McGregor Aina Dawson Mazuch Clucas Evandro Meyler Hendrickson Grosicki Campbell Hernandez I think we already have the best starting 11 and it will only get better with the addition of a decent centre half, a proper left back and a decent right winger.
Hmm. I don't think that he is. I'm happy to have him in the squad but there's no way he should start over any of the other options unless there are injuries. Character and spirit are great, but being a good footballer is more important these days. It's the age old argument with Meyler. Quality vs spirit. I don't know if Newcastle had any 'characters' in their first XI, but they definitely had quality players. As did Brighton. The notion that character is the most important trait is one that harks back to 2007. But that was 10 years ago, the league is much different now. You need competitive quality otherwise you end up like Blackburn or Wigan.
Expecting any new signings from a club near Basel? A private jet just flew low over my house towards Humberside airport.
He was linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer. Surely he won't be flying to Humberside just to enjoy the sights of the M1?
McGregor Odubajo Dawson Davies Robertson Elmohamady Huddlestone Livermore Snodgrass Diame Hernandez McGregor Aina Dawson Hector ? Clucas Stewart Bowen Henriksen Grosiki Hernandez Cannot fathom how anyone legitimately thinks we have a better starting line-up (which also discounts our total lack of squad depth) than the promotion-winning team of 2015-16. In 2015 we had a solid goalkeeper, the two most talented fullbacks in the division, and two of the most experienced centre backs. We had a well-balanced midfield pairing which offered both physicality and technical ability and wingers who, although inconsistent, were two of the trickiest players in the Championship on their day. Diame, although likewise inconsistent, had the ability to win games almost on his own at times, and Hernandez was invariably clinical when fit. And what do we have now? A goalkeeper past his prime bedraggled by injury problems, a right back who has never played a game in the Football League, no recognisable left back, and a rapidly declining centre back who will likely be paired with one of the two mediocre players we've brought in on the cheap. As Liverpool fans will attest, we've undoubtedly overpaid for Stewart and whether he can forge a well-balanced pairing with Clucas (who may well leave) remains to be seen. Bowen is no doubt talented but lacks experience and Henriksen has had a torrid time in English football so far and has failed to look anything like the much-lauded player we thought we'd signed. Grosiki, if we can keep him, will surely be one of the best players in the division, however his propensity to cut inside means that signing a quality replacement for Robertson becomes even more pertinent. Finally, Hernandez will hopefully remain clinical at this level (whilst Campbell will surely provide capable back-up) but whether he has the correct mentality for a second crack at the Championship will always remain in question.
Scrolled through page after page of rubbish! All these people saying 'we have a really strong first 11' and 'its good enough for promotion's Let me enlighten some of you!! Newcastle won the league last year and over the course of the season used 30 PLAYERS!! So you have all listed your great first 11, can you tell me where our other 19 players are who will see us last a 46 GAME SEASON!! EDIT To add to this, Newcastle kept a really strong team but still made 14 new signings to help challenge for the title as well as last a 46 game season!!!
I didn't say it's the most important trait. I don't want 11 players like Meyler, nor do I want 11 players like Mason. It's about a mix of complementary attributes and I think Meyler offers something that nobody else does.
Last time we were in the Champ we had the best team & squad on paper by a country mile but we very nearly fluffed it. Clearly we don't have the same strength in depth this time round. McGregor did very well at Cardiff last year, he's a very good champ keeper as is Marshall. You can tell you know nothing about Aina, he's going to be a cracking player for us. We really didn't overspend on Stewart. At an initial £4m, the more knowledgeable Liverpool fans said he'll do very well for us. Last time round for me we were completely one dimensional, we lacked that bit of pace for me.
Nope, it's no coincidence that Newcastle used 30 players and Brighton used 28 and both got promoted. You have to have a decent sized squad with decent talent right through it
I agree you need lots of players but Benitez nearly monumentally screwed up with that squad and their fans are kidding themselves if they think anything other than that. They should have worked the league and instead tumbled over the line.
After seeing both Clucas and Stewart for a few games, I'd say they both work as hard as Meyler but are lot more talented. David's a cracking lad, but he's very limited.
Can you 'nearly monumentally screw up' and finish on 94 points? I'd settle for that if Slutsky pulled it off!
