Archive for category: Jonas Gutierrez.

Newcastle ‘Player of the Season’ Vote: 2) Midfielders and Forwards

May 17th, 2012 | 115 Comments |

NUFC midfielders and forwards.
Attack, attack, attack!
Following on from my piece on the contributions of our defenders and utilty players this season, let’s carry on with our assessment of Newcastle’s players with a view to deciding who is our Player of the season. I’ll be moving on the engine room now, and later the forwards. There are undoubtedly a few worthy recipients here!

Midfield: (more…)


Newcastle’s Genuine Top 4 Assault.

April 19th, 2012 | 36 Comments |

Newcastle United - Ben Arfa scores.
The fall and rise of Newcastle United?
It is certainly fitting of Newcastle’s unexpectedly successful season that, on the night of the 12th March, after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, they trailed the 4th placed Gunners by eight points.

It looked like the wheels had come off the North East bandwagon and they would slip into the mid-table mediocrity that had been predicted after a summer of unrest at the newly named “S_____ D_____ A____.” However, under the stewardship of manager Alan Pardew, what has followed has been remarkable: Five straight wins means they close the gap on a now third-place Arsenal to three points, and have moved level on points with Tottenham Hotspur who occupy the last of the four Champions League spots. (more…)


Douglas and Pieters – any truth in the rumours?

April 4th, 2012 | 22 Comments |

Douglas Franco Teixeira - alleged Toon target.
Potential target?
Newcastle United have been linked with two defenders from the Dutch league recently: Douglas and Erik Pieters. But is there anything to subtantiate the rumours?

The Chronicle – and other elements of the press – have been linking us with FC Twente’s Douglas Franco Teixeira recently.

The 6ft 4in 24-year old central defender has apparently told FC Twente boss Steve McClaren that he wants to leave at the end of the season and the Premier League is his destination of choice.

Apparently a ‘source’ at FC Twente said:

It’s not a case of if Douglas wants to play in the Premier League – it’s simply when. He’s told the manager he wants to go.

Steve McClaren also has a new defender lined up to replace him in the summer and appreciates that Douglas wants to move on.

Anyway, on the back of this report I thought I’d do some digging around in the Dutch press to see if I could find some sort of indication that Newcastle is indeed in the running. (more…)


Cisse clips cagey Canaries! Newcastle Vs Norwich match report.

March 20th, 2012 | 15 Comments |

Papiss Cisse scoring against Norwich.
The Hitman.
When Norwich City rocked up to Saint James’ Park on Sunday with Paul Lambert (manager) and Delia Smith in tow, it was going to be a great opportunity for a bit of revenge after the mauling we took away to them earlier in the season.

Last time out we were missing a few key players in defence and midfield. This time we had a better squad to pick from, but still missing a couple in the shape of Cheik Tiote and Ryan Taylor. No matter,the game kicked off and Newcastle got straight on it. Captain Coloccini misplaced an early pass out of defence that went straight to a Norwich attacker, but Yohan Cabaye was quick to mop up, spun around and lofted a sweet ball right into the path of Pipiss Cisse, whom had beaten any offside trap expertly. John Ruddy, the Norwich ‘keeper, rushed out to close him down but he still had plenty of time to trap, then try and lob it into the Leazes net. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite get enough height on it and Ruddy duly picked it out of the air.

That spurred the team on though and it was all Newcastle for the first 10 minutes. As the clocked ticked towards the 12 minute mark, a great bit of Hatem Ben Arfa tenacity from deep in his own half, where he won the ball back from the opposition and turned it into attack. First feeding Cabaye, who returned to Ben Arfa, the ball then found it’s way to Guthrie who curved a great ball out to Jonas on the left. One touch later he whipped an excellent early ball into the Norwich area that found the marauding Cisse around the penalty spot. His deft, glancing, sidefoot shot then crashed into the top left corner of the Leazes goal. Newcastle United 1, Norwich City 0. (more…)


Cloggy controversy! Arsenal 2, Newcastle United 1

March 17th, 2012 | 22 Comments |

Arsenal v Newcastle United.
Ben Arfa's goal, the only real highlight for the Magpies.
Venue: Ashburton Grove, London.
Date: Mon 12th Mar 2012.
Kick-Off: 8pm.
Referee: Howard Webb.

Well, Arsenal came from behind once more to clinch victory for the fourth time in a row, which I have been informed is a Premiership record. Whilst the first half of the game wasn’t exactly dull, a minute or two of pure excitement (with two goals in the process) put the rest of it in the shade somewhat. The second half was generally an exciting affair, though not necessarily for the right reasons from a black and white perspective. Despite being pounded by the Gunners’ artilllery, they were not finishing their fairly numerous chances as they might, and with some sterling defensive work, the Magpies almost held on. Sadly it was not be though, with Geordie hearts broken right at the death. (more…)