Ben Arfa: Not a winger says Pardew, but is he a singer?Of course, Newcastle United are still riding high, still undefeated in the Premier League so far with Alan Pardew seemingly sticking steadfastly to an “if it ain’t broke, dont fix it!” philosophy in our Premiership campaign.
Obviously, when a team which should be nestling somewhere the middle of the table is actually third it’s hard to argue. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said (or wrote, I’m not sure), “Success is the most convincing talker in the world”. This is certainly true, at least for the moment, in Pardew’s case; though as we already know, he could blather for England anyway! However, even in the midst of success, there are always problems to be solved, and one of Pardew’s is how does he solve a problem like Hatem Ben Arfa?
He is undoubtedly one of the most talented players we have, on the ball he is almost certainly THE most talented. However, since finally returning from his double injury nightmare with his appearence against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, he has only made four fleeting substitute appearences in the Premiership (out of six games). (more…)
Howard Kendall you dirty old goat!Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Date: Sat 5th November, 2011. Kick-off: 12.45pm. Referee: Andre Marriner (Linesmen: S Ledger & A Watts). TV: Sky Sports 2 / HD2.
Hello and welcome to our preview for Newcastle United’s home clash with the “Toffees” of Everton.
Don’t forget that as per usual, I will also be doing our usual “what the managers are saying” review in the run up to the game, and also our regular “match banter” feature where you can make comments, share good streams for the game etc while the match is in progress. This should be going up around and hour before the kick off. Also as usual, we shall also be posting our report of the game some time after.
It’s always particularly hard to predict how a game will go against the Toffees at this stage of the season. Good team, good manager. However, they do seem to have a recent history of starting erratically in the early stages of the season, then finishing with a burst to either scrape into, or just miss out on a European place. If they started seasons they way they finished them, they would almost certainly have made the Champion’s League more often than that one time in 2005. Their start this season has been dire, and sees them currently lying in 16th. However it must be said that have had had some stiff opposition and some bad luck too so far.
It's a dog's life at Ewood Park at the moment!Venue: Ewood Park, Blackburn. Date: Weds, October 26th, 2011 Kick-off: 8:00pm Referee: Robert Madley.
This evenong’s game sees Newcastle United facing a struggling Blackburn Rovers side for a place in the last eight of the League Cup.
Alan Pardew has been saying he has no worries of relegation and that he will definitely be going for a win. Meanwhile, embattled Blackburn are currently lying right at the bottom of the Premier League, and survival in the highest division will undoubtedly be their highest priority, especially after what happened to last years winners, relegated Birmingham City. On the other hand, Blackburn will have home advantage at Ewood Park, and as we all know, anyhting can happen in a cup game!
Stats, previous matches etc…
Blackburn have actually gone one better than Newcastle in the League Cup, having won it in 2002 when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the final. Newcastle’s Previous Best was as losing finalists with the Gordon Lee “Dream Team” in 1976, when we were beaten by the same scoreline, 2-1, by Manchester City. (more…)
Roberto Martinez: Difficult start to the seasonVenue: St James’ Park, Newcastle Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 Kick-off: 3:00pm Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
Roberto Martinez brings his Wigan squad up to Tyneside this Saturday, as Newcastle United will look to continue their undefeated record in all competitions so far this season.
There is no live UK broadcast of the match, but due to the wonders of the internet, you may likely be able to find a link here
Wigan’s form so far this season has been dreadful. They started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to last seasons Championship winners, Norwich City, followed by another share of the spoils against the newly promoted Swansea City. Franco Di Santo helped Wigan record their first victory of the season in their third Premier League match against QPR at the DW Stadium, but after that victory, they went on to suffer four straight defeats. Their most recent encounter was versus another struggling side – Bolton Wanderers, but they suffered yet another defeat, losing 3-1 in front of their own supporter(s). Away from the DW Stadium, Wigan have played four, drew one and lost three. In that process they have scored one, and conceded eight.
'Arry boy: "No income tax, no VAT..."Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Sunday, October 16th, 2011. Kick-off: 4:00pm. Referee: Lee Probert. TV:Sky Sports 1 / HD.
Hurrah! The Premier League is back this weekend, with Harry Redknapp bringing his Spurs side up to the north-east on Sunday, to face Alan Pardew’s undefeated Newcastle United. The match is scheduled for live broadcasting, courtesy of Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1.
The Magpies are currently flying high in 4th position at present, and have yet to taste defeat this term in their seven opening league games, as well as being undefeated in their two away ties in the League Cup. At St James’ Park, Newcastle have played three matches, winning two (Fulham and Blackburn), and drawing one (Arsenal). United have scored five goals at home this term, conceding two.
Tottenham started the season with a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, followed by a 5-1 mauling by Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Their next Premier League duel was at Wolves, where they prospered 2-0. A thrashing of Liverpool 4-0 at home was then followed by a 2-1 victory at Wigan. Their last league game was the north London derby, where they dispensed of Arsenal 2-1, thanks to goals from Rafael Van Der Vaart and Kyle Walker. Away from home, Tottenham have played three and won two (scoring four and conceding four).
