Manchester City Away

Going to Manchester to play the real Manchester club does not fill one with much excitement these days as there is always the worry about how many goals will spring up. At the very least we don't want to be embarrassed.

The game kicked off as one large grey rain cloud covered the whole of the UK. The team picked included Gutierrez and Ameobi with Carroll and Routledge thus dropping to the bench. Newcastle started well and were knocking the ball about with confidence. Then in came a horrendous tackle from De Jong. He came in with a lot of power and cut straight through Ben Arfa who immediately went down. As De Jong went in to make his so-called tackle, I heard the sound of a piece of wood cracking. It was Arfa's leg. A double break for Ben Arfa who waved to the Geordies on his way off the pitch. Tibia and fibula broken and a lengthy time out from the first team while he recovers and rehabilitates. The Referee did not red card De Jong; he did not even get a card. This could be a blessing as the rules state a player can not be punished if the referee has already punished the player concerned. That means Newcastle can take this further or indeed the Football Association can if they see it as appropriate.

The National coach of the Netherlands certainly feels the need to punish the player, and it's certainly not the first time he has done it. The World Cup saw him involved in hefty challenges against the USA and in the final against Spain.

The challenge on Ben Arfa was one that had probably been discussed, the old cliche take him out early or let him know you are there. As Ben Arfa was probably deemed their biggest threat, it was only five minutes into the match before De Jong got his chance to show Ben Arfa what he was in for. Disgusting challenge and one that deserves a hefty fine (taking into account the size of prem wages at the moment) and a lengthy ban from playing. This kind of thing does not belong in the game. A hard challenge is one thing but this is worthy of assault charges.

So with one of our better players forcibly removed, we got on with the game without even a free kick. The game unravels into match with Newcastle having lots of possession but on 18 minutes Tevez is on his own with only Mike Williamson near. The ball comes across from right to left then the tackle comes in from Williamson from the far side of Tevez. Williamson puts a leg out for the ball and clearly the path of the ball changes from right to left to left to right. Now if Tevez had got the ball it would have moved towards the goal or carried on it's original path. The tackle did get the ball and the contact that was made came from outside the box so how this referee came to the decision I don't know. He did not even consult the linesman who was in a great position to see the challenge. So the so-called big club (because they have money) get the decision they want and we have to take it on the chin. Krull was unlucky with the resultant penalty as the little Tevez put the ball away. The lead did not last long though and within six minutes Gutierrez was on the score sheet for the first time in the Premiership.

A long run and pass came back to him off De Jong in the 18 yard area where he controlled and volleyed past Joe Hart. 1-1 and Newcastle were making Man City look average. The referee must have had a sky blue top on underneath as almost every decision went their way and with another injury to us things were getting worse. Coloccini was taken off for groin strain before the break and on came Sol Cambell for what marked a playing career that has seen him play in every season of the Premiership - something only Ryan Giggs can also claim. Sol came on and helped out the defence who again looked prone to opposition attacks, defending high up the pitch. We were lucky not to get caught playing the offside trap. Campbell came on and controlled the defence and dropped them a little deeper but as we did this we invited the pressure on to us. The game was still all about Newcastle who still had much possession and were attacking as well as knocking the ball about. Cheik Tiote was looking brilliant again (man of the match in my opinion), Gutierrez looked to have a long awaited good game and Ameobi did actually do himself proud with a decent performance. Routledge looked off the mark again but Nolan and Barton were both solid in the middle of the park.

Man City threw what they could into the pot and on came Adebayor who proved fruitless so Newcastle United fan Johnson pulled on his shirt, came on, and immediately tested our defence. It was not long before he had the ball in the back of the net, 2-1. We needed at least a point from this game and so far deserved the three so Andy Carroll got his chance off the bench. No clear chances came his way and with only a few minutes to go, Man City fearing a goal brought on Patrick Viera to tie up any loose ends and to waste the little time left on the clock. The game had one last chance for Mike Williamson from a corner kick only for him to head over the bar.

After the dust had settled the Dutch coach came out and said this about De Jong:


"I've seen it (the tackle) on TV. It was a wild and unnecessary challenge. I don't think he did it on purpose, but he goes in way too hard in this challenge.

"That's a pity, because he doesn't need tackles like this. The strange thing is that the referee doesn't give a card. Apparently there are other standards over there.

"I have a problem with the way Nigel unnecessarily searches for the limit....I just told the players- I told them that I saw no other option. In the future I will agree with Nigel to talk. Now I want the staff and the players to concentrate on the next two important qualifiers."
Van Marwjik




And from St James' Park today came this from Colin Calderwood, “At first the tackle looked really strong – he went into the challenge very, very quickly. We tried to get a quick look at the replay, but there was no replay coming up on the camera in the tunnel.

“But I wouldn't want to take that type of challenge out of our football. The consequences of the challenge are horrible but there was a certain amount of misfortune in that Hatem’s legs were attached to the ground a little bit and the force with which de Jong hit him definitely moved the leg.”

Highlights

pictures soursed from http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/18092010/8/photo/newcastle-united-hatem-ben-arfa-celebrates-scoring-first-goal.html and http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/ben-arfa-suffers-horror-break-as-city-prevail-20101004-162z5.html

Stoke H

The game started poorly. Newcastle failed to pick up the pace in the game and were lucky to get the penalty decision as the Stoke defender did not need to make the challenge. Nolan put the ball away just before half time only for us to concede a goal soon after the long throw tactics were brought in by Tony Pulis with about 30 minutes to go. As the game went on it looked more likely they would grab another as we struggled to come up with anything resembling football. Eventually they did grab their second goal and the three points were taken away from Tyneside thanks to an OG from Perch who threw himself at the ball from a corner only for him to head past a stranded Krull. Another three points go to a smaller club for the second time this season while playing at St James' Park. This home form has got to be addressed with a home fixture against Wigan coming after the international break.

You're only a poor little cockney...

Photo by Yeo Seow Sean

Their faces were all tattered and torn. Well they were after the thrashing we gave them. The game started with Chelsea pressure as I took my seat among the Chelsea fans in the east stand and far too many eastern Europeans? Yes, the Chelski boys.

On six mins Newcastle old boy Van Aanholt made it one nil with a crisp finish and all the Polish, Russians and Slovakians went nuts around me. I was sat high up on the half way line just behind the NUFC dugout. To my left was the Toon Army. The singing coming from the away end was enticing and made me think of ways to go join them but the game soon turned from one of fear of becoming a rout to a brilliant game of football and I was singing all the songs under my breath as I found it hard to sit quiet amongst the Chelski boys and girls.

20 minutes in and Newcastle settled and began to compete. With Lovenkrands not up to it all evening and Gutierrez playing some wayward balls early on and almost getting R Taylor sent off by playing a hospital ball, it was hard to see us getting back in. On 27 mins though we created our first promising attack, only for our young forward stuck out on the wing to find himself with an opportunity. He took it impressively to put us level with a half volley. At that point I celebrated quietly not wanting to draw any attention early doors. The Russian next to me gave me a long, dirty scowl and I looked back with a big cheesy grin and a wink. five mins later Ameobi was away when he was brought down and it gave us an opportunity nobody saw coming. Ryan Taylor stepped up and guess what? Haha, yes 1-2 to the NUFC. The Toon Army went mad and my own celebration was that bit bigger than the last as I found it hard to contain my excitement. A punch in the air followed by a "GET IN" and a few glances came my way but I was loving it. The Russian was not happy sat next to a delusional Geordie. Who is this idiot thinking Newcastle can come down here and beat us at home, I am sure he was thinking to himself. The half time whistle went.



"He was going nowhere so I think he decided to shoot from about 25 yards. He seemed to tap it and it curled around the defender and the goalie to make it 1-3 to the Geordies"



Second half I thought, It's going to be long and difficult. The first was-non stop action end-to-end stuff and a brilliant game but Chelsea did look very dangerous on the attack. Both teams were basically playing their bench and a few kids so it was even stevens on that front; something that some Chelski boys would use as their excuse later only to find out we had made 10 changes to their nine from previous games.

"If Shola scores we're on the piss" rang out at some point in the first half and Geordies do like to keep a promise so guess who stepped up next. You got it - Ameobi got himself into some space on the right attacking the away end and received the ball with one defender in front of him. He was going nowhere so I think he decided to shoot from about 25 yards. He seemed to tap it and it curled around the defender and the goalie to make it 1-3 to the Geordies. Now as the away end erupted my celebration grew too. I stood up punched the air and shouted, "COME ON". This time more people turned to look who was celebrating but nobody said a word.

The game was still young and now Chelski had to come up with something but what happened next was a sub. Kalou came on and within 10 mins he was injured going down in our box for a good three to four mins. Not long after that Benayoun went down in the same place as Kalou, again for a few minutes. Chelski were now down to 10 men and with about 20 minutes to go we somehow forgot to play. Chelsea saw an opportunity and used it. They got a goal back to make it 2-3 via Anelka and looking at the clock I remember thinking this is going to be a long night. The fickle Chelski girls and boys then booed our young left back Shane Ferguson for going down. Now 2 players in blue had gone down earlier for a number of minutes but as soon as a Mag goes down they forget their own time wasters. Wankers.

The game still ebbed and flowed like the Thames River just behind us and we held out till the 87th minute.

The weak Referee was in tatters too, bowing to the pressure of the so-called big boys and awarding one of the softest pens you will ever see. Alex actually fell down - nobody touched him but no Chelski fan wanted to talk about that incident after the game.

They were back in, 3-3 and extra time now looked likely. If it did they had the momentum but there was a feeling about Newcastle, one I had before the match.

It had to be Ameobi to get the Toon Army going. He rose the highest for the corner kick late in the 90th minute and put the ball into the back of the net. Well, you can imagine the sight of the Geordies. This time I stood up, raised both hands and jumped up and down. The lads celebrated as a whole team in front of the Toon Army and the Chelski fans now started to make their weary way home to the sound of an ironic song from the Geordies: "THAT'S WHY WE'RE CHAMPIONS THAT'S WHY WE'RE CHAMPION THAT'S..." It was not over yet as the 4th official put 6 minutes up on the board. The boys held firm and took the win. We went to the pub to decipher Ameobi's first goal and have a few in celebration. After all, "If Shola scores, we're on the piss...".
TOON TOON...

Highlights

Sing Your Hearts Out For The Lads

With the Mackems just around the corner United are under pressure to perform. So far Newcastle's season has been up and down with some big highs and some big lows and it's difficult to say how it will turn out with the results we have been having.

Losing to Manchester United away from home was acceptable as was the draw away to Wolves.
However to win our first home game of the season 6-0 against one of the Premiership's better teams was very unlikely but we did it. The away victories at Everton and then at Chelsea in the League Cup were astonishing(we were one down after 6 minutes after all) but the defeats to Blackpool and Stoke at home caused much unrest with the home crowd. The League Cup has taken us to the extremes of the football league in the form of Accrington Stanley and Chelsea and produced 12 goals. A very welcome addition to the season if only we could bring some much needed silverware, even if it's "just" the League cup.

Is the premiership season going to carry on like this? It would certainly be a change for the regular away fans to see us winning but are we going to change it around and start getting results at home? We certainly need to or we know what Hansen et al will say.

Far be it for me to offer advice to Chris Houghton but the team looks like it needs a bit of pace upfront. With Lovenkrands not featuring much this season we have been left with 3 players who are all roughly the same kind of player albeit of differing abilities.

The one good thing that has come through this season is the young talent on show and in the wings of the first team - they certainly have made a big splash in the League cup so far. Has Mike Ashley got something right? It's not something I would like to admit or shout from the Gallowgate end but the youth set-up certainly looks very healthy and the two promising buys in the off season in the form of Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote have certainly boosted the squad as well as the confidence of the fans with some promising performances. They will need to stand up and be counted in the game against the Mackems as will every player on the pitch. Experience will no doubt be a key factor in the derby so don't rule out Nolan, Smith and Barton starting as they all know how to handle themselves and seem to thrive on a tackle. Just what the Toon Army love to see but a winner from a local lad would be hard to beat and Andy Carroll could do some damage to the black cats' back four. He will be looking at the wingers to provide ammunition; failing that we can always rely upon Aycliff and his old NME boys to get the job done.


"The League Cup has taken us to the extremes of the football league in the form of Accrington Stanley and Chelsea and produced 12 goals"

With arguably 12 players under the age of 25 looking at the first team for a place and 6 more under 20 waiting in the wings - it's not a bad position to be in, especially with the balance of experience we have in players like Smith, Nolan, Barton, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Coloccini, Gutierrez, Enrique and Harper. Obviously we will have our injuries but fingers crossed nothing compared to the two years pre-Championship.

Our young lads will get a chance just like Krull, who now finds himself starting, and they need to grasp that chance by both hands as competition for places looks hot. To be in the starting 11 at St James' Park on 31st October should be a massive motivation. We look good enough to beat the auld enemy by playing football but we can also get stuck in. With our Geordie Number Nine leading the lads to battle we can rest assured they will take the battle to the enemy. They do care who wins, they will play for you and me. That does not mean we can't help though. You know what you need to do - get up and sing your hearts out for the lads. Turn St James' into a deafening arena and put the enemy to bed. Again.

Delusional,Carried Away or just plain Excited?

Newcastle have once again stuck the boot up the media bandwagon's arse for a second time after a very bright start to the new Premiership season.
All the talk last season was about how far would we fall and how quickly. Relegation to the 3rd tier of English football occurred; the whispers of Leeds United were heard around St James' Park during the off season and became a worry for many of us.

That was the product of the media as is the fantasy they created about Newcastle United fans and how delusional we are although they are the ones who tell us we are the greatest supporters and gave us the title "The Entertainers".

They forget where they applied these terms to us, a time we won't forget, a time we were never called delusional for uttering the words Newcastle United and premiership title in the same breath.



"We are a bunch of realistic fans with some optimism and pessimism thrown in"


However the media persist in dragging us down like any plastic Geordie (Mackem) would, but unlike the last 6 years we now have a bunch of lads that resemble a team. This group have strength, determination and what looks like an unbreakable team spirit.
I saw at Chelsea the subs warming up before the game - Nolan, Barton, Carroll and new boy Ben Arfa. They were keeping the ball in the air with 2 touches. The one who made 2 or 3 mistakes first got a round of ear flicking off the rest of the lads. Ben Arfa lost and to their joy they all gave him a flick to his ear. That showed that team spirit was high and they were friends not just colleagues.

Chris Houghton is looking more of a hero every week as he has gathered a bunch of down hearted, miserable bunch of footballers, injected belief into them and turned the club around from no hopers to winners. He got rid of the lead weights and kept those who were worthy of a place in the dressing room.

The first game back in the Prem could not get much harder and the 3-0 score did not do the game justice. A good performance and more importantly an attacking performance was how we set out from the start. Next came 6 goals at home to Villa, an important away point at Wolves and then defeat to Blackpool before we gave Everton a good game at Goodison and came away with the points just before travelling to Stamford Bridge and giving the champions a hiding.
Oh but Everton lost that game and Chelsea played their second team, they say. Actually we made 10 changes and they made 9 from their previous game. Who, I ask is delusional?

Bollox to them who say we can't dream. Who are they to decide our future? Surely WE are in the the best position to judge what's likely to happen.

The squad is looking good these days with a healthy balance of experience, youth and a depth to the team that has taken us to the lofty heights of the Premiership (6th the time of writing).

Every football fan dreams of success and why not. We are a bunch of realistic fans with some optimism and pessimism thrown in. No better or no worse than other football fans around the world.

The momentum we have gathered at the start of this season will go a long way to help us take the auld enemy apart at the end of October. But as confidence grows so too does the so-called delusion. Or so the media say.

Toffee's leave a sweet taste in the mouth

Visiting the old Goodison Park is usually a good day out apart from when you get unlucky and have to stand directly behind a large metal post in the away section. Newcastle's last visit ended all square as Everton got lucky and ended the game 1-1. This time was different although the Newcastle that travelled to Liverpool was not the same team that went down and as we have seen already this season, they work hard for each other and seem to be enjoying it.

It was a patchy game that took time to get going but when it did it was a good old fashioned English game of football. Everton had some chances but we would not sit back and take it - away from home or not. We went at them time and time again, more assured on each attack until from a distance of around 25yards Ben Arfa made a side step from a standing position and unleashed a shot no goalkeeper would have got near. A goal that this kid was looking for to get his name up there. This was a magnificent goal and his performance was a good one, always going forward looking to commit defenders to the tackle or trying to get beyond them. Ben Arfa so far looks to be a good signing and echoes of Robert come to mind.
Everton did have chances to bring the game back level and they should have as with some shaky defending at times, Newcastle looked very venerable at the back and an in-form Everton would surely have opened us up and punished us.

However the game was not dead then and we were simply not giving up and holding out for the draw. That would be incredibly dangerous as our defence was not the sharpest. Our best weapon was to carry on attacking. Attack we did and how we loved it and what a refreshing change to see Newcastle going to places like Goodison Park and press them for 90 minutes for the victory. That display deserved the 3 points and give the team a massive boost of confidence which put the disappointment of Blackpool behind us. The media will now talk about how Everton lost this game rather than give us credit as was the case last week when Blackpool thumped us.
The team seems to have got back into the pace of the Premiership much quicker than most expected and looks as if we never left. This result does show we are capable. We know what the media would say but they always have had a thing against us.

If we can go to teams like Everton and get a result we can definitely go to teams like Wigan, Stoke and Bolton and get points so why should we not be excited about this season? Why should we bring ourselves back down to earth by listening to the media's "its going to be difficult" quotes? Why can't we finish in the top 10 if teams like Blackburn Rovers can do it? I don't see any reason at all even though we have been in the Championship for 1 year. It did us good. We got rid of the hangers-on and the high wages and kept a hold of some good hardworking lads who want to play for us. They are Premiership players after all and with young talent emerging everything is looking rather healthy on Tyneside. The bench at the weekend was full of top quality Premiership-experienced players who could play for half of the Prem and with players still to come back from injury too, this makes things seem much brighter. If we can't dream about the Toon then what do we dream about? We know we won't get into Europe and finishing in the top 7. We know we can at best finish behind these places but why can't we finish the top half? Because the media say so? Are we are afraid of being called delusional by a bunch of Mackems with a chip on there shoulder?

Bollocks. Get behind the Toon. Believe and dream. It's why we love the game.

Ben Arfa Goal

Oh they dont like to be beside the seaside...

Apart from going down by 6 to Arsenal, Blackpool have troubled the media and critics of the small seaside town club. They hit 4 past Wigan on the opening day of the Premiership and have come to St James' Park with confidence and the ability to play good football. Ian Holloway deserves the credit for this and he has hardly expanded the team since the Championship promotion came about from a Brett Ormerod goal that started the goal fest at Wembley against a reserved Cardiff City.

So for Blackpool to come to St James', a ground they were fully battered on last season in the Championship, sounds like they have balls of steel and firmly believe in what they are trying to achieve.

The game was not one to remember on our behalf as we had chance after chance but the Blackpool goalkeeper kept us out time and time again. The inevitable happened though just before the break when Blackpool grabbed an unlikely lead to go in at half time 0-1 up. The second half was a mirror of the first with the Toon piling it thick but unable to score against the superb Blackpool goalkeeper. Finally the net was breached again and again seconds before the final whistle to give Blackpool the 0-2 win they did not really deserve but all credit to them as they kept on going - an attribute which seems to have been produced by the Championship as all 3 promoted teams have shown fight this season.

picture sourced from http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Blackpool-v-Cardiff-play-off-final-preview-Blackpool-defender-Ian-Evatt-says-the-objective-all-season-has-been-5m-bonus-on-offer-for-reaching-the-Premier-League-article432423.html

Nothingnuex

Newcastle failed in another attempt to take all the points for us at an unlucky ground on Saturday - the Molinuex Stadium. A bright start gave everyone a buzz that another win against Brummie opposition would be forthcoming. However as half-time approached at 0-0 still, the Wolves grabbed a goal to put them 1-0 up for the break.

The second half saw us fight back and grab a goal for a well deserved point but many would argue we should have left with all three points. A comeback is a good sign especially away from home and another goal from our new number 9 can't do Carroll any harm although the Wolves players tried their best. They kicked and scrapped all day but big Andy stood up to them whilst carrying an injury from before this game. It was not just Carroll who saw the rough end of the many Wolves boots though. Our not so polished stone of Joey Barton was clattered all day long and did well not to retaliate as he has done in previous years. He took them like a man and when he did put the boot in, he got booked by a referee who quite frankly had no idea; 11 bookings on the day said it all. There was an exchange of words between Barton and ex-mackem McCarthy about the harsh treatment Barton was subject to. But the once a Mackem always a Mackem, and he just laughed in embarrassment as Joey questioned his tactics, obviously trying to get the midfielder wound up for the ref to send him off therefore making their game a little easier. In my book that's a cheat but what would you expect from a Mackem?

All in all a good day out and 1 important point for the long season ahead.

Highlights

Arfa Keane

Unconfirmed reports link Robbie Keane to tynside and comments from Chris Houghton have only fuelled speculation about the Irishman.

Chris Houghton commented
"His name has been mentioned and that is what we would expect at this stage. We are close to the end of the transfer window.”

"He is, though, a player who I know very well. There is an association there and a connection."

Also 3 other names have been floating around as a player was spotted at the Darsley Park training ground. Ryad Boubebouz, Nasim Boukhelifa and Hatem Ben Arfa were all spouted as being spotted. Its is most likely the the second of the three, a french born Algerian who has appeared for Man City XI pre season.

Six of the best and all the rest

So another season back in the top flight has kicked off. A tricky first game away against Premiership title contenders Manchester United ended any thoughts of an upset or possible point or three.Three goals however did flatter the Mancs but sloppy defending and missed chances cost us in a league where mistakes are highlighted. The score has not dulled spirit but seems to have brought the players together and given them one quick reality check; something needed if we are to compete in this league. Compete we have to and we know the consequence if we don't. Last season the team had unity and fought for points. This has got to be one massive positive for the fans. If they stick together then the fans will surely keep behind them, even at St James' Park. Work ethic is good at United at this moment in time. Better than it has been in a long, long time, and that is all down to one man who has his feet firmly buried in the turf, Chris Houghton. Yes, the man who was questioned by many about taking the hot seat. So far so good for the manager but we all know how quickly, and badly, it can all go wrong.

Giving the number 9 shirt to Andy Carroll seams to have worked a treat. A good performance against Man Utd and unlucky not to have scored but what a performance against Aston Villa this weekend. A performance not just from Carroll but the whole team. The city is buzzing from the win and those goals could end up being crucial come mid-May.A 6-0 drubbing of Villa has sent out the message that we are back in the Premiership with ambitions to stay and will attack like the good old days. If we can carry on playing good football and win our home games, safety is ours and Houghton will be a sought after man. The squad at the moment is a little thin so more players are needed if we are to do well and stay up. Accrington Stanley on Wednesday is another proposition altogether now. We are the big boys playing a tricky tie away to Accy Stanley "who are they" where the old boy Eric Whalley would love to see them progress. Should we go there with our first team?

It's for Chris to decide but I think Chris will give a run to a few fringe players for some much needed playing time in a long, long season.

Highlights

Captain who

Who is the question.

There is the Number 1 local lad, the 2 fill-in Captains and a new signing.

By the time you read this the decision may already have been made but would we be in agreement on the choice? In Chris Houghton I believe we have a no nonsense manager who will make the right decision to appoint a no nonsense Captain.

Harper, of course, would be a popular choice to lead the team out as he is a Geordie and has been at the club for a long time. He was the understudy to Shay Given for far too long and could have easily gone to play first team football for another club. His maturity and status in the dressing room stands him in a good position but all this time he has been gaining years whilst young Krull has been learning his trade. Now that the young Dutch stopper seems eager to push Harper out into the wilderness again, would it be right to give the armband to Harper?

Of the characters who took responsibility last season, Butt, Smith and Nolan all possess leadership qualities and are straight forward hard tackling grafters. With Butt gone, this leaves the Yorkshire lad fighting it out with the Scouser for the right to lead Newcastle United out in Old Trafford on 16th August.

Of the two likely lads however, will Smith be a regular for the season? Smith has experience of the Premier League but does tend to get injured. He has the respect of the team, manager and the fans but will that be enough to give him the armband especially when his track record indicates that he may not be playing week in week out?

A good all-rounder with loads of experience of Premiership football, Nolan may well be wearing the armband on Monday night at Old Trafford. He also has age on his side as he has just turned 28 whilst Smithy will turn 30 in October this year. Nolan could be in the first team for much longer and is in his peak.

The Captain should lead the team by example, be encouraging and offer advice where and when it’s needed. Nolan, played well last season and scored a hat full of goals but also managed to put in some absolutely terrible performances. Last season there were times when the fans were screaming for Houghton to get him off the pitch. This is not the performance we want to see from our Captain and at a higher level this season, Nolan may struggle. If Alan Smith can keep himself fit then he will be in a good position to lead the team. However there is another.

He has just walked into the club albeit a little unfit and with some stick from the media already. He also has vast experience, Premier League honours and England caps under his belt. Sol Campbell may just be worth a shot. He has been there and done it. He leads by example and was plying his trade at the Emirates just last season – can’t be too bad, can he? Once back to full fitness Sol could lead Newcastle to safety this season with Alan Smith as his Number 2. People may argue about his age. At 36 he won’t have many games left in him but this first season back in the top flight is of the utmost importance. Also who knows why the Captaincy has not been handed out so far? Was Houghton waiting for Sol who he knows well? Was Sol offered the captaincy as a carrot to bring him to United or are we actually the only team in the Premiership who wanted his experience? One thing is for sure we will find out very soon.

Does it really matter who is Captain of the team? We had 3 last season and we won the Championship easily. As long as we have leaders like Harper, Smith, Nolan, Campbell and Taylor we should always have someone to take the reins. However you never know what’s going to happen at Newcastle United. One thing is for sure, we all love the Toon.

picture sourced from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/5819951/Newcastle-United-players-need-answers-about-future-says-Kevin-Nolan.html

One Step Forwards Two Steps Back

What on earth has Ashley thought up this time?

He won't be spending any money on players for the next 5 years nor will he be answering any questions ever agaian concerning the club. Has he ever answered any questions? He will however scour the North East for talent so maybe anyone willing to pull on a pair of boots is fair game. He will also give the youth academy players the chance to prove themselves in the Premiership even though they did not get the chance in the Championship, all to save him a few quid for a pork pie and a pint in the stands.

The club have just announced losses of around £30m for the last two seasons but we are back in the premiership now with extra TV money but it's going straight into his fat pockets.

The statement about Geordies holding the spiritual torch? What a wanker. Who does he think he is, who does he think we are? The bastard only wants Geordie talent to save any cash for his fat gut not because he thinks Newcastle supporters want a team of Geordies.

He thinks he will be helping himself with this statement. Well, it just brought all the hate and resentment all back to a boil after the heat was lowered for a while even though we were in the CHAMPIONSHIP. The Championship is why we were losing money and who took us there er, er Ashley?

If this is what Ashley thinks we need to break even then he is fatter than I thought. Two players have just left the club and nobody has come in.

If he wants the gate to go up then why release a statement like this? I certainly won't be going back to St James' Park. I could not go last season because of this obese bigot but things have changed, and are worse now than before.

Another crap season to look forward too then. Fingers crossed that fat boy goes on a sailing trip and gets lost at sea.





NUFC statement
released on Sun 09.05.2010

Introduction
The Board of Newcastle United Football Club whilst celebrating winning the Football League Championship 2009-2010 are aware that the next season in the Barclays Premier League presents a challenge to all at the Club. The Board recognises that one of the greater elements of this challenge is to promote stability throughout the organisation. This great club has not won a major trophy since the 1969 victory in the European Fairs Cup. The first challenge is to maintain Premier League status.

Given the situation, and the fact that Newcastle United have continually been misrepresented by the national media over the past decade, the club now feels that it is the correct time to send a clear message to its magnificent supporters who have kept faith with the club over the past forty years and also to send out a clear message to all branches of the media about the club's plans for the next five years both on and off the field of play.

Finances

The Club presented its financial report to Companies House this April for the year 2008/2009. The financial report shows that there was an operating loss of £37.7 million for that year and an estimated loss for 2009/2010 of £32.5 million. Newcastle United also has an overdraft of £20 million that is fully committed. It is clear to the Board that no organisation can be successful, until the financial position is stabilised.

The Board have therefore structured a five year plan in which the ultimate goal will be to ensure that the club is run at a "break even" manner by the year 2015/2016. The club also wishes it to be known; in an effort to stop the untrue rumours and stories that emanate from outside -Newcastle United that:

• The Board have set a five year plan to promote core values of credibility, viability and sustainability both on and off the field of play at Newcastle United.

• The Board will concentrate on Newcastle United's stability by promoting from within where possible.

Football

(a) Manager

Chris Hughton is the Manager of Newcastle United Football Club and has a contract in place until the end of the 2010/2011 season.

All media articles and interviews regarding footballing matters will come through the Newcastle United Media Officer, and be answered by the Manager and/or coaching staff with the Manager's authority. The Manager can give interviews in respect of footballing issues and any other sporting issues that the press may be interested in around Newcastle United Football Club.

No interviews will be given by any members of the Board in respect of any footballing issues.

(b) Players

The first team squad that won the Championship this year will form the basis of the team for next season in the Premier League. There is no plan for new capital outlay on players.

The only individuals who will talk about player issues will be those connected with the football administration of the Club i.e. the Manager/Assistant Manager by way of either direct interview or through prepared statements via Newcastle United Football Club's Media Officer.

There will be no comment from the Board regarding the purchase of players.

There will be no comment from the Board regarding the sale of players.

There will be no comment from the Board regarding ongoing contract talks with players presently at Newcastle United Football Club or with those that the club may enter into negotiation with.

There will be no comment from the Board regarding current pay structures at Newcastle United.

There will be no comment from the Board regarding players at other clubs in respect of their "interest" at playing for Newcastle United.

There will be no comment from the Board to players' agents regarding any of the above whether those agents are acting for their clients in a buying or selling capacity.

Player Agents:

(a) Buying Agents:

The Board will not make any comment to the media regarding any players that they are seeking to purchase. The Board will deal with agents on their fixed terms of business and part of those terms will include clauses relating to privacy.

(b) Selling Agents:

The Board will not comment to the media regarding any players being sold by Newcastle United and the Board will deal with agents on the usual terms of business including explicit terms of privacy.

Promoting regional football

The Board and supporters are aware that Newcastle United currently has a footballing academy brimming with talent, skill and dedication. As part of Newcastle United's quest for a team that truly represents the values of the Geordie nation the club will look to promote, where it can, from within and for the academy to become a leading light as one of the best if not the best in the UK.

The days when players such as Alan Shearer, Steve Bruce, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick had to leave Newcastle to begin their illustrious football careers elsewhere are over. Newcastle United is more than aware of the great passion for the game of football that exists locally and is intent on ensuring that every great Geordie footballer has the opportunity to play for his home team club.

Media

The Board at Newcastle United wish to reiterate the points made above that there will not be at any stage in the future any comments coming from the Board regarding any issues surrounding Newcastle United save for prepared statements that are issued by the Newcastle United Media Officer.

Once again, for the sake of clarity, this does not affect the Manager and coaching staff talking to the press/ media about footballing matters on an everyday basis. The Board are being absolutely transparent in respect of this policy and would ask that the press/media direct any future questions that they may have regarding Newcastle United to our media officer.

The Future

In simple terms this is a transparent policy that will feed through and inform all aspects of the running of Newcastle United Football Club's first team. There will be no comments from any member of Newcastle United's Board in the future regarding any issues surrounding Newcastle United to the press/media at large.

The only persons dealing with such information to the media will be, as has been stated before, the Manager/coaching staff talking about footballing matters and issues or from prepared statements from Newcastle United's Media Officer.

The Board at Newcastle United have issued this statement to the public to set out clearly to one and all the current financial situation and to state clearly that every effort will be made by the Board to achieve a "break even" financial situation by 2015.

Newcastle United Football Club is an organisation that holds a special place in the hearts of Geordie's worldwide and the Board understands that it is they who are the spiritual torch holders of Newcastle United Football Club.

The Board has made this statement so that all those involved with Newcastle United be they supporter, member of the media or an individual with an interest in football can be aware of what the Board will strive to achieve over the next five years.

TOON ARMY take the R's

After securing promotion, the title and an unbeaten season at home in the Championship, Newcastle United travelled to West London to face Neil Warnock's QPR. Chasing 100 goals and 100 points, the Toon Army were down in force at Loftus Rd. Newcastle fans packed the away end though many had to be happy with tickets scattered around the home section. The game started well for us but soon QPR got a hold of the ball and stopped any reasonable attacks from United. The Newcastle fans were having a great time though and they sang with great pride songs of past players and Toon Greats. Renditions of "Walking in a Robson Wonderland" will never die at the Gallowgate and rightly so. Nobby Solano was mentioned along with Obefemi Martins and QPR old boy Gavin Peacock. The game saw plenty of drizzle which made for a slippy pitch that counted for a couple of missed chances in the first half, luckily for the Toon.


Renditions of "Walking in a Robson Wonderland"


A new song for Number 9 hopeful Andy Carroll was tested to the amusement of Carroll himself as he sat warming the bench for the start of this game; "He shoots, he scores, he'll break your fucking jaw, Andy Carroll Andy Carroll".

Second half started badly for QPR's Geordie boy Ramage as he chased Ameobi who was sent through on goal seconds into the second half. Ramage brought down Shola and received his marching orders but was visibly upset about the decision as he walked off the pitch against his old club. As the game progressed Newcastle put more and more pressure on QPR but never looked that dominant as QPR still threatened and they nearly got what they were after. As the home fans celebrated the Ref pulled the ball out the net for a United free kick. So the gods were looking down on us on our last Championship game. We soon made the sending off count as Joey Barton sent sub Lovenkrands down the left in front of the away section, He slammed the ball where it belongs and United took the lead. Threats from the Toon Army to storm the pitch were met by a wall of coppers who put a end to that but the celebrations had just started. The game finished with a 0-1 win and fans ganin wild. One supporter did manage to get on the pitch and make it to the opposite end even though 3 or 4 security chased him. All the Geordiess in the home end then showed themselves as they applauded United but the home fans got in on the act too as they gave us a standing ovation. The Home fans had been quiet in both halves with only a whimper of "cam on you R's" just like their other West London rivals. This seems to be the only song in West London. Although they did sing one more deluded song on the lines of being the greatest football team the world has ever seen?

So the 100 goals was never to be getting stuck on a cricketer's 99 but with the win we finished on 102 one of only 4 teams to have ever gone up with over 100 points to the top flight, the others being Reading, Fulham and the Mackems.

After match video

Toon v Tractor boys

Newcastle's last home game of the season was an emotional affair as we needed to win or draw to complete our unbeaten home run for the season. Up against mackem old boy Roy Keane Newcastle surley would not let him spoil our party. Keane's acknowledgement of us being the best team in the league came as a surprise as did the two Ipswich goals that held us to a draw in the last home match.

We almost had the game wrapped up before Ipswich got away in the last minute and put them level on 2-2 but this goal did look a bit dodgy on the offside front. Keane mentioned after the game NUFC looked like a team who had already won the title and were a little less concerned about this one. However that has been Newcastle's problem this season. Yes we have promotion and yes we have the title but don't forget it is the championship and we do have a premiership squad. We have battled this season when it counted and played some good football but there have been times when all football has deserted us and the product was hard to stomach. Let's not forget that this performance will not be tolerated in the Prem. The top teams will inevitably destroy us if we approach games like away at Leicester and Swansea.

A good season all the same but one which should never have taken place and one best put behind us.

Well done for getting us back up and please, please Assly get out of our club.

Presentation of the Champiomship Trophy

Stand up for the champions

Ups & Downs

Newcastle United confirmed Champions of the championship last night as Plymouth Argyle were going in the opposite direction. Die hard Geordie's and Argyle fans made the Monday night trip to Home Park. Newcastle players and fans were forced to board buses and cars for this 1000mile round trip but its was worth the travelling as the toon clinched the the title but sadly Argyle were relegated in the process. The south coast team sent out a banner at the beginning of the match congratulating us on our promotion even though they knew anything less than a win would see them back down to the 1st division. It was a difficult evening for the home fans as they had to watch the jubilant Geordie's race onto the pitch after the game celebrate the success along with players. the celebrations were well mannered and the result made the long trip home a much more enjoyable occasion.

We go into our last home game against ex- mackem and Big Al's biggest fans Ipswitch Town but the bookies wont be taking bets on Keano hanging around for the post match presentation of the championship trophy. 98 points with 2 games remaining keeps us in the hunt for the 100 points Tally. With no new injuries we should carry on and take down the tractor boys to help us fulfill our unbeaten home season while capturing them final 2 points needed for that 100 point tally.

Good luck boys don't give up now.

After match Celebration

video by LeazesEnd (uploader) @nufosfcok

Away to the Royals

Newcastle travelled to Reading for the long awaited postponed match. Kevin Nolan has been excellent for the toon this season and it was he who put this game beyond the Royals even though we put the ball in our own net late on. We fought for the final 30 mins with reading hoping for a goal that which spark a revival for vital points for there own promotion charge. However Newcastle proved to be the better team as we have proved on so many occasions this season. Only four defeats this season and eleven draws has seen us stay top of the table and dominate many teams week in week out. Reading being no different so Newcastle now need only 1 point to secure the title and that may come away to Plymouth on Monday the 19th while it looks increasingly likely to see Argyle being relegated to the 3rd tier of English football.

Seasiders swept aside

Newcastle United Back in the premiership for next season swept a Blackpool team in good form to one side as a wave of euphoria hits Tyne side. Newcastle looked like a team in a different league against Blackpool and the goals came in through Gutierrez, Carroll, Nolan and Routledge.

The seasiders did reply with a goal from Brett Ormerod but a consolation at that however it must have felt good to score a goal at St James' Park to the newly promoted Geordie's.

Good on ya Brett hope you enjoyed it.

Newcastle kept up the winning run and now look likely to grabbing a home record of zero defeats this season. Other record being chased are 100 point and 100 goals. Good luck lads lets go on and secure the championship title.

Gutierrez Goal

On the edge of success against the Blades

Before the game kicked off Newcastle were officially back in the prem for next season as other results meant Forest or any other team except West Brom could no longer catch us.

We went down a goal from in the 22 minute from Creswell but We battled on kept our heads and ended the evening with our home record still in-tact. Sheffield United came to take the points and did play well as they have done most of the season. They came into this game with a good solid and well organised team especially in defence. We were lucky enough to get a decision on the stroke of half time when lovenkrands went down in the Sheffield box. A penalty was awarded and duly put into the back of the net by Lovenkrands. The goal gave us the impetus to come out in the second half a take the points. The 73rd minute saw Kevin Nolan score a quality strike to win the game and ensure promotion celebrations were not dampened on the night.

Highlights

Peterborough Away

Newcastle went into this game with tails in the air after giving Forest a good old game at St James' Park. The Game however saw more goals and the home side were unlucky to finish on the loosing side. 2-3 the game ended with Barton netting on his return to first team action.

Nolan and Ameobi adding to there totals at London road and its now likely that we will not be playing in the championship next season, a win in our next fixture at home to Sheffield United would seal a spot back in the premiership for next season.

Ameobi song after his goal

Toon take down the Forest

Newcastle came up against Nottingham Forest in what was to be one of there greatest tests this season. Socks pulled and sleeves rolled Newcastle took the game to forest who barely tested our goal for the 90 minutes. Ameobi grabbed the first to set us on our way to victory and in the final minutes Enrique scored his first goal for the toon in front of the home fans. So Newcastle took the hurdle well and wiped any remaining hopes for the reds to finish the season in an automatic promotion place leaving them to scrap out a place in the play-offs for that final promotion place.

Highlights