The beginning of the 2011/2012 campaign, not just in England but across the Continent - has thrown up pleasant shocks left, right and centre. With Newcastle United strutting their stuff 1 point off 2nd place in the Premier League, Levante - until recently jaw-droppingly heading the La Liga over in Spain and at the time of writing Udinese making the early strides at the top of Serie A it has clearly been a season opener full of shocks, surprise and an air of refreshing change to the European game.
But what is it this year? Are sides stepping up, closing the gap on the big guns? Or are the giants loosing the grip on their crown - that earthly right that seems to shine around the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real, the Milan's and Juventus? The line is a thin one, we have of course, only just entered November, with a dozen or so matches into the campaign. The hope of football supporters as a whole is that such changes continue. I will be analysing here just where this Newcastle side's area of strength is and testing the longevity of their course. The thrill of seeing the large and wealthy fall will continue to enthrall -Substantial enough to last? It's hard to say...
Casting your minds back to that stalemate at St James' Park on the opening day of the season, apart from the image of the since departed Joey Barton squaring up to new Arsenal man Gervinho - the day really set the tone of The Toon Army for this year. Solid in defence, Arsenal barely threatened all day, strong in the middle of the park - getting in the faces of their opponents. Although admittedly not taking chances that day, the blueprint was there. It was clear that day they wouldn't be in worrying about looking over their shoulders to the bottom 3 again anytime soon, though to predict 3rd place come November - That would've taken a very powerful crystal ball...
Alan Pardew knows his football, he's been around the block in the sporting terms, for Charlton Athletic and West Ham United, where he even reached a F.A Cup final 5 years ago. Pardew really has steadied the ship since his appointment at the back end of last year. It has been far from a stroll for the Wimbledon born boss, replacing fans favourite Chris Hughton was never going to be easy for anyone, straight away it became clear he'd embraced upon a chariot of fire. Yet Pardew has stuck it out, reaped the rewards of transfer fees, spending wisely and conservatively, the results are paying off, one glance at the League Table proves it.
A bleak 2011 full of losses of 'Star' players as Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton all leaving the North-East to pursue other avenues. Newcastle weren't exactly being tipped to achieve much, on paper what appeared a distinctively group of mediocre French summer signings have shone for the Magpies. Defensive midfielder Yohan Cabaye - a mere penniless £4.3m coup from Lille - is already establishing himself as a cult hero up on Tyneside, his feather-like touch, eye for a long shot and crunch in the tackle brings the fans to ponder: "Joey who?". The real secret is of course up-top, with 8 goals in 10 games hitman Demba Ba in the goal sniff, Newcastle fans are in dreamland. After an impressive spell with West Ham at the beginning of 2011, United snapped at the opportunity, and are seeping the rewards, two hat-tricks already are the stats, power, pace and finesse are the reality of what could see Newcastle United again churn out another fine #9-esque centre forward.
No one can suggest that Newcastle have nothing but a 'solid' spine to their side, goalkeeper Tim Krul is an undoubted star, several memorable saves and excellent clean sheets so far this year have more than bulked up his case to be one of the League's hottest young goalkeepers. The two centre-halves are sturdy through and through, Steven Taylor has been at the senior level of the club for almost a decade now and knows the concept of defending for the side inside out, whilst his partner and new club captain Fabricio Coloccini is another real reason the Geordie fans have to celebrate. The Argentinean defender was once regarded as one of the best of his position in the game, it's taken him a while since his surprise move from Deportivo in 2008, but he is now proving that opinion is not so absurd as appeared 3 years ago, the dizzying heights he reached whilst playing top-level European football seem not so far away now, and after surpassing 100 games recently for The Magpies it appears he is there for the long-haul and very much has a big Newcastle future.
The aforementioned Cabaye sits alongside another Toon cult-figure in Cheick Tiote in the central midfield position, the Ivorian will forever have a place in the heart of Newcastle history after that dramatic last kick of the game stunner against Arsenal in the 4-4 at St James' last year. It is really his sheer workload and persistence that have made him emerge as a firm fans favourite. With rumours of Manchester United and Chelsea sniffing around put to bed by a new six-and-a-half-year deal being signed in February, it truly shows his potential and what a coup the club made there yet again.
After receiving praise earlier for his superb goal-scoring exploits thus far in the black and white stripes, it mustn't be forgotten the sort of service he is now coming to expect from out wide down the flanks of this new-look Newcastle set-up. Hatem Ben Arfa, the once golden boy of French football, emerged as a signing last year, after a beautiful goal on his debut he was subjected to a horrific year long injury lay off but has been slowly making his way back this term, with substitute appearances here and there, Ben Arfa is doubtless still a class player, with that touch and technique something that a starlet doesn't loose, Pardew understands this and given the stars youth, is willing to let the process be a long (yet successful!) one.
Since 2008 Newcastle fans have become accustomed to seeing a black mob of a ponytail galavanting down the left side of St James' Park, this is that of Argentinean Jonas Gutierrez, who like Coloccini above him, arrived with International pedigree, already capped by his national side and a successful few years in Mallorca were under his cap, nontheless it took him too his time to truly settle to England, after shining in The Championship he has proved himself a Premier League player and at that one of great quality, can beat a man - he may be unorthodox, but boy do they love him up there!
With the full-back section filled with the English solidarity of Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor barely putting a foot wrong all term, whilst adding to the goal and assist tally themselves, Newcastle's squad seems complete, they can mix and match, they have a boss who is willing to do so and is clearly buying and thinking towards the future - happy, happy days.
Putting aside the individual brilliance what has most impressed me about this seasons Newcastle side is their new found 'grit and determination' to grind out those little 3 pointers that take them a long way. After Demba Ba's marvelous hat-trick away at The Britannia in late October, they were bought back to earth with what appeared to be a difficult task hosting tricky Everton at home the following Saturday. This 2nd game in 5 games clearly didn't have any adverse effect on their winning mentally though as despite flying into an early 2 goal lead, Jack Rodwell pegged them back just before the break and the remainder of the 2nd period was a real test of Newcastle's mettle, could they hold on to the three points in a sort of 'Manchester United way' of winning without playing to their greatest potential? Or would it be 'Crash bang!' run over and back to usual? Stick it out they did, many a Premier League side would've jilted under such pressure from a seasoned unpredictable side like The Toffees but the new found belief soaring through the veins of this squad is evident to all. The top 6, scratch that, the top 4 need to be very careful because this side look like they have all aspects in what is required to be successful in the Barclays Premier League. A thriving manager, solid foundation of English stalwarts to build their squad around and finally that bit of individual brilliance that'll set alight a cold, miserable winter night 0-0'er.
Mike Ashley may be seen upon as a mug by many, his decisions certainly have appeared questionable in the past but his Newcasle loyalty is unquestionably there, he loves the club, after the money he has invested he is finally really reaping the rewards. Credit to him and his board members for offering Pardew the job...
...and here is to an excellent rest of the season. Which is no more than the Owner, Manager, supporters or players (on current effort) deserve. There will not one single side in this division who will be looking upon their fixture with Newcastle United as a genuine three pointer, the mindset will be 'that we'll have to perform well to draw'. That old St James' Park fear factor is back - And The Toon Army just love it!
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