It’s going to be a tough task, but this this is the kind of task that the players got promoted for. They earned the right to play the best of the best with their performances last season, and in a one-off game I guess you never know. We could grab something from today, although I am already prepared for the worst. (more…)
The task is an unenviable one and I would happily shake hands on a point now without us having to play the match. Somehow I don’t think that City will quite go for that mind!
As Paul Reece highlighted in his ‘Top ten facts and stats to know about Manchester City’, Newcastle are without a win in at Man City in the last 17 visits. Given the quality on show at Manchester City currently I don’t hold out much hope of that run coming to an end come Sunday afternoon. Mind you, most of us said the same thing about the Everton and Chelsea matches, and look what happened there!
Pablo Zabaleta will miss the game after picking up a hamstring injury during the Europa League match against Juventus midweek whilst Nigel de Jong, David Silva and former Magpie, James Milner, will be pushing for a recall to the starting XI after being rested midweek. Adam Johnson, goalscorer in midweek, will be looking to start the match against the team he supported as a boy. (more…)
Most fans are now aware that Sheikh Mansour, the guy who has bankrolled City for the past couple of seasons, was very much interested in buying Newcastle United way before City arrived on the radar screen of the mega-rich tycoon.
That possibility floundered when our owner missed a meeting with Mansour’s associates, with speculation suggesting that Wise, Ashley and Llambias went out for a drink instead.
The rest, as they say, is history, and the two clubs have gone on to follow a remarkably different path in last few seasons. Newcastle suffered a humiliating relegation and have endured a ‘character building’ season in The Championship, whilst Manchester City have been the only team to spend some real money and strengthen their team in these challenging economic times. (more…)
Carroll has been left out of the Under-21 squad that was announced yesterday which has led to speculation regarding Carroll recieving a full international call-up for England.
I personally think it’s a bit too early for the national team for Carroll and would prefer it if he was given the chance to learn his trade in the Premier League a bit more first, but with injuries to Jermaine Defoe and Bobby Zamora and with Wayne Rooney not certain to make the squad it would appear that England are suffering from a striking crisis at the moment. For that reason it looks as though Carroll will be fast-tracked into the international setup. (more…)
Taylor was placed on the transfer list towards the end of August after talks broke down between the club and his advisors over a new deal for the defender. Figures were speculated about, figures were denied, but the upshot of it is that none of us are any wiser as to what is going on.
The last I heard on the situation was that talks were ‘ongoing’ and ‘amicable’ between the club and representatives of Taylor. They must be some bloody talks then!
Taylor is just a couple of weeks away from returning to first team training after recovering from the shoulder injury that he suffered in the pre-season friendly against Carlisle United. His return to fitness should bolster the defensive options we already have at the club, although if he is to be included in the first-team he will have to earn the right first and show his desire on training pitch. (more…)