Sympathy for the Devil?I think Sunderland signing Martin O’Neill as their new manager is one of the most significant events to happen in the North-East recently.
Of course there is massive rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland, so it takes a lot for a Newcastle fan to say something like that. But rivalry and competition manifest themselves in every walk of life. Being better than others at school, in your job, sibling rivalry at home, my car’s faster than your car, my dad’s bigger than your dad – the examples are endless. It’s part of life and something we have to deal with every day.
When it comes to football however, rivalry can often get out of hand to the point of bigotry and violence. “Local Derby” rivalry has existed since football began, and no matter what anyone says, there is no bigger derby and no bigger rivalry in football than that between Newcastle United and Sunderland. The rivalry between the two modern-day cities can be traced back to the 1600s and linked to them supporting different sides in the English civil war! But sometimes it’s important to remember that these days it’s mainly about football, and whether we like it or not, there are bigger issues in life and basically people are pretty much the same wherever they come from. (more…)
Richard Akenhead: Building superhuman Magpie machines.When you look at Newcastle United’s great start to the Premier League campaign, it certainly isn’t due to some great tactical masterstroke. We have been playing the same old 4-4-2 with lots of endeavour down the flanks and a pretty high pace, much like many other Premiership teams.
However, one of the things which has been very noticable are the great fitness levels and work rate put in by the lads throughput the games, and a significant part of this may be due to a student from Northumbria University and his PhD research project, which has been part funded by Newcastle United.
Sunderland born Black Cat’s supporter, Richard Akenhead, is a PhD student at Northumbria University who has been using the latest technology including “GPS” (Global Positioning System) and miniture accelerometers to help build Steve Austin like superhuman football machines who can run faster and longer. The fruits of this work now seem to be showing, with both Newcastle’s midfield and defence currently being ranked as the most hard working in the Premiership in terms of distance covered during matches. Newcastle United midfielder, Yohan Cabaye was recently named as the most hard working player in the Premiership after covering a distance of 83.5km over our first seven games, or 128.9 metres per minute. Since the Tottenham game that figure is now 95.1 km according to the Premier League Index. (more…)
I couldn't help myself!I swore to myself I wouldn’t get involved and would stay away from this fight as Ashley has got the fans at each other throats with the current state of affairs at SJP but after reading a recent ‘blog by my colleague on here, and the fairly large response to it, I couldn’t hold my water any further!
I had decided i would reserve my judgement on the current regime and thought it would be fair to see where we are at after the window has closed and we are a few games into the season, hopefully with a new striker and some sensible investment in place, I had hoped we wouldn’t be having the Ashley argument again as we all just want NUFC to move forward with sensible investment. But after the appalling lack of squad strengthening and ambition from the current regime, the nonsense printed in the Chronicle’s Q&A and amazingly some fans actually backing Ashley as a master of business and Professor in the school of running a football club, I feel the need to point out a few things missing from this boiling pot. What immediate springs to my mind is:
What about the fans feeling more interested and enthused and therefore more inclined to forking out more money to support Newcastle United as well? (more…)
12.00 pm on Saturday sees the 145th Tyne – Wear derby take place, as Newcastle United visit the dark place to take on Steve Bruce’s Sunderland.
Due to police advice, the game will take place at noon and there is no scheduled live broadcast of the match. If you’re not braving the journey to the Stadium of Light, you will likely be able to find a broadcast here. Just keep checking that site before kick-off and you should be able to find a link. Like last season, Howard Webb is the man in the middle.
Newcastle approach this game on the back of a 0-0 home draw against Arsenal, in which the only notable incidents were a stamp by Alex Song, Joey Barton getting angry and a slap to the face. (more…)
Bruce says sorry to HarperSteve Bruce has apologised to Steve Harper for the attack he had to suffer from a mackem fan after Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland yesterday.
Apparently the delinquent thug got onto the pitch after the game and had a pop at Steve Harper.
It’s baffling as to quite why the thug was so upset because Sunderland had just lucked their way to a draw they barely deserved.
Anyway, Steve Bruce had this to say:
“We can only apologise – thankfully Steve is not bad.
“Well done to the Sunderland fans who gave the supporter up to the police. When I saw the age of him it looked like he was still in school.
“I just really can’t understand society today. What goes through his mind when we have just scored with a minute to go?
“Why the hell he has got to come on to the pitch and confront Steve Harper baffles me.
“When you see the age of this young kid, it is quite remarkable how has got that in his mind, to run on to the pitch.” (more…)
