December 2007 Archives
Happy new year...well let's hope so
Posted by Lee on December 31, 2007 8:21 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BLOG ON THE TYNE
The calendar year of 2007 actually promised quite a lot as far as Newcastle United were concerned - but not for the first time in history it eventually conjured up absolutely nowt!
This time 12 months ago we were within swinging distance of the top six, still in the FA Cup and still in Europe.
And going into 2008, a lot of Geordies are already starting to wonder - what next?
Freddy Shepherd has gone and Mike Ashley and Chris Mort are in which delighted the majority of Toon fans yet sadly results on the pitch have not changed a great deal and United are pretty much in the same position they were in 12 months ago - apart from we aren't in Europe this time around.
And although the up and coming January transfer window is a chance to change things as far as Big Sam is concerned there is no golden promise of cash so far from the Toon board meaning, as ever, the next three games are crucial.
Continue reading "Happy new year...well let's hope so" »
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
Toon left furious after late Blues winner
Posted by Lee on December 29, 2007 5:08 PM
Newcastle United's battling performance in the capital today wasn’t enough to ease the pressure on Sam Allardyce as his side were beaten by a controversial late goal.
Salomon Kalou’s goal near the end bagged the points for Chelsea in a 2-1 win for the Blues but Newcastle could have picked up all three points.
Newcastle headed for Stamford Bridge looking to become the first team in 73 Premier League games to beat Chelsea against a patched up Blues side.
Continue reading "Toon left furious after late Blues winner" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Does The Theatre of Nightmares lie in wait for the Mags?
Posted by Lee on December 28, 2007 12:53 PM
Anybody who went to Wigan will know that Newcastle United surely can't do any worse than they did at the JJB Stadium when they head to Stamford Bridge.
Or can they?
I don't want to be negative but you have to fear the worst.
For starters United couldn't win at Chelsea when they had a good team, Keegan and Robson included.
In truth we have been terrible at the Bridge and it doesn't look like it will get better does it?
Continue reading "Does The Theatre of Nightmares lie in wait for the Mags?" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Newcastle are stuck with the timebomb that is Joey Barton
Posted by Lee on December 28, 2007 11:17 AM
Apart from the occasional controversial outburst about playing for England, United's vicious supporters and reflections on mistakes he'd made earlier in his career at Man City, Joey Barton has - by his own standards - had a pretty quiet opening to his career with Newcastle United.
That was until Barton - who is already waiting trial for a training ground incident with a former Man City team-mate - was charged with assault.
It's no good going into exactly what happened at 5.30am in the morning yesterday - when most of us were either tucked up in bed after the dismal defeat of Wigan or the revelers amongst us still burning the midnight oil or tucking into a low standard kebab - because until the latest drama unfolds we can't speculate too much.
Certainly Barton's reputation walks into the room before him and there will be plenty of people with things to say right now.
But Sam Allardyce must be wondering just what he got himself into when he decided that Newcastle United was the next step up the ladder in his managerial career.
Continue reading "Newcastle are stuck with the timebomb that is Joey Barton" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
United faithful deserved better, much better
Posted by Lee on December 26, 2007 9:58 PM
It was the bloke that was dressed as a hot dog that I felt sorry for the most after Newcastle United's latest failure in Wigan.
Seriously, all of the effort he'd made to watch that.
He and 4,999 others as well of course - but to go all the way to Wigan on Boxing Day, pay the money to hire a crazy outfit, buy your ticket, have a few pre-match drinks with friends, sing your heart out and then sit back and watch your team struggle against a team that will struggle to get out of the bottom half, it's enough to push most people to the limit.
It certainly wasn't the top day out that most people had anticipated and not for the first time the fans snapped towards the end, but I can't blame them - I was feeling bad enough myself yet my heart really did go out to them.
Continue reading "United faithful deserved better, much better" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
United gunned down in Wigan (again)
Posted by Lee on December 26, 2007 4:58 PM
NEWCASTLE UNITED were gunned down by Wigan Athletic today as Steve Bruce played the role of party pooper for the 5,000 strong Toon Army.
It was United’s fourth straight loss at the JJB Stadium but Wigan were full value for their 1-0 win as Ryan Taylor bagged the only goal of the game.
Big Sam did not hesitate to wield the axe following the inept performance against Derby County with the Toon boss making FIVE changes to the side that drew 2-2 with the Rams at St James’s Park three days earlier.
Toon owner Mike Ashley watched from the away section as Newcastle supporters lost their cool at the end of a deeply disappointing day.
Continue reading "United gunned down in Wigan (again)" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Newcastle fans are miserable for a good reason
Posted by Lee on December 23, 2007 9:25 PM
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL CHRONICLE AND BLOG READERS!
Even the Derby fans were chanting how bad they were during Newcastle United's latest twist in a season which still promises nothing but inconsistency and mid-table mediocrity - unless something changes dramatically.
In fact Derby fans were ridiculing us because they were that bad and they'd still taken four points from six from us, which makes up a big bulk of their dismal tally of seven!
It would be easy to come out with lots of seasonal flavoured phrases and try to make a joke out of things but this is well beyond that.
It's five games in a row we've handed the visitors the lead now and it's actually quite amazing that we have 26 points in the bag.
Continue reading "Newcastle fans are miserable for a good reason" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Toon suffer Christmas Ram raid
Posted by Lee on December 23, 2007 3:58 PM
NEWCASTLE UNITED survived a real scare at St James's Park today after leaving it late to save their blushes against doomed Derby County.
United had to come from behind twice against the Rams but even Mark Viduka's late equaliser could not stop the boos ringing out come the final whistle against the Premier League's poorest side.
The Magpies made just one change the side that won 1-0 at Fulham last week with skipper Geremi dropped to the bench and Mark Viduka promoted to the starting line-up.
Continue reading "Toon suffer Christmas Ram raid" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Time for the Toon to serve up a Christmas cracker
Posted by Lee on December 20, 2007 2:55 PM
Let's face it Sam Allardyce is on a hiding to nothing against Derby County but he'll be hoping for a convincing win when the doomed and relegation haunted Rams show up on Tynside come Sunday.
Big Sam has already told us not to expect miracles in the transfer window next month or said as much when he revealed that he isn't a big fan of panic buying in the January sales.
But for 90 minutes on Sunday it's all about the players that Newcastle have at their disposal right now.
Continue reading "Time for the Toon to serve up a Christmas cracker" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Newcastle can't get carried away
Posted by Lee on December 16, 2007 4:06 PM
In the end it was a win.
But that didn't stop many Toon fans expressing fears that the late victory at Craven Cottage has merely papered over a few wide cracks.
Had United failed to beat a woeful Fulham side in the capital on Saturday, those with doubts over a squad that is lacking depth and is about to get smaller next month would have been heard loud and clear come the final whistle at the Cottage.
Continue reading "Newcastle can't get carried away" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Barton grabs the glory for Newcastle
Posted by Lee on December 15, 2007 7:13 PM
Newcastle United snatched their first away win since the first game of the season at Fulham tonight after a dramatic stoppage time penalty from Joey Barton.
The Scouse midfielder slammed home the ball late in the day to extend United’s unbeaten run to three games and grab United’s first win on the road since the 3-1 success at Bolton.
United ran out at Craven Cottage in their light blue kit with Big Sam making just one change to the side that had beaten Birmingham City as 4,000 Toon fans roared their side on to the field.
Continue reading "Barton grabs the glory for Newcastle" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
The view from the Newcastle War Room
Posted by Lee on December 14, 2007 6:30 PM
Sorry to interrupt the build up to "Grand Slam" Sunday but it's time to focus on the real big clash of the weekend - and that has to be our trip to Craven Cottage.
Central Station will be bustling tomorrow from the crack of dawn with Toon fans no doubt heading to the smoke for a big day out in the capital.
But has the recent improvement, or slight improvement if you are a realist, given us any real hope that Newcastle United can finally win their first game since the opening day of the season at Bolton?
Continue reading "The view from the Newcastle War Room" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Toon old boy puts the record straight!
Posted by Lee on December 14, 2007 10:06 AM
It's amazing what the internet has done for this planet when you think about it.
I mean when I set off for work this morning I didn't expect to be having a telephone conversation with former Toon forward Lee Payne for instance!
Once upon the Tyne as a 12-year-old heading up to St James's Park during the torrid 1988/89 season - that resulted in United being relegated from the Old First Division under Jim Smith - I soon realised there was no shortage of stick flying around with the club in real turmoil.
And unfortunately during that time not many players escaped that stick not least Payne.
But in response to a entry on Blog on The Tyne way back in May when Antoine Sibierski left Toon to join Wigan - I referred to Payne - and the former Magpie tracked me down to chew the fat!
Continue reading "Toon old boy puts the record straight!" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Captain Bob was spot on
Posted by Lee on December 12, 2007 6:13 PM
Bob Moncur knows a thing or two about Newcastle United.
And I have to admit I never tire of talking football to the last man who lifted a trophy for our great club.
That was back in 1969 when the Toon won the Fairs Cup and Moncs has been wanting somebody to take away the title of last man to lift a trophy for the last three decades now.
But when chatting over a cup of tea the other day Moncs told me of his desire for us to finally to get this club back on track.
Continue reading "Captain Bob was spot on" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Babayaro's exit was for the best
Posted by Lee on December 10, 2007 2:25 PM
He came with a big reputation as a winner but he left under a cloud.
Celestine Babayaro's stint on Tyneside as a Newcastle United player is well and truly over and Sam Allardyce has done the right thing in doing so - even if he had the rest of this season and the whole of next left on his contract.
Big Sam always said that Baba would get his chance at St James's Park and with the manager being patient with the once mighty Nigerian international, it's fair to say he gave him one.
But with Babayaro clearly lacking fitness, motivation and sheer hunger to pull on a black and white shirt surely Big Sam was right to say enough is enough.
Continue reading "Babayaro's exit was for the best" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
It wasn't pretty but we'll take it!
Posted by Lee on December 9, 2007 1:45 PM
Newcastle United's first win since October 22 finally gave the Toon Army something to shout about but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
United actually played better against Arsenal and drew in midweek but the relief at the final whistle for Big Sam was clear with the four points from the last six giving him some vital breathing space.
Newcastle have switched to a much more offensive style in the last three games and even though Birmingham will feel they should have grabbed at least a point, United's policy of piling forward of late is the reason they find themselves back in the top 10.
Continue reading "It wasn't pretty but we'll take it!" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Hab a bit of that!
Posted by Lee on December 8, 2007 4:59 PM
Habib Beye was Newcastle United’s hero today against Birmingham after the Senegal ace headed home a late, late winner at Gallowgate to grab Sam Allardyce’s first three points since October 22.
Newcastle had fallen behind to a Cameron Jerome goal before Oba Martins levelled and Beye netted his first for the club.
United started the game with the same side that had drew with Arsenal but the clash with Brum began amidst a sleet storm with fans forced to battle through winter conditions to get the stadium.
Continue reading "Hab a bit of that!" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
- Reddit
Play it again Sam
Posted by Lee on December 7, 2007 1:27 PM
Newcastle United's performance against Arsenal was certainly one to remember but with Birmingham heading to Toon many fans will be wondering just why they can't do exactly the same again.
There is certainly plenty of factors and reasons why Birmingham are capable of coming to Tyneside and winning, the main one being that this is Newcastle United we are talking about and anything is possible once the ref blows that whistle!
But if the Toon players can show the same amount of work-rate and passion as they did against the Gunners - which almost resulted in victory - there won't be too many complaints and the chances are they can grab their first win since October 22.
Continue reading "Play it again Sam" »
- Post to:
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Newsvine
- Nowpublic
-