Team Togetherness & Work Ethic

I can't help but feel that we have the most together squad that I've even seen at SJP, and genuinely believe that even if a big bid comes in for one of the top players that they still won't want to leave.

What I was most impressed with this interview with Demba Ba:
Demba Ba is confident that his goal scoring touch has returned after he opened his season's account in Newcastle's win against Spurs.

The Senegalese striker scored his first goal since February as he brilliantly curled home Newcastle's opening goal in their 2-1 win.

And Ba insists that he has been doing his homework, which played a part in him recapturing his goalscoring touch.

"I spent a lot of time after games, watching them again the next day on my own and analysing them, seeing what I had to do to change the bad stuff," he said.

"That's why I'm back on the score sheet.

"A lot of things were going on last season, I was playing on the side and out wide. I wasn't getting enough of the ball.

"I was coming too deep and they were putting the ball behind defences and I wasn't there, so I worked on that."

The 27-year-old was tipped to leave this summer, but he insists that he never considered quitting.

"No," he said. "I wasn't going to leave. I'm happy here.


The fact he took it upon himself to go away and analyse his game to help him understand why he wasn't scoring and what HE needed to do speaks volumes about the player himself and his commitment to the team and the club.
Especially after all the reports claiming he was unhappy playing out wide and sulking and wanted to leave. A real **** You to the media liars.

 

I agree, but I don't think that the fans love and the togetherness is 100% enough reason for them not to leave. We need to stay in Europe and perhaps win something in the next couple of years to ensure our players wont leave, and also so we can get more quality in.

 

I really like Demba and was so pleased for him on Saturday. He deserved the reception he got after the goal because while everyone has done their talking on him, he has kept his own counsel and just got his head down. He clearly has a degree of intelligence that many footballers don't, and wants to be the best he can. You can over analyse of course but caring enough about your game and football in general to do a bit extra should always be commended.

Again a thumbs up to Pards and the board for picking the right characters to take us forward.

I thought his goal was a fantastic strike and a goal of the month contender already. It'll probably go under the radar a little because he's scored it so early doors but it was a great touch and even better finish. Just stroked home in a Bergkamp type fashion. To be truthful he and Cisse were quiet. Demba worked hard and was the better of the two but I think there is a lot more to come from both which bodes well. Especially once they get a few cheese and onion pasties down them now Ramadan is finished!

 

Tash - the feeling you get from the team is the love playing football together and not many clubs have a togetherness like ours, not saying it won't stop someone moving but having something like that makes it another reason to want to stay. Especially since it's obvious we are moving in the right direction to potentially win something. So it's a good time to be at SJP.

Warm pouch - Think both Ba and Cisse were a bit quite but that was down to how spurs played.
Another thing I noticed and was really impressed with was Ba and cisse both getting back into our half and defending!!!!
Defend from the front, win the ball back quicker and moving forward quicker. Great work ethic and play.

 

Great thread, cracking little squad we've built here which I was saying could be something special even when we were in the championship. The nucleus just needed to be added to, and we've done that. Would love another Carr-inspired signing or two to push us on even further.

The only worry I have had is that falling behind and not coming back may be problem again, but watching the season review again and again, you can see willingness to battle on, even when we were 3 nil down versus Citeh away, when we went down against Norwich with a new CB pairing of Simmo and Perch, etc. The only times we actually folded was against Fulham away for too much of the second half, and Spurs away. With some luck, hopefully we'll turn some around this year, but of course it'd be fine with me if we don't have to!

 

Like the thread SirBR . The squad does seem to be close and enjoy good banter. And yes, the work ethic is great. We've had some bigger 'stars' before who haven't dug in half as much as these boys do. Really hoping they stick with the club, but we're bound to be targetted by clubs with money due to having a good season with good players. The etter we do, the more they will be in the shop window.

 

But maybe the better we do, the more they'll want to stick together.

 

I agree, however it all comes down to money not love of the fans when players are sold.

number one rule

 

Sure, I wasn't saying they'd want to go - and all we keep hearing at the moment is much they love it and want to stay. Just saying they will draw attention if we keep doing well. Let's just hope it's so good that we stay in europe, or win some silverware, as then they are more likely to stay.

 

I know that Obi, and I was just referring to the as then they are more likely to stay part of your comment.

 

Trying to think the last time newcasle had a team that so visibly/collectivley played for each other (KK's 1st outing springs to mind/ Flashes of it under BR in small groups, apart from when bowyer and dyer knocking seven bells out of each other)

Im optimistic that this current squad want to and will stay to together for at least 2 more years. (granted Barca come for Cabs little we can do about that)

A lot of the key 1st team players have arrived under Pardews 'Vision' ..By that I mean he has sold them the idea of NUFC and where we are going and where we want to be, how we will play, what he wants etc etc .. and they have bought into it as a squad. (ie the 5 year vision/plan)

The Key players already here pre Pards..Had Hughton creatign the TEAM foundation and thats laid some solid foundations that Pardew has built upon.

The emphasis Carr and Pards put on Character in the players they have /want (+ families settled/happy ..Money is good (not MCFC levels but hell still not bad)

Age of squad .. All Mid 20s ish..So not desperate for that last BIG contract/Win Summat now! groove.. they have the time to be part of a developing project, but if we havent fufilled the vision by the time the squad hits 28/29 ish ..thats when the SHTF.

All in all I think the current squad have 2 (3 tops) years to 'get there' (CL/Silver ware/ established top 4/5). So even if we dont get EC this season..I think we wont lose that many due to 'wanting away' ..might lose some due to daft money arriving..which should go to makingn the team stronger and increasing quality. But a positive cycle is being built, players in equal or better than those out, character and team ethic etc etc ..all working towards the same goal

 

Good post and interesting observations. Let's hope we get some silverware in the next 2 years. Not just because it would be amazing to finally have something to shout about, but as you say, to also ensure we keep the squad together and the contunue the club development.

 

I honestly struggle to criticise the club in much it does these days. All the big business decisions that form the structure of a modern football club in the PL, are handled correctly and with a view to continuous improvement (horrible phrase but it makes sense here). We have complained for years how the club has been run and how this is reflected on the pitch. The last time we had this kind of growth impetus was under Hall at the very beginning.

We saw how easily it can be broken down with changes of ownership, and careless regard for the clubs overall health. It would be easy to apply the phrase "once bitten, twice shy" given the nature of the club deterioration.

The thing is it is hard not to get a feeling of possibility when you see the outcome of good decisions on a pitch in front of you. The euphoria of every result only adds to the attraction. Why not? That becomes the attitude and the difference between this time and Hall (for all his good intentions), is the real foundations like youth development, scouting or furthering the brand etc are firmly in place.

The main thing is we now have a team which has a good team ethic, that plays in keeping with the club ethos (we all know what we want Sir Bobby said it best "carpet football") and one that the fans feel makes their emotional and financial commitments are worthwhile.

Good times, I'm gonna enjoy them.

 

Sir Bobby said so many things best.