There have been plenty of comments about him being unlucky with injuries and that if they got everyone fit they would be a top 6 side. Question I have been asking over the last few weeks is - would they? I don't think so.
Look at the best side
Given - a plus point, probably in top 4 keepers in the EPL, one of their top 3 or 4 players.
Carr - was a decent player at Spurs a few years ago but being honest, no more than an average full back nowadays.
Boumsong - Souness paid well over the odds at £8.5m for him. Looked good for 6 months in a decent Rangers side but has looked dreadful from the start of his EPL career. That's probably due to the gap between Scotland and England more than his ability. Re-sale value would be £2m tops.
Taylor - Has potential, committed, could be a decent player, still to early to judge. Won't be the difference between challenging for the CL and mid table medicority though.
or
Bramble - no centre half in the EPL should never miss trying to kick the ball as often as he does. Think its practically one a game. A disaster zone who affects the rest of the defence, no wonder Boumsong looks so jittery. The two together are just abysmal.
Babayaro - never rated him. Had potential when he was 18 but a no more than average defender at best.
Solano - was great at Newcastle first time around, good engine, good set piece delivery, fitted well into a decent attacking outfit, shouldn't have been sold. Now, I think he is slightly over the hill and past his best. Again no more than average.
Parker - probably been Newcastle's best player this season but was about 6th choice at Chelsea for a midfield spot. Thats the difference. Newcastle only had to fight of Everton to buy him, no one else was that interested in going for him.
Emre - another who had great potential as a youngster but has never really followed it through. Looks good in flashes but his lack of consistency is the thing thats probably hindered his career really taking off.
Luque - hard to judge as he has missed lots of the season through injury. Hasn't impressed when he has played though
or
N'Zogbia - some decent performances but again, not in anyway top class.
Shearer - without pace beside him (Bellamy, Owen) is more a hinderance as when he is the main attacking threat he is far too easily handled nowadays. Can produce the odd performance (Arsenal at home) of the old powerhouse Shearer but one season too many IMO.
Owen - along with Given the one other top class player in the team. How long will he stay?
That IMO is the best line up. Yes, a lot have been injured but out of that team only Given and Owen can really claim to be top class nowadays. Shearer undoubtably was but isn't any longer. So 2 players from 11, when the best 11 are on the pitch. Does that make them a CL challenger, up alongside Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool. Never!
The rest of the squad is also poor in relation to other teams squad players.
Young Ramage has potential but as per Taylor, not the difference to make the CL challengers.
Elliot and Clark were half decent in their prime and to be honest, should be no where near the EPL nowadays.
Dyer is never fit but has not produced more than a handful of decent performances in 2/3 seasons.
Bowyer has went from potentially being one of the best young attacking/box to box midfield players to a shadow of that type of player.
Ameobi
Chopra - Barnsley was about his level.
In summary, no where near the first 11 or squad to challenge in the EPL. Owen apart you would be lucky to get more than £12m for the other 10 players on todays transfer market. The squad is full of 25+ players who were potentially good when they were younger but haven't followed their potential through. A good side can carry one or two of those types of player, usually as squad players, but when they form the basis of your team/squad, you are in trouble.
Souness
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 2
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