No wins in the last 14 against this lot!Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Weds 30th Oct, 2013. Kick off: 7.45pm. Referee: Neil Swarbrick. UK TV: Sky Sports.
Well it would certainly be something of a shock if we beat Manchester City this evening, then Chelsea in the league on Saturday, though I would think that even the most deluded Toon fan won’t hold out much hope of that!
Even in recent times we’ve had our moments against Chelsea, however, we have failed to beat Manchester City in the last fourteen attempts on all competitions, the record being P14, W0, D2, L12. Even against a team of Manchester City’s resources, that is bogey form. Our last win against the ‘Citizens’ came in the Premier League back in the days of Graeme Souness, with a 18th minute Michael Owen goal separating the two sides. (more…)
Cisse – Back in the goals against Leeds.My latest blog at metro.co.uk is now up!
Now entitled “Left-field selection Sammy Ameobi helps Papiss Cisse break his Newcastle scoring duck,” it orignally had the same title as this piece until a sub-editor got his or her hands on it. Thankfully though, they seem to have left the story intact this time, apart from taking my correct spelling of ‘Yoan Gouffran’ and changing it to ‘Yoann Gouffran’ like another French player, Yoann Gourcuff.
Enough of my petty griping though, the piece itself takes a look at the return of Papiss Cisse to the score sheet in Wednesday evening’s League Cup game against Leeds United. It also takes a look at the role of two of the best players in that particular game, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran. In particular I look at how, for a change, Alan Pardew actually had a left footed player, Ameobi the younger, playing on the left hand side rather than a right footer who would constantly cut in. This resulted in a superb left footed cross by the big lad for Cisse’s goal, with Ameobi also playing a role in Gouffran’s spectacular second goal in what was an excellent performance overall on the wing from the youngster. (more…)
A run out for the fringe players this evening.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle. Date: Weds 25th Sep, 2013. Kick off: 7.45pm. Referee: Mike Jones (Chester). UK TV: None.
Hello, good evening and welcome to our “match banter” feature for Newcastle United’s League Cup game, this time against the sleeping giants of Leeds United.
For a more in depth look forward to the game, I would suggest checking out the match preview I prepared earlier, which has all the team news, previous form, what the managers have been saying and other stuff too.
Since the abovementioned match preview, the club have reiterated on the eve of the match that cup competitions are no longer a priority for the Magpies, with the club concentrating on a top ten finish in the League as this is far more lucrative for Mike Ashley. Instead, they will be used as an opportunity for the club to look at fringe players, but here’s hoping that this evening will not bring a reapeat of cup fiascos such as Stevenage, Brighton etc anyway. (more…)
A trip to the seaside for the Magpies this evening.Venue: Globe Arena, Morecambe. Date: Weds 28th Aug, 2013. Kick off: 7.45pm. Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorks) UK TV: None.
Tonight sees the Magpies facing the League Two shrimps of Morecambe in the League and to be honest, I know the square root of buggerall about them!
Usually I would be diligent and do a bit of research but today I was delayed in by an unexpected and very nice dinner at a friend’s in Enfield earlier today so I’m afraid this match banter post will be rather rushed this time.
Usually in a contest between Magpies and Shrimps, there should only be one winner, but with some shock results from lower league sides against Premiership opposition already in this competition, plus Newcastle United’s prodigious talent for turning a drama into a catastrophe, you never knaa!
Manchester United - Injury central recently.Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester. Date: Thurs, 26th Sept. Kick off: 7:45pm Referee: Anthony Taylor (Manchester). UK TV: Sky Sports.
The Toon begin this season’s League Cup campaign with a remarkably tough opening fixture away to the Mancs at Old Trafford. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and the tie, which will be settled on the night via extra time and penalties if required will be televised live on Sky TV.
It is widely accepted that Captain Colocinni will return for this trip to Manchester after a three match spell on the sidelines, which will be a relief to our beleaguered back four who had played three games in six days without him. Along with Colo it appears that wor Cheick will make his first appearance since the opening day win against Spurs and Pardew has hinted his “strong spine” will be completed with a start for Shola.
