Jonas aiming for 42 pointsJonas Gutierrez thinks Newcastle United are capable of picking up 6 points from their two remaining home games and, most importantly, finishing above the missing links from Wearside.
Our last two home games are against Birmingham and West Brom and they should in theory be quite winnable, which is also what Jonas is saying:
“It’s a good opportunity to take the six points because the teams are playing at the same level as us, fighting for the same positions in the table.
“West Brom have come from the Championship, the same as us, and Birmingham are trying to make sure they stay up so they are two teams I think we can take six points from.
“But we have to concentrate on the first one first, and that’s Birmingham.”
In the past Jonas has often been criticised for displaying a lot of bluster but delivering very little in terms of effectiveness, particularly when it comes to the final ball.
Personally, though, I think Jonas is a much improved player: he works exceptionally well with Enrique on the left, puts the willies up defenders by taking them on and his final crosses are hitting the mark more regularly these days. (more…)
Realistic? Or pie in the sky?Shola Ameobi urges Newcastle United to push for a Champions League place in coming seasons.
Shola has been talking positively about our chances of Champions League football in the coming seasons. He believes that’s what we should strive for and that, if we think positive and push on, we can indeed achieve that.
Shola said:
“There’s no better feeling then hearing the Champions League music and lining up in a black and white shirt – why not strive for the top?
“If you aren’t striving to get back to the top then why are you here?
“As a player you want to play in the biggest competitions.
“It was a great period in Newcastle’s history, and certainly the highlight in my career.
“Playing top teams in Europe is something you cherish.
“Being a young lad at the time I took it for granted that we would be in it every year after that, which you just can’t do.
“But you can strive to get back to it and strive to be better as a player and a club.
“If you aren’t striving to get back to the top then why are you here?
“As hard as it might be, we have to think positive, and one day in the not too distant future we can get back.” (more…)
The moustachio was a mistakeJoey Barton wants to pledge his future to Newcastle United, allegedly. Enrique is more of an enigma, but what about our triplet of talented keepers?
The summer will be interesting in many respects for Newcastle United, not least to see who leaves the club and who comes in. However, if the recent comments of a ‘source close to Joey’ are anything to go by, Joey Barton won’t be one of the leavers.
“Joey wants to stay at Newcastle because he is happy here.
“He may be opinionated at times, but he hasn’t forgotten what Newcastle did for him during his time at the club, and he’s got a lot of respect for all of the staff there, from the manager down.
“There has been talk that he was ready to quit the club, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“His main priority is to stay here – and always has been.
“Joey has got a great rapport with the Newcastle fans who obviously appreciate his efforts on the pitch, and he wants that relationship to continue.”
Of course a ‘source close to Joey’ could be his cat for all we know but I do tend to think that he wants to stay at Newcastle. No doubt Ashley will want to reduce his wages but if it isn’t to an insulting level then, personally, I’d expect him to be lining up in black and white next season despite alleged interest in the player from Hamburg and despite the fact the club failed to get him on a new contract in January. (more…)
Ireland: Finally ready for action?Newcastle United’s usually tightlipped supremo, Alan Pardew, has been giving a rare interview in which he says that on loan midfielder, Stephen Ireland, has it all to prove in the next six games if he hopes to make his move to the club permanent. He also announced that he will get his first chance to prove his worth to the club in Tuesday’s match against Premier League leaders, Manchester United.
Ireland, who has yet to make a first team appearence for the club since he was signed on loan from Aston Villa carying a knee injury, was originally set to make his first team debut for the club against Everton on the 5th March. However another injury, a thigh strain picked up in training ended up ruling him out once again for a while.
Pardew began by saying how Ireland has already proved himself as a player from his performances with Manchester City, but that he wants to ensure he can produce similar form in a black and white shirt, observing: (more…)
The "Lion King" in action.Of course, fairly recent Newcastle United signing, Cheik Tiote, has been a big success since he joined the club from Dutch club, FC. Twente in the summer.
The player, who has been on the radar of the club ever since he was spotted by Chris Hughton on a scouting trip for Kevin Keegan in 2008 (when Tiote was playing at Netherlands club, Roda JC), has been a colossus in the defensive midfield role at Newcastle. Statistically, the team has been noticably more sucessful on average with him on the pitch than they are without, which was noticable during the midfielder’s enforced suspensions through picking up five yellow cards, and also for a straight sending off in Newcastle United’s FA Cup tie with Stevenage. This success has recently led to the club agreeing no less than a 6 1/2 year contract with the player, with, supposedly, much improved terms and conditions including a wage rise thought to be something around £50,000 per week. (more…)
