Newcastle United
Onwards and upwards under the right manager
Useful information
Point made: Robert Lee, the former England player, during one of Newcastle's pre-season games
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Summer summary: Not a great deal to get excited about, which makes a change at this most volatile of clubs. A handful of high-profile departures leaves Bobby Robson’s squad with a leaner feel, but strength in depth remains an issue. After redevelopment, St James’ Park now boasts a 52,167 capacity. Awesome.
Transfers in: Carl Cort (Wimbledon) £7m; Christian Bassedas (Velez Sarsfield) £3.5m; Daniel Cordone (Racing Club) one-season loan, £500,000.
Transfers out: Steve Howey (Manchester City) £3m; Paul Robinson (Wimbledon) £1.5m; Temuri Ketsbaia (Wolverhampton Wanderers) £900,000; Silvio Maric (FC Porto) £2m; Alessandro Pistone (Everton) £3m; Stuart Elliott (Darlington), released; Lionel Perez (Cambridge United), released; Duncan Ferguson (Everton) £3.75m.
Looking forward to: More great fun with Robson. Which other FA Carling Premiership manager would lapse into Spanish during a team talk or stroll into the press room and watch his own post-match comments on television, nodding his head in approval? The best show in Toon; enjoy it while it lasts.
Apprehensive about: Renewing hostilities with Sunderland, whose short journey to Tyneside last season provoked the dismissal of Ruud Gullit and brought a 2-1 victory. Revenge is desired, but spines are already tingling. And, as usual, what would happen without Alan Shearer?
Strengths: Shearer’s goals (although over-reliance is an issue here), the work-rate of Gary Speed and Warren Barton, Robson’s nous and, potentially, the fortress qualities of their improved ground.
Liabilities: Hardly an original observation, but Newcastle’s defence remains as flimsy as an excuse from Sir Alex Ferguson, particularly in the light of Steve Howey’s £3 million transfer to Manchester City.
Dabizas, Goma and Marcelino will not strike fear in the heart of many strikers (Shearer and Cort excepted, perhaps).
Tactical profile: Clever, or “listo” as Robson might say. Well-organised and well-prepared. Expect either 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2, depending on the location and the circumstances. The manager will rarely be out-thought, although the personnel will sometimes let him down.
One player they need: Another ten Shearers would not go amiss, but a dominating centre half - someone to glance menacingly at his fellow players, lead the shouts of “offside” and occasionally make a tackle - is surely the priority. Imagine Martin Keown (but not after eating).
Fans’ gripe: The right manager, a superb stadium, but the relationship between club and supporters stays determinedly tetchy. The draconian response which met the “Save our Seats” campaign, called to protest at the displacement of season-ticket holders in favour of corporate hospitality, has provoked lingering ill-will and battles in the coutroom.
Up-and-coming prospect: After a career recently blighted by injury, now might be the time for Andy Griffin to impose himself, but much will again be expected of Kieron Dyer, the England international, who has provoked media attention for all the wrong reasons this summer. Has the necessary skill and determination, but consistency and stamina require remedial work.
Bogey team: Southampton at the Dell can always be relied upon to be a complete and unmitigated disaster (remember Gullit’s thinly veiled threat to resign after Newcastle’s 4-2 defeat there last season) and the streets of London are seldom paved with gold.
Potential of new signings: Cort - gangling striker. Christian Bassedas - Argentina midfield player. Daniel Cordone - unfashionably long hair, known as “The Wolf”.
Sample headlines: “Toon Cort Short”, “Christian Thrown to the Lions”, “Wolf’s Howler”.
Lookalikes: Shay Given and Steve Harper. Both goalkeepers. Robson presumably can’t tell the difference between them, because neither are assured of No 1 status.
Most appropriate Hollywood movie: Sex, Lies and Videotape, which, for obvious, if distasteful, reasons, stars Kieron Dyer.
Prediction: After the improvements of last season, a push for Europe is anticipated. Top ten at the very least.
GEORGE CAULKIN
Useful information
Squad: 1 Shay Given; 2 Warren Barton; 3 Marcelino; 4 Didier Domi; 5 Alain Goma; 7 Robert Lee; 8 Kieron Dyer; 9 Alan Shearer; 10 Christian Bassedas; 11 Gary Speed; 12 Andrew Griffin; 13 Steve Harper; 15 Nolberto Solano; 16 Carl Cort; 17 Daniel Cordone; 18 Aaron Hughes; 19 Stephen Glass;
21 Diego Gavilan; 22 Jamie McClen;
24 Garry Brady; 25 Brian Kerr; 26 James Coppinger; 27 David Beharall; 30 Stephen Caldwell; 31 Stuart Green; 32 Kevin Gallacher; 33 Des Hamilton;
34 Nikos Dabizas; 36 Gary Caldwell; 37 Laurent Charvet;
39 David McMahon; 40 Carl Serrant
Stadium: St James’ Park
Capacity: 52,173
Address: Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 4ST
Telephone number: 0191-201 8400
Clubcall: 09068 12 11 90
Website: www.nufc.co.uk
The minimal news coverage is unlikely to suffice for football-worshipping Geordies. You will need to put aside a day to read about the 40 squad players, 16 of whom are defenders.
Unofficial site: www.toonweb.co.uk
This fun unofficial Newcastle United website includes news, player profiles, match reports and a South Park parody of the other local team, the Geordies.
Manager: Bobby Robson CBE
Head coach: Mick Wadsworth
Director of football: Gordon Milne
Chairman: Freddy Shepherd
Ticket details: 0191-261 1571 (box office); at least 2,000 matchday tickets on general sale.
Ticket prices: £18-£31 Cheapest/most expensive adult season ticket: £299/£498
Recommended radio station: Metro 97.1 FM
Programme: £2
Fanzine: The Mag
Cost of adult replica shirt: £40
Training ground: Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Directions to ground: Half a mile from Newcastle train station; St James’ Metro station is next to the stadium. Catch a bus that goes to Gallowgate. St James’ Park is near the city centre, off Barrack Rd (A189). There are several city-centre car parks. Follow the hordes of supporters in the zebra-like black and white of the ‘Toon.
Pubs near the ground: The Bridge Hotel, Castle Garth; The Akenside Traders, The Side.
