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About this blog

Blog on the Tyne is dedicated to bring Toon fans everywhere the most up to date NUFC views, opinions and comment.

The author Lee Ryder, proudly born and bred on Tyneside, has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.

From the high octane atmosphere of St James' Park to the Premiership grounds up and down the country and into Europe - this Blog has been there.

But the coverage doesn't stop at first team level.

Blog on the Tyne is also proud to be there to witness the future of the club with regular coverage of Newcastle United's reserve side, as well as all things black and white.

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September 2006 Archives


Wouldn't you just love it?

Posted by Lee on September 29, 2006 4:43 PM

It’s right up there with going to the dentist or going to visit the in-laws on Boxing Day, yes it’s that time of year again – time to go to the so called Theatre of Dreams.

You know the place we all least enjoy going in the Premiership.

And you can’t be a spring chicken if you were there last time we won, yes way back in 1972, when Supermac and Bob Moncur were pulling on a black and white shirt and hippies were popular (probably).

Because that’s just it, isn’t it?

Continue reading "Wouldn't you just love it?" »

Thank Roeder for Euro dream

Posted by Lee on September 28, 2006 12:03 PM

It might not have the sparkle and the glamour of the Champions League but should Glenn Roeder guide Newcastle United to the UEFA Cup group stages tonight it can only be described as a minor miracle.

Too often United are a victim of their own high standards which ultimately leads to bitter disappointment come the end of the season or the end of a venture in any of the cup competitions.

But look where Roeder found United when he was asked to take over as caretaker manager last February.

Flirting with relegation to the Championship, that’s where.

What was the expecation level then?

We were a million miles away from Europe!

Continue reading "Thank Roeder for Euro dream" »

Titus has Toon fans at breaking point

Posted by Lee on September 24, 2006 8:27 PM

It might not have cost Newcastle United all three points against Everton but the red card for Titus Bramble against the Toffees has certainly left the Toon defender in a sticky position.

The reaction of Glenn Roeder after his second yellow then red said it all as the United manager simply blanked Bramble as he trotted down the tunnel.

It has to be said, Bramble has shown in the past what a strong tackler and imposing defensive figure he can be on his day, so why does he keep doing what can only be described as footballing suicide in Toon colours?

Continue reading "Titus has Toon fans at breaking point" »

Let's make it a happy Monday

Posted by Lee on September 22, 2006 12:44 PM

Everton at home then and it isn't to be taken lightly either.

The Toffees are unbeaten so far this season and United go into it after a sticky night against Liverpool - the team that Everton took apart 3-0 on the same day we lost 2-1 at home to Fulham, the team that lost 2-1 to League Two outfit Wycombe at home in midweek.

I know that it's never logical to read football games like that but I think out of that little sequence it suggests it is not going to be easy against unbeaten Everton at St James' Park.

But it's still the sort of game we should be winning at a canter at home, right?

Continue reading "Let's make it a happy Monday" »

Same old Bellers, always whining!

Posted by Lee on September 21, 2006 3:57 PM

If ever you wanted to look for the textbook method of holding a grudge then the best person to speak to is Mr Craig Bellamy, formerly of this parish.

It's been said on this blog before that it could be argued that Bellers has been missed on the field of play since being shown the boot by Newcastle United last year.

He got too big for his silver boots at Newcastle and was shown the door.

Something he is still clearly cheesed off about on the evidence of his raging last night.

His style at running at people, scoring goals, making goals and generally getting right up the nose of the opposition has been missed at St James' Park.

And last night we got a dose of it ourselves at Anfield.

Continue reading "Same old Bellers, always whining!" »

Get well soon Shay

Posted by Lee on September 19, 2006 1:52 PM

Spare a thought for Shay Given at the moment.

United's super keeper was hurt in a pure act of bravery at West Ham and will now miss six weeks of the season after he sustained a one-centimetre tear in his bowel when he slid in for a ball with West Ham's Marlon Harewood.

There is nothing in the public domain to suggest Harewood has said sorry or plans to say sorry to Given as yet, but perhaps the Press office at West Ham should make efforts for at least the Hammers striker to pass on his best regards, even though he may not have meant to hurt the Toon keeper.

It might be an idea eh Marlon?

Continue reading "Get well soon Shay" »

First class show is food for thought

Posted by Lee on September 18, 2006 9:20 AM

What a difference a win makes eh?

This time last week United were branded a pub side and the alarm bells were ringing loud and clear.

Newcastle were hammered by the Press and the fans but perhaps now is the time to give credit where it is due.

Let's be honest Glenn Roeder guided his side to an amazing victory at West Ham yesterday, didn't he?

Continue reading "First class show is food for thought" »

Mission possible

Posted by Lee on September 14, 2006 1:03 PM

Funny game football isn't it?

This time last year we were looking forward to Alan Shearer's farewell season alongside England star Michael Owen now we go into today's game against Levadia Tallinn with Antoine Sibierski leading the line for Newcastle.

OK, it is not the big-name signing everybody wanted.

But can you blame the Frenchman for nearly snapping Glenn Roeder's hand off?

Continue reading "Mission possible" »

Tallinn spotting

Posted by Lee on September 13, 2006 4:35 PM

The Toon Army rolled into Tallinn today determined to wash out the nasty taste of that defeat against Fulham from their mouths - hopefully by witnessing a good win against UEFA Cup minnows Levadia.

A handful of fans were present at the Le Coq Arena this afternoon along with members of the UK and North East Press as they watched the team get put through their paces by Glenn Roeder, Lee Clark and Terry McDermott.

This took place at the home of Flora Tallinn with Levadia Tallinn's Kadrioru Staadion not big enough to stage such a game with just 4,700 spaces on offer.

It has to be said though there has already been a few talking points before a ball has even been kicked, I mean where else would you be able to buy a Mart Poom board game other than Estonia!

Continue reading "Tallinn spotting" »

Given the night off

Posted by Lee on September 12, 2006 1:13 PM

Shay GivenWouldn't it be nice to give Shay Given the night off in Tallinn?

No I don't mean drop him, I mean give the man a bit more protection.

It has to be said that in terms of value, Given must be up there with Alan Shearer when it comes to contributions in a United shirt.

If Shearer netted 206 goals for United then how many goals has Shay prevented at the other end?

Given was livid after the Fulham game with his defence - branding it worse than 'Sunday League' defending in the Chronicle - and who can blame him?

No marking, no clue, no idea and finally no points in terms of stopping them from going in the onion bag.

It can't be the same against the might of Levadia Tallinn can it?

Continue reading "Given the night off" »

We've got to lift it to see off the Kroon Army

Posted by Lee on September 11, 2006 1:49 PM

It's been described as a minor miracle over in Tallinn.

The miracle is Levadia Tallinn actually getting through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup.

The only problem is they are starting to believe in miracles after shocking Dutch outfit FC Twente and the home fans can't wait to lock horns with United.

Be warned Newcastle!

Nobody gave Levadia a hope to get beyond the Inter'Toto Cup stages but once they battled through, and then negotiated their second qualifying round tie with FC Twente, suddenly destination Tallinn looked like more than a nice little trip abroad.

Continue reading "We've got to lift it to see off the Kroon Army" »

Yanks very much

Posted by Lee on September 9, 2006 6:29 PM

In the end it wasn't so straight forward then.

A game that has got morale boosting home win written all over it ends up producing nothing.

To be honest most people wouldn't feel much better even if we'd drawn against Fulham.

Two goals from American duo Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra killed off United and their opening strike from Scott Parker.

A point would have been better than nothing but shouldn't Newcastle United be seeing off teams like Fulham in a comfortable manner?

Continue reading "Yanks very much" »

Positive mental attitude

Posted by Lee on September 8, 2006 1:49 PM

Fulham arrive in Toon tomorrow for what should be a nail on three points for Glenn Roeder at St James' Park.

Since Roeder has been installed as boss United's record at home has been solid with just one defeat on the board since taking charge.

Even though his record reads extremely well, defeat against Fulham will be sure to set the alarm bells ringing.

And United players will be about as welcome as Michael Gray at Wayne Rooney's house should they consider a night out on the Quayside following defeat against the side from Craven Cottage.

Continue reading "Positive mental attitude" »

Get the ball and score a Gol!

Posted by Lee on September 5, 2006 2:14 PM

Now the dust has settled perhaps the time has come to reflect on something Newcastle HAVE got in the shape of Giuseppe Rossi.

Providing the 19-year-old doesn’t get crocked for the Italian Under-21s against Austria in Forli tonight, Rossi is thought to be fully match fit and raring to go.

We know he can score goals and although his scoring record is spookily similar to that of a certain Michael Chopra, the American-born Italian arrives on Tyneside for his loan stint, a few years younger than Chops and with great things expected of him by his Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the watching Italian media.

Continue reading "Get the ball and score a Gol!" »

Never a dull moment

Posted by Lee on September 1, 2006 3:07 PM

Dull moments and Newcastle United will never feature in the same copy book.

It’s true and it’s also a fair bet that even though it has all been of a negative nature, there has been as much reaction on Tyneside today than there has in both North and East London following the flurry of transfer activity in the capital.

Chelsea may believe they have an Indian sign over London rivals Arsenal with the capture of Ashley Cole and even though they had to perhaps snap a toe off to get their man, with William Gallas going the other direction, the Blues fans will still be feeling smug tonight in the bars around The Smoke.

Continue reading "Never a dull moment" »

Far from a merry Milner

Posted by Lee on September 1, 2006 10:13 AM

James MilnerSpare a thought for James Milner this morning.

It was a case of deja vu for the England under-21 star yesterday as he made an identical journey to Villa Park for the second consecutive transfer deadline day.

The Toon winger has grafted his socks off this summer and returned to St James’ Park with a superb attitude after an uncertain time with several Premiership clubs showing an interest in him.

But Milner simply got his head down and put in some tireless performances to help Newcastle reach the latter stages of the UEFA Cup.

Continue reading "Far from a merry Milner" »

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