Loving it!It was something we were crying out for and something even Big Al couldn’t muster amongst the n’er do wells that passed themselves off as professional footballers last season.
Having rid ourselves of some inflated-egos following the drop, we hoped for some solidarity this year. Unity in the camp and everyone pushing for the same things and nobody better or more deserving than anybody else. That way everybody would have each other’s back and we’d be a ‘team’ again instead of just individuals who happened to be wearing the same shirt and kicking in the same direction on a Saturday.
One thing we probably didn’t expect after relegation though was for this to be much fun for the players. Although some of us tried to see opportunity in adversity and treat it like an adventure, we didn’t expect a beaming squad of player at the prospect of capped wages and capacity crowds lower than five figures. However, Steven Taylor has gone on record to say that it’s all smiles around the training ground at the moment and it sounds like life couldn’t be better for the young defender. He said: (more…)
Making a difference!Despite carrying round a sizeable pot and an ar*e the size of Bowburn Services, Kevin Nolan once again produced the goods, just when it looked like we’d have to settle for a draw. And instead, Newcastle United again managed to snatch victory from the jaws of a pretty dire televised encounter almost inevitably destined for a bore draw, and ensured we once again reign supreme at the top of the table.
Having committed my pocket money to the upcoming Barnsley and Sheff Wed encounters, I had to make do with a seat in front of the Sky cameras, and after an hour I was grateful for my decision-making. With Hughton initially opting for a 4-5-1 formation, Andy Carroll presumably being supported by the roaming Nolan, he was forced to make changes even before the kick-off as Ryan Taylor apparently pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up.
So Newcastle started with the same side that beat Peteborough, what seems almost months ago now after the international break. And of course with the more traditional 4-4-2, Newcastle fans were probably hopeful of a slightly more cavalier approach, compared to previous games away from St James’ this term. But in a first half that proved once again that this level is a million miles from the quality in the upper elechons of the top flight, we struggled to make an impression on an average looking Preston. (more…)
Last man standing.Of course, just when you think that Mike Ashley’s unpopularity with the Newcastle United fanbase has bottomed out and just couldn’t get any lower, it usually does. However the only man who has offered him any kind of lifeline is Chris Hughton, who has resolutely chosen to ignore wherever possible almost everything at Newcastle that doesn’t take place either on a hundred yards of grass or in a dressing room.
In one of his more revealing interviews since his arrival at Newcastle, Hughton has spilled the beans on his time in Toon. Kicking off with the effect his main goal, promotion, would have on Mike Ashley’s efforts to sell the club Hughton commented:
“Of course, it must be a fact that if this club are doing well and if this club is back in the Premier League it is a more saleable asset,”
Moving on to Ashley himself, he continued:
“Does he have a passion for the club most people don’t see? I don’t think you can have the involvement that he has in this club and not be passionate about it, that is an impossibility. (more…)
Signer ici monsieur Pancrate!It’s been announced on the official site that Newcastle United have struck a sweet deal for Fabrice Pancrate. The French midfielder/stirker has secured a deal until the end of the season, after impressing Chris Hughton in his two week trial, which involved a run out for the reserves against Hartlepool United, with yours truly in attendance.
He had a five year spell with Paris St Germain, which included loan spells at Real Betis and Sochaux. And was being pursued by a number of French and English clubs. He was followed in the summer by Portsmouth, Everton, Sheff Utd and Burnley but nothing came of the interest.
Hughton declared he had been happy with his endeavour and ability in the training sessions, and having been pacy and direct in the reserve game against Hartlepool it seemed to bode well for the Frenchman. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more of him to make my own judgement but clearly Hughton has had that luxury. As a supporter having seen him in just the one game, I would say if he can get at defences the way he did in spells the other night, then he will excite the crowd. I only hope he has a final product. (more…)
NUFC working with the experts? I recently wrote a short piece on the announcement of Newcastle United having made a deal with Merseyside based marketing company, Ampersand. Anyone who read it will know that it was tongue in cheek, although I did make references to the timing of the announcement being so close to the renaming of St James’s Park and begged the question of how much influence this company may have had on it.
Ampersand have since sent us an email explaining their background and position, and their objectives for and influence on Newcastle United and it’s Marketing direction:
“Ampersand is a PR, Marketing and Design agency based in Merseyside. The company is a full service agency and works with a number of different clients in all three capacities. Ampersand was commissioned by Newcastle United to design and produce a piece of printed marketing material that would serve as a brochure detailing the clubs history, traditions, uniqueness and proud position on football’s world stage. (more…)
