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.
Papiss in his new W(r)onga shirt and “Sisse” boots.It seems there’s a grand conspiracy to make me look like a complete arse at the moment.
Just before I finally had my most recent blog, “We’re still in the dark about Cisse and Wongagate” published on metro.co.uk, Cisse came out and spoke for the first time on his war on Wonga, saying:
“It has been a very difficult time for me and the Club, and also for the fans. I have had some useful discussions with my Club, my family and Islamic teachers in the last few weeks. After a huge amount of thought and reflection I have made the decision to follow my teammates and wear the kit.
“Now I think it is important for the team and the fans that we concentrate 100 per cent on football. Although I did not go to Portugal on the training camp, I was back here working hard on my fitness and preparing for the start of the new season. Since then it has been great to be training with my teammates again. I feel great and ready to go, and cannot wait to be out there against St. Mirren on Tuesday and to play my part for the team.”(more…)
Newcastle United go hunting beaver!Venue: Estádio da Mata Real, Paços de Ferreira, Portugal. Date: Tues 23rd July, 2013. Kick off: 8.00pm. Referee: Jorge Sousa. UK TV: None.
Well this lot will certainly be no pushovers, and should be an even stiffer teat than our last Portuguese opponents, Rio Ave, and they beat us 3-1!
Although they only play before around 5,000 fans at their own stadium (and that’s for a big game), Pacos de Ferreira, or the “Beavers” as they are known were third in last season’s Portuguese Primeira Liga behind Benfica and Porto. Although the latter teams were miles ahead (23 and 24 points) of this evening’s opponents and the rest of the chasing pack, it is still some achivement to beat the likes of Braga (our next opponents), not to mention the fading giants of Sporting. Hence, if they show up and decide to really have a go, our Silver Supremo is going to have to up his game somehow.
Highlights and Alan Pardew’s post match interviews from yesterday’s 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City, which saw the Magpies go 3-0 down within 20 minutes of the kickoff thanks to goals from Cardiff’s Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls. Whilst Newcastle United did strike back with a Shola Ameobi penalty just after the restart, Cardiff completed a comprehensive defeat with a fourth goal in the 76th minute strike from Etien Velikonja.
In his post match interview, Alan Pardew blamed injuries to key players and the attitude of his squad for the rout. You can read more details about the injuries the squad are facing in my previous piece. (more…)
Speaking in his post match interview after Newcastle United’s abject 4-1 capitulation to the Bluebirds Red Dragons of Cardiff, Alan Pardew blamed injuries to top players for the defeat.
In a fairly confusing message from the Grey Gaffer, he also blamed the attitude of the squad because they thought they should have brought the big names, (presumably Ba and Cisse who both missed the trip) even though they were carrying knocks. However, you can listen for yourselves in the video above. (more…)
