AUGUST 2004

Ah, hi there folks! Hope everyone had a good close season and is ready for another 9 months of the rollercoaster ride that is being a NUFC fan.

Obviously, the main topic of conversation at this time of year is the club’s activity in the transfer market, with a number of players both coming and going. My overriding feeling this year is that this kind of amount of activity was what was needed close season last year. It was at that stage that investment was desperately needed. But instead, it never came as the club rested on its laurels and insisted that our young squad would blossom into a silverware-winning bunch of stars. Those without patches over our eyes (more of which later) could see, however, that our undoubted potential needed supplementing with proven experience for any success to come our way. As a result, there was immediate failure at Champions’ League level, a stuttering league campaign, and early domestic cup exits once again (although there was, to be fair, a decent UEFA run).

This year, it seems, the club has decided to invest. First up, was the acquisition of young James Milner from Leeds for £3.6 rising to £5 million. I must admit that when news of this signing broke, I rolled my eyes. This was simply because I was becoming sick to death of investing heavily in potential which may or may not come to fruition (see Jenas, Viana, Bramble, Ambrose, Dyer) and just wishing that proven talent would eventually start to wind its way through the IN door at SJP. Whilst Milner is clearly a player of some potential to become a success, I just wished that the substantial layout on this had not been our number one target. In hindsight, in the context of our other business, and having witnessed Milner’s pre-season performances, I am certainly more pleased to have the kid on board and hope his star continues in the ascendancy.

Next up was Kluivert. As regular readers will know, over the last couple of years I have, on more than one occasion, suggested the mercurial Dutch striker as an ideal investment for NUFC, and a potential long term successor to Super Al. As we stand here, we have secured his services on a 3-year deal (as opposed to the year long loan that was widely touted) for the princely sum of nowt! I cannot possibly complain at this piece of business. Alright his wages are reputably almighty, he has a slightly suspect temperament and recent form record, but overall he would certainly fall into the category of proven class. His goals ratio ranges from passable to superb through his career so far, and has to be worth a shot when no fee is involved. Put it this way, if we had spent the kind of money on Kluivert that we have spent on Milner, I don’t think I’d be complaining, so a free transfer is superb. I remain convinced once he gets passed the initial adjustment stage, his style will really suit the English game and that a prolific strike rate will surely follow.

Then there was the slightly drawn-out arrival of Nicky Butt from Man Ure. Certainly, once Gary Speed had been allowed to go, many people seemed to expect a similar defensive midfielder to arrive and they weren’t disappointed. I have a couple of small reservations about this signing. First up, there is the unfortunate fact that Man Ure have been so successful in recent years that any player that has been part of it could be forgiven for thinking that a step to a club that hasn’t won anything of any description in 35 years is a step downwards. Would that player’s heart really be in it? Could he really care for his new club like he obviously cared for the club that he had played his entire career for? Also, on a slight aside, what happened to Hugo Viana who had been signed on the basis that he was Gary Speed’s long term replacement? I’m not suggesting in a million years that I’d prefer Viana in the team to Butt, but he always complained that he couldn’t get in the team in his preferred position cos of Speed, and as soon as Speed finally goes, so does Hugo. Slightly strange. Saying all this, Butt certainly falls into my category of proven class, and if he can adapt to a new environment and start bossing and caring for things Keane-style, then I shall be delighted. If only I thought he’d get a game alongside Bowyer and that it meant the end of Dyer……

The final investment is the recent acquisition of Stephen Carr from Spurs. Well, the purchase of a specialist right-back has certainly been in demand for the last couple of years, and I am sure I mentioned Carr’s name at the end of 2002-3 as a potential worthwhile buy. Some are less than convinced by Carr’s abilities, and many quote Robert’s demolition job of him in the 4-0 win at SJP last season, but at least it means that we have a specialist on board as opposed to the ludicrous situation of Aaron Hughes having to play there out of position any longer. Hughes has been doing an admirable job there for so long that the press as a whole seem to now classify him as a full back which as regular readers will know is a pet hate of mine, as he was clearly our best centre half for at least a couple of seasons 3 or 4 years ago! If the purchase of Carr means that Aaron can now concentrate on playing alongside a hopefully fit Johnny Woodgate at the centre of the Toon defence for many years to come, I, for one, shall be delighted.

The EXIT door has also been busy this summer. Lua Lua, Caldwell, Speed, Viana, Griffin, Kerr and Offiong have all been among those to make their way out of SJP. In brief, of those mentioned above, I’d like to have seen Griffin and Speed stay. Commitment and loyalty, if not the highest level of talent, could never be questioned from either, and for that we remain grateful. The best of luck to them, obviously apart from the six points they should both donate the Toon this season!

As far as hopes for the season go, I would expect to achieve 5^th at best. Chelsea, Man Ure, Arsenal and Liverpool (in that order) would be my predictions for the top four. I think we can see battles ahead with Villa, Birmingham and the Smoggies for the UEFA spot in 5^th. As for the other end, I think Everton are in major danger of severely struggling this season, alongside the predictable troubles of the newly promoted clubs. I would hope that we take the League Cup seriously for once and try and get some much needed silverware in Sir Bobby’s and (surely only a matter of time) SIR Al’s last seasons. That could be our best route to Europe!

As for the season opener at Boro, with all this manky-eye syndrome going around and thoughts of the game possibly being postponed, there is talk of eye patches doing a roaring trade at Teeside fancy dress stalls. As I pondered the season ahead this evening at my local watering hole with a long term fellow mag (known locally as NB), we concluded that the most enjoyable possible outcome of the game is the picture of Little Craig running screaming joyously towards the assembled thousands of Smoggies with one hand over his eye as Dyer, JJ etc run behind him doing the young gun’s pistol celebration all covering an eye with their other hand!! A truly legendary celebration could be in store if one of the lads has had the forethought! Here’s hoping. All the best for the season ahead, and if we do get that kind of delirious scene tomorrow, remember, you read it here first!!

Keep the faith.

Mark

For the record, I would like to put on record the following as my first choice starting eleven from the current squad (at least at home).

GIVEN

CARR - HUGHES - WOODGATE - BERNARD

BOWYER - BUTT - ROBERT

(or Milner)

BELLAMY

KLUIVERT - SHEARER

With a bench of: Harper, O’Brien, Ambrose, Dyer, Ameobi

Do you enjoy Mark's columns?
PLEASE E-Mail Mark Deeks with your views! (deekazoid@yahoo.co.uk!)

Related Links:
Mark’s Columns – 2004/05
Mark's Columns - 2003/04

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Newcastle United Poll