I'm not so sure...So at the time of writing, Newcastle United club captain Kevin Nolan, is on his way to join freshly relegated West Ham United.
Before this news broke, I was in the process of gathering some statistical analysis for the past season, focusing on our top 5 performers in the Premier League. What I found was quite interesting, even more so, taking into consideration, recent events.
The statistics I have gathered are from the ‘Actim Index’ found on the official Premier League website. The index, and point scoring, along with a brief explanation from myself, is calculated as follows:-
1) Winning performance
Points awarded for time on the pitch in a successful team. More points awarded to individuals if they are on the pitch for a full 90 minutes.
2) Players performance per match
Points awarded for positive actions such as shots, tackles, clearances, saves and passes. Points are deducted for negative actions such as shots off target, misplaced passes, fouls and yellow / red cards.
Concentrate!On the pitch, what needs fixing? Most would point out the glaring lack of fire-power within the ranks, for the ‘number 9′ Shirt is lies dormant at St James’ Park.
This of course has been true since January, when a certain someone departed to join Kenny Dalglish’s revolution, and our inability to act for a replacement due to the timing of the transfer. Now summer has arrived, we do have the time, and already names are being linked for the vacancy, some realistic, some not so, but the obvious fact is, the owners and management are in the process of finding the man to shoulder the responsibility of the number 9 shirt.
Goals…
Newcastle, performed admirably in front of goal in the Premier League last season, with our captain, Kevin Nolan, managing 12, Carroll 11, Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Best each netting 6, Joey Barton hitting 4 and Jonas along with Steven Taylor netting 3. There were also a couple from Coloccini, and solitary strikes from Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote, along with an own goal from West Broms Olsson, taking Newcastle’s Total to 56. Not Bad, in fact it was the joint 6th highest in the division. The 41 goals scored at St James’ was the most we have managed in the last decade (not counting our Championship season). (more…)
Buy one get one free?Liverpool want to take both Jonas Gutierrez and Jose Enrique from Newcastle United now and the Toon targets a Swansea midfielder.
As Clint said in his recent article, silly season is upon us and transfer speculation is becoming as common as a common thing
Having allegedly had their insulting £4m bid for Jose Enrique turned down, Liverpool are now apparently planning a swoop for both Jose and Jonas as a job lot, which just goes to show how well-recognised their mutual understanding on the left of the pitch is.
Allegedly a fee of £20m-£22m would be enough to tempt Newcastle.
What are we now? A feeder club for Liverpool? Losing Enrique is bad enough and, whilst losing players is part and parcel of football, I must admit I’m not too keen on the idea of losing our entire left side. I think we need to keep some continuity in the key areas of the pitch or it will make for a very difficult season of readjustment during 2011/2012. (more…)
What colour stripes will he wear?The Zog may be heading the Mackemland, Lyon are after Enrique and Pardew still wants Bothroyd. Allegedly.
According to that paragon of virtue The Daily Mail, we might fail in out attempts to sign Charles N’Zogbia from Wigan.
Based on absolutely no evidence, quotes, ‘club sources’ or anything else that I can see, The Mail suggests that Bruce and the baboons from Wearside lead both Juventus and Newcastle in the race to sign the £10m-rated player.
Clearly no player would actually choose to go to Sunderland over Newcastle (or Juventus), so my sympathy goes to The Zog if Martinez and Whelan send him there kicking and screaming.
Is there a team anywhere that doesn’t want Jose Enrique? If the press is to be believed he seems like the most in-demand player in the Premiership and his list suitors has been extended with alleged interest from Olympique Lyon.
Lyon currently have Ahly Cissokho at left-back but rumour has it that he’s on his way to Inter Milan in the summer. (more…)
The Zog to return?Newcastle United are allegedly after Charles N’Zogbia whilst contract negotiations complicate the situations with Barton and Enrique.
The weekend press contained a lot of football gossip as per usual. Some of it’s probably true but most of it is likely to be nonsense, so please don’t shoot the messenger!
One of the things reported is that there’s been a bit of a stall on Barton’s contract with the 28 year-old wanting a 4 year contract as opposed to the 2 year one offered to him in January. Compromising on a 3 year contract might be the way to go if Joey will accept that, which I don’t think is too much of a risk as he’d still only be 31 at the end of the contract.
On the subject of contracts, The Sun reckons Jose Enrique will be offered a 5 year contract and a decent pay rise if he agrees to stay at Newcastle. I’m not sure how The Sun knows that because all Alan Pardew has had to say on the matter is:
“He’s not indicated to myself or to Derek what his intentions are. We’re still optimistic of course. I’d love to keep him. Absolutely love to keep him.
“But I think we have to be on our guard because there are so many noises about him. I think that’s the nature of the business we’re in.”
Were there shades of Keegan in that comment? “I’d love it, absolutely love it if he stays”. (more…)
