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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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March 2007 Archives


Tin hat time again

Posted by Lee on March 30, 2007 2:08 PM

We've had two weeks to stew about it but now it's back to work.

The defeats against AZ Alkmaar and Charlton have lingered longer in the memory than most because of the international break but now Newcastle United at least have a great chance of putting things right in the game with Manchester City,

Talk from the players is that a place in Europe can still be achieved.

However, it would me a massive ask from a squad that have never really put together a convincing run of form all season.

Perhaps the expectations of fans have even gone down a little.

But surely we can beat Man City!

Continue reading "Tin hat time again" »

Magpies? More like sitting ducks!

Posted by Lee on March 28, 2007 1:32 PM

We're more than aware that Newcastle United's current position is less than acceptable and should they finish the season in the same place, the demand for heads to roll will be heard from Byker to Basingstoke.

Newcastle shouldn't have went out of Europe in Alkmaar, they didn't perform and they threw in the towel.

And even though many people thought it wasn't possible to do it again at Charlton - a team sinking like a stone - they did exactly that, well it was probably worse.

There's no excuses Newcastle haven't done the business this season.

You can't even use the worst injury crisis in the club's history as an excuse without being shot at.

Nor can you point to where Newcastle might be with Michael Owen, you know him?

The £17million man who scores goals without even thinking about it!

Even during international fortnight we're still getting picked on!

Continue reading "Magpies? More like sitting ducks!" »

Bring Back The Noise

Posted by Lee on March 26, 2007 9:03 AM

An in depth look at what the Toon Ultras are doing to re-generate the electricity at St James' Park

The good name of Newcastle United has always been backed heavily by the best supporters in the country, and in many eyes the entire planet.

Now after 38 years without a trophy not many fans around the rest of the world could blame them if season tickets were thrown on to the pitch at the end of the season and many walked away.

However, we don't do it like that in Newcastle - as the Toon Ultras are proving with their 'Bring Back The Noise' campaign.

Certain substandard performances have muted the St James' Park crowd in recent years but attendances have remained some of the best in the UK.

Indeed, how many teams would attract 50,000 plus crowds for mid-table football?

True, Glenn Roeder has been dealing with the worst injury crisis in the club's history.

But for many the performances of individuals have not mirrored the efforts of the Toon fans.

Against Manchester City, the Toon Ultras are looking to pump up the volume.

Continue reading "Bring Back The Noise" »

Yet another case for the Toon defence

Posted by Lee on March 21, 2007 10:43 AM

One minute an injury hit squad can still win a European trophy and can still finish in a UEFA Cup place, the next minute talk of summer clearouts is rife.

The Euro exit to Alkmaar was awful and the 2-0 defeat at Charlton was equally as awful.

Now the ability of this squad is being questioned left, right and centre.

Cut and thrust at the top though isn't it?

Continue reading "Yet another case for the Toon defence" »

Time to show some pride

Posted by Lee on March 19, 2007 8:27 AM

Newcastle United go into their final eight games of the season in desperate need of clawing back some pride after the Charlton debacle.

Where do you start after the shambles that unfolded at the Valley just days after another confidence sapping sorry show in Holland.

It's not like United haven't got the ability - don't forget they raced into a 4-1 lead against Alkmaar just 10 days ago at St James' Park.

We just aren't turning up when we need to most.

The season is in danger of turning into a farce and at the moment even David Blaine, the A-Team and Anneka Rice put together would struggle to get Newcastle out of this one.

Continue reading "Time to show some pride" »

United crash to painful defeat at the Valley

Posted by Lee on March 18, 2007 3:19 PM

Lee Ryder reports from the Valley

Charlton 2 Newcastle 0

Newcastle United tumbled to another defeat at the hands of relegation candidates Chartlton today at the Valley.

United looked toothless as they failed to even push their hosts as the Addicks increased their hopes of staying up.

Newcastle could did not have a shot on target until stoppage time on a day their loyal fans will want to forget.

Continue reading "United crash to painful defeat at the Valley" »

Entering the Valley of doubt

Posted by Lee on March 17, 2007 2:00 PM

We've been here plenty of times before but Newcastle United head to the Valley owing their fans a big performance.

The Toon Army have acted angrily and furiously to the no-show in Holland against Alkmaar that leaves the season in tatters and with plenty of work to do if they are to taste those European trips again next term.

It didn't help that United were 4-1 up at one point against a team - who aren't the best in their country - from a League that is rated only the seventh best in the Europe in the eyes of UEFA.

And it didn't help that United wasted a 14 game run in Europe that didn't even see them make the last eight.

But now United have got a chance to at least claw back some pride at Charlton.

Continue reading "Entering the Valley of doubt" »

Lisbon revisited

Posted by Lee on March 16, 2007 1:34 AM

Lee Ryder reports from Alkmaar

Actually this was worse than Sporting Lisbon.

We attacked in Portugal two years ago.

This time we just stood their like tins of milk and let AZ Alkmaar attack at will.

And although Scott Parker's 'goal' should have sent us through we were left wanting because we attacked when we were 2-0 down on a night we went into in control.

Yes - those away goals knocked us out of Europe.

Continue reading "Lisbon revisited" »

Dutch danger lurking ahead

Posted by Lee on March 15, 2007 4:05 PM

Lee Ryder reports from Alkmaar

As the main square began fillling up this afternoon in Alkmaar it was clear that many could scent danger between their nostrils ahead of the second leg clash with AZ here in Holland.

The red AZ scarves many had tied around their neck as momentos from their trip could still become a sad reminder of a game that promised so much.

Don't forget we started this tie like a house on fire, three up before the half hour mark and 4-1 before the break.

Continue reading "Dutch danger lurking ahead" »

Roeder laughing all the way to the Bank!

Posted by Lee on March 14, 2007 5:45 PM

Lee Ryder reports from Alkmaar - the cheese capital of Holland!

Glenn Roeder today revealed that Newcastle United don't need to score to cash in at the DSB Bank Stadium tomorrow night in the UEFA Cup.

The Toon boss looked confident as he overlooked a training session at the 17,000 seater Dutch stadium and faced the English and Dutch media.

Watching from the stands was England cricketer and Toon fanatic Steve Harmison who has made the trip to Alkmaar for the crucial clash.

Yet Roeder knows he won't need a cricket score to get through.

Continue reading "Roeder laughing all the way to the Bank!" »

3am fever

Posted by Lee on March 13, 2007 12:57 PM

Most Geordies are more renowned for coming in at 3am in the morning rather than setting their alarm at that time, but it's a sacrifice some of the Toon Army must make as they embark on the latest leg of their Euro tour.

The 5.55am KLM flight from Newcastle to Amsterdam is set to be full of weary eyed black and whiters who will make the journey over the North Sea before getting their respective trains to Alkmaar for the big game on Thursday.

Some of course, the ones who got their first, will fly out later but the minute United's tie in Holland was announced for the Thursday night, seats on KLM's flights went like hot cakes.

Continue reading "3am fever" »

Away goals are scary!

Posted by Lee on March 9, 2007 11:41 AM

Well perhaps they aren't that scary.

But away goals are certainly a cause for concern and that has to be the biggest concern following Newcastle United's UEFA Cup first leg win over AZ Alkmaar.

We'll take a 4-2 lead to Holland next week - thanks to another Euro own goal, two from Oba Martins and one from Kieron Dyer - but is that going to be enough?

Continue reading "Away goals are scary!" »

He's Turk of the Toon once again!

Posted by Lee on March 7, 2007 11:39 AM

You were probably nursing a big hangover at the time and the Newcastle United treatment room was bursting at the seams.

But believe it or not the last time Emre pulled on a black and white shirt was the clash with Manchester United on New Years Day.

Now three months later, the little Turk is back in the fold.

And for many it's a welcome boost.

Continue reading "He's Turk of the Toon once again!" »

Snooze fest at St James' Park

Posted by Lee on March 5, 2007 9:00 AM

It was described as instantly forgettable by some in the end but it will certainly be remembered if Newcastle United fail to clinch a place in Europe this season.

True, in 11th place with nine games left, hopes are fading fast of making either the UEFA or Intertoto Cup via the Premiership but the question is, do United deserve to be in Europe next term if they serve up performances like at Wigan and even Boro on Saturday?

At Wigan, United failed to convert and it was the same story against boring Boro.

The only difference being United created less chances!

Continue reading "Snooze fest at St James' Park" »

The annual North-East top dog play-off

Posted by Lee on March 2, 2007 2:05 PM

It's a tournament that only generally exists when Newcastle are struggling and Middlesbrough or as in years gone by Sunderland are doing better than the Magpies.

Yes that's it, the North-East top dogs contest.

Sunderland couldn't enter this year because they are in the Championship while Boro go into the game just behind them.

Victory for Boro takes them into the number 1 slot, defeat could see off their challenge for another season.

Continue reading "The annual North-East top dog play-off" »

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