There are a number of things that a team needs to be successful in the Premier League, but there’s one attribute that’s widely regarded more highly than any other; pace. With the speed of English football incessant, it is vital that you have a handful of quick players within your team, not only to keep up with play but also to catch sides on the counter attack. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has in the past admitted that this was an area that the Magpies struggled in, so it appears that he’s made it his mission this summer to address that clear deficiency.
It’s not necessarily that Newcastle’s squad is on the slow side, but they seem to lack players who have out and out pace. In the past Kieron Dyer has provided that outlet, or Craig Bellamy; in other words someone who can burst out of midfield with the ball or terrify defences with their turn of speed. Peter Lovenkrands is relatively quick and Nile Ranger is no slouch up top, but you wouldn’t say they had electrifying speed. The midfield was perhaps even more of a worry, but that’s one area which is being rectified.
For large parts of large season Newcastle went with a midfielder four of Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote and Jonas Gutierrez. Barton’s not a traditional winger who’ll show a full back a clean set of heels, Nolan can get forward but you wouldn’t describe him as being quick, Tiote is terrier like without being that speedy, and Guiterrez, arguably the quickest of the lot, would himself rate his dribbling abilities higher than his speed.
Pardew has no doubt identified that and in just a couple of weeks has transformed the look of Newcastle in the middle of the park. By bringing in Yohan Cabaye in the place of Nolan, the Magpies have a box-to-box midfielder with the fitness and stamina to keep going for 90 minutes. Add to that Sylvain Marveaux, who himself likes to get up and down the wing, and put him alongside Gutierrez, who hopefully will stay, and you have the option of pace on both flanks.
So what about upfront? When Demba Ba gets into his stride he can certainly shift, and his direct and powerful running will come in handy. With his ability in the air, maybe a speed demon alongside him could work well, but speed mustn’t come at the sacrifice of other attributes. Pardew has rightfully made an effort to make his team faster and you only have to look back to Sir Bobby Robson’s time in charge of Newcastle to see what an invaluable asset speed is, and hopefully it will go hand-in-hand with exciting football at St James’ Park next season.
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I’m really really pleased and impressed with the current transfer activity. Getting rid of players that are either too slow, past it or not committed enough. To be honest I don’t care how good Enrique is, he’s just hanging around looking for a deal from elsewhere, so he can go as far as I’m concerned also.
Still hopeful that a few more wasters like Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Harper will be shipped during this window.
Well done Newcastle United. The dawn of a new era hopefully.
Really excited about the new saeson. A bit of pace and quality in midfield, new faces up front, hunger and desire throughout the side. Can’t wait.
how dare you call harper a waster!
he is loyalty personified. and just because hes a little old to be our no 1 doesnt mean he should be shipped out.
a man such as harper should have our respect and admiration aswell as a coaching job when he retires
Well said mate. What a bozo calling harper a waster.
Completely agree re the need for pace – true speed in midfield will always mean we have options, if the game gets a bit tight we can throw one over the opposition back 4 and have a number of players capable of chasing
It also gives extra confidence knowing that even if we lose the ball we have the pace to chase back and cover
Should prove to be a much more dynamic 1st team that lines up against the Arse in August and we haven’t finished buying yet
If the “Need for Speed” is paramount what r we doing with Shola or Lovenkrands for that matter ?
Cannot understand why these two have avoided the “Clearance Sale” although admittedly Shola is part of the furniture by now 🙂
I reckon Shola has some dodgy polaroids of someone at the club and every close season he gets them, threatens to make them public and hey presto, he’s safe fit another season 😉
Does anyone know if any of Pardew’s signings speak English? Regardless of how fast they can run, i’m just wandering if his “new era” players are going to be able to understand their team mates in a little over 8 weeks time, never mind gel into something resembling a cohesive unit.
Just say aller and watch them run!
harper being called a waster is one of the most ridiculous statments ive ever heard
couldn’t agree more