Ginola and Ketsbaia in their 14 shirts.Firstly, many thanks for all of you who took part in our latest competition, this time to win the latest Newcastle United “Season Review 2011/12” DVD.
Well, the deadline for the competition ended at midnight yesterday. So shortly after that witching hour, after checking for any very late entries, I took all the correct answers and selected a winner using the same high tech methods as I did for the previous shirt competition, ie a bucket and some folded up pieces of paper. After shaking the bucket around a bit and closing my eyes, I picked out a winner.
But before I get to that, I will just remind you all of the question asked in the competition, along, of course, with the two answers for the question asked. So, here goes!
Question: What was David Ginola’s shirt number at Newcastle United, and who took it over after he left? (more…)
The next stop in our look at some of Newcastle greatest matches of recent history takes us to Anfield for a game that will be remembered not only by both sets of fans, but by neutral fans all over the place.
It is still to this day widely regarded as one of the best matches in Premier League history, despite fact we came away from Anfield with no points and having suffered a severe dent to our title ambitions. (more…)
Ginola: A fantastic player in his time with us.Amidst all the speculation and statements, former Newcastle star David Ginola has today heaped praise on current Newcastle boss, Chris Hughton.
Ginola is back in the area promoting something or other, and will be at PC World in Team Valley on Friday if anyone fancies popping down to get an autograph. Ahead of that though, he gave his thoughts on Chris Hughton.
We know ourselves that Chris worked a minor miracle last season as he took a team that was devoid of any confidence and was surrounded by turmoil to the Championship title, and by some margin to boot. David worked with Hughton at Tottenham so knows our current boss better than most, and he believes that there will be no need to call for a big name manager whist Hughton is in the hot seat. (more…)
The year is 1996, the opposition was Manchester United, and after missing out on the title the previous season, Kevin Keegan and his team wanted to prove a point.
That was of course a ten minute clip of one of our greatest memories in recent times. That score sent out a message to our rivals that we were not to be messed with. (more…)
Looking and feeling a little rusty in the middle?The previous review of the current squad, took a look at the Newcastle defence, an area that this season we’ve been surprisingly strong in, given our poor reputation in recent years.
Today’s review looks at arguably the fulcrum of a successful team, the midfield, the place that could and should control a game and dictate the style of play. Our midfield this season has been very much part of a strong defensive ethos, and while we have grafters in there, we’re also lacking some natural creativity and pace.
Looking at the current crop, it really makes you pine for some of our former midfielders who have graced the hallowed St James’ turf in the last couple of decades. Reminisce about the grace of French wingers David Ginola and Laurent Robert. Recall the guts, determination and drive of Robert Lee and Gary Speed. Consider the guile we had in Emre, albeit fleetingly, and the sheer brilliance of Nobby Solano. Even having pure pace a la James Milner, Keith Gillespie to worry the opposition. You can even look at some of the less popular characters. We would kill for the pace of Kieron Dyer and dare I say, I could forgive Jermaine Jenas. Possibly even Damien Duff is a big miss? Maybe that’s stretching it…
Anyway, that was the past, what about the present? (more…)