McLeish Targets Best Move
By Tyne-Talk
June 3 2011
Whilst Leon Best has been telling the local press that he is raring to go for next season and is keen to get into the clubs preseason training trip to America over the summer, Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is plotting his next move to secure the 24 year old's services for next season.
Best said;
“The season ended at a bad time for me – just when I was coming back to fitness. Everybody will get their chance to impress in pre-season.
I can’t wait to go to America in pre-season, it will be good for me and good for the team. Long trips are always a team booster. It will do us all good to get out there and we’ll all enjoy the trip.
I trained towards the end of the season and obviously played in the last game, and things were very good. It was a great way to end the season after some injury problems.
Now I just want to be ready for next season. I just want to be in the right frame of mind, getting fit and challenging for the team again."
Talking about his most recent ankle injury he added;
"There was floating bone in there meaning I had to get injections before games after coming back. But in March the injection didn’t really work so I had to go for the op to get it sorted out.
I have proved to myself, and others, that I can score in this league. It’s really about staying fit and continuing that. I may not have played a lot of games, but when I did play I was in the goals.
Whenever anybody is in doubt I can look back at it and gain confidence from it. We can only add to what we have already achieved, that is certainly the aim. Maybe we can even aim a bit higher. We can only be optimistic at this club.”
Whilst McLeish is looking to revamp his squad in a bid to secure a swift return to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of last season, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be looking at how he improve his existing squad, whilst retaining the services of his current players.
Best has scored 6 goals in 25 appearances for Newcastle and has shown willing and improvement under Pardews management. A move back into the Championship may be seen as a step backwards after what has been a positive season for him in the Premier League ( injuries aside ).
McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2011 14:00
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Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: waffles (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2011 14:30
6/25 doesn't sound good, but 6 in his 9 PL starts after January should be noted. We can't afford to sell Best right now, as we are short on strikers to begin with and we haven't brought any one in to be our primary attacker.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2011 15:26
He had another perfectly good one disallowed, so I think of it as 7 in 25, which isn't a bad haul at all. Plenty of guys you think of as "top class" forwards only score one in three in the top flight. This rumor is an absolute non-starter at this point. There's no way AP/AshleyCo are going to sell a cheap source of goals to a championship side when the only other forwards we have are Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Ranger.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 12:29
That is a pretty bad haul - and he is gash really.
What level of football do you want NUFC to be playing?
I don't mind seeing the back of him...
What level of football do you want NUFC to be playing?
I don't mind seeing the back of him...
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: waffles (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 12:53
Quote:jimmy_jay_uk
That is a pretty bad haul - and he is gash really.
What level of football do you want NUFC to be playing?
I don't mind seeing the back of him...
The first 15 of those appearances this season accounted for about 90 minutes played. He was in form in January until he got hurt. Unless we sign someone, he's the best option we have, and even if we do sign someone, we need squad players.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: i! (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 14:33
He's our second best striker - for now. With Ranger apparently leaving to we really need Best for back up.
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Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 16:16
Alright, Jimmy-but I hope you're not one of the "Craig Bellamy has always been a good forward" brigade, as wee Craig has only scored about 1 in 3 (124 goals in 376 appearances, so just under). Even Carlitos has only recorded a goal ever 2.2 games. We can insist on Messi/Van Nistlrooy/Shearer/Villa-level goal production all we want. It's not forthcoming.
He doesn't make me jump out of my seat when I watch him, and I wouldn't mind cashing in on his successful 9/10-game run. But right now, we have four forwards in the squad, one of whom has never scored in the top flight. This sale would be madness.
He doesn't make me jump out of my seat when I watch him, and I wouldn't mind cashing in on his successful 9/10-game run. But right now, we have four forwards in the squad, one of whom has never scored in the top flight. This sale would be madness.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 16:37
I was never Best's biggest fan and wanted to sell him in January however he proved that in the few games he started that he can score goals, i would never like to think that he'll be leading the attack again and if we bring in 2 new strikers i would rather have Best as backup as rely on Loven and Ameobi
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2011 19:00
He's also several years younger than both Shola and Loven. Just bringing that up, since the age of our players seems to have become a major point of concern.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 11:42
He shouldn't remain at the club.
I have no gripes about the lad, and he done okay, but I want a proper striker or 2 - not Leon Best.
He got a hat trick against a very poor West Ham - with skews the stats as well - he really isn't that good people.
Kevin Nolan looks good in front of goal and has outscored all our strikers. We are weak up front, especialy after Carroll leaving.
Alright tuny -
As for Bellamy...he is well different like - he often gets used (and always has been) played on the wings, instead of up front and instead created plenty goals and put in crosses for Shearer, Riise, Tevez and that...
He was used as that plenty at Newcastle, Liverpool and Man City - and it's why he used to get @#$%& off with Bobby Robson and Souness when here?.
When used as an out-and-out striker playing at Celtic and Blackburn, he got decent hauls.
2004–05 Celtic Premier League App. 15 Goals. 9
2005–06 Blackburn Rovers Premier League App. 32 Goals. 17
He creates (or created) plenty and gives a lot more to a game then Leon Best ever has...and would even now...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:09:11:46:13 by jimmy_jay_uk.
I have no gripes about the lad, and he done okay, but I want a proper striker or 2 - not Leon Best.
He got a hat trick against a very poor West Ham - with skews the stats as well - he really isn't that good people.
Kevin Nolan looks good in front of goal and has outscored all our strikers. We are weak up front, especialy after Carroll leaving.
Alright tuny -
As for Bellamy...he is well different like - he often gets used (and always has been) played on the wings, instead of up front and instead created plenty goals and put in crosses for Shearer, Riise, Tevez and that...
He was used as that plenty at Newcastle, Liverpool and Man City - and it's why he used to get @#$%& off with Bobby Robson and Souness when here?.
When used as an out-and-out striker playing at Celtic and Blackburn, he got decent hauls.
2004–05 Celtic Premier League App. 15 Goals. 9
2005–06 Blackburn Rovers Premier League App. 32 Goals. 17
He creates (or created) plenty and gives a lot more to a game then Leon Best ever has...and would even now...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:09:11:46:13 by jimmy_jay_uk.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 11:56
have you seen him play recently, he's lost his biggest attribute which is his pace
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 12:07
I didn't say I wanted to re-sign Craig Bellamy, I just said he's been a far better player then Best (and mebbes even now).
He got used as a winger at plenty clubs which is why he wouldn't have an out-and-out strikers goal scoring record (or he did when used as that at Blackburn & Celtic)
Berbatov would do me nicely - bring in Gervinho - although i doubt we'll have either coming once Ashley has to be putting his hand in his pocket...
He got used as a winger at plenty clubs which is why he wouldn't have an out-and-out strikers goal scoring record (or he did when used as that at Blackburn & Celtic)
Berbatov would do me nicely - bring in Gervinho - although i doubt we'll have either coming once Ashley has to be putting his hand in his pocket...
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: i! (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 12:07
I really don't think his statistics from five years ago are relevant, but I do think he's better than all of our strikers. He doesn't really fit the bill though.
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Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 12:56
Bellamy's stats from 5 years ago are relevant because we're comparing the 2 players '!' - obviously they are relevant to the comparison.
Bellamy was a different (and better) player.
Leon Best is half decent as an out and out striker, and if anyone is happy with him being our #9 or our best striker shows how low our expectations have fallen...
Bellamy was a different (and better) player.
Leon Best is half decent as an out and out striker, and if anyone is happy with him being our #9 or our best striker shows how low our expectations have fallen...
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: waffles (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 13:06
Quote:jimmy_jay_uk
Bellamy's stats from 5 years ago are relevant because we're comparing the 2 players '!' - obviously they are relevant to the comparison.
Bellamy was a different (and better) player.
Leon Best is half decent as an out and out striker, and if anyone is happy with him being our #9 or our best striker shows how low our expectations have fallen...
I don't think anyone, myself included, is saying we're happy he's our best striker. It's just the fact that he currently is. He scored 6 goals in 11 appearances this season, only 9 of which were starts. Yes, 3 of those were against WHam, but that's still scoring in 4 games out of 9, which is as good as one could expect. Compared to Shola and Lovenkrands, currently our only other options, he had an equal number of league goals in less than half the pitch time.
Is Best a long term first option striker? No, he's not, but currently he is our best option. And as I said before, even when we sign someone, we need a squad player. Look what happened after Best got hurt and Shola/Lovenkrands had to start instead. If we're going to play a 4-5-1 as all signs suggest, we need a new striker; if we're going to play a 4-4-2, we need two new strikers, but regardless of who comes in, we need Best available for when injuries happen.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:09:13:13:16 by waffles.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 13:31
Jimmy, we're not talking about the overall player. Bellamy adds more to a team, sure. But in terms of getting goals-which is a forward's primary job-in his time here, Best has done as good a job as Bellamy over the course of his career. And he costs a fraction of the little Welshman's wages.
By the way, I'm not happy with a lot of things at the Toon right now, but I've learned to accept that I can't change most of them.
By the way, I'm not happy with a lot of things at the Toon right now, but I've learned to accept that I can't change most of them.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 13:42
Bellamy played as a winger here plenty Tuny - that was my point, if he had played as a striker all the time, I think you could compare them but he didn't.
His assists and runs into areas to drive us on give more to a team as well, you're right.
Waffles, as for you (and others on the net bigging up Leon Best - some people saying they can't wait to see him 'lead the line' next season) - I think he's poor.
I could be forced to eat my words - but does no one remember his other games playing for NUFC last season - 13 games was it without scoring??
Admiteddly he's done reasonable against a few @#$%& teams this seaons, but I can't think of much big opposition where he's scored???
Everton probably his best opposition this year (to mind) where he's ascored - I can't recall him playing in many tough matches...Wigan, West Ham, Stoke?
He sounds like he trains hard, and I can't knock him for that - I just don't think he's good enough, and I wouldn't mind if we sell him to Birmingham City.
His assists and runs into areas to drive us on give more to a team as well, you're right.
Waffles, as for you (and others on the net bigging up Leon Best - some people saying they can't wait to see him 'lead the line' next season) - I think he's poor.
I could be forced to eat my words - but does no one remember his other games playing for NUFC last season - 13 games was it without scoring??
Admiteddly he's done reasonable against a few @#$%& teams this seaons, but I can't think of much big opposition where he's scored???
Everton probably his best opposition this year (to mind) where he's ascored - I can't recall him playing in many tough matches...Wigan, West Ham, Stoke?
He sounds like he trains hard, and I can't knock him for that - I just don't think he's good enough, and I wouldn't mind if we sell him to Birmingham City.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2011 16:07
Against Arsenal he scored one, drew a penalty and had another perfectly good one disallowed. I'm not dying to give him the #9 (I don't think anyone here has suggested that except sarcastically) but that performance shows he can perform against good sides.
At this point it's about live bodies as much as anything. I don't think Ranger will contribute many goals next season. That leaves us with Shola, Best and Loven. I wouldn't consider selling any of them until someone else joins.
At this point it's about live bodies as much as anything. I don't think Ranger will contribute many goals next season. That leaves us with Shola, Best and Loven. I wouldn't consider selling any of them until someone else joins.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: jimmy_jay_uk (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2011 10:45
Arsenal fell to bits thanks to a magnificent midfield - and we were at home, fair play to Leon Best for contributing, but that has been his peak of last season; fair play.
I agree we should be moving out numbers without bringing them in - but I am in no desire to hang on to him or Lovenkrands. Shola is an institution as somone on the craic forum was saying
- but we have 3 bench warmers at the minute in my book...
At least Kuqi took his bags
I agree we should be moving out numbers without bringing them in - but I am in no desire to hang on to him or Lovenkrands. Shola is an institution as somone on the craic forum was saying
- but we have 3 bench warmers at the minute in my book...
At least Kuqi took his bags
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: TOONTILLIDIE (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2011 16:16
I am not the biggest fan of Best, but we need to keep him as Birmingham would offer something stupid like 1 million, and if he is worth keeping. To me I would start him over Shola and Lovernkrands any day of the week, as when he got the brief run in the team before the injury he was looking half decent.
Don't get me wrong we need to sign two forwards and then use Best of the bench to try and turn the game if we are struggling
Going to the Bellamy and Best discussion, you can't use stats from five years ago, if you did then Robbie Keane would still be a top forward when we know he is sh@t now, also stats don't tell the full story, as you can have a forward that gets a extra 5 goals a season, but if they are playing in a attacking style and getting plenty of chances then they will score, but the real stat could be scored 1 missed 5 chances, so I don't take the stats to serious. Best record in the Jan bit was excellent as regardless of who we played he still had to put the ball in the net. Bellamy is a better player than Best at the end of last season, saw him a couple of times this season but not enough to make the proper judgement
Don't get me wrong we need to sign two forwards and then use Best of the bench to try and turn the game if we are struggling
Going to the Bellamy and Best discussion, you can't use stats from five years ago, if you did then Robbie Keane would still be a top forward when we know he is sh@t now, also stats don't tell the full story, as you can have a forward that gets a extra 5 goals a season, but if they are playing in a attacking style and getting plenty of chances then they will score, but the real stat could be scored 1 missed 5 chances, so I don't take the stats to serious. Best record in the Jan bit was excellent as regardless of who we played he still had to put the ball in the net. Bellamy is a better player than Best at the end of last season, saw him a couple of times this season but not enough to make the proper judgement
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2011 19:38
FFS, honestly-I am not the one who complained that Best's goal haul last season, specifically, is unimpressive. I brought up Bellamy to point out specifically that Best's rate of scoring last year is similar to Bellamy's over his career. I'm guessing neither of you have ever referred to Bellamy's goalscoring ability as, and I quote: "pretty bad." Please, stop attacking those poor straw men.
That said, I agree with a lot what you two say. It's just madness to sell any forward right now. And if I'm keeping one of the three we've got, it would be Best. He strikes me as quite similar to Shola, but a few years younger (again, a major concern around here these days). Lovenkrands is so streaky (and a year older than Shola) that I just don't find him reliable enough at this level.
That said, I agree with a lot what you two say. It's just madness to sell any forward right now. And if I'm keeping one of the three we've got, it would be Best. He strikes me as quite similar to Shola, but a few years younger (again, a major concern around here these days). Lovenkrands is so streaky (and a year older than Shola) that I just don't find him reliable enough at this level.
Re: McLeish Targets Best Move
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 11/06/2011 10:36
loven struggles with form and shola struggles with injuries, best is the best backup we'll have
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