Long road to Wembley for Mags? Plymouth v Newcastle in the FA Cup 3rd Round!

Posted on November 29th, 2009 | 60 Comments |

Could this be our year?
Could this be our year?
“Tell me mam, me mam, a won’t be home for tea, we’re going to Wemb-er-ley, tell me mam, me mam.”. Well it’s a long shot, but who knows? And before we dream of finals we’ve got the fairly hideous task of an away trip to Devon at the start of 2010, after Newcastle were drawn away to Plymouth Argyle in the third round of the FA Cup in today’s draw.

Having beaten the Green Arrrrmmmyyy already at home this season, the reverse fixture was always one that most supporters weren’t going to look forward, considering the 800+ miles round trip. And just for good measure we’ve now got to do it twice in one season, though history is on our side, because our last tie at Home Park in the FA Cup saw us run out 6-1 winners back in the 1957/58 season. Although our last trip down there was a dismal 2-0 (un) festive defeat in the run-up to Christmas ’91, in a fairly depressing season. Thankfully, my dad wasn’t mad enough to take us down there for that one. Although this time round, as coincidences go, I might be in the area and it would be a bit rude not to go?

So far as recent form goes, Plymouth are struggling near the foot of the table and the visitors were left sodden and fuming on Saturday after their home clash with Barnsley was abandoned due to the waterlogged pitch with Barnsley 4-1 up. And with our current form so good, if that pattern continues, we would surely go in as favourites to go through to the next round? But of course the FA Cup is cliche-ridden and ‘form goes out of the window’, particularly as we’re away from home. So if the worst were to happen, considering our main priority is clearly promotion, would that be a blessing in disguise? Called me old-fashioned, but the Bowburn branch of nufcblog.org fancies a bit of a cup run too…

NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.

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60 Responses

  1. We usually do rubbish in the cup, but having said that I honestly wouldn’t put too much importance on it.

    Fair enough a handful of senior players, but I think fringe and youth players should be given a chance – cup runs added to the extra games at the end of a promotion push season will catch up, with injuries and international duties.

  2. I personally couldn’t give a rats about the FA Cup. Its with a heavy heart i say that…. especially after seeing the 98 and 99 finals myself, and experiencing the disappoint to go with it.

    For this 1 season, i can for-go a run on the cup.

  3. I think a good ol cup run would do the place a world of good the FA cup is too important to dismiss,  But I do understand the thinking that we should put all our efforts into promotion.

  4. Big Dave – Disagree mate. 2 things. 1 – we are never ever going to win it and 2 – look what happened to Shola (our key player) in the league cup. He is only just coming back.

  5. As much as we’re a bunch of romantics that would love nothing better than a decent run in the cup, I think due to the size of the squad and the focus on achieving promotion, I would prefer that we get kicked out early on, as I agree we haven’t a cat in hells chance of winning it unless all the decent premier league teams get kicked out early on also.

  6. Remember a time when the FA Cup was a big deal second only to winning the league, unfortunately it has lost it`s cache to the European tournaments.
    Resulting in clubs fielding weakened teams, they usually deny it , but look at the line up mostly kids.
    As far as the other domestic cups, may as well leave  solely to the lower divisions,  as PL teams cant wait to get out.
    Why ? makes an already heavy schedule that much worse and for what  ?
    I would venture a guess and say,     It`s about Money !

  7. Chuck – Its teams in the prem that have little or no chance of qualfying for europe that are the ones to watch.

  8. field an entire second string, as plymouth probably will anyway, we both have priorities at opposite ends of the table. if the youngsters win then great, if they don’t it doesn’t really matter, we just can’t risk first team players.

  9. Geordie Deb im guilty mam, of being an old romantic when it comes to the FA cup but as chuck say’s even the FA cup isn’t held in as high esteem as before. It is sad but I suppose the whole world of football has changed and will never be the same again, I guess we just have to change along with it

  10. i’m happy to completly bypass the FA cup, sadly. As i said in a previous thread our squad isnt exactly deep enough as it is, we already play more games in CCC per season than we would in the PL and we clearly have more to focus on this season, that being promotion. The cup is always canny exciting, but to be honest i couldnt see us making too much of a run with the current squad anyway, its only going to add pressure along with the potential for injuries. Its a real shame to say it especially when you think back to 98/99…but..these things happen i suppose.

  11. Big Dave  –  We dont have to change with it. Of course not! If we were someone like a Fulham, Blackburn, even the unwashed mackems, then an Fa cup would be fine……….. prestigous in fact. If it paid £20 million in prize money then im sure the likes if Man U and Liverpool would be interested, after all thats 1 months loan payments :)

    The fact is, priority no1 is to get back up, and keeping our 1st teamers sit is the best hance we have of doing that.

  12. As much I love the FA cup and normally would love a good rn in it, we just don’t have the squad to cope with too many game this season, promotion has to come first.

    But how about this, we play a 2nd string team and so do they. Ends up in a draw and another game. Same happens in the next round iw we get through. Do we take the chance and go for it, take the don’t care attitude and get knocked out or risk the draw and replay?

  13. Couldn’t care less about the cup.

    One day maybe we will be in a position to ‘challenge for everything’  who said that?

  14. nuts to the lot of you !!!…..the fa cup is a major part in the football calender & the toon have a huge part to play in it…promotion is not the be all and end all – i quite like being in this division ….. it’s proper football in comparison to the poxy – premier (money money money) league – & we’re capable of winning a few games into the bargain…

    …kenneth wolstenholm will never die

  15. aye gettin knocked oot of the leauge cup did us the world of good in the 5 games after W 1 L 2 D 2 it me for 1 hope we go far in it

  16. batty…dont mistake me for one of the merchants…i’m just trying to draw the sand dancer out of the closet so i can give him some stick…

  17. I go for  a good cup run. I didnt care abt the League cup because its in the mid-week bu the FA cup is on a weekend so another weekend of football so I want a good cup run f@#k that stuff of a small squad we have gone far with it and I bet the players want a cup run I remember talking abt it.
    Go on NUFC.

  18. Summerof69, i thought solano would be towards to top, suppose george best will be number1 with george weah up there somewhere.

  19. jay jay says:
    November 30, 2009 at 11:33 am
    Summerof69, i thought solano would be towards to top, suppose george best will be number1 with george weah up there somewhere.
    yeah probably but how is hleb above solano hleb isnt in the same league as solano does hleb have a postal stamp with his face on ?

  20. For me I think we should try win every game we are in , including the fa cup. Fair enough maybe rest a couple of players and give a few youngsters or fringe players a chance but for me winning breeds winning

  21. Off thread I know but reading Llambias’ utterings in the match programme brought a wry smile.  By using language such as “That is part of our history and heritage, a name that is known throughout world football”, it appears he’s suddenly decided its our club and he and MA see themselves as part of Newcastle United.  Ah… penny drops!

    And he goes on by saying that “Mike and myself are here to do our absolute best for Newcastle United and with you on board, we fervently believe we can deliver a successful football club for you to take pride and joy in.”

    Really?

    Come on Mr Stardust.. please explain the sudden interest in getting the fans onside!

    “Firstly, to allay fears regarding the name of the ground, we will never lose the St.James’ name. That is part of our history and heritage, a name that is known throughout world football.

  22. Summerof69, your right mate, hleb and nobby should be at opposite ends of this poll, like the 50 worst premiership strikers though, guivarch number 1

  23. batty, he may not have backed you know who, but he DID back Kinnear, who had full control even though lovable little Dennis was still around. That was part of what made him fall flat on his big fat arse in court if you remember?

  24. Aye batty you’re right, unfortunately i start work at half two and my gaffa says it’s time i experiment with doing some work!

  25. You’re right Batty – MA’s dropped some real big ricks and it appears that the penny’s dropped in that he’s got to get the fans onside!

    Being a cynic, I woudn’t be suprised if we saw some investment in players in January in that he and Llambias have realised that running a football club such as NUFC requires a bit more nous than running it like a store when there’s a potential for a 54000 gate every other week. 

    For all the crowd was 42k on Saturday (the second highest on the day), there were still 12ooo empty seats in the Park!  He’s got to get those fans back on board and he’ll be living in hope that he’ll be hearing his name chanted….. in praise rather than derision.

  26. workyticket says:
    November 30, 2009 at 1:19 pm
    Lesh, the irony is that Mike Ashley’s two biggest blunders were made in an attempt to get fans onside, or shut them up.

    I don’t ever recall fans wanting Alladyce out en mass, wanting Keegan back or indeed getting Shearer in.

    The only time he did what the fans wanted was when he tried to sell (twice), and that by the way was only because he wanted out.  I think we have seen enough of Ashley now to realise he only does things that will benifit him.

  27. Stuart@43…. of course he not going have a Paul on the road to Damascus like awakening.  He’s in it for himself and to maximise his return from a sale. 

    Now, the way to help him achieve that is to play him at his own game – give him all the support and adoration he craves and I think that as a result, everybody’ll be happy.

  28. last week fat bum was seen looking around a  disused shirt factory in pelaw gateshead….i’ll have to dig around and find out what the slimy toerag is up to.

  29. Back on topic, I would love a good cup run. If we manage to avoid the Premiership teams in the 4th round then it not only brings in revenue but it builds more confidence in the team. Also if we are still top in January, we can start and measure ourselves against the Premiership sides – hopefully one of the lesser lights though.

  30. workyticket says:
    November 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm
    batty, he may not have backed you know who, but he DID back Kinnear, who had full control even though lovable little Dennis was still around. That was part of what made him fall flat on his big fat arse in court if you remember?<< aye backed him to the hilt  sold given and zogs for aboot 12 mill and brought in nolan and taylor for aboot 3 mill would u like that sort of backing worky :lol:

  31. Glad to hear Harps is back for next game as he has been class. Nee bother Worky just like to add you lot are doing a good job on here thanks

  32. Stuart,
    you buy a new business & just before you buy, the old owners hire a new manager, doubt anyone would keep that ‘new manager’ on the pay roll, they’re a potential liability. & fat sam was starting to piss fans off, no doubt.
    ashley did try to appease the fans, or at least some of ’em, by bringing kk back.
    Or was that just an astute football move-Can’t have it both ways.
     

  33. I am probably alone, or missed the comment in the 55 above mine, but wouldn’t it be nice to match up against a Prem Team and see how we do?  I know that everyone’s after promotion, and I am too, but there seems to be a great many fans who think we’ll only drop right back down, should we win promotion in the first place.  We could give it a bit of a test with a good run.  I’d like to see how we do, and perhaps that would even help Chris and others plan for next season should we make it up.  It would give our squad a good run and see where improvements are absolutely needed and where they are desired if funds permit.  While promotion to the BPL is paramount, I think a good run gives us more benefits than an early exit would.  Just my $0.02 worth.

  34. It’s a fair point NorCal,
    but there’s also a big risk of injuries the farther you get into the later rounds.
    When our main priority has to be promotion.

  35. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    November 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
    Stuart,
    you buy a new business & just before you buy, the old owners hire a new manager, doubt anyone would keep that ‘new manager’ on the pay roll, they’re a potential liability. & fat sam was starting to piss fans off, no doubt.
    ashley did try to appease the fans, or at least some of ‘em, by bringing kk back.
    Or was that just an astute football move-Can’t have it both ways.

    I don’t know any fans who were asking for Keegan to come back!  Also probably only about ten fans wanted Alladyce out, which was just ridiculous!

  36. Stuart,
    i’m not saying people were asking for kk back, just that ashley ‘knew’ it would be a popular decision. I do seem to remember people starting to get the hump with sam, granted, it coulda/woulda took a little longer for ‘everyone’ to get the hump, but it was growing-Yea?