Too much to ask?

Before I begin, I want to say that I'm all for getting behind our players. I hate the idea of our own lads getting booed or harassed by the fans, but, is it too much to ask to actually have a winger who can cross?

David Beckham could cross a ball, see...

[video=youtube;Gig9p0kGA1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gig9p0kGA1o[/video]

I tell you who else could cross, Darren Richardson, he used to play RM for our school footy team, then there was JP Gabrielle, he played LM for our local sunday league side...In fact, aside from our LB (he was the coach's Grandson and therefore picked each week, though not necessarily on merit) pretty much every wide player I've had the honour of playing with could, seemingly miraculously, kick a ball into a reasonably enticing area in and around the penalty spot.

Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that the likes of Wolsingham Comprehensive and Billingham Town FC don't quite put up the same amount of fight as your Man Uniteds or Chelseas, but then, our lads weren't being paid Millions nor being treated to the level and hours of world class coaching as their Toon heroes.

So, perhaps its endemic, perhaps no-one in the Premier League can cross? Perhaps its the new balls, or boots or pitches. Perhaps global warming has caused such a high degree of atmospheric change that no one can put a ball in the box any more...

But, then, if thats the case, why, when watching teams play against us, and indeed throughout the whole of MOTD last night, did I see cross after cross, beg for a player like Ba or Best to dive, rise or stoop and delightfully connect synthetic leather with their beautiful brown bonce?

We can point to everything else these lads give us, an outlet, a release valve, defensive cover and occasional attacking flair, but since the dawn of ****ing time, Cavemen wearing comedy-lappelled, sheepskin coats have been dragging a stick across the sand, showing the hunters on the wing, exactly where they want their spears to hit. Why have we simply accepted that we have a minor threat from the wing? When did we decide it was ok that getting the byline was enough? Who was it whoo signed off on Obertan's and Gutierrez' hours sheet before they'd gone back out onto the training pitch and practiced whipping a few balls?

Obertan may be young and Gutierrez may be useful, they may have improved this season or been bench warming the season before, but as far as I'm concerned but both should, whilst neither can, be able to cross...and I am ****ing sick of it!

 

Very eloquently written JWAG.

It is frustrating. To be honest, I wouldn't be that unhappy if Jonas moved on in summer. He's done a good job for us over the past couple of seasons, but at the end of the day we need wingers that regularly create and score goals if we are to move on to the next level.

I think the spine of our team is good, but the flanks need serious work. A new LB, Santon to RB, and two new wingers with Ferguson developed and given a chance.

 

I agree. I like Jonas and his running is good, but when we keep pointing to different areas of the pitch that need improving, we seemed to bypass the lack of creativing from our wings - traditionally the MOST creative area of a team!

 

True, if we are to bring in a new striker in summer then we need players to supply the ammunition. They won't all be like Ba who can score lots from poor service. Plus, imagine Ba's potential with regular good service. If only Solano could turn his age back a bit.

 

Totally agree JWAG, but its not just our team, every club suffers from it. Maybe its a winger pact thing they had going on and all new wingers must abide by it, be **** or lose it.

As for Gutierrez I kind of agree but I cant say i wouldnt be gutted to see him go. On his good days he is great at taking pressure off the defence running forward and getting a free kick, but I am sick of having to watch this also. Id much rather rely on someone who can take pressure off the defence and run forward to open a scoring opportunity. The winter schedule is always the worst part of the season, on Friday night I started slabbering at fellow toon fans, I apologise for this again. Horrible way to see our team lose.

Put simply, something needs done. Ive always preferred young ambition over proven skill, but with Vuckic on Friday it didnt work. Had the first touch of a rapist all game. Im just not sure what to do anymore... panic buy?

 

Our wingers are two very weak points. I made a thread about it just last week.

We must be the only team in the league with TWO wingers who don't have any end product. All our good fortune with an incredible CM pairing like Tiote and Cabaye, and an incredible attack duo like Ba and HBA, is wasted because we're so ineffective down the flanks.

Really, I'd just want two average wingers. Nothing special, just two experienced guys who are focused on having an end product and getting crosses in.

 

I've seen Jonas on numerous occasions cross well when playing for Argentina and also playing for Mallorca. He's also lofted in some great balls in his time at Newcastle. Obertan also had the ablility to put the ball in the box as shown when he was at Bordeaux.

Perhaps it's more that Pardew wants the ball played on the ground in and around the box so beating the defenders and retaining possession in dangerous areas may be his style of play while the rest of the midfield advance and we have more options to attack and cause problems.

The most creative part of our midfield is through the centre with Ben Arfa (when on the pitch) and Cabaye threading balls through to our forwards. We do cross on occasion from the wings and whilst I agree I'd like to see more of it; it's Pardews choice.

 

I agree entirely, but its not just a Newcastle issue strangely, the number of wingers who can actually cross a ball these days is pitiful. Look at the England team where we've had Wright-Phillips and Walcott running running running then doing nowt for years. Joe Cole had to play left wing just to get a ball in the box. The best crosses in the modern game come from drifting talented centre mids like Gerrard and to a lesser extent Joey Barton, as wingers are seemingly trained only to run. That's why when one does come along who is quick and kick a ball they go for a daft fee to a top club like Ricardo Valencia.

 

@lee_ryder
And Gabriel Obertan has been declared fit for the game with #mufc - more in tonight's Chronicle #nufc


Yayyyyyy

 

Average wingers are what we have at the moment. Bert was bought for counter attacks, but unfortunately doesnt lift his fat melon up to see who is ahead of him or pick a killer pass. I want him gone now but we are stuck with his fat head for a while yet. Why cant Jonas play on the right?? Surely it would be better trying to whip in crosses with his preferred foot, I dont recall him playing right consistently enough to know why he isnt played there. Jonas right Gosling/Ferguson Left? I dunno, head hurts

 

FFS, fantastic news

Also a very ironic User Name for this thread

 

haha it was something an American commentator said during one of the pre season games. I was thinking the other day I may need a name change as its probably his only cross this season.

 

Its a fair point about their previous ability, but then how do you explain the fact that Simpson, Raylor and last season Enrique crossed the ball all the time? Also, I don't mind the ball being played along the floor, but if so, stick it between the goal keeper and the defense like everyone knows it should. Hitting the first man is an all too common occurrence for me! With Obertan's pace, if he could beat his man and get it, on the floor, into the right area and have no-one arriving, then at least he'd be creating chances and putting their CBs/GK under pressure, but he doesn't!

 

Crossing-wise, Jonas and Obertan are well below average. They basically rarely do what a winger is supposed to do, which is shocking.

They have their other uses, especially Jonas, but in-terms of end product they're very poor. ANY half decent experienced winger will do better than either of them.

 

Perch at centre back against Swansea was making better balls forward than Obertan and Jonas have this season, sums them up really.

 

**** sake.

Shouldn't be too much to ask at all, hell even I can put in a cross sometimes!

 

Aye, I noticed it most when watching Wolves last night...Adam Hammill whipped in 5/6 class balls. He went from Barnsley to Wolves a year or 2 ago but was strongly linked to, and definitely talking to us (my mate used to live with one of his good mates at uni and he thought it was as good as done in the january when we eventually signed Routledge). There are definitely players who can pass a ball well, but they tend to be sacrificed for pace!

 

yeah you are right, It's just weird calling Jonas a below average winger. It was fine whenever Barton was whipping balls in from the other side, then if the ball went too far Jonas was in perfect position for hold up play. Obertan has shown signs of being much better than he has been but at the moment, I hold no hope of him changing my opinion any time soon.

A winger is definitely not our priority until summer transfer window, and even now I cant see us strengthening in any department needed at the moment. Gunna be a tough second half of the season, like everyone predicted it would be for us. ****ers, I hate when other dicks are right.

 

Matt Jarvis came from Gillingham I think, brilliant crosser. Adam Hammill came from Barnsley, brilliant crosser. We get Obertan from Man United and my whole Sunday League team including the keeper can put a better ball in the box.

 

didnt Obertan have a good game against Manure last time?