Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz.You’ll probably have noticed that there isn’t a lot going on at the moment regarding Newcastle.
Things seem to be ticking along nicely, which is a concern that I will get to later, there is no football to come for over a week, all of our transfer deals have been done and the window is now shut, and there wasn’t even a surprise omission from the squad of 25 for the first half of the season.
I mean compare it to just one year ago when the club was still on the market and new buyers were apparently being sought, we didn’t actually have a full-time manager, the transfer window had just slammed shut with only one addition is the shape of Peter Lovenkrands, and most of us were still reeling from the fall-out from relegation. So in comparison it is pretty boring at the moment. (more…)
Things are looking up right now.Does anyone else have the feeling I am experiencing at the moment? Pack the jokes away, I mean the feeling of, dare I say it, happiness?
At this precise moment in time I don’t think things could be going much better for a Newcastle fan. It’s all relative of course, and we could be in the Champions League, 1st in the Premier League and so on, but we’re not.
However, we have made a rather solid start to life back in the Premier League. It’s only three games in and I understand that it may be a bit too early to judge things, but surely most fans are happy with the start we have made this season? A solid performance at Old Trafford, a 6-0 hammering of Aston Villa, and a point away at a ground that is notoriously tough to visit all combine to add to the feel good feeling. I mean, if you were offered four points after playing two of last seasons top six and away at a relegation rival in the first three games of the season, you would have taken that before the season started wouldn’t you? I would. (more…)
Now that we officially have Hatem Ben Arfa at Newcastle I will allow myself to get a bit carried away, just a bit mind. Here are two videos of our new lad in action, and the boy certainly looks to have some skills.
Joey Barton handled himself well.Yesterday I praised Chris Hughton, then the club, but now it is the turn for Joey Barton to have his portion of praise.
Is Joey finally growing up? Perhaps it is too early to answer that definitively, but I have to say that if he carries on the way he is doing then it would certainly appear that he is.
You will probably be aware of what motivated me to write this piece, but just to clarify I am talking about the rough tackling he was on the end of at Wolves. Mick McCarthy’s simple tactic would have had the desired effect not so long back and Barton would have no doubt lashed out and seen red at some point for it. He didn’t lash out though, and that is why some huge credit has to go to Barton. (more…)
Signing number 5 - Hatem Ben Arfa.The transfer window is nearly at an end, and I think it is safe to say that it has probably gone better than most Newcastle fans had expected.
It could get better still should Newcastle pull off a rumoured deal for Robbie Keane, although at the moment that is all that particular deal is – a rumour.
The capture of Hatem Ben Arfa yesterday is a signing that most have wanted to come off. The guy looks like he has some skills and will be a player that can get the crowd up and excite them. Then there is Cheick Tiote, who has earned rave reports in Holland, who is also now a Newcastle player. Add those to the signings of Sol Campbell, Dan Gosling and James Perch and you can see that this window is taking shape rather nicely. Another signing on top of those would be excellent. (more…)
