It all started so well for the Magpies with a goal after only three minutes from Yohan Cabaye. However it all went a bit “Pete Tong” when Tiote was given a straight red card after 25 minutes for an unnecessary studs up challenge when referee Martin Atkinson was already giving us a free kick, though it should also be said that the sending off was a little harsh. Not the biggest miscarriage of justice in human history perhaps, though a little harsh nonetheless. Sadly, it also curtailed Shola Ameobi’s Mackem slaying for the today as Alan Pardew sacrificed him to shore up the defensive side with the introduction of James Perch after around 40 minutes. (more…)
A Mackem after a typical Tyne-Wear derby.Venue: Stadium of Blight, Blunderland. Date: Sunday, 22nd Oct. Kick off: 1:30pm Referee: Martin Atkinson. UK TV: Sky Sports 1.
This will be referee Martin Atkinson’s second outing this season in charge of a Newcastle game, after handling our season opening home victory over Spurs.
His previous engagement with us was at SJP back in April when he presided over our 2-0 victory over Liverpool, booking Andy Carroll for trying to win a penalty and dismissing Jose Reina for losing his rag with James Perch. Earlier in the season, he red-carded Martin Olsson while refereeing Blackburn’s visit to SJP while also sending off Dan Gosling during our visit to Carrow Road.
Journey to the land that time forgot.
After what has seemed like an age, the Premier League returns this weekend for a round of full blooded, up and at ’em games and none will be more full or red blooded than the 147th Tyne Wear derby at the Stade du Merde on Sunday, 21st October. Both teams go into the game knowing that a win is the very minimum that their respective fans will demand and, if the players needed reminding, bragging rights will continue until April 13th next year when the unwashed will make their annual trip to civilisation for the return. (more…)
Highlights of this afternoon’s game between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park (more highlights below).
Someone did say once (not Einstein as is commonly thought) that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but each time expecting a different result. However, Alan Pardew doesn’t seem to be familiar with this particular expression. Hence the same old story played itself out once again at St James’ Park this afternoon, ie Alan Pardew persisting with setting up the team in a shape which was all wrong from the kick off, realising he’s made the same mistake some way into the game when the Magpies were two goals down thanks to set piece goals from Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra. With the usual inevitability, he then changed it around to the way it should have been in the first place and watched the team improve immeasurably. (more…)
Them again.Venue: The Wonga Loan Shark Arena? Date: Sunday, 7th Oct. Kick off: 4:00pm Referee: Howard Webb (Manchester United). UK TV: Sky Sports 1.
Once again, Manchester United will, very helpfully, be bringing their own referee along for this game. Of course, I am referring to Howard Webb, who they also kindly brought along for the corresponding fixture at SJP back in January 2012, and who was also in charge of our most recent Premier League home loss, against Manchester City last May.
This will also be the second live televised game between the sides in two weeks, the last one of course being our League Cup exit against the Red Devils on the 26th of last month. Both teams were also in midweek European action, with the Mancs narrowly winning 2-1 against Cluj on Tuesday while Newcastle beat Bordeaux a little more emphatically on Thursday.
So, after a successful Europa League outing in which we managed 29 minutes of 4-3-3, will Pardew revert to the same old cautious 4-4-2 or risk giving his players another chance for a “breath of fresh air” by going for a positive attacking line up against the Red Devils? Interestingly, the last time we played the Reds at SJP was just after they’d suffered a 2-3 defeat at home (to Blackburn). So maybe the omens are looking good for us tomorrow?
Bordeaux's Jussiê and Yoan Gouffran v Red Star Belgrade.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Thursday, 4th Oct. Kick off: 8:05pm Referee: Antonio Miguel Lahoz. UK TV: ESPN.
As I have already written a fairly extensive piece on Girondins de Bordeaux where I have already taken a look at some of the things we focus on in our usual previews, I will try to focus on the most up to date stuff such as team news and an update on Bordeaux’s form since I wrote that piece three weeks ago.
Recent form
The respective records for both teams in their last six games (in all competitions, last game first) are:
Newcastle United: D,L,W,D,D,D. Girondins de Bordeaux: W,D,W,D,D,W.(more…)
