Can we throttle the Throstles for four in a row?Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Sat 30th Nov, 2013. Kick off: 5.30pm. Referee: Phil Dowd. UK TV: Sky Sports 1.
Could we be celebrating four wins in a row this evening?
If the Magpies do manage to wrestle a juicy three point worm from the Throstles at tea time, it would be the first first time they have managed such a feat since March and April of 2012. Back then, they beat Norwich, this evening’s opponents, Liverpool, Swansea, Bolton and finally Stoke in a 6 match winning run, before finally succumbing to a 4-0 hammering at Wigan.
Although that was in the Spring before last, the side had an unseasonal 4-3-2-1 ‘Christmas Tree’ formation with a potent ‘delta force’ of Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa up front. During the West Brom game in that run I jokingly referred to Alan Pardew as ‘Alan Pardiola.’ The Guardian’s North East football correspondent, Louise Taylor, actually took me seriously and the phrase stuck amongst spme fans for a while. (more…)
A score draw or better and we’re though.Venue: Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv. Date: Thurs 21st February, 2013. Kick off: 6.00pm UK time (8pm local time) Referee: Serge Gumienny (Belgium). UK TV: ESPN.
Hello, good evening and welcome to our latest “match banter” feature for this evening’s Europa League game against Metalist Kharkiv.
With the first leg at St James’ Park ending in a 0-0 draw, this means that a score draw or better would take the Magpies through. If they can manage this, a last sixteen clash against either German Bundesliga side Hannover 96 or Guus Hiddink’s Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala. So far it’s looking like it’s more likely to be the latter, as they currently leading the Germans 3-1 after their first leg in Russia and they are certainly not to be sniffed at with Hiddink at the helm, not to mention superstars old (Samuel Eto’o) and new (the Brazilian wide man, Willian). Still, we have to get through this one first, and as they showed in the first leg of the tie, they will be no pushovers, especially on their own (probably frozen) Ukrainian turf. (more…)
Match highlights, post match reaction and match report from Newcastle United’s 1-0 away victory against Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday, 23rd November.
For post match interviews and NUFC ‘Blog’s match report, click on the links below (opens in new window) (more…)
Making a difference!Despite carrying round a sizeable pot and an ar*e the size of Bowburn Services, Kevin Nolan once again produced the goods, just when it looked like we’d have to settle for a draw. And instead, Newcastle United again managed to snatch victory from the jaws of a pretty dire televised encounter almost inevitably destined for a bore draw, and ensured we once again reign supreme at the top of the table.
Having committed my pocket money to the upcoming Barnsley and Sheff Wed encounters, I had to make do with a seat in front of the Sky cameras, and after an hour I was grateful for my decision-making. With Hughton initially opting for a 4-5-1 formation, Andy Carroll presumably being supported by the roaming Nolan, he was forced to make changes even before the kick-off as Ryan Taylor apparently pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up.
So Newcastle started with the same side that beat Peteborough, what seems almost months ago now after the international break. And of course with the more traditional 4-4-2, Newcastle fans were probably hopeful of a slightly more cavalier approach, compared to previous games away from St James’ this term. But in a first half that proved once again that this level is a million miles from the quality in the upper elechons of the top flight, we struggled to make an impression on an average looking Preston. (more…)
Preston North End: A proud history.Well the two week international break will eventually draw to a close for us Monday evening when Newcastle United will continue their quest for league domination, hoping for a win during their visit to Deepdale, home of Preston North End.
Preston started off the season well, but after having lost some of their early sharpness they will be looking to achieve their first home win since September. With their players returning from a fitness break in La Manga, let’s hope they don’t feel too refreshed when meeting us. 1980 is the last time the Lilywhites beat Newcastle at Deepdale although we have gone face to face there 34 times over the years with the Toon only notching up 12 wins in total.
Ex Toon coach and now North End manager, Alan Irvine, will have his latest recruit, Michael Tonge, available for selection. The 26-year old midfielder, on loan from Stoke, has not seen any action with the Potters in the Premier League this season, with just three Carling Cup appearances this season. (more…)
