Article: First Team Squad | Football, Newcastle

I have noticed that we have 48 members in our first team squad if you look at nufc.com (6 are away on loan) so we have plenty of options to chose from.

A lot of people do not count youngsters as first team, but I would like to think they should be counted in as they are out future! Granted, not all of them will make the grade and will be shown the door sometime. A few more of them will probably need loan deals but what do you all think about giving youngsters a chance? I'm not saying put them all in the team together but putting them on the bench and letting them get game time and the odd start here and there can't do them any harm at all imo.

Going by our 25 man squad list which has been announced - we could any manage 21 over 21's - so another 27 players are reasonably unexperienced so we will probably not have much choice in playing them sometime or another.

I know the likes of Sammy and Vuckic have been given a game - but, we have a whole lot more youngsters in there. With the likes of Kadar, Jeff Henderson, Remi Streete, Joan Simun Edmundsson also there I can safely say the futures bright - the futures black and white!

 

It's a gradual process and we cannot rely too heavily on our youngsters being able to make an instant impact. We have identified in pre-season who will be the academy kids to bulk up the first team squad and as fascinating as it is to see new players, we have to be patient.

The problem is there is too much at stake to experiment too much, if there were no risk at all my curiosity would have us playing an entirely U21 side against someone like Norwich, just to see how they'd do and if they could keep the scoreline respectable. We do not have this luxury though.

I feel Abeid, Vuckic, Ferguson and Sammy may all get a couple chances this season with a few others making an appearance on the bench (not neccessarily getting off it. Blooding more than 5 youngsters in a season is risky I feel.

 

I agree that it is a gradual process and I know that a lot will not make it (Adjei, Zamblera are 2 that will probably get released) but I do love to see youngsters coming through

I personally would play Ferguson week in, week out at left back as he is our only left footed left back (apart from Dummett). I think he would be a star. Vuckic, Abeid, Sammy I agree should be apart of the first team most weeks and a few like Dummett, Henderson should be given a chance here and there

Also, Brad Inman was supposed to be the next best thing at one time. He seems to have gone off the boil a bit (well last season anyway), would like to see him given his chance sometime if he improves

 

I think the cups are where we'll see more of them but if we're in a comfortable position by about March it would be a good time to use more youngsters.

I actually disagree on Ferguson. Santon should be our starting LB (unless he has a terrible run) with Ferguson acting as backup for both LB and LM on the bench. I see him as a winger and his pace is great for scaring teams on the 60th minute when legs may start to tire. I don't think he's quite up to giving 100% over 90 minutes but I'm very excited by him and within a few seasons he will definitely be a full on first teamer.

He could actually use a loan, if not this season then next but if Santon struggles to adapt to the English Shane's a capable deputy, I just don't want his development limited by being played in a defensive role when he's got such attacking potential.

 

I would only play Ferguson now because Santon is right footed. With Santon, Jonas on the left we will have no balance really

 

There's a lot of our first teamers who are just quite young though. There's no doubt Santon, Gosling, Abeid, Vuckic and Ferguson are in the first team pool but needn't be registered.

 

I know yeah - it is good how we have such a young squad

I think it is only Harper and Smith who are 30 or over with Colo just under 30

 

Some of Santon's best performances were at left back and in terms of a left-side partnership, Fergie doesn't have the strength of Enrique to cover Jonas' forward runs, it's almost like playing with two wingers.

 

I see what you mean but I have seen an interview with Ferguson and when asked what position he feels is his, he said he loved playing left back and in fairness, has never let us down. In fact he is usually our best performer when he does play haha

 

Fair enough if that's where he wants to play, just didn't want another (non-stroppy) N'Zogbia on our hands where we're wasting an attacking player.

 

Yeah - he is capable of playing anywhere on the left side imo. Really good player and I believe he should be well in the mix to start games (even though he looks about 12 haha)

 

I dont like us using Ferguson at LB. Fair enough if there's an injury to our other LB(s) but he doesnt have the strength to play there and it's the same reason Raylor has looked good - Jonas helped him a lot when he played.

 

People hype youngsters up waaaay too much. Most teams are happy bringing one youth player into the first team mix a year, yet people still think almost all our youth players will make it with us. I'd imagine Ferguson, Gosling and Vuckic will be the only ones to ever make it as first-teamers in the EPL

 

I think Abeid will at some point as well. Looks like he has a passing range that usually takes years to develop.

 

Sammy too

 

See. The list is already getting added too. Abeid and Sameobi have potential but first teamers... I dunno.

 

I see what you mean. Look at Man U though, insanely young team, Chelsea had a couple last season breaking through and Arsenal, well we all know how Arsenal go about their business with youth.

 

Saying that, a lot of us though Kadar could be in the first team. He is nowhere to be seen

 

He doesnt need to be registered, he's under the age limit.

 

I know but he hasn't got a squad number