Toon supporters: Happier than last season?As you’re probably aware, Newcastle United’s Boxing day trip to Sheffield Wednesday will mark our 23rd league game of the season, marking the half-way point in what is turning out to be a fantastic season so far! This article takes a look at some of the happenings since the season began way back on the 8th of August.
With a team seemingly devoid of confidence, direction, application and the uncertainty surrounding the owner, managerial position, and who was next to be sold, the toon set off for the season opener at West Brom. After being 1-0 down at half-time, a superb finish from Damien Duff earned us a share of the spoils. That was to be Duff’s only appearance for us this season as he was quickly snapped by Fulham and he followed the likes of Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Seb Bassong and Habib Beye out of the club. (more…)
Old boy makes PilgrimageOur path to FA Cup glory could be thwarted by an old acquaintance, if reports are true that former Newcastle United coach John Carver is back in football. It’s been mentioned on .com that JC is going to be assistant to Paul Mariner at Plymouth Argyle, who has taken charge after Paul Sturrock was removed from the Home Park hotseat.
Carver coached our reserves and academy sides, before being promoted to assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, and stepped in as Caretaker when Robson was sacked. When Souness got the job, he then moved onto Leeds as first team coach before once again stepping in as Caretaker for Kevin Blackwell, who he then followed to Luton Town before taking up the role of head coach at MLS side Toronto. (more…)
Hughton v Sousa: A defensive chess game at SJP?With 1983 the last time these two teams met in the league, it will be a rare encounter when the Toon and Swansea City meet at St James’s Park. With two naturally defensive minded managers pitting their wits against each other, we can no doubt expect a tight match from the two teams with the best defensive records in the league. In addition neither can be described as prolific in front of goal so little hope of a Keeganesque performance from either side.
The Swans are officially the in form team in the Championship winning 14 from the last 18 points and chasing their fourth successive victory.They’ve also chalked up an unequalled 10 clean sheets this season, half of which have been in goalless draws, so you have been warned. This defensive bias is clearly heavily influenced by Paulo Sousa the ex Portugal defensive midfield legend and good friend of Sir Bobby Robson. Sousa, who played for Sir Bobby at Sporting Lisbon and remained in regular contact with him until Sir Bobby’s death in July, was apppointed manager in the summer following the departure of Robert Martinez. (more…)
Sousa: "he didn't answer my last call".In the run up to Newcastle United’s game with Swansea City at St James’s Park, Swans manager an ex Portugal legend, Paulo Sousa, has paid a tribute to good friend, Sir Bobby Robson in the club’s official website.
Sousa, a defensive midfielder of the highest order and a giant of the Portuguese game, was signed from Benfica by Sir Bobby when he was manager of Sporting Lisbon. Though Paulo moved to Juventus barely a year later, the pair strick up a firm friendship which lasted until Sir Bobby’s death recently.
In tribute to the great man he said:
“I was shocked and deeply saddened by Sir Bobby’s death. He earned the right to be called Sir because of the recognition he had throughout World football from players, supporters, directors, etc.
“My sadness hurt even deeper because I tried to call him the day before he died. I had called him on a weekly basis for the previous 18 months to see how he was and to give him my support in his battle against illness.(more…)
United?Save us from ourselves! That is the plea you hear from various quarters with regard the behaviour of other Newcastle fans in recent months, notably recently, in response to the anti-Ashley jeering which was evident throughout the Ipswich game.
The view taken by some supporters is ‘what will be, will be’ and we should get back to supporting the club. Other sections take it upon themselves to communicate their dislike of the current owner and will do until he’s gone. Personally, I say it’s a free country, but it’s not free to watch the Toon and so there are two good reasons, you should be able to say what you want.
However, even I found it a bit bizarre that we celebrated two of our goals with anti-Ashley jeering. And I guess it would have been nice to have got through a special occasion with Sir Bobby without that issue detracting from it. But it’s done now and we should move on, together. Except we can’t, at least for now but hopefully only until we’re sold and we all try to start getting on again. (more…)
