Full NUFC Breakdown

Alright, so let's do this properly.
It's still the beginning of the season, and the transfer window is closed. We've had the opportunity to see the boys play a couple times now, so let's go through the entire team, sighting strengths and weaknesses, and we'll look back on this later to compare/contrast.

Glenn Roeder-The man who brought nufc out of the Souness Gutter last season is now the same man who's head the supporters are, predictably, now calling for. Admittedly, he had quite an on/off transfer season, by signing Damien Duff fairly early, then Martins, and closing with a few sub-par transfers and HUGE losses on transfer deadline day, when NUFC is known to typically do much damage. However, a year after Souey spent the second-most in the prem, I can understand why Fat Freddy would not be too willing to give much more money out flimsily. So, supporters forget about what a great aquisition Duff was, not to mention getting and keeping James Milner, who is an extrordinary young talent. Unfortunately, we didn't get the defender we desparately needed, but we did bolster up our already-wonderful midfield, and we got one great striker to cover the absence of Owen. The only other problem with the transfer season was that the striker that we got, Martins, is NOT the best partnering option for Owen, he's a carbon copy of him. Ameobi is still our #1 enforcer, which may be a problem. As much as I like him, Roeder should have continued to shop for a big, strong striker to fill Alan Shearer's boots.
So, in terms of the transfer season, I think Roeder did a decent job - and this season we are DEFINITELY better as a club than we were last season. The problem is - so is everyone else. But everyone else is MUCH better, and we're moderately better. So, from here on out, I fully support Roeder to turn this NEW group of misfits into another "firing on all cylindars" team. He'll do it by keeping the games simple, by pushing the little details and qualities in the game that only school coaches push. That's what I like about him. But even if Roeder makes this group of players successful, that will only get NUFC to a #6 finish at best.

Shay Given - Quite possibly the best goalkeeper in the Premiership. There's not much more you can say, besides that the best goalkeeper is only so productive without a strong defensive line in front of him.

Steve Harper-Another great keeping option. I believe he would have been pretty good swap fodder in this transfer season, but it's great to have two great keeping options. And thank heavens we've still got him, since Given's had the equivalent to a automobile accident happen to his stomach.

Steven Carr - In my opinion, the man is overrated. That being said, he's definitely the backbone and strongest point in our defense. He's got great experience and he's a fighter and a great tackler. But he does get caught out of position, his height is a liability, and he hasn't got the endurance he once did.

Craig Moore-Not the best, not the brightest, but a solid, tough, no nonsense defender. He'll screw up every once in a while, but not as often as Bramble, and he'll always sacrifice himself for the club.

Titus Bramble-Big strong and dumb. He's a physical specimen who shows brilliance once ever five games. But the other four games in between, he's potentially a game breaker. The fingers now automatically move towards ol' Titus.

Peter Ramage-I love this guy. He's got guts, he's got smarts, he's got a great looping cross, and he's young and super ugly. Just as a Newcastle player should be. I hope he stays with us for years and years. He's able to play the whole back line, which makes him very useful to our awful defense.

Celestine Babayaro-Great skills. Not responsible enough to play defense. He would make a great winger, but he isn't trained in that position, so he's basically worthless.

Olivier Bernard-for the moment, old and slow. History with the club. I hope he regains his old reputation.

Nolberto Solano-One of the greatest crossers in the game. A bit old now, and he gets caught out of position occasionally. But when he's on, he's spectacular.

Belozoglu Emre-When he's good, he's a force. When he's bad, he hurts the team badly. But the good games vastly outnumber the bad, and he's got brilliant ball skills and a wicked free kick. I question his dedication at times. If Roeder can rope him into shape, Emre is absolutely the key to our team. The missing link in our midfield between defense and attack.

Kieron Dyer-Obvious problems staying healthy, but it's funny because he's out so much, people forget how damn good he is. Fast legs, fast feet, fast shot. Unfortunately I think his time has just barely passed. I blame Bowyer.

James Milner-Great future player. Garreth Barry brought the best out of him at Villa, and I wish he could get more time at NUFC, but our midfield is too damn great. He's a great striking option, and could easily play at the top of a diamond mid.

Scott Parker-My man. He's the one any team would want to go to battle with. As tough as anybody in the prem and smarter and quieter than most footballers I've seen. He knows how to run a team, and he does it with dignity and force. He makes a great holder, but this season he's been pushing up to more of an attack role, and he's showing everyone, including McClaren, how useful he is to any team.

Antoine Sibierski-A horse. Another hard worker who lacks skills. This is becoming repetetive...

Steven Taylor-He scares me. Seems a bit too much like Bramble, but much smarter. I use "much" sparringly though...But he's young, he's super tough, and if he gets the minutes, he'll progress much nicer than Bramble did.

Matthew Pattison-Crazy kid, crazy hair.

Albert Luque-I liked him at the beginning, a lot. Ever goal he scores looks like one for the ages. Too bad they come about twice a year, in games which don't mean a damn thing. I've had enough of waiting. He'll be on the plain come January.

Obafemi Martins-This guy will be great for NUFC. No goals yet after three games, but he's got a passion that will take him a long way. The Newcastle fans love a guy who will go to battle, and I think he will. I just wonder when he'll convert all these brilliant chances that he's creating into a steady flow of goals...

Michael Owen-Obviously. Hasn't played much, but 7 goals in 11 games? That's fierce. He's also passed his prime, but once he gets back he'll be stellar again. Unfortunately, I think Martins will as well, and they just dont work well together...They're both small and fast. I think we'll be selling either Owen of Martins next transfer season. Yet to be determined which would be a better keeper.

Giuseppe Rossi-Young and talented and partially American! I'm excited to cheer for him.

Shola Ameobi-I love Shola. If he can shake his hip problems, he's the perfect strike partner for Martins. I love his height, I love that he's a Geordie, I just wish he'd be more tenatious. I love how when he runs it looks like he's an octopus in slow motion. He's got a wicked shot, sub par dribbling skills, but his ball control is brilliant out of the air. It's almost like he's still growing into those massive limbs of his. I hope he stays with us for his entire career.