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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2011 12:26:58 GMT 1
The Toon will be looking for a change in fortune following recent back to back defeats with a win this weekend in their home clash against Swansea City. Over the course of the past four games the Magpies have dropped from third to their current seventh place position. Injuries and some poor refereeing decisions have also played a part in matters and the team need a lift as they head into a crucial festive period. Newcastle still have four games to play in December and at the moment the momentum is decidedly downward. Against Norwich City last time out the revamped Newcastle back four were found wanting and supporters will be waiting anxiously to see if Colo and Tiote are fit to return. Coloccini is the most likely to return to the side even if it may still be something of a risk. Mike Williamson could also make a surprise return to the starting XI after featuring for the reserves in mid-week. That said I remain doubtful despite the 28-year-old getting 45 minutes under his belt for the reserves against Bolton in his first outing since August. Mr T could also be in contention for a long awaited return to the team after a knee injury. Although there's been more media speculation about him being sold in January than news of his injury progress. With Dan Gosling suspended following his red card at Carrow Road, the Mags are short of options in central midfield with either Alan Smith or Mehdi Abeid on standby if Tiote misses out. Abeid has impressed for the reserves this season and despite his lack of experience I would like to see the lad given the spot before Smudgie. Up front I don't expect much in the way of change with Ba and Stroller probably the starting pair leaving Ben Arfa and Best to warm the bench. For Swansea Midfielder Joe Allen returns from suspension while Danny Graham will be pushing for a start. The North East lad scoring against Fulham after coming off the bench last weekend. One highlight that supporters will be looking foward to watching is the performances of the two dutch keepers. With I suspect The Toon Army hoping Michel Vorm is the one kept more occupied throughout the ninety minutes. Like Norwich, Swansea have made a decent fist of life in the Premier League under Brendan Rogers. However, Newcastle have a good record against their Welsh visitors and I expect that to have continued come five o'clock Saturday. What do you think will happen? CWL  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2011 12:36:13 GMT 1
On the stats front................. Newcastle have taken just one point from the last 12 available. Defeat against Chelsea ended a run of 10 matches without defeat at home for Newcastle (W6 D4). Swansea have the worst away record in the Premier League, with just two points on the road to date. Newcastle have won four and lost none of the last five games against Swansea in all competitions. The Swans have failed to score in their last three visits to Tyneside, losing all three games. Michel Vorm has kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League goalkeeper (7) this season. 58% of the goals Newcastle have conceded have come from set pieces, a Premier League high. Swansea have failed to score in more matches this season than any other team in the top flight (7). Demba Ba has scored 18 goals in just 22 Premier League starts. Danny Graham has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances. From that lot either expect a goal feast or a nil all draw. CWL  |
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Post by magpiemarky on Dec 17, 2011 11:39:45 GMT 1
THE TIME FOR GRIT AND DETERMINATION (oops) is now,let's face it,we don't have much else.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2011 11:54:57 GMT 1
Marky it's been because of grit and determination the team got up to 3rd in the table. Unfortunately the ones coming into the side recently to replace the suspended or injured don't have enough of it. CWL  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2011 22:55:09 GMT 1
All, for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the eighth of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park. Following the recent spate of midday, Premier League encounters I was rather pleased to get back to something like a normal Saturday routine with a 3pm kick off against Swansea. Heading into Newcastle along with those searching for Christmas presents also made me realise what a crucial period this is for most Football clubs as well. The games tend to come thick and fast and can make a huge difference points wise when it comes to the second half of the season. By the end of December, The Magpies will have played everyone at least once. During pre-match training, the topics covered included thoughts on; whether Colo or Mr T and possibly Mike Williamson would be in the side, the Gary Speed tribute and could the lads get back on the winning trail? Most of us agreeing that Colo and Mr T in the starting eleven would be a massive boost to the odds of the Newcastle team earning a home win. I decide to head off up to the ground a bit earlier than usual as I wanted to be inside before any tribute to Speed took place. Just as well I did, as many others were obviously of a similar mind and the crowd was much larger than I had expected at the East Stand entrance. The previous attempt to pay respects to Speed was less than satisfactory and rightly got my blood boiling before a ball had been kicked against Chelski. This time it was conducted in a manner that could only fuel pride among the Toon Army. Outside of some magical incidents during a game, it is rare that I have felt so moved at St James’. However, as with the Sir Bobby tribute, this was different and regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death of Gary Speed, I savoured the moment. From the opening when Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones led the crowd in a rendition of the hymn Bread of Heaven closely followed by the minute of applause it was another joining the list of ‘I was there that day’ events in my life with The Toon. Even my less than musical attempts to join in the singing as much for fellow members on the Forum and other Mags who could not be there, but were in spirit, as it was for myself. Especially Steve an avid member of the Toon Army took far too early to join Sir Bobby and Speedo in the great Football stadium in the sky. May they all Rest in Peace. With barely time to draw breath the game started, with Newcastle attacking the Leazes End. The opening exchanges fast and furious with The Lads determined to put their opponents on the back foot early. As hoped during pre match training both Colo and Tiote had returned to the starting line up. However, there were also two unexpected additions in Davide Santon at left back and Leon Best partnering Ba up front. As the half drew on it was just wave after wave of attacks by the men in Black and White and I believed just a matter of time before a breakthrough goal arrived. Tiote did what he does best in breaking up play and feeding Cabaye to let him dictate the play with the French midfielder standing out from his colleagues for me with a superb range of passing. Whatever you may think of Leon Best, he does do one thing for the side and that is never giving the oppositions defence a minutes rest. He just works his socks off and never tries to hide during a game. Yet despite Newcastle dominating the majority of possession somehow, the Swansea defence and keeper Vorm in particular appeared to be leading a charmed existence. The Dutch stopper saved twice by the woodwork following a header from Coloccini and strike across goal from Ba. Jonas also tried to get in on the act of testing the keeper with a fierce drive that appeared from where I sit to also brush against the post just as it went wide. In my build up to this fixture, I mentioned wanting Vorm to be the busier of the two stoppers and certainly, during the first forty-five minutes I was being proved correct. The only downside to that being he was dealing effectively with everything The Toon could chuck at him. Swansea has achieved a good record this season for keeping clean sheets and I could see why. They are well organised and worked hard for each other when off the ball. There was certainly more than myself inside the ground probably wondering how it remained nil all at half time. Most of the talk during the break was about the tribute and how had the game remained scoreless? One or two around me were not happy about Obertan and highlighted his lack of delivery. I’m still of the belief Newcastle have a decent player on their hands if only the coaches can get him to do more of the basics of wing play like crossing into the area. He is not doing himself any favours with six or seven step-over’s if he only ends up losing the ball or running it out of play for a goal kick. The second half started in the same vein as the first with The Toon mounting a succession of attacks. Ba going particularly close with a well struck volley just wide of the post. With the Swansea, defence having weathered the storm during the first fifteen minutes of the second period the visitors began to turn towards a more attacking approach. This gave me a perfect opportunity to watch Davide Santon perform at left back as for most of the first half he had played as an extra wide man down the left flank with Jonas. That said the two of them appear to have developed a good relationship very early on considering they have not played that much together in the first team. Santon learned how tough the Premier League can be down at Carrow Road last weekend. However, that doesn’t appear to have got to him and during this game, he did enough to convince me he is a class act that will only get better. His touch is sublime for a full back and he rarely wastes a pass. He was up against two very quick wingers in Routledge and Dyer yet managed to contain both quite comfortably in my view. Based upon what I witnessed Raylor may well have his hands full in getting the shirt back off him and hopefully The Toon have now finally filled the gap left by Jose. The game became a more even affair as it moved into the last quarter. Shola having replaced Best on seventy-one minutes with the big man immediately involved in a flowing move with Santon down the left. His left foot shot testing keeper Vorm, but never good enough to break the deadlock. In a final throw of the dice, APee made a double substitution bringing on Sameobi for Obertan and more surprisingly Haris Vuckic for Tiote. The Ivorian looking to have gone down with a bad case of cramp rather than suffering further injury to his knee. The use of Haris did raise the question about why Ben Arfa was not brought on to try and win the game although I guess only APee knows exactly the exact reason. Therefore, the game drifted into four minutes of added time. This soon past only leaving ref Lee Mason to eventually conclude proceedings following a final shot high and wide from Ba. In the end despite dominating possession for long periods during the game Swansea earned their share of the spoils with a spirited defensive display. The visitors have a reputation for keeping clean sheets and Newcastle simply couldn’t capitalise during crucial moments to break the deadlock. Positives…...the return of Colo and Tiote, another magnificent crowd of 51,767 and the emergence of Santon at left back. Negatives……….fifth yellow card means Cabaye out against The Baggies, five games without a win and has the luck ran out. On a final note, I will probably recall this game in years to come more for the tribute to Gary Speed than anything that occurred during the ninety minutes of Football, which is perhaps fitting when all is said and done. The hymn, applause, chanting at the eleventh minute including the waving of scarves will always stay with me and a perfect way for The Toon Army to show it’s appreciation for the loss of one of its own. Next up is another Home game with West Brom the visitors to St James’ Park along with Canny and Fairsy. Should be a pre Christmas cracker providing one or both of them can stay awake! CWL |
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Post by Captain Marvel on Dec 18, 2011 23:03:06 GMT 1
All, for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the eighth of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park. Following the recent spate of midday, Premier League encounters I was rather pleased to get back to something like a normal Saturday routine with a 3pm kick off against Swansea. Heading into Newcastle along with those searching for Christmas presents also made me realise what a crucial period this is for most Football clubs as well. The games tend to come thick and fast and can make a huge difference points wise when it comes to the second half of the season. By the end of December, The Magpies will have played everyone at least once. During pre-match training, the topics covered included thoughts on; whether Colo or Mr T and possibly Mike Williamson would be in the side, the Gary Speed tribute and could the lads get back on the winning trail? Most of us agreeing that Colo and Mr T in the starting eleven would be a massive boost to the odds of the Newcastle team earning a home win. I decide to head off up to the ground a bit earlier than usual as I wanted to be inside before any tribute to Speed took place. Just as well I did, as many others were obviously of a similar mind and the crowd was much larger than I had expected at the East Stand entrance. The previous attempt to pay respects to Speed was less than satisfactory and rightly got my blood boiling before a ball had been kicked against Chelski. This time it was conducted in a manner that could only fuel pride among the Toon Army. Outside of some magical incidents during a game, it is rare that I have felt so moved at St James’. However, as with the Sir Bobby tribute, this was different and regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death of Gary Speed, I savoured the moment. From the opening when Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones led the crowd in a rendition of the hymn Bread of Heaven closely followed by the minute of applause it was another joining the list of ‘I was there that day’ events in my life with The Toon. Even my less than musical attempts to join in the singing as much for fellow members on the Forum and other Mags who could not be there, but were in spirit, as it was for myself. Especially Steve an avid member of the Toon Army took far too early to join Sir Bobby and Speedo in the great Football stadium in the sky. May they all Rest in Peace. With barely time to draw breath the game started, with Newcastle attacking the Leazes End. The opening exchanges fast and furious with The Lads determined to put their opponents on the back foot early. As hoped during pre match training both Colo and Tiote had returned to the starting line up. However, there were also two unexpected additions in Davide Santon at left back and Leon Best partnering Ba up front. As the half drew on it was just wave after wave of attacks by the men in Black and White and I believed just a matter of time before a breakthrough goal arrived. Tiote did what he does best in breaking up play and feeding Cabaye to let him dictate the play with the French midfielder standing out from his colleagues for me with a superb range of passing. Whatever you may think of Leon Best, he does do one thing for the side and that is never giving the oppositions defence a minutes rest. He just works his socks off and never tries to hide during a game. Yet despite Newcastle dominating the majority of possession somehow, the Swansea defence and keeper Vorm in particular appeared to be leading a charmed existence. The Dutch stopper saved twice by the woodwork following a header from Coloccini and strike across goal from Ba. Jonas also tried to get in on the act of testing the keeper with a fierce drive that appeared from where I sit to also brush against the post just as it went wide. In my build up to this fixture, I mentioned wanting Vorm to be the busier of the two stoppers and certainly, during the first forty-five minutes I was being proved correct. The only downside to that being he was dealing effectively with everything The Toon could chuck at him. Swansea has achieved a good record this season for keeping clean sheets and I could see why. They are well organised and worked hard for each other when off the ball. There was certainly more than myself inside the ground probably wondering how it remained nil all at half time. Most of the talk during the break was about the tribute and how had the game remained scoreless? One or two around me were not happy about Obertan and highlighted his lack of delivery. I’m still of the belief Newcastle have a decent player on their hands if only the coaches can get him to do more of the basics of wing play like crossing into the area. He is not doing himself any favours with six or seven step-over’s if he only ends up losing the ball or running it out of play for a goal kick. The second half started in the same vein as the first with The Toon mounting a succession of attacks. Ba going particularly close with a well struck volley just wide of the post. With the Swansea, defence having weathered the storm during the first fifteen minutes of the second period the visitors began to turn towards a more attacking approach. This gave me a perfect opportunity to watch Davide Santon perform at left back as for most of the first half he had played as an extra wide man down the left flank with Jonas. That said the two of them appear to have developed a good relationship very early on considering they have not played that much together in the first team. Santon learned how tough the Premier League can be down at Carrow Road last weekend. However, that doesn’t appear to have got to him and during this game, he did enough to convince me he is a class act that will only get better. His touch is sublime for a full back and he rarely wastes a pass. He was up against two very quick wingers in Routledge and Dyer yet managed to contain both quite comfortably in my view. Based upon what I witnessed Raylor may well have his hands full in getting the shirt back off him and hopefully The Toon have now finally filled the gap left by Jose. The game became a more even affair as it moved into the last quarter. Shola having replaced Best on seventy-one minutes with the big man immediately involved in a flowing move with Santon down the left. His left foot shot testing keeper Vorm, but never good enough to break the deadlock. In a final throw of the dice, APee made a double substitution bringing on Sameobi for Obertan and more surprisingly Haris Vuckic for Tiote. The Ivorian looking to have gone down with a bad case of cramp rather than suffering further injury to his knee. The use of Haris did raise the question about why Ben Arfa was not brought on to try and win the game although I guess only APee knows exactly the exact reason. Therefore, the game drifted into four minutes of added time. This soon past only leaving ref Lee Mason to eventually conclude proceedings following a final shot high and wide from Ba. In the end despite dominating possession for long periods during the game Swansea earned their share of the spoils with a spirited defensive display. The visitors have a reputation for keeping clean sheets and Newcastle simply couldn’t capitalise during crucial moments to break the deadlock. Positives…...the return of Colo and Tiote, another magnificent crowd of 51,767 and the emergence of Santon at left back. Negatives……….fifth yellow card means Cabaye out against The Baggies, five games without a win and has the luck ran out. On a final note, I will probably recall this game in years to come more for the tribute to Gary Speed than anything that occurred during the ninety minutes of Football, which is perhaps fitting when all is said and done. The hymn, applause, chanting at the eleventh minute including the waving of scarves will always stay with me and a perfect way for The Toon Army to show it’s appreciation for the loss of one of its own. Next up is another Home game with West Brom the visitors to St James’ Park along with Canny and Fairsy. Should be a pre Christmas cracker providing one or both of them can stay awake! CWL Yet another good read!  ATB |
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Post by Jazz on Dec 19, 2011 0:02:20 GMT 1
All, for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the eighth of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park. Following the recent spate of midday, Premier League encounters I was rather pleased to get back to something like a normal Saturday routine with a 3pm kick off against Swansea. Heading into Newcastle along with those searching for Christmas presents also made me realise what a crucial period this is for most Football clubs as well. The games tend to come thick and fast and can make a huge difference points wise when it comes to the second half of the season. By the end of December, The Magpies will have played everyone at least once. During pre-match training, the topics covered included thoughts on; whether Colo or Mr T and possibly Mike Williamson would be in the side, the Gary Speed tribute and could the lads get back on the winning trail? Most of us agreeing that Colo and Mr T in the starting eleven would be a massive boost to the odds of the Newcastle team earning a home win. I decide to head off up to the ground a bit earlier than usual as I wanted to be inside before any tribute to Speed took place. Just as well I did, as many others were obviously of a similar mind and the crowd was much larger than I had expected at the East Stand entrance. The previous attempt to pay respects to Speed was less than satisfactory and rightly got my blood boiling before a ball had been kicked against Chelski. This time it was conducted in a manner that could only fuel pride among the Toon Army. Outside of some magical incidents during a game, it is rare that I have felt so moved at St James’. However, as with the Sir Bobby tribute, this was different and regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death of Gary Speed, I savoured the moment. From the opening when Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones led the crowd in a rendition of the hymn Bread of Heaven closely followed by the minute of applause it was another joining the list of ‘I was there that day’ events in my life with The Toon. Even my less than musical attempts to join in the singing as much for fellow members on the Forum and other Mags who could not be there, but were in spirit, as it was for myself. Especially Steve an avid member of the Toon Army took far too early to join Sir Bobby and Speedo in the great Football stadium in the sky. May they all Rest in Peace. With barely time to draw breath the game started, with Newcastle attacking the Leazes End. The opening exchanges fast and furious with The Lads determined to put their opponents on the back foot early. As hoped during pre match training both Colo and Tiote had returned to the starting line up. However, there were also two unexpected additions in Davide Santon at left back and Leon Best partnering Ba up front. As the half drew on it was just wave after wave of attacks by the men in Black and White and I believed just a matter of time before a breakthrough goal arrived. Tiote did what he does best in breaking up play and feeding Cabaye to let him dictate the play with the French midfielder standing out from his colleagues for me with a superb range of passing. Whatever you may think of Leon Best, he does do one thing for the side and that is never giving the oppositions defence a minutes rest. He just works his socks off and never tries to hide during a game. Yet despite Newcastle dominating the majority of possession somehow, the Swansea defence and keeper Vorm in particular appeared to be leading a charmed existence. The Dutch stopper saved twice by the woodwork following a header from Coloccini and strike across goal from Ba. Jonas also tried to get in on the act of testing the keeper with a fierce drive that appeared from where I sit to also brush against the post just as it went wide. In my build up to this fixture, I mentioned wanting Vorm to be the busier of the two stoppers and certainly, during the first forty-five minutes I was being proved correct. The only downside to that being he was dealing effectively with everything The Toon could chuck at him. Swansea has achieved a good record this season for keeping clean sheets and I could see why. They are well organised and worked hard for each other when off the ball. There was certainly more than myself inside the ground probably wondering how it remained nil all at half time. Most of the talk during the break was about the tribute and how had the game remained scoreless? One or two around me were not happy about Obertan and highlighted his lack of delivery. I’m still of the belief Newcastle have a decent player on their hands if only the coaches can get him to do more of the basics of wing play like crossing into the area. He is not doing himself any favours with six or seven step-over’s if he only ends up losing the ball or running it out of play for a goal kick. The second half started in the same vein as the first with The Toon mounting a succession of attacks. Ba going particularly close with a well struck volley just wide of the post. With the Swansea, defence having weathered the storm during the first fifteen minutes of the second period the visitors began to turn towards a more attacking approach. This gave me a perfect opportunity to watch Davide Santon perform at left back as for most of the first half he had played as an extra wide man down the left flank with Jonas. That said the two of them appear to have developed a good relationship very early on considering they have not played that much together in the first team. Santon learned how tough the Premier League can be down at Carrow Road last weekend. However, that doesn’t appear to have got to him and during this game, he did enough to convince me he is a class act that will only get better. His touch is sublime for a full back and he rarely wastes a pass. He was up against two very quick wingers in Routledge and Dyer yet managed to contain both quite comfortably in my view. Based upon what I witnessed Raylor may well have his hands full in getting the shirt back off him and hopefully The Toon have now finally filled the gap left by Jose. The game became a more even affair as it moved into the last quarter. Shola having replaced Best on seventy-one minutes with the big man immediately involved in a flowing move with Santon down the left. His left foot shot testing keeper Vorm, but never good enough to break the deadlock. In a final throw of the dice, APee made a double substitution bringing on Sameobi for Obertan and more surprisingly Haris Vuckic for Tiote. The Ivorian looking to have gone down with a bad case of cramp rather than suffering further injury to his knee. The use of Haris did raise the question about why Ben Arfa was not brought on to try and win the game although I guess only APee knows exactly the exact reason. Therefore, the game drifted into four minutes of added time. This soon past only leaving ref Lee Mason to eventually conclude proceedings following a final shot high and wide from Ba. In the end despite dominating possession for long periods during the game Swansea earned their share of the spoils with a spirited defensive display. The visitors have a reputation for keeping clean sheets and Newcastle simply couldn’t capitalise during crucial moments to break the deadlock. Positives…...the return of Colo and Tiote, another magnificent crowd of 51,767 and the emergence of Santon at left back. Negatives……….fifth yellow card means Cabaye out against The Baggies, five games without a win and has the luck ran out. On a final note, I will probably recall this game in years to come more for the tribute to Gary Speed than anything that occurred during the ninety minutes of Football, which is perhaps fitting when all is said and done. The hymn, applause, chanting at the eleventh minute including the waving of scarves will always stay with me and a perfect way for The Toon Army to show it’s appreciation for the loss of one of its own. Next up is another Home game with West Brom the visitors to St James’ Park along with Canny and Fairsy. Should be a pre Christmas cracker providing one or both of them can stay awake! CWL Yet another good read! ATB Seconded! |
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Post by Pollypeterborough on Dec 19, 2011 0:17:50 GMT 1
Thirdid. Thanks for sing up for us. S
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Post by Blue Star Broon on Dec 19, 2011 1:39:17 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2011 4:56:13 GMT 1
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Post by Blue Star Broon on Dec 19, 2011 22:54:19 GMT 1
It was Shaka Hislops long lost brother Spaka Hislop.......sorry Wasnt he dreadful...........?
Dreadful and boorish. Much prefer Ian D and Steve M the other ESPN commontaters. They at least discribe the mood at SJP and talk about what a grand place it is view a match. They also won't call it SDA!
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Post by Fairscup on Dec 20, 2011 9:02:55 GMT 1
Thanks for the match report CWL - The incredibly emotional "Bread of heavan" tribute to Speedo took me bak to my school days and morning assemblies. Saw a lot of those present singing along but unfortunately the TV microphones didn't pick it up too well. As for the game a great deal og huff and puff, not to say hard work but unfortunately to little effect. Agree on the Obertan thing - anyone can see why Purple nose sold him. The fact that Pardew oppted not use ben Arfa against Swansea bodes well for Canny and myself who very probably will get to see him in the flesh against WBA.  Me asleep at the West Brom game- NEVER!!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 11:04:03 GMT 1
Fairsy no offence intended, simply dropped that into my piece just in case either your good self or Canny may be suffering from Booze Lag later on in the evening during the West Brom game. CWL  |
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Post by Fairscup on Dec 20, 2011 11:07:28 GMT 1
Fairsy no offence intended, simply dropped that into my piece just in case either your good self or Canny may be suffering from Booze Lag later on in the evening during the West Brom game. CWL No offence taken my friend - Have you checked your bank a/c lately? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 11:10:47 GMT 1
Yes thanks, all is well unless you have now removed what small amount was already in there. Will discuss when I see you tomorrow for spot of pre match training. Cheers, CWL |
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I've seen Newcastle United win silverware!