Posted March 21st, 2010 by toonsy | 87 Comments
Planning ahead?
Recent reports have suggested that the newest addition to the scouting network, Graham Carr, has been a busy bee and is already compiling a list of players that would improve the team should we secure what looks to be a likely promotion. Names such as Jamie O’Hara, Pablo Hernandez from Valencia, Getafe’s Juan Albin, Yohan Cabaye from Lille aswell as youngsters like Adama Diakite, have all been linked with us in recent weeks, and all of these players fit the criteria which Ashley himself has talked of implementing. Continue reading…
Posted in category: Mike Ashley, Thoughts and reflections, Toonsy | Tags: Adama Diakite, Graham Carr, Jamie O'Hara, Juan Albin, Mike Ashley, Mike Ashley plans Newcastle United future, Newastle United, NUFC, Pablo Hernandez, Yohann Cabaye
Posted March 20th, 2010 by toonsy | 272 Comments
Carroll rescues another point.
Some of you may be aware that my wife follows Portsmouth, yet she was there cheering even louder than I was when the ball hit the back of the net for the away side, perhaps through sheer relief that I may not be a moody git this weekend after all, although I claim it’s because I’m turning her into a Newcastle United fan. It’s frustrating, the 2,200 travelling fans looked like having very little return on their 600 mile investment, but yet again they head home happy. Continue reading…
Posted March 20th, 2010 by workyticket | 337 Comments
Another victory for the lads?
Currently in the temporary charge of Keith Millen after the departure “by mutual consent” of previous incumbent, Gary Johnson, the Robin’s form has hardly been spectacular recently. Even at home, they have won only two of their last six matches. They have also been carrying a few injuries too. Having written all that though, they did manage to eke out a point out of us in a dour 0-0 draw at SJP much earlier in the season, so as usual, it wouldn’t be wise to count our chickens until they are hatched and various other metaphors. Continue reading…
Posted March 19th, 2010 by toonsy | 223 Comments
Scrumpy the robin.
The Robins are on a poor run of form currently and have won only two of their last six matches at Ashton Gate, something that the Magpies will be looking to capitalise on in an effort to secure promotion at the earliest possible opportunity.
Caretaker boss Keith Millen will take charge of Bristol City, who are now only seven points clear of the relegation places. Following Gary Johnson’s mutual departure on Thursday, the stand-in boss admits he is relishing the chance of testing his managerial abilities against the league leaders. Speaking to the official Bristol City website, Millen had this to say:
“It’s the perfect game to have really. The Newcastle match is one everyone in Bristol has been looking forward to for a long time and it’s going to be a full house.”
“We need to get over the shock of what happened quickly, get back on the training ground and stay focused on the Newcastle match.” Continue reading…
Posted March 19th, 2010 by toonsy | 84 Comments
I love Newcastle, I do....
Looking back at the summer it would have been quite easy for Enrique to slope off back to Spain. He didn’t, and now Newcastle United are reaping the benefit of the Spaniard’s pace and link up play on the left side of the pitch. Enrique is only 24 years old still and somethimes that fact can be overlooked. Yes, he is good now but he still has time on his side and can get better still, and it appears Enrique feels so at home in Newcastle that he will be looking to stay for a long time.
“I’m so happy I decided to stay at Newcastle in the summer” Enrique said.
“I know we are only in the Championship, but I love the city and the club. All the foreign players hate the weather here, but it’s not just Newcastle, it’s England. I’m really settled here and I have no desire to go back to Spain. I’m happy at Newcastle, in England and in this team.”
It’s remakable how someone can feel so settled in such a short length of time. The three years he has been here could be described as ‘not the smoothest’ and you could easily understand if the former Villareal player decided to upsticks and move away, especially after seeing some of the protests, the ill-feeling, the relegation, and also having worked under no less than five different managers. Not bad in three years! Continue reading…
Posted March 18th, 2010 by toonsy | 64 Comments
How to get there? What about a nice pair of Bristols?
A kick off of 5:20pm should keep fans without tickets, or those who choose not to do the 600 mile round trip happy as it means TV coverage is available for the clash with the managerless Robins.
As ever, we’ll leave the Toon down the usual A1(M) route and join onto the M1 where you should continue south until leaving at J23a (A42/M42). Follow the A42 then M42 right to the end where you’ll meet the M5. Head south down the M5 and leave at J18. Follow the A4 (Bristol Airport/Taunton) along the river and eventually you’ll go over a swing bridge. Bear left after that and you should be able to see the ground on the left.
Those opting to travel by train will probably end up at the main Temple Meads train station which is either a taxi ride or 45 minute walk away from the ground. Continue reading…
Posted March 18th, 2010 by bowburnmag | 225 Comments
Unassumingly efficient?
When the third Newcastle goal went in, there was a hearty and sincere rendition of ‘Walking in a Hughton Wonderland’ ringing around Level 7. For those who aren’t aware of the significance of that, it implies a form of acceptance from the most vocal part of the ground and arguably the most vociferous. Not perhaps, acceptance of those on the board but a firm nod of appreciation at the man who probably deserves it above anybody else.
The singing was spontaneous not contrived. It was a natural response to a moment when we ultimately put yet another win beyond any doubt. There was a relief in that chant, from fans who you sensed were previously ready, willing and able to let the manager know they had his back but unwilling to break ranks from those who lumped him in as part of the Ashley crew. It almost happened against Preston and there was a spattering of pro-Hughton singing but it was half-hearted and almost through gritted teeth. Continue reading…
Posted March 17th, 2010 by workyticket | 278 Comments
Irons into the fire at St James's?
Some big team news from Scunthorpe is that top scorer, Gary Hooper, will be missing out on this game, though it was actually winger, Martyn Woolford, who did the damage last time with a brace. Though nothing is impossible, I think that it’s fair to say that Newcastle will still start as strong favorites this time. Scunthorpe face this game struggling to fight their way out of the Championship relegation zone. They will need either a win or failing that, a draw at least to extricate themselves from the drop zone. Continue reading…
Posted March 17th, 2010 by workyticket | 111 Comments
Which one would you choose as 'Player of the Year'?
think has been Newcastle United’s first team player of the season.
For the poll below, we have only chosen players who have made ten or more appearences in the first team, either as a starter or a sub in all competitions, so very new members of the squad such as Mike Williamson, Fitz Hall, Wayne Routledge etc, good though they’ve been so far, have just missed out, as have some of the younger members of the squad who have made the odd cameo appearence. In total, this makes a total of 18 players to choose from. Continue reading…
Posted March 17th, 2010 by toonsy | 63 Comments
Irons into the fire?
Newcastle will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run and will want three points for themselves as they continue their push for the Premier League. In contrast, Scunthorpe will want the points to help them in an effort to avoid relegation back to League 1.
I’m sure I don’t need to remind any fans about what happened when we played at Scunthorpe’s Glanford Park back in October, but just in case I do have to remind anyone, we lost 2-1 that night and serious questions started to be asked of our credentials for playing in the Championship. Danny Guthrie, who started the game that night, remembers it well and claims that despite the loss it was the game that shaped our season.
“The Scunthorpe game at their place was a defining moment for us,” said Guthrie, “It proved to be a turning point.” Continue reading…
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