Although not in love with Ashley!Kevin Keegan expresses some views about Newcastle United, Andy Carroll, the Liverpool game and Mike Ashley.
Ex-Toon manager and twice Messiah Kevin Keegan has been giving Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley some grief over the weekend.
First of all, KK was critical about the ‘over-friendliness’ shown to Andy Carroll by his former team-mates on the pitch before the match, when what we should have done is slapped him with a wet haddock and poked his eye out with a sharp stick.
Pardew didn’t agree that it was a problem and intimated that any perceived over-friendliness vapourised at kick-off. Pardew said:
“I don’t see why he’s got a beef with that.
“I think there was one point where Andy carried the ball and there was four of them trying to kick him!
“If anyone thinks that is any part of the game, I’m surprised at that.” (more…)
Can we do the double over Liverpool?Newcastle United head off to Anfield in the hope of doing the double over a resurgent Liverpool.
Let’s face it, it’s going to be hard work to take points off Liverpool as, under Dalglish, they’re making a good fist of pushing for European qualification. Realistically, a top 4 finish is beyond them but they could yet nick the 5th spot from Spurs.
If our form is tip-top I think we can make a good game of it, but anything less could mean a miserable time for our lads.
Two seasons ago Joey Barton got sent off at Anfield, which led to a bit of a tiff between him and then manager Alan Shearer. Alan Pardew insists that Joey is a different man under him though:
“You have to see how players react under your guidance – and I can’t fault Joey under mine.
“And knowing Joey, I don’t think it will prey on his mind. I think he’s strong enough to put it to one side.” (more…)
Anfield awaits the mighty Magpies!With just four games left to play, Newcastle United visit Anfield to play Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool.
It’s destination Anfield for the Toon on Sunday as we take on a Liverpool side revitalised by the arrival of Kenny Dalglish.
It will be a tough game and our record isn’t particularly good at Anfield. I certainly think we have the ability to take points off Liverpool – even a Liverpool that has had much improved performances since the arrival of their Messiah – but it depends upon which team turns up on the day. We could just as easily get hammered if our attitude and form is having an off-day.
Ahead of the game, manager Alan Pardew has been rallying the troops:
“Liverpool have great options and will be a big, strong team challenging for honours next season.
“We want to compete with them and it will be a good showcase for my players to show that they should be here next year competing against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.(more…)
£20m available for players. Maybe.Press speculation suggests that Alan Pardew will be given £20m to spend on players at Newcastle United in the summer.
If Louise Taylor of the Guardian is to be believed, Alan Pardew will have £20m of the £35m we got for Andy Carroll to spend in the summer. Taylor doesn’t say how she knows that and merely states it as fact, so there may or may not be some truth in it.
Apparently the remaining £15m will go on players’ wages.
As part of the article, Alan Pardew reflects on the sale of Carroll:
“Selling Andy was a watershed moment. You couldn’t tell what would happen. It was a bit like Kenny Dalglish going back to Liverpool – that could have been a disaster but proved the opposite.
“Fortunately we stepped up to the challenge and it’s definitely been good for some of our players. Our fans might be looking at strikers like Shola and Peter in a different light now.” (more…)
They're out to get usAlan Pardew remonstrates against the media for trying to embarrass Newcastle United with Sunday’s live fixture.
Alan Pardew has been having a pop at TV broadcasters over what he sees as an attempt to embarrass the club at the hands of Liverpool after they secured the services of Andy Carroll.
Pardew said:
“You could argue this game was scheduled for live broadcast so that it would be an embarrassment for us, with Andy Carroll playing for Liverpool and us not being safe.
“We are safe, but having said that we are still as eager as ever to play the game.
“There is still a lot to play for in these last four games for us.” (more…)
