Gosling - Compensation would have helped Plymouth.We are aware that we have finally signed Dan Gosling on a free transfer, well I would bloody well hope we are all aware anyway.
It represents a good deal for Newcastle as we have managed to acquire a player that is worth around £4 million currently, and even if he doesn’t improve we can sell him and still make a bit of cash. It’s a ‘win win’ for Newcastle.
Gosling began his career at Plymouth Argyle and was poached from them by Everton who continued to build on what he had learnt at Home Park. Now Gosling can try to improve further with us, but what about the clubs he has left behind, particularly the one where it all began, what benefit will they get now we have signed him? (more…)
Perfect Peter‘Tell me ma, me ma…’
Well maybe not yet, but after Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 win over Plymouth in our FA Cup 3rd Round replay, it’s hard not to get a little carried away. But then again it’s hard to imagine the opposition being such pushovers in the next round. And the hardy group of Argyle fans, perched in Level 4 of the Leazes, looking for all the world like the last, unwanted one in a box of Milk Tray, amongst a sparsely populated Leazes, must have been bitterly disappointed with what their side offered, or didn’t as it were.
But however horrible Plymouth were, Newcastle’s win was emphatic and the scoreline should really have been more damning, though it benefitted yours truly that it wasn’t, as 3-0 pocketed me a nice little return on my modest flutter. And tonight it wasn’t just about the result, which was impressive, but the way we went about the game.
Hughton made seven changes to the previous game, as Danny Simpson was left out of the squad and made way for the returning Enrique. Steven Taylor replaced Tamas Kadar, although he was due to replace Coloccini, until Kadar picked up an illness close to kick off. In came Nolan and Gutierrez, as Guthrie and Smith made way, the latter apparently not passed fit after coming off in the original tie. Carroll and Lovenkrands replaced Ameobi and Ranger upfront.
After a slow five minutes, we started looking hungry and determined, and Peter Lovenkrands marked his comeback, after just ten minutes, chipping the ball over the keeper after a clever run onto a lovely ball slipped into the box by Gutierrez. (more…)
Hawthorns next junction on 'Road to Wembley'Well it’s not really a bag anymore and we’re not even through to the 4th Round yet, but former Chelsea man Paul Elliott and comedian and Baggies fans, Frank Skinner between them managed to ‘bag’ Newcastle a difficult away tie should we overcome Plymouth in our 3rd Round replay.
Assuming we can beat Plymouth next week to make it through to the next round, we face a difficult trip to the Hawthorns just days after we’ll have played West Brom in our Championship crunch encounter at St James’. Frank Skinner, a big West Brom supporter pulled their ball our first to hand them home advantage, and despite both teams having more focus on promotion, there were easier ties to get.
Most Newcastle fans seem keen to drop out of this competition to allow us to concentrate on regaining Premiership status. However, I’m with Hughton on this one, and there’s nothing quite like a good cup run. I’m even fairly confident we could do quite well, and though we have to beat Plymouth first, I don’t see why we can’t go and win at the Hawthorns. And the last time my old man went to watch the Mags there in the cup, he always tells me it was like half the ground was full of Mags and it was a great day out as we marched on to the ’74 Cup Final. Mind you, the colours are quite similar… (more…)
Tricky tie at Home Park!Cup fever hits Tyneside for the first time in the new decade, as Newcastle visit Plymouth in today’s FA Cup 3rd Round tie at Home Park! As the last few have been relatively successful, here’s another link you can just use for the match banter. Unfortunately, my better half changed our holiday plans, so as we’re not in the area, ‘wor lass’ frowned on the idea of me going.
Like yours truly, not all Toon fans are lucky enough to be there (if lucky is the right word to embark on a such a hike!). With the game not being beamed out live anywhere, it’s probably not going to be possible to watch directly, as I’m not sure how the ITV links will work abroad. But if anyone can find radio, video links etc to the game for people who don’t have it, I’m sure that would be appreciated. As ever, this can be the place to come together during the match and p*ss and moan, as we usually do.
There’s no probable teams news [UPDATED BELOW], as Hughton has suggested a much changed side, and it’s likely to be anyone’s guess who plays, although Deb has done a preview article and both have strong squads to choose from. Hopefully we’ll get line-ups on here before the start. (more…)
Old boy makes PilgrimageOur path to FA Cup glory could be thwarted by an old acquaintance, if reports are true that former Newcastle United coach John Carver is back in football. It’s been mentioned on .com that JC is going to be assistant to Paul Mariner at Plymouth Argyle, who has taken charge after Paul Sturrock was removed from the Home Park hotseat.
Carver coached our reserves and academy sides, before being promoted to assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, and stepped in as Caretaker when Robson was sacked. When Souness got the job, he then moved onto Leeds as first team coach before once again stepping in as Caretaker for Kevin Blackwell, who he then followed to Luton Town before taking up the role of head coach at MLS side Toronto. (more…)