) Barely featured since the last review, and is the subject of a confusing proposed transfer to Turkey. Fairly sure most fans are universal in their desire to see that transfer concluded successsfully……… rating so far – 5/10
Fabrice Pancrate – Signed on a free after playing for PSG. Impressed enough in his trial game against Hartlepool, to get a contract. Subsequently got the blood pumping with some Forrest Gumpesque enthusiasm in his first couple of runouts. Then set his stall with an impressive piece of skill and thundering strike against Watford. Has unfortunately singularly failed to live up to expectations after that. May take time to settle, but seems reluctant to use the pace and drive in wide positions when he starts, and seems much more effective as an impact sub. Something to ponder for Hughton……… rating so far – 6/10
Alan Smith – Along with Enrique and Nile Ranger, my pick of the bunch in black and white this season. Many wrote him off and I’m happy to admit, though I supported him all along, I genuinely thought the only happy ending would be if we parted ways, and since proved horribly wrong. He has been the indomitable captain marvel in the middle of the park all season. Snapping, swearing, supporting, putting himself where it hurts in every game he’s played, and breaking up play and using the ball well. Nobody can be anything but happy with what Smudge offers us right now? (Update) Captain Marvel – Smudger still offers an almost impenetrable wall of defence, in front of the defence, and has played his part magnificently. However, he had a few slightly off games for me, where he wasn’t strongest in the tackle and looked a bit off the pace. Robbie Savage arguably had the better of him in the Derby game, much to our distaste in Level 7. Still hoping he recovers fully from the knock at Plymouth because he’s got a bit part to play in the promotion bid still……… rating so far – 8/10
Jonas Gutierrez – From best to worst, certainly in terms of expectations. I believe we’re still unclear on what ‘Spiderman’ cost us but despite his international status, whatever it is was, it’s sure to have been too much. He had one great game at Man Utd last season, a handful of decent games followed and otherwise hugely disappointing. Overplaying, play-acting, flattering to deceive, no delivery and about as likely to score as this sale saga finishing anytime soon (Update) Arguably gone some way to answering his critics with some decent deliveries in recent games, though still few and far between. Offers an outlet to the defence when he doesn’t fanny around with the ball and just drives at his opponents instead. Still want more from someone who clearly has a lot of ability………. rating so far – 7/10
The January transfer window has seen all of the focus on a striker and a defender, the two positions Hughton has stated he wanted to strengthen in. I don’t think many fans would argue with those plans, but some would insist that along with these requirements, we’re also crying out for some creativity in midfield. We don’t have anyone who runs with the ball through the middle, nor someone who can drop little bombs in behind the defence. But the speculation suggests, that’s the least of our worries, so perhaps Hughton is happy with the current methods?
So once again, I’ve rambled, enough of my nonsense.
What do you lot think?
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
Decent review of the players,don’t really remember Kazenga doing anything interesting and would probably give Butt 2/10 for poor vision and passing,lack of pace and badly miss timed tackles.
Jonas was summed up well by Steve Stone “He flatters to deceive”,plenty of energy,looks busy but very expensive for a winger that really struggles to nail killer balls on a regular basis.