Article: The youngsters and strength in depth | Football, Newcastle

So a lot of us watched the Orlando game and listened to the commentary last night, as well as receiving frequent updates from Mr.Ryder.

Now people's main concern next year is squad depth, but I don't think this is an issue, as long as we get at least one more striker. The stand out performers of pre-season so far for me appear to be Tavernier, Vuckic and Abeid. They can add a lot to our squad and for me we are almost there in terms of our squad, as long as we don't get many injuries.

For me, in an ideal world, we need the following...

A new CB, replacement for Enrique, at least one new striker and then maybe even a back-up LB. We will then have a very good squad and say we sign those players we could field two solid teams...

First Team:

-------------------Krul---------------------

Simpson-----Taylor----Colo-----Jose/New LB

Barton------Cabaye----Tiote-------Gutierrez

-----------------Ben Arfa-------------------

--------------------Ba----------------------

Second Team:

------------------Harper--------------------

Tavernier-----Willo-----New CB------Ferguson

Marveaux----Gosling-----Abeid---------Vuckic

--------------Best-----Erdinc----------------

We then still have Forster, Kadar, Perch, Raylor, Routledge, Guthrie, Smith, Ranger, Lovenkrands and Ameobi. So maybe our strength in depth isn't as bad as some people think, as long as we keep everyone fit. However I would sell Ameobi, Routledge, Perch, Lovenkrands and Smith if offers come in!

Have I missed anyone?
What do you think of these line-ups?
Also any suggestions for who we could get for a new centre back? Preferably young and cheap!

 

I done an article similar to this a few weeks back and I totally agree. We have good squad depth and youngsters have to be given a chance. I would still keep Lovenkrands and Ameobi also though unless we can replace them. You also missed Airey out who Pardew seems to rate and should be given a chance!! Also when you look at the business we have done and our squad compared to so called rivals I feel confident and don't know what all the negativity is about sometimes!!!

 

It is so easy to become negative, but when you take a bit of perspective you realise that things are looking quite rosy at Newcastle and we are developing a good young squad!

 

Agreed,Abeid looks ready to join the first team squad. And as Pards says Gosling and Ben Arfa are new signings (desite all the negative comments "I don't swallow that ****" etc etc form some people on here). Vuckic looked good last night I believe also!!!

 

I think we'll be able to put out some pretty competetive teams out in the cups comprising of promising youngsters on the fringes of the first team.

 

Definitely and considering how well our reserve team played at Stamford Bridge last year, they should do well!

 

I actually quite like the look of our strength in depth when you put it like that, but to say Vuckic has been a stand out performer in pre-season is a bit much, he scored a very good goal last night but apart from that hes been quite poor, but hope the lad can improve and be given a chance next season.

I think the teams look OK as long as players such as Smith, Lovenkrands and Routledge are used to a minimum or in Smith's case NOT AT ALL.

 

Against Darlington he apparently wasn't the best but had flashes of brilliance and almost scored. I then watched the Orlando game and he looked good and had a good goal chalked off and then yesterday he scored a fantastic goal. So even if he hasn't been that good he almost scored three goals in around 100 minutes of football from midfield. I am quite happy with that!

 

Well I wasnt impressed at Darlington and wasnt impressed by what I saw against Orlando, and also in his Carling cup appearances last season either.

Dont get me wrong I'm not writing him off yet by and means and hope he lives up to the hype! Fair play to to the lad that goal was class last night.

 

We have better cover in midfield but rb lb and upfront looks weak Raylor is **** at right back and at left back hmmmmm we could have a real problems soon

 

3 goals in 100 mins of football but never contributed much/anything else....vital goals,vital times......remind you of any player from last season???

 

Nolan was the answer btw......

 

I still think that there is a slight lack of depth in QUALITY. Simpson and Raylor are no great shakes. I like Simpson, good attitude, but he is a bit agricultural at times. I consider him our new Andy Griffin (although not as versatile). At left back we look likely to lose Jose. As long as we replace him I'm happy to let Kadar, Ferguson and Dummet cover that role. No point in having young players if you are going to give them their head at some stage. As you say we lack a centre back with Sols departure. Kadar comes under consideration to fill this role for me, but you have to be careful not to get him caught between two stools. (left back and centre back) I like him and consider him a centre back. I think he's ready to be fourth choice. Midfield wise I'll reserve judgement because they haven't had much of chance and we've an influx of new/fixed players. Gosling, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Abeidi, Cabaye, Vuckic - it'll take time. My one massive concern is up top. I'll count Ben Arfa as a second striker. Only him and Ba are good enough to start in the PL. And Ba's ability are defo open to questions. Yeah he had a terrific run from Jan onwards when looking to showcase his talents but his overall record is nowt special. Shola plays the odd good game but lets face it, he's ****e. Loverkrands is a trier but past his best. Best is a talking point. I don't rate him at all, others like him. I just think if you take his freak hatty out of the equation against some schoolboy hammers defending, was he any good? Not really. We'll see though cause plenty on here have more faith than me. On the hand I like Ranger but think he needs a loan and is not ready.

The big worry for me is we have gambled big time fitness wise. The following players are prone to injury as far as I can see: S Taylor, Guthrie (also ****e), Ameobi, Gosling, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Ba, Vuckic possibly Kadar. That's 8 or 9 players you expect to miss plenty of games. If they do, we'll be fighting in the lower reaches. Not trying to be negative but you must have balance or your just naive!

 

I think we all knew

 

I must admit. After recent negativity the youngsters give e a bit of hope..