Late Cabaye goal secures pointsVenue: St James’ Park, Newcastle Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 Kick-off: 3:00pm Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
A fairly lacklustre first half was followed by a livelier second half that saw Yohan Cabaye get his first PL goal, and Newcastle United snatch victory by the narrowest of margins.
The first half looked like it was going to be a stormer after two and half minutes when Ba, Best and Jonas created a chance on the break. However Jonas’s cross wasn’t particularly good and the half turned into a bit of a damp squib after that from a Newcastle point of view.
There were some worrying moments for the lads when Victor Moses made a great run, passed to Emmerson Boyce. Moses then cut inside swiftly in a great piece of interplay with Boyce giving the ball back for Moses to hit a great shot at Krul, forcing yet another excellent save from the Flying Dutchman. Wigan’s Mohamed Diame also appeared to have been fouled either just outside or just inside the box but nothing was given. But then it seemed to be a case of both sides either not getting the final ball in or wasting it when they did.
Gutierrez and Obertan made the running up the right and left as usual but couldn’t get either themselves or anyone else on for a finish.
That Moses shot apart, Wigan were no better in the finishing department. During a period of Wigan domination at about the 15 minute mark, Rodallega crossed poorly or shot wildy a few times in quick succession. Rodallega did have one decent chance after leaving our defence standing but once again couldn’t hit the target. (more…)
Worried about Wigan?Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 Kick-off: 3:00pm Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
Good afternoon Toonsters.
Here we go trying to extend our unbeaten run to 9 games this season and despite the talk of potential banana skins you’d have to fancy our chances of taking all 3 points at home to Wigan.
Key player?Newcastle United appear to have ‘options’ in many areas at the moment as Shola’s substitute appearance last Sunday seemed to prove, but is there any player we simply couldn’t do without?
Remember Ultravox? They were a lively and ‘edgy’ band when John Foxx was driving things but, when Foxx left, Midge Ure introduced a brand of commercial bland that concomitantly ruined their music and launched them to commercial success. ‘Vienna’ was a big success for Ultravox whilst John Foxx skirted the lower borders of the top 40 singing about ‘Underpants’* (click click drum).
The point, though, is that Ultravox survived the change of personnel and it seemed there was no one person without whom they were in the mire. In my warped and befuddled brain, this is just the sort of analogy that leads me on to Newcastle United and whether or not there are key players without whom we’d be rowing up the creek of excrement without any paddle-shaped objects. (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…)
