Steve “Dreamboat” Bruce returns to SJP.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle United. Date: Sat 21st Sep, 2013. Kick off: 3.00pm. Referee: Martin Atkinson (Bradford). UK TV: None.
This week, the Magpies welcome Steve Bruce back to St James’ Park, this time with his promoted Hull City side.
After a long, long run of poor form, somehow, Alan Pardew goes into this game looking for his third Premier League victory in a row after two one goal victories over toothless Fulham and Aston Villa sides. The last time Pardew and Newcastle managed this feat was almost a year and a half ago back in April 2012. It was actually SIX victories in a row, over Norwich City, West Brom, Liverpool, Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers and finally, Stoke City. That was towards the end of the season when we finished fifth and it’s been pretty much downhill ever since! Here’s hoping we can get the same result as the last time Bruce was at St James’ Park. Of course, that time “Agent” Bruce brought his his Blunderland side to St James’ Park for a comprehensive 5-1 stuffing at the hands of Chris Hughton. (more…)
Pardew on probation.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Sat 24th Aug, 2013. Kick off: 3.00pm. Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffs). UK TV: None.
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to our “match banter” for today’s first home fixture of the Premier League season, which sees the Magpies taking on Fat Sam’s West Ham.
Pardew on probation.
In Alan Pardew’s last 12 competitive games with Newcastle United, his record is Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 7, Goals For 7, Goals against 26. With a record like that, the sharks should be circling, and I don’t mean the loan shark from Wronga, who, incidentally, will be staging their first Wronga “experience” at sunny St James’ Park today. One of their new half time pursuits for this season is called “Straight walking football,” where “two fans will race head to head through a course packed with obstacles to test their balance and skill. Whoever keeps their cool and finishes past Teenie and Tynie will take home £150″ (quote from the Hearts website). Think I’ll give that a miss next time I’m at St James’ Park. (more…)
Toon: Bragging rights over Braga.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Sat 10th Aug, 2013. Kick off: 6.00pm. Referee: Lee Mason. UK TV: None.
Welcome to our ‘match banter’ feature for this evening’s game against Portuguese side, S.C. Braga. Although this is the last in Newcastle United’s series of pre season frindlies, it’s the first to be held at St James’ Park.
This game will take part on what is now officially “Sir Bobby Robson Football Day,” with as many as 150 event taking place nationwide to celebrate football in general, and one of the game’s greatest Ambassadors in particular. Of course, Bobby had close links with both English and Portuguese football, managing both Sporting and Porto in the Primeira Liga between 1992 and 1996. in his time there, he picked up 2 League titles and a Portuguese Cup with Porto.
Pardew: Sticking with his old excuses.After Jonas Gutierrez publically criticised Newcastle United’s lack of intensity in their training sessions last season, Alan Pardew went away for a while, had a think, and has decided that both his staff and himself “need to be honest about it” and admit that mistakes were made.
He then goes on to suggest that Gutierrez saying training sessions are “a bit too easy” was a little misleading at least by once again pointing the finger of blame at the stresses of playing in the Europa League, injuries and a lack of quality players.
“You’ve got to be open and honest about it as a staff,” the Silver Supremo began, continuing:
“My staff – my immediate staff and myself as manager – need to be honest about it, mistakes were made. You need to be honest enough to admit them and look at when and why they were made.”
Pardew then went on to discount Gutierrez’s critique, falling back on his old chestnuts:(more…)
Pardew: Blaming extra games for failure.“This was our 50th game today, which goes a little bit unnoticed. With all the travelling involved as well, that’s tough. Clubs will look at us and the impact it can have, because it’s not only the extra games but the injuries we’ve had on the back of that. There’s no doubt that our league position would be greater. We’ve had to pay a heavy penalty on the Sundays, not just for Sunderland but for previous games. Swansea are going to find that next year – it’s difficult, unless you really increase the size of your squad.” – Johnstone’s Paint trophy winner Alan Pardew after Newcastle United’s game with West Bromwich Albion.
“I know one year that Barcelona played with 19 first-team players, as well as a few younger players, and they played every three days. It is possible.”– Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, winner of 15 major trophies as a player and 5 as a manager on Swansea’s entry into European competition next season.
“We have a short squad, but it is my decision that the squad is short because I want a squad of 20 players, no more, with the risks a short squad has, but also with the good things a short squad has. The good things are that the side is competitive, everybody feels part of it. So I hope I don’t read again “Mourinho wants more players,” because I don’t want more players. I’m happy with the short squad I have, with the good things and the bad things.”– Jose Mourinho, winner of 20 major trophies as a manager and whose Real Madrid team played 58 games last season. (more…)
