That's him there...Out of the blue, and out of the blue and white hoops comes a surprise transfer deal which brings Queens Park Rangers, Wayne Routledge, to Newcastle. Announced at lunchtime today on the official site, we’ve signed up the winger on a three and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
As the official site mentions, he impressed on his travels to St James’ early in the season and was one of a couple of diminutive and creative players seen on the hallowed turf in opposition colours, which had us hoping for similar styled recruits in the coming months. Routledge has completed a half century of appearances for the Hoops, scoring seven times since signing for from Aston Villa.
Having started his career at Crystal Palace, the fleet-footed wideman was courted by many suitors but following the relegation of Palace, Spurs snapped him up in 2005. Despite the obvious potential, he was unable to hold down a regular place, partly due to the unfortunate timing of injuries, and he joined Aston Villa three years after loans spells at Porsmouth and Fulham. While at Villa, and struggling to get in the first team, a loan spell at Cardiff City alerted QPR to his availability and he signed for them when his loan deal was ended. (more…)
James Linnington before the game?I only caught this on Radio Newcastle so whatever follows is partly second-hand but…
Amidst some baffling officiating, Newcastle’s ‘Wembley Dream’ was shattered by a strong West Brom team who went two better than their plundering at St James’ last Monday, to take them through to the next round of the FA Cup. But the matchday officials can expect lifelong infamy round these parts, as they more than played their part in the fortunes of the victors.
Chris Hughton made expected changes from the 2-2 draw earlier in the week, which saw Tim Krul replace Harper between the sticks, Ryan Taylor come in at right back for the newly-acquired Danny Simpson and Tamas Kadar slot in for Steven Taylor, who appears to have suffered a serious knee injury following a shoddy challenge from Bednar in the previous game. Fabrice Pancrate and Andy Carroll also started, with Lovenkrands understandably being given time away to spend with his family and Ameobi dropping to the bench. The shape of the team changed as we elected for the 4-4-1-1 approach with Pancrate allowing Guthrie to move into the middle with Smith, Gutierrez in his usual wide left role and Nolan pushing in behind Carroll.
West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo, had suggested he would also make changes to protect his squad for the priority of promotion, but it was a very familiar starting eleven which ultimately trotted out. And yet despite that, it seems like they lacked the quality and drive on display in the league game. However, in a first half where Newcastle players were again found wanting for some creativity and where a number barely applied themselves, it was West Brom who took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break. (more…)
Looking and feeling a little rusty in the middle?The previous review of the current squad, took a look at the Newcastle defence, an area that this season we’ve been surprisingly strong in, given our poor reputation in recent years.
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? (more…)
Possibly some Derby fans. Or possibly not.I was just going to write the word ‘garbage’ and leave it at that for my write-up on the Derby game, my feelings shared by many Newcastle fans spilling out of St Jame’s Park after last night’s game. However, my choice to indulge in some enjoyable ales on the way back to the station for the last train, has given me time to ponder.
And yes, we were still garbage, but there is more to it than just that. Even as I made my way from Durham, I sensed that things seemed flat amongst the supporters, and undoubtedly that was evident on the park for some of our players last night. This word ‘complacency’ has almost lost all meaning, as the doubters and knockers rub their hands in glee at the prospect of another black and white collapse following an impressive lead. While the ‘Class of 96’ was certainly more high-profile, something tells me that our detractors would enjoy our demise just as much this time round. (more…)
Strong...like bull?Not surprisingly, Jose “The Bull” Enrique, will collect the Newcastle United Player of the Month Award for November, when we face Boro on Sunday. And there’s hardly been a more derserving winner in a long while, despite the efforts of some of our more genuine ‘heroes’ of late.
Undeniably one of our better Spanish imports in recent years when compared to Marcelino and Xisco, Enrique has continued to progress since his arrival and quickly become a firm favourite amongst the fans. Despite some initial concerns about his weight (i.e. he was a little on the heavy side) and what that meant for his movement, and the fact that he has hearts in mouths at times at the back, he’s quickly become one of our most effective players. And this season he has improved ten-fold in terms of fitness and overall influence on games.
That fact is all the more impressive considering he’s doing it from left-back, and he combines defensive duties with the ability to get at the opposition from deep positions brilliantly. In fact, he’s arguably one of our better attackers, as he worries their defence as much as, if not more, than anybody in the team with the ball at his feet. Occasionally, he can try to be too clever in keeping the ball in tight areas, particularly in our third, but normally his ability, strength and pace get him out of trouble. (more…)
