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

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

Back to winning ways

Newcastle went back to the top of the championship last night after an emphatic victory over Coventry City at St James' Park. the 4-1 victory also claws back those much needed goals to help bring our goal up. Goals from Routledge, Lovenkrands, Carroll and Ryan Taylor. The goal from Routledge being his first for the club and a great strike from the winger who received a standing ovation from the home crowd alongside our other winger Gutierrez while the two replacements combined to create our fourth goal Panctrate swinging in a cross for Ryan Taylor to fire in his third goal this season. After the two previous displays this was a very welcome result and result with a home tie against Preston being our next hurdle.

All at SwanSEA

The early saturday morning kick off in south wales took its toll on the geordie following as well as the entire Newcastle team. The game started off badly and finished a little better but only because of a late equaliser and a point secured from a terrible game we deserved nothing from. The Toon army were as quiet as I have ever heard them and didn't go unnoticed from the mags on the pitch. When we did score the celebration was in front of the away section as alan smith threw a fist to the air in persuasion to the Newcastle United fans but that was as forthcoming as the second and winning goal, however we should really have won the game as the final minutes ticked away we were the better and more likely to score.
After the game the toon slunked away with a point in the pocket.

Derby and out

A 3-0 hammering from another midlands club sent Newcastle crashing to there biggest defeat of the season. The display was terrible and one to forget nothing more need to be said.