Up for the cup?It’s 25 years since Paul Gascoigne led the Newcastle United youth side to cup success over Watford, running out 4-1 winners on the day. The side included the likes of Ian Bogie, Gary Kelly, Brian Tinnion, Kevin Scott, Jeff Wrightson, Paul Stephenson, and Joe Allon, all of whom went on to play for the first team. That success followed almost 25 years on from the only other previous FA Youth Cup win 1962, when we beat Wolves 2-1.
And the current ‘kids of the future’, are on course to carry on the pattern after defeating Crystal Palace 4-1 at St James’ last night. With home advantage for the first time on the competition, the youngsters proved to be the better side on the night and the crucial goals came from Conor Newton, Samuel Adjei, Phil Airey and Sammy Ameobi. At the other end, Jak Alnwick kept his side on course for a two-legged Semi- Final against either Fulham or Aston Villa, with a crucial penalty save.
Newcastle took the lead after 24 minutes and an otherwise even affair, Conor Newton getting the faintest of touches from Samuel Adjei’s free-kick, and only belatedly being accredited with the goal. It was the provider who turned finisher, when Adjei made it 2-0 only three minutes later, picking up a loose ball and lifting a lovely lob over the stranded keeper. (more…)
Plenty to ponder?The Sky Sports team talked it up and went as far to say that ‘Leicester 0 Newcastle 0’ was the best goalless draw they’d seen for a long time. I think in their quieter moments, off camera, they might ask for their money back, and so might the fans. Because it was a bloody awful game of football from where I was sitting, and perish the thought that I almost travelled to watch that garbage.
It will be a long journey back home for those loyal Mags who had to sit through another unstimulating performance from our team. Even with the well worn cliche of ten men often being harder to play against, tonight was a perfect opportunity to get ourselves back on track and put some daylight between us and the chasers. Unfortunately we fell miles short of looking anything like taking the 3 points at any stage in the game, and if any team looked more likely to create something, it was Leicester.
We just look completely stale and while I’ve argued for months now that we’ve rarely looked like a good football team, we also now seem to have lost some of the hunger that was earning us points regardless of the style we played. (more…)
Possibly some Derby fans. Or possibly not.I was just going to write the word ‘garbage’ and leave it at that for my write-up on the Derby game, my feelings shared by many Newcastle fans spilling out of St Jame’s Park after last night’s game. However, my choice to indulge in some enjoyable ales on the way back to the station for the last train, has given me time to ponder.
And yes, we were still garbage, but there is more to it than just that. Even as I made my way from Durham, I sensed that things seemed flat amongst the supporters, and undoubtedly that was evident on the park for some of our players last night. This word ‘complacency’ has almost lost all meaning, as the doubters and knockers rub their hands in glee at the prospect of another black and white collapse following an impressive lead. While the ‘Class of 96’ was certainly more high-profile, something tells me that our detractors would enjoy our demise just as much this time round. (more…)
Toon didn't need the Hassell!How very dare they! With their short arms and deep pockets, those tight Yorkshire gets refused to give us three points and Barnsley 2 Newcastle United 2, was probably as fair a result as we deserved in the end. Backed by a minibus short of 7,000 fans, it was set up for and Newcastle were probably expecting, a perfect return. As it happens, apart from a spell in the first half, Barnsley were more than good for their point and battered us for spells. And this time we couldn’t sneak a win, though we came very close and it took a last gasp equaliser to spoil all of the black and white fun.
With roughly 7,000 fans spilling down the A1 and from various parts of the country, there was promise of a special day out and as the masses gathered behind the North Stand (and West Stand) in the bright wintery sunshine, the mood was vibrant. Hughton made several changes to the team that played against Coventry, as Ryan Taylor game in for Danny Simpson, while Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll (a surprise inclusion) replaced Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Amoeobi. The formation began as a 4-5-1 with Nolan playing mostly as a second striker but as the game progressed he dropped deeper. (more…)
Danger, danger...As a portion of the football world still await us tripping up and falling flat on our faces, Newcastle United continue to do what we’ve done best so far this season. A clean sheet and three points in the bag! Tonight’s 2-0 victory over Coventry City, meant it was our fourth clean sheet in a row (twelve in total) and our seventh win on the trot. The last time we did that, King Kev was in charge over 13 years ago. Let’s hope our season doesn’t turn out the way that one did though…
Would you credit it though? We were again outplayed for long periods of the game and yet we did the important thing which was to come away with a win. Despite being outplayed overall, Newcastle started well and with the confidence expected of the league leaders. Hughton also rang the changes from the previous game and with Nicky Butt coming in for Nolan, Pancrate in for Guthrie and Ameobi back from a long lay-off, there were three players buzzing to impress. Andy Carroll didn’t get involved at all.
This was another match for which Radio Newcastle were my eyes on the game, but with our defence looking shaky again to begin with, Jonas Gutiérrez gave us some respite against a Coventry side seeking a first win in ten league games. Fabrice Pancrate appeared to struggle against the pace of their other full back. (more…)
