Realistic aims?Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been talking about his aims for the next three seasons, but writes off Champions League qualification for this season.
This is what Alan Pardew had to say about his 3-year plan for the club:
“You want to be in there competing, and we have done that.
“Whether we get a European place will probably be decided by fate more than anything. We have had a great season regardless of the European spot, and we want to do that again next year.
“By hook or by crook, in the next three years it would be nice to get some sort of European football or win a trophy. That’s the goal.
“We won’t get Champions League football this season, I just think that’s too big a gap to bridge – five points on Spurs, and Arsenal are probably away from us now.
“It’s too much, they are too good teams to catch with eight games left.” (more…)
What reception will he get?Former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll expresses his nervousness about his visit with Liverpool to St James’ Park on Sunday, while Alan Shearer writes off our chances of Champions League qualification.
Andy Carroll has confessed to nerves about his trip to St James’ Park on the weekend, saying:
“I don’t usually get nervous but this might be a bit different.
“All of my family and friends will be there but they’re so big on football I’m not sure who they’ll be supporting.
“It’s great to see Newcastle doing so well. I support them, was brought up there and was lucky enough to have played for them. They will always mean something.”
Of course the circumstances of Carroll’s departure have been the subject of much debate, although Derek Llambias’s comments of a few months ago shed some light on the situation. Yes, he did put in a transfer request but it seems his hand was somewhat forced and he may not be the ‘Judas’ that many make him out to be. I wonder what sort of response he’ll get from the Toon Army? (more…)
Canaries last week, Throstles this week.Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Date: Sunday, 25th March, 2012. Kick-Off: 4pm (Sky TV). Referee: Chris Foy (Scouser).
Well, it’s another battle of the birds this week. With the Canaries cruelly crushed by the Magpies last week, this week we find ourselves trying to throttle the “Throstles” of West Bromwich in their own Hawthorns nest.
However, this has proved somewhat difficult in the last few years, so the Silver Supremo should have his work cut out as he pits his wits against wily old Silver Fox and England manager candidate, Roy Hodgson. More on that below.
Stats, previous matches etc…
We have failed to win any of our last six games in all competitions against these tricky customers from the Midlands, or five if you only count League games. Looking at the last six games at their place, the record goes (latest first) L,L,D,W,W,D, however the last two go back to the days of Shearer. In the last few years though, I think it’s safe to say that they have been something of a “bogey” team for us considering, though hopefully we will go somewhere towards putting that right on Sunday afternoon! (more…)
