Donny Put Up a Fight

Doncaster Rovers put a show on at the KeepMoat Stadium on Tuesday night but could not keep the Geordie's out. The match saw early chances kept out by the toon keeper, while it was another goal from Andy Carroll that won the game and surely another claim for the much publicised vacant number 9 shirt at St James'. Good work from winger Routledge fed the ball down the right for Carrolls goal which won all three points although Donny did keep battling throughout the match and did get the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside.

United now sit 2 points ahead of WBA and 10 points above Forest just before the latter visit St James' on Monday evening, we also have a game in hand over both these teams which will be away at reading on the 13th of April.

Highlights of the game

Bristol Away

Bristol City took an early lead in this away fixture and deservedly doubled the lead on the stroke of Half time, a poor first half from United but lots of possession gave the away contingent nothing to shout about.

However the second half saw Newcastle take the game to Bristol and snatch a couple of goals within 4 minutes of each other for us to seal another vital promotion point leaving us almost certain of at least a place in the play-offs. A Big mistake from the full-back and goal keeper gave us a massive boost as Gutierrez took advantage of the blunder to put in his second of the season.

That goal gave us the impetus to really go for it as up until then it looked like another goal draught away from home. Up and coming local lad Andy Carroll stepped up again and secured the point. We could have and should have then gone on to win the game but it wasn't to be and the point was not to be sniffed at. Bristol saw there highest attendance of the season while the Geordie's again sold out the away section.

Photo sourced from:- http://www.teamtalk.com/

Newcastle v Scunny

Newcastle Took revenge on Scunthorpe for the 2-1 defeat early on in the season by putting 3 past them at st James' park this evening. Back to 4 points clear and a game in hand over West Brom and Forest Newcastle now have a possible of 30 points from 10 game to compete for but its looking increasingly likely we will gain automatic promotion before then as we go 12 points ahead of 3rd place forest with a game in hand. With Forest coming to St James' park this month Newcastle will be looking to maximise points before then.
Goals for Andy Carroll and Lovenkrands gave Newcastle the points on the night which brings there totals up to 13 and 11 respectively, now Carroll shares top goal scorer with Kevin Nolan and Lovenkrands sits 2 behind.

Smoggies Cant See a Way Out

Boro led Newcastle only for Geordie boy Carrol to snatch a vital late goal to extend our unbeaten record and give us another push towards promotion. A hectic derby that could have seen either team pick up the point Newcastle did however fell lucky to get the late equaliser in the last minute. While Carroll got the one that secured the point Lovenkrands was again on the score sheet and seems to be mounting pressure on to Kevin Nolan for top goalscorer this season.

After the game there was some trouble outside the ground where local police took out there batons and used them on some Newcastle fans. what happened is not known but many complaints have been lodged.

So 2-2 the final score and Newcastle still hold a lead at the top all be it a slender one but with a game in hand still.

Highlights

Tykes Hit for Six

Toon take out the Tykes and to boost our goal difference. Newcastle United received an early penalty that effectively knocked the stuffing out of Barnsley. Six goals followed to send Us 8 points clear at the top of the championship. More doubles this time from Lovenkrands and Guthrie while Nolan and believe it or not yes Spiderman got in on the act too with a fine strike from outside the box, it was one worth waiting for but it would be nice to see more like that from the Argie.

Newcastle v Barnsley Highlights

No Sting in the Hornets Tail

Newcastle went looking for a rare away victory on Saturday as we kicked off at the unusual time of 3pm. The weather did not help the game as we saw sunshine and rainfall on an already greasy pitch, however that did not stop the goals from coming as newcastle won a free kick on the left from what can only be described as a blatant dive from Gutierrez and what should have been a yellow card for the argie gave us the advantage as Guthrie took the free kick only for the ball to be popped around the box on the heads of the Newcastle players but finally the other argie in the mix put the ball in the back of the net. Watford never stopped plugging away but early in the second half Van Aanholt got down the left in his last loan match and won the vital corner that Guthrie sung in for Carroll to steer a quality header in to the near post.

Newcastle did have some defending to do in the second half and word were exchanged between mags Smith and ex Hornet Williamson. Watford did get one back but it did look offside as the shot came in but the deflection off coliccini put the ball into the path of Hoskins to make it an edgy finish but United held out to win and stay top of the championship as Forest lost to Leicester and West brom overcame Derby. So we go 6 points clear of second place West brom and forest lie 8 points behind us in 3rd.

The win gives us the confidence back as we have stumbled on away days the last few weeks. Barnsley up next at St James' on Saturday.


Highlights Watford 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd

Toon steal points

A 3-0 win against preston in front of the home fans took United closer to Premiership football for next season. The win has given the Toon Army and many others plenty to talk about as everyone now believes we will return to the top flight next season. The talk however is all about our manager and the current squad and if they are good enough for a new season amongst the elite in English football. Certainly sitting at the top of the Championship is the right way to start but looking at it it's where we should be; we have players earning £80.000 per week for gods sake. If we were fighting for a play off position I don't think the Toon Army would be so happy and forgetful to fat ash. A couple of decent signings from Houghton has boosted the team to make sure of promotion but if/when we do go up, is he the right man to lead us?
If we look at his history he has done well for us but there have been times this season when we have played negatively or not even shown up - but surely this happens to the best of teams or players alike. Houghton came in as caretaker manager and had games against Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea. Although we did not win anything we certainly took the games to them, something we had not seen too much in the last few years at St James'.

"£80.000 per week"

So when houghton came in again he did well under very difficult circumstances, got on with the job with who he had and produced results. This you cannot take away from the man. There were many who thought we would crumble in the Championship but Houghton has not only steadied the ship but raised the sails and set sail for new horizons. He must be given a crack at the Premiership as he has earned the right but is he the man to lead Newcastle United back to the promised land or are we happy to fight it out for Premiership survival?
Would Ashley back him with cash if they both stay in charge and if no cash is available could we make a decent bid for top flight status?

"Newcastle United back to the promised land"

It certainly looks like Houghton will be given the chance and so he should but I believe in the end he will be shown the door and someone else will come in just as Glen Roeder was given the boot after sealing a 7th spot finish and leading us into Europe. Its hard going in the hot seat at Newcastle and now it's not that clear what the Toon Army make of Mr Cashley. Some are happy for him to stay particularly at a time when other clubs are fighting to stay afloat but others cannot forget what he has done and will be eternally affected by his antics.
I believe a new owner is a must and soon after a new manager with the experience to manage a top club to success. Good luck Chris. We are all behind you and want success for you and the team and may the goals keep coming. Howay the Lads. ..Comments