May
31
2007
How can Newcastle United improve this summer?
As part of our 2006/2007 Premiership season-end review, here’s a look at how Newcastle United’s season went. Read up, then offer your own advice on how Newcastle United can improve this summer.
- Pre-season expectations: A storming finish last season meant that Newcastle were always going to be pushing for a top-6 finish, and they definitely had the players to do so (although Owen was out injured).
- Season evaluation: Injuries plagued Newcastle but team spirit and application on the pitch weren’t there either, and the club suffered as a result.
- The Big Negative: The surprising ease with which Newcastle lost their away games.
- The Big Positive: Getting Big Sam in - the proposed Mike Ashley takeover is a big bonus, but Sam Allardyce was an excellent piece of business by Newcastle.
- Summer Priority: Shore up the defence and keep hold of the star players (Owen, Martins, Given, Taylor, Dyer, Milner).
Newcastle United massively under-performed this season and the fans have every right to be disappointed. Big Sam can ‘turn it around’ though, and with the stadium expansion and the takeover the future looks bright for Newcastle.
Now it’s your turn: How do you think Newcastle United can improve this summer?
Also see:
- The complete list for the Premiership 2006/2007 season reviews.
- Do you have what it takes to be a football manager?
- Soccerlens Premiership 2006/2007 Review
- How can Sheffield United improve this summer?
- How can Watford improve this summer?
- How can Reading improve this summer?
- How can West Ham improve this summer?
Discussion - 15 Responses
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Comments are moderated (our comments policy).
I don’t think Dyer is a key player at all. Once upon a time Man U were going to pay 20 million for him but those days are long gone. He had a bright comeback but that went quickly downhill. If the right price comes in I think we should definitely sell up. As for allardyce, it was a very positive move, but when Ashley takes over, surely Sam will have to aim a bit higher with his signings? Ashley wants to win the Premiership within 3 years so we need to start buying the players who will win it for us. I suppose the counter arguement to that would be that we need a solid, winning foundation first before we bring in the “glory” players and so I’m pleased with the players we are being linked with so far - Barton, Ben Haim, viduka, Baines, Lucas Neill etc. Sorting out the defence is the priority but I thought our midfield was being stifled last season and I think Parker was the main culprit - I think he is a top class player but it just didn’t work out last season. Barton is an excellent player and if anyone is going to control him it will be Sam Allardyce.
Dyer should be the first player out of SJP. Overpaid, overated and a player that makes The Toon a laughing stock. Roeder dropped better players than Dyer just to accomadate him, result players such as Milner and Sibierski played out of position or sitting on the bench while that waster ran around in circles doing f*** all.
i think all of the managers in the past have give dyer more than enough chances to make him fit into the team. they have played him were he want’s to but they don’t give people like luque, n’zogbia, moore ect. no wonder n’zogbia stormed off after he wouldn’t get played i would of too. also i think lots of players are just here fo money and glory (micheal owen).steve harper is another one he hasnt played over given in years and he is just hanging around and not wanting to play!!!
Patience people the good lord above (MS) will provide the answers as soon as Shepherd leaves to attend his flock. Let him worry about this stuff, just make sure you are relaxed and sit back and absorb the entertainment after all this is KK mark 2 but with a difference they will be winners, that means you will be as well . Chill man, let destiny be.
I think personally that both of u (John & Ghl) are wrong to critisise K.Dyer.Dyer has the ability to turn a game in an instant,and don’t forget how long he was out for through injury.He spent over 6 months on the sidelines,came back n scored in his 1st game and won us the match,this is what most of us toon supporters want on a regular basis and now we have big sam i think he can get the best out of dyer and co. Don’t get me wrong i agree that after spending so much time out dyer shouldn’t be able to walk straight back into the team,when there are players playing well already,but when u watch someone with dyers ability on the training ground,compared 2 sibierski it must be hard to overlook him.I do think milner deserved more of a chance in the team,after playing so well in the uefa cup,but big sam,I think will get milner firing on all cylinders next season and i think possibly get him into the england team. Our main priority is defence,but who doesn’t already know that.We need someone strong,who can lead the back line,I do think Anton Ferdinand would play well with S.Taylor,but maybe we need to spend as much money on the defence as we do on our strikers. I mean we spend millions on our strikers and then wonder why our team lets goals galore in. We need 1 or 2 centerbacks,a left back,now Parker is going 2 West Ham we need a strong defensive midfielder.I agree with u GHL about Barton-Great player and big sam could control him and get him at his best week in week out,but i would like 2 see Kevin Nolan at Newcastle more,how mclaren has overlooked him I don’t know,but then again mclaren is a whole other story.I also think we were WRONG to get rid of Michael Chopra,how much did we need him last season.
Freddy Sheperd is not going to sell so i think all geordies should all go on a rampage to sheperds house!!!!!!!!!!!
Defence is an absolute priority if Newcastle wants to make it into the top 4… Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all build from a solid back 4. Our priority is to get the best that money can buy in this department… a mix of experience and youth will be good at the back. In midfield, we already have the players we need but they need to play with team spirit and that means scoring and not leavin it to the strikers to get the goals… but I wouldn’t mind to get a world-class central midfield to set a good example for the rest… someone like Ronaldinho or Lampard or Gerrard. The strikers need to be sorted as well just like the defence… ideally a tall-short partnership like Viduka-Owen or Viduka-Martins. We should definitely keep Dyer even though he didn’t play much last season… but we he plays he can still make a difference to a game.
i think last season roeder didnt utilise players to their strengths especially from a tactical side
yes, viduka/owen would be great but big sam has long enjoyed playing a system which supports only one striker up front.
effective for bolton yes, but how will his approach change now he has more talent up front to his disposal
the big need is to bring in a new defence as we have shot ourselves in the foot too often with giving away careless goals
I think that Sam is bringing in some good players and will overhaul both our defense and mid-filed. If he really does have 45M to spend - he can bring in 2-3 world class players - that will top off his new team at Newcastle. Sam’s motivational qualities, organization skills and no-nonsense approach look to be perfect for Newcastle. If he can get the best out of the players - it will be the first time since Bobby Robson was in charge.
We should finish top six next year - which would be a good start - getting into the top 4 will not be easy.
It is vital we keep hold of players like Owen, Dyer, Taylor, Given, Milner, Martins etc if we have hope of an improved season next year.
Freddie Shepard has to go, Ashley needs to come in and then we can spend spend spend and improve with no worries. Big Sam needs the backing of £100 Mil over 3 years and a larger stadium. If he doesnt do well though next year, he will have the shortest manager spell at a club in his career!!
Hey… Solano wasn’t in the star players list? Haha!
Here’s how Newcastle can improve: Stop being the laughingstock of top flight English football.
Newcastle really need to get a rock in defense, and definitely sell Kieron Dyer, also Michael Owen, could be traded for a key defender, say him for Vidic or Carvalho, but that probalby wont’t happen.
Anyway, Kieron Dyer, is with full sense of the word, shit, his days are long gone. There’s a reason why he wasn’t picked for England for so long, till this year. He’s only 28, so he still has some years left in him, but they have to sell him quick.
They could also get a defensive midfielder, like Hamann.
Defence is their key area of improvment…Taylor muz be in their squad…Peter Ramage might need another season to become a newcastle regular
The rest of the Defenders…They may leave!! Heard they are trying for Sagna, Baye, Hyypia, Baines…if they could get them…that’s great! but maybe another Left and Right Back would be better!!!
Emre, Barton, Dyer, Solano, Butt, Milner are quite alright..
N’zogbia is not mature enough yet…another Winger is needed
Strikers…if NUFC can keep Owen and Martins..then attack would not be a problem
the problem is tho Ridder8 what left winger would be intrested in a move to newcastle united i mean there are either better than newcastle wingers or worse than newcastle wingers no wingers who would fit in at newcastle