We were concerned in the second half of last season, when Newcastle’s season went completely to hell in a hand basket, that we just didn’t have enough leaders both on and off the pitch at the club.
Warren Barton – 45 year-old Fox Soccer Channel analyst
And while that has been corrected somewhat with the signing of Siem de Jong, the former Ajax captain, who was quickly made vice captain b y manager Pardew – we are still short of leaders in the squad.
And former Newcastle right back Warren Barton believes that could be a problem next season, as he had this to say to the Sports Bar:
“I think Alan has got maybe five or six games and then the pressure will start to mount again.” “They’ve gone into the transfer market and bought good players but I know what the St James’ fans are like. They want top class players.”
“They have gone so far with the French influence. If it’s going well it’s perfect, if it doesn’t then you start getting problems. I don’t think they’ve got a character in there that can really lift them.
“When I was there we had Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Gary Speed and Shay Given to help the younger players coming through. I don’t think they’ve got that, I think as soon as they get off that bus they’re going in different directions and they’re not together as a team.”
“When it’s going well it’s easy, it’s when it’s not that you really need leadership.”
Warren has made himself a very good career over here, as the lead television pundit for the Fox Soccer Channel, and he’s also kept his hand in football as the General Manager and Technical Director for the Los Angeles Blues, who play in the American USL Pro league.
Warren is a busy man these days, and we think he may have a point =- that Newcastle still don’t have enough leaders in the squad.
Warren played for Newcastle from 1995 though 2002, and the former Wimbledon defender played 164 times for Newcastle in that period with four goals.
Warren is a tremendous (unofficial) ambassador for Newcastle United in the US.
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65 comments so far
kevymartins
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:12 AM
Comment #1Expatemag He scored a hat-trick for Dormund on his debut then didn’t score the whole season. They are trying to offload him and apparently they put a £7mil price tage on him.
Andymax
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:16 AM
Comment #2Nice to see the sheer optimism with players signed but as soon as Pardew gets coaching and season starts we’ll have the same old SHITE.
I have no faith in the present set up, Pardew or the main maggot Ashley.
Week in and week out we put up with the carp, and still come back for more!
ENOUGH, this club and people deserve more!
OneAlanShearer
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:18 AM
Comment #3Sdj looks a leader but I agree. Too few. Krul could yet be a leader. We need a outspoken player but the regime don’t like that.
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:19 AM
Comment #4We have Coloccini (captain) defence, Tiote (Vice Captain) midfield and de Jong (Vice Captain) Forward, it’s up to those to encourage and lift the team. In my honest opinion we don’t need to many chiefs.
de Jong has shown what he can do, and has the ability to lead by example, he has also stated in an interview that he is very vocal on the field. Coloccini is to quiet for me, as captain he should be the most vocal, but all in all with the likes of Cabella, and Colback, we should have enough in the team to to press on to a relatively successful season.
Robby Bobson
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Comment #5Siem de jong is a leader, even in the friendlies you could see him shouting at players, at one point he was shoutin at the team to drop a yard when defender had the ball and told riviere where to go.
I also disagreed about some of the things he said why the fans were angry, playing into the myth that newcastle fans think we should win the league and sign messi.
The talksport presenter showed how much she knows about foorball by saying she only really knew colback, well if you work in football and dont know much about the ajax captain then your not good at your job
ganiyu
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:31 AM
Comment #6Grenier is necessary
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:32 AM
Comment #7Kevy
You’re not taking about PEA are you?
He scored 13 league goals. And a lot from the bench.
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:34 AM
Comment #8Guys. Controversial, but do you think it’s actually because we lack English players?… Rather than leaders per se.
Do you think in certain situations, English players in general are better leaders?
Toon-Barmy
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:35 AM
Comment #9Just a heard a whisper that NUFC are preparing a £6m bid for 21 year-old Red Bull Salzburg defender Martin Hinteregger.
IITianToon
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:38 AM
Comment #10@Kevy PEA scored 16 goals in 37 games. Please don’t tarnish your reputation by posting incorrect facts!
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:40 AM
Comment #11Sliema
I don’t think so mate. A good leader regardless of nationality is someone who can motivate his team – mates, Lift their spirits if we go behind, and lead by example. All of this without getting angry and shouting or ranting at players in an abusive manner.
For me Siem de Jong will be the perfect leader for us this season as I think the rest of the team will respect him and follow his lead.
expatmag
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:41 AM
Comment #12Kevy
I was under the impression PEA scored 15 goals for Dortmund last season. I also noticed he scored twice in the first 10 minutes last weekend in a friendly against Essen.
I would be very surprised if Dortmund were offering for sale let alone at 7 million pounds
expatmag
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:42 AM
Comment #13Firebug
Thanks for that. Looks like another one out of reach
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:43 AM
Comment #14Speaking as part of a solid back four full of leaders is he?
Thump
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:44 AM
Comment #15Interesting comment on that last article. Apparently Soccer Sauce tweet all the breaking transfer news… and here was me thinking they were just full of shite like the rest of the ITK accounts.
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:45 AM
Comment #16expatmag
Aye I always thought we were barking up the wrong tree with this one. It was more hope than anything. I do think he would have come if Lyon had accepted our bid, but in truth they never seemed that serious on selling him. Draw a line and move on to the next target I think.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Comment #17Here here thump bs
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Comment #18Firebug.
Fair point mate, but I already agree with you on SDJ. It’s incredible, everyone on this blog who knows their football, have been hoping we’d sign SDJ for a few years now, ever since we were first linked to him.
In just 2 kick-about pre-season friendlies (and from his manner in the interview he did when he signed) … we’re already believing he’s a superb acquisition. He’s already, already impressed us.
I think hell go on to become a club legend. He’s a loyal player, a good guy, and a talented maestro with the ball.
Andymax
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:48 AM
Comment #19Why do people seem to think the new players will make any difference??
OK maybe for a few games, but we’ll be back to the same old shite ! Manager needs to go plus owner, end of.
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:50 AM
Comment #20Sliema
An hopefully our future captain, well that does seem to be on the cards anyway I think.
But he does have that air of quiet confidence about him, and I hope that will rub of on the rest of the team. He looks like one man who plays for the love of the game and not the pay cheque. (although the pay cheque always helps).
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:50 AM
Comment #21PEA IS SIGNING FOR CHELSEA!!!
(… the above statement will become factual in a few weeks time)
Seriously guys, he’s out of reach. I put £30 on him signing for Chelsea today. I got odds of 8-1 this morning.
It’s strange though, best price I could find Newcastle at was 4-1. We’re still the bookies favourites!
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:53 AM
Comment #22Firebug
Also, he’s just unspectacular enough to stay off the radar of the bigger clubs. He’s not going to write the headlines every week. (assists rarely do)
We might hold onto one for once!
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 12:56 AM
Comment #23Andymax
We already know that the manager and owner are going nowhere soon, so we have to make the most of what we have.
These new players may or may not bring joy to the Geordie faithful, But lets not write them of as being pardrewed too soon.
If things go well the fans will be happy, (we’ll still want Pardrew & Ashley out), if not so well the fans will make their feeling known. But until Ashley gets rid of Pardrew or sells up lets get behind the new lads and roar them on.
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:01 AM
Comment #24Sliema
I hope so mate, and you are right about assists, however I think he can get a good goal tally with us, I hope so anyway.
Colback also seems to have settled in well, another who so far has just been steady away and getting his job done. He has looked good pre season so far, now we will get to see what they are like against the Germans, This weekend will be a tough test for them all, and hoping to see Janmaat and Cabella. Should be a great weekend of football for us fans.
Andymax
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:07 AM
Comment #25firebug666
Just venting off mate, we all know what’ll happen but we’re black and white through and through….
Toonfan8
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:07 AM
Comment #26SDJ is a natural leader and it is not good to have too much leaders in one team…for me its good now SDJ and Mbiwa were captains, they are leaders, Colo is leader in some manner…more important for me is that we have now good hardworking players with attitude…I think we will have very good season if Remy transfer will be managed
firebug666
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:09 AM
Comment #27Right lads I’m off to bed now, It’s my Birthday today and I have to get my beauty sleep so I am read to be suitably surprised when I get up. Have a good night all.
expatmag
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:11 AM
Comment #28Barton could be right regarding continued protests against Pardew.
However, I would hope we give him a chance to see how results pan out first.
I actually think that if he can get the tactics correct, we could have a decent start to the season and wouldnt be surprised to get at least a draw against City first up.
The team now has better creativity and the potential for explosive pace up front which defenders hate.
Imagine defenders having to deal with the potential movement,pace and power of Cabella Riviere Perez and Sissoko with Tiote and Colback ptotecting the back 4 and SDJ threading those balls through?
Geez……give me the job snd I will get us 3 points against City……lol
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:18 AM
Comment #29Silema ur a headcase how ur the 1st for cfc news ill never know and if so sure why u only put £30 quid on is scary go to sleep son.
beefman13
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:21 AM
Comment #30Concerning Remy, if our illustrious owner can cut a deal that suits then he will be our player, all`s fair in love and war were these big business players operate, i think we will have quite a bargaining tool at this moment as a failed medical is not exactly honey is it! we have that in our favour and we all know Mr Mike likes to have the upper hand.
I feel Remy could well sign as his agent will notice no floods of offers coming in at this moment in time, the ball is in our court, if they knock back the clubs offer then Remy could well be in limbo, but his agent dosnt get another cut of the cake so will be pushing for his client to sign on the dotted line.
Remy is similar to a Demba Ba, a year or two here and there, but a proven goalscorer, and i would expect the lad to bag 12/15 prem goals for us which would be a decent return, his agents hands will be twitching,QPR need the bit in for him, like i said i feel he will sign for us, after all he has no great allegiance to any specific club has he, business is what its all about and i feel MA can smell a good deal.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:23 AM
Comment #31Its the parents faults for leaving the wifi on during summer hols. The blog is a nut house during summer really is.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:32 AM
Comment #32Thankfully that seems to have hit the pulse night night
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:41 AM
Comment #33Boom
Haha. Don’t know what you’re going to say when this happens. I have a funny feeling you’ll just go quiet for a day or two.
Hehehe 😀
Sliema
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:42 AM
Comment #34Boom
I’m
23 and haven’t lived at home since I was 17. I live in erm… Sliema these days.
My parents are not the influence they once were.
Shot Bru
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:45 AM
Comment #35Exactly right Beefman…football is all about money, greed and mercenaries nowadays.
Like you say, Remy will score us 12 or so goals next season if he signs he will add pace and movement to our attack.
If we are gonna rely on Rivière, Perez, Armstrong and Cisse for goals this season… We are definite relegation candidates for sure!!
The disorganisation at the club regarding transfers is pathetic…we’ve had months to organise buying a striker who scores Goals…
Shot Bru
Aug 1, 2014 at 1:53 AM
Comment #36Sliema…Do you get any decent surf in winter time up your way?
expatmag
Aug 1, 2014 at 2:06 AM
Comment #37Rather than relying on one out and out goalscorer, we look as though we could gave a few capable of getting anywhere between 7 and 10 each.
Cabella got 14 last season
De Jong got 12
Riviere got 14
Sissoko got 6
Perez got 15
Gouffran got 7
Colback got 3
Albeit these figure are in different leagues and if the likes of Cisse, Armstrong and maybe Taylor can contribute as well, scoring may not be a problem.
Mind you, conceding is another matter
expatmag
Aug 1, 2014 at 2:18 AM
Comment #38Sighortson to QPR virtually done apparently
Could this pave the way for Remy to us?
Shaker Shakrah
Aug 1, 2014 at 3:54 AM
Comment #39Loic Remy is close from joining Newcastle for a fee
believed to be £13.5m !
Shaker Shakrah
Aug 1, 2014 at 3:55 AM
Comment #40” If we are gonna rely on Rivière, Perez, Armstrong and Cisse for goals this season… We are definite relegation candidates for sure!! ”
The most idiotic thing i’ve ever read , really !!