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Now if all the rumours are true and we do end up signing Routledge I for one will be happy with his return. Unlike Mackie and Smith he gives us an alternative which I believe Hulse and Helguson will benefit from. Between the two players they've contributed just 3 goals from open play and many are calling for their replacement but I believe having a player who can beat his full back and deliver the ball from closer to the byline will be a benefit to both players. In all sports there is a massive importance in getting the angles right. Currently whether it be Taraabt, Smith or (when fit) Mackie the angle of delivery is such that there is more pressure for the striker than when the ball is driven across the 6 yard box. Difficult to explain that one but think about what a striker has to do when the ball is delivered from the top of the box compared with a ball driven in front of them. I believe that with an alternative distribution we will see better results from both Hulse and Helguson.
Now I'm now going to make a statement like that without backing it up and I'm certainly not going to compare Hulse and Helguson to Andy Carroll neither am I going to say that Wayne Routledge was the sole reason for Carroll's improvement at Newcastle last season in the Championship but I will state the facts of what happened when Routledge signed for Newcastle compared with what happened prior to his signing.
Newcastle 2009/10:
Match 1 to Match 25 - Prior to the signing of Wayne Routledge
Goals Scored: 41 (1.64 goals a game)
Andy Carroll: 4 goals
Newcastle 2009/10:
Match 26 to Match 46 - With Routledge at the Club
Goals Scored: 49 (2.33 goals a game)
Andy Carroll: 13 goals
As I said I'm not going to compare the abilities of Hulse and Helguson with Carroll am I not saying that Routledge's arrival is the reason why Carroll starting banging them in or that Routledge has the quality to compete in the Premiership but Routledge was credited with 7 assists in those 21 matches and would have contributed in all round play which would have led to Carroll scoring so frequently. Newcastle scored more frequently, Routledge scored 3 himself (3 in 21 compared with 5 in 59 when with us and Cardiff) and Caroll scored 13 in 21 compared with just 4 in the previous 25.
Coincidence or does Routledge just have that extra bit of quality at this level which could make a massive difference to the likes of Hulse, Helguson and the team as a whole?
Now I'm now going to make a statement like that without backing it up and I'm certainly not going to compare Hulse and Helguson to Andy Carroll neither am I going to say that Wayne Routledge was the sole reason for Carroll's improvement at Newcastle last season in the Championship but I will state the facts of what happened when Routledge signed for Newcastle compared with what happened prior to his signing.
Newcastle 2009/10:
Match 1 to Match 25 - Prior to the signing of Wayne Routledge
Goals Scored: 41 (1.64 goals a game)
Andy Carroll: 4 goals
Newcastle 2009/10:
Match 26 to Match 46 - With Routledge at the Club
Goals Scored: 49 (2.33 goals a game)
Andy Carroll: 13 goals
As I said I'm not going to compare the abilities of Hulse and Helguson with Carroll am I not saying that Routledge's arrival is the reason why Carroll starting banging them in or that Routledge has the quality to compete in the Premiership but Routledge was credited with 7 assists in those 21 matches and would have contributed in all round play which would have led to Carroll scoring so frequently. Newcastle scored more frequently, Routledge scored 3 himself (3 in 21 compared with 5 in 59 when with us and Cardiff) and Caroll scored 13 in 21 compared with just 4 in the previous 25.
Coincidence or does Routledge just have that extra bit of quality at this level which could make a massive difference to the likes of Hulse, Helguson and the team as a whole?
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