Pardew gives an insight as to why no new defenders were signed this summer...

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/banned-pardew-puts-faith-in-newcastle-no2-carver-1-4926520

The main article is about Pard's missing games and JC being on the touchline for him but in the last few paragraphs he talks about his defensive options...

"Pardew mentioned South Tynesider Remie Streete, recovering from a long-term injury, as one player who could feature this season.

“I felt at the start of the year, when we looked at the centre-half situation, that if we brought someone in they would stand in the way of two players with great futures at the club – (James) Tavernier and Remie Streete,” he said.

“With Streete, I was hoping we would steer clear of injuries, because he isn’t quite ready yet.

“We won’t be calling on those guys this time, but somewhere down the line we will. I think they’ll do well.”

What does everyone else make of this? Personally never seen Streete play but seems like he has a good future from everything I've heard. Not sure we should be relying on a youngster to cover for Saylor or Colo though. Thoughts?

 

Saw Streete play a while ago and he looked good, definitely one for the future but not quite ready for the big time yet.

Nurse him through gently instead of throwing him to the lions and knocking his confidence.

 

Looks like spin to me, trying to keep us (the fans) off of Ashley's rather large back.

 

always said that if theyre good enough theyre old enough, its a double edged sword of they havent got the experience to play but they cant play to get the experience

 

Seems to me that the staff at the club genuinley feel Remi could make the step up but I do see where your coming from, now we are in the middle of a crisis we have 2 Defenders who need time to progress and grow. A bit suspect but like I say I think they do believe that Streete and Tav's can make the grade and play EPL footy for this club

 

I don't doubt the ability of the lads.

Just wondering why they didn't come out sooner especially as we were linked with Douglas for most of the last year or so.

 

Speaking of Douglas, did that other 'bigger' club that was interested ever come in for him

 

Horsepoopies.

Colo's 30 years old, and given Streete is 17, that's more of a "natural successor" thing. Rarely do CB's look ready before they turn 20. Tavernier looked unbelievably poor vs Antrominos Stanley.

It's not as if Williamson and Perch are top of the league stand-ins, are they.

 

It's just spin. Pardew talked of a centre half that could score from set plays & it's clear to everyone that we were in for Debuchy. We missed out on targets by not matching their clubs valuation of them. The situation we are left with is that fringe & youth players have no option but to step up due to extra fixtures. Sink or swim in the cup competitions. Unfortunately with all the injuries we currently have it means the pool of players we have to select & rotate from for different competitions is smaller. Pardew is simply laying down the gauntlet to them to see if they rise to the challenge.

Through fault or design it's a great opportunity to a lot of lads that normally wouldn't get the chance. Let's all hope they can grasp it with both hands.

 

Question, without starting a new thread as it's kinda relevant...we finished 5th, on the cusp of Champs League and qual'd for Europe. "Success" in the transfer window was keeping hold of everyone and essentially swapping 5 average players for 3 unproven players at a net spend of £2m. If we finish, for example, 10th, what will success be then? "Only" losing 2 or 3?

I just don't buy any of this and the more I think about it the more it just winds me up.

 

Sorry but we are going to get shat on on Monday night. MA should have supported AP in the transfer window

 

Agree. We have a dreadfully thin squad, and to quibble over a few quid extra for Debuchy and Douglas was criminal. How the hell we'll survive in Europe with our squad and maintain a decent league position...........

 

Is anyone saying the contrary ?

We should have signed at least one, preferably two experienced defenders. Pardew thought so and said so. Everyone else thought and said so. We didn't. From a footballin perspective, that is disappointing.

 

I think all this is a bit over blown. We will beat everton and steven taylor wont get injured against chelsea this season

 

we will lose and sell all of our best players..

 

AND THE CLUBS GONNA GO UNDER AND GET MOVED TO SCUMDERLAND

 

The lack of faith in a group (which is a little stronger) which took us so far last season is staggering. Good that they are looking to get an ethos of opportunity for the young players. Looking forward to Monday, pleased with our start and look forward to Tav and Streete representing the club over the coming season.

 

Considering how **** that group has looked so far this season I'd say people are right to doubt them.

Last season they had no expectations or pressure from the media. This time they do. They also have a lot more games to play with the EL.
Maybe the youth will come good, maybe they won't, it's a huge gamble to rely on guys who've barely or never played first team football), especially when you've got 2 very injury prone centerbacks.
We've already seen how poor Tavernier was against Atromitos (a side who hadn't even played a competitive game this season), he'll be destroyed by any top half PL team. If he's an indicator of the quality coming from the youth then we're in big trouble.

 

For me this is just AP trying to make the best of a bad job. It's really good to know that we have young emerging talent, but it's still spin, pure and simple.
AP made it pretty clear who our targets were and why we needed to strengthen those positions. We did not secure our main targets, the true reasons for this will probably never be known.
That said, our start to the season points wise, was a little disappointing, but only really in respect to the result against the Vile. What really worries at present is the increasing injury tally and the fact we have looked out of sorts. Our senior players need to step up and start performing or we will have a mountain to climb of our own making.

 

Very short memories and very short sighted with regard to young players. Tav you're talking about one game where he will undoubtedly have been nervy (euro debut). There have been plenty of other games where he has shown great promise. If you never give them an opportunity you'll never know. Patience is key with young players and writing them off as **** after a handful of games (particularly ones which fall early season) is foolish. It's great to have the youth pushing through, and far better than the spend spend spend policies of the past which render your youth system pointless. Important part of the fabric of the club and its stability.

We've been ok so far, not spectacular but then we weren't at times early last season. Once the likes of Cabaye, Tiote, Ba, Cisse find their stride we'll be fine. I laugh at all the doom and gloom, remember where we were 3 seasons ago. Look at our squad now and where we are. I rest my case your honour.