The Keegan Factor
Okay, we’ve all heard the news, we’ve seen the smiles all over the Geordie faces - the question now is just what effect will Keegan have - can he really get Nicky Butt to five goals by May?
Keegan was flown in by helicopter to attend tonight’s FA Cup replay and the impact was immediate. The crowd have been lifted and the players have already responded. Owen scored after eight minutes and the new Newcastle were on their way. The suggestion is that goals will be guaranteed at both ends, making the Newcastle defence even more abhorrent for us fantasy managers, whilst making us all develop a sudden infatuation for Mark Viduka.
Owen and Viduka could well be set to thrive in the months to come. Keegan will love the big man/little man combination. They have the pedigree, all they need is the service. That’s a given, with Keegan likely to introduce a simple brand of football based on a straightforward 4-4-2 with a holding midfielder, allowing two wide men to bomb forward, delivering ammunition to the strikers. Milner, Nzogbia and Duff should do nicely for starters.
The Keegan effect could well be instant - tonight’ 4-1 with ten men certainly suggests as much. While there’s a temptation to “wait and see”, with emotions amongst crowd and players on overdrive, it could well be that Newcastle’s best spell under Keegan will come early on. Bolton at home at the weekend appears to be the perfect opportunity to cut loose. Arsenal away to follow, an ideal test of the Keegan effect. It’s a gamble, but there may well be instant value amongst the players mentioned for those fantasy managers looking to bridge the gap in their mini-leagues.
There may also be new faces to consider. The “Geordie messiah” will get money and he’ll spend it. I’m betting on one or two “experienced” signings in the next fortnight that could yet provide some very interesting fantasy options. “Very interesting” just about sums up today’s news for fantasy managers. Unless of course you’re a Newcastle fan - they have every right to be a little more excited.
Luke
Joe
X-Ray Dog
Marknlard
Paicey
simon
Jonny
As ever, I’ll be steering clear of Newcastle defenders, midfielders and forwards, Keegan factor or no. Just like in the real world, they’re overpriced for what little they achieve - Martins (at 8.4m!) is their highest scorer with a poxy 71 in FPL.
Having thus dissed the Geordies, I nevertheless wish them well in their quest for 7th or 8th place and hope Kev can keep his teddy in the pram for a good while.
[Reply]
Keegan is a strange choice. It looks like the fans make the decisions up in the toon and the chap with all the money(don’t know his name)likes to sing and cry with the fans in the stands, thus, keeping in their good books. Shearer will be on skytv or uk gold very soon shaking keegans hands while being announced as his number 2. Like the puffinboy says, well overpriced apart from my captain choice for this week N’Zogbia.
Did he really arrived in helecopter?? or is mark pulling my already long leg and introducing humour to this site.
[Reply]
What’s this N’Zogbia obsession, yer dad? He’s surely not captain material…
Now it’s had time to settle in the Keegan appointment seems to make more sense, but I’ll be very surprised if he achieves anything on a long term basis.
[Reply]
Old gregg: Trying to thro my rival of the ronaldo scent as I am convinced he has found this site as he has reduced my lead to a measley 60 points. He will believe anything, so hoping underhand tactics will work. Is that allowed?? I am expecting him to sign Asprilla as well as I have told him he is on his way back too.
Then again, N’Zogbia is the only one who has been putting in half decent performances for the toon lately and he has an helicopter, so I expect him to be played every week.
[Reply]
Just remembered Owen has an helicopter too
[Reply]
I think Owen’s is a private air ambulance helicopter..
That’s quite funny- someone who’s leading me by about 60 points told me to sign Asprilla the other day. Doesn’t look like he’s been loaded up yet though- ho hum..
[Reply]
Old Gregg,Would of got away with it if it wasn’t for those pesky meddling kids.
Ha ha, yeah how long will owen last this time before he is found by skippy down a mine shaft and is airlifted by keegan and N’zogbia to safety.
[Reply]