The off-season pessism at Newcastle was well-documented. But the belief now sweeping around St James’ Park is tangible.
The Toon held on to 4th place in the Premier League, as Alan Pardew’s men continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
It was encouraging to see Demba Ba notch his first goal for the club – and then even more satisfying that the summer signing from West Ham managed to claim a hat-trick. The Senegalese striker joins Leon Best at the top of the Toon’s goalscoring chart, though Best himself missed a number of good opportunities to add to his season’s tally against Rovers this afternoon.
That minor complaint aside, though, Pardew and his squad deserve a lot of credit for the first six games of the season. Newcastle’s record is an impressive three wins and three draws, but perhaps the most striking statistic is that the Toon have conceded the fewest goals in the whole of England. Today’s consolation for Junior Hoilett was only the third time that the excellent Tim Krul has had his net breached in the league.
Admittedly, Nottingham Forest scored three in the Carling Cup tie in midweek, but even that wasn’t enough to overcome a resilient Newcastle, for whom captain Fabricio Coloccini grabbed a 120th-minute winner.
Newcastle have shown few signs of missing Jose Enrique, even with emergency left-back Ryan Taylor struggling at times to keep tabs on wingers exploiting his lack of positional experience. But Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton have been replaced well by Ba, Best, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux and the irrepressible Yohan Cabaye. With Hatem Ben Arfa finally getting back to full fitness and Davide Santon not needing surgery, Newcastle has turned the corner well in terms of the disruption of the overhaul of players.
Sure, there are still more than rumblings of discontent with Mike Ashley and his so-called Cockney Mafia. But the on-the-field performances have been encouraging, to say the least.
Ba had underperformed this season before today’s treble, but that can be largely attributed to the fact that he was fasting during the period of Ramadan. With Ba demonstrating his prowess, the defence tight and belief exuding from the Magpies, this – it has to be said unexpected – optimism will hopefully continue to prevail on Tyneside for a long time.
Showing posts with label Newcastle United. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newcastle United. Show all posts
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal
It would be almost an understatement to call it an ignominious off-season for Newcastle United. Yet despite the departure of the captain and of arguably the best performer over the last two seasons (Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique respectively) – as well as the well-publicised social media shenanigans of creative spark Joey Barton – there was a definite air of optimism at St James’ Park yesterday evening when the Magpies welcomed Arsenal as the 2011-12 Premier League curtain was raised.
The visitors had also had a difficult summer, exacerbated in the days leading up to Saturday’s match, with the apparently imminent departure of the highly-prized midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from the Emirates Stadium. For Arsene Wenger, so often viewed as one of the most astute managers in England, the desperation to end the Gunners’ trophy drought has sees him under more pressure than ever before.
With Jack Wilshere also missing through injury, Toon fans sensed that a midfield – in which the transfer-listed Barton was included, news that was greeted with a rapturous Geordie cheer – that has been bolstered by the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille, alongside Cheik Tiote – hero of the last outing between the sides, an incredible 4-4 draw – could outmuscle and even outplay Arsenal’s.
The match did not turn out in the way that many expected, however. ESPN, who moved the kick-off for broadcasting purposes, will have been disappointed with the offering. Tiote and Cabaye were relatively quiet, and the Arsenal midfield, particularly new signing, and former Newcastle target, Gervinho, demonstrated that they are far from pushovers.
It was Gunners fans, too, who were making all the noise. Attempts by the upper echelons at St James’ Park to relocate the ‘singing section’ away from their previous position, adjacent to the away end, proved not to have been fully effective, but did have a noticeably calming effect on that area of the ground. As Arsenal fans outsang their hosts, so their team outplayed the Magpies, but failed to have any real clearcut chances. Home keeper Tim Krul was bailed out by Danny Simpson, who hacked off the line after the young Dutchman flapped at a Tomas Rosicky corner, but other than that, Arsenal would come unstuck thanks to the dominant presence of new Toon captain Fabricio Coloccini.
It was painfully apparent for home fans, though, that what threat Arsenal did pose came nearly always down the visitors’ right flank. Gervinho simply outclassed stand-in left back Ryan Taylor, who was always going to find it difficult to replace new Anfield star Enrique. Jonas Gutierrez, too, looked somewhat clueless without Enrique; the two used to form a productive partnership on Newcastle’s left wing, and the frustrating Gutierrez looked unsure how to adjust to Enrique’s absence.
The second half – and particularly the introduction of United’s newest acquisition, Gabriel Obertan, who replaced fellow summer signing, the subdued Demba Ba – was slightly more positive for the hosts, but again Arsenal looked like the only team likely to make an impression on the scoresheet. Skipper Robin van Persie clipped the top of the net with a free-kick, but in truth the deadlock never truly threatened to be broken.
Only the incident that has got the Twitterati tongues wagging furiously caused any real excitement over the course of the ninety minutes. With fifteen minutes left on the clock (though St James’ Park has no longer got any – the digital corner timepieces having been replaced by an extension in electronic advertising hoardings – Gervinho fell to the floor dramatically inside the Newcastle penalty area. Replays suggested he may have been tripped by Tiote, but Barton had no doubts that Arsenal’s Ivorian had dived.
Dragging him from the floor, Barton proceeded to hurl himself to the turf after Gervinho gave him a slap to the face. Referee Peter Walton – much to Wenger’s chagrin – booked the former but dismissed the latter. There can be no doubt about the red card, but Wenger argued that Barton should have also been sent off for violent conduct when he pulled Gervinho forcefully to remonstrate with him.
Opinion will no doubt stay divided over that issue, but there should be no doubt that Arsenal’s Alex Song was fortunate to stay on the field after a deliberate stamp on Barton earlier in the half. As an aside, that clash provided an amusing indication as to the concern amongst the Toon Army about the future of Barton. As he walked over to the fourth official to complain, many fans who had, like Mr Walton, missed the Song stamp, seemed worried that Barton had snapped – had he gone over to shout at Alan Pardew, the Newcastle boss, about something? Had he simply had enough, and stalked off back to the dressing room? A paranoia gripped the Leazes Corner; spectators rose as one, and there was a palpable, sharp, collective intake of breath which accompanied it; this was followed by an audible sigh of relief as the fans took their seats once Barton re-emerged from the dugout.
The final whistle was greeted by dismay from the away fans. A chorus of boos rained down, aimed particularly at Wenger, who had had to endure numerous rounds of “spend some f****** money” as Gunners fans, frustrated by their team’s failure to convert possession into pressure, or pressure into chances, made clear their dissatisfaction with their manager’s transfer policy. By contrast, there was a general round of applause from the home fans, most of whom would certainly have been happy with a goalless draw before kick-off.
But as a spectacle, this game contrasted perfectly with that eight-goal thriller last season. Fans were delayed leaving the environs of the ground due to a burst drain, which was spewing its putrid contents into Gallowgate. Its contents, many fans pointed out, provided something of an apt metaphor for the ninety minutes of football they had just witnessed.
• At half time, Mark Allison, also known as Run Geordie Run, was introduced to the crowd after having run 3,100 miles – from California to New York – in 100 days in the name of The Children’s Foundation and St Benedict's Hospice. He has raised £81,000 and counting.
The visitors had also had a difficult summer, exacerbated in the days leading up to Saturday’s match, with the apparently imminent departure of the highly-prized midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from the Emirates Stadium. For Arsene Wenger, so often viewed as one of the most astute managers in England, the desperation to end the Gunners’ trophy drought has sees him under more pressure than ever before.
With Jack Wilshere also missing through injury, Toon fans sensed that a midfield – in which the transfer-listed Barton was included, news that was greeted with a rapturous Geordie cheer – that has been bolstered by the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille, alongside Cheik Tiote – hero of the last outing between the sides, an incredible 4-4 draw – could outmuscle and even outplay Arsenal’s.
The match did not turn out in the way that many expected, however. ESPN, who moved the kick-off for broadcasting purposes, will have been disappointed with the offering. Tiote and Cabaye were relatively quiet, and the Arsenal midfield, particularly new signing, and former Newcastle target, Gervinho, demonstrated that they are far from pushovers.
It was Gunners fans, too, who were making all the noise. Attempts by the upper echelons at St James’ Park to relocate the ‘singing section’ away from their previous position, adjacent to the away end, proved not to have been fully effective, but did have a noticeably calming effect on that area of the ground. As Arsenal fans outsang their hosts, so their team outplayed the Magpies, but failed to have any real clearcut chances. Home keeper Tim Krul was bailed out by Danny Simpson, who hacked off the line after the young Dutchman flapped at a Tomas Rosicky corner, but other than that, Arsenal would come unstuck thanks to the dominant presence of new Toon captain Fabricio Coloccini.
It was painfully apparent for home fans, though, that what threat Arsenal did pose came nearly always down the visitors’ right flank. Gervinho simply outclassed stand-in left back Ryan Taylor, who was always going to find it difficult to replace new Anfield star Enrique. Jonas Gutierrez, too, looked somewhat clueless without Enrique; the two used to form a productive partnership on Newcastle’s left wing, and the frustrating Gutierrez looked unsure how to adjust to Enrique’s absence.
The second half – and particularly the introduction of United’s newest acquisition, Gabriel Obertan, who replaced fellow summer signing, the subdued Demba Ba – was slightly more positive for the hosts, but again Arsenal looked like the only team likely to make an impression on the scoresheet. Skipper Robin van Persie clipped the top of the net with a free-kick, but in truth the deadlock never truly threatened to be broken.
Only the incident that has got the Twitterati tongues wagging furiously caused any real excitement over the course of the ninety minutes. With fifteen minutes left on the clock (though St James’ Park has no longer got any – the digital corner timepieces having been replaced by an extension in electronic advertising hoardings – Gervinho fell to the floor dramatically inside the Newcastle penalty area. Replays suggested he may have been tripped by Tiote, but Barton had no doubts that Arsenal’s Ivorian had dived.
Dragging him from the floor, Barton proceeded to hurl himself to the turf after Gervinho gave him a slap to the face. Referee Peter Walton – much to Wenger’s chagrin – booked the former but dismissed the latter. There can be no doubt about the red card, but Wenger argued that Barton should have also been sent off for violent conduct when he pulled Gervinho forcefully to remonstrate with him.
Opinion will no doubt stay divided over that issue, but there should be no doubt that Arsenal’s Alex Song was fortunate to stay on the field after a deliberate stamp on Barton earlier in the half. As an aside, that clash provided an amusing indication as to the concern amongst the Toon Army about the future of Barton. As he walked over to the fourth official to complain, many fans who had, like Mr Walton, missed the Song stamp, seemed worried that Barton had snapped – had he gone over to shout at Alan Pardew, the Newcastle boss, about something? Had he simply had enough, and stalked off back to the dressing room? A paranoia gripped the Leazes Corner; spectators rose as one, and there was a palpable, sharp, collective intake of breath which accompanied it; this was followed by an audible sigh of relief as the fans took their seats once Barton re-emerged from the dugout.
The final whistle was greeted by dismay from the away fans. A chorus of boos rained down, aimed particularly at Wenger, who had had to endure numerous rounds of “spend some f****** money” as Gunners fans, frustrated by their team’s failure to convert possession into pressure, or pressure into chances, made clear their dissatisfaction with their manager’s transfer policy. By contrast, there was a general round of applause from the home fans, most of whom would certainly have been happy with a goalless draw before kick-off.
But as a spectacle, this game contrasted perfectly with that eight-goal thriller last season. Fans were delayed leaving the environs of the ground due to a burst drain, which was spewing its putrid contents into Gallowgate. Its contents, many fans pointed out, provided something of an apt metaphor for the ninety minutes of football they had just witnessed.
• At half time, Mark Allison, also known as Run Geordie Run, was introduced to the crowd after having run 3,100 miles – from California to New York – in 100 days in the name of The Children’s Foundation and St Benedict's Hospice. He has raised £81,000 and counting.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Premier League Preview Part Two: Mid-table
In a manner reminiscent of Phil Jones’ departure from Blackburn, Sunderland sold their England midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20m; unlike Steve Kean at Rovers, however, Steve Bruce has not been shy of spending the revenue. The Black Cats have added no fewer than nine players to their squad, including Manchester United defenders Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Birmingham duo Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardener and also fought off competition to sign Ipswich’s highly-rated midfielder Connor Wickham. Bruce must hope that the squad gels quickly and easily, but he would surely be disappointed if his side did not improve on last season’s 10th place.
Recent weeks have been another episode in the perennial Newcastle United farce. With Joey Barton threatening to follow Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan out of St James’ Park, many Toon fans expect a frustrating season ahead. With a relatively impotent strike force of Shola Ameobi and new signing Demba Ba, manager Alan Pardew has been urged by fans to invest more of the £35m received for Andy Carroll in January. Whether or not owner Mike Ashley permits this is a matter of debate, and while Newcastle have added some (Francophone) midfielders – Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid and the impressive-looking Yohan Cabaye – to their squad, they still desperately require another striker. It might be a difficult season, but Newcastle should still have too much quality, including Hatem Ben Arfa and new captain Fabricio Coloccini, to return so soon to the second tier.
West Bromwich Albion, who clawed back a three-goal deficit against Newcastle on the last day of last season to leapfrog the Magpies into 11th place, had a season of two halves. After Roberto Di Matteo was sacked as manager in February – following a run of seven defeats in nine matches – Roy Hodgson presided over a rise in fortunes and the table for the Baggies. With Peter Odemwingie on prolific goalscoring form last year – and this season joined up front by record signing Shane Long – Hodgson will be hopeful that he and other key players, including midfielders Somen Tchoyi and Chris Brunt, will be able to build on that mid-table finish. It would be a surprise if they fail to do so.
Stoke City are commonly regarded as one of the least glamourous clubs in the top division, but fans – reputedly among the loudest in the country – will not care. Their three seasons in the Premier League have seen Tony Pulis’ side finish 12th, 11th and 13th, and there is few reasons to believe the Potters cannot engineer another safe mid-table spot this time around. Stoke’s focus last season was on the FA Cup, in which they reached the final before capitulating to Manchester City. Famous for the long throws-in of Rory Delap, Stoke have talent throughout the team, particularly in imposing centre back Robert Huth, winger Matthew Etherington and triggerman Kenwyne Jones. Matthew Upson is a solid signing, too, but Stoke will have to be wary of the potential effects of their Europa League campaign on their domestic fortunes.
Like Stoke, Fulham have already kicked off their Europa League campaign – indeed, they did so before the end of July. Last time out in the Premier League, under Mark Hughes, they were the draw specialists, finishing a satisfactory 8th. The summer, however, has seen Hughes being replaced with former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, and although the new boss is yet to bring any true blockbuster signings to Craven Cottage, he will be hopeful that a team that boasts undoubted defensive talents – including goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and defenders Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird and former Liverpool left back John Arne Riise, who joined this summer from Serie A outfit Roma – will be able to secure another top-half finish. It would be a surprise if the well-regarded Jol were to fail in that task.
For Jol’s former club, the 2011-12 season would have to be a remarkable one to eclipse the adventure of last term. Tottenham Hotspur won their Champions League group in their first outing in Europe’s premier club tournament, and then knocked out AC Milan before finally succumbing to Real Madrid in the quarter finals. The continental adventure might have distracted Spurs, who this season will revert back to the Europa League. With Liverpool’s apparently rising fortunes, Spurs will struggle even to retain last season’s fifth spot. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, a fantastic shot-stopper but subject to frequent lapses of concentration, may be usurped by the signing of Aston Villa’s Brad Friedel, but this season is likely to be something of a letdown after the heights of the previous two.
The Aston Villa club hierarchy were embroiled in much controversy at the start of the summer, upsetting many of their fans by appointing Alex McLeish as manager – despite not only arriving from archrivals Birmingham City, but also having got them relegated. He has brought in a couple of useful players, however, namely goalkeeper Shay Given and midfielder Charles N’Zogbia. In England striker Darren Bent, they have one of the top forwards in the league, but his task will be made more difficult by the loss of wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. In order to build on last season’s ninth place finish, McLeish will hope that young players such as Marc Albrighton, Ciaran Clark and Nathan Delfouneso can build on the promise they showed last year.
Everton have had a remarkably quiet off-season. A very satisfactory seventh place finish last time was achieved despite having very few options for the position of striker; indeed, Tim Cahill, with nine goals, was the top league goal-scorer for the Toffees. Despite this lack of strikers, however, Everton have a number of high quality players that were crucial to last season’s relative success, particularly left-back Leighton Baines, centre back (and apparent Arsenal target) Phil Jagielka, the freekick master Mikel Arteta as well as Australian international Cahill. Along with the likes of the Irish youngster Seamus Coleman, Everton can become an established top-half side, even in spite of the vacuum up front.
Recent weeks have been another episode in the perennial Newcastle United farce. With Joey Barton threatening to follow Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan out of St James’ Park, many Toon fans expect a frustrating season ahead. With a relatively impotent strike force of Shola Ameobi and new signing Demba Ba, manager Alan Pardew has been urged by fans to invest more of the £35m received for Andy Carroll in January. Whether or not owner Mike Ashley permits this is a matter of debate, and while Newcastle have added some (Francophone) midfielders – Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid and the impressive-looking Yohan Cabaye – to their squad, they still desperately require another striker. It might be a difficult season, but Newcastle should still have too much quality, including Hatem Ben Arfa and new captain Fabricio Coloccini, to return so soon to the second tier.
West Bromwich Albion, who clawed back a three-goal deficit against Newcastle on the last day of last season to leapfrog the Magpies into 11th place, had a season of two halves. After Roberto Di Matteo was sacked as manager in February – following a run of seven defeats in nine matches – Roy Hodgson presided over a rise in fortunes and the table for the Baggies. With Peter Odemwingie on prolific goalscoring form last year – and this season joined up front by record signing Shane Long – Hodgson will be hopeful that he and other key players, including midfielders Somen Tchoyi and Chris Brunt, will be able to build on that mid-table finish. It would be a surprise if they fail to do so.
Stoke City are commonly regarded as one of the least glamourous clubs in the top division, but fans – reputedly among the loudest in the country – will not care. Their three seasons in the Premier League have seen Tony Pulis’ side finish 12th, 11th and 13th, and there is few reasons to believe the Potters cannot engineer another safe mid-table spot this time around. Stoke’s focus last season was on the FA Cup, in which they reached the final before capitulating to Manchester City. Famous for the long throws-in of Rory Delap, Stoke have talent throughout the team, particularly in imposing centre back Robert Huth, winger Matthew Etherington and triggerman Kenwyne Jones. Matthew Upson is a solid signing, too, but Stoke will have to be wary of the potential effects of their Europa League campaign on their domestic fortunes.
Like Stoke, Fulham have already kicked off their Europa League campaign – indeed, they did so before the end of July. Last time out in the Premier League, under Mark Hughes, they were the draw specialists, finishing a satisfactory 8th. The summer, however, has seen Hughes being replaced with former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, and although the new boss is yet to bring any true blockbuster signings to Craven Cottage, he will be hopeful that a team that boasts undoubted defensive talents – including goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and defenders Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird and former Liverpool left back John Arne Riise, who joined this summer from Serie A outfit Roma – will be able to secure another top-half finish. It would be a surprise if the well-regarded Jol were to fail in that task.
For Jol’s former club, the 2011-12 season would have to be a remarkable one to eclipse the adventure of last term. Tottenham Hotspur won their Champions League group in their first outing in Europe’s premier club tournament, and then knocked out AC Milan before finally succumbing to Real Madrid in the quarter finals. The continental adventure might have distracted Spurs, who this season will revert back to the Europa League. With Liverpool’s apparently rising fortunes, Spurs will struggle even to retain last season’s fifth spot. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, a fantastic shot-stopper but subject to frequent lapses of concentration, may be usurped by the signing of Aston Villa’s Brad Friedel, but this season is likely to be something of a letdown after the heights of the previous two.
The Aston Villa club hierarchy were embroiled in much controversy at the start of the summer, upsetting many of their fans by appointing Alex McLeish as manager – despite not only arriving from archrivals Birmingham City, but also having got them relegated. He has brought in a couple of useful players, however, namely goalkeeper Shay Given and midfielder Charles N’Zogbia. In England striker Darren Bent, they have one of the top forwards in the league, but his task will be made more difficult by the loss of wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. In order to build on last season’s ninth place finish, McLeish will hope that young players such as Marc Albrighton, Ciaran Clark and Nathan Delfouneso can build on the promise they showed last year.
Everton have had a remarkably quiet off-season. A very satisfactory seventh place finish last time was achieved despite having very few options for the position of striker; indeed, Tim Cahill, with nine goals, was the top league goal-scorer for the Toffees. Despite this lack of strikers, however, Everton have a number of high quality players that were crucial to last season’s relative success, particularly left-back Leighton Baines, centre back (and apparent Arsenal target) Phil Jagielka, the freekick master Mikel Arteta as well as Australian international Cahill. Along with the likes of the Irish youngster Seamus Coleman, Everton can become an established top-half side, even in spite of the vacuum up front.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Barton Affair: The Latest Episode in the SJP-enders Soap Opera
Returning from a holiday in Brittany – two weeks with no internet or television, and where the only contact I had with the sporting world was the French newspaper L’Equipe. Apart from its mournful updates on Hatem Ben Arfa’s latest injury – and the chance to note that Cabaye, Marveaux and Abeid were all signed from French clubs – there was very little news on English transfer activity.
When I returned to these shores yesterday I excitedly logged on, anticipating (admittedly naively) a flurry of transfers, with a striker atop my priority list (as is surely the case with nearly every other Newcastle fan).
So, naturally, I was somewhat dismayed to discover that there were no additions to the squad. My holiday fantasies (which got out of hand probably even before I reached Dimitar Berbatov) lay shattered.
However, I have tended to be more of a supporter of Alan Pardew than the average Toon fan, and decided that in the two weeks before Arsenal arrive at SJP (or at least before the closing of the transfer window), he would demonstrate why I have had faith in him so far. Please, Pards.
But today’s developments regarding Joey Barton’s transfer-listing has simply exposed us to more of the same ridicule that has dogged the club ever since Sir Bobby Robson’s sacking in 2004.
OK, so Barton might not be the easiest person to get on with, but the board’s heavy-handed reaction is just another instance of the powers-that-be cutting off the NUFC nose in order to spite its face. The departure of Kevin Nolan, top scorer in the last two seasons, was something of a disappointment. But for Newcastle’s crosser-supreme, Barton, to leave would be to go too far.
Some have said that Barton’s departure has been inevitable. Certainly, Newcastle are not short of midfielders. But the manner in which this affair is being played out does yet more damage to the club’s professional standing – and cannot do anything positive for any players (hopefully, surely) being courted by the club.
When I returned to these shores yesterday I excitedly logged on, anticipating (admittedly naively) a flurry of transfers, with a striker atop my priority list (as is surely the case with nearly every other Newcastle fan).
So, naturally, I was somewhat dismayed to discover that there were no additions to the squad. My holiday fantasies (which got out of hand probably even before I reached Dimitar Berbatov) lay shattered.
However, I have tended to be more of a supporter of Alan Pardew than the average Toon fan, and decided that in the two weeks before Arsenal arrive at SJP (or at least before the closing of the transfer window), he would demonstrate why I have had faith in him so far. Please, Pards.
But today’s developments regarding Joey Barton’s transfer-listing has simply exposed us to more of the same ridicule that has dogged the club ever since Sir Bobby Robson’s sacking in 2004.
OK, so Barton might not be the easiest person to get on with, but the board’s heavy-handed reaction is just another instance of the powers-that-be cutting off the NUFC nose in order to spite its face. The departure of Kevin Nolan, top scorer in the last two seasons, was something of a disappointment. But for Newcastle’s crosser-supreme, Barton, to leave would be to go too far.
Some have said that Barton’s departure has been inevitable. Certainly, Newcastle are not short of midfielders. But the manner in which this affair is being played out does yet more damage to the club’s professional standing – and cannot do anything positive for any players (hopefully, surely) being courted by the club.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Newcastle United 0-0 Manchester United
Some points:
1. Hernandez's booking for diving should not have been a penalty, whatever Man United officials and fans will claim. From a consistency point of view, perhaps a booking was harsh. On the other hand, though, I would be happy if refs gave yellows every time a player made such a meal of any contact as Hernandez did, though I am aware this might be unworkable.
2. So Lovenkrands' penalty decision. It could easily have been a spotkick, although I don't feel too bitter about it. But if you watch the replay, is the referee even looking?
3. Aside from the controversy, it was a good point for Newcastle. Of course, the Toon are now at the fabled 40-point figure, and are all but safe from relegation. Manchester United started to assert themselves in the second half, but the Magpies had done enough in the first half to ensure that the point was justified.
4. Having said that, though, Ryan Giggs had a poor miss towards the end of the second half, and really should have give his side the lead.
5. Tim Krul was excellent in goal, and for a relatively inexperienced keeper, did especially well at the feet of Hernandez twice. The first of those, inside 90 seconds, was crucial to ensure the Red Devils did not almost immediately have something to defend.
6. Jonas Gutierrez was also very good, causing problems for Man United in ways in which Geordie fans must be somewhat frustrated that he doesn't produce every week.
1. Hernandez's booking for diving should not have been a penalty, whatever Man United officials and fans will claim. From a consistency point of view, perhaps a booking was harsh. On the other hand, though, I would be happy if refs gave yellows every time a player made such a meal of any contact as Hernandez did, though I am aware this might be unworkable.
2. So Lovenkrands' penalty decision. It could easily have been a spotkick, although I don't feel too bitter about it. But if you watch the replay, is the referee even looking?
3. Aside from the controversy, it was a good point for Newcastle. Of course, the Toon are now at the fabled 40-point figure, and are all but safe from relegation. Manchester United started to assert themselves in the second half, but the Magpies had done enough in the first half to ensure that the point was justified.
4. Having said that, though, Ryan Giggs had a poor miss towards the end of the second half, and really should have give his side the lead.
5. Tim Krul was excellent in goal, and for a relatively inexperienced keeper, did especially well at the feet of Hernandez twice. The first of those, inside 90 seconds, was crucial to ensure the Red Devils did not almost immediately have something to defend.
6. Jonas Gutierrez was also very good, causing problems for Man United in ways in which Geordie fans must be somewhat frustrated that he doesn't produce every week.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Newcastle United v Manchester United, St James' Park
Everytime Sir Alex comes to Tyneside, he will remember the day when his side were humiliated 5-0, with Phillipe Albert's glorious chipped fifth goal still one of my favourites of all time, leaving aside any club allegiance.
That scoreline is less likely this evening, with the red United looking to extend their lead over Arsenal at the top of the table. Their recent form at St James' Park should fill them with confidence - they have not lost in Toon since September 2001.
That fixture, a 4-3 win for Newcastle in which the hosts had been pegged back after taking a 3-1 lead before scoring a late winner. and which featured the infamous clash between Roy Keane and Alan Shearer.
The following season at Gallowgate, the Magpies again took the lead, only to lose 6-2.
The last encounter at SJP was a 2-1 victory for the visitors (photo below, in the moments before kick off), although, again, Newcastle took the lead, this time through Peter Lovenkrands.
The reverse fixture this season was the opening game of the season, and NUFC was outclassed 3-0, without ever looking like threatening Edwin van der Sar's goal.
But Newcastle have not been shy in front of goal this campaign, particularly at home. The Toon have scored 36 times at home this season, second only to tonight's visitors.
Sir Alex's team has scored the third highest number of away goals this season, and their away form is by no means as imposing as is their record at home. They have picked up 46 out of a possible 48 points at home, while their away record is 23 points from a maximum of 48.
Newcastle's equivalent record is 21/48 at home and 18/48 away, showing that a). Man Utd are much better at home than they are away, and b). Newcastle's away record is not far behind the Red Devils'.
The Toon Army is fairly positive about their side's chances tonight. Paul Scholes is suspended for the visitors, and Fletcher is ill, although Newcastle miss a host of players too, including Kevin Nolan (also suspended). Stephen Ireland is set to play some part, and needs to prove that Alan Pardew should keep him on Tyneside.
Prediction: If past encounters are anything to go by, this should be a cracker. I'm going to be (relatively) bold and go for Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester United.
That scoreline is less likely this evening, with the red United looking to extend their lead over Arsenal at the top of the table. Their recent form at St James' Park should fill them with confidence - they have not lost in Toon since September 2001.
That fixture, a 4-3 win for Newcastle in which the hosts had been pegged back after taking a 3-1 lead before scoring a late winner. and which featured the infamous clash between Roy Keane and Alan Shearer.
The following season at Gallowgate, the Magpies again took the lead, only to lose 6-2.
The last encounter at SJP was a 2-1 victory for the visitors (photo below, in the moments before kick off), although, again, Newcastle took the lead, this time through Peter Lovenkrands.
The reverse fixture this season was the opening game of the season, and NUFC was outclassed 3-0, without ever looking like threatening Edwin van der Sar's goal.
But Newcastle have not been shy in front of goal this campaign, particularly at home. The Toon have scored 36 times at home this season, second only to tonight's visitors.
Sir Alex's team has scored the third highest number of away goals this season, and their away form is by no means as imposing as is their record at home. They have picked up 46 out of a possible 48 points at home, while their away record is 23 points from a maximum of 48.
Newcastle's equivalent record is 21/48 at home and 18/48 away, showing that a). Man Utd are much better at home than they are away, and b). Newcastle's away record is not far behind the Red Devils'.
The Toon Army is fairly positive about their side's chances tonight. Paul Scholes is suspended for the visitors, and Fletcher is ill, although Newcastle miss a host of players too, including Kevin Nolan (also suspended). Stephen Ireland is set to play some part, and needs to prove that Alan Pardew should keep him on Tyneside.
Prediction: If past encounters are anything to go by, this should be a cracker. I'm going to be (relatively) bold and go for Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester United.
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