Any time he has come on the pitch he has upped the tempo. His strength, height, ability in the air and his quick feet have caused problems for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and many other teams this season. He is 19 years of age, 6 feet 2 inches in height and has the potential to a Premier League class striker if not more. Nile Ranger’s attitude however is something that has caused problems in the past and continues to do so on a smaller level in 2011. Alan Pardew has given more than a couple interviews on Ranger and none of them have been too complimentary. The overriding factor seems to be a lazy attitude that is attributed to the former Southampton player; something that needs a lot of work in the eyes of the Newcastle United manager.

I have read these interviews and at this stage; I’m a little worried. It seems as if after signing a lengthy deal at Newcastle United not so long ago, Ranger has taken an easy time on the training ground and in his general preparation for matches.

According to Pardew, Ranger arrives just at the start of training and doesn’t show a determination to be out on the pitch warming up prior to the actual training. Either he has a serious love for sleep (like me) or he is just plain lazy; either way he is not overwhelming our gaffer!

The thing that worries me is the fact that he has unbelievable potential as a striker. I don’t say things about young players very often but he really has a huge future in front of him if he can cop onto himself and act to the same level as his wages.

He is living an easy life, constantly enjoying the finest things available, seemingly getting a new tattoo every week: something that NUFC are paying for. If he had the attitude of a young Chicharito Hernandez then he would be a stunning player.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we hope he can mature and be grateful for the job he has because we as Newcastle United fans want him to play his finest football at St.James’ Park week in week out. However, will that happen? Will he get on the wrong side of Pardew once more and  be flogged to another Premier League team or indeed an upcoming Championship side?

I hope not but as I’ve said already, Pardew’s interviews are not too encouraging by any stretch of the imagination.

This is what he had to say days earlier:

“We see him day-in and day-out, and I said from day one he needs to sort himself out as a professional footballer.

“He’s always on the cusp of being late – we’ve stopped him from being late but he’s always on the cusp.

“We’ve only improved him five per cent on that factor.

“If we had improved him to 50% and he was here early and preparing himself – and the other players see him preparing himself – and when he trains he’s here on time to warm up and he’s doing the right things, then the other players will start to buy into him.‘

That’s an interesting comment highlighted in bold; do some players not get on with Ranger or perhaps disapprove of his mentality?

It certainly doesn’t show when he comes onto the field for the last twenty minutes of most games, although its an interesting quote from Alan Pardew.

He continued with:

“At the moment the other players are looking at him and thinking ‘You’re a young boy, you need to learn’. And he does. And that is reflected in his game.

“He’s had big opportunities for us, but to be fair they are opportunities he’s created for himself. And that is the point – he has got talent. We’ve got to just try and eke it out of him … it’s not going to be overnight, but it’s coming. He’s getting better.”

“I’m confident that Nile going to be a player.

“Whether he’s a Newcastle regular, it’s all down to him. We’re putting it all in front of him – the only excuse he has got is himself.”

We’re glad Pardew realises this and we certainly hope that Nile can buck up his ideas or the unfortunate reality is; he won’t be a Newcastle United player for much longer and this isn’t an opportunity that too many people would pass up on..

Comments welcome as always 🙂

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