International Break Comes In Time For Toon

Top of the table by a respectable, though admittedly not as great as it could have been, 3 points. Newcastle United in terms of the table are doing very well, and to even tell of half of the off-pitch antics in the circumstances, would put their position in an even better perspective.

Lately though, with a goalless draw to Bristol City and 1-1 draw with QPR, that dominant, killer instinct Newcastle have displayed in games such as a 4-0 drubbing at Ipswich has faded slightly. Now, hit by injury to 4 key players, Newcastle will look to the International break as a time out in order to regroup, recover and reassess their promotion campaign.

With Shola Ameobi scheduled to return around early December, Marlon Harewood will look to catch up to the striker's early season impressive goal tally and prove a point to Chris Hughton. Marlon has already got himself a goal since arriving on a 3 month loan and from his movement and physical ability, looks a player who can do very well again in the Championship, after leaving a respectable record in the league with previous clubs.

Jose Enrique is expected to shrug off a minor injury and be available for the Nottingham Forrest match after the international break. However, I can't help but feel that this is a sign of things to possibly come, and despite Enrique technically not missing any games, this highlights that had the International break not came at such a time, we would have been without a recognised left back for another game. This is surely something Hughton, Ashley, or any prospective buyer must look at putting funds towards; cover on the left. My personal reccomendation would be a player like Armand Traore from Arsenal; an experienced Premier League player, who is an attacking left back, so if needs be can fill in up the pitch in that left wing spot that Jonas Gutierrez can unfortunately too often flatter to deceive.

Joey Barton has, not by his own fault, just gave Newcastle fans another negative thing to discuss against him, with an estimated 4 month time out for a foot injury. The news however shouldn't be looked upon too badly, as at centre midfield Newcastle are most adequately covered, with Butt, Nolan, Guthrie, and a reformed Alan Smith all natural players for the position. Barton's performances since dropping down a league have seemed to drop a league themself, and maybe this time out can be used for him to get his mentality and sharpness back. Whatever works for him, we hope he'll prove himself to be a player we're glad we've stuck through after jail, more offences, numerous injuries and below par turn outs.

So come the Forrest game, we hope NUFC players have used the 2 weeks wisely, and we see a convincing victory with some goals to make up for a lack of clinical finishing lately.