By Peter Donnelly
May 12 2003

In this column I'll be expressing my views on Newcastle's team so far this season. Are we good enough for top 4 again? Is the team selection right? Find out here... After we all expect a better start to the new season having finished 4th the last season, we are now right up there again and having a brilliant time. To finish 4th last year was hard enough but to do it again the following year is always a tough test and thanks to an excellent season so far we've made that a very possible achievement.

We've already enjoyed a derby win over the mackems which was very sweet and also endured one hell of a ride in the UEFA Champions League.

Now, Jonathan Woodgate has been added to the squad and this is an excellent signing for the club as he is a fantastic player with a great future. At the same time it was a much needed signing because overall our defence failed a little too much. We didn't have a leader/organiser before 'Woody' came to the club but hopefully he'll be able to provide just that and fill in the holes at the back. Dabizas can be brillaint then suddenly very erratic and O'Brien has developed into a good centre back but he's not up to Woodgate's standard yet. Meanwhile, I think Steve Caldwell deserves more credit than he gets as he's rarely let us down when played and is not scared to put a foot in - I think he's another good, steady centre back.

As for Titus Bramble, I think the Toon fans should accept his odd mistake because the boy is still yoing, but mainly because he'll learn from mistakes and get better. Getting on his back would do nothing apart from wrecking his confidence. He's of a tall height, he has a beast-like build and has an eye for a pass, and has a lot of potential; providing he played with the right partner he'll develop.

When SBR bought Hugo Viana I think he saw the talent but didn't, and does not know how to fit him in. It is a squad game these says so Sir Bobby will play these type of things by ear.

The Toon Army must realise that this is still a re-building process though. We were in a mess in 1999 and thankfully we got out of it. We have stepped up a lot of gears since then into a very good team but we are not a "great" team yet - Sir Bobby is still building up for that and the current young players may well mould into that scenario, so I hope the fans have patience.

I'm glad to see Andy Griffin back in the fold who I have always backed, even when the lad went through a torred time last season. Hughes is doing a good but I do not like to see him at left back, especially when we have a massive talent in Olivier Bernard. Him and Robert could forge a mighty partnership down the left.

Viana looks to be fine player, but this has created a dilemma in midfield for Sir Bob and it is worth debating who plays there. It seems that Sir Bobby likes to have Gary Speed in the middle at all times, just to link things up and give the team a defensive, steady nucleas from midfield. And to be honest, I wouldn't diagree with Robson on that one. Speed does an excellent job for us and you always need a strong, steady player next an attacking player in the middle, I think.

Now, most people's choice on who plays next to Gary would be Kieron Dyer, but there's also Jermaine Jenas and Hugo. Viana looks to have more technicle ability than most of our players in midfield and definately more imagination in terms of passing.

Then there's young JJ, a very good up and down player and someone who has came on leaps and bounds. He makes good runs, has a good pass and an eye for a goal. If he develops he could become an excellent all-rounder.

Dyer makes very good runs too and is extremely quick so Robson usually gives him the nod, but I do think Dyer needs to work on his all-round game such as passing, shooting etc. Also, a lot of the times he makes good runs but then fails to even attempt to take on the defender - I'd like to see him go all the way more. He is till a big threat to the oppo though with his speed and quick feet.

Nobby Solano would alwyas be my first choice right winger, and generally has been. He's a class act, simple as. OK he's had dodgy season for his standards but every player has them. Laurent Robert has a lot of ability and is very talented. But his consistancy and passion has to be questioned. Don't get me wrong I would stick with the Frenchman, but if not only his on/off form continues but also his application during the game doesn't improve then I think he should be dropped. It could be a wake up call for him.

Anyway, at least we have options and it wouldn't be a bad thing to rotate more often and keep everyone fresh.

Upfront we are very well off at the moment with Bellamy and Shearer (still the best in England) and then LuaLua, Shola, etc as back up. Shola I must praise for rapidly developing this season. But getting any foward who's better than the above would never be a bad thing. If Laurent Robert is 'having one' I would not be against moving him upfront, he did play there for PSG sometimes.

Fourth place again this season would definately make me a very happy fan, but the way we are going third place is very realistic target and would be a massive achievement. The fact that we are looking like booking our Champions League place for a second year running is fantastic. We would have another European adventure to look foward too, the money would roll in again and the club would be stabalized as well-known one around the footballing world. Lets just hope we can stay up there.

Peter Donnelly.

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