KopiHomeNEWCASTLE: HIGH FLYING MAGPIES
03.05.03 Next Page Previous Page
(Newcastle in Champions League next season)
Kudos to the Magpies for finishing in 3rd place and clinching a valuable Champions League place for next season. With Chelsea and Liverpool both losing this weekend, Newcastle grabbed the 3rd place with a unassailable 4 points lead over 4th place Chelsea with just 1 more game to go.
Hugo Viana who hailed from Portugal, scored the winning goal from a freekick in 43th minute. I wondered if Sir Bobby Robson would have thought he brought a winner to Newcastle when he confirmed the deal of £8.5 million to sign Viana for 5 seasons. What a masterstroke by the old but crafty manager. And boy was Robson overjoyed when Newcastle sealed their ticket to Champions League next season. Playing in Champions League is going to be very massive for the Club's coffer and allows them to continue building on the impressive squad. Let's just hope that Newcastle will take care of its finances and does not follow Leeds' footsteps.
With the 3rd place in the bag, Robson should take a good look at how to strengthen the existing squad for next season. Newcastle has a young squad and depended on the leadership qualities of Alan Shearer and Gary Speed to stabilize the team. Much has to be read from the way Newcastle crashed out of Champions League 2nd round and lost their title chance as the season comes to the end. The team were outplayed in Europe and lost their focus in the Premier League when they lost in some must-win matches. Robson should consider how to replace the ever inspirational Shearer and resilient Speed when both approach the end of their playing career. They have formed an important core of a formidable Robson's young team during the season. Additions are needed to strengthen the squad.
The squad lacks a true playmaker that can dictate the game and split opponents' defence. Somebody like Inter Milan's Berezoglu Emre or Valencia' Pablo Aimar, players that can control the pace of a game and launch effective offence with a rare vision. Kieron Dyer is still inexperienced to be a good playmaker. He lacks the vision to unlock tight defences. Viana would be a good candidate to take the playmaker role but he is not ready yet.
I feel that Newcastle is also short of a world class defender to be challenging for the title and in other cup competitions next season. At times, the defence looked shaky when Newcastle played against some excellent teams like Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Barcelona etc.
Overall, Newcastle has had a very good season. Let's hope Newcastle will continue to improve and entertain us with their attacking approach.
Soaring Magpies
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