Was good to see the speed training seems to have worked with Lukaku because he looked so slow when he joined. Josh was not convincing.
I can't agree with this im afraid mate. One mistake in a friendly, I'll let him off. If you look at his statistics from previous first team appearances im pretty sure in every appearance he has had the highest pass completion percentage. He is a playmaker, an extremely good one at that. I don't need to do the convincing, just watch him closely the next few games, trust me lad!
He's 19 for crying out loud! He needs a proper spell on loan at a club where they're short on midfielders in the mould of Josh. I thought Swansea would be perfect but it was unfortunate that Sigurdsson and Allen were playing that well.
Just great to see the young blokes get a run. Hazard and Marin sound class, Lukaku went well too I believe.What a great thing to see that youngster break through this season. Just what we need big strong, good touch and improved speed. Josh needs game time pure and simple, surely must be a regular this season. With at least 3 others on the verge of 1st team, plus Bertrand, what a great bunch for the future, and near future at that.
I agree about him going on loan but the thread is suggesting he is ready for our first X! because Modric certainly would be. He is competing for a midfield spot against,Mikel,Romeu,Lamps,Ramires,Paizon and Oscar most likely and to me he'd be at the bottom of all those.
Stick Josh in the 'xavi' role alongside say a Mikel type and a Hazard/Mata type and within 6 months we'd have a top player on our hands. You can't teach the natural skills he has. Just needs a bit more bulk and experience. But I think this coming season he is probably better off out on loan to a side that will play him every week like Wilshire had at Bolton. In a years time with Lamps a year older I'm sure he could be banging on the door of the first 11.
If Josh doesn't break into the first team at the end of this season or beginning of next I'm not sure he ever will tbh We go on about age but at 19 Wilshere was playing against Xavi and Iniesta and not looking out of place. And I belie Josh is technically a better player than Wilshere too
As an unbiased Newcastle fan i caught the first half yesterday and think McEchran was very good and his first assist was quality. Disappointing to give away that goal but these are the mistakes a youngster makes. He has a lot of potential. Also you should be very excited about Hazard and Marin linking up with Mata as they were both good together after only one game. Can't wait to see Hazard light up the prem as a neutral.
McEachran is talent. I hope Di Matteo continues what Ancelotti started in turning Josh into a Pirlo esq player. He needs a bit more beef and experience and he'll be set. A few more years though. Lukaku looks great as well but his first touch is sloppy, but again, 19 year olds are never complete players at that age. KDB also looks great but I think he's trying to hard to impress. Needs to take a step back. There's all this talk about getting a RB, but I'll tell you what, Kane and Hutchinson certainly look the part. Hutch doesn't shy away from a tackle and Kane is an engine. Piazon is silky on the ball. Can't wait to see more of him. I was hoping Kakuta would be more impressive but I think his days are numbered. Shame after all that trouble. All other youth players just need experience (Chalobah, Bamford etc).
Seems its a day of agreement Varier 2, i am 100% in agreement with your thoughts on RBs, ie we dont need one.Kakuta is the forgotten one, however he apparently did very well in France, and it wouldn't be a bad thing if he came back and let Robby and Co. put some work in with him He's consistently MoM in French underage tournaments, so hes no dope as a player. And he's still well under 20 I think??