The Number Nine

Just thinking about a lot of our woe's, and a good number of them simply cannot be fixed (i.e. the ambitions and direction as decided by Mr. Michael Ashley). So I thought - what if we went back and, as a club, just spunked a stack of cash on a brand new, top of the line number nine?! Do we think that having an iconic figure as the spearhead of the attack would be something to aspire to? Does that individual currently exist at Newcastle United? If not, who should we be busting balls to bring into the club?

I remember even just back to when Cisse joined there was all that cuddly, warm media hype about a player being the number 9 at the club, that legendary Gallagher/Milburn/Davies/Supermac/Quinn/Cole/Ferdy/Shearer moniker and the legacy of legends that came with it. Sure, there's been duffers - the current incumbent is one of them, along with Owen and Martins (plus goodness knows how many through the decades) but it's really an iconic shirt and deserves bringing back into focus with some kind of new hero.

I'm looking at the performances of one Harry Kane. Imagine if that lad had the Number 9 shirt on? Let's not head down negative alley here and say "well, chances are, Roland old chap, he'd have been sold for around £35m two weeks ago". Let's instead say "what if we're so financially sound, and FFP means something, so we can actually keep our hero for a decade". So do you think re-invigorating the club's Number 9 would help the club's current stagnation? And if so who do you think should be either given the shirt or brought in to carry the mantle?

My personal opinion is that we should reward Ayoze Perez with it for his blistering start and incredible ability. If we were going outside of the club, given my lack of scouting resources I'd be tempted to give Danny Ings a go.

 

Ronaldo

 

If I was the owner, and worth the same as Mike Ashley, I would want to average a big signing every 2 seasons. Also a higher player retention rate.

However honestly if I was managing a business like SD I would want to be sure that the money I invested in to Newcastle wouldnt go down the ****ter after one blimp season. It is a difficult scenario

 

Andy Carroll

 

We haven't had a decent number 9 since Ron McGarry.

 

Diego Costa - he is like Malcolm McDonalds evil twin brother.

 

I'm trying to think British and get'able. I.e. Kane no chance. Ings would be good but will go to Liverpool most likely. How about Charlie Austin if QPR got relegated. Him and Perez could be quite a decent little partnership I reckon.

 

I was wondering about Christian Benteke? When he was in form he was formidable, we need a proper number 9, I think that's how you make these modern 4-2-3-1 tactics work. Cisse is more of a 4-3-3 player, which is a bit different. But when you're counter attacking, or going for wing play, you need a strong all-rounder (i.e. Costa). Either we change the formation and personnel to suit a nippier 9 a la Cole, or we spend on a centre forward who can fit in a modern 1-up-top style. Cisse is an out and out poacher, yes? His link up is dire, his ability to hold the ball up doesn't exist and he isn't the type to drop off, set something up then bust a gut to get on the end of something. If Carroll was up for it, no-brainer. Ings a good back-up plan, and Benteke a risky option.

 

Benteke is not a risk. He just needs a fresh start, seriously talented.

Carroll would be great for Perez.

 

You're probably right, I'd be trying to sign up Benteke before the window even opens.

 

I'm sure Mike is on it

 

I'm off to Sports Direct to get my Benteke 9 NUFC top for next season reet noo. Might grab a Rangers cap while I'm there.

 

Why we never signed diafro Sakho I will never know. He'd be the ultimate compliment to perez. Very underrated pace as well. Wasn't he in the Ligue 2 before? he was probably on like 1k a week there.