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…)
Newcastle United suffered a Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Blackburn last night after, but only after we scored 2 goals in injury time at the end of full time, forcing the game into extra time.(more…)
Battling for a place in the last 8Good evening and welcome to the match banter thread for tonight’s Carling Cup tie between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
A place in the last 8 beckons for one of us and I’d quite fancy our chances at this one if it wasn’t for a strange sense of foreboding I’m feeling about the game.
As you all know by now, I’m blessed with more than the mere 5 senses of normal mortals and both my 17th and 23rd sense are tingling slightly. Although that might just be the curry I had last night.
Without Cheik Tiote (knee) and Steve Taylor (conk), Pardew will be forced to make a few changes and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod. I wouldn’t be surprised to see appearances by Smith and Perch in this game and I reckon Benny will get a starting place up front with either Ba or Best. But I’m just guessing. . (more…)
Artist's impressionNewcastle United have two injuries to contend with – a minor one for Steven Taylor and a more significant one for Shola Ameobi.
Alan Pardew is considering playing Steven Taylor with a broken nose on Wednesday, by which I mean Steven Taylor has the broken nose rather than Alan Pardew. At least I don’t think Alan Pardew has a broken nose, although it’s not important if he does – to me, anyway – because the conk in question in this article is Steven Taylor’s.
Taylor got is nose bloodied after a clash with Mohamed Diame in our game against Wigan on Saturday, although this is the first I’ve heard that it was actually broken.
Mike Williamson’s ankle/foot injury won’t be healed in time and it seems that Pardew doesn’t fancy someone like Perch at centre-back. Pardew said:
“We might have to look at him wearing a mask or something but we have to make sure he looks after his looks. He lost a lot of blood and we had him off the pitch for five minutes. It’s something we’ll have to think about for Wednesday night.” (more…)
In demand?Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini is allegedly on Liverpool’s Christmas shopping list whilst Steve Harper might be off for a spell at Brighton.
Shockingly, it’s only 10 weeks until Christmas, which for a humbug like me is a disturbing thought. And shortly after that it’s the January sales, although in this case I’m talking about the transfer window rather than the mad squeeze to get into Harrods (where I’m sure all Toon supporters shop) for a cut-price pair of socks.
If reports in the weekend press are anything to go by, Liverpool intend to do some shopping at St James’ Park by way of Fabricio Coloccini. Apparently Kenny Dalglish is keeping a close eye on Colo’s contract situation and is ready to make a reported £12m bid for the player if Colo has not signed with Newcastle before the end of the window.
After they’ve recently taken Carroll and Enrique from us, you could be forgiven for thinking they see us as some sort of feeder club for them, but in this case I say enough is enough and they can keep their grubby mitts off our captain. (more…)
