Can't turn back time on the League CupNewcastle United have a big test of their ability to bounce back from defeat with a tricky game away at Stoke on Monday. I do actually manage to squeeze in some references to the game in an article even more rambling than usual.
The mid-week League Cup defeat was disappointing but without a time machine* we can’t change that now, so it’s time to get jiggy about our upcoming game against Stoke.
This in fact is the attitude of Davide Santon, who had his first start for us on Wednesday. Santon said:
“We hoped to get into Europe through the League Cup but now we must look to the league for that.
“We need to aim for a top-four spot. We have a fantastic squad. But we have a lot of very, very big games against very good teams coming up and we need to put all of our efforts into doing that now.
“We lost Wednesday’s game, but we’re in a good place in the league. That is where we are concentrating now. We need to keep going and carry on winning.(more…)
Tactical rethink? Or just unlucky?Newcastle United lost 4-3 away at Blackburn last night in the Carling Cup, which probably ended the club’s best chance of lifting a trophy this season.
I’ve never really been one for the League Cup, seeing it mainly as the poor relation to the FA Cup, but when a place in the last 8 is looking possible it starts to become a little more important.
It was not to be however as Blackburn were up to the task, either in spite of or because of their lowly league position, and although we twice levelled the game they persevered and won out.
After the game, Alan Pardew said:
“I don’t like the tag of gallant losers but it was a fantastic effort and the fans would have appreciated the effort we have put in.
“Sometimes events just go against you and events certainly did tonight. But the players don’t know when to give in, we kept going and two great hits got us back into the game, but tiredness cost us at the end.
“If we are going to go out of the cup that’s how it should be – giving it everything.” (more…)
Hopefully fit enough to playGood news for Newcastle United as both Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa look to be in contention to play on Sunday.
Some good news for Newcastle fans.
The first bit of good news is that Demba Ba is reportedly fit enough to play on Sunday. He picked up an injury during his last outing for us against Wolves and there was speculation that it might be related to his old knee problem but apparently that was not the case.
He returns to Darsley Park today and will still need to pass a fitness test for our own medical team, but apparently his chances are good.
And Ba isn’t phased by the pressure of history either having recently said:
“I knew about the history here and the names of the past. It does not daunt me. I am a striker, so I want to score goals anyway.
“I’m the type of striker who likes to play and help out in other areas on the field.
“It is about all-round performances, not just goals, and I want to contribute more in that way.” (more…)
Crocked?Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye fears he may have ligament damage to his ankle.
Yohan Cabaye is worried that he picked up a bad ankle injury whilst on international duty for France on Friday. France were playing Albania and by all accounts Cabaye had put in a tidy first half performance but he was substituted just 3 minutes into the second half.
Cabaye’s initial assessment was fairly grim and he told France’s L’Equipe magazine:
“I preferred to be substituted and not take any risk.
“It was a big pain, and I fear ligaments could have been damaged.”
However, shortly afterwards he was quoted as having a slightly more optimistic outlook by the French Football Federation’s web site:
“I hope I will be fit for Tuesday and that this game does not pass me by.(more…)
Happy to wait his turnNewcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper says he’s content to keep the bench warm for now and has nothing but praise for Tim Krul.
My esteemed colleague recently wrote an article about Steve Harper asking whether he is content playing second fiddle to Tim Krul at Newcastle or whether he may consider moving elsewhere.
And yesterday Steve Harper gave his reply. When asked if he’s prepared to sit on the bench, Harper said:
“Of course. The club made the decision to start with Tim at the start of the season and he has been outstanding. You can’t take that away from him.
“Some games he has been quiet but against Fulham, the cup game against Scunny, and Wolves he was outstanding.
“He has played a big part in the start to the season and I will continue to help him. I know he’s said that. But I will help him as much as I can.
“He is a big player for the future and if I can help get the best out of him then it will only benefit the club.” (more…)
