http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/04/20/3049594/champions-league-football-for-newcastle-would-surpass-sir

I have no idea what Alan Pardew is smoking when he said this but i find it hard to believe he would say that. Im not sure how many here would know of Sir Bobby Robson's Champions League qualifying squad. But having been through that period as a Newcastle fan, apart from Shearer and Solano being a class above the rest, the rest of the squad are really similar. Lets take a direct comparison.

Goalkeepers

2001/2002 2011/2012

Shay Given Tim Krul

Hard to separate the two. Given todays form Tim Krul is obviously better then Shay Given but back then Given was the only reason we are 4th.

Defenders

2001/2002 2011/2012

Nikos Dabizas Fabricio Colocini

Andy O'Brien Steven Taylor

Aaron Hughes Danny Simpson

Robbie Elliott Davide Santon

Aaron Hughes isnt a natural fullback but hes used as RB for the whole season. I really cant see how SBR's defenders any better then AP. Infact back then, our defensive failures are so well known compared to what we have now.

Midfielders

2001/2002 2011/2012

Gary Speed Chiek Tiote

Rob Lee Yohan Cabaye

Nolberto Solano Jonas Gutierrez

Laurent Robert Hatem Ben Arfa

SBR's midfielders look solid until you realise at that time Speed was 33 and Lee was 36. I would have to say Solano outclasses Gutierrez. His crossings are dead accurate and he was our free kick taker at that time as well. Actually Solano is very similar to Gutierrez with the workrate and all. Except with better end product. Hmm Robert and Ben Arfa.. if HBA continues to work hard off the ball as he is now sorta, there is no doubt HBA is better then Robert. Robert have got to be the most frustating and exciting player to watch at that time. Hes frustratingly inconsistent and leave our left flank vulnerable but like HBA capable of moments of magic.

Strikers

2001/2002 2011/2012

Alan Shearer Papis Cisse

Craig Bellamy Demba Ba

No doubt both our strikers still have years to go to emulate Shearer. I do feel Cisse have the potential to be even better then Shearer with the way things are going. This is going to be hard to compare and i have run out of time.

Discuss what you guys think. Love to see what other Newcastle fans think.

Edit: Ah crap i will have to sort this alignment issue later