By Tyne-Talk
October 10 2009

Newcastle United's Jose Enrique has insisted that despite the good start to the season and being top of the Championship table, the team can still do more. He praised the summer loan signings for settling in so quickly and was keen to put across how committed the players are to fighting for promotion.

The Spaniard told The Chronicle;

"We're top by three points which is fantastic even though we've only drawn our last two games.

Every team wants to win their home games, and I guess also every team in the League can say we should have more points than we have - we should have had a penalty, if only we didn't concede in the last minute and all that sort of stuff. But we really can't complain.

As a team we're doing OK, I think. Our defensive record is pretty good, but of course there are always things to improve on.

The three loan signings have fitted in very well and it's important, especially in defence, that we have cover for the various positions, especially with myself and Colo (Fabricio Colocinni) both missing the last game - yet we still kept a clean sheet."

Like his team mate Steven Taylor, who has previously talked of the importance of returning to the Premier League at the end of this season, Enrique reiterated the point. He added;

"Myself and the rest of the lads know how important it is to get back into the Premier League.

We're committed as a group and want to put last season's troubles behind us and give the supporters plenty to cheer as the season moves on.

All of the lads welcome the (International) break as it gives us a chance to rest and get prepared for the next game at Nottingham Forest.

The games in the Championship come thick and fast, but for me I like playing all the time, so it's no problem.

It also helps the injured lads get back to fitness as I know a couple of the players were carrying very minor knocks."

Enrique Staying Positive For Promotion

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 10/10/2009 15:39

TyneTalk
10/10/2009 15:39

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TOONTILLIDIE
11/10/2009 17:17

If we bounce back at the first attempt, then I am glad that we came down, as this season has been a wake up call and a few of them have found there form again and could hopefully take that back into the premiership

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tunyc
12/10/2009 01:13

Still have some players (read: wages) we need to shed, especially if we're going to go back up and have a better go of it. And we need to continue to dominate in this league. Still a bitter struggle ahead.

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Biffins Bridge
12/10/2009 10:25

Big struggle mate, just gettting out of this league is going to be hard enough. As for the players too many of them have found their level and I cant see them doing it again in the premiership.

Keepers we are ok with.

If we signed Simpson and kept Taylor/Enrique they are about it for the defence.

Midfield is the biggest worry with Jonas, Barton (if his mind is right) and Smith being maybes. Smith is a big worry as I still fear he will be off the pace in the premiership. Nolan cant play as a typical centre midfield and we have seen that he is better playing further forward but that would be a luxury we couldnt afford in the premiership without playing just one up front.
The rest are either to old or not good enough.

Strikers, Carrol is a right handfull and Ranger looks very promising. Both are really young but should be obviously kept. The rest, that means Shola, are not premiership players.

Sure everyone knows the above but its a worry as good solid investment is needed IF we go up. Some players really need to be brought in/ lined up in January if possible.

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TOONTILLIDIE
12/10/2009 10:42

If we got back to the premiership then a goalkeeper is a must, Harper is a good back up but won't be good enough week in week out in the premiership, Krul wll come of age and back in the top flight then loaning him out would be a good idea or make him the second choice.

Simpson is out of contract in the summer so hopefully we can get him for nothing, good signing, Taylor and Enrique have still got it. So we would need a quick central defender.

Midield we will struggle, never been a fan of Jonas, right wing and a creative midfielder who can take people on, Smith may be worth the gamble, and I never thougt I would have said that. I would keep R Taylor and Guthrie as squad players, fairly young and can play in a couple of positions. Unless we were going to play a 5 man midfield then Nolan would be to much of a luxury player without performing enough.

Defo keep Carroll and Ranger, both could do it in the premiership, but Shola would have to go, the fizzy pop league is his level. So a couple of forwards would have to be brought in.

Never mind any squad players to increase numbers. If we were to get back up some cash will need to be spent to stand a good chance to stay up. I suppose lots go on the takeover, will it happen during the summer if we went up as Ashley would see it as more cash for him, if so no money will get spent.

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tunyc
12/10/2009 18:33

I think Smith's wages mean he has to go. I don't claim to know for sure, but I doubt he's on less than 40K/week. You can get someone to do what he does for much cheaper, important as he's been to the squad.

Midfield is indeed our biggest problem. The only ones of that group I'd be confident taking to the PL are Nolan (if he stays fit and in form) and maybe Guthrie.

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