Sideshow Bob hits the spot.A quick trip up to Watford for this North London dwelling Geordie, and my first visit to Watford’s Vicarage Road.
The last time I went to a game with today’s companion was the time we lost 6-1 to Leyton Orient, with my (Arsenal supporting) friend making some choice wisecracks right through the game. Though of course I felt very confident that another drubbing like that wasn’t on the cards, his presence still made me slightly superstitious. We found ourselves ensconsed in the Vicarage Road end, and indeed, the view doesn’t seem bad at all compared with what away supporters get at some grounds, and it seems like a decent enough place. Well it does on three sides anyway, with the currently closed East Stand looking a bit of a mess as it awaits the construction of a supposedly “state of the art” new stand. The supporters seemed fair enough too though perhaps not the most vociferous. On with the game though! (more…)
Argy and BargyWithout a win away from home in almost three months, Newcastle beat Watford 2-1 to take the first three points on the road, since the start of December when we beat Coventry City. Prominent in victory were our Argentine centre-half, Fabriccio “Not so clownish now” Coloccini and Andy “Crown Court” Carroll.
Despite evidently not playing the exotic football that the purists amongst us crave, judging by the crack on Radio Newcastle, the lads seemed to once again acquit themselves well, despite missing some big players and while playing on a farmer’s field. And although there was a scare at the end when we appeared to invite trouble onto ourselves and nearly paid the price, the conclusion seemed to be that this was another reasonably comfortable victory for The Mags.
Another good start saw Coloccini grab his second goal of the campaign after Nolan had flicked on a Guthrie corner, Andy Carroll steered the flick-on to the Argentine, who headed in to make it 1-0 after only four minutes. And the provider became finisher just after the break, when Carroll used his strength for the right reasons on the pitch this time, out-muscling Watford challengers to meet Guthrie’s corner and tower in a header for 2-0. (more…)
High quality mpeg highlights of Newcastle United’s 4-1 home victory over Coventry City at St James’s Park.
Features goals from Coventry’s Clinton Morrison, and Newcastle goals from Andy Carroll, Wayne Routledge, Peter Lovenkrands (penalty), and Ryan Taylor. (more…)
Routledge: Revelation against Coventry.After last night scintillating 4-1 win over Coventry City, it’s only natural that we are going to hear a few snippets from the players, especially given the pressure the lads were under to get a result last night after a sequence of less than impressive performances over the last few weeks, Cardiff aside of course.
And it seems that the feelings of our fans are a factor that are driving the players forward. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that after relegation, and in the run up to it in fact, that I was appalled with the seeming lack of effort and willing from the players. It’s just my opinion, but you can only blame what happened behind the scenes so much. After that, it’s up to the players to put on a performance when they ‘cross the white line’, something which a lot of them didn’t. (more…)
Point to prove?Newcastle go looking for their third ‘double’ of the season on Wednesday, to go along with the victories home and away against Crystal Palace and Cardiff, against a Coventry side unbeaten in five games and offering something of a resurgence since we beat them at the Ricoh Arena.
And while our home form looks good, we’ve suffered a few stutters in the last few games, so Chris Hughton will undoubtedly be looking to buck the recent trend and get back to winning ways. In order to do that, we’re going to have to start scoring goals, and preferably not at the death to rescue a point.
Hughton has some difficult decisions to make, with a number of options upfront and the obvious decision to be made whether to go with a 4-4-2 at home. Having come on and created Carroll’s late equaliser, Leon Best has given Hughton food for thought, who said of Best’s performances:
“You always want substitutes to have an impact and Leon has done that”(more…)
