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The long ball game isn't coming to St James's Park

By Lee Ryder on Oct 17, 08 02:39 PM

Anybody who was worried that Newcastle United are the new Wimbledon can relax after Joe Kinnear has rejected talk that he is a long ball merchant.

As far as reputations go in the history of the Premier League, the Dons carried their "long ball" tag with them to most grounds around the country.

But mention the words long or ball to Kinnear and you will be left in no uncertain terms just how he feels the way the game should be played.

The Dublin-born and Watford-raised interim boss wasn't a bad player in his day and his education in the game stems from the late great Bill Nicholson - who quit the game because of negative tactics from teams four decades ago.

He'd probably be turning in his grave if he looked at how Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle played under Big Sam and wonder what ProZone is all about.

However, life has been painful enough without mentioning the ProZone era at St James's Park, so I will quickly move on.

In a nutshell, Kinnear aims to play attractive football and claims that "push and run" or "give and go" are high on his agenda in Toon.

The ex-Dons boss claims that back in the day at Selhurst Park, Wimbledon were forced to mix their style of play in order to upset some of the better teams in the top flight and get results.

And after helping Wimbledon both survive in his long stint in charge and reach the top six of the Premier League, perhaps you have to give JK some credit.

But looking at the current situation, would you really care how Newcastle won matches, especially in the next two games at home to Man City and then away to Sunderland?

2 Comments

M. Sebastian T. said:

Even though Lee is convinced that it will no become Womblecastle on the Tyne, one does have to wonder whether BJ knows any other style. One man's direct is another man's dalliance, so let's see how Toon are playing after about six games with BJ in charge.

If it is long balls on Monday then Dunne will just gobble them up and another L will go in the ledger. Best thing is to play football with the feet, and if you get beaten then say fair enough.

Johnny Vintis said:

Saying BJ twice followed by "gobble them up" really spoilt that last post for me....

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Lee Ryder

Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.

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