Newcastle United player review 09/10 – Strikers.
Posted on May 8th, 2010 | 52 Comments |
We have already worked our way through the team starting with goalkeepers before moving onto have a look at our defence and midfield. Our strikers have been very important for us this season and have combined to score over half of our goals this season, 47 of them in fact, and they have been spread pretty evenly between the various front men. For the first half of the season we spent our time playing mainly one striker with Kevin Nolan in an attcking support role, something that has probably helped Nolan score so many goals whilst limiting the chance of any strikers hitting the 20 goal mark. Still, it’s a team game as the saying goes, and as long as the ball is hitting the back of the net I don’t really care which player scores them. Let’s take a look anyway.
Marlon Harewood – A loan player that has actually featured enough to be included in one of my reviews. Signed from Aston Villa on loan until around Christmas and made 15 appearances scoring 5 goals during his time with us. Frustrated the hell out of me at times with his lethargic approach, made even more frustrating when you watch him actually run and chase the ball down, why couldn’t he do that all the time? Nevermind. Anyway, we probably would have signed Harewood in January had it not been for a foot injury sustained upon his return to Aston Villa.
Andy Carroll – Finished as top scorer with 19 goals in his first full season as a first team starter, a feat made even more impressive when you consider he had only scored four goals by Christmas. Carroll is the current subject of regurgitated 12 month old press rumours so he must be doing something right I guess. The next hurdle for Andy Carroll is his pending court case which is due to start on the 2nd of June. If he can clear that hurdle the he will be looking to kick on and prove himself at a higher level next season.
Nile Ranger – An inexperienced player with a lot of talent who was thrown in at the deep end towards the start of the season, and didn’t disappoint. His hold up play and awareness of bringing his team-mates into play are very impressive for his age. Needs to find the confidence to put away the chances he will get in front of goal but to be fair he has scored at all levels, including for England. Has made 25 apearances this season although 21 of them have been as a substitute.
Shola Ameobi – What can we say about the Fenham Eusbio? Frustrating to watch and unlucky with injuries are two ways to describe him. It’s a shame really as everytime he has had a run of games he has scored goals. He isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing striker to watch, often appearing to fall over himself quite a lot which has lead to the nickname ‘Bambi’. This has been another season wrecked by injuries, this time to his hamstring and foot. Despite that, he has still managed to hit double figures scoring 10 goals in 18 appearances, and only 11 of them appearances were starts.
Leon Best – A subject of division between fans, with some saying he isn’t good enough and others saying that he needs time to prove himself. Signed on the last day of the January window from Coventry City and has made 13 appearances without scoring a goal, although only six of those apearances have been as a starter. Needs to cuddle Marlon Harewood’s foot next time the meet as without that injury I doubt Best would be at Newcastle.
Peter Lovenkrands – As the caption under the photo says ‘a story of turmoil, tragedy and success’. Turmoil after he was cruelly released by the club in the summer, by letter if memory serves me correctly. More turmoil as the club dragged out their attempts at resigning him, something they managed to do just as the transfer window slammed shut at the start of September. Tragedy after his father passed away in January, followed by the success of promotion. Quite a season for the Dane then! Has only made 29 appearances this season after missing out on pre-season training but has returned an impressive 13 goals from those games. Could play a part next season and will be refreshed after taking the summer off to rest with his family.
I’ve left Xisco out, quite rightly aswell in my opinion, and that draws to a conclusion my review of the first team squad for Newcastle United over the past season. It’s been an impressive effort from the team this year. Quite frankly we have brushed The Championship aside although that shouldn’t detract from the fact that next season will be tougher.
I hope you have enjoyed this little mini-series and feel free to give your own reviews below.
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
All good stuff. Harewood’s contributions shouldn’t be dismissed even though he looked like he couldn;t be arsed at times. His goals got us points and those points made us champions.
I disagree that shola isn’t pleasing on the eye. I still say he carries a 10% extra technical threat from our other strikers, albeit 20% less fight. In the premiership that sort of touch and turn is crucial when you’re up against it.. not just getting your head on the end of crosses – Carroll, or playing off the shoulder – Loven. As good as they have been at that of late.
Surely 1 mobile striker is essential for next season, along with another winger option and full back cover. Apart from that, I can’t see how we could bring in more bodies, unless we move on key starters, such as barton or coloccini, which seems unlikely based on Hughton’s interviews.