Read 50 times since Tuesday, January 17, 2012
There is no doubt that Newcastle United football club have performed well above expectations so far this season and are now pushing for a place in Europe next year. While Alan Pardew continues to build upon a very firm base, bringing in some relatively unknown but highly skilful football players, many are now asking the question can Newcastle United really go for European football next season?
Temperament
In the past there is no doubt that the temperament of Newcastle United football club has been called into doubt not least in the Kevin Keegan era which saw the club on the verge of winning what is now the Premiership only to fall at the final hurdle. One of the more positive factors today is the immense team spirit shown by the players and the fact that everybody is waiting for them to fail and there is very limited pressure on them at the moment. So far the temperament of the players has been excellent.
Skill factor
While many people overlook the fact that Newcastle United have a number of very skilful and very energetic new footballers, there is no doubt that when compared to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and others who have literally tens of millions of pounds spent they are not quite in the same skill league. However, what they lack in skill they more than make up for in endeavour and heart.
Transfer window
Historic Newcastle have tended to pick up relatively cheap footballers in the January transfer window and the summer transfer window. Over the years we have seen some high-profile exits from Newcastle and the 35 million pound sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool is a perfect example. However, when you take into account the players who have left for "big money" and the players who have come in for relatively small amounts of money, they are certainly ahead in terms of value for money.
Ambition
Despite the fact that Newcastle have been in or around the top seven or eight teams in the Premier League this season nobody has yet mentioned them as being possible contenders for a place in Europe. There is no doubt that the club have ambitions to push ahead into this particular closed shop put the less pressure placed upon the club better so Alan Pardew continues to move on without any major fuss. It will be interesting to see whether the owners of Newcastle United are able and willing to put more money into the club if they get a scent of success.
Keeping your best players
There is no doubt that over the next few months Newcastle United will receive various bids for some of their star players and indeed they may well have difficulty holding onto some well-known names. However, players will come and go, players will step up to the mark and the club will no doubt raise money to reinvest into the transfer market. The sale of Andy Carroll for 35 million pounds was something the club, and indeed very few clubs, could not turn down and it will be interesting to see how much of this is reinvested over the next few months.
Conclusion
The report for Newcastle United at this stage of the season is certainly very positive and many people believe they are fighting above their weight. However, despite their relative barren spell just a few weeks ago the club are back on the winning trail and are starting to climb again. It will be interesting to see how the players and the club itself cope with the pressure associated with success and indeed whether they can continue to push ahead and place any earlier fears of relegation into the back of their minds and look towards Europe. Mark Benson is the author of a number of articles on the Football Duvet Cover website covering various subjects such as Newcastle United.
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