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Proof In Germany That Newcastle Have To Raise Their Game

11 years ago
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In each issue of The Mag, the author, Leazes Park Ender (AKA David Punton), has a monthly column – read his latest piece in our new issue – available from any north east newsagents, or order single copies & subscriptions online below.

Mental Fatigue

The derby slump raised the debate about tiredness and a small squad suffering from fatigue. Now far be it from me to disagree with the great NUFC writer John Gibson, who felt there was no excuse, but I think our small squad has very much suffered as a result of the fixture congestion.

Our European exploits have  created a mental tiredness as well as physical one, in terms of recovery time for the next game, especially when your reserve list can’t be fully trusted to step up and fill the gap. Sunderland had all week to focus on the derby, while we had to chase a two goal deficit against a really top Portuguese club in Benfica who are headed for the Champions League next season.

Europe can’t entirely explain all of our ills this term, but neither can it be dismissed. As Graeme Souness once said when he was in charge here c2006, it’s not an excuse it’s a fact. I hope that makes sense!

Summer Sales

The crisis at the club has prompted much talk about departures in the summer. While I won’t get into the full ramifications of relegation, I think it’s safe to say that quite a few players will be heading for new pastures this summer and we expect substantial transfer fees for them. I say ‘we’, of course Mr Ashley will bank the cheque. Any major transfer windfalls need to be used wisely in order to bring in fresh faces or further steps backward will be taken, it saddens to me to say.

I’ll go on record now and state quite boldly, I’d really love to see Andy Carroll back in a Newcastle shirt and the club should make that its top priority, subject to staying up. No pressing need to go into the nuclear option (The R word) just yet.

And finally…

Aside from all the NUFC related mirth and misery, I’ve really been blown away by the German clubs in this season’s Champions League. Like or loathe them, the Germans know how to run a club. Fan ownership, affordable prices, no Arab subsidy/financial doping and safe standing areas. I am starting to feel the Bundesliga is a much better model than the Premier League.

What impresses me most are the fans. Both Dortmund and Bayern fans, Dortmund in particular, generated an atmosphere like I’ve never seen before. Incredible noise and passion and surely an example of where safe standing areas can work in a club’s favour. I know Newcastle can be famed for stadium noise but the German fans have proved that we need to raise our game. Some decent football to cheer might help us.

In each issue of The Mag, the author, Leazes Park Ender (AKA David Punton), has a monthly column – read his latest piece in our new issue – available from any north east newsagents, or order single copies & subscriptions online below.

[latest_issue]

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