What will the next season bring for many of Newcastle’s success stories?

What ever Newcastle United football club go on to achieve next season will critically revolve around the performances of players whom one could count as a success story for the season 2011 -12.

Yes, when any player is brought into the club on the recommendation of Graham Carr (Club’s chief Scout – for all who don’t know), we know that in all likelihood that they would be good.

Last year the recruitment turned out to be an outstanding success with players like Yohan Cabaye, Davide Santon, Demba Ba and after January once he returned from African cup of nations Papiss Demba Cisse hit the ground running instantly. One can also include Sylvain Marveaux who despite making only handful of appearances left a good impression on the faithful and would be one to watch out for next season.

Now we all have heard of the term second season syndrome and know what it means. So what effect would it have on the players employed by Newcastle who could be under attack from this deadly virus, which too be fair has had too many casualties.

The argument is that Premier League teams are really professional in the way they go about things, they would analyze any player from limb to limb to get one over the opposition and that is where they can pick up weaknesses or areas where they can exploit. Even without detailing they would have some knowledge of what you do and how you do it. To put it in layman terms they would know your footballing chores.

The counter argument for the rationale is that as a player who performed well in his first season will be better equipped to deal with the task at hand. He will be used to the surroundings, the league, fellow professionals the pitches, the weather and other variables.

In addition, he would have the foresight to know that he needs to reinvent himself in order to keep delivering his best at the top level. That is the least that one would expect from a highly paid professional. Also, there are plenty of examples of players who have gone from strength to strength, some of theNewcastle players that one can include in that list are Fabricio Coloccini, Jonas Gutierrez, Cheick Tiote and dare I say James perch.

My thinking on the topic is that if you are good enough, then you are immune from the virus and should not suffer from the syndrome. Of course in the football industry hard work is the panacea for every thing. As they say 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration and that inspiration should come from nowhere else but within. The cream always does rise to the top and the players have shown more than enough capabilities to suggest that they will get stronger and even better than what they are now.

Lets hope that indeed is the case and with the help of these players we can end the long trophy drought. The cobwebs have become just too long.

Please Comment