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Opinion

Introducing Newcastle United’s ‘Big Players’

9 years ago
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Well, it’s judgement day on Sunday.

The fate of Newcastle United’s season will be decided and the destinations for 2015/16 will be set. It’s down to the players to make sure they are going to Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge – not Pride Park, The Valley or Hillsborough.

(To feature like Paul, send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk – all views those of the author etc etc)

We’ve heard the players and, in particular, John Carver stating how much this game against West Ham means to the club and the fans, but how much of the bluster can we believe?

How much of what the players tell Carver can we take as being genuine?

Especially when you hear/read what the Head Coach actually comes out and says . .

“It’s not as if in the last ten games we have not had performances out of the big players.”

And . .

“I’m expecting the big players to step up and perform.”

I’m not convinced.

Firstly, the two statements are a little contradictory, but let’s take a look at the ten games that have transpired since we beat Aston Villa at St James’ in February and see if we can truly expect the so called ‘big players’ to ‘step up and perform’.

Manchester United (h) Lost 1-0. Papiss Cisse (Big Player) spits at opposition player and misses 7 games.

Everton (a) Lost 3-0. Coloccini (Big Player) sent off for violent conduct. Krul (Big Player) beaten from distance for first goal.

Arsenal (h) Lost 2-1. Spirited performance after going 2-0 down.

Sunderland (a) Lost 1-0. Krul beaten from distance. Seen chatting with goalscorer at half-time.

Liverpool (a) Lost 2-0. Sissoko (Big Player) sent off with two bookings in a ten minute period.

Tottenham (h) Lost 3-1. Krul easily beaten from distance for TWO goals.

Swansea City (h) Lost 3-2. Krul poor clearance leads to goal.

Leicester City (a) Lost 3-0. Whole side shambolic from kick off. Sissoko ducks out of a header leading to first goal. Williamson (Big Player) accused of being deliberately sent off at 3-0 down. Daryl Janmaat (Big Player) sent off at 3-0 down.

West Brom (h) Drew 1-1. Decent fightback from 1-0 down.

Q.P.R (a) Lost 2-1. Poor Krul clearance leads to second goal as Coloccini turns his back on the shot.

That’s Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Sissoko and Cisse, the spine (term used loosely) of the side, all missing or shirking responsibility in that 10 game winless streak.

With the exceptions of Williamson who is a Championship defender, and Janmaat who we all know is a talent, the rest have all been the focus of speculation of big money moves in the past, on the back of fantastic performances for the club.

In the last six months since Carver took over from Alan Pardew, the distance some of these players have gone backwards is frightening and the so called “Big players” haven’t so much as stepped up and aided our cause, but actually have been a massive contributing factor as to why we are in the clarts we are.

John Carver isn’t the man for this job (whatever that job is titled and whichever league that job is in) as he is so far out of his depth it’s untrue. But comments like the ones made in the build up to thos biggest game since Villa Park in 2009 are deluded to say the least. hanging your hat on non-existent performances from not interested players is foolish.

I know who I’ll be cheering on come 3pm on Sunday – Manchester United.

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