Newcastle United Blog » Dennis Wise

Season Incoming! Newcastle Utd Preview

Dave NU Blogger — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:23:30 +0000

Chris Hughton Faces Up to the Premiership Challenge

I’ve not even seen a glimmer of either Mike Ashley or Llambias this summer and I guess that’s a good thing. Past years have seen the national papers loaded with pictures of our infamous owner and chairman with unflattering headlines but not this summer. Thankfully, they’ve learned a few lessons of past and ducked behind the big chairs in the boardroom. Either that they are keeping out of the way of fans who still bear a grudge.

Minus Dennis Wise, Hughton has been rightfully given the reins for picking the new talent in the team. His astute guidance through dark times led us not only with a stronger and united team but a trophy winning one finished top of the Championship table. Well, we all know the situation regarding finances in Newcastle so it’s no surprise that transfer budgets are low. In fact, I was surprised there was a budget there at all but we busted Championship attendance records at St James’ so that would’ve meant something to the club coffers.

The existing squad looks good. We have several players who have rejuvenated during the Championship campaign. Our strikers look good with Ameobi, Carroll and Lovenkrands leading the pack. Coming back into the side is Xisco, whose signing controversially caused the rift between the board and Keegan back in 2008. Whether or not he’ll be able to prove his worth with Hughton will be under scrutiny from fans. Who knows? He could turn out good if given the chance.

In midfield, Kevin Nolan, the top player in the Championship looks like a good bet for putting a top class performance again this season. Defence wise; still a worry but we did have an unbeaten home record last season which sounds good but it seems when mistakes happen in defence they tend to be sloppy mistakes. Fat jokes aside, Campbell looks a good choice to tidy things up for our promotion season but Taylor needs to come back from his shoulder injury sooner rather than later.

Other names to look out is Danny Gosling who still carries an injury from his last few days at Everton. James Perch is a versatile player swapping roles in defence and midfield. Expect hard work from these two in the coming season.

Overall, I’m hoping the team would draw on the confidence gained from the Championship and move beyond. The Premiership is obviously a different set of circumstances – tougher opponents for one and it just so happens that Man Utd away is our opening game. As Barton says, players should thrive on those kinds of opportunities. He’s right and Newcastle don’t need to shy way from these matches. There’s no reason or need to slide back into self-pity this time. No fan is expecting a high finish, at least I’m not. In a way it’s another season to do well and build a team to keep us in the Premiership for many, many years to come.

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Fine Words from Alan Shearer

Dave NU Blogger — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:16:09 +0000

Alan Shearer remained upbeat but undaunted by the enormous task ahead of him. In his first press conference, Llambias introduced us to our new manager for eight games. Also present was Iain Dowie. Also, officially noted is that Dennis Wise has now left the club.

Shearer spoke of the his first team training session and players were all smiles. He singled out no particular flashpoint for the team’s failure to win and preferred to opt for the traditional line of taking a clean slate. I think any player in the team right now wouldn’t dare not give less than 100% on the field. Shearer did try to distance himself from his legendary status at the club and probably rightly so as the points are much more important.

Overall, it was a good press conference but there is the buzz around the club once again. I’m hoping that the Shearer bounce will take us into another consecutive season in the Premiership.

UPDATE

Footage from today’s press conference can be viewed here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7979550.stm

Iain Dowie Joins Team Shearer at Newcastle United

Dave NU Blogger — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:47:48 +0000

Alan Shearer’s plans came into action with the appointment of Iain Dowie as his right hand man. That doesn’t necessarility spell the end for Chris Hughton who moves to the background ins n’ outs of the team. It’s a tactical move by Shearer to bring in an experienced hand under his first managerial stinit. It’s an interesting choice as the two don’t really share a prolonged history in professional football other then the two were involved in Shearer’s early Southampton days.

Dowie is probably no stranger to the relegation fight so his experience will be invaluable to our struggle for survival.

Reports also spell the end of mini-me, Dennis Wise whose influence at St James’ Park has diminished greatly since the Keegan incident and I think the news of his departure would be greeted with considerable relief.

If Ashley’s plan works and Newcastle United remain safe this season, I’m sure that will buy him some much needed fan appreciation he has lost over the past few months.

Given is a Goner; N’Zogbia Ships Out; Good News on the Horizion?

Dave NU Blogger — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:53:06 +0000

After our timid transfer window closes, we can look back at a month where Newcastle made a profit on players but did little to steady fan nerves. Any suggestion that Newcastle were going to strengthen was firmly set aside as Dennis Wise failed to secure us the much needed players to fortify the team amidst failing results on the pitch. One good thing that did emerge was the offloading of Charles N’Zogbia whose whining antics were enough to give Kinnear a brain ache live on air!

Here’s a breakdown of the ins and outs over the January transfer season:

OUT

Shay Given – Manchester City
Charles N’Zogbia – Wigan

IN:

Ryan Taylor – Wigan
Kevin Nolan – Bolton Wanderers
Peter Lovenkrands

Contract Extensions:-

Steve Harper
Shola Ameobi
Nicky Butt

Good news also emerged yesterday regarding our injury situation. It’ll certainly ease our stress a little knowing that Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith are looking at a return against West Brom this weekend. As we know West Brom are bottom of the pile. With everything so tight down the table a win against Brom will give us some respite for the time being.Newsalso emerged that Owen may well feature in the team less then a month since picking up an ankle injury. At last some good news as once again the team are fighting to stay in the premiership yet again.