Yoshinori Muto celebrates a rare goal against Leicester To say that Newcastle have enjoyed a mixed start to the season would be somewhat of an understatement. After Steve Bruce was announced as Rafa Benitez’s successor back in July, it’s clear that the fanbase was divided in their opinions of the future direction that Mike Ashley was looking to take the club in, especially after the departure of Ayoze Perez. An opening day defeat against Arsenal was followed up with a loss against Norwich thanks to three Teemu Pukki goals before the Magpies looked to have found their stride after shocking Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side with a one-goal victory in London.
With reports of poor warm-ups and much more surrounding Newcastle and their new boss, the win over Spurs injected new hope into their passionate supporters. Although a handful of supporters had hoped for a good run in this season’s Carabao Cup, the spirited display against Leicester City which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat has highlighted that their application and spirit cannot be questioned. As a result of that, we’re going to consider what the aims should be for the remainder of the season following the recent cup exit. (more…)
Joelinton scoring Newcastle’s first goal of the season. After such a poor performance against Norwich, even the most optimistic fan would be forgiven for thinking that the Toon might be lucky to even pick up one point against Champions League finalists Tottenham on their own turf, let alone three as they did, with Joelinton’s well taken goal separating the sides. However, does the solid performance against the Champions League finalists mean redemption for Steve Bruce?
After two lost games using Steve Bruce’s preferred 3-5-2 formation it was obvious that things weren’t working and at the start it seemed that Bruce’s team had come out with more attacking intent this time with a formation which looked more like an attacking 3-4-3 with Joelinton leading the line alongside Almiron and Saint-Maximin. (more…)
Steve “Dreamboat” Bruce returns to SJP.Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle United. Date: Sat 21st Sep, 2013. Kick off: 3.00pm. Referee: Martin Atkinson (Bradford). UK TV: None.
This week, the Magpies welcome Steve Bruce back to St James’ Park, this time with his promoted Hull City side.
After a long, long run of poor form, somehow, Alan Pardew goes into this game looking for his third Premier League victory in a row after two one goal victories over toothless Fulham and Aston Villa sides. The last time Pardew and Newcastle managed this feat was almost a year and a half ago back in April 2012. It was actually SIX victories in a row, over Norwich City, West Brom, Liverpool, Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers and finally, Stoke City. That was towards the end of the season when we finished fifth and it’s been pretty much downhill ever since! Here’s hoping we can get the same result as the last time Bruce was at St James’ Park. Of course, that time “Agent” Bruce brought his his Blunderland side to St James’ Park for a comprehensive 5-1 stuffing at the hands of Chris Hughton. (more…)
On a rare sunny day in the dark underbelly of the North East, Newcastle had to negotiate an early derby game full of expectation amongst the deluded locals.
Such is the optimism after shelling out a fat wedge on a new bunch of fair to middling or overaged players. As was to be anticipated, the dark ones came out with an attitude to try and make amends for last seasons poor performances and results.
Unsurprisingly, they had the lion’s share of the early exchanges. Probably right up to the 15th minute when a Joey Barton header was blatantly ‘saved’ on the line by Larsson, who, incidently, isn’t a ‘keeper. (more…)
Hughton: Target of speculation.On the eve of Newcastle United’s home derby clash with the Mackems, Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, ex Newcastle United chairman, Freddy Shepherd, and current club captain, Kevin Nolan have all come out in support of manager, Chris Hughton.
Hughton’s position as Newcastle manager has recently been called into question by journalists such as the People’s Alan Oliver and the Daily Hate Mail’s Colin Young, and bets on whether Hughton would be sacked were suspended at Ladbrokes recently. In response, the club issued a club statement after Wednesday’s League Cup defeat against Arsenal. The statement said:
“Chris is our manager and will remain our manager, and it is our intention to renegotiate his contract at the end of the year.”
Speaking in an interview for Talk Sport meanwhile, Freddy Shepherd said of Hughton’s time as the Magpies’ manager:(more…)
